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18-Nights Bucket List New Zealand & Australia from $9,417
CostSaver
OFFER ID 1546478
Bucket List New Zealand & Australia
Snorkel on the Great Barrier Reef and step into a Hobbiton movie set. This bucket list tour of Australia and New Zealand will capture your heart – and sense of adventure – each day. In New Zealand, sip fine wines in Queenstown and visit a National Kiwi Hatchery. Zip along the Shotover River in a jet-boat or sit back on a scenic flight over Mt. Cook. In Australia, climb Sydney Harbour Bridge, hop aboard a train to a village in the rainforest and watch the sun set over Uluru. It’s all stunning and all your choice with Costsaver.
Dining Summary
- 18 Breakfast (B)
- 4 Dinner (D)
- 1 Lunch (L)
- Auckland: Sightseeing includes the waterfront out to Mission Bay.
- Rotorua: A guided tour of the National Kiwi Hatchery Aotearoa.
- Queenstown: Orientation tour.
- Cromwell: Taste the delicious stone fruit at a stall belonging to a local orchard.
- Lake Tekapo: See the Church of the Good Shepherd.
- Sydney: See the Sydney Opera House, Harbour Bridge and Bondi Beach on a city sights tour.
- Uluru: Enjoy sparkling wine at an Uluru sunset.
- Uluru: Guided tour at the base of Uluru.
- Cairns: Orientation tour.
Whats Included
- Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most regions
- An expert Travel Director and professional Driver
- Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted
- Daily breakfasts included
- Extensive variety of Choice Experiences
- City orientation tours
- All hotel service charges and tips, baggage handling fees and local taxes
- A Costsaver bonus: All Intra-Air Flights: Auckland to Queenstown, Christchurch to Sydney, Sydney to Ayers Rock and Ayers Rock to Cairns.
- A Costsaver bonus: All Intra-Air Flights: Auckland to Queenstown, Christchurch to Sydney, Sydney to Ayers Rock and Ayers Rock to Cairns.
18 nights from $9,417 per person
Itinerary Details
Costsaver: Bucket List New Zealand & Australia
Day 1 - Arrive Auckland
Kick off your bucket list New Zealand and Australia tour in Auckland, the City of Sails. After your arrival team up with your Travel Director and the rest of the group before jumping into adventure with a tour of the city sights. Make your way around the waterfront from central city out to Mission Bay. Have your camera ready for the stop at Bastion Point and the Michael Joseph Savage Memorial – it's the place to get stunning shots of Auckland, the North Shore and the Waitemata. Continue the fun toasting to what’s to come at a welcome reception at your hotel. Cheers!
Accommodations: President Hotel
Day 2 - Auckland Your Way
A little bit of leisure, a little bit of culture – and a lot of spots to explore today. After breakfast, choose to set sail on the heritage scow, Ted Ashby, for an hour-long cruise on Auckland's Waitemata Harbour. See the city skyline, Sky Tower and Auckland Harbour Bridge from the sea. Or, choose to learn what it takes to make, shape and be an All Black rugby player. You’ll have a blast channeling your inner athlete and testing your rugby skills in our hands-on, interactive zone.
Accommodations: President Hotel
Meals: Breakfast
Day 3 - Auckland - Rotorua
Set off through Cambridge, ‘The Town of Trees and Champions,' on your way to Rotorua. Get your bearings before the ultimate New Zealand experience: a guided tour of the National Kiwi Hatchery Aotearoa, the leader in kiwi husbandry. Learn about their work to save New Zealand’s national bird, watch kiwi eggs being incubated and even peek at the adorable newly hatched chicks. Unforgettable encounters continue at tonight’s Te Po Indigenous Experience. Dig into locally sourced cuisine with an authentic Maori twist before a thrilling cultural performance including a traditional Maori welcome and music. You’ll even get to see one of New Zealand’s mind-blowing dramatic geysers and bubbling mud while cozied up on natural heated rock-seating, steaming hot chocolate in hand.
Accommodations: Ibis
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 4 - Rotorua Your Way
Go big on nature wowing at the scenic wonders of the geothermal wonderland of Rotorua. You could take a tour of the Hobbiton movie set, where you can step into the lush pastures of the Shire, stroll around the 12-acre set past Hobbit Holes, the Mill and into the world-famous Green Dragon Inn, where you’ll enjoy Hobbit South-farthing beverage to end your own Middle-earth adventure. Or, relax with the magical two-hour restorative journey spa experience at Wai Araki Spa. And don’t miss your chance to discover Rotorua’s spectacular lakes from a fully restored World War II amphibious vehicle accompanied by stories.
