G Adventures
Journeys: Iconic Australia and New Zealand
Journeys: Iconic Australia and New Zealand
Discover the cultural and natural highlights of New Zealand and Australia on an epic 23-day adventure. Start off on New Zealand’s North Island with a Maori feast in Rotorua; then head south to cruise through majestic, wildlife-rich fjords. Queenstown-the adventure capital of the world-will serve up a healthy dose of adrenaline before we fly to Australia and eat our way through Melbourne on a walking lunch. Go behind the scenes at the Sydney Opera House, and dive in to explore the Great Barrier Reef on a snorkeling excursion. Wrap up your adventure in Queensland by spending an afternoon with members of the Kuku Yalanji community.
Highlights
Go behind the scenes at Sydney Opera house, take an interpretive walk with an Indigenous guide, snorkel with the fish in the Great Barrier Reef, witness thousands of glowworms lighting up the scenery, see the stars like never before in the protected International Dark Sky in Lake Tekapo.
Accommodation
Hotel (22 nts)
Group Leader
CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout, local guides.
Group Size Notes
Max 16, Avg 12.
Meals Included
22 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 1 dinner
What’s Included
Your Journeys Highlight Moment: A day at Kohutapu, Rotorua
Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Sheep Shearing Experience, Canterbury Plains
Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Tekapo Dark Sky Experience, Lake Tekapo
Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Melbourne Foodie Walk, Melbourne
Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Private Tour of the Sydney Opera House, Sydney
Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Exclusive Indigenous experience at Cooya Beach, Port Douglas. Waiheke Island Wineries. Waitomo Caves tour. Kohutapu Local Maori Community Initiative. National Kiwi Hatchery. Scenic TranzAlpine train. Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre. Aoraki Mount Cook Kea Point Trek. Free time in Wanaka and Arrowtown. Wilderness day cruise in Fiordland National Park. Free time in Queenstown. Internal flight. All transport between destinations and to/from included activities. Melbourne Foodie Experience. Sunrise interpretive walk at Uluru. Sydney Harbour dinner cruise. Indigenous Peoples Interpretive Walk in the Daintree Forest. Great Barrier Reef Excursion. Exclusive Indigenous experience at Cooya Beach. Internal flights. All transport between destinations and to/from included activities.
| Day 1 |
A veritable paradise on Earth, Auckland combines the best of both worlds – a thrilling urban metropolis surrounded by striking natural areas, sparkling blue water, and colorful wildlife. New Zealand’s cultural and recreational hub, beautiful Auckland has something for everyone. Museums, art galleries, and other culture-rich sites abound near Auckland’s city center. History buffs will appreciate the Auckland War Memorial Museum or the New Zealand Maritime Museum on Viaduct Harbour, while art enthusiasts will relish in the vast art collections housed at Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tamaki. Be sure to peruse the famous Maori Portraits exhibit, a display featuring powerful portraits of the Maori peoples indigenous to New Zealand and Polynesia. You won’t have to venture far from the city to experience some of New Zealand’s most iconic natural wonders! Rugged Rangitoto Island is perfect for hikes, surrounded with stunning volcanic rock and lava fields, and provides a spectacular vantage point to observe Auckland across the harbor. Maungawhau, or Mount Eden, is another of the city’s volcanic wonders; its verdant crater is a sight to behold and remains one of Auckland’s most visited attractions. Head to Waiheke Island to visit Tiritiri Matangi Open Sanctuary, a protected wildlife sanctuary where some of New Zealand’s most eye-catching fauna roam, or hit the beaches of Waitakere Ranges Regional Park to take in the glittering ocean views and soak up some sun. Travel two hours south to marvel at New Zealand’s rolling green hills when you explore the immersive set for The Shire, the fictional village from the ever-popular Lord of the Rings novels and film franchise. Auckland, New Zealand awaits you! |
| Day 2 |
