03 Dec 2026
Twin share
£7,307pp
Single from £9,105
Escorted tour
Contrasts of Australia & New Zealand: Reef to Milford Sound – 18 Days
Melbourne, the Great Barrier Reef, Sydney, Hobbiton, Milford Sound and Queenstown, with internal flights and a tour director.
18 days
From £7,307
Tour overview
This 18-day escorted tour combines the highlights of Australia and New Zealand, from cosmopolitan cities to coral reefs, fiords and alpine lakes. You travel with a tour director throughout, by coach and on internal flights between the main regions. You stay seventeen nights in centrally located hotels, including the Crowne Plaza on Melbourne's Yarra River, the Hilton in Cairns, the Sofitel Wentworth in Sydney, and Millennium hotels in Rotorua and Queenstown. Seventeen breakfasts, four lunches and eight dinners are included, from a buffet lunch on the reef to a picnic on the Milford Sound cruise and a farm lunch near Christchurch. The tour is open to travellers aged 5 and over.
In Melbourne your tour director leads a walk through the city's little lanes and arcades, famous for coffee and street art. A flight takes you to tropical Cairns, where you cruise among crocodiles at Hartley's Creek and spend a full day on the Great Barrier Reef, the world's largest coral reef system, with time to snorkel. A free day might include the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway to Kuranda.
Read more
In Sydney you see the Opera House and Harbour Bridge on a sightseeing tour, with a free day to explore Bondi or the harbour. Crossing the Tasman Sea to Auckland, you visit the interactive All Blacks experience before travelling to the Hobbiton Movie Set and Rotorua, with its geothermal landscapes and the National Kiwi Hatchery.
On the South Island you skirt Lake Wakatipu and cross the Devil's Staircase to Te Anau and Milford Sound, cruising beneath sheer cliffs and waterfalls. Queenstown, the adventure capital, offers a free day for jet-boating or gondola rides, before Lake Tekapo's turquoise waters and a final day at a hill-country farm in North Canterbury near Christchurch.
The physical rating is medium. This tour suits travellers who want to see both countries in one well-paced journey, with internal flights and every detail arranged. Free days in Cairns, Sydney and Queenstown let you add your own adventures, from diving and rainforest walks to bungee jumping and wine tasting.
Trip highlights
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Melbourne's laneways (Day 2)
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A day on the Great Barrier Reef (Day 4)
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Sydney Opera House and Harbour (Day 7)
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Hobbiton and Rotorua (Days 11–12)
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A Milford Sound cruise (Day 13)
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Queenstown and Lake Tekapo (Days 14–15)
Your route
10 stops from Melbourne to Christchurch
- Melbourne Days 1–2
- Cairns Days 3–5
- Sydney Days 6–8
- Auckland Days 9–10
- Hobbiton Movie Set Day 11
- Rotorua Day 11
- Queenstown Days 12–14
- Milford Sound Day 13
- Lake Tekapo Day 15
- Christchurch Days 16–18
Why choose this tour
Australia's and New Zealand's highlights in one journey, with internal flights. The reef, fiords and alpine lakes with a tour director throughout.
Best suited to
- First-time visitors to Australia and New Zealand
- Couples and friends
- Families with children aged 5 and over
- Travellers who want everything arranged
Day-by-day itinerary
18 days from Melbourne, Australia to Christchurch, New Zealand
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Day 1 · Melbourne Welcome to Melbourne
Meet your tour director for dinner.
- Hotel
- Crowne Plaza Melbourne or similar
- Meals
- Dinner
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Day 2 · Melbourne Melbourne
A walk through the city's laneways and arcades.
- Hotel
- Crowne Plaza Melbourne or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 3 · Cairns, Hartley's Creek Fly to Cairns
Fly to Cairns and cruise at Hartley's Creek.
- Hotel
- Hilton Cairns or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 4 · Great Barrier Reef Great Barrier Reef
A full day on the reef.
- Hotel
- Hilton Cairns or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
-
Day 5 · Cairns, Kuranda Free day in Cairns
Explore or take the Skyrail to Kuranda.
- Hotel
- Hilton Cairns or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
-
Day 6 · Sydney Fly to Sydney
Fly to Sydney.
- Hotel
- Sofitel Wentworth Sydney or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 7 · Sydney Opera House, Sydney Harbour Sydney
A sightseeing tour of Sydney.
