Contrasts of Australia & New Zealand
19 Days
from $7,300
Tour Code: ANZ
Come and experience the contrasts between Australia and New Zealand. These two countries “down under” are extremely diverse and cover every landscape imaginable. Australia & New Zealand are worth the trip!
Begin in Auckland, city of sails. This city is based on the water and you will cruise Waitemata Harbor and stop at Viaduct Harbor, home to the 2000 America’s Cup. From Auckland, on to Rotorua, New Zealand’s thermal wonderland. En-route stop to visit the incredible Waitomo Glow Worm Grotto on a guided boat tour. Upon arrival in Rotorua visit Te Puia Thermal reserve and gaze at the countries biggest geyser while wandering the pathways from one bubbling mud geyser pool to the next. With dinner enjoy a traditional Maori Hangi show. After a visit to the Agrodome Sheep show fly to Christchurch, on the South Island.
To cross the Southern Alps you will board the TranzAlpine train. Enjoy spectacular scenery as you cross over Arthur’s Pass to the Western coastline, continuing south to Franz Josef. Here you will have the opportunity to walk to view the glaciers and perhaps, even take a scenic flight! Continue south, winding via Mount Aspiring National Park and Lake Wanaka to the adventure capital, Queenstown. An included Milford Sound Excursion will thrill you before having the balance of your time free to enjoy this picturesque town.
Head back to Christchurch by way of Mount Cook National Park. Along the route visit Lake Tekapo, and the Church of the Good Shepherd. Upon arrival in Christchurch one of the highlights of the trip; visit with a local Kiwi family and tour their historic home and gardens before a delicious 3-course dinner. What a wonderful way to end your time in this amazingly diverse country.
After enjoying time in the sparsely populated New Zealand, fly to bustling Melbourne, Australia. Enjoy your first afternoon at leisure before included sightseeing of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Queen Victoria Market and much more. A short flight brings you to Cairns, jump off point to the Great Barrier Reef. Visit Rainforestation Nature Park for a “be my guest” lunch and learn about the indigenous Aboriginal culture along with Australia’s host of wildlife. The next day take a high speed catamaran and cruise the Great Barrier Reef, observing the coral and tropical fish from the underwater observatory. You have the opportunity to snorkel and a highlight lunch is included.
On to Sydney, Australia’s captivating city on the water. Your included sightseeing includes Sydney Harbor, and the world famous Opera House. Board your luxury cruise boat and enjoy a highlight lunch while enjoying the views of the city from the water. Later, plenty of time at leisure to shop for Opals or perhaps take an optional tour into the Blue Mountains. As you enjoy your Farewell Dinner, think back on all you’ve seen and done in these two diverse, but magnificent countries.
Stay in a fantastic selection of First Class accommodations throughout the tour as well as 26 meals, including 16 Buffet Breakfasts, 1 Lunch, 4 Highlight Lunches, 3 Three-Course Dinners with tea or coffee, 1 Highlight Dinner and 1 Farewell Dinner.
To ensure a comfortable travel experience, our motorcoaches are equipped with large panoramic windows, reclining seats, air-conditioning and restroom facilities.
Tour price is per person and is based on two people sharing a twin bedded room. Single rooms are available at a supplement or you can choose to participate in our room share program
***This tour is operated by our sister company.
Your Tour Price Includes
VIP Door-to-Door TransferTransfers you from your door step to select airports. Start your vacation in style with our outbound VIP Door-to-Door Town Car airport transfer service available on every tour from over 40 cities throughout the USA. Our service will collect your from you home and transfer you to your departure airport. We will arrange a pick-up time from your home that suits you, and your driver will meet you at your front door and assist with your bags before transporting you to the airport with ample time for check-in. |
Travel DocumentsTravel wallet, travel planner & map. $100 Frequent Traveler Discount upon return for a future tour. |
| Inter-Tour Flights |
First Class HotelsHotels are an expensive element of any tour and certainly one of the most important. For our tours we reserve First Class Hotels (or best available) and all hotel rooms feature a private bathroom. You’ll enjoy our selection of hotels such as Radisson, Hilton and Sheraton. |
TransportationLuxury motorcoach with A/C, panoramic windows, reclining seats & emergency restroom. Airport arrival and departure transfers as noted in itinerary included with the purchase of combined air and land package. |
25 MealsWelcome Drink, 16 Buffet Breakfasts, 3 Highlight Lunches, 1 Be-My-Guest Lunch, 2 Dinners, 2 Highlight Dinners and 1 Be-My-Guest Dinner. |
Professional Tour DirectorYour tour will be conducted by the most experienced Tour Directors in the business and will be with you throughout the tour. |
Included Tour Highlights
| Auckland sightseeing | Milford Sound |
| Glow Worm Grotto and Te Puia Thermal Reserve | Lake Tekapo |
Rainbow Springs and Agradome Sheep ShowVisit Te Puia Thermal Reserve, Rainbow Springs and the Agrodome Sheep Show. |
Melbourne sightseeingMelbourne sightseeing includes the Royal Botanic Gardens and Queen Victoria Market. |
| Christchurch sightseeing |
Visit Rainforestation Nature ParkExperience indigenous culture and Australian native wildlife in a World Heritage listed rainforest setting. Visit the Wildlife Park to see Australian animals including kangaroos, koalas and crocodiles. |
| Ride the TranzAlpine Train | Great Barrier Reef |
| Visit Arrowtown |
Sydney sightseeingSydney sightseeing includes views of the Harbor Bridge, Opera House and Darling Harbor and a cruise on Sydney Harbor. |
Optional Excursions
Optional excursions can be purchased upon arrival.
