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The unspoiled natural splendour, sophisticated cities and bewitching landscapes of Australia and New Zealand take centre stage on this extraordinary discovery of two destinations unlike any other.
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Travel Style - Regional Explorer
Gain the insights into the diversity of two or more countries.
Discover the style and spirit of Melbourne, your launch pad to an epic adventure through Australia and New Zealand. On arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel (flights to arrive prior to 12pm). Tonight, we celebrate the beginning of an antipodean journey at a Welcome Reception and Regional Dinner.
Trip Summary Accomodation IconHotel - Crowne Plaza
'Dive Into Culture' this morning, joining your Travel Director for a leisurely exploration of Melbourne's famous hidden laneways. Discover the city's eclectic arcades, café society and vivid street art.
Trip Summary Meals IconIncluded Meals - Breakfast
Day 3
Melbourne - Cairns (3 Nights)
We fly to laid-back Cairns where we'll meet our 'Local Specialist' for a private wildlife journey at Hartley's Crocodile Adventures. Our boat cruise will take us through woodlands and rainforest, which provide sanctuary to koalas, tropical birds and, of course, crocodiles. Then, 'Join Trafalgar' and take part in a Rainforest Restoration project to protect this natural wonder. Enjoy an evening at leisure.
Trip Summary Accomodation IconHotel - Hilton
Trip Summary Meals IconIncluded Meals - Breakfast
Day 4
Great Barrier Reef
Board a high-speed catamaran bound for the underwater wonderland that is the Great Barrier Reef. View the iridescent coral formations and colourful marine-life from your semi-submersible craft. Get your feet wet and snorkel for up-close encounters with this natural wonder (equipment provided). Enjoy a tropical buffet lunch on board in the golden Australian sunshine before you return to Cairns.
Spend the day at leisure discovering Cairns on your own terms. Consider joining one of Trafalgar's recommended Optional Experiences - a Scenic Rail journey to Kuranda to explore the 'village in the rainforest'. This evening, at the Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park, you'll hear stories of the Dreamtime and witness an entertaining high impact performance by an indigenous dance group. Then enjoy a Regional Dinner accompanied by the sounds of the didgeridoo.
We fly to Sydney this morning and enjoy some time at leisure before boarding our Harbour Cruise. As we sail past magnificent waterfront homes and the iconic white sails of the Opera House, we'll indulge in a Regional Dinner against the backdrop of the city's beloved Harbour Bridge.
Celebrate the genius of Danish architect Jørn Utzon, whose Sydney Opera House is our first stop for a tour with a 'Local Specialist'. Continue to the golden sands of Bondi, to 'Connect With Locals', when you'll meet a local surf lifesaver who will share insights into the history of Bondi Beach and surf lifesaving during a 'Be My Guest' exclusive tour of the Members Only facility of Australia's oldest surf lifesaving club, and lunch paired with panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean.
Trip Summary Meals IconIncluded Meals - Breakfast, Be My Guest
Day 8
Sydney Free Time
Indulge in a free day to connect with Sydney and its beautiful natural surrounds. Consider joining an Optional Experience to the spectacular eucalyptus-clad Blue Mountains or ascend the imposing iron arches of Sydney Harbour bridge if you're feeling adventurous. Join your Travel Director for a waterfront Regional Dinner this evening.
New Zealand's adventure capital beckons, and we fly to Queenstown. You'll get your bearings on an orientation tour. Tonight's Regional Dinner is at The Boatshed, the historic and restored New Zealand Railways Shipping Office built in 1936. Enjoy delicious traditional cuisine with spectacular views of Lake Wakatipu and the Remarkables mountain range.
Get a feel for real country life when we'll 'Connect With Locals' over a 'Be My Guest' experience with our host Southern Girl Laura. Born and raised on a sheep and deer farm in the deep south of New Zealand, Laura will share with you her story of growing up in the country. Then it's all hands-on as you have a go at sheep mustering, whip cracking, as well as the chance to feed and pet the farm animals. Laura is sure you'll leave feeling more like a local than a visitor. Enjoy time at leisure this afternoon. An Optional Experience could see you taking a jet boat ride down the Shotover River, a minibus excursion through Skipper's Canyon or tempting your taste buds on a wine tour.
Trip Summary Meals IconIncluded Meals - Breakfast, Be My Guest
Day 11
Queenstown Free Time
You have a final day in New Zealand's adventure capital to do as you choose. Why not take an Optional Experience to breathtaking Milford Sound for a cruise on the majestic fiord.
Trip Summary Meals IconIncluded Meals - Breakfast
Day 12
Queenstown - Auckland
Today we depart Queenstown and fly north to Auckland, the City of Sails. This evening is free, so why not dine in the 'heart of the city' Federal Street, a hotspot for food lovers right on your doorstep.
Trip Summary Accomodation IconHotel - The Grand by SkyCity
Trip Summary Meals IconIncluded Meals - Breakfast
Day 13
Auckland - Rotorua (2 Nights)
We journey through King Country, which was at the centre of the New Zealand Wars in the 1860s. Join a 'Local Specialist' in in a starry wonderland - a cavernous galaxy of twinkling glowworms, in shades of iridescent green and blue, lighting up the Ruakuri Caves in Waitomo. This evening we'll 'Dive Into Culture' at the Mitai Maori Village for a Regional Dinner. Watch your Māori hosts issue their heart-pounding wero (challenge) during the Powhiri, a ceremonial welcome. Then, continue to the village to delve into what life was like in New Zealand before European settlement. Our encounter with Māori culture continues as we feast on succulent meats and vegetables cooked in a Hangi, sharing our meal with our indigenous hosts.
