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Best of the South Pacific: Ultimate Australia & New Zealand

24 days, Sydney to Christchurch

24 days

Sydney to Christchurch

From$8749USD
Valid on May 19 2026
Trip Code: OASN

Need a flight? We can help.

Call us to book your flights! We'll find you the best option!

Is this tour for me?

Travel Style: Classic

All of the highlights, culture, access, and I-can’t-believe-we-did-that moments, all at a great price.

Service Level: Standard

Comfortable tourist-class accommodations with character; mix of public and private transport.

Physical Rating: 3 - Average

Some tours may include light hiking, biking, rafting, or kayaking in addition to walking.

Trip Type: Small Group

Small group experience; Max 16, avg 12

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24 days

Sydney to Christchurch

From$8749USD
Valid on May 19 2026
Trip Code: OASN

Need a flight? We can help.

Call us to book your flights! We'll find you the best option!

See how your trip uplifts communities

In a number of impactful ways, your adventure directly benefits the local people and places we visit.

Trees for Days

Help us spread love around the world with Trees for Days. Together with Planeterra, we'll plant one tree in your name for every travel day.

Trees planted for this trip: 24

Ripple Score

Create ripples that change lives. The higher the Ripple Score percentage, the more money stays in the local communities you visit.

Ripple Score for this trip: 95

Map of the route for Best of the South Pacific: Ultimate Australia & New Zealand

Places visited

Itinerary

Day 1Sydney

Arrive at any time. Join your CEO for a welcome meeting.

Exclusive Inclusions:

Your Welcome Moment Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group

Day 2Sydney/Manly Beach

Sunny Sydney welcomes you and hit the road right away with your CEO to dive into exploring this stunning city. Set off on a walking orientation tour of some of the city's well known landmarks. Slowly make your way to Circular Quay, where you'll hop onto a ferry to cross the harbor to Manly beach. Your CEO will point out some must do's while you're in Manly, like the coastal walk to Shelly beach, and some places to grab some local food. You can't go wrong with some fish and chips by the sea. In the evening, join your CEO and fellow travelers for a meal together at a local restaurant.

Meals included:

Dinner

Day 3Sydney

Today is yours to spend as you see fit. There is quite literally too much choice in Sydney, so use your time wisely. Choose from exploring on foot the Rocks neighborhood, which is also home to the city's Museum of Contemporary Art. Or get the blood pumping by booking a jet boating tour or climbing the Sydney Harbor Bridge.

Day 4Sydney/Yulara

Board a flight bound for Yulara, the gateway to the Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park. Spend the afternoon getting straight out there and exploring, starting with the Walpa Gorge walk at Kata Tjuta. Catch the sunset at Uluru before making your way back to your permanent tented camp. Enjoy an outdoor meal cooked at camp and some time under the stars.

Meals included:

Dinner

Day 5Yulara/Kings Canyon

Sunrise over Uluru is not to be missed, so rise early and catch sunrise over Australia's most iconic Indigenous landmarks. This morning, take the time to explore Uluru on foot on a guided walk through some of the most culturally significant areas of the site. These sacred spaces are some of the oldest on the planet, and understanding the interpretation behind them makes them even more impactful. Later, head to the Kings Canyon region overland, to your next permanent tented camp in the bush.

Meals included:

Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Day 6Kings Canyon/Alice Springs

In the desert morning, head out for an early hike throughout Kings Canyon. Choose between the harder 3 hour hike and a more approachable one hour option. The Rim walk is a 6km walk along the upper rim of Kings Canyon. The most difficult part of the hike is the very beginning with a 500 step ascent, but the landscapes and views you are rewarded with are more than worth the effort. You won't even remember the effort it took to get up there. (Sort of!) If you prefer to take it easy, enjoy a 2km hike through canyon valley. Later on, rest up on a drive East to Alice Springs.

Meals included:

Breakfast | Lunch

Day 7Alice Springs/Melbourne

In addition to its rich Indigenous history and culture, Alice Springs is home to the Telegraph Station that linked Australia top to bottom in the 19th century. This telegraph connection also integrated Australia into the wider network within the British Empire, allowing Australia to be connected to the outside world in a matter of hours, versus days. Enjoy a tour of Alice Springs including insight into the Station and Anzac Hill. Next up, grabbing a flight to quirky, cool, Melbourne, the city of food and arts.

Day 8Melbourne

Melbourne is one of the easiest cities to traverse on foot and by public transport, so you will be getting your steps in today. Start the morning off by exploring the Queen Victoria markets with your CEO, before jumping into a guided tour where you will be led through some of the famous and off the beaten track-spots in Melbourne's famous laneways. Choose from one of dozens of lunch spots for a bite to eat and catch your breath, before ending the afternoon at the Royal Botanic Gardens of Melbourne, a sprawling 38 hectares of green space housing over 800 species of plants from the world over.

Day 9Melbourne

Another Australian city with tons to do, so a day at leisure gives you plenty of time to craft the perfect day. You may want to take a trip out to see the Phillip Island Penguin Parade or embark on a full day tour out along the Great Ocean Road.

Day 10Melbourne/Auckland

Say goodbye to Australia and fly south to the adventure capital of the world, New Zealand. After arrival, enjoy a free day in Auckland. Explore the city, go up into the Sky Tower, take a ferry to Waiheke, the island of wine, or rest on one of the many beaches surrounding the city.

