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Highlights of Australia and New Zealand

No one should ever have to choose between adventuring across Australia or New Zealand — so we created this 29-day tour that hits the highlights of both. Featuring guided walks through the Daintree Rainforest, a Doubtful Sound day-cruise in Fiordland National Park, a cultural experience and visit to a Maori village, and heaps of other awesome experiences, this tour is proof you really can have the best of both worlds. Well, countries. But you get what we mean.

On Sale
29 DaysCairns to Christchurch
Valid on May 5 2026Trip Code: OAQC
From $7842.67 USDIncluding taxes and fees

Is this tour for me?

Travel Style: Classic

All of the highlights, culture, access, and I-can’t-believe-we-did-that moments, all at a great price.

Service Level: Standard

Comfortable tourist-class accommodations with character; mix of public and private transport.

Physical Grading: 2 - Light

Light walking and hiking suitable for most fitness levels. Nothing too challenging.

Trip Type: Small Group

Group trips average 12 travellers per departure, depending on the adventure. The maximum is usually no more than 16, but some can be smaller or bigger, depending on the trip. Check individual trips for details.

Age requirements: 12+

All travellers under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

Check Your Visa Requirements

Before booking, use our handy entry requirements tool so you know which documents you need to enter and travel through the countries on your trip.

Highlights of Australia and New Zealand - Itinerary

Trip Start: CairnsTrip End: Christchurch

DAY 1

Cairns

Arrive at any time. There are no activities planned until the evening welcome meeting.

Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group:
Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.

Rydges Esplanade Resort Cairns:
Rydges Esplanade Resort Cairns

Highlights of Australia and New Zealand - Itinerary

Trip Start: CairnsTrip End: Christchurch
DAY 1
Cairns

DAY 1

Cairns

Arrive at any time. There are no activities planned until the evening welcome meeting.

Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group:
Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.

Rydges Esplanade Resort Cairns:
Rydges Esplanade Resort Cairns

DAY 2
Cairns/Cape Tribulation
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DAY 3
Cape Tribulation
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DAY 4
Cape Tribulation/Cairns
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DAY 5
Cairns/Airlie Beach
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DAY 6
Airlie Beach
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DAY 7
Airlie Beach/Byron Bay
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DAY 8
Byron Bay
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DAY 9
Byron Bay/Port Macquarie
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DAY 10
Port Macquarie/Blue Mountains
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DAY 11
Blue Mountains
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DAY 12
Blue Mountains/Sydney
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DAY 13
Sydney
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DAY 14
Sydney/Auckland
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DAY 15
Auckland
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DAY 16
Auckland/Rotorua
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DAY 17
Rotorua
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DAY 18
Rotorua/Wellington
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DAY 19
Wellington
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DAY 20
Wellington/Kaikoura
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DAY 21
Kaikoura/Hanmer Springs
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DAY 22
Hanmer Springs/Franz Josef
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DAY 23
Franz Josef
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DAY 24
Franz Josef/Queenstown
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DAY 25
Queenstown
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DAY 26
Queenstown
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DAY 27
Queenstown to Tekapo
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DAY 28
Tekapo to Christchurch
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DAY 29
Christchurch
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What’s Included

  • Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group
  • Your Discover Moment: Franz Josef
  • Your Discover Moment: Queenstown
  • Indigenous led Walk at Mossman Gorge
  • Whitsunday Islands Boating Excursion
  • Barrier Reef Visit
  • Blue Mountains Excursion
  • Byron Bay surf lesson
  • Jamison Valley Walk
  • Blue Mountains Scenic Railway
  • Winery Visit
  • Waitomo Glowworm Caves
  • Doubtful Sound Wilderness Cruise
  • Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park Visit
  • Internal flights
  • All transport between destinations and to/from included activities.
Accommodations
  • Hotels/motels (26nts), Rainforest cabin (2nts).
Meals
  • 13 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 2 dinners
Transportation
  • Private vehicle, plane, boat, walking
Staff & experts
  • Chief Experience Officer (CEO) throughout, local guides.

