Australia and New Zealand Highlights
- Explore street art, cafe culture, and wine tasting in trendy Melbourne
- Enjoy Sydney highlights, including a gourmet harbor cruise
- Discover New Zealand’s iconic scenery in Queenstown and Milford Sound
This luxury Australia and New Zealand Highlights vacation package was planned for empty nesters from Arizona who wanted to experience the best cities and scenery of Australia and New Zealand.
They began their Australia and New Zealand Highlights tour in chic Melbourne. There, they enjoyed a walking tour of the city and a day of wine tasting in the renowned Yarra Valley.
Next, they traveled sassy Sydney. There, they did a city highlights and food walking tour and took a tour of the famed Sydney Opera House before enjoying a performance there. They enjoyed a day with an exclusive lunch cruise of the Sydney Harbour where they learned the history of the city and were treated to a unique view of the skyline.
And then continued their Australia and New Zealand Highlights tour with a flight to Hamilton Island with beautiful beaches and access to Great Barrier Reef. They stayed at the luxurious qualia with sweeping views to the ocean. And they enjoyed a full day at the Great Barrier Reef and Whitehaven Beach with a scenic flight.
Continuing their Australia and New Zealand Highlights tour, the couple flew to Queenstown, a quaint town on the South Island of New Zealand., staying a stunning property just outside of town. While in Queenstown, they journeyed to Milford Sound in the famed Fiordland National Park. This is one of New Zealand’s most pristine landscapes, and our clients enjoyed plenty of scenic photo opportunities along the way and had a scenic flight back to Queenstown. Then, they spent a day exploring the town, enjoying the view of Lake Wakatipu, and ended with a fabulous dinner above the town after riding the Skyline Gondola.
From there they flew to the capital city of Wellington to enjoy the wonderful restaurant and bar culture. As big movie buffs, they loved visiting Weta Workshop and viewing the extensive collections at the Te Papa Museum.
To end their Australia and New Zealand highlights trip, they flew to Auckland. While there, they enjoyed a Maori focused city and hinterlands tour where they learned about the inactive volcanos that circle the city and explored some of the picturesque scenery surrounding Auckland. And they loved their private art and culture tour of the city. At last, their fabulous vacation came to an end, and they traveled to the airport to begin their trip home.
Accommodation
- 4 Nights QT Sydney
- 3 Nights Park Hyatt Melbourne
- 3 Nights qualia Resort
- 3 Nights Azur Lodge Queenstown
- 2 Nights QT Wellington
- 3 Nights Hotel DeBrett
Touring
- Lanes and Arcades Tour
- Private Wine Tasting Tour Yarra Valley
- Private Full Day Tour of Sydney
- Sydney Opera House Gold Experience
- Sydney Harbour Long Lunch Cruise
- Best of Both Worlds Tour Hamilton Island
- Cruise/Scenic Flight Milford Sound
- Weta Workshop Experience
- Private Te Papa Musuem Tour
- Private Maori Auckland Tour
- Private Art and Culture Tour Waiheke Island
Transportation
- Private Airport Transfers
Insider Tip
Corinne, Owner and Founder
For a great urban hike, take a cab or the bus to Coogee Beach and walk the coastal trail to Bondi Beach. The trail is mostly paved and hugs the coastline as it connects a series of beaches. It’s a wonderful way to take in the spectacular scenery without breaking a sweat. Reward yourself with lunch at Bondi Beach as you watch the surfers!
Crown Towers Melbourne
Shangri-La Hotel Sydney
AEA Luxury Tours
Sensational Sydney Cruises
Suggested Itinerary
Day 1
Touch down today in Melbourne and enjoy a private transfer to your hotel. The day is at your leisure to explore the fabulous shops, cafes, restaurants, and spectacular art of Melbourne.
Park Hyatt Melbourne
Day 2
Today, you will enjoy a tour of Melbourne’s signature lanes and arcades and see hidden gems of the city. See some of Melbourne’s quirkiest cafes, independent designers, street art, and architecture with Hidden Secrets Tours, enjoying historical tales of Melbourne along the way.
After your tour, relax at your hotel or join in Melbourne’s spectacular nightlife.
Park Hyatt Melbourne
Day 3
Enjoy the delights of one of Australia’s most famous wine regions, the Yarra Valley, with Epicurean Tours. Chardonnay, pinot noir, and sparkling wines dominate, but the offerings include excellent examples of shiraz, riesling, pinot gris, and sauvignon blanc.
Crown Towers Melbourne
Day 4
Today, you’re on to spectacular Sydney—a world-class city that offers style and sophistication. Fringed by numerous bays and beaches and presided over by the glistening Opera House, Sydney unveils a great photo opportunity at every turn.
QT Sydney
Day 5
Today is a great introduction to the city as you join in a private walking tour of Sydney. Plunge into the waves, soak up the sun on the coast track, lose yourself in world-class art collections, climb to the top of the Sydney Harbour Bridge or gaze up in awe at the bones of the Sydney Opera House. You will go to suburbs, the big sights, gnarly surf spots, local galleries or simply to a local coffee shop.
QT Sydney
Day 6
Today is yours at leisure in beautiful, cosmopolitan Sydney. Save your energy for the evening, however, because you’ll have a guided tour of the Sydney Opera House, followed by a 3-course pre-show dinner at Aria Restaurant (beverages additional) and a performance of the opera, ballet, or theatre at the Sydney Opera House, where an intermission drink is included.
