Contrasts of Australia and New Zealand Summer 2019

17 days
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4.6/5 Excellent
100+ reviews  
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USTOA

Group Tour
The stillness of Milford Sound and ultimate glacier adventure dot your travels through New Zealand, but not before a brush with the surfing splendour of Aussie's Bondi Beach and the Great Barrier Reef.

Overview

Trip type
Group Tour
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Highlights

    • CITY TOUR in Melbourne, Sydney, Auckland and Christchurch.
    • CRUISE on Great Barrier Reef in Queensland and Milford Sound in Fiordland National Park
    • VIEW Darling Harbour from your Sydney hotel room and the Southern Alps from the TranzAlpine train
    • VISIT Hartley's Crocodile Adventures in Queensland, Sydney Opera House, Bondi Beach and Te Puia Geothermal Valley in Rotorua

What's this trip about?

    The stillness of Milford Sound and ultimate glacier adventure dot your travels through New Zealand, but not before a brush with the surfing splendour of Aussie's Bondi Beach and the Great Barrier Reef.

Details

Itinerary focusClassic Highlights
Group sizeOperator does not provide
Age rangeNo age restrictions
Flights and transportN/A
Start CityMelbourne (VIC)
End CityQueenstown (Nz)

Travel Themes

  • 50 plus
  • Cultural
  • Education / Learning
  • Small Ship Cruise

Destinations

  • Australia
  • New Zealand

Attractions

  • Auckland
  • Cairns
  • Christchurch
  • Great Barrier Reef
  • Melbourne
  • Queenstown
  • Sydney

Activities

  • Culture
  • Historic sightseeing

Popular Trips

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive Melbourne (2 Nights)

Sophisticated Melbourne extends a warm welcome as your first stop. On arrival, you’ll be transferred to your hotel (flights to arrive prior to 12pm). Then it’s out on the town this evening for a Welcome Reception and dinner with your Travel Director and fellow travelers.

Day 2: Melbourne Sightseeing

'Dive into Culture' and into the little lanes, arcades and café society of stylish Melbourne. Discover its edgy street art and immerse yourself in the robust aroma of coffee for which this city is so famous.

Day 3: Melbourne - Cairns (3 Nights)

We fly north to Cairns, where we'll meet a 'Local Specialist' for a private wildlife encounter at Hartley's Crocodile Adventures. Here the crocs are the star of the show as we take to Hartley's Lagoon to see them cruise the murky waters or laze on the bank. This evening, enjoy an evening at leisure to sample some of the city's famous seafood.

Day 4: Great Barrier Reef

Dip more than your toes in the tropical waters that surround the Great Barrier Reef - a full day to explore this underwater wonderland up close. Board a high-speed catamaran, then don your mask and fins for a leisurely snorkel (equipment provided) or stay dry in your ...

Day 5: Cairns Free Time

Soak up the leisurely atmosphere of Cairns with a free day to explore the city and its surrounds on your terms. Consider joining an Optional Experience to Kuranda, travelling by Scenic Rail to the 'village in the rainforest' and return to the lowlands on the Skyrail R...

Day 6: Cairns - Sydney (3 Nights)

We leave the golden beaches of Cairns behind, bound for Sydney. Settle in to your splendid surrounds before boarding a Captain Cook Sunset Dinner Cruise. Watch day turn to night against the backdrop of the beloved Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge as you enjoy a two course à la carte Regional Meal on the water.

Day 7: Sydney Sightseeing

Admire one of the great iconic buildings of the 20th century during a guided sightseeing tour of the Sydney Opera House with a 'Local Specialist'. Later, rub shoulders with the bronzed, beautiful people of Bondi Beach as you visit the Returned Servicemen's Club for a ...

Day 8: Sydney Free Time

Indulge in a full day at leisure to connect with the energy of this vibrant harbour city or consider joining an Optional Experience to the nearby Blue Mountains. Watch as the shimmering blue haze on the horizon turns to a dense canopy of eucalyptus trees and see the T...

Day 9: Sydney - Auckland (2 Nights)

Say a fond hoo roo to Australia as you board your flight to Auckland, New Zealand. Ease into the warm, welcoming embrace of the City of Sails before meeting your Travel Director for dinner at your hotel.

Day 10: Auckland Sightseeing

Embark on a city sightseeing tour, starting your journey at the city's beautiful waterfront. Ascend to Bastion Point and the Michael Joseph Savage Memorial for magnificent views of Waitemata Harbour, which you'll have an opportunity to cruise on before the rest of the day at leisure.

Day 11: Auckland - Rotorua

Immerse yourself in New Zealand's horse racing culture during a visit to Lance and Bridgette O'Sullivan's home. 'Connect with Locals' over a sumptuous country-style lunch at the Red Barn on their beautiful Waikato farm. Later, 'Dive into Culture' and gain a deeper und...