Visit Rainbow Springs Nature Park for a tour of the National Kiwi Hatchery Aotearoa with a 'Local Specialist'. Continue to the Living Maori Village Whakarewarewa and 'Dive Into Culture' to gain in-depth insights into the lives of the Māori people and the special bond they share with this ancient land. Later, we join our Travel Director for a Farewell Dinner at Terrace Kitchen on the lakefront.
14 breakfasts, 2 lunches (Including Connect With Locals), 7 dinners
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On-trip Transport
Land transportation included. Where applicable, Intra-air between cities may be included, please contact us for details.
The Trafalgar difference
Connect With Locals
Meet an Aussie surf lifesaver for an exclusive tour through Australia's oldest surf lifesaving club (Day 7). 'Southern Girl' Laura is a true blue country girl. Come and meet her on her property, where she'll tell you all about growing up on a sheep & deer farm (Day 10).
Dive Into Culture
Discover Melbourne's eclectic hidden lanes, arcades and fascinating street art (Day 2). Immerse yourself in Maori culture and enjoy a traditional Maori feast at the Mitai Maori Village (Day 13).
Local Specialist
For included sightseeing in Sydney, Cairns and Rotorua (Days 3, 7, 13).
Make A Difference
Join us to plant some trees which will help in the restoration of rainforest in Far North Queensland (Day 3).
Sightseeing highlights
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CITY TOUR in Melbourne and Sydney
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CRUISE on the Great Barrier Reef and Sydney Harbour
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SCENIC DRIVE through Queenstown with views of Lake Wakatipu and the Remarkables Mountain Range
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VIEW Darling Harbour from your hotel room, Sydney Harbour Bridge, a Maori cultural performance
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VISIT Hartley's Crocodile Adventures, Rainbow Springs Nature Park, Sydney Opera House, Bondi Beach and a geothermal valley in Rotorua
Daily breakfast and an average of 50% of evening meals
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Luxury air-conditioned coach with WiFi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)
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Cherry-picked hotels all tried and trusted
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Handcrafted Highlights
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Optional Experiences and free time
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All porterage and local charges included
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Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras
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An expert Travel Director and separate Driver, Driver Guide only on Mini-Stays
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All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
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Airport transfers on the first and last day of your guided holiday
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VIP entry to many sights
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LIVE, UNEDITED & INDEPENDENT TRAVELLERS REVIEWS
Australia and New Zealand Panorama Trip Reviews
Our guests are at the heart of everything we do, their feedback fuels our innovation, inspiring us to improve continuously and craft Simply The Best vacations. That's why we ask each of our guests to leave a third-party verified, independent review after every trip. As testament to our commitment we have been given the Trusted Service Award from Feefo, recognising we deliver exceptional experiences as rated by real guests.
Overall Rating
4.3
Out of 5
Based on 83 independent reviews
Trip Rating
Customer experience
Trip rating is the overall quality of the itinerary and trip
4.2
Out of 5
5
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39
4
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30
3
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9
2
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3
1
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2
Customer experience is the standard of service you receive
Inconsistent accomodations and travel directors, but some bright spots
Trip Rating
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4
I was disappointed with some of the quality of the hotels, as they seemed not as nice as I was expecting. The coaches were in nice condition. The location of the hotels was good. The itinerary was fine.
We had two different travel directors for our 15 day trip. Our first travel director was amazing! Very knowledgable, organized, informative, etc. He was funny and knew the schedule well and the details of all the optional activities. Our second travel director was quite the opposite. He was not organized, gave us wrong information, changed the plans,and did not have the details straight of the itinerary or optionals at all. The local specialists were great and the planned restaurants/meals were all quite good.
Air: Please note that pricing does not include internal flights, with the exception of guests booking and travelling from the USA and Canada. Land Only price requires the following intra-trip flights to be purchased separately in order to fulfil the trip itinerary: Day 3 from Melbourne to Cairns – VA1291; Day 6 from Cairns to Sydney – VA1418; Day 9 from Sydney to Queenstown – VA161; Day 12 from Queenstown to Auckland – NZ614. Trafalgar guarantees to quote you the lowest possible airfare available to us on the day that you book.
This trip is operated in conjunction with our sister company and South Pacific Specialists - AAT Kings.
Unless otherwise stated, trip prices are per person, land only, based on double occupancy and reflect applicable discount. Discounts are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice.
Trip prices are correct at the time of the products going live, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking. All trip information is correct at time of trips going live, however are subject to change - please confirm all details at time of booking.
Twin-share option not available for trips to South America, Costa Rica, Mexico, Alaska, Hawaii, South Africa, Kenya & Tanzania, Botswana, Zambia or for any holiday & cruise combination, or in Asia and Eastern Mediterranean except Highlights of Turkey (without cruise) & Best of Turkey. It's also not available on Small Group trips. Guided Vacations included in this restriction are Newfoundland and Labrador (DNLA) as well as Panama, the Canal & Beyond (LPAN).
For trips that are part of our Guaranteed Room Share, please note that there is a no smoking policy in all shared rooms. Solo travel is not accepted on guided Family Experiences holidays unless travelling as part of a family group.
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