QT Sydney
Day 7
Today, step aboard a luxury cruiser to discover the beauty of Sydney Harbour and dine at some world famous iconic harbour side restaurants. Your cruise will begin with a welcome and your choice of drinks. As you cruise past the Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House your crew will tell you about the past and modern day history of the harbour. First stop is Vaucluse for your entrée at the renowned Doyles on the Beach at Watsons Bay. Back onboard to your next step for a delicious main course and beverage at the Balmoral Public Dining Room. Head back to the boat for more cruising. While onboard you will enjoy dessert and cheese platters. Your return will be back through Middle Harbour and along the northern shores of Sydney Harbour, past Taronga Zoo and the Prime Minister’s residence. Time permitting there is even an opportunity to stop for a swim if you choose.
QT Sydney
Day 8
Today you are off to Hamilton Island. Get ready for an idyllic island experience on spectacular Hamilton Island, nestled amongst the Whitsunday Islands on the edge of the Great Barrier Reef. Surrounded by pristine white beaches, and a kaleidoscope of coral and marine life, it’s your perfect base for exploring the Great Barrier Reef and world-famous Whitehaven Beach. During your stay you’ll enjoy an impressive selection of dining and entertainment, water sports, sailing, cruising, and wildlife encounters. You will stay at the luxurious qualia resort with sweeping views of the ocean.
qualia Resort
Day 9
Today you will enjoy an unforgettable helicopter flight over the Whitsundays, a visit to Reefworld (a permanently moored pontoon above colourful Hardy Reef), and an afternoon picnic on the pristine, world-famous Whitehaven Beach. On your half-hour flights to and from Reefworld, you’ll experience some breathtaking views over the Whitsunday Islands and spectacular coral reef formations. During your two hours at Reefworld you can snorkel or dive, or simply relax and admire your surroundings aboard the fully-equipped pontoon. After landing at world-famous Whitehaven Beach, you can swim, laze on the white sand, and enjoy a picnic and bottle of sparkling wine.
qualia Resort
Day 10
Today is yours at leisure to enjoy the beach, or take in a spa appointment.
qualia Resort
Day 11
Today, you’re off to Queenstown, New Zealand. Arrive in the early afternoon and be escorted by private transfer directly to your hotel, situated within walking distance of downtown. A delight for scenery lovers and adrenaline junkies alike, Queenstown is the outdoor adventure capital of the country, if not the world. There’s an endless supply of activities that will allow you to fully experience the stunning natural landscape and to get your adrenaline flowing.
Azur Lodge
Day 12
Be escorted by luxury glass-roofed coach to a day cruise in one of the most beautiful places on earth: Milford Sound in the Fiordland National Park. Travel the spectacular Milford Road through impressive alpine scenery with time for photo stops and short walks along the way. On reaching the sound, board a nature cruise of the fjord for a leisurely itinerary with Real Journeys that allows plenty of time to enjoy the scenery and wildlife. This is one tour where getting caught in the rain is actually lucky—during downpours, hundreds of waterfalls take flight from the sea cliffs. And then marvel at the views on a scenic flight back.
Azur Lodge
Day 13
This day is entirely at your leisure. If you like, we can arrange additional activities, such as the famous adrenaline pursuits of bungee jumping, skydiving, canyoning, white water rafting, scenic helicopter flights (with mountain landings for a quick snowball fight), white water sledging, or jet boating. Alternatively, enjoy other, more leisurely pursuits such as horseback riding, kayaking, nature hikes (amazing in this region), and hundreds of other activities that make Queenstown unique.
Azur Lodge
Day 14
You are off to the capital city of Wellington today. This fun city on the North Island has a wonderful culture of restaurants and bars, lots of great shopping and culture.
QT Wellington
Day 15
Today is your day to explore Wellington. You will start at Weta Workshop with a behind the scenes tour understanding how special effects and makeup are done in some of your favorite movies. Then make your way to Te Papa Museum for a privately guided tour of their collection. We suggest you end your day at one of the many great restaurants in town.
QT Wellington
Day 16
Next, you fly to Auckland, the “City of Sails.” Auckland often takes a backseat to the natural wonders at its doorstep, but it is a cosmopolitan and picturesque city with many opportunities to explore museums, nightlife, and native bush island destinations. Your hotel is right in the city center, within minutes of all the major sites.
Hotel deBrett
Day 17
Enjoy a small-group Auckland city and hinterlands tour with TIME Unlimited Tours to see the highlights of the city and beyond. You’ll see Mt. Eden (Auckland’s most famous volcano) with magnificent views across the city on a clear day, as well as the colonial Parnell neighborhood and Tamaki Drive, a beautiful route along Auckland’s shoreline. After a picnic lunch, head outside the city to Auckland’s west coast and the Waitakere Ranges to visit an artist enclave, spectacular ocean vistas, soaring cliffs, roaring surf, volcanic black sand beaches, and ancient native rainforest. Alternatively, we can arrange a day tour that focuses on Maori culture and history.
Hotel deBrett
Day 18
Today you embarck on a privately guided art and culture tour of Waiheke Island. Designed especially for art, heritage and history lovers, this full day tour also includes lunch at a top city eatery and transportation throughout the day.
Hotel deBrett
Day 19
Today, it’s time to head to the airport for your flight home.
About this vacation
Cost Per Person
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