Highlights of New Zealand and Australia
Highlights of New Zealand and Australia
Highlights of New Zealand and Australia
18 Days Starting in Auckland, New Zealand and ending in Sydney, Australia
Visiting: Auckland, Rotorua, Christchurch, Queenstown, Melbourne, Cairns, Sydney
Tour operator:
Tour code:
IndTur758
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
1 - 2
Tour operated in:
EnglishInterests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on an unforgettable journey with the "Highlights of New Zealand and Australia" tour, exploring the best of both countries. Begin in Auckland, learning about its volcanic history and marveling at the glow worms in Waitomo Caves. Discover the majestic Aoraki in New Zealand and delve into the cultural richness of Rotorua. Travel to Melbourne, a city brimming with art and culture, before heading to Cairns, the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef. Conclude your adventure in Sydney, visiting iconic landmarks like the Sydney Opera House and Bondi Beach. Enjoy 17 nights of superior accommodation, daily buffet breakfasts, and seamless transportation, including domestic flights.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Auckland (Arrival) (-/-/-)
Location: Auckland
Accommodation Name: hotel
Welcome to New Zealand! Upon arrival at the Auckland International Airport, you will be transferred to your hotel for check-in.
Overnight in Auckland
Day 2: Auckland (B/-/-)
Location: Auckland
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
This morning you will head on a half-day tour of Auckland. Auckland is set on 53 dormant volcanic cones, and it is New Zealand's largest and busiest city. The morning tour is a journey of discovery designed to explore the history and sights as well as see how Aucklanders live and play. This small group tour gives an insight into the Māori history of the area and the legends and stories behind some of the place names. Travel up Queen Street, through Auckland's central business district, past Auckland University to the inner-city park, known as the Domain. Continue through the picturesque suburb of Ponsonby, with its historic buildings before heading over the Harbour Bridge to Auckland's North Shore. Stroll on one of our beautiful white sand beaches, where there is time for a coffee, before continuing up to the summit of Mt Victoria with its stunning panoramic views of Auckland City and historic Devonport. Then travel back over the Harbour Bridge to view Westhaven Marina, one of the largest marinas in the Southern Hemisphere. Enjoy the rest of your day at leisure
Overnight in Auckland
Day 3: Auckland – Rotorua - Auckland (B/-/-)
Location: Rotorua
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today you will discover the rich cultural heritage of New Zealand along with the geothermal wonderland of Rotorua. Your tour will also take you to the famous glowworm caves of Waitomo. Depart Auckland in the morning to travel the breathtaking farmlands of the Waikato and King Country regions as you listen to the commentary from your driver guide. Learn about the history of the region as you pass by sites of interest such as Rangiriri, the site of a major battle in the Maori Land Wars in 1863. Your first stop will be in the small town of Waitomo, where you will head on a 45-minute guided tour through the world-famous Waitomo Caves. Travel through these underground limestone caverns, discovered in 1887, and find out how the incredible stalactites, stalagmites, and other fascinating rock formations were formed over a period of 30 million years. Your tour will end with a short yet magical boat ride through the Glowworm Grotto — a subterranean cavern illuminated by thousands of tiny glowworms. After that you will visit Rotorua, in the heart of the Central North Island. Visit the Maori Arts and Crafts Institute and Te Puia's marae (meeting house) where you will receive a traditional welcome and an invitation to see a Maori cultural performance, where ancient and modern stories will be told through songs, dance, poi, and stick games. You will develop an understanding of this unique culture and history as you are entertained by the talented and charismatic performers. You will be transfered back to Auckland by the end of the tour.
Overnight in Auckland.
* We recommend wearing comfortable walking shoes and bringing a warm jacket for the Waitomo Glowworm Caves guided tour.
Day 4: Auckland – Christchurch (B/-/-)
Location: Christchurch
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Spend the morning at leisure. In the afternoon, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Christchurch. Upon arrival in Christchurch, you will be transferred to your hotel for check-in. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure or book an optional tour.
Overnight in Christchurch
Day 5: Christchurch (B/-/-)
Location: Christchurch
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Hop on your coach for a half-day tour of Christchurch. The trip will start by covering the central city highlights including the botanical gardens, the Museum and Art Centre, the Avon River, the Bridge of Remembrance, the city's new pop-up container mall, and many other highlights. As you leave the inner city, the coach will take you to Mona Vale and its historic homestead and gardens. You will travel up to the Sign of the Takahe, a historic building boasting breathtaking views of the city, the Canterbury Plains, and the Southern Alps, and make your way over the Port Hills to the Port of Lyttleton. Travel through the harbour tunnel to the seaside suburb of Sumner and the cave rock before returning to the central city and the hotel. Spend the rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight in Christchurch
Day 6: Christchurch – Queenstown (B/-/-)
Location: Queenstown
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today you will board you coach and head to Queenstown. There will be short breaks along the way.
