Australia's Outback to New Zealand's South Island
Venture through the natural splendor of New Zealand's Southern Alps and the stillness of Australia’s rugged Outback. Delve into the underwater world of the Great Barrier Reef. Take a “Dreamtime tour” in the Outback, introducing you to Aboriginal life and culture. Tour Sydney Opera House with an expert guide. Enjoy a delightful dinner cruise of Sydney Harbour. Meet Australia and New Zealand's famous wildlife up-close. Settle in for a 3-night stay in Queenstown. Cruise Milford Sound. From Alice Springs and Uluru (Ayers Rock) to snow-capped peaks and fjords, explore the diverse wonders of the lands Down Under.
Venture through the natural splendor of New Zealand's Southern Alps and the stillness of Australia’s rugged Outback. Delve into the underwater world of the Great Barrier Reef. Take a “Dreamtime tour” in the Outback, introducing you to Aboriginal life and culture. Tour Sydney Opera House with an expert guide. Enjoy a delightful dinner cruise of Sydney Harbour. Meet Australia and New Zealand's famous wildlife up-close. Settle in for a 3-night stay in Queenstown. Cruise Milford Sound. From Alice Springs and Uluru (Ayers Rock) to snow-capped peaks and fjords, explore the diverse wonders of the lands Down Under.
Highlights
- Sydney is the state capital of New South Wales and the most populous city in Australia and Oceania. It is located on Australia’s east coast, with the metropolis surrounding one of the world’s largest natural harbors. The first British settlers founded Sydney in 1788, but the area around the city is said to have been inhabited for many years before. Millions of tourists come to Sydney each year to see its natural features such as Sydney Harbor and Bondi Beach, as well as Sydney’s man made attractions such as the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbor Bridge.
- The Sydney Opera House is a multi-venue performing arts center in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. It is situated on Bennelong Port in Sydney Harbour, adjacent to Sydney’s Central Business District and the Royal Botanical Gardens. The facility opened on October 20th, 1973. The opera house comprises several performance venues which together make one of the busiest performing arts centers in the world hosting 1,500 performances each year attended by some 1.2 million people. More than 7 million people visit the opera house each year.
- Cairns is a regional city in the far north of Queensland, Australia. The city was founded in 1876 and named after the then governor of Queensland. The region of Cairns ranks as the 4th most popular destination for international travelers in Australia. The city serves as a gateway point for those visiting the Great Barrier Reef. While being a gateway to Australia’s surrounding ocean, Cairns is also surrounded by rainforest, and also serves as a gateway to destinations like Daintree.
- Experience one of the seven wonders of the natural world when you climb aboard a high speed catamaran and set off for the Great Barrier Reef. As the world’s largest living organism, you’ll find over 2,800 individual coral reef systems which are home to amazingly diverse marine life. Their bright colors look remarkable against the turquoise waters. Jump in the water to snorkel and really experience the Reef in an immersive way! Stroll along the walking trails with a reef expert, simply relax on the beach, or meet with a marine biologist during an informative presentation. It’s a truly good day at the Reef, mate.
- Alice Springs is the third largest town in the Northern Territory of Australia. It is situated in the geographic center of Australia near the southern border of the Northern Territory. The region around the area is referred to as the Red Center. This indigenous area is filled with endless desert landscapes and much aboriginal culture of the past.
- Uluru, also called Ayers rock, is a large, sandstone rock formation in the southern part of the Northern Territory of central Australia. It lies 208 miles southwest of the nearest large town, Alice Springs. The rock is one of Australia’s most recognizable natural landmarks. The rock stands at 1,142 feet tall and is 2,381 feet above sea level.
- Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populated city in Australia. It is located on the large natural bay of Port Phillip. The city was founded on August 30th, 1835. Melbourne is often referred to as Australia’s cultural capital because it is a major center for the performing and visual arts. Melbourne is said to be the birthplace of Australian dance styles, the Australian film industry, Australian impressionist art and the Australian television industry.
