14-Nights Australia and New Zealand Panorama from $8,955

Trafalgar

OFFER ID 1556167

Australia And New Zealand Panorama
Your perfect two-week introduction to all the must-sees awaits on this Australia and New Zealand tour. Get out on the water at the Great Barrier Reef. Explore wildlife sanctuaries and scenic rainforests topped off with moving Maori villages, glittering glowworm caves, and a Queenstown adrenaline rush in epic New Zealand.

Dining Summary

1 Welcome Reception (WR)
14 Breakfast (B)
1 Lunch (L)
4 Regional Dinner (RD)
1 Farewell Dinner (FD)

Be My Guest

Queenstown: Come and meet your host a 'Southern Girl' local farmer in the South Island, for some good old fashioned southern hospitality.

Dive Into Culture

Rotorua: Visit Te Puia for the Te Po experience, an evening of Maori culture and connection. Dine on traditional Hangi-inspired cuisine, followed by a captivating cultural performance.
Rotorua: Visit Whakarewarewa Living Village for insights into the lives of the Maori community and their special bond they share with their country, Aotearoa.

MAKE TRAVEL MATTER®

Sydney: You'll learn who was the inspiration behind this secret garden on the Sydney Harbour foreshore.
Rotorua: Visit the National Kiwi Hatchery Aotearoa and learn about the work being done to save New Zealand's national bird. Your visit contributes to saving the kiwi bird.

Must-see Highlights

Explore Sydney Opera House, Hartley's Crocodile Adventures in Cairns, and the National Kiwi Hatchery in Rotorua with a Local Specialist
Discover Melbourne, Sydney, Cairns, Queenstown, Rotorua, Auckland
Visit Wendy's Secret Garden in Lavender Bay, a geothermal valley at Whakarewarewa in Rotorua, and a farm in the Southern Alps
View Sydney Harbour Bridge, a Maori cultural performance
Scenic Cruise on the Great Barrier Reef in Queensland, and on Sydney Harbour
Scenic Drive through Queenstown with views of Lake Wakatipu and the Remarkables Mountain Range

Whats Included

An expert Travel Director and professional Driver
Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted
Porterage where hotels provide this service
Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals
Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras
All land transport shown. All transfers shown
Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)
Optional Experiences and free time
A Trafalgar bonus - all Intra-Air Flights: Melbourne to Cairns, Cairns to Sydney, Sydney to Queenstown, Queenstown to Auckland

14 nights from $8,955 per person

Itinerary

Click here for Full Itinerary Details

Itinerary Details

Trafalgar Tours: Australia and New Zealand Panorama

Day 1 - Welcome to Melbourne
Begin your Australia and New Zealand tour discovering the style and spirit of Melbourne, your launch pad to an epic adventure through Australia and New Zealand (flights to arrive prior to 12pm). On arrival, you’ll be transferred to your hotel on the Yarra River before celebrating the beginning of your journey at a Welcome Reception at The General Assembly restaurant. Located on the Yarra River, this restaurant is known for its modern pub fare. Dive in and raise your glass to the adventure. Cheers!
Accommodations: Crowne Plaza
Meals: Welcome Reception

Day 2 - Discover the Magic of Melbourne
Get out and see the sights today on a guided walk with your Travel Director discovering the little lanes, arcades, and café society of stylish Melbourne. Gaze up at the beautiful Victorian façades lining grand boulevards. Stroll past famous, edgy street art that shows a stylish contrast to federation buildings and churches as Melbourne’s coffee aroma wafts overhead. Afterwards, the day is yours to relax back at your hotel, go for a scenic stroll, do a little souvenir shopping, or find a spot on the banks of the Yarra River to grab a drink. Or choose to venture outside of the city on an optional experience such as the viewing of the incredible Little Penguins on Phillip Island. On this rare wildlife viewing experience you’ll watch the tiny, adorable penguins make their daily trek from the sea to burrows on the beach.
Accommodations: Crowne Plaza
Meals: Breakfast

Day 3 - North to Sunny Cairns
From city life to sunshine state of mind, today you’ll fly to laid-back Cairns. Get right into the action and meet your Local Specialist for a private wildlife journey at Hartley's Crocodile Adventures. Your boat cruise will take you through the woodlands and rainforest that provide sanctuary to koalas, tropical birds and, of course, crocodiles. See what critters are out today as your local guide shares their in-depth knowledge of the wildlife that call the sanctuary home. Continue your exploration of wildlife and wild places taking part in a Rainforest Restoration project to protect the natural wonder of Notophyll Vine Forest. Join in and plant a tree knowing that your visit is part of a larger scale effort to restore the rainforest since the land was cleared and overgrazed. Your contribution to the revitalization of this rare dry rainforest will help to bring back its native plants and birds. After a big day, enjoy an evening dining in one of the many restaurants in the nearby Cairns Marina. Or, pop into the Cairns Night Markets, choosing your favourite dinner option from over 70 local vendors.
Accommodations: Hilton
Meals: Breakfast

