Compare Australia & New Zealand Uncovered by Audley Travel vs New Zealand: See & Experience it ALL in 10 Days, 1st Class Custom Tours by Charlie The Traveler
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| Trip |
5 | Excellent
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5 | Excellent
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| Duration | 23 days | 10 days |
| Price From | $ 11,096 | $ 4,545 |
| Price Per Day | $ 482 | $ 455 |
| Highlights |
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| Trip Style | Private guided tour | Private guided tour |
| Lodging Level | Standard | Luxury |
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| Flights & Transport | Internal airfare and ground transport included | Ground transport included |
| Activities |
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| Meals Included | N/A |
Along with lunch on Day 8, a traditional Maori (native) dinner is included on this tour on Evening 9. We do our best to ensure you are being offered healthy and tasty local cuisine. |
| Description |
A continent in its own right, Australia’s landscapes range from tropical rainforests to the red deserts of the Outback via vineyards, surf beaches and cosmopolitan cities. Thanks to an efficient network of internal flights, you can experience many of these places within the same trip. |
You absolutely will not find another tour out there as packed with activities and attractions as this one, provided by CharlieTheTraveler. You will also not find another tour out there that offers it all "FIRST CLASS," yet for a relatively low price. We have thousands of travelers taking this specific tour every year-and that's because no competitor can beat us on quality, price & substance. |
Day 1 : International outbound flight
Today you begin your journey by boarding your international outbound flight to Sydney.
Day 2 : International outbound flight
On-board your international outbound flight to Sydney.
Day 3 : Sydney
You will arrive into Sydney today and transported to your city accommodation for a three night stay. Take an hour long guided tour of the Sydney Opera House, learning about its unique architecture and history.
Day 4 : Sydney
You will have a guided bike tour of the highlights in Sydney. This is a great excursion and an excellent way to learn your way around the city before spending a few days here.
Day 5 : Sydney
You will be collected this morning and taken on a small group tour to the Blue Mountains in a smart 4WD accompanied by a friendly and knowledgeable guide. You will explore the flora and fauna, culture and history of this wonderful region while avoiding the busier tourists bottlenecks. Lunch is included at a beautiful lookout point.
Day 6 : Uluru/Ayers Rock
You will fly out to Uluru/Ayers Rock in the Red Centre today for your first real taste of the outback. On arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day will be yours to spend at leisure.
Day 7 : Uluru/Ayers Rock
Early this morning you will be collected from your hotel for a sunrise tour of the nearby Kata Tjuta rock formation. Your guide will teach you of the areas geological composition and its significance to the indigenous peoples of the area, whose mark is left by the intricate rock art found here. You will return to your hotel for lunch.This afternoon you will head out in the evening for a sunset tour of the fascinating Uluru, where you'll see ancient Aboriginal artwork as your guide teaches you all about the geological history of Uluru, as well as its cultural significance to the area's indigenous peoples.
Day 8 : Palm Cove
This morning is at leisure. In the afternoon, you will fly to Cairns, in tropical north Queensland today. On arrival you'll be met and transferred the short distance up the coast to the beautiful Palm Cove, where you will spend the next four nights.
Day 9 : Palm Cove
This morning you will head into the ancient Daintree Rainforest on a small group 4x4 tour. Enjoy learning about aboriginal bush food and medicines, look out for saltwater crocodiles on the Daintree River and travel to the stunning Cape Tribulation lookout - the point where the Great Barrier Reef meets the rainforest.
Day 10 : Palm Cove
Spend the day exploring the incredible marine life of the Great Barrier Reef as you head out on 30 metre luxury sailing catamaran. There will be opportunities for snorkelling and relaxing as well as options to take a trip on a glass bottom boat. Lunch and light refreshments are served on board.
Day 11 : Palm Cove
Today you will have a full day at leisure to enjoy in Palm Cove. You may wish to try your hand at some more watersports or simply relax on the beautiful stretch of beach.
Day 12 : Auckland
This morning you will have an early start back to Cairns for your flight across to Auckland in New Zealand. Upon arrival in Auckland you will be met and transferred to your accommodation in the centre of the city.After you have settled into your hotel room you can head out into Auckland to explore. We recommend to take a boat ride around the harbour or visit the city's many shops and museums. In evening, the harbour area is a great place to find some excellent bars and restaurants.
