The sails of the Sydney Opera House, the songs of Maori warriors, and Rarotonga’s pristine beaches will reveal splendor on your 15-day cultural tour of Australia, New Zealand, and the Cook Islands. You will sample distinctive flavors informed by local tradition and climb to the top of Sydney’s Sky Tower. Sip wine on Waiheke Island and snorkel the reefs of the Cook Islands for a remarkable discovery of Oceana.
Customizable Itinerary
Day 1
Rarotonga - A Warm Welcome
Depart from your home and ready yourself for the serene and stunning beauty of the remote Cook Islands. Far from the hustle and boisterousness of the modern world, the islands are bursting with a thousand years of Polynesian culture and natural South Pacific scenery. A blend of craggy mountains, dense rainforest, and glistening white beaches, this assortment of islands is never less than enchanting. From the moment you ascend into the sky until the moment you land, the islands will be calling you to them and are ready to welcome you to a home you always wanted.
What's Included:
Day 2
Rarotonga - Beneath the Calm
Day 3
Rarotonga - To the Isle’s Edges
Day 4
Rarotonga - Living Culture
Day 5
Rarotonga - The Beat of the Islands
Day 6
Sydney - On to Down Under
Day 7
Sydney - The Harbour City
Day 8
Sydney - Sails in Effect
Day 9
Sydney - The Harbor’s Surroundings
Day 10
Sydney - A Different Kind of Beach
Day 11
Auckland - The Harbour City to the City of Sails
Day 12
Auckland - Sail the Islands
Day 13
Auckland - Soaking in Your Surroundings
Day 14
Auckland - Immersed in Culture
Day 15
Auckland - From one Home to Another
Trip Highlights
- See the incredible reefs of the Cook Islands
- Experience the dynamic Polynesian culture
- Tour the Sydney Opera House
- See the tallest free-standing structure in the Southern Hemisphere, Sky Tower
- Enjoy lively Darling Harbour
- Discover stunning Waiheke Island
- Stroll along the pristine beaches of Rarotonga
- Taste the delicious unique flavors of Auckland, the Cook Islands, and Sydney
Detailed Description
From the silky sands of the Cook Islands, down into the lush Blue Mountains that surround Sydney, to the towering Auckland Skyline, this 15-day trip will have you soaking in luxury and indulging in the comforts of the Southern Hemisphere. The individual qualities of unique cultures, varied landscapes, stunning beaches, and lush rainforests is more than enough to appeal to anyone; however, it is the promised collection of these traits that make this holiday more than just outstanding but also indescribable.
Settle into the inviting warmth of the Cook Islands in Rarotonga, the nation’s largest island. The beaches are quiet and relaxing. The reefs are lively with exotic fish. The rainforest is lush and climbs the foothills of the extinct volcanic terrain. Relax on the sand or explore the islands’ alluring culture and birdlife before heading to Sydney, Australia where the iconic Harbour City awaits you. Whether inside or outside of Sydney’s city limits there is always a wealth of activities and scenery to experience. Tour the world-famous Sydney Opera House, explore the Blue Mountains, and enjoy the sights and sounds of the city’s unique neighborhoods. The city is filled with luxuries to enjoy and comforts to welcome you.
Fly over the Tasman Sea on your way to Auckland, New Zealand for the final leg of your journey. The city boasts the largest Polynesian population outside of the island nations giving the city an eclectic flair. From food to culture, forests to beaches, Auckland is filled with and surrounded by fun. From restaurant tours to island wine tasting, black sand beaches to zip lining, take time to treat yourself, not just by enjoying the city’s fabulous cultural displays but also by indulging in its inviting ambiance. The Cook Islands, Sydney, and Auckland, even if having nothing in common before your holiday, will all share one cohesive idea as you head home: you continuously wonder how soon you can return.
Starting Price
$6,200 per person (excluding international flights)
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
4.86 stars based on 2527 reviews.
We very much enjoyed our time in New Zealand and Australia. The tours were all very good. Zicasso's travel agent and our tour partner were very responsive and helpful throughout the planning phase and while we were on vacation.
The only feedback we have is that the hotels selected, other than the hotels in New Zealand, did not have the amenities we were hoping to get from four-star properties. We'll do a better job of indicating what we need in hotel selections moving forward, but we thought the hotels could have been a notch better than they were.
Reviewed By Tim G.
I would use our travel company again in a minute! Zicasso's travel consultant really “got me” and designed the perfect trip for us.
The highlights especially included picking perfect places for us to stay (close to most everything we were doing and in the heart of the cities). The tours, both private and small group, gave us not only what we asked for, but even more that we didn’t know existed.
The itinerary was as detailed as it could possibly be, describing the day, what to bring, names and phone numbers to call if there were issues, and who we needed to call to confirm future tour dates.
One of our highlights was the penguin experience. Our guide was great and our trip planner got us “plus” tickets, which I would definitely recommend. Finally, she provided us with the necessary info and guides (where necessary) for our amazing hikes.
Reviewed By Ellin A.
Zicasso's travel specialists were fantastic! They provided excellent and unique recommendations. As a traveler seeking adventure and outdoor experiences, they completely understood my needs. Additionally, all accommodations were high quality, communication was very clear, and pricing was reasonable. I would strongly recommend them to anyone traveling to Australia/New Zealand.
Reviewed By Emil S.
We absolutely loved so much of our trip! My kids’ (ages 11 and eight) favorite activities were luging in Rotorua, NZ, and the sunset camel ride in Uluru, AU, while my husband and I were enchanted by Hobbiton and enjoyed exploring a glowworm cave with the owner's father! We all loved Tasmania.
There were a few hiccups. However, we were very happy with all the support the Zicasso travel company's team provided in real time to help us get back on track.
The overall trip was fantastic. My husband and I appreciated having the team support our adventures, both the highs and the lows. The team members were detailed-oriented. This trip exceeded our expectations and we’re incredibly grateful for their expertise in curating such memorable experiences.
Reviewed By Sivly R.
Zicasso's tour planner did a superb job for us. She collaborated with us on working out our itinerary and had useful information on how to combine our desired destinations efficiently.
While we were in Australia, she was available via the company's app, including helping us on a late evening when our flight from Sydney to Hobart was canceled because of a cyclone and we needed a short-notice hotel in Sydney.
Reviewed By Henry H.
Zicasso's travel company and our agent's team were phenomenal and very supportive, even when certain events were out of their control. They made everything on my trip to Australia simple, with excellent accommodations and activities laid out for me. They restored my faith in travel agencies and trip advisors. I had full confidence in them while visiting another country and will continue to refer anyone who is planning a trip to contact my agent's team for booking a memorable experience. Thank you to her and her delightful team.
Reviewed By Travis M.