Sea Kayak on Milford Sound in New Zealand

Best of Australia & New Zealand Vacation

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Customizable Itinerary

This is a sample itinerary to inspire a personalized trip designed with your travel specialist

Countries Visited

Australia, New Zealand

Places Visited

Melbourne, Sydney, Queenstown, Christchurch...

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Suggested Duration

18 Days

On your 18-day best of Australia and New Zealand tour, you will find the point at which the lush rainforest meets the vibrant coral reef and where the traditional Maori war song can reach the slopes of the Southern Alps. Explosive geysers and rich valleys, jagged mountainscapes and rich culture will highlight the timeless marvels of the land and sea for an adventure into Australia and New Zealand’s indelible wonder.

Customizable Itinerary

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Trip Highlights

  • Experience a tramcar dinner in Melbourne 
  • Witness the Phillip Island Penguin Parade 
  • Cruise around the Great Barrier Reef 
  • Explore Sydney’s highlights on a city sights tour
  • Venture through the Blue Mountains on a 4WD Eco-tour 
  • View the incredible Milford Sound on a luxury cruise and scenic flight
  • Visit the sensational Mount Cook National Park
  • Traverse Christchurch on a city highlights tour
  • Experience a Maori hangi feast with cultural performances 
  • Relax on a Pride of Auckland dinner cruise

Detailed Description

Discover Australia and New Zealand on this 18-day journey through some of Oceana’s best-known sights. Wander through the famous landscape of New Zealand. Explore the celebrated beaches of Australia. More importantly, discover the lesser-known sights of Australia and New Zealand that will make your visit sensational, filled with stunning culture, fabulous adventure, and the little details that separate the good from the unforgettable. From the highest peak in the Southern Hemisphere to the depths of a lush valley, get ready, because there will always be more to discover.

Your New Zealand tours discovery begins in Melbourne, Australia where the culture of the country is embodied in the eclectic art, food, and energy of the city. Wander through Melbourne on a guided highlights tour to witness the most famous monuments of the city, and when the sun sets enjoy the unique opportunity of dining in a luxurious tramcar that roams the city streets. Make your way to Phillip Island where the sandy beaches are inhabited by penguins, and the vibrant trees are filled with koalas. From the urban center of Melbourne you will venture into the seaside city of Cairns where the edges of the Great Barrier Reef are ready to be explored. Dive into the colorful world of the reef and witness the life situated beneath the water’s surface. Take a day to explore Cape Tribulation or just sit in the sunshine on Kewarra Beach before heading to the fabulous city of Sydney. Discover the city’s famed architecture and stunning beaches, from the Opera House to Bondi Beach, before venturing into the Blue Mountains on a four-wheel-drive excursion. Explore the hills, valleys, mountains, and streams on a unique tour of the national park. 

Continue your discovery of the Southern Hemisphere in Queenstown, New Zealand. The alpine city sits surrounded by stunning scenery ready to be explored, including the famous Milford Sound. Explore the sound on a fabulous cruise beneath the towering mountains and on a breathtaking scenic flight over Mitre Peak. Experience the majesty of Mount Cook, the highest mountain in the Southern Hemisphere, on your way to Christchurch. The gardens always seem to be in bloom and add color and life to the energetic city. Venture into the depths of Maori culture and bubbling geysers in Rotorua where the Maori people welcome you into their tribe. Traverse the tumbling landscape of Te Puia Thermal Village and see Rotorua from its highest peak, as the steam of the thermal baths creeps through the streets. Your adventure brings you to Auckland where you can discover the depths of the city from the height of the SkyCity Hotel. Enjoy the evening with a dinner cruise that will give you personal insight into the City of Sails. Your journey through Oceania ends in Auckland but the desire to discover never will. 

To explore more itinerary options, visit the reviews for New Zealand travel agencies.

Starting Price

$5,845 per person (excluding international flights)

Your Zicasso trip is fully customizable, and this sample itinerary is a starting place for your travel plans. Actual costs are dynamic, and your selection of accommodations and activities, your season of travel, and other such variables will bring this budget guideline up or down. Throughout your planning experience with your Zicasso specialist, your itinerary is designed around your budget. You can book your trip when you are satisfied with every detail. Planning your trip with a Zicasso travel specialist is a free service.

What's Included

  • Accommodations
  • In-country transportation
  • Some or all activities and tours
  • Expert trip planning
  • 24x7 support during your trip

Your final trip cost will vary based on your selected accommodations, activities, meals, and other trip elements that you opt to include.

Reviews of Zicasso's Referral Service

4.85 stars based on 820 reviews.

Australia, New Zealand Luxury Vacation Review: Melbourne,...
"Zicasso's travel agent was fantastic to work with – highly...

Reviewed By John G.

Australia, New Zealand Luxury Travel Review: Melbourne,...
"Zicasso's travel partner organized an outstanding 17-day...

Reviewed By Warren H.

Australia, New Zealand Vacation Review: Sydney, Great Barrier...
"I loved the trip. I felt like Zicasso was there to support...

Reviewed By Linda W.

Australia, New Zealand Luxury Vacation Review: Queenstown,...
"From the first time I corresponded with our Zicasso travel...

Reviewed By Nathan W.

New Zealand, Australia Trip Review: Milford Sound, Melbourne,...
"The Zicasso company seemed knowledgeable about the location...

Reviewed By Andrew F.

Australia, New Zealand Vacation Review: Queenstown, Milford...
"Our Zicasso travel partner created an amazing trip to New...

Reviewed By Trevor T.

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