Day 4 - A Natural Wonder, the Great Barrier Reef
On a bucket-list, day-long excursion, immerse yourself in Australia’s famous Great Barrier Reef boarding a high-speed catamaran for this underwater wonderland and UNESCO World Heritage Site. The choice is yours on how to explore: view the iridescent coral formations and colourful marine-life from your semi-submersible craft or get your feet wet and have an up-close encounter snorkelling with a rainbow of fish and coral (equipment provided). Whichever you chose, you’ll enjoy a full day of wildlife, insights from your local guide, and a tropical buffet lunch as you bask in the glorious Australian sunshine. You’ll return to Cairns after a day of sun and fun with a greater appreciation for this beautiful and fragile part of the world.
Accommodations: Hilton
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 5 - Time to Explore Tropical Cairns
Spend the day soaking up the sun discovering Cairns on your own terms. Relax in town or at the hotel pool or consider joining an Optional Experience such as the Scenic Rail journey to Kuranda to explore the remote and fascinating 'village in the rainforest'. All aboard as your day begins taking a historic train through the rainforest rich with gorges and waterfalls to Kuranda. The views alone are worth the trip, but you’ll also have time to explore this village’s unique shops and markets or experience more of this World Heritage rainforest taking to the trails or visiting a wildlife sanctuary. Return to the lowlands on the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway though and above some of the oldest rainforest in the world. Tonight, join your travel mates for a Regional Dinner at Ochre Restaurant for views of the inlet and mountains as you enjoy Australian cuisine featuring the best local produce.
Accommodations: Hilton
Meals: Breakfast, Regional Dinner

Day 6 - Set your Sights on Sydney
Say farewell to Cairns and fly to Sydney this morning for the next leg of your Australia and New Zealand tour, you’ll have a free afternoon and evening. You could soak up the incredible city views from Circular Quay and Mrs. Macquarie's Chair, or wander around the Royal Botanic Garden.
Accommodations: Sofitel Wentworth Hotel Sydney
Meals: Breakfast

Day 7 - Sydney's Eclectic Sights
Kick off your day with guided tour of the Sydney Opera House with a Local Specialist. Then experience the beauty of the city aboard a harbour cruise sailing past Circular Quay, Shark Island, magnificent homes, beaches, and parkland, and the iconic white sails of the Opera House. Across the Harbour Bridge visit Wendy's Secret Garden at Lavender Bay, a peaceful hideaway with a special history, and a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER?? Experience. Wind your way through the garden's nooks and crannies, where shrubs. herbs, and towering trees line meandering paths. After a morning of touring, the rest of the day is yours to explore a bit more of the city. Take a stroll around the harbour or find a spot by the Opera House and perhaps raise a glass as you watch the sunset over the bridge.
Accommodations: Sofitel Sydney Wentworth
Meals: Breakfast

Day 8 - Sydney, It's All Yours Today
Get your final fix of Sydney with a full day to explore. Consider joining an Optional Experience to discover the spectacular Blue Mountains for fresh mountain air and stunning natural scenery. Animals lovers will not want to miss a visit to the Sydney Zoo to see some of Australia's unique native animals. Or get your adrenaline racing with an Optional Experience thrilling climb up (and over) the Sydney Harbour Bridge. On your last night in town, enjoy one last walk around the harbour before sitting down to a Regional Dinner with your Travel Director. After so many incredible experiences in Australia, get excited for the next leg of your journey in New Zealand.
Accommodations: Sofitel Sydney Wentworth
Meals: Breakfast, Regional Dinner

Day 9 - Fly into Fun in Queenstown
New Zealand’s adventure capital beckons as you fly to Queenstown this afternoon for the next leg of your journey. Get your bearings around town, including your first views of stunning Lake Wakatipu which frames the town. Reminiscent of alpine village, you’ll love the mountain-town vibe of this adventure hub. Lucky for you the evening is free to explore the many walkable bars and restaurants before resting up in the cosy and contemporary central Millennium Hotel.
Accommodations: Millennium
Meals: Breakfast

