22-Nights Iconic Australia and New Zealand - National Geographic Journeys from $11,599

G Adventures

OFFER ID 1532933

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 Australia's Indigenous 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

Accommodation
Hotel (21 nts), cruise boat (1 nt, seasonal).

Group Leader
CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout, local guides.

Group Size Notes
Max 16, Avg 12.

Meals Included
22 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 2 dinners

What's Included
Your Journeys Highlight Moment: A day at Kohutapu, Rotorua 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. Trip to Waiheke Island Wineries. Visit glowworm caves. Queenstown gondola ride. Wilderness day cruise (winter) or overnight cruise (summer) in Fiordland National Park. 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.


22 nights from $11,599 per person

Itinerary

G Adventures: Journeys: Iconic Australia and New Zealand

Day 1: Auckland
Arrive at any time.
Please make your own way to the joining hotel. Our CEO will have a welcome meeting this evening. Auckland is a fantastic city with so much to see and do. Should you want more time to explore on your own, we recommend booking pre-nights.

Day 2: Auckland
Take an orientation walk in Auckland, one of the most multicultural cities in the Southern Hemisphere. We’ll then catch a ferry to beautiful Waiheke Island, a haven of world-class vineyards and idyllic beaches. Visit wineries to learn about New Zealand's burgeoning wine industry and the history of viticulture in the country while sampling some of the local blends.


Day 3: Auckland/Rotorua
Drive to the lakeside town of Rotorua, situated over an active geothermal zone and known for its volcanic features and rich Maori heritage. Stop en route at the Waitomo Glowworm Caves, and take a boat ride through this spectacular underground realm to see thousands of flickering glowworms light up in the dark.
Rotorua sits over an active geothermal zone with bubbling mud pits and multi-coloured pools in different areas around the town. This is a fascinating region with Maori history and culture tied directly to the geothermal aspects of the land.

Day 4: Rotorua
On a full-day excursion, head to the Maori-owned Kohutapu Lodge, our base for exploring New Zealand's indigenous culture. See ancient rock carvings and learn about their spiritual significance to the Maori people, both past and present. Watch as a hangi lunch is prepared the traditional way--buried in an underground pit—and enjoy the resulting feast with your Maori hosts. After lunch, take a walk through the 800-year-old podocarp trees in Whirinaki Rainforest, learning the history of the forest and spotting endemic birds and medicinal plants. Return to Rotorua for an optional evening meal or a well-deserved soak in the hot springs.


Day 5: Rotorua/Christchurch
Enjoy time at leisure this morning before catching a flight to Christchurch on New Zealand’s South Island. Take some time to explore this small city on your own.
With free time in Rotorua this morning, opt to relax in one of the hot pools fed by water coming directly from the natural springs.

Day 6: Christchurch/Franz Josef
Board the TranzAlpine train—one of the world’s most scenic rail routes—for a breathtaking journey through verdant plains, beech forests, and majestic, misty mountains. After a whistle stop at Arthur’s Pass—the highest pass in the Southern Alps— continue to the end of the line in Greymouth, gateway to the West Coast. Continue on a private vehicle to a rainforest lodge near the town of Franz Josef, our home for the next two nights.


Day 7: Franz Josef
Discover the natural wonders of the Franz Josef area on your own today. Opt to embark on a walk in the area; soak in natural hot pools surrounded by spectacular mountain scenery; and more.


Day 8: Franz Josef/Queenstown
Set out towards Queenstown on a drive along the South Island’s magnificent west coast. Stop at tranquil Lake Matheson, where, on a clear day, you can capture a postcard-perfect image of New Zealand’s highest peaks reflected in the water. Continue to Queenstown, pausing for short walks through the rainforest and visits to picturesque waterfalls.
Early start to travel to the picturesque Lake Matheson. When the weather is right, you can get a great photo of the Southern Alps reflected in the lake. Follow the wild West Coast Road, through the rainforest before stopping for some short walks and waterfall visits.

