Bucket List New Zealand & Australia

Cairns
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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.

Departure dates

From 14/06/2025 to 01/04/2026

What's included

Highlights.
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.
Rotorua: Maori cultural performance and hangi-inspired cuisine at Te Po Indigenous Experience.
Queenstown: Orientation tour.
Queenstown: Cruise across Lake Wakatipu on the TSS Earnslaw to Walter Peak High Country Farm.
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.
Cairns: Cruise to and snorkel on the Great Barrier Reef.
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Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countriesAn expert Travel Director and professional DriverCherry-picked hotels, all tried and trustedMany meals and daily breakfasts includedExtensive variety of Choice ExperiencesCity orientation toursA 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.
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Itinerary / more information

  • Day 1 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!
  • Day 2 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.
  • Day 3 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 P? Indigenous Experience. Dig into locally sourced cuisine with an authentic M?ori twist before a thrilling cultural performance including a traditional M?ori 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.
  • Day 4 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.
  • Day 5 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
  • Day 6 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.
  • Day 7 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.
  • Day 8 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.
  • Day 9 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.
  • Day 10 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.
  • Day 11 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.
  • Day 12 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.
  • Day 13 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.
  • Day 14 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.
  • Day 15 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.
  • Day 16 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.
  • Day 17 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.
  • Day 18 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.
  • Day 19 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.
  • Prices quoted valid for sale until 21 July 2024 unless otherwise stated or sold out prior.
  • Price is per person and subject to availability. Accommodation (if included) is based on twin share unless otherwise stated.
  • Airfare (including internal flights) is not included unless otherwise stated and, if included, is economy class unless otherwise stated.
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  • Prices shown are for payments made by cash in store or Bpay.
  • These prices are a guide to the best price. Prices are correct as at 16 July 2024 and are subject to change without notice, due to matters outside our control, such as adverse currency fluctuations, fuel surcharges, taxes and airfare increases. Please enquire for further details.

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