Day 10 - Say Hello to a local Farmer
Get a taste of country life combined with good old fashioned southern hospitality on this Be My Guest experience as you meet a ‘Southern Girl’ local farmer at Real Country. Have demonstrations of Horse communication and Working sheep dog mustering. Now it’s your turn to have some fun as you try your hand at a Stock whip cracking lesson, and feed and interact with the friendly farm animals. For every guest, we donate funds to the Fairlight Foundation, Advancing Women in Agriculture. After this fun insight into the real New Zealand, you'll be ready for a scenic afternoon, starting in gorgeous, quaint Arrowtown, a riverside town that boomed during the gold mining era of the mid-1800s. You’ll feel like the clocks been turned back as you stroll among the pioneer-constructed cottages, churches, as well as the boutique shops, art galleries, and cafés. Be sure to have a look at the Chinese Settlement at the edge of the Arrow River made of restored shelters and buildings originally constructed in 1868. From land to water, sit back on a scenic cruise across Lake Wakatipu on the vintage steamship TSS Earnslaw before arriving at Walter Peak High Country Farm for a gourmet barbecue Regional Dinner, piled high with local delicacies. After dinner at this historic homestead, learn how it all comes together watching the sheep dogs in action before cruising back to your Queenstown hotel.
Accommodations: Millennium
Meals: Breakfast, Regional Dinner

Day 11 - Queenstown to Spend as You Wish
Good morning, Queenstown! You have a final day in New Zealand's adventure capital and the choice is yours on how to spend it. Nature lovers can take advantage of an Optional Experience on a cruise of breathtaking Milford Sound/Piopiotahi. Experiencing this world heritage listed national park and majestic fiord carved by glacial ice will bring you up close to sheer cliffs, white-capped peaks, and waterfalls. Each turn of the boat will have you “oohing” and “aahing” at this dramatic landscape but be sure to keep an eye out for fur seals basking on the rock. If you’d prefer to stay on dry land sample flavours of this world-renowned wine region, join an Optional Experience touring three premium boutique vineyards in the Otago region. You’ll enjoy vineyard and barrel hall tours complete with early history and, of course, tastings of the area’s famous Pinot Noir, and other local varieties paired with a platter lunch.
Accommodations: Millennium
Meals: Breakfast

Day 12 - Fly North to Auckland
Today you’ll say farewell to Queenstown as you fly north to Auckland, the 'City of Sails'. You’ll easily see how the city got its nickname soaring in over the islands and boats in the harbour. Auckland is also known for being built on 53 dormant volcanoes each rich with Maori history for you to uncover. And if you’re seeking a cosmopolitan vibe, Auckland will not disappoint. The city’s melting pot of cultures means there are a variety of restaurants, from the glamorous to the local hot spots, for you to sample both international and New Zealand fare. This evening is free and this is your chance to explore the city, so why not dine in the heart of the city Federal Street, a hotspot for food lovers right on your doorstep?
Accommodations: Horizon by SkyCity
Meals: Breakfast

Day 13 - Culture Capital Rotorua
Begin your dive into the rich culture and natural beauty of Rotorua journeying through King Country, the centre of the New Zealand Wars in the 1860s, to the starry wonderland of the Waitomo Caves. In the cave, you’re enveloped in a galaxy of twinkling green and blue glowworms lighting up the walls - a dazzling and unforgettable experience you’ll carry with you outside of this magical cave. This evening you'll Dive Into Culture and Maori traditions at Te Puia. Your Regional Dinner, succulent meats and vegetables cooked in a Hangi, is served while you overlook the spectacular geothermal valley. Cap it off with a moving Maori cultural performance in the beautifully carved meeting house, Te Aronui a Rua.
Accommodations: Millennium
Meals: Breakfast, Regional Dinner

Day 14 - Delve into Maori Culture
It may be the last day on tour, but there’s still so much more to see. Begin the last day visiting the National Kiwi Hatchery Aotearoa for a tour with a Local Specialist. You’ll love this MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, learning all about New Zealand’s national bird and the work being done by this leader in kiwi husbandry to save the iconic creature. See kiwi eggs being incubated, the hatching process, and newly hatched kiwi chicks as you get an insider’s look at this fascinating bird. Next up Dive Into Culture at the Living Maori Village Whakarewarewa, where you’ll gain an even deeper insight into the lives of the Maori and the special bond they share with this ancient land. You’ll learn about the Tuhourangi Ngati Wahiao people who lived on top of a volcanic crater since 1886. Explore the trails winding through geothermal fields past steaming lakes.
Accommodations: Millennium
Meals: Breakfast, Farewell Dinner