Overnight in Queenstown
Day 7: Queenstown (B/-/-)
Location: Queenstown
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Spend the day at leisure or pre-book one of the following optional tours.
Overnight in Queenstown
Day 8: Queenstown (B/-/-)
Location: Queenstown
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Spend the day at leisure or pre-book one of the following optional tours.
Overnight in Queenstown
Day 9: Queenstown – Melbourne (B/-/-)
Location: Melbourne
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
In the morning you will check out from your hotel, and, at the arranged time, you will be transferred to the Queenstown International Airport for your flight to Melbourne. Upon arrival in Melbourne, you will be transferred to your hotel for check-in. Spend the rest of the day at leisure to explore the city at your own pace.
Overnight in Melbourne
Day 10: Melbourne
Location: Melbourne
Accommodation Name: hotel
Welcome to Melbourne, a city known for its charming gardens, vibrant restaurant and café scene, captivating arcades and laneways, and thriving arts culture. Explore the elegance and relaxed atmosphere of this city, which is also home to world-class sporting events like the Australian Open Tennis, Aussie Rules football, Melbourne Cup, and the iconic MCG! Experience the best of Melbournes city sights on our captivating tour. Explore the elegance of Collins Streets Paris end and admire the Old Treasury Buildings and Parliament House. Marvel at the beauty of St. Patricks Cathedral and experience the tranquility both of the cathedral and its surrounding gardens. Sports enthusiasts will be thrilled to see the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) forecourt including the famous Shane Warne statue. Discover the charm of East Melbournes ornate Victorian terraced homes and head northeast to Little Italy, where youll be surrounded by a multitude of restaurants and boutique shops. Marvel at the exquisite architecture of the UNESCO heritage-listed Royal Exhibition Building & cross over the Yarra River to reach Southbank before journeying into South Melbourne and cruising along the shores of Port Phillip Bay.
Stretch your legs & enjoy a photo stop at Luna Park in St Kilda before visiting Melbournes Shrine of Remembrance, where visitors can pay their respects and honour the sacrifices made by Australian soldiers while enjoying extraordinary views. Immerse yourself in nature & relax during a visit to the Royal Botanic Gardens where well visit the Ornamental Lake, home to various water birds and surrounded by stunning botanical displays. Throughout your tour, enjoy Go West Tours unique “Journey Through Time” a curated historic photographs presentation, which is accessible only via the QR code provided by our informative & friendly tour guide. Youll love learning about Melbournes history & having the opportunity to compare the Melbourne of yesteryear with the modern city we explore today
Overnight in Melbourne
Day 11: Melbourne
Location: Melbourne
Accommodation Name: hotel
Spend the day at leisure or pre-book one of the following optional tours.
Overnight in Melbourne
Day 12: Melbourne – Cairns
Location: Cairns
Accommodation Name: hotel
This morning you will be picked up and transferred to the Melbourne International Airport for your flight to Cairns. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel via airport shuttle. Enjoy the rest of your day at leisure.
Overnight in Cairns
Day 13: Cairns
Location: Cairns
Accommodation Name: hotel
Spend the day at leisure or pre-book one of the following optional tours.
Overnight in Cairns
Day 14: Cairns
Location: Cairns
Accommodation Name: hotel
Spend the day at leisure or pre-book one of the following optional tours.
Overnight in Cairns
Day 15: Cairns – Sydney
Location: Sydney
Accommodation Name: hotel
This morning, at the arranged time, you will be picked up and transferred to the Cairns Airport for your flight to Sydney. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel via airport shuttle. Enjoy the rest of your day at leisure.
Overnight in Sydney
Day 16: Sydney
Location: Sydney
Accommodation Name: hotel
Join a hop-on hop-off sightseeing tour by double-decker bus to discover the highlights of Sydney and Bondi Beach. Enjoy unobstructed views and recorded onboard commentary as you travel along two routes to top destinations like Sydney Harbour Bridge, Sydney Opera House, Darling Harbour, and Bondi Beach. Go in-depth at any given place by simply hopping off the bus to explore. You can experience Sydney and Bondi's most noteworthy attractions at your own pace with your ticket which is valid for 24 hours.
Overnight in Sydney
Day 17: Sydney
Location: Sydney
Accommodation Name: hotel
Spend the day at leisure or pre-book an optional tour.
Overnight in Sydney
Day 18: Sydney (Departure)
Location: Sydney
In the morning, at the arranged time, you will be picked up and transferred to the Sydney International Airport for your flight back home.