Day 11Auckland/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. Take a boat ride through this spectacular underground realm to see thousands of flickering glowworms light up in the dark.

Day 12Rotorua

Visit Rotorua and opt to check out the geothermal area or go whitewater rafting. In the evening visit a Maori village for traditional ceremonies, a Hangi meal and entertainment.

Meals included:

Breakfast | Dinner

Day 13Rotorua/Wellington

Take in the ever-changing scenery of the North Island and travel to the capital, Wellington.

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 14Wellington

Enjoy the atmosphere in this relaxed but lively city. After an orientation walk, enjoy a free day to explore. Opt to visit the Te Papa Museum or take the cable car up to the botanical gardens.

Day 15Wellington/Kaikoura

Fly to the South Island and travel to the seaside town of Kaikoura, known for its diverse marine life. Stop en route for a wine tasting at a local winery.

Meals included:

Dinner

Day 16Kaikoura/Hanmer Springs

Enjoy a free morning in Kaikoura. Opt to go on a whale watching tour and search for giant sperm whales. Or head out on a tour to swim in the open ocean in a place often visited by wild dolphins. In the afternoon, travel to Hanmer Springs. Opt to take a soak in the hot springs.

Day 17Hanmer Springs/Franz Josef

Take in the stunning scenery while travelling across the Southern Alps to the rugged and remote West Coast, before staying in the rainforest near the world's fastest moving glacier.

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 18Franz Josef

Enjoy a free day to explore the area around Franz Josef. Opt to explore the glacier with a heli hike.

Exclusive Inclusions:

Your Discover Moment

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 19Franz Josef/Queenstown

Continue to Queenstown, the adventure capital of the world. With beautiful scenery and tons of activities, there's something for everyone. Enjoy the great night life.

Day 20Queenstown

With free time here, opt to go bungee jumping (in its birthplace), jet boating (also born here!), skydiving or hiking. Or take it a little slower and travel by gondola to the top of a local peak.

Exclusive Inclusions:

Your Discover Moment

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 21Queenstown

Enjoy the stunning scenery of Fiordland National Park and Doubtful Sound on a day cruise. Take in the waterfalls and wildlife, then return to Queenstown for the night.

Meals included:

Breakfast | Lunch

Day 22Queenstown to Tekapo

Travel north through the centre of the South Island to Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park, named after New Zealand's highest peak. Spend the afternoon hiking the region, taking in the alpine scenery. Learn more about mountaineer Sir Edmund Hillary at the Visitor's Centre, before a short but scenic journey to Tekapo Village.

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 23Tekapo to Christchurch

Continue on to Christchurch and take in an orientation walk with your CEO. Enjoy one final night together with the group.

Day 24Christchurch

Depart at any time.

Meals included:

Breakfast
View full itinerary

What's Included

  • Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group
  • Your Discover Moment: Franz Josef
  • Your Discover Moment: Queenstown
  • Melbourne laneways walk
  • Guided walk at Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park
  • Sunset at Uluru
  • Guided Hiking at Kings Canyon
  • Visit to Telegraph Station
  • Ferry to Manly Beach
  • Visit to Queen Victoria Market
  • Visit to Royal Botanic Gardens of Melbourne
  • Waitomo Glowworm caves visit
  • Orientation walk in Wellington and Christchurch
  • Wine tasting
  • Fiordland National Park visit with Doubtful Sound day cruise
  • Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park visit with hiking opportunity (weather permitting)
  • Internal flights
  • Free time in Rotorua, Wellington, Franz Josef, and Queenstown
  • Internal airfare
  • All transport between destinations and to/from included activities

Accommodations

Hotels (21 nts), Desert Tented camp with shared facilities (2nts)

Meals

10 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 5 dinners
Allow USD910-1185 for meals not included.

Staff & experts

CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout

Available extras (Add these to your tour when you book)

12 Apostles, Otways & Great Ocean Road - From $108.00

Kick start this adventure early from Melbourne and travel straight to the 12 Apostles. Enjoy time to take in the scenery before the crowds of people arrive. Wander along the boardwalk and marvel at the limestone rocks and then continue on to the Gibson Steps. Walk down to the beach for a different perspective before grabbing lunch at a local cafe. With renewed energy the group will drive through the Great Otway National park where we’ll stop for a quick hike through the ancient rainforests here. From there, travel further along the Great Ocean Road to Apollo Bay. There’s time here to grab an optional ice cream before trying to spot koalas, kangaroos, and king parrots near the Kennett River. Before heading back to Melbourne the group will make a final stop to the town of Lorne. Grab a snack, stroll past the shops, or walk along the beach in this quaint destination.

Queenstown Jet Boating - From $99.00

It's a jet boat ride along the Shotover River of Queenstown - need we say more? Okay, how about this - imagine a whitewater ride with sharp turns and fast pace expertly navigated by a trained driver. All you need to do is strap in and be ready to get wet.

My Own Room - From $2979.00

If you're travelling solo and would prefer to have your own private room throughout your trip, select this option during the online booking process.

Make it a private tour

Book this tour as a private departure, with your own CEO and all the benefits of a G Adventures group tour.

Best of the South Pacific: Ultimate Australia & New Zealand

| 24 days - Sydney to Christchurch - from $8749 USD