How to plan your trip to Australia and New Zealand will depend on how many days you wish to travel, the experiences you want to have, and your preferred travel style, with our examples offering a guide for the best ways to divide your time.
Whether searching for tropical fish along the colorful Great Barrier Reef or wandering alongside sparkling lakes filled with glacial waters, admiring the serene scenery of pristine fiords or finding the vibrant red sands of the Red Desert, visiting Australia and New Zealand will immerse you in stunning landscapes and cultures.
14 days can give you the essential must-see destinations of Australia and New Zealand as you explore the eclectic beauty of Sydney and the Blue Mountains, the wonders of the Great Barrier Reef and Daintree Rainforest, the elegance of Christchurch, the alpine charms of Queenstown, the delicacies of Central Otago, and the marvels of Milford Sound.
From snorkeling in search of tropical fish to searching for swimming penguins, exploring the legends of Dreamtime to wandering along the edges of Lake Wakatipu, 14 days is a wonderful opportunity to sample the highlights of each country and indulge in the combination of cultural and natural splendor.
Days 1-4: Sydney and Blue Mountains
Days 5-7: The Great Barrier Reef/Daintree Rainforest
Days 8-9: Christchurch
Days 10-11: Queenstown
Day 12: Central Otago
Days 13-14: Milford Sound
With a combination of surreal nature, dream-like wilderness, and luxury-laden cities, an 18-day trip to Australia and New Zealand can immerse you in unparalleled beauty.
From the Sydney Harbour to the Three Sisters, elaborate shopping arcades to coral islands bordered with powdery white sands, the snowcapped peaks of the Remarkables Mountains to the waterfalls crashing along Milford Sound, the sparkling coves of Abel Tasman to the bubbling thermal springs of Rotorua.
You can enjoy the extraordinary as you discover nature on a grand scale and culture shaped by the surrounding wonders to create your unforgettable custom trip.
Days 1-4: Sydney and Blue Mountains
Days 5-6: Melbourne
Days 7-9: The Great Barrier Reef/Daintree Rainforest
Days 10-11: Queenstown
Days 12-13: Milford Sound
Days 14-16: Nelson/Abel Tasman
Days 17-18: Rotorua
A 21-day trip to Australia and New Zealand can bring the timeless majesty of the natural landscape to life with unparalleled experiences personalized to your travel preferences. Explore the sounds of the Sydney Opera House. Embrace the cafe culture of Melbourne. Witness the shifting desert colors of Uluru at Sunset.
Indulge in the majestic marine life at the largest barrier reef in the world. Discover the connection between geothermal springs and the Maori communities in Rotorua. Delight in fur seals and penguins at Abel Tasman. Wander across shimmering glacier fields at Franz Josef and travel beneath the lingering cliffs of Milford Sound.
Days 1-4: Sydney and Blue Mountains
Days 5-6: Melbourne
Days 7-8: Uluru
Days 9-10: The Great Barrier Reef/Daintree Rainforest
Day 11: Auckland
Days 12-13: Rotura
Days 14-16: Nelson/Abel Tasman
Days 17-18: Franz Josef/West Coast
Days 19-21: Queenstown/Milford Sound
Australia and New Zealand represent the diversity of Oceania with spectacular wilderness, remarkable cosmopolitan cities, enchanting wildlife, and landscapes that can take you from crashing waves to tropical forests, glinting glaciers to fascinating wetlands.
Find inspiration for your trip with our Australia & New Zealand tours, where you can find itineraries that can help bring your dream of a customized trip to life. You can also find more information on what to do, where to go, and more with our Australia & New Zealand travel guide.
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