Accommodations: Ibis
Meals: Breakfast
Day 5 - Rotorua - Queenstown
Travel back to Auckland on your bucket list New Zealand and Australia tour for your flight to Queenstown, adventure capital of the world. Wind around the shores of Lake Wakatipu and get your bearings for what’s to come. Your Travel Director points out the steamer wharf for tomorrow???s trip to Walter Peak Station before taking you to your centrally located hotel. With anticipation building, speak with your Travel Director about dining recommendations for tonight. They’re always eager to help! Internal flight included Auckland – Queenstown AKL/ZQN
Accommodations: Holiday Inn Express & Suites
Meals: Breakfast
Day 6 - Queenstown Your Way
Thrill-seekers, foodies and outdoor enthusiasts are all in for a treat: today and tomorrow are all about taking in Queenstown and its world-famous adventures how you choose. Movie buffs can choose to get the best of both worlds on a scenic tour of Glenorchy to discover iconic Lord of the Rings filming locations. Wine-lovers can join a Boutique Wine Tour of Queenstown, sampling Central Otago’s signature Pinot Noir and more at four vineyards. After a day of activity, sit back and relax on an evening cruise across Lake Wakatipu aboard a high speed catamaran, to Walter Peak Station where you’ll sit down to a mouth-watering BBQ dinner and farm show at the Colonel's Homestead.
Accommodations: Holiday Inn Express & Suites
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 7 - Queenstown Your Way
The roll call of optional activities you can sign up for is near endless. Tick a must-see South Island icon off your bucket list and join the day trip to the Fiordland National Park, cruising through the show-stopping Milford Sound. Make the most of the region’s great outdoors taking an E-Bike Wine Tour or visiting the Kiwi Birdlife Park wildlife sanctuary of over 20 species of native New Zealand wildlife. Adrenaline junkies will have their pick of the bunch, with a guided zipline adventure on Bob’s Peak and jet-boat tours on the Kawarau and Shotover Rivers experiencing the famous 360 degree “Shotover Jet Turn”. Unwind grabbing a bite and raising a glass to another incredible day.
Accommodations: Holiday Inn Express & Suites
Meals: Breakfast
Day 8 - Queenstown - Tekapo
Set your course to the Mackenzie region with a stop in Cromwell to taste stone fruit at a stall belonging to a local orchard. Get your cameras ready for views across the waters of Lake Tekapo framed by rugged hills and snow-capped mountains. In Tekapo, see the Church of the Good Shepherd and the bronze statue of a collie dog, the touching tribute to the sheepdogs which helped develop the Mackenzie Country. Later, take your pick of ways to explore to take in the stunning region. See Mount Cook National Park from the air soaring over New Zealand's highest peak and on to Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers. Tonight, choose to view Tekapo's world renowned UNESCO Aoraki McKenzie International Dark Sky Reserve viewing amazing constellations that can only be seen in the southern hemisphere, including the Southern Cross, with a local astronomy guide.
Accommodations: Godley
Meals: Breakfast
Day 9 - Tekapo - Christchurch - Sydney
Get an early start to watch the sun rise over the lake or sleep in before heading north to Christchurch via Ashburton. In Christchurch, bid farewell to New Zealand and board your flight to Sydney, known for iconic landmarks, a dazzling harbor and beaches so famous they have their own TV shows (we’re looking at you, Bondi Beach). Internal flight included Christchurch - Sydney CHC/SYD.
Accommodations: Holiday Inn Sydney, Potts Point
Meals: Breakfast
Day 10 - Sydney
Wake up in Sydney with a free morning to settle in before the next leg of your adventures. Get the lay of the land on a city sights tour showing off the Opera House, Harbour Bridge, Bondi Beach, the headlands into Sydney Harbour and The Rocks area. After getting comfortable in your hotel, join your Travel Director and group for a celebratory dinner to kick off your adventures in Australia.