A veritable paradise on Earth, Auckland combines the best of both worlds – a thrilling urban metropolis surrounded by striking natural areas, sparkling blue water, and colorful wildlife. New Zealand’s cultural and recreational hub, beautiful Auckland has something for everyone. Museums, art galleries, and other culture-rich sites abound near Auckland’s city center. History buffs will appreciate the Auckland War Memorial Museum or the New Zealand Maritime Museum on Viaduct Harbour, while art enthusiasts will relish in the vast art collections housed at Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tamaki. Be sure to peruse the famous Maori Portraits exhibit, a display featuring powerful portraits of the Maori peoples indigenous to New Zealand and Polynesia. You won’t have to venture far from the city to experience some of New Zealand’s most iconic natural wonders! Rugged Rangitoto Island is perfect for hikes, surrounded with stunning volcanic rock and lava fields, and provides a spectacular vantage point to observe Auckland across the harbor. Maungawhau, or Mount Eden, is another of the city’s volcanic wonders; its verdant crater is a sight to behold and remains one of Auckland’s most visited attractions. Head to Waiheke Island to visit Tiritiri Matangi Open Sanctuary, a protected wildlife sanctuary where some of New Zealand’s most eye-catching fauna roam, or hit the beaches of Waitakere Ranges Regional Park to take in the glittering ocean views and soak up some sun. Travel two hours south to marvel at New Zealand’s rolling green hills when you explore the immersive set for The Shire, the fictional village from the ever-popular Lord of the Rings novels and film franchise. Auckland, New Zealand awaits you! |
| Day 3 |
A veritable paradise on Earth, Auckland combines the best of both worlds – a thrilling urban metropolis surrounded by striking natural areas, sparkling blue water, and colorful wildlife. New Zealand’s cultural and recreational hub, beautiful Auckland has something for everyone. Museums, art galleries, and other culture-rich sites abound near Auckland’s city center. History buffs will appreciate the Auckland War Memorial Museum or the New Zealand Maritime Museum on Viaduct Harbour, while art enthusiasts will relish in the vast art collections housed at Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tamaki. Be sure to peruse the famous Maori Portraits exhibit, a display featuring powerful portraits of the Maori peoples indigenous to New Zealand and Polynesia. You won’t have to venture far from the city to experience some of New Zealand’s most iconic natural wonders! Rugged Rangitoto Island is perfect for hikes, surrounded with stunning volcanic rock and lava fields, and provides a spectacular vantage point to observe Auckland across the harbor. Maungawhau, or Mount Eden, is another of the city’s volcanic wonders; its verdant crater is a sight to behold and remains one of Auckland’s most visited attractions. Head to Waiheke Island to visit Tiritiri Matangi Open Sanctuary, a protected wildlife sanctuary where some of New Zealand’s most eye-catching fauna roam, or hit the beaches of Waitakere Ranges Regional Park to take in the glittering ocean views and soak up some sun. Travel two hours south to marvel at New Zealand’s rolling green hills when you explore the immersive set for The Shire, the fictional village from the ever-popular Lord of the Rings novels and film franchise. Auckland, New Zealand awaits you! |
| Day 4 |
Natural wonders await you in the steaming, geothermally active North Island city of Rotorua, New Zealand. Pohutu Geyser erupts several times per day, and blistering mud pools provide a truly unique sightseeing experience. When in Rotorua, tourists also visit its living Maori village, as well as Te Puia (New Zealand Maori Arts and Crafts institute), where weaving and woodcarving is featured. Those not afraid of heights can get a bird's eye view on the Skyline Rotorua gondola, and more earthbound souls can reinvigorate themselves at the Polynesian Spa wellness center, with its hot pools and therapies. |
| Day 5 |
Natural wonders await you in the steaming, geothermally active North Island city of Rotorua, New Zealand. Pohutu Geyser erupts several times per day, and blistering mud pools provide a truly unique sightseeing experience. When in Rotorua, tourists also visit its living Maori village, as well as Te Puia (New Zealand Maori Arts and Crafts institute), where weaving and woodcarving is featured. Those not afraid of heights can get a bird's eye view on the Skyline Rotorua gondola, and more earthbound souls can reinvigorate themselves at the Polynesian Spa wellness center, with its hot pools and therapies. |
| Day 6 |
Welcome to Christchurch, a picturesque city with English heritage. This South Island destination is currently in the midst of an exciting regeneration and rebuilding after damaging earthquakes in 2010 and 2011. Here, the new mixes with the old in enchanting ways, with edgy modern architecture and old buildings sitting side by side.