Day 9: Queenstown/Fiordland National Park
Discover the glacially carved wilderness of Fiordland National Park on a cruise. Glide past shimmering waterfalls and towering cliffs, and look out for bottlenose dolphins, fur seals, and little blue penguins with our naturalist guides. Depending on the season, we’ll spend the night onboard in comfortable cabins, enjoying time to relax on deck and watch the stars.
In the evening, enjoy a delicious three course buffet dinner prepared by our onboard chef and served in the dining saloon. Mingle with fellow travellers, savour some of the fine wines at our licensed bar (additional price) and if the skies are clear in the evening, spend some time on the upper deck gazing at the stars. Please note: your accommodations onboard this vessel are private cabins with en-suite bathrooms. Amenities onboard include viewing decks, a dining saloon, a licensed bar and an observation lounge.

Day 10: Fiordland National Park/Queenstown
Rise early for a wildlife viewing cruise along the pristine fjord. Then navigate back to Queenstown and spend the rest of the day at leisure in this fun-loving lakeside town, known as the adventure capital of the world.


Day 11: Queenstown
The day is yours to explore Queenstown. Choose to cruise lake Wakatipu on a historic steamer; experience a thrilling jet boat ride; or visit a local winery to sample the region’s award-winning vintages. This evening, enjoy a cable car ride to the top of Bob’s Peak for panoramic vistas of Lake Wakatipu and the Southern Alps.


Day 12: Queenstown/Melbourne
Fly from Queenstown to Melbourne, Australia, and enjoy free time in the city.


Day 13: Melbourne
Embark on a food tour of Melbourne with a local author and culinary storyteller. Home to many thriving immigrant communities, Melbourne has long been considered one of Australia’s gastronomic hubs. On this foodie walk through the city’s famed laneways, we’ll experience a range of flavors and cuisines over lunch at three popular venues. Start with an Asian entree with wine; move on to an Italian restaurant for a main dish accompanied with more wine, and finish off the tour with a gelato dessert at our third stop. Spend the rest of the day at leisure.


Day 14: Melbourne
Spend the day exploring vibrant Melbourne. Set out on an optional excursion on the Great Ocean Road, following spectacular sea cliffs along the windswept Southern Ocean. Visit some of the region’s top wineries or wander the city’s narrow cobbled lanes and alleys, discovering quirky cafés and colorful murals.


Day 15: Melbourne/Uluru
Catch a flight to Uluru, in the heart of the Australian outback. Visit the Cultural Centre of the Uluru–Kata Tjuta National Park—a UNESCO World Heritage site—and learn about the beliefs and customs of the Anangu, the area’s traditional Indigenous owners. Then take a guided walk along both the northwest and southern sides of Uluru to learn about the history of the area, hear the stories of the Anangu people and gaze upon these awe-inspiring uplifted sandstone rock formations.
Accommodations in Uluru are limited and of varying amenities. We do our best to secure a mid-range hotel, but on occasion a more simple accommodation with fewer amenities may be used.

Day 16: Uluru
In the morning make your way to Kata Tjuta, Uluru’s neighboring natural wonder for a morning of exploration as you walk along these ancient, red-hued landscapes.Enjoy some free time in the afternoon before capping off the day with a glass of sparkling wine as you witness a crimson sunset over this fabled monolith.


Day 17: Uluru/Sydney
Awaken at dawn to witness the famous Field of Light installation, the artist Bruce Munro created an art installation that becomes illuminated in the changing light.Enjoy your final moments in the heart of the outback before it’s time to pack up and head off to the airport for an afternoon flight to Sydney.
Observe the stunning display and watch the sun rise with views of Uluru (Ayers Rock) in the distance.Return to the hotel for breakfast and your final moments in the heart of the outback before it’s time to pack up and head off to the airport for an afternoon flight to Sydney. Check in to our Sydney hotel and opt to join our CEO for a dinner out on the town in one of Sydney's famous neighbourhoods.