Accommodations: Holiday Inn Sydney, Potts Point
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 11 - Sydney Your Way
Excitement will be at an all-time high today with iconic optionals to choose from. Nature-lovers will be tempted by a day tour of the Blue Mountains National Park, an oasis of sandstone cliffs, rainforests, eucalyptus bushland and cascading waterfalls. See the Three Sisters, a towering rock formation significant to the local Aboriginal people or ride the world’s steepest passenger railway down to the valley floor at Scenic World. You could choose to take on the Sydney Harbour BridgeClimb, rising to the summit, 134 metres above Sydney Harbour.
Accommodations: Holiday Inn Sydney, Potts Point
Meals: Breakfast
Day 12 - Sydney Your Way
Make even more of your bucket list Australia a reality with your pick of Optional Experiences. You might choose to embrace the beach lifestyle with a surfing lesson at the iconic Bondi Beach getting the hang of paddling, catching waves and standing! Or take to the water on a Sydney Harbour Cruise gliding past the white peaks of the Opera House and under the Sydney Harbour Bridge. If you’d rather stay on dry land, join The Rocks Pub Tour. Between watering holes, your guide will take you through the alleys and cobbled streets as they share the gossip and stories of convicts and locals of Australia's first European settlement.
Accommodations: Holiday Inn Sydney, Potts Point
Meals: Breakfast
Day 13 - Sydney - Uluru
Jet off from Sydney to the rusty red home of Uluru. Be wowed by your first glimpses of the desert on a guided base walk to Mutitjulu Waterhole. Get up close to the ancient Aboriginal Rock Art and hear stories passed down through generations for thousands of years. Then it’s time for a classic sundowner as you kick back with sparkling wine or beer and nibbles while the Uluru is lit up in brilliant red and orange. You could choose to end the day with a mouth-watering BBQ dinner plus salads and a tasty dessert. Your feast is even paired with star talk as you gaze into the vast night sky. Internal flight included Sydney - Ayers Rock SYD/AYQ.
Accommodations: Outback Hotel & Lodge
Meals: Breakfast
Day 14 - Uluru
See Uluru your way today. Soar above the majestic rock by helicopter or plane. Or join a Guide for an outback sunrise walk to the Valley of the Winds getting the back story of the geology, history, and culture of Kata Tjuta’s rock domes. You can also choose to walk around the full base of Uluru seeing sacred sites and Aboriginal rock art. See a different side of Kata Tjuta at sunset as the rock domes change color moment to moment with the setting sun. And don’t miss your chance to dine under the stars at the Sounds of Silence Dinner.
Accommodations: Outback Hotel & Lodge
Meals: Breakfast
Day 15 - Uluru - Cairns
It’s a big day today as you wind down your time in Yulara before flying to Cairns. Take advantage of an easy morning to sleep in or enjoy lounging poolside. In Cairns, surrounded by the ancient Daintree Rainforest and the spectacular Great Barrier Reef, it’s the perfect jumping off point for your next round of adventures. Internal flight included Ayers Rock - Cairns AYQ/CNS.
Accommodations: DoubleTree by Hilton
Meals: Breakfast
Day 16 - Cairns
See the best attractions in Cairns on an orientation tour along the Esplanade. Spot the site of the night markets where you'll have your pick of over 70 open-air stalls of local specialties and the Reef Terminal where the boats set off for the Great Barrier Reef. Breathe in the fresh sea air from the beachfront boardwalk and crystal-clear saltwater swimming lagoon, no doubt calling you back for a relaxing swim.
Accommodations: DoubleTree by Hilton
Meals: Breakfast
Day 17 - Great Barrier Reef
Sand, sea and sunshine awaits as you set sail by catamaran to one of the seven wonders of the natural world on a Great Barrier Reef tour. Visit Moore Reef’s crystal-clear waters joining marine biologists, dive instructors and lifeguards. The world’s largest coral reef system, the reef is home to parrotfish, green turtles and clown fish in colorful coral. You can also pull on your snorkeling equipment to be blown away at this underwater oasis. If staying dry is more your thing, step aboard a spectacular glass bottom boat and underwater observatory for a front-seat to all the oceanic action. Feeling adventurous? Take your day to the next level with an optional scuba dive, Seawalker Helmet Dive or scenic helicopter flight above the picturesque reef.