In this explorable New Zealand locale, the Avon River winds through the center of the city, while lush green spaces are plentiful at Christchurch Bonatic Gardens and Hagley Park. Can't-miss attractions include the International Antarctic Center (featuring frozen tundra simulations), the historic Canterbury Museum, and punting on the Avon, also known as flat-bottomed boat rides! |
| Day 7 |
Welcome to Christchurch, a picturesque city with English heritage. This South Island destination is currently in the midst of an exciting regeneration and rebuilding after damaging earthquakes in 2010 and 2011. Here, the new mixes with the old in enchanting ways, with edgy modern architecture and old buildings sitting side by side.
In this explorable New Zealand locale, the Avon River winds through the center of the city, while lush green spaces are plentiful at Christchurch Bonatic Gardens and Hagley Park. Can't-miss attractions include the International Antarctic Center (featuring frozen tundra simulations), the historic Canterbury Museum, and punting on the Avon, also known as flat-bottomed boat rides! |
| Day 8 |
|
| Day 9 |
|
| Day 10 |
This beautiful resort town has a little something for everyone! Whether you are into skiing and snowboarding, jet boating, whitewater rafting, bungy jumping, or mountain biking there is no end to the year around adventure sports you can take advantage of. If you love wine, Queenstown lies close to the center of a small wine producing region, including The Two Paddocks vineyard which is owned by actor Sam Neill. If you're a movie buff, Queenstown and the surrounding area were used in the filming of The Lord of the Rings film trilogy. |
| Day 11 |
This beautiful resort town has a little something for everyone! Whether you are into skiing and snowboarding, jet boating, whitewater rafting, bungy jumping, or mountain biking there is no end to the year around adventure sports you can take advantage of. If you love wine, Queenstown lies close to the center of a small wine producing region, including The Two Paddocks vineyard which is owned by actor Sam Neill. If you're a movie buff, Queenstown and the surrounding area were used in the filming of The Lord of the Rings film trilogy. |
| Day 12 |
This beautiful resort town has a little something for everyone! Whether you are into skiing and snowboarding, jet boating, whitewater rafting, bungy jumping, or mountain biking there is no end to the year around adventure sports you can take advantage of. If you love wine, Queenstown lies close to the center of a small wine producing region, including The Two Paddocks vineyard which is owned by actor Sam Neill. If you're a movie buff, Queenstown and the surrounding area were used in the filming of The Lord of the Rings film trilogy. |
| Day 13 |
A vibrant cultural center in the land “Down Under,” Melbourne, Australia will entice you with its aromatic cafés, lush nature parks, immersive museums, and dedication to the arts. Situated on the southern coast of the Australian continent, the warm sands and turquoise waters of Brighton Beach, which hugs Port Phillip Bay, invites you to relax and sunbathe. An array of colorful and vintage bathing boxes lines the shore and makes for a vivid photo op. North of Brighton Beach, St. Kilda Beach has amusements galore, including the iconic wooden coaster of Luna Park and an amazing view of the sunsets on St. Kilda Pier. Head to the pier’s breakwater to catch a glimpse of some St. Kilda penguins, who frequent its sturdy rocks at night. The many diversions of the city center are guaranteed to entertain and delight! From the bustling Queen Victoria market, filled with delectable baked goods, fresh fruits and veggies, and unique souvenirs, to the stunning National Gallery of Victoria, whose thousands of distinct art pieces are illuminated by the glow of a stained-glass ceiling, Melbourne is a cultural and recreational haven. Stroll through quaint boutiques within the Block Arcade, learn about the city’s love of cricket at the National Sports Museum in the Melbourne Cricket Ground arena, or immerse yourself in the educational exhibits at the ever-popular Scienceworks Museum. Melbourne’s natural beauty will astound and enchant you. Make a quick trip east of Melbourne to explore Yarra Valley, which offers dozens of wineries and rich Australian wines to sample. Steps from the city center, the Royal Botanic Garden encompasses an almost hundred-acre park filled with native flora and is a great spot to unwind after a long day of exploration. Follow the coastline west to find resplendent waterfalls and national parks, including the Great Otway National Park and Port Campbell National Park, where hiking, canoeing, and a whole host of outdoor activities await. Melbourne is the perfect metropolitan hub for many Australian adventures! |
