Experience Overview
We don’t just say any trip is the “best of”. But when you’re 38 days in length and loaded with the best experiences Australia and New Zealand have to offer, well, that’s the only way to do this level of adventure justice. Starting in Adelaide, you’ll make your way to the beaches of Victoria, Grampians National Park, the Daintree Rainforest, the Blue Mountains, Fiordland National Park, and a unique Maori experience — and that’s not including a million-ish other places in between. If you’re looking for the total Down Under experience, this is it.
Highlights
- Travel along the Great Ocean Road and look out for the 12 Apostles
- Hike in Grampians National Park
- Follow an Indigenous guide through the Daintree Rainforest
- Spend the day boating around the scenic Whitsundays
- Cruise around the fjords of Doubtful Sound in Fiordland National Park
- Experience traditional Maori culture
Trip Details
Product Code: 2624
Tour Type: Small Group
Accommodation: Budget
Transport: Private vehicle, plane, boat, ferry, walking
Guide Language: English
Travel Styles: Budget
Supplier Code: OAAC
Starts: Adelaide, Australia
Finishes: Christchurch, New Zealand
Duration: 38 days
Departures: Guaranteed
Physical rating: Light
Includes
Activities
- Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group Your Discover Moment: Franz Josef Your Discover Moment: Queenstown
- Melbourne Laneways Walk
- Brighton Bathing Boxes Visit
- Rainforest Walk, Great Otway National Park
- 12 Apostles Visit
- Loch Ard Gorge Visit
- Grampians National Park Visit
- Mossman Gorge Indigenous Peoples Interpretive Walk
- Whitsunday Islands Boating Excursion
- Barrier Reef Visit
- Surfing lesson in Byron Bay
- Blue Mountains Scenic Railway
- Doubtful Sound Wilderness Cruise
- Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park Visit
- Internal flights
- All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
Accommodation
- Hotels/motels (35nts), Rainforest cabin (2nts).
- 16 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 3 dinners
Transport
- Private vehicle, plane, boat, ferry, walking
Group Leader
- CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout, local guides.
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD 14599 (CAD 384 /day)
Itinerary
Day 1: Adelaide
Arrive at any time. Join your CEO for a welcome meeting.
There are no planned activities during the day, so check into the hotel and explore your surroundings.
Day 2: Adelaide/Halls Gap
Travel inland to Grampians National Park, known for its sandstone mountain range.
Day 3: Halls Gap
Trek through the forest, lush with vegetation and wildlife. Visit the culturally significant MacKenzie Falls for a short hike. Walk to the stunning Balconies, then spend the afternoon relaxing with the locals - our resident wild kangaroos and emus.
Day 4: Halls Gap/Port Campbell
Travel south to the ancient volcanic crater of Tower Hill, with the opportunity to spot some of Australia's most iconic wildlife. Afterwards, begin your journey along the Great Ocean Road as far as the township of Port Campbell.
Day 5: Port Campbell
Spend the day exploring the Twelve Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge, and surrounding natural attractions. Opt for a walk along any number of short paths available to immerse yourself in nature. If the luck of weather is on your side, round out the day by watching the light become golden over the Twelve Apostles on the drive to Port Campbell.
Day 6: Port Campbell/Mornington Peninsula
Spend the day travelling along the Great Ocean Road. Pass world-famous surf beaches, and walk through the rainforest in Great Otway National Park. Travel by ferry across Port Phillip to the Mornington Peninsula.
Day 7: Mornington Peninsula
Spend the morning exploring the Mornington Peninsula, including a visit to Cape Schanck. In the afternoon, opt to visit a winery or relax and enjoy yourself at one of the many incredible beaches in the area.
Although fairly small in size, the Mornington Peninsula packs a big punch with the amount of things to do here. Be awed with the stunning coastal scenery while driving through quaint towns and past stunning beaches.
Day 8: Mornington Peninsula/Melbourne
Continue on to Melbourne but first make a few stops along the way. Stop to see Brighton's brightly coloured bathing boxes, miniature beachfront cabins that are unique to the beaches in Port Phillip Bay.
Day 9: Melbourne
Tour Melbourne's iconic laneways and learn more about coffee culture, and pick up some great pointers for your free afternoon of exploration.
Day 10: Melbourne/Cairns
Fly to the oceanside city of Cairns, the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef.
Day 11: Cairns/Cape Tribulation
Head north to Cape Tribulation. Stop en route to explore Mossman Gorge and take an interpretive walk through the Daintree Rainforest.
Day 12: Cape Tribulation
With a free day, opt for a trip to the Great Barrier Reef or to explore Daintree National Park.
Day 13: Cape Tribulation/Cairns
Return to Cairns in the afternoon with free time to explore this laid-back city. En route, stop by Port Douglas and opt to have lunch at a local market.
Day 14: Cairns/Airlie Beach
Depart early for a full day of travel to reach Airlie Beach, enjoying scenic views along the way.