Day 12: Rotorua - Christchurch

Keep a keen eye out for the shy kiwis that find sanctuary in the lush surrounds of Rainbow Springs Nature Park, joining your 'Local Specialist' for an immersive nature walk. Then, continue to Te Puia Thermal Reserve in Rotorua to see its bubbling geysers, mud pools and thermal springs in the company of a 'Local Specialist'. We fly to Christchurch next.

Day 13: Christchurch - Franz Josef

Experience a Trafalgar highlight this morning - a TranzAlpine train ride through the snow-capped Southern Alps to Arthur's Pass. This spectacular train journey dates to 1914 and is rated as one of the world's most scenic train trips, forging through tunnels and over v...

Day 14: Franz Josef - Queenstown (3 Nights)

Follow the Tasman Sea coastline en route to Queenstown. Continue over the Haast Pass, winding through Mount Aspiring National Park and past Lakes Wanaka and Hawea before arriving in historic Arrowtown with its lovingly restored mining cottages and tree-lined streets t...

Day 15: Milford Sound Cruise

Journey south, over the Devil's Staircase and along the shore of Lake Wakatipu to Te Anau, the gateway to South Island's spectacular fiords. The ancient rainforests of Fiordland National Park provide a lush, green backdrop for our drive past glaciers and mountain rang...

Day 16: Queenstown Free Time

Push your boundaries today as you discover why Queenstown is New Zealand's adventure capital, joining one of Trafalgar's recommended Optional Experiences. Ride the Shotover Jet or take a 4WD mini-bus tour through Skippers Canyon. This evening, we take a step back in t...

Day 17: Depart Queenstown

Our journey together has sadly come to an end. Say farewell to newfound friends as we transfer you to Queenstown Airport for your onward flight (flights anytime).

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Dates & Availability

Price From $5,775
Price per day$340
Last Updated: 7/5/2019

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Trafalgar.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

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Trafalgar

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At Trafalgar, we passionately believe in the power of travel to broaden the mind and build bridges between people. By sharing with you the hidden places not mentioned in guidebooks, the local people you wouldn’t otherwise meet, and the traditions you may not have experienced by yourself, we ensure that you get the ‘insider’ view, an authentic and enhanced experience you simply could not have had on your own.

It is this dedication to taking our guests beyond the obvious sights that has helped us grow over the past 65 years into one of the most trusted and successful international guided vacation/holiday companies in the world. From Europe to the United States, South America to South Africa, and with the recent addition of Asia, we pride ourselves on uncovering the hidden gems, cultural highlights and not-to-be-missed attractions of the places you visit. We’ll help you delve deep into the heart of each city and capture the true essence of each new destination.

We are committed to establishing lasting relationships with our guests by exceeding their expectations the first time and every time, through consistently outstanding quality of service, experience and value.

We're proud to be the most globally awarded guided travel company. Every year, we win some of the most prestigious travel accolades around the world – from the Travel Globes to the Agents' Choice Awards. We've collected 46 major travel awards over the last five years alone, as well as the Gold Trusted Merchant Award from independent reviews provider Feefo.

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About the company:

As the world’s most awarded and loved travel company, Trafalgar unlocks the best of the world for every traveller. From the iconic sites to breaking bread with locals at private Be My Guest experiences, guests can be assured of a dream holiday without the stress of 'what ifs'. Committed to Make Travel Matter, Trafalgar aims to make a positive impact on locals, communities and wildlife visited, and the planet we call home. With tried and tested tours, created by local travel experts in destination and enjoyed by more than 5million happy guests, Trafalgar’s proud to be recognised by its Feefo Platinum Trusted Service Award.

Trafalgar is part of the family-owned and run The Travel Corporation (TTC), driven by service for over one hundred years.

 

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Logistics

Accommodation

Millennium,
Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
Visa requirements vary depending on your country of origin and your country of destination. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the relevant requirements. For a handy tool that can help you quickly find the requirements, please visit this link .
Meals Included
  • 16 hot buffet breakfasts
  • 4 lunches
  • 8 dinners
Age Requirements
No age restrictions
Additional Information
  • Luxury air-conditioned coach with WiFi in most regions or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)
  • Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted
  • Hand-picked Insider Experiences
  • Optional Experiences and free time
  • Porterage is not provided at airports in Australia and New Zealand
  • Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras
  • An expert Travel Director and separate Driver, Driver Guide only on Mini-Stays
  • All hotel charges and local taxes
  • Airport transfers on the first and last day of your guided holiday
  • VIP entry to many sights
Trip ID
trafalgar-QCANAM1908

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