- Hotel
- Sofitel Wentworth Sydney or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
-
Day 8 · Sydney Free day in Sydney
A free day to explore.
- Hotel
- Sofitel Wentworth Sydney or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
-
Day 9 · Auckland Fly to Auckland
Cross the Tasman to New Zealand.
- Hotel
- Horizon by SkyCity or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
-
Day 10 · Auckland Auckland
Visit the All Blacks experience.
- Hotel
- Horizon by SkyCity or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 11 · Hobbiton, Rotorua Hobbiton to Rotorua
Visit the Hobbiton Movie Set.
- Hotel
- Millennium Hotel Rotorua or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
-
Day 12 · Rotorua, Queenstown Rotorua to Queenstown
Visit the Kiwi Hatchery, then fly to Queenstown.
- Hotel
- Millennium Hotel Queenstown or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 13 · Te Anau, Milford Sound Milford Sound
A cruise on Milford Sound.
- Hotel
- Millennium Hotel Queenstown or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
-
Day 14 · Queenstown Free day in Queenstown
Explore or join an adventure activity.
- Hotel
- Millennium Hotel Queenstown or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
-
Day 15 · Lake Tekapo Lake Tekapo
Travel to turquoise Lake Tekapo.
- Hotel
- Peppers Bluewater Resort or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
-
Day 16 · Christchurch Christchurch
Travel to Christchurch.
- Hotel
- Distinction Christchurch or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 17 · Hurunui Hills Farm visit
Visit a hill-country farm and a farewell dinner.
- Hotel
- Distinction Christchurch or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
-
Day 18 · Christchurch Farewell
The tour ends after breakfast.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Where you stay
- Melbourne (2 nights) Crowne Plaza Melbourne or similar
- Cairns (3 nights) Hilton Cairns or similar
- Sydney (3 nights) Sofitel Wentworth Sydney or similar
- Auckland (2 nights) Horizon by SkyCity or similar
- Rotorua (1 night) Millennium Hotel Rotorua or similar
- Queenstown (3 nights) Millennium Hotel Queenstown or similar
- Lake Tekapo (1 night) Peppers Bluewater Resort or similar
- Christchurch (2 nights) Distinction Christchurch or similar
Hotel names are indicative and may be replaced with a property of similar standard and location.
What's included
Included
- Accommodation 17 nights in hotels
- Meals 17 breakfasts, 4 lunches and 8 dinners
- Internal flights and coach travel
- Great Barrier Reef day cruise with lunch
- Sydney sightseeing and Hartley's Creek cruise
- Hobbiton Movie Set, Kiwi Hatchery and All Blacks experience
- Milford Sound cruise and a farm visit near Christchurch
- Tour director throughout
Not included
- Meals not included 9 lunches and 9 dinners
- International flights
- Australia eVisitor and New Zealand NZeTA
- Optional activities
- Tips, travel insurance and personal spending
This trip might not be for you if…
Honest disclaimer — please read
- You want to see the Outback — this tour skips the Red Centre
- You want a small group — coach groups can be large
- You want to move slowly — the pace is busy
- You want international flights included — they are not
Good to know
Meals by day
Breakfast: Days 2–18 · Lunch: Days 4, 7, 13 and 17 · Dinner: Days 1, 5, 8–9, 11, 14–15 and 17
In pictures
Departures & prices
From £7,307 per person, twin share, tour only. 47 upcoming departures. Single travellers from £9,105 (single supplement from £1,798).