Day 15: Airlie Beach
Spend the day out on the water boating around the Whitsunday Islands, visiting the Great Barrier Reef. Opt to swim or snorkel, and hike to an island lookout over Whitehaven Beach, known for its stunning white sand. Return to Airlie Beach for the night.
Day 16: Airlie Beach/Byron Bay
Fly to Brisbane and transfer to Byron Bay for two nights in this "hippie" paradise.
Day 17: Byron Bay
Spend a free morning exploring Byron or opt to prebook a kayaking tour. In the afternoon, you'll head to the beach for a surf lesson with a trained surf instructor. Enjoy a few hours of instruction before hitting the waves for some practice rides.
Pre-book the "Byron Bay Ocean Kayaking" activity on the checkout page ahead of time to include this optional experience on your tour.
Day 18: Byron Bay/Port Macquarie
Spend the morning wandering the town checking out the local shops or having one last coffee on the beach before heading to the coastal township of Port Macquarie, featuring all the beauty of the beach set alongside gorgeous national parks. Enjoy an evening in Port Macquarie.
Day 19: Port Macquarie/Blue Mountains
Travel from Port Macquarie to the Blue Mountains today. These mountains in Australia are best known for their soaring sandstone ridges. As you drive, pass by charming mountain towns, ancient Aboriginal rock art, lush green valleys, and loads of craggy cliffs. It doesn't matter if the journey is shrouded in clouds or glowing in the sinking sun, you'll still spot beauty around every turn.
Day 20: Blue Mountains
Travel deeper into the majestic Blue Mountains and experience the natural beauty of this World Heritage Area. Explore the landscape around Leura and Katoomba, view the Three Sisters, take a walk in Jamison Valley, and ride on the Scenic Railway, the steepest railway in the world.
Day 21: Blue Mountains/Sydney
This morning, leave the Blue Mountains behind and continue onward to Sydney. Once you arrive head out for an orientation walk before taking advantage of some free time to keep exploring. Opt to rent a bike, stroll the botanical gardens, or visit the iconic Opera House.
Day 22: Sydney
Get a feel for the city. Relax seaside at Bondi Beach. Enjoy an optional night out with the group.
Day 23: Sydney/Auckland
Say goodbye to Australia and hop on a flight to Auckland, New Zealand. After transferring from the airport, enjoy some free time to explore this vibrant city.
Day 24: Auckland
Enjoy a free day to explore Auckland. Visit the Maritime Museum, walk the waterfront, or even take the ferry to Waiheke Island.
Day 25: 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. Take a boat ride through this spectacular underground realm to see thousands of flickering glowworms light up in the dark.
Day 26: Rotorua
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.
Rotorua sits over an active volcanic zone with bubbling mud pits and multi-coloured pools in different areas around the town. Opt to visit one of the sites, or go whitewater rafting nearby.
Day 27: Rotorua/Wellington
Take in the ever-changing scenery of the North Island and travel to the capital, Wellington.
Day 28: Wellington
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 29: Wellington/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.
Day 30: Kaikoura/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 31: Hanmer 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.
Day 32: Franz Josef
Enjoy a free day to explore the area around Franz Josef. Opt to explore the glacier with a heli hike.
There are dozens of optional activities in the area to suit just about any budget and preference. Try heli hiking, scenic helicopter flights, skydiving, lake kayaking or a hot pools visit.
Day 33: Franz 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 34: Queenstown
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.
Opt to pre-book the "Queenstown Jet Boating" activity on the checkout page ahead of time, to include this optional on your tour.
Day 35: Queenstown
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.
Day 36: Queenstown 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.
Day 37: Tekapo to Christchurch
Continue on to Christchurch and take in an orientation walk with your CEO. Enjoy one final night together with the group.
Travel to the Garden City of Christchurch, a little piece of England in New Zealand, still recovering from a devastating earthquake.
Day 38: Christchurch
Depart at any time.
Tour Operator
G Adventures
G Adventures is an operator of small-group escorted tours. It is based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada with 28 offices worldwide. It offers more than 700 itineraries in more than 100 countries, and carries 200,000 travelers from 160 countries each year.
In Business Since 1990
Reviews
Anna T. - Traveled, October 2023
This style of travel meant you could make the most out of the time you had as you didn't need to take time out for planning etc. it takes all the stress out of the planning so you can really relax and enjoy your holiday. They are organised very well and show you all the best parts of the country.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/23/2023
Lisa W. - Traveled, October 2023
I love that the group size are small and i don't have to worry about anything
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/23/2023
Kimberly N. - Traveled, October 2023
This is my 5th G Adventures trip and every one have been fantastic?from the CEOs to the itineraries to the price/ value
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/23/2023
Becky B. - Traveled, September 2023
Smaller group, lots of personal choice with meals, but with advice Ability to join the group or opt out of activities
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/09/2023
Douglas F. - Traveled, September 2023
The tour was great, but the enthusiasm and knowledge of the CEO was what put it over the top. They were the best.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/09/2023
Elizabeth B. - Traveled, September 2023
Our guide was very knowledgeable, friendly and accommodating. The places we saw were amazing !