What's Included
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17 nights accommodation
17 nights accommodation on a twin sharing basis at listed superior hotels or similar.
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Daily buffet breakfast
Daily buffet breakfast in New Zealand.
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Airport transfers
All arrival and departure airport transfers via airport shuttle.
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Transportation
All transportation in air-conditioned modern vehicles.
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English-speaking guide
Services of an English-speaking guide during the tours.
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Sightseeing
All sightseeing as per the detailed itinerary.
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Entrance fees
All entrance fees as per the detailed itinerary.
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Domestic flights in New Zealand
Domestic flights in New Zealand (Auckland – Christchurch).
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Domestic flights in Australia
Domestic flights in Australia (Melbourne – Cairns – Sydney).
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Regional flight
Regional flight (Queenstown – Melbourne).
What's Not Included
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Personal expenses
Items of a personal nature, tips, and gratuities.
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Transfers for land-only passengers
Arrival and departure transfers for land-only passengers.
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Unmentioned items
Items not mentioned as included.
Mode of Transport
All transportation is provided in air-conditioned modern vehicles, including arrival and departure airport transfers via airport shuttle, and domestic flights within New Zealand and Australia.
Accommodation
Enjoy 17 nights of accommodation on a twin-sharing basis at listed superior hotels or similar, ensuring comfort and convenience throughout your journey.
Check out our Q&As
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What type of transportation is provided during the tour?
All transportation is provided in air-conditioned modern vehicles, including arrival and departure airport transfers via airport shuttle, and domestic flights within New Zealand and Australia.
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What kind of accommodation can I expect on this tour?
You will enjoy 17 nights of accommodation on a twin-sharing basis at listed superior hotels or similar, ensuring comfort and convenience throughout your journey.
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Is there an English-speaking guide available during the tour?
Yes, the services of an English-speaking guide are provided during the tours.
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Are entrance fees to attractions included in the tour package?
Yes, all entrance fees as per the detailed itinerary are included in the tour package.
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What should I wear for the Waitomo Glowworm Caves guided tour?
It is recommended to wear comfortable walking shoes and bring a warm jacket for the Waitomo Glowworm Caves guided tour.
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What activities are available in Queenstown during the leisure days?
You can spend the day at leisure or pre-book one of the optional tours available in Queenstown.
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What can I expect during the half-day tour of Christchurch?
The half-day tour of Christchurch covers central city highlights including the botanical gardens, the Museum and Art Centre, the Avon River, the Bridge of Remembrance, and the city's new pop-up container mall. You will also visit Mona Vale, the Sign of the Takahe, the Port of Lyttleton, and the seaside suburb of Sumner.
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What are some of the highlights of the Melbourne city tour?
The Melbourne city tour includes exploring Collins Street's Paris end, the Old Treasury Buildings, Parliament House, St. Patrick's Cathedral, the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) forecourt, East Melbourne's Victorian terraced homes, Little Italy, the Royal Exhibition Building, Southbank, Port Phillip Bay, Luna Park in St Kilda, the Shrine of Remembrance, and the Royal Botanic Gardens.
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What is included in the hop-on hop-off sightseeing tour in Sydney?
The hop-on hop-off sightseeing tour in Sydney includes travel along two routes to top destinations like Sydney Harbour Bridge, Sydney Opera House, Darling Harbour, and Bondi Beach. You can hop off the bus to explore any given place in-depth and enjoy recorded onboard commentary.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
Yes, but only in case it was previously agreed by both sides and arranged by us.
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Our e-document package includes all local contact details, daily itinerary, airline e-ticket information, service vouchers, and travel tips which should be everything you require to go on your trip.
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If I need one, who is responsible to obtain my visa?
You are responsible for obtaining the proper travel documents for the destinations on your itinerary, including having a passport that is valid for at least 6 months before the date of departure and a visa if required. Please check the Visa section in the Know Before You Go document for the countries you will be visiting.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
No, not as standard. Solo travellers can book and occupy their own room for a supplement.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
We have been organizing unforgettable trips since 2001.
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Can I arrange flights via Indus Travels, too?
In some cases, yes. Indus Travels can provide flights from/to selected departure points in the USA. If you would like a quote inclusive of flights, please let us know and we'll be happy to check the details for you!
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes.
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
Changes to an existing reservation up to the Final Payment Date, whatever the cause, will incur a $100 per person amendment fee, potential loss of any supplier fees (such as non-refundable event tickets, park permits, and sea cruise reservations) plus any costs for replacement services. On/ after the Final Payment Date, the $100 change fee is no longer valid, instead cancellations terms apply.
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Low Deposit
Indus Travels requires a minimum deposit of 25% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 45 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of indus travels charges.
Up to 75 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 74 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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