| Day 14 |
A vibrant cultural center in the land “Down Under,” Melbourne, Australia will entice you with its aromatic cafés, lush nature parks, immersive museums, and dedication to the arts. Situated on the southern coast of the Australian continent, the warm sands and turquoise waters of Brighton Beach, which hugs Port Phillip Bay, invites you to relax and sunbathe. An array of colorful and vintage bathing boxes lines the shore and makes for a vivid photo op. North of Brighton Beach, St. Kilda Beach has amusements galore, including the iconic wooden coaster of Luna Park and an amazing view of the sunsets on St. Kilda Pier. Head to the pier’s breakwater to catch a glimpse of some St. Kilda penguins, who frequent its sturdy rocks at night. The many diversions of the city center are guaranteed to entertain and delight! From the bustling Queen Victoria market, filled with delectable baked goods, fresh fruits and veggies, and unique souvenirs, to the stunning National Gallery of Victoria, whose thousands of distinct art pieces are illuminated by the glow of a stained-glass ceiling, Melbourne is a cultural and recreational haven. Stroll through quaint boutiques within the Block Arcade, learn about the city’s love of cricket at the National Sports Museum in the Melbourne Cricket Ground arena, or immerse yourself in the educational exhibits at the ever-popular Scienceworks Museum. Melbourne’s natural beauty will astound and enchant you. Make a quick trip east of Melbourne to explore Yarra Valley, which offers dozens of wineries and rich Australian wines to sample. Steps from the city center, the Royal Botanic Garden encompasses an almost hundred-acre park filled with native flora and is a great spot to unwind after a long day of exploration. Follow the coastline west to find resplendent waterfalls and national parks, including the Great Otway National Park and Port Campbell National Park, where hiking, canoeing, and a whole host of outdoor activities await. Melbourne is the perfect metropolitan hub for many Australian adventures! |
| Day 15 |
Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, national park in the Northern Territory, Australia, in the arid center of the continent, southwest of Alice Springs. The area was established as Ayers Rock/Mount Olga National Park in 1958 and renamed Uluru National Park in 1977. In 1985 the land was officially returned to its traditional owners, the region's Aborigines. The Aborigines then leased the area to the Australian National Parks and Wildlife Service. In 1987 the park was placed on the World Heritage List, a listing by the World Heritage Convention of the world's unique and precious sites. The park was renamed Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park in 1993. |
| Day 16 |
Located in Australia's Northern Territory, Uluru is an iconic sandstone formation and UNESCO World Heritage site. This red rock monolith, believed to be over 500 million years old, has been considered sacred by Australia's indigenous peoples for thousands of years and is one of the country's most well-known natural landmarks. This spiritual destination will astound you at sunrise and sunset, when the warm sunlight turns Uluru to deep hues of red and orange. |
| Day 17 |
Sydney, Australia's iconic harbor city, is a dazzling blend of natural beauty and urban sophistication. At the heart of its allure is the world-renowned Sydney Opera House, an architectural marvel that hosts an array of performances from opera to contemporary music. Its distinctive sail-like design makes it one of the most photographed buildings in the world. A tour of the Opera House offers insights into its fascinating history and architectural innovations. Nearby, the Sydney Harbour Bridge provides a thrilling experience for adventure seekers. Visitors can climb to the top of this steel giant for panoramic views of the city and harbor, a breathtaking way to appreciate Sydney’s spectacular waterfront. For those who prefer a more leisurely experience, a walk across the bridge offers equally stunning vistas. Sydney's beaches are legendary, with Bondi Beach standing out as a must-visit destination. Known for its golden sands and surf culture, Bondi is perfect for a day of sunbathing or taking a dip in the Pacific. The Bondi to Coogee coastal walk offers scenic views of the rugged coastline and is a great way to explore other beautiful beaches along the way. Fun fact: Sydney's Taronga Zoo is unique for its conservation efforts and its stunning location overlooking Sydney Harbour. It's one of the few zoos in the world where you can see animals while enjoying views of the iconic skyline. |
| Day 18 |