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/09/2023
Joseph B. - Traveled, June 2024
We had a wonderful time with great guides. No complaints.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/09/2023
Dale D. - Traveled, September 2023
I enjoy the having the tour mostly planned and organized ... giving me the the opportunity to enjoy a trip without worring about making arrangments.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/09/2023
Rosa D. - Traveled, September 2023
I like the small group atmosphere. The ability to see so much of the countries we visited basically hassle free - no need to worry about transportation, excursions. And guides have considerable knowledge of the areas, so that it is an added bonus.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/09/2023
Dianne S. - Traveled, September 2023
We like small group travel and the flexibility to do what we wanted in free time in many places.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/09/2023
Patrick L. - Traveled, September 2023
Cost of meals over and above cost of trip might be prohibitive for some. The benefit of course is the flexibility to choose something of interest at mealtime though. It was generally an amazinG Adventures! Uluru add on was a bit chaotic without a representative. Initially the hotel couldn't even find my room booking.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/09/2023
Alain S. - Traveled, September 2023
Everything was wonderful
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/09/2023
Rosa D. - Traveled, September 2023
I like the small group atmosphere. The ability to see so much of the countries we visited basically hassle free - no need to worry about transportation, excursions. And guides have considerable knowledge of the areas, so that it is an added bonus.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/09/2023
Sandra F. - Traveled, September 2023
We experienced so much about the countries - culture, history, and nature. It was a once in a lifetime opportunity.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/09/2023
Elizabeth B. - Traveled, September 2023
Our guide was very knowledgeable, friendly and accommodating. The places we saw were amazing !
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/09/2023
Nicholas B. - Traveled, August 2023
G always provides a great experience
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/26/2023
Ava C. - Traveled, July 2023
I love G Adventures because the groups are small, and for the most part, filled with open minded adventurers. Most of the guides have been super knowledgeable and fun. I think the only reason I gave it a 9 instead of a 10 was because of how much time we spent in the bus. I think in the future, I will look for more active trips, or trips with more flights. The bus was a nice was to see the country, but I didn't feel like I got enough exercise or movement on the trip. It may also be difficult depending on the type of traveler you are, as the trip requires a lot of transitions, staying only one or two nights in each location. I do wish we could have stayed longer in certain places.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 08/17/2023
Aoife D. - Traveled, June 2023
I would have normally given G 10:10 but this trip really disappointed me Adelaide to Melbourne section. The level of staffing was extremely disappointing.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 08/17/2023
Julie B. - Traveled, July 2023
This style of travel is the best way to see the most of a destination in a short space of time. You get local insights and knowledge from the guides and you get to meet new people along the way and have these experiences in a group setting.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 08/17/2023
Debbie C. - Traveled, April 2023
I like the philosophy of the company and how it does things.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/22/2023
Jocelyn K. - Traveled, April 2023
I feel that the itinerary took us to the most popular locations in the two countries. Hotels were very clean and comfortable.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/22/2023
Clive C. - Traveled, June 2023
The style of travel served our needs - providing accommodations and transportation. along with some guiding.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/22/2023
Divya C. - Traveled, April 2023
Overall I've enjoyed my trips with G and had some fantastic experiences
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/22/2023
Matthew A. - Traveled, April 2024
Overall G has been great.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/22/2023
Garry H. - Traveled, April 2023
First and foremost, the guides! After that most of the accommodations, and finally going to places I would have missed on my own.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/22/2023
Rohan M. - Traveled, April 2023
Good value for money and see many places - balanced with lots of time in a bus (occasionally).
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/22/2023
Patricia H. - Traveled, April 2023
Some of my family and friends may not be up for the physical challenge.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/22/2023
Glenn G. - Traveled, January 2024
Itinerary was wonderful. CEO s were mostly well informed and capable.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 03/16/2024
Susan G. - Traveled, January 2024
Great itinerary and special experiences, excellent CEOs, safe drivers, clean, safe, comfortable accommodation, tasty, abundant breakfasts (the included ones).
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 03/16/2024
Barbara I. - Traveled, January 2024
The 2nd leg if the trip was very much a disappointment. Georgia was in no way suitable to call herself a CEO. She was at best a bus driver. She became defensive when she was told that people were not happy with her. We have her every chance to at least do or say something helpful or to add to our experience, but she was driver only.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 03/16/2024
Share a personalized trip brochure!
Why book with us?
Best Rate Guarantee
Mytours.Travel makes sure you always have the best available rate
Best Selection
The best operators from around the world
Trusted Payments
Secure payments with Stripe
Expert Advice
Our expert agents will assist you in booking the perfect experience