Essential New Zealand & Australia with Flights

Your first two days in New Zealand are free to explore Auckland and the beautiful surrounding areas at leisure. In additional to Auckland’s key sights, like Mission Bay Beach, Viaduct Harbour and Auckland Domain, you could opt to take a tour to the picturesque Waitakere Ranges and beautiful Piha Beach. Or join a tour to two of the North Island’s most famous attractions – Hobbiton Movie Set and Te Puia Geothermal Wonderland at Rotorua.

Your first two days in New Zealand are free to explore Auckland and the beautiful surrounding areas at leisure. In additional to Auckland’s key sights, like Mission Bay Beach, Viaduct Harbour and Auckland Domain, you could opt to take a tour to the picturesque Waitakere Ranges and beautiful Piha Beach. Or join a tour to two of the North Island’s most famous attractions – Hobbiton Movie Set and Te Puia Geothermal Wonderland at Rotorua.

Check out of your Auckland hotel this morning, and catch a taxi to the airport in time for your domestic flight to Christchurch. On arrival in Christchurch, catch another taxi to your hotel and enjoy time to relax or start exploring the South Island’s largest city.

Experience the grand architecture, beautiful gardens and scenic view points of Christchurch. Your time is free to explore the central city of Christchurch, where you will see for yourself both the destructive powers of nature and the inspiring rebuild taking place since the 2011 earthquake. Venture beyond the inner city to discover places like Mona Vale, a historic homestead and gardens, or Takahe, an historic building with a lookout providing spectacular views over the city, Canterbury Plains and to the Southern Alps.

Your time is free to explore the central city of Christchurch. Venture beyond the inner city to discover places like Mona Vale, a historic homestead and gardens, or Takahe, an historic building with a lookout providing spectacular views over the city, Canterbury Plains and to the Southern Alps.

Make your own way to the airport for the international flight from Christchurch to Melbourne today. On arrival at Tullamarine Airport, please catch taxi to the Melbourne hotel. The rest of day is free to explore the city.

Melbourne is the coastal capital of the southeastern Australian state of Victoria. At the city's centre is the modern Federation Square development, with plazas, bars and restaurants by the Yarra River. In the Southbank area, the Melbourne Arts Precinct is the site of Arts Centre Melbourne – a performing arts complex – and the National Gallery of Victoria, with Australian and indigenous art.

Not far from the CBD (Central Business District) you can experience the lively atmosphere of Lygon Street, known as Melbourne's Little Italy. Albert Park, home of the Grand Prix, is surrounded by picturesque scenery that adds to the allure of this renowned racing destination. And the bayside suburb of eclectic St Kilda is where you can enjoy the coastal views and catch a glimpse of the whimsical Luna Park. 

Enjoy another free day in Victoria's capital city. If you opt to head out of Melbourne, the famous Great Ocean Road winds its way along the southeastern coast of Victoria to iconic surf beaches and the Otway Ranges, a cool and ancient temperate rainforest. Another popular day trip is visiting Phillip Island and its world-renowned Penguin Parade. Each evening you can watch the penguins emerge from the rolling waves just after sunset and make their way across the sand to their burrows. 

Make your own way to the airport to depart Melbourne on a domestic flight to Cairns. On arrival, catch a taxi from Cairns Airport to the hotel and spend the evening at leisure in the tourist capital of tropical North Queensland and gateway to the Great Barrier Reef.

With your two free days you can spend your time enjoying the tropical city, or do what most visitors do and use it as a jumping off point for the Daintree Rainforest and Great Barrier Reef adventures.

Hire a car or join a tour to stroll through the ancient and UNESCO World Heritage-listed Daintree Rainforest. You can cruise down the Daintree River for great wildlife spotting, walk along the beach at Cape Tribulation and enjoy stunning views of the region from popular lookout points.

Enjoy your second free day in Cairns. If you visited the Daintree Rainforest and Cape Tribulation yesterday, then today we recommend exploring the Reef. You can easily book a tour to set out from Cairns to cruise to spectacular destinations in the Outer Great Barrier Reef. The outer reef locations have striking contours on the ocean floor and you're in for an outstanding experience when you plunge into the water. It’s easy to snorkel or dive to mingle with the amazing sea life of beautiful corals and tropical fish on the Great Barrier Reef!

Today it’s time to bid farewell to Queensland and catch a taxi to Cairns Airport for your next flight. Arrive in Sydney, Australia’s cosmopolitan premier city. Make your way to the hotel by taxi, where you can check in after 2pm or store your luggage if arriving earlier. 

Experience the beauty of Sydney two full days to tick off iconic landmarks, like Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge. Stroll around vibrant districts like Bondi Beach, Kings Cross and explore the beauty of Mrs Macquarie’s Chair (gives the best view of Sydney Opera House & Harbour Bridge). Visit Milson Point, a suburb of lower North Shore of Sydney, and the other Northern Beaches. The Rocks is another great place to spend time, with some of the city’s oldest pubs and many of the upscale restaurants. Massive Darling Harbour and the smaller Circular Quay port are hubs of waterside life, with the arched Harbour Bridge and esteemed Royal Botanic Garden nearby. Sydney Tower’s outdoor platform, the Skywalk, offers 360-degree views of the city and suburbs. 

If you explore the city yesterday, then today is an opportunity to see more of New South Wales. For a popular day trip, you can venture into the heart of the Blue Mountains - a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Stop at lookouts offering magnificent views of the Three Sisters rock formation. At Scenic World, ride on the Scenic Cableway, which spans 2 cliffs and awards you fantastic panoramic views. Also walk through the ancient rainforest on the Scenic Walkway.

The exciting journey concludes this morning, when you check out of the hotel and catch a taxi or Uber to the airport if you’re flying out today. We hope you have enjoyed exploring the very best of New Zealand and Australia.