- Queenstown is a resort town in Otago in the southwest of New Zealand’s South Island. The city is built around an inlet called Queenstown Bay on Lake Wakatipu and has spectacular views of nearby mountains and the Southern Alps. The town was founded in the 1860s and is now known for commerce-based tourism, especially adventure and ski tourism, boasting over 200 adventure tourism activities to take part in.
- Milford Sound is a fjord in the south west of New Zealand’s South Island. The sound runs inland for over 490 feet from the Tasman Sea and is surrounded by sheer rock faces that rise 3,900 feet on either side. Among the peaks are The Elephant at 4,977 feet (1,517 meters), said to resemble an elephant's head, and The Lion, at 4,272 feet (1,302 meters), in the shape of a crouching lion. Milford Sound is acclaimed as New Zealand’s most famous tourist destination.
- Mt. Cook National Park is located in the South Island of New Zealand. New Zealand’s highest mountain, Mt. Cook, lies within the park. The area was established as a national park in October 1953 and covers about 270 square miles with glaciers covering over 40% of the park. It is a popular place for skiing, hunting and mountaineering.
- Christchurch is the largest city in the South Island of New Zealand, and the county’s third most populous urban area. It is located on the South Island’s eastern coast. Christchurch officially became a city on July 31st, 1856, making it the oldest established city in New Zealand. Christchurch is known as the Garden City due the large number of public parks and residential gardens.
Hotels
- Sofitel Sydney Wentworth — Sydney
- Bailey Crystalbrook Collection Hotel — Cairns
- Crowne Plaza Alice Springs Lasseters Hotel — Alice Springs
- Desert Gardens — Uluru
- Crown Promenade Melbourne — Melbourne
- Novotel Queenstown Lakeside — Queenstown
- The Hermitage — Mount Cook
- Distinction Christchurch — Christchurch
Details
- Tour Operator
- Collette
- Start City
- Sydney
- End City
- Christchurch
- Duration (Days)
- 20
- Activity Level
- Level 3
What's Included
- 28 meals included
- Inter-tour flights included
- Sydney is the state capital of New South Wales and the most populous city in Australia and Oceania. It is located on Australia’s east coast, with the metropolis surrounding one of the world’s largest natural harbors. The first British settlers founded Sydney in 1788, but the area around the city is said to have been inhabited for many years before. Millions of tourists come to Sydney each year to see its natural features such as Sydney Harbor and Bondi Beach, as well as Sydney’s man made attractions such as the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbor Bridge.
- The Sydney Opera House is a multi-venue performing arts center in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. It is situated on Bennelong Port in Sydney Harbour, adjacent to Sydney’s Central Business District and the Royal Botanical Gardens. The facility opened on October 20th, 1973. The opera house comprises several performance venues which together make one of the busiest performing arts centers in the world hosting 1,500 performances each year attended by some 1.2 million people. More than 7 million people visit the opera house each year.
- Cairns is a regional city in the far north of Queensland, Australia. The city was founded in 1876 and named after the then governor of Queensland. The region of Cairns ranks as the 4th most popular destination for international travelers in Australia. The city serves as a gateway point for those visiting the Great Barrier Reef. While being a gateway to Australia’s surrounding ocean, Cairns is also surrounded by rainforest, and also serves as a gateway to destinations like Daintree.
- Experience one of the seven wonders of the natural world when you climb aboard a high speed catamaran and set off for the Great Barrier Reef. As the world’s largest living organism, you’ll find over 2,800 individual coral reef systems which are home to amazingly diverse marine life. Their bright colors look remarkable against the turquoise waters. Jump in the water to snorkel and really experience the Reef in an immersive way! Stroll along the walking trails with a reef expert, simply relax on the beach, or meet with a marine biologist during an informative presentation. It’s a truly good day at the Reef, mate.
- Alice Springs is the third largest town in the Northern Territory of Australia. It is situated in the geographic center of Australia near the southern border of the Northern Territory. The region around the area is referred to as the Red Center. This indigenous area is filled with endless desert landscapes and much aboriginal culture of the past.
- Uluru, also called Ayers rock, is a large, sandstone rock formation in the southern part of the Northern Territory of central Australia. It lies 208 miles southwest of the nearest large town, Alice Springs. The rock is one of Australia’s most recognizable natural landmarks. The rock stands at 1,142 feet tall and is 2,381 feet above sea level.
- Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populated city in Australia. It is located on the large natural bay of Port Phillip. The city was founded on August 30th, 1835. Melbourne is often referred to as Australia’s cultural capital because it is a major center for the performing and visual arts. Melbourne is said to be the birthplace of Australian dance styles, the Australian film industry, Australian impressionist art and the Australian television industry.
- Queenstown is a resort town in Otago in the southwest of New Zealand’s South Island. The city is built around an inlet called Queenstown Bay on Lake Wakatipu and has spectacular views of nearby mountains and the Southern Alps. The town was founded in the 1860s and is now known for commerce-based tourism, especially adventure and ski tourism, boasting over 200 adventure tourism activities to take part in.
- Milford Sound is a fjord in the south west of New Zealand’s South Island. The sound runs inland for over 490 feet from the Tasman Sea and is surrounded by sheer rock faces that rise 3,900 feet on either side. Among the peaks are The Elephant at 4,977 feet (1,517 meters), said to resemble an elephant's head, and The Lion, at 4,272 feet (1,302 meters), in the shape of a crouching lion. Milford Sound is acclaimed as New Zealand’s most famous tourist destination.
- Mt. Cook National Park is located in the South Island of New Zealand. New Zealand’s highest mountain, Mt. Cook, lies within the park. The area was established as a national park in October 1953 and covers about 270 square miles with glaciers covering over 40% of the park. It is a popular place for skiing, hunting and mountaineering.
- Christchurch is the largest city in the South Island of New Zealand, and the county’s third most populous urban area. It is located on the South Island’s eastern coast. Christchurch officially became a city on July 31st, 1856, making it the oldest established city in New Zealand. Christchurch is known as the Garden City due the large number of public parks and residential gardens.
Itinerary
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Day 1: Depart from Home
Cross the International Dateline (skipping a day ahead) for an adventure discovering the treasures of Australia and New Zealand, including their unparalleled beauty and captivating culture.
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Day 3: Sydney, Australia
Arrive today in Sydney, perhaps one of the friendliest metropolises in the world. Tonight join your fellow travelers and toast to the start of your adventure down under during dinner in lively Darling Harbour.
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Day 4: Sydney
See where English colonists first settled during a city tour of Sydney, starting with an Aboriginal-guided walking tour of The Rocks district. Then, head to Circular Quay, famed for two of Sydney’s most recognizable landmarks - the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House. Take an expert-led tour of the Sydney Opera House, poised majestically on Sydney Harbour, to discover its remarkable architecture and history. Continue your city discovery with a visit to the Botanic Gardens and its historic surroundings. Then, have the chance to join a special presentation at the National Opal Collection.
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Day 5: Sydney
Deepen your exploration of Sydney’s many wonders with a day at leisure. Tonight, enjoy scenic vistas of Sydney during a delightful dinner cruise of Sydney Harbour. Marvel at the magnificent skyline and iconic attractions: the Sydney Opera House and the Harbour Bridge.
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Day 6: Sydney - Cairns
Fly to Cairns, the tropical gateway to one of the world’s most spectacular natural attractions – the Great Barrier Reef (UNESCO). Established as a marine park in 1975, the reef is a haven for thousands of species of sea life, as well as turtles and birds.
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Day 7: Cairns
Board a high-speed catamaran for an exciting excursion to the Great Barrier Reef. Explore the reef from your base on Green Island. Enjoy a glass-bottom boat ride, stroll the island’s walking trails, relax on the beach, snorkel or just watch the fish and sea turtles swim past from the pier. For a more adventurous encounter with the reef, an optional outer reef tour is also available.
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Day 8: Cairns
Soak up the tropical atmosphere – the morning is yours. Perhaps you will take an optional tour on the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway, taking you above the rainforest canopy for a bird’s-eye view of unspoiled nature. This afternoon, visit Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures to see crocodiles on a nature cruise. Head through rainforests on boardwalks to see animals such as wild birds, reptiles, and wallabies. Visit with a koala and chat with a wildlife naturalist to learn more about these furry creatures.
