The lost islands of Australasia reveal the aesthetic excess of Mother Nature. Each island is different, from the exotic white sands of the Cook Islands to the dramatic mountains and glaciers of New Zealand's South Island (Te Waipounamu). On this unique itinerary, explore four of the region's most untrammeled islands and archipelagos and adventure through landscapes that remain wild and dramatic. Blend beach with adventure for this vacation that takes you far from the beaten trail.
Customizable Itinerary
Day 1
Rarotonga – Welcome to the Cook Islands
A series of volcanic peaks rise rugged in the South Pacific; the slopes are painted with rainforest and their coastlines dominated by tropical reefs. Rarotonga is the largest, encircled by a coral reef that glows a hue of flaming orange, its interior blossoms skyward with a rich display of green. The view from the plane window thrills as you see an island paradise so far from the rest of the world. Touch down on Rarotonga and transfer to an exclusive resort on the island's rim, a journey made by boat as the interior is thick and without direct roads. Breakers roll beyond the nearby reef and crash like distant thunder to bely the serenity of the turquoise lagoon before you. A couple of steps from your villa and you are on a beach that sparkles with white sand. Wander a little further, and the warm, shallow waters enable you to look back on the real drama of the interior. Relax, wallow in the tropics, and savor the scene.
What's Included:
Day 2
Rarotonga – Exclusive Yacht Cruise to Uninhabited Islands
Day 3
Rarotonga – Remote Island Bliss in the Pacific
Day 4
Queenstown – Lost Amidst Lakes and Mountains
Day 5
Queenstown – Exploring the Fjords
Day 6
Westland Tai Poutini National Park – Wandering Across the Glaciers
Day 7
Westland Tai Poutini National Park – Snowy Peaks and Hidden Lakes
Day 8
Cradle Mountain – Welcome to Tasmania
Day 9
Cradle Mountain – An Iconic Wilderness Experience
Day 10
Freycinet National Park – White Beaches and Pink Granite Mountains
Day 11
Freycinet National Park – Lost in the Colors of Tasmania
Day 12
Whitsunday Islands – An Archipelago of Empty Sand
Day 13 - 14
Whitsunday Islands – Private Yacht Cruising through the Pacific
Day 15
Whitsunday Islands – Departure
Trip Highlights
- Savor the languid atmosphere of the Cook Islands and spend days amongst its white tropical beaches and lush landscapes
- Spend a day on a private yacht, sailing to uninhabited islets within the Cook archipelago and dining beneath the moonlight
- Surround yourself with the mountains and fjords of New Zealand's Te Waipounamu (South Island), admiring how snow-capped peaks and glaciers tumble into the ocean
- Walk along a glacier and cruise through the waters of Doubtful Sound, two examples of the South Island's majestic beauty
- Enjoy several days in Tasmania, an understated Australian island where half the land is gazetted as national park
- Explore a remarkable range of Tasmanian landscapes, from pink granite mountains to deserted white beaches and serene lakes
- Complete the itinerary by sailing through the Whitsunday Islands, an archipelago of islets and sandbanks that unveil the exotic reverie of Australasia
- Take two helicopter excursions and marvel at the scale of these lost islands, including an elegant landing in the snow and a journey across the rainforest
Detailed Description
Hundreds of islands are dotted across the South Pacific, each as compelling and contrasting as the next. There is no natural blueprint as some rise with volcanic grandeur, home to wild mountain chains and shimmering glaciers. Others are tropical, framed by white sand and softly lapping waters. Each overflows with indigenous nature; huge swathes set aside as national park and World Heritage sites. This handcrafted itinerary connects the untouched islands of the region to reveal nature's spell in all its eclectic variations. This itinerary is a journey into the wilderness and one of the sublime landscapes on seen on a staggering scale. This vacation imbues exclusivity and takes you to destinations with an untouched appeal.
Start in the Cook Islands with a private yacht charter and uninhabited islets and the quintessence of beach escapism are yours. Gaze at the water from the white sand, and there is no land for thousands of miles, just turquoise waters and playful marine residents. A classic destination in the tropics, it’s all about lounging around and indulging. Fly to Te Waipounamu, New Zealand's South Island, where the mountain landscape couldn't be more dramatic. Glaciers and fjords roll down the coastline to create an enormous World Heritage Site and an expansive landscape of adventure. Helicopter to hidden plateaus, cruise along majestic fjords, and walk across glaciers to sculpted ice formations. There's an incredible sense of the unexplored as it’s clear that nature’s rule has never been challenged.
Surrounding mainland Australia, learn more about how Australia was before the Europeans arrived, islands that reveal indigenous flora and the antics of marsupials. Expansive and evocative, Tasmania is an almost entirely national park, an island of kaleidoscope tones and hues with pink mountains, white beaches, thick mangroves and blue lakes. Your days in Tasmania immerse you in World Heritage landscapes and a staggering array of colors. Complete the itinerary with the Whitsundays, a series of sandy uninhabited islets that you access on a private yacht. After the drama of Te Waipounamu and Tasmania, these final three days are all about the soft charms of the beach.
Starting Price
$6,200 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
4.86 stars based on 2580 reviews.
Zicasso's travel designer put together a trip that got us to the places we wanted to see, with companies that suited our abilities and desires. He offered excellent suggestions, was always available, and was a pleasure to work with.
Reviewed By Mark H.
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.