Highlights of Australia and New Zealand Departure Dates

All Years

StartEndingAvailabilityPrices from
Thu, Feb 12 2026Thu, Mar 12 2026Sold Out $9,320.07 USD
(price includes taxes and fees)
Thu, Feb 19 2026Thu, Mar 19 2026Sold Out $9,320.07 USD
(price includes taxes and fees)
Thu, Feb 26 2026Thu, Mar 26 2026Sold Out $9,320.07 USD
(price includes taxes and fees)
Thu, Mar 05 2026Thu, Apr 02 2026Sold Out $9,320.07 USD
(price includes taxes and fees)
Thu, Mar 12 2026Thu, Apr 09 2026Request (1)$9,320.07 USD
(price includes taxes and fees)
Thu, Mar 19 2026Thu, Apr 16 2026Sold Out $9,320.07 USD
(price includes taxes and fees)
Thu, Mar 26 2026Thu, Apr 23 2026Sold Out $9,320.07 USD
(price includes taxes and fees)
Thu, Apr 02 2026Thu, Apr 30 2026Sold Out $9,320.07 USD
(price includes taxes and fees)
Thu, Apr 30 2026Thu, May 28 2026Sold Out $9,320.07 USD
(price includes taxes and fees)

USEFUL INFO

Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group
Your Discover Moment: Franz Josef
Your Discover Moment: Queenstown. Indigenous led Walk at Mossman Gorge. Whitsunday Islands Boating Excursion. Barrier Reef Visit. Blue Mountains Excursion. Byron Bay surf lesson. Jamison Valley Walk. Blue Mountains Scenic Railway. Winery Visit. Waitomo Glowworm Caves. Doubtful Sound Wilderness Cruise. Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park Visit. Internal flights. All transport between destinations and to/from included activities.

Follow an Indigenous guide through the Daintree Rainforest, Spend the day boating around the scenic Whitsundays, Hike and stay overnight in the Blue Mountains, Cruise around the fjords of Doubtful Sound in Fiordland National Park, Soak in the scenery of Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park, Discover Maori culture at a hangi meal

The information in this trip details document has been compiled with care and is provided in good faith. However it is subject to change, and does not form part of the contract between the client and the operator. The itinerary featured is correct at time of printing. It may differ slightly to the one in the brochure. Occasionally our itineraries change as we make improvements that stem from past travellers, comments and our own research. Sometimes it can be a small change like adding an extra meal along the itinerary. Sometimes the change may result in us altering the tour for the coming year. Ultimately, our goal is to provide you with the most rewarding experience. Please note that our brochure is usually released in November each year. If you have booked from the previous brochure you may find there have been some changes to the itinerary.

VERY IMPORTANT: Please ensure that you view a final copy of your Trip Details a couple of days prior to travel, in case there have been changes that affect your plans.

While it is our intention to adhere to the route described below, there is a certain amount of flexibility built into the itinerary and on occasion it may be necessary, or desirable to make alterations. The itinerary is brief, as we never know exactly where our journey will take us. Due to our style of travel and the regions we visit, travel can be unpredictable. The Trip Details document is a general guide to the tour and region and any mention of specific destinations or wildlife is by no means a guarantee that they will be visited or encountered. Aboard expedition trips visits to research stations depend on final permission.

Additionally, any travel times listed are approximations only and subject to vary due to local circumstances.

1. Please note that this tour combines with other G Adventures tours. As such, the staff and some travel companions on your tour may have previously been traveling together with G Adventures, prior to Day 1 of your tour. Likewise, some staff and travel companions may be continuing together on another G Adventures tour, after your trip concludes.

2. Please be aware that wifi and internet access is not as readily available in Australia as in other parts of the world. There are often additional charges to connect to the internet, and speeds may be slower than what you are used to.

3. Over public holidays in Australia and New Zealand (such as Christmas, New Years Day, Easter, and Anzac Day) there may be some limitations of services and disruptions to schedules. In general our tours still operate effectively over public holidays, but there may be closures of optional activities and restaurants, and slight itinerary adjustments in order to provide all tour inclusions.

4. ACCOMMODATION NOTE:
Please be aware that properties we stay in with only two stories may not have elevators installed and climbing the stairs with your luggage will be necessary.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Bookings for the America’s Cup are at either 11am, 1pm or 2pm - this is dependant on the season and availability. Please be sure to reconfirm your sailing 24 hours prior by phoning Explore (while in New Zealand): 0800 397 567 or International: +64 9 359 5987.

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