The list below is a sampling of excursions that may be offered by your tour director.
Rotorua - Heli Pro: Lake Views Scenic FlightThis flight takes in Lakes Rotorua, Okataina, Tarawera, Green and Blue Lakes, returning via Whakarewarewa Thermal Reserve and Rotorua City. Approx. 15 Minutes
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Melbourne - Colonial Tramcar RestaurantDine and see the sights aboard the famous colonial Tramcar Restaurant. The restored 1927 trams are amongst the oldest in Melbourne. Included in your fare is a delicious meal, full bar service-including wine, beer, spirits and liqueur with dessert. |
Rotorua - Heli Pro: Mt. Tarawera DirectOne of our most popular flights. Breathtaking views of the craters formed by the eruption of 1886, returning via Whakarewarewa Thermal Village and Rotorua City. Approx. 25 minutes. |
Cairns - Crocodile ExplorerEnjoy a calm water cruise on Trinity Inlet, while discovering the secrets of the mangroves, wildlife, history and culture of the harbour and its trade. See crocodiles and a variety of native birds in their natural habitat, and then get close up to crocodiles during the Crocodile Farm Tour on Australia’s largest commercial crocodile farm. Enjoy a delicious morning or afternoon tea, while cruising back to Cairns via the sugar cane fields. |
Rotorua - Float Plane Scenic Air ToursChoose from five different float-plane flights that showcase Rotorua with spectacular views, departing from Lake Rotorua itself. Take a short journey over Rotorua City, Sulphur Bay, and the geysers of Whakarewarewa Thermal Reserve, or journey further afield, landing at the Hidden Valley of Orakei Korako. |
Cairns - Great AdventuresNo experience is necessary to take a fully supervised introductory dive and explore the reef and its amazing marine life. Snorkel tours are a great way to maximize your experience on the Great Barrier Reef with many magnificent sites to capture the excitement. Age and medical restrictions may apply to diving. |
Queenstown - Rafting Kawarau River4 hours of rafting including a transfer to Cavell’s rafting lodge to collect your wetsuit and other rafting equipment. Transfer to Kawarau River for extensive safety instructions and training in paddling techniques. Then raft the mighty Kawarau River! Hot showers, sauna and complimentary tea/coffee await you at the end of this adventure. Return transfer to your hotel. (Rafting not available for children under 13 years.) |
Cairns - Cairns Night ZooEnjoy a delicious Aussie barbeque dinner of steak, sausages, chicken, fish, baked potatoes, fresh prawns and a selection of salads followed by dessert. Relax with a drink from our licensed bar. After dinner, our guides will provide you with a torch and lead you into the darkness to meet the creatures of the night. On clear nights our guides will take you star gazing. Follow our guides as they lead you safely through the crocodiles’ lair. See the croc eyes glow in your torchlight. In the Aussie bush, there’s always a chance you will cross paths with a ’Swaggie’ (an original Australian bushman). Join our hospitable Swaggie for billy tea and damper by the campfire. After complimentary cold beer or wine, join in the fun of some famous Aussie Bush Dances. Return hotel transfers included. |
Queenstown - Shotover Jet (30-minute ride)Enjoy a 30 minute jet boat ride down the mighty Shotover River and through the Shotover Canyon with the only company permitted to operate in this area. Once aboard, your driver puts the famous big red jet boat through its paces, speeding past rocky outcrops with only inches to spare and twisting through narrow canyons. A major highlight is experiencing the famous ’Shotover Jet Turn’ where your boat spins through a full 360 degrees turn. Includes transfers from your hotel. Duration 1.5 hours in total. |
Cairns - Cape Tribulation Day TourTravel to the Daintree River, crossing the river by vehicular ferry. Travel through dense rainforest before arriving at the Daintree Discovery Centre. Here you can take a closer look at life in the rainforest from the Rainforest Canopy Tower. There is time to walk along Cape Tribulation Beach before enjoying lunch. Enjoy a cruise through mangroves along the Daintree River before returning to your hotel. |
