
Australia & New Zealand: A Month Down Under
Itinerary
Get ready for the ultimate down-under road trip. This 38-day adventure through New Zealand and Australia dives straight into the heart of these two adrenaline-packed countries. Surf, kayak, and snorkel in world-famous spots, trek through stunning national parks, and cruise through the breathtaking Fiordland National Park and Great Barrier Reef. It’s the perfect blend of thrill and chill—action-packed days with plenty of time to kick back, relax, and soak in all the magic.
Tour program
Auckland
Included Activities:
- Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group
- Connect With New Friends
Optional Extras to chose from:
- Auckland Sailing: America's Cup Experience (Pre Tour)
Additional Notes: Jump right into your adventure by adding the 'Auckland Sailing: America's Cup Experience' extra to your tour. Work with a crew to sail around Auckland's Waitemata Harbour on a competitive yacht, and take in the stunning views. PLEASE NOTE: If booking this extra, a pre-night in Auckland is highly recommended as this activity may start early in the morning on Day 1.
Auckland/Raglan (1B)
Travel to Raglan, a cool coastal town famous for its black sand beach and surf break. You’ll kayak to a remote part of the harbour for a boat cruise and lunch, before heading to our accommodation, close to the action in Raglan this evening.
Meals Included:
- Breakfast
Transport:
- Private Vehicle 03:00 Hr(s)
Included Activities:
- Sea Kayaking
Raglan (1B, 1D)
Head down to the beach for an included surf lesson. The afternoon is free to do what you choose.
Meals Included:
- Breakfast
- Dinner
Included Activities:
- Surf Lesson
Raglan/Rotorua (1B)
Meals Included:
- Breakfast
Transport:
- Private Vehicle 03:00 Hr(s)
Included Activities:
- Te Puia Geyser by Night
Rotorua/Taupo (1B)
Meals Included:
- Breakfast
Transport:
- Private Vehicle 01:00 - 02:00 Hr(s)
Included Activities:
- Huka Falls
Taupo/Wellington (1B)
Travel to Wellington, New Zealand's capital city. Arrive early enough for a visit to the National Museum, Te Papa.
Take a short walk from our accommodation to see the sights of the central business district. Finish the day off with an optional night on the town.
Meals Included:
- Breakfast
Transport:
- Private Vehicle 05:00 - 06:00 Hr(s)
Included Activities:
- Big Night Out
Wellington/Abel Tasman National Park (1B, 1D)
Catch a morning ferry and cross the scenic Cook Strait. Make sure to stand outside and enjoy the views of the Marlborough Sounds at the top of the South Island. Disembark and transfer to Abel Tasman National Park, well-known for its stunning white sand beaches.
Meals Included:
- Breakfast
- Dinner
Transport:
- Private Vehicle 03:00 Hr(s)
- Ferry 03:30 Hr(s)
Abel Tasman National Park (1B)
This is the kind of day that awaits you in Abel Tasman NP, you are free to explore the golden beaches and winding waterways any way you’d like! So have fun, build a sand castle for us, and let the adventures continue!
Meals Included:
- Breakfast
Included Activities:
- Abel Tasman National Park Walk
Abel Tasman National Park/Westport (1B, 1D)
Meals Included:
- Breakfast
- Dinner
Transport:
- Private Vehicle 04:30 - 05:00 Hr(s)
Included Activities:
- Seal Colony Visit
Westport/Franz Josef (1B, 1D)
Continue following the coastal road towards Franz Josef arriving at a unique wilderness lodge set in the rainforest for the night.
Meals Included:
- Breakfast
- Dinner
Transport:
- Private Vehicle 05:00 - 05:30 Hr(s)
Included Activities:
- Pancake Rocks Trek
Franz Josef (1B)
If your goal is to make actual contact with the glacier then try a heli-hike or guided ice walk. Or you could let nature be your guide and lose yourself in the rainforests, lakes, and waterfalls that surround Franz Josef. If you’d rather stay in town, then grab a bite to eat before booking a spa treatment at the Glacier Hot Pools... the choice is yours!