Accommodations: DoubleTree by Hilton
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 18 - Cairns Your Way
It’s your final day together - and we’ve saved one of the best destinations for last! You might choose to visit the “Village in the Rainforest,” Kuranda. Journey on the Kuranda Scenic Railway, relaxing as this heritage train winds its way up the mountain framed by rainforest and waterfalls, before exploring the markets and stores at the top. The ride back down on the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway is just as thrilling, passing green landscapes, mountains, oceans, and Barron Falls. Food fanatics will want to join a boutique food and wine experience tasting some of the best of the Atherton Tablelands. Or get to know the local wildlife with Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures Wetlands cruise through the Melaleuca wetlands gasping at huge crocodiles and the world’s most venomous snakes. Join your group for dinner at Ochre Restaurant where you’ll watch the boats come in over the Harbour Lights’ boardwalk and enjoy Australian cuisine.
Accommodations: DoubleTree by Hilton
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 19 - Depart Cairns
It’s been a grand journey of bucket list experiences in New Zealand and Australia. But all good things must come to an end -- even down under. After breakfast, say a fond farewell to your travel mates.
Meals: Breakfast
The world's largest monolith, located 280 mi/450 km southwest of Alice Springs, is a truly stunning sight, especially at sunset when its burnt-orange glow seems to set the desert on fire. Called Uluru by the Aborigines, the sandstone rock is huge (1,140 ft/350 m high, 9 mi/13 km around) and reddish brown most of the time, taking its color from iron oxide, or rust. Its presence is made more powerful by the mostly barren plain that surrounds it and disappears into the horizon. In 1985, ownership of the rock was returned to its traditional owners. It is rarely referred to as Ayers Rock anymore.
Considered sacred by the Aborigines for thousands of years, the rock is now part of the expansive Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, one of the country's biggest tourist attractions. The park includes the Olgas/Kata Tjuta, a cluster of 36 giant domelike rock formations about 20 mi/35 km west. If you want to visit both, plan to spend at least one night. You'll want to see Uluru at both sunset and sunrise. The Olgas are equally magnificent at both times of day. (But be prepared to jockey for position at either place; tour buses disgorge hundreds of visitors laden with binoculars, cameras and video equipment.)
Start your visit to the park with a stop at the cultural center. Run by the Anangu (a local Aboriginal clan), the center is a wonderful introduction to the unusual rock formations and to the people who lived in their harsh shadows for centuries. Aboriginal artwork and artifacts are on display. You can also see re-enactments of life in the bush and watch informative videos. Most visitors explore the rock as part of a tour led by park rangers, Anangu guides or private tour companies. But you can also pick up a printed walking guide at the cultural center and set off on your own.
Only one trail leads to the top of the rock, and it's fairly steep—those with heart conditions, high blood pressure, asthma, fear of heights or the like should remain earthbound. The Anangu prefer you walk around—not on—the rock because of its spiritual importance. If you do decide to climb it, allow two to three hours and take along a snack and plenty of water. The view from the top is spectacular, but hiking around the base is more educational and less strenuous. We suggest taking one or more of the shorter walks that pass water holes and rock paintings, allowing you to observe the rock's many faces at a leisurely pace. (Walking around the entire base of the rock takes about three hours.)
Allow at least an afternoon to visit the Olgas/Kata Tjuta. A frequent debate among visitors is whether the Olgas outshine the rock. It's a close call—the Olgas are taller, reaching 1,790 ft/545 m at the highest point. Made of conglomerate (pebbles and boulders cemented together by mud and sand), they are off-limits to climbers, but you can explore some of the valleys and chasms between the rocks.
Most visitors fly to Uluru or drive from Alice Springs. About the only place to stay in the area is the Ayers Rock Resort, or Yulara, whose five hotels and a campground can accommodate visitors in all price ranges. Longitude 131 is a magnificent safari camp with 15 luxury tents. Dozens of tours leave from Ayers Rock Resort, including sunrise camel rides around the rock, sunset champagne dinners in the desert, Aboriginal culture tours and stargazing. You can also rent a car there and explore on your own.
Because of the excessive heat in summer, the best time to visit is April-November (winter in Australia). Always take along plenty of drinking water. If you are flying to the Outback, we suggest going overland one way from Alice Springs (four to five hours) but flying the other way—the desert drive is scenic, but it can be tedious the second time around. http://www.environment.gov.au/parks/uluru.