Queenstown - Dart River Jet RideThe Wilderness Safari takes you on a spectacular 1.5 hour jet boat journey through the Dart’s ever-changing braided river system, followed by an easy 30-40 minute guided walk through the ’Heritage Trail’. After this enjoy the journey back to Queenstown onboard a 4WD coach via a scenic back-road route, stopping to view scenery that has formed the epic backdrop for many international films including ’The Lord of the Rings’. Includes return transfers from your hotel. Duration 6 hours in total. |
Cairns - Kuranda Rail, Skyrail & Tjapukai Day TourJoin the famous Kuranda Railway for a breathtaking journey on one of the world’s most scenic railways to the village of Kuranda. Stroll through the famous Kuranda markets. Return to the lowlands by the Skyrail Cableway which takes you above the rainforest canopy. Visit the award-winning Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park, meet your indigenous guide and learn about this ancient culture through theatres, stage shows and demonstrations. You are then transferred back to your hotel. |
Queenstown - Walter Peak DinnerRelive the elegance of turn-of-the-century travel with a cruise on Queenstown’s iconic vintage steamship TSS Earnslaw. Launched in 1912, the TSS Earnslaw is the largest and grandest vessel ever to sail Lake Wakatipu. Today, the TSS Earnslaw is believed to be the only coal-fired passenger-carrying vessel still operating in the southern hemisphere. The TSS Earnslaw makes several trips daily across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak High country Farm on the western shores, A cruise on this gracious heritage vessel is the perfect way to experience Queenstown’s magnificent alpine scenery. Upon reaching Walter Peak High Country Farm, you can disembark for an insight into New Zealand’s farming lifestyle. Enjoy an evening dining at the Colonel’s Homestead followed by an entertaining Sheep Show! |
Cairns - Flames of the Forest Rainforest DinnerThe evening features two local indigenous brothers sharing some of their remarkable culture with you in a setting where they adventured as children. The rainforest setting is the natural, authentic backdrop for this spiritual and mystic culture, a performance unique to the Flames of the Forest, where you will learn about their timeless oral traditions in an intimate and personal setting. This evening of theater, tropical dining, authentic aboriginal culture explored through story telling and music is a must do for anyone interested in history, Aboriginal culture, the rainforest, meeting new people and great Australian food. |
Queenstown - Skyline RestaurantRide on the Gondola cableway, which whisks you smoothly up 450 meters as Queenstown drops away below. Breathtaking views from the top extend almost full circle, from Coronet Peak to the Remarkables and on to Cecil and Walter Peak on the other side of beautiful Lake Wakatipu. Enjoy a buffet dinner in a restaurant where you’re guaranteed stunning views from every table. |
Cairns - Hot Air BallooningDeparting Cairns daily, enjoy a spectacular balloon flight over the Atherton Tablelands - the hot air ballooning capital of the southern hemisphere! See kangaroos and enjoy some of the most reliable and best priced ballooning in the world. After the flight enjoy a full hot and cold breakfast buffet and champagne. |
Queenstown - Kiwi HakaRide on the Gondola cableway to the Skyline Restaurant. Enjoy a spiritual journey of Maori cultural and customs as told through traditional song and dance. Set in an intimate theater surrounded by traditional decorations and mythical carved legends of the Wakatipu and surrounding areas. Up to 8-10 performers will be on stage for group song and dance. |
Cairns - Ochre Restaurant and CateringOchre Restaurant and Catering has created a whole new Australian Cuisine utilizing the abundant and, until recently, untapped traditional native fruits, berries, game meats and seafood, as well as the best of Australian Wines and Beers.