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Day 9: Cairns - Alice Springs
Experience the vast landscapes and tranquility of the Outback. Your flight takes you to Alice Springs, the perfect place to begin exploring this unique land. Tonight, continue your cultural immersion with a memorable bush dinner set against the backdrop of this unique desert environment.
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Day 10: Alice Springs
Access the history and culture of the Arrernte Aboriginal people by enjoying a guided walk on their sacred land, followed by a talk with an Aboriginal guide. Gain insight into their cultural history and discover what makes this place so special. This afternoon, discover a more modern side to Outback living when you visit the Royal Flying Doctor Service, a lifeline to thousands across the vast terrain of Central Australia. Later, tour the Old Telegraph Station and Anzac Hill with its excellent views of Alice Springs and the surrounding area.
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Day 11: Alice Springs - Uluru
Traverse the “Red Centre” and head to Uluru (the Aboriginal name for Ayers Rock) in the heart of the Australian Outback. This huge monolith and the sandstone domes known as Kata Tjuta were created through upheaval and erosion. Tour the base of "the Rock," learning about its geology and significance to Aboriginal culture. Witness the changing colors of Uluru at sunset accompanied by a champagne toast.
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Day 12: Uluru - Melbourne
Fly to the beautiful Victorian city of Melbourne. Set upon the shores of Port Phillip Bay and the Yarra River, the city exudes a lively and cosmopolitan atmosphere.
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Day 13: Melbourne
Set out on a city tour and see Fitzroy Gardens and Melbourne’s bustling “laneways.” Then, it’s your choice! Enjoy free time to explore on your own -OR- visit the Melbourne Botanical Gardens and Shrine of Remembrance. With an afternoon to yourself, perhaps you will ride a free city tram, try the amazing array of cuisines on offer in this multicultural city or enjoy the Victorian-era architecture.
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Day 14: Melbourne - Queenstown, New Zealand
Leave Australia behind and fly to Queenstown, New Zealand. One of New Zealand’s most popular towns, Queenstown is nestled against a picturesque bay and snowcapped mountains. Home to ski resorts, hiking trails, and an abundance of natural beauty, the city is known as the “Adventure Capital of the World.” Settle into your new home for the next three nights.
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Day 15: Queenstown - Milford Sound - Queenstown
Soak in the rugged grandeur of Hollyford Valley as you travel through an ancient beech forest via the Homer Tunnel. Cruise the Milford Sound and see why this fjord is one of the most visited sights on South Island. Following the cruise, consider returning to Queenstown via a short optional flight (weather permitting) for spectacular views of New Zealand’s Southern Alps.
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Day 16: Queenstown
Your day is free to experience Queenstown your way. Shop or people-watch in the village, find a unique eatery for lunch, sample some New Zealand wine – the day is yours to enjoy this stunning city.
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Day 17: Queenstown - Mt. Cook National Park
Set off for the 19th-century settlement of Arrowtown, founded during the gold fever. Follow the Kawarau River and cross Lindis Pass before arriving in New Zealand’s most famous national park – Mt. Cook. Savor some free time in this Alpine paradise. You may choose to take a nature walk or simply meditate on the beauty of the Southern Alps.
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Day 18: Mt. Cook National Park - Christchurch
Depart for Christchurch this morning and pay a visit to Willowbank Wildlife Reserve. A leader in the conservation of New Zealand species, Willowbank offers the chance to view New Zealand’s “Big 5” up close and personal. Learn about the local Indigenous culture of the Maori, with a paddle on the Avon River in a traditional canoe or waka. Later, join some locals for a home-hosted dinner.
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Day 19: Christchurch
Devastated by an earthquake in early 2011, see firsthand how the “Garden City” is recreating itself during a sightseeing tour that highlights the city’s magnificent gardens and elegant park district. As the day draws to a close, toast to your adventure down under at a farewell dinner with your fellow travelers.
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Day 20: Christchurch - Tour Ends
Your tour comes to a close, leaving you with unforgettable memories of the South Pacific.