Meals Included:
- Breakfast
Franz Josef/Queenstown (1B)
Meals Included:
- Breakfast
Transport:
- Private Vehicle 08:00 - 09:00 Hr(s)
Queenstown (1B)
Gear up for a free day that is sure to leave you breathless. Opt to be a dare devil and get ready to have those hearts pumping with some adrenaline-filled options like jet boating, bungee jumping, or skydiving.
Meals Included:
- Breakfast
Optional Extras to chose from:
- Queenstown Jet Boating
Additional Notes: If you have pre-booked the Queenstown Jet Boating, your CEO will inform you when you will do the activity during your tour, as days are subject to change.
Please note - in the winter months (early/mid June to early/mid October) skiing and snowboarding in the Southern Alps is a highlight for any visitor. Most of the optional activities are also available, ask your CEO which ones are in season.
Milford Sound Day Trip/Queenstown (1B)
Meals Included:
- Breakfast
Transport:
- Private Vehicle 04:30 Hr(s)
Included Activities:
- Milford Sound Cruise
Optional Extras to chose from:
- Queenstown Jet Boating
Queenstown (1B)
Meals Included:
- Breakfast
Additional Notes: If you have pre-booked the Queenstown Jet Boating, your CEO will inform you when you will do the activity during your tour, as days are subject to change.
Please note - in the winter months (early/mid June to early/mid October) skiing and snowboarding in the Southern Alps is a highlight for any visitor. Most of the optional activities are also available, ask your CEO which ones are in season.
Queenstown to Tekapo (1B, 1D)
Meals Included:
- Breakfast
- Dinner
Transport:
- Private Vehicle 01:15 Hr(s)
Tekapo (1B)
Meals Included:
- Breakfast
Included Activities:
- Lake Tekapo Bike Ride
Tekapo to Christchurch (1B)
Meals Included:
- Breakfast
Transport:
- Private Vehicle 03:00 Hr(s)
Christchurch/Kaikoura (1B)
Spend the afternoon swimming with dolphins or taking a scenic flight over the peninsula.
Bird watchers will be pleased to know that big ocean birds such as albatrosses, petrels and shearwaters frequent the area.
Meals Included:
- Breakfast
Transport:
- Private Vehicle 02:30 Hr(s)
Kaikoura/Wellington (1B)
Meals Included:
- Breakfast
Transport:
- Private Vehicle 02:00 Hr(s)
- Ferry 03:00 Hr(s)
Included Activities:
- Big Night Out
Wellington/Sydney
A great way to start your time in the city is to head down to the harbour's edge to 'The Rocks' historic area.
Transport:
- Plane
Sydney
Included Activities:
- Ferry to Manly Beach
Sydney
Sydney
Sydney/Arrawarra (1D)
Meals Included:
- Dinner
Transport:
- Train 09:00 Hr(s)
- Private Vehicle 00:30 Hr(s)
Arrawarra (1B, 1L, 1D)
Spend some time in the sun and laughing in the waves with your travel tribe before heading out on a kangaroo trek. Then it’s time for a free afternoon to enjoy your surroundings. Soak up views of Solitary Islands Marine Park, embark on a rockpool scramble to look for fish traps and sea creatures, or wander over to Mullawarra beach for a picnic. Your only real job today is to have fun!
Meals Included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Included Activities:
- Surfing Lesson
- Kangaroo Trek
Arrawarra/Byron Bay (1B)
Travel the coastal road to the stunning surf and arts town of Byron Bay. Enjoy plenty of free time to experience the hippie surfing town.
Meals Included:
- Breakfast
Transport:
- Private Vehicle 03:00 Hr(s)
Included Activities:
- Cape Byron Lighthouse Visit
Byron Bay
At the end of it all hop on that surfboard for one last ride because as the locals say, “You haven’t surfed until you’ve surfed Byron Man!"
Opt to pre-book the "Byron Bay Ocean Kayaking" activity on the checkout page ahead of time, to include this optional on your tour.
Optional Extras to chose from:
- Byron Bay Ocean Kayaking
Byron Bay/Brisbane
Transport:
- Private Vehicle 04:00 Hr(s)
Brisbane/K'gari (Fraser Island) (1B, 1L, 1D)
This unique stay on K'gari is hosted by the Traditional Owners of the land who are keen to share their experiences with you and welcome you. This is an incredibly unique experience and a thrilling opportunity to gain insight into Australia's Indigenous culture-both past and present.