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Queenstown - Skyline Restaurant & Kiwi Haka ComboWhy not combine both activities and enjoy a sumptuous dinner followed by a dazzling cultural performance at the Skyline Restaurant. |
Cairns - Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural ParkVisit the Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park where the legends of the Dreamtime are brought to life. Three theaters, a museum, art gallery and a traditional Aboriginal camp combine to give a fascinating glimpse of the rich and ancient culture of the traditional inhabitants of the region. Try your hand at boomerang and spear throwing too! |
Queenstown - Nomad 4WD SafariBe amazed by both the man-made and natural features on this 4 hour 4WD safari from Queenstown. The tour incorporates some of the major scenes in ’Lord of the Rings’ trilogy movies as well as an excellent overview of the diversity of scenery available in the Wakatipu district. A must do for all scenery and photgraphy enthusiasts and ’Lord of the Rings’ lovers. Operated by Outback New Zealand. |
Cairns - Tjapukai by NightJourney into dreamtime legend and discover the magic of Australia’s ancient indigenous culture. Immerse yourself in the traditions of Tjapukai ’The people of the rainforest’ through traditional and contemporary cultural performances. Includes a welcome drink and face painting upon arrival to ’initiate’ you into the Tjapukai tribe, solemn didgeridoo blessing, cultural performances, lake side fire making ceremony and an international buffet dinner. |
Queenstown - Garden ToursThe Queenstown area offers a dramatic and beautiful landscape and is an ideal environment for garden lovers. The rich soils and distinct four seasons are ideal growing conditions for gardens, which offer a unique fusion of both New Zealand natives and the more traditional English style plants. Let the private garden owners open your eyes to the splendor of their gardens. |
Sydney - The Blue Mountains & Wildlife DinnerTravel to the spectacular Blue Mountains. Opportunity to ride the Scenic Railway, Skyway Cable Car or the new Sceniscender (own expense). View the Three Sisters, a giant rock formation of Aboriginal legend. Visit Featherdale Wildlife Park, home to native Australian wildlife and birds. Travel through Homebush, the site of the 2000 Sydney Olympics on your return to Sydney. |
Queenstown - Queenstown Wine TrailYour tour begins by traveling to the Gibbston Valley Winery for a light lunch followed by a guided tour and tasting in the underground cellar. Experience the cheese factory tour and tasting before continuing on to your second winery of the day. Transfers included. |
Sydney - Hunter Valley Wine TastingDepart the city via the Harbour Bridge and travel through the spectacular Hawkesbury district, stopping in historic Wollombi for morning tea. Enjoy private wine tastings at Lindeman’s Winery. Increase your knowledge of wine with an introductory DVD about the wine making process. Learn about styles, techniques and how to blend your own wine. Visit the home of Bluetongue Beer and enjoy a tasting paddle of available varieties (own expense). A smorgasbord lunch of tasting platters offering you a range of dishes is included, while the cellarmaster shows you how food ’marries’ with the wines. Enjoy boutique wine at its best with a tasting at Oakvale, one of Australia’s oldest working wineries. Enjoy the quaint village of Hunter Valley Gardens. View lush rolling hills and small wineries dotted across the landscape as you journey back to Sydney. |
Queenstown - Remarkable ExperienceTake part in a 3 hour journey aboard a grand old 1937 Chevrolet bus, lovingly restored to all her former glory. Traveling with the unique, convertible top down enjoy a complete circuit of Queenstown through to picturesque Arrowtown. The final stop overlooks Lake Hayes and here you can taste wines from grapes grown onsite and indulge in mouth watering cuisine in the cozy gallery or dine al fresco. Wine tasting, Mediterranean platter tasting and hot drink included. |
Sydney - Captain’s DinnerCruise, dine and dance aboard Sydney’s flagship, MV Sydney 2000. This is a most popular Dinner Cruise and a must for special occasions, visitors to Sydney or for those who love a great night out. |
Queenstown - Queenstown Heritage: Skippers Canyon TourOption 1: Skippers Canyon Vista Tour |
Sydney - Sydney Tower RestaurantIconic Sydney tower restaurant is the highest revolving restaurant in the southern hemisphere. It’s the ideal location to enjoy all Sydney has to offer from over three-hundred meters above the city center. Taking a leisurely seventy minutes to complete a full revolution, you are treated to a three-hundred and sixty degree panoramic view of Sydney whilst enjoying quality local and international cuisine from the self-select buffet. |
Queenstown - Sail QueenstownCome aboard NZL 14 and experience the magic of sailing on an America’s Cup racing yacht. Take the helm, exert energy on the grinders or simply enjoy the stunning views of Queenstown from the pristine waters of Lake Wakatipu. No experience is necessary. |
Sydney - Italian VillageWith amazing service and some of Sydney’s best modern cuisine, Italian Village is at the forefront of Australian dining. Ideally located in the Rocks, the restaurant is surrounded by 360 degree views of Sydney Harbour, the Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. This price includes a 2 course set menu. |
Melbourne - Penguins with Kangaroos & KoalasSee Port Phillip Bay and the prestigious bayside suburbs on your way to Phillip Island. Visit the Koala Conservation Centre, then observe the nightly ritual of the world famous Penguin Parade. Every day at dusk you can experience the natural wonder of the Little Penguins returning from a day of fishing. This unique scene is viewed from elevated stands under subdued floodlights. Koalas can be seen in their natural environment, and there is the opportunity to inspect the Visitor Information Centre to learn about the animals that inhabit Phillip Island. |




































