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Explore Australia & New Zealand

22 days, Sydney to Queenstown

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22 days - Sydney to Queenstown

Sold Out

There are no departure dates currently available for the rest of this season. Some tours only run during parts of the year.

Trip Code: OANNG

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Is this tour for me?

Travel Style: National Geographic Journeys

Greater exploration, insider access, and the freedom to roam – all without sacrificing comfort.

Service Level: Upgraded

Quality accommodations and more inclusions than on other G Adventures tours, like meals, private transport, and activities.

Physical Rating: 2 - Light

Light walking and hiking suitable for most fitness levels. Nothing too challenging.

Trip Type: Small Group

Small group experience; Max 16, Avg 12.

Age requirement: 12+

All travellers under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

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Before booking, use our handy entry requirements tool so you know which documents you need to enter and travel through the countries on your trip.

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22 days - Sydney to Queenstown

Sold Out

There are no departure dates currently available for the rest of this season. Some tours only run during parts of the year.

Trip Code: OANNG

Need a flight? We can help.

Call us to book your flights! We'll find you the best option!

See how your trip uplifts communities

In a number of impactful ways, your adventure directly benefits the local people and places we visit.

Trees for Days

Help us spread love around the world with Trees for Days. Together with Planeterra, we'll plant one tree in your name for every travel day.

Trees planted for this trip: 22

New Zealand reveals something new, different and jaw-dropping around every corner. Its beauty is unique in that it constantly transforms from one stunning landscape to another: mountains to deserts, deserts to rainforests, rainforests to glaciers, glaciers to rolling farm-lands.” —Carrie Miller, contributing writer for National Geographic Traveler

Map of the route for Explore Australia & New Zealand

Places visited

Itinerary Notes

Please note that due to seasonal weather the itinerary on Day 20 in Doubtful Sound varies from winter to summer months. The winter itinerary runs approx from mid-May to early Sept. The remaining departures will follow the summer itinerary.

Itinerary

Day 1Sydney

Arrive at any time.

Day 2Sydney

Enjoy a traditional Indigenous welcome and a walkabout around The Rocks area and Sydney Harbour to learn the history of the Indigenous people’s saltwater heritage and their spiritual connection to the area. In the afternoon, board a private vessel and enjoy a relaxing sunset cruise with a barbecue dinner. While navigating the bays and coves, sit back and enjoy views of the Harbour Bridge and Opera House.

Exclusive Inclusions:

Your Journeys Highlight Moment The Rocks Indigenous Dreaming and Welcome Tour

Meals included:

Breakfast | Dinner

Day 3Sydney/Port Douglas

Fly to Cairns then travel up the coastal road to Mossman Gorge. Take an interpretive walk with a local Indigenous guide and learn about traditional ways of life and survival techniques in the Daintree Rainforest. Continue on to the resort in Port Douglas, our home for the next two nights.

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 4Port Douglas

Enjoy the colourful resort town of Port Douglas. Take time to stroll the main streets and enjoy the beach.

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 5Port Douglas/Cairns

Return to the tropical city of Cairns. Take an exclusive behind the scenes tour of the James Cook University research aquarium, founded by marine biologist and National Geographic grant recipient Dr Jamie Seymour. Enjoy a private tour of the facility and get an up close look at some of these marvelous creatures. We'll also hear about the latest research from Jamie or one of his colleagues.

Exclusive Inclusions:

Your Journeys Highlight Moment James Cook University Research Aquarium

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 6Cairns

Enjoy a free day to relax at the beach. Opt to explore North Queensland’s tropical rainforests or get your adrenaline pumping with whitewater rafting or bungee jumping.

Exclusive Inclusions:

Your Discover Moment

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 7Cairns/Uluru

Catch a flight to Uluru. Visit the cultural centre and learn about ancient beliefs and traditions portrayed in art, food, and music before witnessing an incredible sunset with a glass of bubbly.

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 8Uluru

Awake before sunrise to watch the colours change over Uluru. Continue on with a guided Mala Walk around the base of Uluru, gaining insight into its significance to the local Indigenous people. Later, take a walk in Kata Tjuta National Park and view the beautiful red-domed rock formations. The afternoon is at your leisure.

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 9Uluru/Melbourne

Enjoy another sunrise over Uluru before flying to Melbourne for the night.

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 10Melbourne

Enjoy a full free day in Melbourne. Opt to visit wineries, explore the Great Ocean Road, or discover hidden gems in the city's famous laneways.

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 11Melbourne

Go on a guided foodie walk through the laneways of Melbourne with a local author and culinary storyteller for a three-course progressive lunch. Later, enjoy free time to explore Melbourne.