Sydney, Australia's iconic harbor city, is a dazzling blend of natural beauty and urban sophistication. At the heart of its allure is the world-renowned Sydney Opera House, an architectural marvel that hosts an array of performances from opera to contemporary music. Its distinctive sail-like design makes it one of the most photographed buildings in the world. A tour of the Opera House offers insights into its fascinating history and architectural innovations. Nearby, the Sydney Harbour Bridge provides a thrilling experience for adventure seekers. Visitors can climb to the top of this steel giant for panoramic views of the city and harbor, a breathtaking way to appreciate Sydney’s spectacular waterfront. For those who prefer a more leisurely experience, a walk across the bridge offers equally stunning vistas. Sydney's beaches are legendary, with Bondi Beach standing out as a must-visit destination. Known for its golden sands and surf culture, Bondi is perfect for a day of sunbathing or taking a dip in the Pacific. The Bondi to Coogee coastal walk offers scenic views of the rugged coastline and is a great way to explore other beautiful beaches along the way. Fun fact: Sydney's Taronga Zoo is unique for its conservation efforts and its stunning location overlooking Sydney Harbour. It's one of the few zoos in the world where you can see animals while enjoying views of the iconic skyline. |
| Day 19 |
Sydney, Australia's iconic harbor city, is a dazzling blend of natural beauty and urban sophistication. At the heart of its allure is the world-renowned Sydney Opera House, an architectural marvel that hosts an array of performances from opera to contemporary music. Its distinctive sail-like design makes it one of the most photographed buildings in the world. A tour of the Opera House offers insights into its fascinating history and architectural innovations. Nearby, the Sydney Harbour Bridge provides a thrilling experience for adventure seekers. Visitors can climb to the top of this steel giant for panoramic views of the city and harbor, a breathtaking way to appreciate Sydney’s spectacular waterfront. For those who prefer a more leisurely experience, a walk across the bridge offers equally stunning vistas. Sydney's beaches are legendary, with Bondi Beach standing out as a must-visit destination. Known for its golden sands and surf culture, Bondi is perfect for a day of sunbathing or taking a dip in the Pacific. The Bondi to Coogee coastal walk offers scenic views of the rugged coastline and is a great way to explore other beautiful beaches along the way. Fun fact: Sydney's Taronga Zoo is unique for its conservation efforts and its stunning location overlooking Sydney Harbour. It's one of the few zoos in the world where you can see animals while enjoying views of the iconic skyline. |
| Day 20 |
Port Douglas, Australia |
| Day 21 |
Port Douglas, Australia |
| Day 22 |
Port Douglas, Australia |
| Day 23 |
Port Douglas, Australia |
| Travel Dates | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|
|
05/04/25 - 05/18/25 |
Starting At $11,999 |
Get A Quote | |
|
07/13/25 - 08/10/25 |
Starting At $10,439 |
Get A Quote | |
|
09/07/25 - 09/21/25 |
Starting At $11,999 |
Get A Quote | |
|
10/12/25 - 11/30/25 |
Starting At $12,499 |
Get A Quote | |
|
12/07/25 - 03/22/26 |
Starting At $13,349 |
Get A Quote | |
|
04/05/26 - 04/19/26 |
Starting At $12,499 |
Get A Quote | |
|
05/03/26 - 05/17/26 |
Starting At $11,999 |
Get A Quote | |
|
06/14/26 - 08/09/26 |
Starting At $11,599 |
Get A Quote | |
|
09/06/26 - 09/20/26 |
Starting At $11,999 |
Get A Quote | |
|
10/04/26 - 11/29/26 |
Starting At $12,499 |
Get A Quote | |
|
12/06/26 - 12/27/26 |
Starting At $13,349 |
Get A Quote |
Local Flights
Please be advised that any flights noted on the G Adventures Itinerary for this tour are included in the tour services provided. Flight tickets are provided by G Adventures during the tour. The date for this service will match the day of the itinerary, for which Day 1 is equal to the start date noted on the Invoice under Land Services: Tour. If flight information is required in advance for visa purposes, please contact G Adventures.
The internal flights on this tour have strict baggage limits of 1 item/20kg for checked baggage, and 7kg for carry-on – this may be lower than your international flight baggage limits. Additional checked baggage cannot be purchased ahead of time. However, you may be able to purchase this in person upon check-in at the airport, subject to availability and at your own expense.
Dossier Disclaimer
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 print a final copy of your Trip Details to review a couple of days prior to travel, in case there have been changes that affect your plans.
Itinerary Disclaimer
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.