Day 15 - Depart Rotorua and Auckland
Your Australia and New Zealand tour concludes this morning after breakfast. Savour one hearty breakfast in this beautiful place and say farewell to your newfound friends before your transfer from Rotorua to Auckland Airport for your onward flight (flights to depart after 2pm).
Meals: Breakfast

Featured Destinations

Rotorua

Auckland

Queenstown

Sydney

Sydney

Soak up Sydney’s gorgeous harbour, seductive outdoor lifestyle and great natural beauty. Kayak under the Sydney Harbour Bridge or wave at the Opera House as you ride a ferry across the harbour to Manly. Learn to surf at Bondi Beach or swim in the calm waters of Coogee. Lose yourself in the cobblestone cul-de-sacs of The Rocks or in the markets, boutiques, cafes and pubs of Paddington. As well as a world-famous harbour and more than 70 sparkling beaches, Sydney offers fabulous food, festivals and 24-7 fun.

Five Sydney Experiences Not to Miss:

1. Explore the historic Rocks

Discover Sydney’s colorful convict history in the harbourside quarter where it all began. Just five minutes from Circular Quay, you can hear stories of hangings and hauntings on a ghost tour, wander the weekend markets or climb the span of the Harbour Bridge. In amongst the maze of sandstone lanes and courtyards, you’ll find historic workman’s cottages and elegant terraces, art galleries, hotels with harbour views and Sydney’s oldest pubs. See people spill out of them onto a party on the cobblestone streets when The Rocks celebrates Australia Day on January 26th, Anzac Day on April 25th and New Years Eve.

2. Hit the world-famous harbour

Sail past the Opera House on a chartered yacht or paddle from Rose Bay in a kayak. Take a scenic cruise from Circular Quay or Darling Harbour, past waterfront mansions, national parks and Shark, Clark, Rodd and Goat islands. Tour historic Fort Denison or learn about the life of Sydney’s first inhabitants, the Gadigal people, on an Aboriginal cultural cruise. Watch the harbour glitter from the green parklands of the Royal Botanic Gardens, which curves around its edge. Or take in the view from a waterfront restaurant in Mosman, on the northern side of the bridge, or Watsons Bay at South Head. Walk from Rose Bay to Vaucluse or Cremorne Point to Mosman Bay, on just some of the 16 spectacular routes hugging the harbour foreshore.

3. Visit Manly on the ferry

Travel across Sydney Harbour on a ferry to Manly, which sits between beaches of ocean surf and tranquil inner harbour. Wander through native bushland on the scenic Manly to Spit Bridge walk, learn to scuba-dive at Cabbage Tree Bay or ride a bike to Fairy Bower. Picnic at Shelly Beach on the ocean and sail or kayak from Manly Wharf round the harbour. Hire a scooter and do a round trip of northern beaches such as Narrabeen and Palm Beach. Explore the shops, bars and cafes along the bustling pine tree-lined Corso and dine at world-class restaurants with water views.

4. Enjoy café culture and top shopping in Paddington

Meander through the Saturday markets, browse fashion boutiques on bustling Oxford Street or discover the antique shops and art galleries in upmarket Woollahra. Visit the 1840s Victoria Barracks Army base, open to the public once a week, and see restored Victorian terraces on wide, leafy streets. Ride or roller-blade in huge Centennial Park, then stop for coffee and lunch on Oxford St or in the mini-village of Five Ways. Catch a movie at an art-house cinema or leaf through a novel at midnight in one of the huge bookstores. Crawl between the lively, historic pubs. They hum even more after a game at the nearby stadium or a race day, when girls and guys arrive in their crumpled trackside finery.

5. Walk from Bondi to Coogee

Take in breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean as you walk the winding, sea-sculpted sandstone cliffs between Bondi and Coogee. Swim in the famous Bondi Icebergs rock pool or just watch the swimmers with a sunset cocktail from the restaurant above. See wild waves in Tamarama, nicknamed Glamarama for the beautiful people who lie on its golden sand. From mid-October to November, the stretch from here to Bondi is transformed into an outdoor gallery for the Sculptures by the Sea exhibition. You can surf, picnic on the grass or stop for a coffee at family-friendly Bronte. Or swim, snorkel or scuba dive in Clovelly and tranquil Gordon’s Bay. See the graves of poets Henry Lawson, Dorothea Mackellar and aviator Lawrence Hargrave in Waverley Cemetery, on the edge of the cliffs. Finish your tour in the scenic, backpacker haven of Coogee.

