- • Specialist team of two highly experienced Travel Director and Driver Guide • 4 UNESCO World Heritage Sites – West Tropics of Queensland, Great Barrier Reef, Sydney Opera House, Te Wahipounamu (Fiordland National Park) • Centrally located premium hotels
![Tamaki Village](https://www.aatkings.com/assets/Uploads/QCANA-Tamaki-Village-0812-api.jpg)
![Great Barrier Reef](https://www.aatkings.com/assets/Uploads/QCANA-639351-19-api.jpg)
Contrasts of Australia and New Zealand
Trip Type: Guided HolidayNZD 15,257.00 /Person
A bit city, a bit country; sometimes beachy, sometimes mountainous; in the company of locals and Indigenous guides – this epic Melbourne to Christc...
Contrasts of Australia and New Zealand
A bit city, a bit country; sometimes beachy, sometimes mountainous; in the company of locals and Indigenous guides – this epic Melbourne to Christchurch tour is diverse and dynamic. Traversing the East Coast of Australia, from Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef to Sydney and Melbourne, the tour also uncovers NZ’s North and South islands, where Auckland’s cuisine, Milford Sound’s grandeur and Rotorua’s thermal springs beckon.
Welcome to Melbourne
Settle into your hotel on the banks of the Yarra River and meet your Travel Director for a welcome reception and dinner at the South Wharf riverside pub, The General Assembly restaurant. It's a great opportunity to get to know everyone in a unique setting.
Crowne Plaza Hotel Melbourne
- Melbourne
Melbourne
Take a deep dive into Melbourne’s art-filled lanes and alleys on a walking tour with your Travel Director. Spot a jazz bar or hidden restaurant you fancy? The afternoon is yours to indulge however you wish.
Crowne Plaza Hotel Melbourne
- Melbourne
Melbourne - Cairns
Things start to heat up in Cairns, the heart of Tropical North Queensland. Jump aboard a cruise at Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures to discover some of the wildlife that calls this part of the state home, koalas, wallabies and crocs among them, before helping protect their habitats by planting trees as part of our Rainforest Restoration project. Talk about a feel-good day.
Hilton Hotel Cairns
- Melbourne
Great Barrier Reef
The Great Barrier Reef deserves its World Heritage listing – it’s one of the most biodiverse marine environments on the planet, home to thousands of species of fish and corals, as well as six of the world’s seven sea turtles. Strap on a snorkel and dive in, or keep your hair dry and take in the drama from an underwater observatory and semi-submersible craft. Enjoy a buffet lunch on onboard before returning to Cairns.
Hilton Hotel Cairns
- Great Barrier Reef
Cairns Free Time
Today is one of decisions: explore the Cairns Esplanade, or head up into the hills on an optional experience Scenic Railway journey to Kuranda. You’re surrounded by some of the world’s oldest rainforest as you return to base via the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway (own expense). If that’s not humbling enough, tonight’s dinner at Ochre Restaurant on the waterfront uses native ingredients that the world’s oldest civilisation has consumed for millennia.
Hilton Hotel Cairns
- Cairns
Cairns - Sydney
We hope you have a window seat for the flight into Sydney - the view over the harbour as you come in to land certainly sparkles. The rest of your day is free for you to acquaint yourself with this magical city. Ask your Travel Director for suggestions.
Sofitel Wentworth Hotel Sydney
- Cairns
Sydney
Discover one of the great highlights of Sydney, the beautiful Sydney Opera House with a guided tour inside this iconic building, before a Sydney Harbour sightseeing cruise enjoying million dollar views. If there was ever a place that slipped from the pages of a fairy-tale, Wendy’s Secret Garden at Lavender Bay is it. Overlooking Sydney Harbour, this pocket of floral paradise is explained by a local volunteer – did you know this was once unused wasteland? Your visit provides a contribution to the ongoing maintenance of the enchanting garden.
Sofitel Wentworth Hotel Sydney
- Sydney
Sydney Free Time
You could spend weeks exploring Sydney. Months even. But you have today, so get set for a wild ride. Your agenda is completely up to you, but we have more than a few ideas. Perhaps a bird’s-eye perspective of the city on a Sydney BridgeClimb? Or a visit to the Three Sisters in the Blue Mountains? This evening, celebrate Sydney at dinner with your travel companions.
Sofitel Wentworth Hotel Sydney
- Sydney
Sydney - Auckland
Battle of the harbours: Sydney has one, but Auckland has two. Small wonder it’s known as the ‘City of Sails’.
Horizon by SkyCity Auckland
- Sydney
Auckland
Get your Auckland bearings on a city tour, before choosing a precinct to while away the afternoon in. Ask us for dinner tips.
Horizon by SkyCity Auckland
- Auckland
Auckland - Rotorua
Cute and cuddly, NZ’s national bird, the Kiwi, is also endangered. Go behind the scenes on a working kiwi nursery and hatchery to learn how breeding programs are helping the population thrive. Tonight, dive deep into Indigenous culture and traditions at Te Pā Tū Māori Experience. Enjoy a forest kai horotai (seasonal canapés) and chef choice aperitif, followed by a seasonal three-course dinner.