Meals Included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Transport:
- Private Vehicle 02:45 - 03:00 Hr(s)
Included Activities:
- Welcome to Country Ceremony
- K'gari Inland Experience
- Twilight Beach Walk
- Stories around the campfire
K'gari (Fraser Island)/Noosa (1B, 1L, 1D)
Meals Included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Transport:
- Private Vehicle 01:30 Hr(s)
Included Activities:
- K'gari Beach Tour
Noosa
Included Activities:
- Noosa Coastal Walk
Noosa/Airlie Beach
Transport:
- Overnight Train (seats)
Airlie Beach
Whitsunday Islands/Airlie Beach (1L)
Meals Included:
- Lunch
Included Activities:
- Whitsunday Islands Boating Excursion
Airlie Beach/Cairns
Transport:
- Private Vehicle 07:00 - 08:00 Hr(s)
Additional Notes: Get ready for an early morning wake-up today for the journey to Cairns. Make sure to stock up on snacks and bring personal entertainment – it may be one of the longer travel days on this trip, but it's worth it to reach The Gateway to the Great Barrier Reef!
Cairns
Opt to pre-book the "Great Barrier Reef Snorkelling" activity on the checkout page ahead of time, to include this optional on your tour.
Included Activities:
- Big Night Out
Optional Extras to chose from:
- Great Barrier Reef Snorkelling
Additional Notes: Depending on availability of Dive Instructors, an upgrade to SCUBA diving from snorkelling may be possible but is by no means guaranteed. Please speak to your CEO to see if this is available.
Cairns
Included Activities:
- Departure Day
Tour Details
accommodation
transport
insurance
optional
Optional Activities
Auckland
- Maritime Museum Visit (24NZD per person)
- Auckland Sailing: America's Cup Experience (Pre Tour) (195NZD per person)
Waiheke Island
- Waiheke Island Excursion (45-130NZD per person)
Waitomo
- Waitomo Valley Walk (Free)
Waitomo Caves
- Waitomo Cave Excursion (75NZD per person)
Raglan
- Legendary Black Water Rafting (179NZD per person)
Rotorua
- Rotorua Canopy Tours (179-249NZD per person)
- Whitewater Rafting (115NZD per person)
- Hot Springs (30-50NZD per person)
Abel Tasman National Park
- Abel Tasman National Park Kayaking (190NZD per person)
- Sailing (140NZD per person)
- Canyoning (255NZD per person)
Westport
- Surfing in Westport (80NZD per person)
Franz Josef
- Heli Scenic Flight with Snow Landing (330-425NZD per person)
- Hiking (Free)
- Franz Josef Kayaking (130NZD per person)
Queenstown
- Vineyard Tour (210-230NZD per person)
- Bungee Jumping (265-450NZD per person)
- Gondola Ride (52-79NZD per person)
- Shotover Canyon Swing (259NZD per person)
- Skydiving (420-520NZD per person)
- Queenstown Jet Boating (159NZD per person)
Lake Tekapo
- Tekapo Hot Springs (37NZD per person)
- Dark Sky Project - The Crater Experience (119NZD per person)
Kaikoura
- Hiking (Free)
- Whale Watching (175NZD per person)
- Scenic Flight (225NZD per person)
- Dolphin Tour (230NZD per person)
The Rocks
- The Rocks Neighbourhood Visit (Free)
Sydney
- Sydney Opera House Visit (43-185AUD per person)
- Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb
Arrawarra
- Swimming
Byron Bay
- Skydiving (409AUD per person)
- Byron Bay Ocean Kayaking
Noosa
- Skydiving Noosa
- Eumundi Market
Noosa Everglades
- Noosa Everglades Kayak Adventure
Whitsunday Islands
- Whitsunday Islands Snorkelling (Free)
Cairns
- Skydiving (310-400AUD per person)
- Whitewater Rafting (138-210AUD per person)
Great Barrier Reef
- Great Barrier Reef Snorkelling from Cairns
flights
International flights before and after the tour are not included
others
Your First Night Out Moment: Connect With New Friends
Your Hands-On Moment: Surf Lesson, Raglan
Your Big Night Out Moment: Wellington
Your Discover Moment: Franz Josef
Your Discover Moment: Queenstown