Exclusive Inclusions:

Your Journeys Highlight Moment Melbourne Foodie Walk

Meals included:

Breakfast | Lunch

Day 12Melbourne/Auckland

Fly to Auckland on New Zealand’s North Island, and enjoy free time in the city.

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 13Auckland

Enjoy a morning orientation walk before catching a ferry to Waiheke Island. Visit two local wineries to learn more about New Zealand's burgeoning wine industry and the history of wine production in the country while sampling some of the local blends, of course.

Exclusive Inclusions:

Your Journeys Highlight Moment Waiheke Island Wineries

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 14Auckland/Raglan

Drive a scenic route, visiting an eel farm which focuses on developing sustainable aquaculture. Enjoy lunch, featuring food which has been sustainably produced on the farm. Continue to the artsy town of Raglan, stopping at Bridal Veil Falls en route, and enjoy a cruise on the stunning harbour.

Meals included:

Breakfast | Lunch

Day 15Raglan/Rotorua

Drive to Rotorua, stopping for an excursion at Waitomo Caves where you'll take a boat ride through the cave and see thousands of flickering glowworms lighting up the walls.

This evening visit Tamaki Maori Village and enjoy a private welcome and talk from a “Kaumātua” (an elder in Māori society). After, enjoy an extravagant performance about local myths and legends while dining on traditional Hangi cuisine.

Exclusive Inclusions:

Your Journeys Highlight Moment Meet a Maori Elder

Meals included:

Breakfast | Dinner

Day 16Rotorua/Christchurch

Enjoy free time this morning in Rotorua before catching a flight to Christchurch. This afternoon, meet with a local guide and take a unique walking tour of the city.

Exclusive Inclusions:

Your Journeys Highlight Moment Resourceful Ōtautahi Walking Tour with Local Expert

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 17Christchurch/Franz Josef

Enjoy one of the world’s great scenic train trips on the TranzAlpine train, crossing the scenic Southern Alps to New Zealand's glacier region. Disembark and finish the journey over the highest pass in the Southern Alps in a private vehicle before transferring to a beautiful rainforest lodge, our home for two nights.

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 18Franz Josef

Options are plentiful. Choose from a helicopter hike, ice walking on the glacier, or soaking in the hot pools amongst the stunning scenery.

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 19Franz Josef/Queenstown

Travel through the rugged rainforest along the west coast to Queenstown. Enjoy an evening gondola ride with spectacular views of the city.

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 20Queenstown/Fiordland National Park

Embark on an amazing wilderness cruise through Fiordland National Park. Led by onboard naturalist guides, we have the chance to see dolphins, fur seals, birds, and penguins along with an option to kayak. Spend the night onboard in comfortable cabins with time to relax on deck, stargaze, and enjoy some New Zealand wine.

Meals included:

Breakfast | Dinner

Day 21Fiordland National Park/Queenstown

Enjoy morning wildlife viewing along the fiord as we cruise back to port, then return to Queenstown for the final night. Opt for a farewell dinner with your group.

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 22Queenstown

Depart at any time.

Meals included:

Breakfast
View full itinerary

What's Included

  • Your Journeys Highlight Moment: The Rocks Indigenous Dreaming and Welcome Tour, Sydney
  • Your Journeys Highlight Moment: James Cook University Research Aquarium, Cairns
  • Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Melbourne Foodie Walk, Melbourne
  • Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Waiheke Island Wineries, Waiheke Island
  • Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Meet a Maori Elder, Rotorua
  • Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Resourceful Ōtautahi Walking Tour with Local Expert, Christchurch
  • Your Discover Moment: Cairns
  • Sydney Harbour Aboriginal Walk
  • Sydney Harbour cruise
  • Aboriginal walk through the Daintree Rainforest
  • Sunrise interpretive walk at Uluru
  • Melbourne orientation walk
  • Raglan harbour cruise
  • Visit glowworm caves
  • Orientation walk in Christchurch
  • Scenic TranzAlpine train
  • Queenstown Gondola ride
  • Wilderness day cruise (winter) or overnight cruise (summer) in Fiordland National Park
  • Internal flights
  • All transport between destinations and to/from included activities

Accommodations

Hotels (20 nts), cruise boat (1 nt, seasonal).

Meals

21 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 3 dinners
Allow USD880-1145 for meals not included.

Transportation

Mini-bus, plane, train, boat, walking.

Staff & experts

Chief Experience Officer (CEO) throughout, local guides.

Departures

There are no departure dates currently available for the rest of this season. Some tours only run during parts of the year.

Please Contact Us to inquire about dates for next season, or to discuss other tour options.

Explore Australia & New Zealand

| 22 days - Sydney to Queenstown - Sold Out