Day 18: Sydney
Take it slow with a leisurely morning, or get up early and join your CEO for a walk around the Rocks area, a waterfront neighborhood that marks the spot of the first European settlement in Australia. It also holds a spiritual significance for the area’s indigenous people. Around midmorning, circle back and meet for a private tour of the Sydney Opera House. This afternoon, step aboard a private catamaran for a sunset sail around Sydney's famous harbor. Tuck into a delicious Australian Barbecue dinner as the sun sets in the background.


Day 19: Sydney
Enjoy a day at leisure to explore the best of Sydney. Walk the Rocks and stop by Maybe Sammy for a drink, which happens to be one of the best bars in Sydney. Take the ferry to Manly Beach or walk the Bondi Coastal walk and snap some photos. Or, spend a full day exploring the Blue Mountains on an optional excursion.


Day 20: Sydney/Port Douglas
Fly to Cairns today and travel up the scenic coastal road to Daintree Rainforest, the world’s oldest tropical rainforest and part of a UNESCO World Heritage site. Embark on an interpretive walk with an indigenous guide at the lush Mossman Gorge, learning about the traditional ways of life of the region’s Kuku Yalanji people. Continue to the resort town of Port Douglas, our home for the next three nights.
We catch a very early flight to ensure we make the most of the day.

Day 21: Port Douglas
Explore the Great Barrier Reef on a full-day catamaran tour to the Outer Reef. Immerse yourself in the largest coral reef system in the world, which teems with 1500 species of tropical fish, as well as whales, dolphins and porpoises. Hop into the warm waters off Australia's east coast and experience this marine wonderland for yourself. Lunch will be served onboard. Back in Port Douglas the evening is yours to do as you please.


Day 22: Port Douglas
Enjoy a free morning in charming Port Douglas. Stroll the town’s boutique-lined streets and idyllic beaches or head to the Sunday markets to browse the stalls. Later in the day, join your fellow travelers for an exclusive cultural experience at Cooya Beach. Meet Indigenous guides for a welcome ceremony, and get acquainted with members of the Kuku Yalanji people. Our CEO will organize an optional farewell dinner to toast your adventures down under.


Day 23: Port Douglas/Cairns
After one last breakfast in Port Douglas, transfer back to Cairns where our tour ends at the airport mid-morning. Alternatively, extend your stay in Port Douglas.

Featured Destinations
Fjordland National Park
Cairns
Port Douglas
Sydney
Ayers Rock
Melbourne
Queenstown
Franz Josef Glacier
Christchurch
Rotorua
Auckland