Day 13 : Rotorua
This morning you will explore Auckland's highlights on a guided tour, making for a fantastic introduction to the city and New Zealand as a whole. In the afternoon, collect your hire car and make your way south to the fascinating Rotorua - a centre of geothermal activity.
Day 14 : Rotorua
Today enjoy all of Rotorua`s top attractions, from the breath taking geysers and mud pools of the Te Puia Cultural and Geothermal Center, to the soothing natural blessing of the Polynesian Spa pools.In the evening you will be collected from your accommodation and head to a local Maori cultural center. Enjoy a traditional Maori Hangi meal and cultural experience at the Mitai Maori Village. You will learn of New Zealand's indigenous culture, be treated to a Haka performance, and walk through the sacred Fairy Springs, which is a renowned spot for glow worms.
Day 15 : Wellington
This morning you will drop your hire car at Rotorua airport and board your domestic flight to Wellington. The afternoon is then free to explore New Zealand's capital city, take a look around Te Papa Museum and learn about Maori and settler history.
Day 16 : Blenheim
Make your way to the ferry terminal this morning and board the InterIslander ferry across to Picton on the South Island. Upon arrival, collect your hire car and drive into the Blenheim and Marlborough winelands. Spend the afternoon exploring the vineyards around Blenheim either on your own or on an organised trip. A great option here is to hire a bike and visit the well known vineyards such as Cloudy Bay or Oyster Bay.
Day 17 : Christchurch
This morning you will make your way south to Christchurch, where you'll be able to see the rebuilding effort following the recent earthquakes that caused much damage to the city. You will stay one night in Christchurch.
Day 18 : Fox Glacier
Today make your own way to the train station where you will board the TranzAlpine train across the Southern Alps through Arthur's Pass National Park to Greymouth on the west coast.Upon arrival in Greymouth, collect your hire car and enjoy a leisurely drive to the stunning Fox Glacier where you will stay two nights.
Day 19 : Fox Glacier
An early morning visit to nearby Lake Matheson to watch the sun rise is a must this morning - the reflection of Mount Cook in the lake's surface makes for some striking photographs. Follow this with a guided walk to the terminal face of Fox Glacier and if you have time, you can arrange to take a helicopter flight over Mount Cook and the Glaciers.
Day 20 : Queenstown
This morning, make your way across the Haast Pass to the lakeside town of Queenstown. This afternoon is at leisure after your long drive.
Day 21 : Queenstown
Today experience what is arguably New Zealand's most dramatic setting, the awe inspiring Milford Sound amongst the otherworldly Fjordlands. You will be collected from your hotel early this morning and will brought to the Sound on a coach bus, specially designed to provide passengers with panoramic views throughout the drive. Spend the day cruising the Sound, taking in its astounding cliffs, gorges and waterfalls. You will return to Queenstown via coach and brought back to your hotel.
Day 22 : International return flight
Please make your own way to the airport in time for your onward flight.
Day 23 : International return flight
Arrive home today to complete your journey.
Day 1: A Cable Car Ride Over Stunning Landscape & the Country's Most Popular Destination
Our tour starts in Queenstown, a vibrant resort which serves as New Zealand’s most popular destination. This evening we head to a nearby place called Skyline Queenstown. There we take a cable car ride to the top of a mountain called Bob’s Peak. Beautiful views can be seen in every direction. While there, a buffet-style dinner can be purchased at a restaurant called Stratosfare. The cable car ride is included on the tour.
Day 2: Flight-Seeing Over Fjords & a Majestic Boat Ride
Today we make a daytrip to Milford Sound, getting to there and back to Queenstown by scenic flight. Upon arrival, we go on a boat tour cruising atop clear waters and in between postcard-perfect mountains. Milford Sound has been judged the world’s top travel destination in an international survey taken by TripAdvisor, receiving the Travelers' Choice Destinations Awards. Milford Sound is acclaimed as New Zealand's most famous tourist attraction.
Please note that due to unpredictable weather conditions in and around Milford Sound, it is common our customers get to there or return from there by land. When this happens, stops are made so we can enjoy Lake Te Anau, Mirror Lakes, the mountainous Monkey Creek and a national park called the ‘Chasm’.