Your Hands-On Moment: Surfing Lesson, Spot X
Your Discover Moment: Byron Bay
Your Discover Moment: Cairns
Your Big Night Out Moment: Cairns. Sea kayaking excursion (Raglan). Maori cultural experience. Huka Falls. Lake Taupo Sailboat Trip . Boat excursion to Abel Tasman National Park. Walks in Abel Tasman National Park. Seal colony visit. Pancake Rocks. Lake Matheson. Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park. Milford Sound day cruise. Lake Tekapo Bike Ride. Ferry to Manly Beach. Sydney orientation walk. Kangaroo trek. Cape Byron Lighthouse Visit. Daisy Hill Koala Centre. K'gari Welcome Ceremony. 4x4 Adventure on K'gari. K'gari overnight experience (incl Twilight Beach Walk & Stories around the campfire). Noosa Coastal Walk. Whitsunday full day excursion (incl snorkelling). Whitehaven Beach visit. All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
others
"1. 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 New Zealand 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. COMBO TRIP
Please note that this trip is a combination of multiple G Adventures tours. As such, the staff and/or particular vehicles operating your tour may change between tour segments. You may also expect some group members to join or leave the tour, between tour segments.
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."
About Australia: "1) Note that only 1 piece of luggage and 1 carry on are allowed on the NSW train. If you exceed this allowance, AUD15 may be charged upon boarding the train. Hand luggage can weigh up to 5kg and must be no larger than 30cm high x 50cm long x 30cm wide. Checked luggage 2 x 5-20kg, no larger than 60cm high x 70cm long x 50cm wide.
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) Please note that all multi-share accommodation in Australia is generally split by gender."Auckland
- Maritime Museum Visit (24NZD per person)
- Auckland Sailing: America's Cup Experience (Pre Tour) (195NZD per person)
Waiheke Island
- Waiheke Island Excursion (45-130NZD per person)
Waitomo
- Waitomo Valley Walk (Free)
- Legendary Black Water Rafting (188NZD per person)
Waitomo Caves
- Waitomo Cave Excursion (90NZD per person)
Rotorua
- Whitewater Rafting (125NZD per person)
- Rotorua Canopy Tours (189-259NZD per person)
- Hot Springs (45-75NZD per person)
Abel Tasman National Park
- Abel Tasman National Park Kayaking (199NZD per person)
- Canyoning (265NZD per person)
- Sailing (140NZD per person)
Westport
- Surfing in Westport (90NZD per person)
Franz Josef
- Heli Scenic Flight with Snow Landing (350-445NZD per person)
- Franz Josef Kayaking (135NZD per person)
- Hiking (Free)
Queenstown
- Vineyard Tour (210-240NZD per person)
- Bungee Jumping (265-450NZD per person)
- Gondola Ride (66-80NZD per person)
- Shotover Canyon Swing (295NZD per person)
- Skydiving (430-535NZD per person)
- Queenstown Jet Boating (169NZD per person)
Lake Tekapo
- Dark Sky Project - The Crater Experience (129NZD per person)
- Tekapo Hot Springs (37NZD per person)
Kaikoura
- Hiking (Free)
- Whale Watching (175NZD per person)
- Scenic Flight (225NZD per person)
- Dolphin Tour (240NZD per person)
The Rocks
- The Rocks Neighbourhood Visit (Free)
Sydney
- Sydney Opera House Visit (43-185AUD per person)
- Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb
Arrawarra
- Swimming
Byron Bay
- Skydiving (409AUD per person)
- Byron Bay Ocean Kayaking
Noosa Everglades
- Noosa Everglades Kayak Adventure
Noosa
- Eumundi Market
Whitsunday Islands
- Whitsunday Islands Snorkelling (Free)
Cairns
- Skydiving (310-400AUD per person)
- Whitewater Rafting (138-210AUD per person)
Great Barrier Reef
- Great Barrier Reef Snorkelling from Cairns
meals
guide
Good to know
Currency
New Zealand Dollar
New Zealand
Plugs and adapters