Vacation Details

Valid Date Ranges
12/22/2024 - 01/13/2025
from $13,649 per person
12/29/2024 - 01/20/2025
from $13,649 per person
01/12/2025 - 02/03/2025
from $13,349 per person
02/16/2025 - 03/10/2025
from $13,349 per person
05/04/2025 - 05/26/2025
from $11,999 per person
05/18/2025 - 06/09/2025
from $11,999 per person
06/15/2025 - 07/07/2025
from $11,599 per person
07/13/2025 - 08/04/2025
from $11,599 per person
08/10/2025 - 09/01/2025
from $11,599 per person
09/07/2025 - 09/29/2025
from $11,999 per person
09/21/2025 - 10/13/2025
from $11,999 per person
10/05/2025 - 10/27/2025
from $12,499 per person
10/12/2025 - 11/03/2025
from $12,499 per person
10/19/2025 - 11/10/2025
from $12,499 per person
10/26/2025 - 11/17/2025
from $12,499 per person
11/02/2025 - 11/24/2025
from $12,499 per person
11/09/2025 - 12/01/2025
from $12,499 per person
11/16/2025 - 12/08/2025
from $12,499 per person
11/23/2025 - 12/15/2025
from $12,499 per person
11/30/2025 - 12/22/2025
from $12,499 per person
12/07/2025 - 12/29/2025
from $13,349 per person
12/14/2025 - 01/05/2026
from $13,349 per person
12/21/2025 - 01/12/2026
from $13,349 per person
12/28/2025 - 01/19/2026
from $13,349 per person
01/04/2026 - 01/26/2026
from $13,349 per person
01/11/2026 - 02/02/2026
from $13,349 per person
01/18/2026 - 02/09/2026
from $13,349 per person
01/25/2026 - 02/16/2026
from $13,349 per person
02/01/2026 - 02/23/2026
from $13,349 per person
02/08/2026 - 03/02/2026
from $13,349 per person
02/15/2026 - 03/09/2026
from $13,349 per person
02/22/2026 - 03/16/2026
from $13,349 per person
03/01/2026 - 03/23/2026
from $13,349 per person
03/08/2026 - 03/30/2026
from $13,349 per person
03/15/2026 - 04/06/2026
from $13,349 per person
03/22/2026 - 04/13/2026
from $13,349 per person
04/05/2026 - 04/27/2026
from $12,499 per person
04/19/2026 - 05/11/2026
from $12,499 per person
05/03/2026 - 05/25/2026
from $11,999 per person
05/17/2026 - 06/08/2026
from $11,999 per person
06/14/2026 - 07/06/2026
from $11,599 per person
07/12/2026 - 08/03/2026
from $11,599 per person
08/09/2026 - 08/31/2026
from $11,599 per person
09/06/2026 - 09/28/2026
from $11,999 per person
09/20/2026 - 10/12/2026
from $11,999 per person
10/04/2026 - 10/26/2026
from $12,499 per person
10/11/2026 - 11/02/2026
from $12,499 per person
10/18/2026 - 11/09/2026
from $12,499 per person
10/25/2026 - 11/16/2026
from $12,499 per person
11/01/2026 - 11/23/2026
from $12,499 per person
11/08/2026 - 11/30/2026
from $12,499 per person
11/15/2026 - 12/07/2026
from $12,499 per person
11/22/2026 - 12/14/2026
from $12,499 per person
11/29/2026 - 12/21/2026
from $12,499 per person
12/06/2026 - 12/28/2026
from $13,349 per person
12/13/2026 - 01/04/2027
from $13,349 per person
12/20/2026 - 01/11/2027
from $13,349 per person
12/27/2026 - 01/18/2027
from $13,349 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 $11,599 per person
Length
22 Nights
Air City
Call for airfares from your city.
Vacation Rating
Moderate
Moderate facilities have modest enhancements to amenities and décor. These hotels or resorts are dependable, comfortable and some may offer standard features, such as select business services, Continental breakfast or coffee service and may have a swimming pool or small fitness center on-site. Guestrooms are comfortable, moderately spacious, in-room telephones, televisions and limited amenities. Moderate establishments provide suitable accommodations and service for budget-minded travelers.
Remarks
Pricing is per person, land only, in US dollars and based on double occupancy. For specific validity dates, discount amount and tour information, please return to the promotion in question. Promotion valid on G Adventures small group tours excluding Independent, MS Expedition or National Geographic Journeys, unless otherwise stated. Promotion applicable to new bookings only and cannot be combined with any other discount or promotion. Does not apply to airfare (unless otherwise stated), pre-/post-accommodation, 'My Own Room' or 'My Own Tent', transfers, theme packs, insurance, polar kayaking & camping excursions or other in-country services. G Adventures reserves the right to withdraw this offer from sale at any time. Itinerary and map subject to change. Please click here for a description of the travel style options provided by G Adventures. 
Local Flights
All internal flights are included in this trip (including 1 flight between New Zealand and Australia) - Your CEO will give you your ticket on the day of flight. 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.
 

All fares are quoted in US Dollars.

OFFER ID
1532933

Reference this number when contacting our agency so we may better serve you. Also keeping this number handy will allow you to locate this document again quickly.

Los Gatos Travel

408.395.3811