14 Jan 2027
Twin share
£7,791pp
Single from £9,737
28 Jan 2027
Twin share
£7,791pp
Single from £9,737
11 Feb 2027
Twin share
£8,483pp
Single from £10,641
04 Mar 2027
Twin share
£8,483pp
Single from £10,641
11 Mar 2027
Twin share
£7,791pp
Single from £9,737
18 Mar 2027
Twin share
£8,691pp
Single from £10,912
08 Apr 2027
Twin share
£7,633pp
Single from £9,629
06 May 2027
Twin share
£7,633pp
Single from £9,629
24 Jun 2027
Twin share
£7,633pp
Single from £9,629
26 Aug 2027
Twin share
£7,633pp
Single from £9,629
23 Sept 2027
Twin share
£7,633pp
Single from £9,629
07 Oct 2027
Twin share
£8,350pp
Single from £10,575
04 Nov 2027
Twin share
£7,941pp
Single from £9,988
18 Nov 2027
Twin share
£7,941pp
Single from £9,988
25 Nov 2027
Twin share
£7,941pp
Single from £9,988
02 Dec 2027
Twin share
£7,941pp
Single from £9,988
06 Jan 2028
Twin share
£7,941pp
Single from £9,988
13 Jan 2028
Twin share
£7,941pp
Single from £9,988
20 Jan 2028
Twin share
£7,941pp
Single from £9,988
27 Jan 2028
Twin share
£7,941pp
Single from £9,988
03 Feb 2028
Twin share
£7,941pp
Single from £9,988
10 Feb 2028
Twin share
£7,941pp
Single from £9,988
17 Feb 2028
Twin share
£7,941pp
Single from £9,988
02 Mar 2028
Twin share
£7,941pp
Single from £9,988
09 Mar 2028
Twin share
£7,941pp
Single from £9,988
16 Mar 2028
Twin share
£7,941pp
Single from £9,988
06 Apr 2028
Twin share
£8,650pp
Single from £10,935
04 May 2028
Twin share
£8,650pp
Single from £10,935
22 Jun 2028
Twin share
£8,650pp
Single from £10,935
24 Aug 2028
Twin share
£8,650pp
Single from £10,935
21 Sept 2028
Twin share
£8,650pp
Single from £10,935
05 Oct 2028
Twin share
£8,840pp
Single from £11,180
02 Nov 2028
Twin share
£8,990pp
Single from £11,330
16 Nov 2028
Twin share
£8,990pp
Single from £11,330
23 Nov 2028
Twin share
£8,990pp
Single from £11,330
30 Nov 2028
Twin share
£8,990pp
Single from £11,330
04 Jan 2029
Twin share
£8,990pp
Single from £11,330
11 Jan 2029
Twin share
£8,990pp
Single from £11,330
18 Jan 2029
Twin share
£8,990pp
Single from £11,330
25 Jan 2029
Twin share
£8,990pp
Single from £11,330
01 Feb 2029
Twin share
£8,990pp
Single from £11,330
08 Feb 2029
Twin share
£8,990pp
Single from £11,330
15 Feb 2029
Twin share
£8,990pp
Single from £11,330
01 Mar 2029
Twin share
£8,990pp
Single from £11,330
08 Mar 2029
Twin share
£8,990pp
Single from £11,330
15 Mar 2029
Twin share
£8,990pp
Single from £11,330
Frequently asked questions
How do I book this tour?
Tap any "Enquire" button on the page and one of our travel specialists will be in touch within 24 hours (often same day). We'll confirm availability on your preferred date, run through anything you need to know, and only ask for the deposit once you've decided.
What financial protection do I get?
Every Travelisto booking is 100% financially protected. Your money is held in a ring-fenced Trust account until you return from your trip, and we are members of the Protected Trust Services scheme (PTS 6035). Most tours also include ATOL protection where flights are part of the package.
Are internal flights included?
Yes, between the main regions in Australia and New Zealand, including across the Tasman.
Can I snorkel on the reef?
Yes, the reef day includes time to snorkel, with lunch on board.
Do I need visas?
UK visitors need an Australian eVisitor visa and a New Zealand NZeTA, applied for online.
What is the minimum age?
The minimum age is 5, with children accompanied by an adult.
When is the best time to go?
Departures run through the year; the southern summer is warmest.
How much walking is there?
Moderate walking on city tours and at sights.
Can you tailor the trip?
Yes — every escorted tour can be modified into a private tailor-made version with your own dates, adjusted pace, upgraded hotels and add-on extensions. Tell us what you'd like changed when you enquire and we'll quote it both ways so you can compare.
What if my flight is delayed or cancelled?
If your international flight is part of your booking through us, we re-book at no cost. If you've booked flights separately, the tour's local team holds your transfer slot until you arrive. We strongly recommend a comprehensive travel insurance policy that includes delay and cancellation cover.
ATOL protected
100% financially protected in a Trust bank account
PTS 6035
4.7 on Trustpilot
Tailor-made option
Not quite the right fit? Make it tailor-made.
If this group tour doesn't match your ideal trip, our specialists will turn it into a private tailor-made journey — your own dates, your own pace, upgraded hotels where you want them, and the parts you don't love swapped out. Same destinations, just rebuilt around you.
Contact us for a tailor-made version of this itinerary