Day 3: Rapid Jet-Boating, Zip-Lining, Exploring a Gorge & a Cruise on a Vintage Steamship
We start our day with a quick drive to a picturesque gorge called Skippers Canyon. It is mostly one-way, narrow and steep with sheer drops of several hundred meters. After our scenic land expedition, we head to the nearby Shotover River. There we go on a very fast and swerving jet-boating ride. Following lunch, we go zip-lining near the village of Glenorchy.
Our day ends with a cruise on the historic TSS Earnslaw steamship. While on the tour, we make a stop at a homestead which is known for its sheep, alpacas and a beautiful garden. After dinner, we visit a purpose-built amphitheater. There we see a farmyard of sheep shearing (cutting the sheep’s wool) and otherwise watch a ‘sheepdog round-up’ (the dog makes the sheep walk together as a group).
Day 4: Approaching the Highest Mountain in New Zealand
Today we relocate from Queenstown to Mount Cook Village. Upon arrival, we are provided with a guided tour inside Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park’s Hooker Valley Track. The lookout point at the end of the track is the closest any walking track comes to seeing the highest mountain in New Zealand (Mount Cook). The end of the track reveals completely unobstructed views, with Hooker Glacier seen in the valley below.
Day 5: A Plane Landing on Tasman Glacier & Visiting Ice Grottoes and Caves
Before relocating to the city of Christchurch, we make a daytrip to Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park’s Tasman Glacier. We get to there and back to Mount Cook Village by scenic flight. Of New Zealand's 20 peaks over 3,000 meters, all except one lie in this park. Glaciers cover 40 percent of the park area, notably the Tasman Glacier. After landing on this glacier, we go on a guided snow shoeing hike, seeing blue ice grottoes and caves.
Please note that due to unpredictable weather conditions in and around Tasman Glacier, it is common our customers get to there or return from there by land. When this happens between September and May, we replace the flight-seeing tour with a popular boat ride which visits icebergs. When this happens between June and August, we replace the flight-seeing tour with a four-wheel drive expedition around Tasman Valley.
Day 6: The Historic Architecture of Christchurch & Sightseeing
Before relocating to the town of Nelson by flight, we are provided with a guided tour around Christchurch. This city was established in 1850 by Anglican English settlers. The heritage shows in its fine older buildings, especially the neo-gothic ones. The city highlights are the cathedral, riverside market and botanical gardens.
Day 7: The Finest Beaches on This Tour
Before relocating to the city of Auckland, we make a daytrip from Nelson to Abel Tasman National Park. There we are provided with a scenic boat tour. Abel Tasman National Park is in one of the sunniest places in the country, with over 2,000 hours of sunlight per year. The most notable features of this park are its golden-sand beaches, arguably the finest in New Zealand.
Day 8: Where Lord of the Rings was Filmed & Glowworm Grottoes
When relocating from Auckland to the town of Rotorua, two important stops are made along the way. The first is at the Hobbiton Movie Set, home to the internationally acclaimed Lord of the Rings trilogy. There we are provided with a guided tour and lunch. The other important stop before reaching Rotorua is at the Waitomo Caves. There we are provided with a boat ride through glowworm grottoes. The site is spectacular, to say the least.
Day 9: A Mud Bath, Volcanic Craters, Hot Water Springs & a Native Show with Dinner
This morning starts with a daytrip to the nearby Waimangu Volcanic Valley, which includes Lake Rotomahana. On a self-guided tour, there we see volcanic craters, hot water springs and other geothermal features. Upon returning to Rotorua, we are taken to the so-called Hell’s Gate Geothermal Reserve and Mud Spa. There we bathe in a mud pool. The evening ends at the nearby Tamaki Maori Village. There we learn about native rituals, watch a show and have a traditional dinner. The meal is included this evening.
Day 10: Our Tour Ends Today
Rotorua is the final destination on our tour around New Zealand. Transportation will be arranged for you to reach the airport.
Note that you can extend this standard 10-day tour by one day if you wish to engage in some extreme sports activities near Queenstown. Specifically, on this added day, you would jump off a 43-meter (141-foot) bridge called Kawarau as well as run off a 60-meter (196.85-foot) cliff. It is called the Fox Jump. Obviously, these two activities are not for everyone. This is why we are offering it as a one-day extension to our standard 10-day tour around New Zealand. Let us know if you are interested.
Also, note that you can extend this standard 10-day tour by returning to and visiting Auckland once done in Rotorua. Some customers want a day or two to go sightseeing in New Zealand’s largest city. We offer guided tours upon request. Ask us for details.