Cairns

Melbourne

Melbourne

Melbourne is a maze of hidden laneways, opulent bars, exclusive restaurants and off-the-beaten-track boutiques. Here you can soak up culture, hit the sporting grounds, taste the dynamic food and wine scene, dance til dawn or wander the parks and leafy boulevards. Visit Federation Square, the city's landmark cultural space, and enjoy a sunset beer on the St Kilda promenade. Shop till you drop on funky Brunswick Street or upmarket Chapel Street. Wander Southbank's cafes, bistros and bars and get a world tour of cuisines in Carlton, Richmond and Fitzroy. Take an Aboriginal Heritage Walk through the Royal Botanic Gardens and cheer with a capacity crowd at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Five Must-Have Melbourne Experiences:

1. Shop till you drop

Bag a bargain at the Rose Street Artist's Market and browse the funky boutiques on Brunswick Street. Buy designer labels such as Akira Isogawa and Zimmerman on Chapel Street in Prahran or in the historic Melbourne General Post Office, which covers an entire city block. For everything from fashion to furnishings at fantastic value, visit Bridge Road in Richmond. Melbourne is a shopper's haven, offering eclectic boutiques, high-end fashion, funky homeware stores and European style piazzas in the city's arcades and hidden laneways.

2. Bar hop and dance till dawn

Sip a cocktail in a converted sea container in Chinatown, enjoy a sunset beer in a St Kilda pub or listen to cabaret in lush retro surroundings in jazz bars in the city. Linger over exquisite tapas and exotic wine in a Little Collins Street bar and mingle in a pink parlour with fake grass in Bourke Street. You can party from dusk in the bars of Brunswick Street. Or dance till dawn in bars in the city's lantern-lit laneways, secret apart from the spill of coloured light under heavy brass doors.

3. Get into the gourmet goodness

Let the aroma of good coffee waft over you in Melbourne's gothic European laneways. The city is famous for its coffee and old-world café culture but there's so much more to explore. Once you've downed a 'short black' or taken an afternoon aperitif, try tea in a nineteenth-century hotel or salivate over your silver spoon in acclaimed restaurants like Nobu, Botanical and Becco. Pick up fresh fruits, vegetables and seafood at the Queen Victoria Market on a Saturday, known for its bustling crowds and buskers. Try out the restaurants, cafes, bistros and bars in Southbank or Federation Square. Make your way around Melbourne's multicultural cosmos of cuisines: Carlton for Italian classics, Richmond for budget-friendly Vietnamese and Fitzroy for Spanish tapas.

4. Fill up on culture

See a performance by the Australian Ballet, which is based here in Australia's cultural capital. Or enjoy a dazzling musical at the Princess Theatre. Browse the Southern Hemisphere's best collection of international art at the National Gallery of Victoria. Or visit the Australian Centre for the Moving Image in Federation Square, a landmark cultural 'space' for Melbournians. Challenge yourself with the creative collections in the Australian Centre for Contemporary Art in Southbank. To learn more about Melbourne's Aboriginal cultural heritage, see contemporary and dreamtime art or take an Aboriginal Heritage Walk through the Royal Botanic Gardens.

5. Go sports mad

Cheer for an Australian Rules Football game with a capacity crowd at the Melbourne Cricket Ground over winter. Go cricket mad in summer, when the city hosts the Ashes and one day internationals. Or join the huge crowds watching the Australian Tennis Open at Melbourne Park. Rev heads head to Melbourne in March for the Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix in Albert Park. And whether you are a racing fan or just a casual punter, you won't want to miss the Melbourne Cup - the world's richest horse race on the first Tuesday in November.

Vacation Details

Valid Date Ranges

01/16/2025 - 01/30/2025

from $8,955 per person *

03/06/2025 - 03/20/2025

from $9,321 per person *

* This departure has been designated a guaranteed departure by the operator, meaning that the minimum number of guests has been met, although still subject to weather and other conditions.

Prices Start At

from $8,955 per person

Length

14 Nights

Air City

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Vacation Rating

Deluxe

Remarks

Trip prices are per person, land only, based on double occupancy and reflect applicable discounts. Trip prices and discounts are subject to change. Airfare is additional. Tour prices, dates and itineraries are correct at the time of the website going live, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking. Other restrictions may apply.

All fares are quoted in US Dollars.

OFFER ID

1556167

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