Millennium Hotel Rotorua
- Auckland
Rotorua - Auckland - Queenstown
You're invited to an exclusive Be My Guest morning tea at the Red Barn on a working dairy farm in the Waikato district. Expect country banter and have a go at the forgotten art of butter churning. The feel-good vibes that endure will follow you all the way to Queenstown, the self-proclaimed adventure capital of New Zealand. It makes perfect sense – there are ski fields, white-water river and bridges strapped with bungy cords wherever you turn. And then there’s the dining scene; whether you’re in the mood for bulging burgers or lakeside tapas, ask us for recommendations on this leg of your Queenstown New Zealand tour.
Millennium Hotel, Queenstown
- Rotorua
Milford Sound
Sheer cliffs, thundering waterfalls, glaciers and rainforest – if there’s a destination more inspiring than Milford Sound in Fiordland National Park, we’re yet to find it. After a cruise here (look out for dolphins and sea lions), we’re sure you’ll agree.
Millennium Hotel, Queenstown
- Milford Sound
Queenstown Free Time
Sleep in, find a rooftop wine bar for lunch, take a stroll around the lake… wherever you wander, meet your fellow travellers for a Highlight Dinner at 1860s Postmasters Cottage.
Millennium Hotel, Queenstown
- Queenstown
Queenstown - Lake Tekapo
Arrowtown and Cromwell are known for their natural drama; just as enticing is the tasty stone fruit. Take a bite. Arriving at Lake Tekapo, you’re far from anywhere. Which practically guarantees dazzling stargazing in the UNESCO Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve.
Peppers Bluewater Resort Lake Tekapo
- Queenstown
Lake Tekapo - Christchurch
Get an early start to watch the sun rise over the lake or sleep in before heading to Christchurch, where community spirit is strong; not only has the city rebuilt since the devastating 2010/11 earthquakes, but it's thriving, with architectural innovations like the world's first church built of cardboard.
Distinction Christchurch Hotel
- Lake Tekapo
Christchurch
Travel north through rolling countryside to Hurunui Hills, a hill country farm in North Canterbury. Enjoy warm Kiwi hospitality with the Bamford Family, who have been farming at Hurunui since 1884 with six generations focused on producing premium Merino sheep, wool and Angus cattle. Soak up stunning scenery, meet the farm animals and discover what it is like to live off the land on this unique By My Guest experience. Continue to a local vineyard, Waipara Springs Winery, where it's time to relax with a platter-style lunch among the vines. A big day leads to a big evening joining your Travel Director and travel mates for a celebratory Farewell Dinner featuring produce from the Canterbury region.
Distinction Christchurch Hotel
- Christchurch
Farewell from Christchurch
It’s hard to say goodbye; so say Haere rā instead.
- Christchurch
- From city to country … go on a tour at the Sydney Opera House with a local expert, then learn about life on a farm in the hill country of New Zealand.
- Māori culture and traditions are celebrated across New Zealand, as you’ll discover at Te Pa Tu Maori Experience, your hangi dinner prepared in an underground oven.
- Māori culture and traditions are celebrated across New Zealand, as you’ll discover at Te Po Maori Experience at Te Puia.
- Make a positive impact while you learn about Koorie peoples, cultures, and communities at the Koorie Heritage Trust Gallery in Melbourne.
- It doesn’t matter how many times you splash about in the Coral Sea, the Great Barrier Reef never fails to impress. There are too many world records being broken here to mention.
- Specialist team of two highly experienced Travel Director and Driver Guide 4 UNESCO World Heritage Sites – West Tropics of Queensland, Great Barrier Reef, Sydney Opera House, Te Wahipounamu (Fiordland National Park) Centrally located premium hotels
- Comfortable walking shoes Sunglasses, sunscreen and hat Water bottle Warm layers in cooler months Camera
- Flights to and from the start/end of your trip are not included in the trip price. Day 1 – flights to arrive prior to 12 noon into Melbourne AirportDay 18 – flights to depart anytime from Christchurch Airport Return arrival and departure airport to hotel transfers are included Internal-holiday flights IncludedPlease note that prices include land and internal-holiday airfares, which AAT Kings will book in order to fulfil the holiday itinerary: Day 3 – Melbourne to CairnsDay 6 – Cairns to SydneyDay 9 – Sydney to AucklandDay 12 – Auckland to Queenstown
- Low level of fitness required
Departure
Arrival
Availability
![](https://zest4travel.co.nz/assets/images/asterisk-512.webp)
Booking Enquiry
Destination DetailsTrip Location
Melbourne (VIC), Australia
Christchurch (Nz), New Zealand
Australia
New Zealand
![](https://content1.travcorpservices.com/media/nkjhvecx/qcana-map-wide-new.png)
More Experiences From Australia
Featured Continents
Experience Categories
![category-icons-1](/assets/images/category-icons-1.png)
![category-icons-2](/assets/images/category-icons-2.png)