Sydney
Soak up Sydney’s gorgeous harbour, seductive outdoor lifestyle and great natural beauty. Kayak under the Sydney Harbour Bridge or wave at the Opera House as you ride a ferry across the harbour to Manly. Learn to surf at Bondi Beach or swim in the calm waters of Coogee. Lose yourself in the cobblestone cul-de-sacs of The Rocks or in the markets, boutiques, cafes and pubs of Paddington. As well as a world-famous harbour and more than 70 sparkling beaches, Sydney offers fabulous food, festivals and 24-7 fun.
Five Sydney Experiences Not to Miss:
1. Explore the historic Rocks
Discover Sydney’s colorful convict history in the harbourside quarter where it all began. Just five minutes from Circular Quay, you can hear stories of hangings and hauntings on a ghost tour, wander the weekend markets or climb the span of the Harbour Bridge. In amongst the maze of sandstone lanes and courtyards, you’ll find historic workman’s cottages and elegant terraces, art galleries, hotels with harbour views and Sydney’s oldest pubs. See people spill out of them onto a party on the cobblestone streets when The Rocks celebrates Australia Day on January 26th, Anzac Day on April 25th and New Years Eve.
2. Hit the world-famous harbour
Sail past the Opera House on a chartered yacht or paddle from Rose Bay in a kayak. Take a scenic cruise from Circular Quay or Darling Harbour, past waterfront mansions, national parks and Shark, Clark, Rodd and Goat islands. Tour historic Fort Denison or learn about the life of Sydney’s first inhabitants, the Gadigal people, on an Aboriginal cultural cruise. Watch the harbour glitter from the green parklands of the Royal Botanic Gardens, which curves around its edge. Or take in the view from a waterfront restaurant in Mosman, on the northern side of the bridge, or Watsons Bay at South Head. Walk from Rose Bay to Vaucluse or Cremorne Point to Mosman Bay, on just some of the 16 spectacular routes hugging the harbour foreshore.
3. Visit Manly on the ferry
Travel across Sydney Harbour on a ferry to Manly, which sits between beaches of ocean surf and tranquil inner harbour. Wander through native bushland on the scenic Manly to Spit Bridge walk, learn to scuba-dive at Cabbage Tree Bay or ride a bike to Fairy Bower. Picnic at Shelly Beach on the ocean and sail or kayak from Manly Wharf round the harbour. Hire a scooter and do a round trip of northern beaches such as Narrabeen and Palm Beach. Explore the shops, bars and cafes along the bustling pine tree-lined Corso and dine at world-class restaurants with water views.
4. Enjoy café culture and top shopping in Paddington
Meander through the Saturday markets, browse fashion boutiques on bustling Oxford Street or discover the antique shops and art galleries in upmarket Woollahra. Visit the 1840s Victoria Barracks Army base, open to the public once a week, and see restored Victorian terraces on wide, leafy streets. Ride or roller-blade in huge Centennial Park, then stop for coffee and lunch on Oxford St or in the mini-village of Five Ways. Catch a movie at an art-house cinema or leaf through a novel at midnight in one of the huge bookstores. Crawl between the lively, historic pubs. They hum even more after a game at the nearby stadium or a race day, when girls and guys arrive in their crumpled trackside finery.
5. Walk from Bondi to Coogee
Take in breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean as you walk the winding, sea-sculpted sandstone cliffs between Bondi and Coogee. Swim in the famous Bondi Icebergs rock pool or just watch the swimmers with a sunset cocktail from the restaurant above. See wild waves in Tamarama, nicknamed Glamarama for the beautiful people who lie on its golden sand. From mid-October to November, the stretch from here to Bondi is transformed into an outdoor gallery for the Sculptures by the Sea exhibition. You can surf, picnic on the grass or stop for a coffee at family-friendly Bronte. Or swim, snorkel or scuba dive in Clovelly and tranquil Gordon’s Bay. See the graves of poets Henry Lawson, Dorothea Mackellar and aviator Lawrence Hargrave in Waverley Cemetery, on the edge of the cliffs. Finish your tour in the scenic, backpacker haven of Coogee.
At the heart of the action are cafes, the entire spectrum of accommodation, boutique shopping, restaurants and the visitor services expected in a small town with a big reputation.
Vacation Details
* 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.
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