20 Day Action Packed Australia and New Zealand Itinerary

Welcome to Sydney, the oldest and grandest of Australia's big cities. Dynamic, cosmopolitan and surrounded by stunning natural attractions, Sydney is the ultimate big city getaway. Set on one of the most beautiful harbours in the world and with famous architectural icons such as the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge to explore, Sydney offers plenty of excitement at any time of the year.

Settle in with a stroll along Circular Quay. With the Harbour Bridge at one end and the Opera House at the other, is there any more iconic place to begin your Australian dream vacation?

Accommodation: Sydney - 4 nights

Experience the Sydney Bridge Climb to the Summit

BridgeClimb is an experience that will never be forgotten on one of the world's most modern wonders. The Sydney Harbour Bridge. The BridgeClimb experience begins with a comprehensive briefing and safety demonstration to prepare you for the Climb of Your Life. The exhilaration and personal satisfaction achieved by reaching the top of the Bridge is rewarded by the breathtaking view that lies before you as you scale up the Sydney Harbour Bridge. There is no adventure like it in the world, no view like it, no feeling like it!

Sydney Harbour Lunch Kayak

For those looking to kayak in Sydney, this is the ultimate guided kayaking tour and one of the most beautiful paddles on Sydney Harbour. This exclusive kayak tour explores the inner harbour where you can admire the magnificent views of the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge. During your Sydney kayak, you'll stop for a delicious picnic lunch along the way. What a day, what an adventure! This fully guided tour by a professional kayaking guide is suitable for beginners or advanced kayakers. A three and a half to four hour kayak experience including kayak tuition, paddling and lunch break (fresh prawns, ham off the bone and fresh salads).

Check out the amazing Blue Mountains on this full day tour from Sydney. Get off the beaten track and be shown the Blue Mountains from an insider's perspective with experienced guides who know all of the most secluded lookouts, fascinating rainforest bush tracks and pristine valleys. Learn some local legends about aboriginal culture. From epic views at Pulpit Rock to Hargraves Lookout and Lincolns Rock, you are taken to some of the most awesome locations that many locals have probably never visited, but you will never forget.

If you prefer to just see Sydney's Highlights and want do it in the shortest time possible, then this ride's for you! Hop on the Sydney Highlights tour to experience the essentials of Sydney. It'll be a super easy ride featuring stunning harbour views as you pedal past Circular Quay, the piers at Walsh Bay, Darling Harbour, Hyde Park and the Royal Botanic Gardens. There's no better way to get a quick feel for the city, than the Harbour Highlights Tour!

Victoria's capital, Melbourne, sits on the Yarra River and around the shores of Port Phillip Bay and is very much about lifestyle. It is no huge surprise to residents that their city has been ranked as one of the world's most liveable cities. Melburnians love the city's vibrant energy, restaurants, fashion boutiques, café-filled laneways, cool bars, unbeatable galleries, spacious parks and village-like inner suburbs, each with its own special character. Melbourne has a population of 3.9 million people, is less than 200 years old and never sits still.

Accommodation:  Melbourne - 4 nights 

Our Great Ocean Road day tour is a full day spent exploring this truly majestic stretch of diverse coastline to take in its amazing array of spectacular attractions. Experience the roaring surf, white sand beaches, rocky outcrops and towering cliffs. There'll be stops at numerous beaches, lookouts and other scenic spots to allow you an opportunity to take plenty of snaps, as well as to simply relax while enjoying the stunning views. Highlights include the wildlife at Great Otway National Park, the seaside town of Apollo Bay, Port Campbell National Park, the 12 Apostles and Loch Ard Gorge.

When looking for things to do in Melbourne, it's all too easy to find yourself with a very long list and nowhere near enough time to do it all! From good food to retail therapy, from a reflective bushwalk through tranquil surrounds to a thorough exploration of the city's thriving arts and culture scene. Melbourne is packed with attractions, from laneways and street art to lush parks and grand galleries and museums. Get adventurous and try skydiving in St Kilda or V8 driving at Sandown Raceway, try hot air balloon ride - so much to see and do!

Travel on a small-group tour from Melbourne to Phillip Island to see the penguin parade and other wildlife highlights of Victoria. Your full-day tour stops at Moonlit Sanctuary Wildlife Conservation Park to meet Australian natives such as koalas and wallabies. Explore the dramatic Cape Woolamai surf beach and the Nobbies boardwalk where you can enjoy the views of the rugged South Coast. Full-day small group wildlife tour to Phillip Island from Melbourne, hand-feed the kangaroos and wallabies at Moonlit Wildlife Sanctuary, enjoy the views of Phillip Island's rugged coastline from the Nobbies boardwalk and see the penguin parade when hundreds of little penguins emerge from the ocean for the night.

Christchurch is the city of exploration, where urban regeneration and heritage thrive. The city is constantly evolving, always giving locals and visitors something new to explore. Expect street art and innovative projects, a bustling hospitality scene and established green spaces. Christchurch is the newest city in the world and it's time the world rediscovered its secrets. The central city is filled with cutting-edge architecture alongside some of the oldest buildings in New Zealand. Stop in at the Riverside market - an exciting new development consisting of a 7-day-trading, indoor market, linked to a vibrant network of boutique retail, restaurants, cafes & bars.

Accommodation: Christchurch - 1 night

Mt Cook National Park is known for its exquisite alpine beauty and is home to the highest mountain in New Zealand, Mount Cook. Its Maori name, 'Aoraki' means 'cloud piercer' and at 12,016ft (3,755m) it towers above the surrounding snow-covered peaks in the park. A third of the park is covered in permanent ice and snow and the mighty Tasman Glacier is the longest glacier outside of the polar regions. This is the very heart and soul of a World Heritage and National Park wilderness playground. Ice, snow, hidden valleys, lakes and glaciers offer golden opportunities for discovery, relaxation and adventure.

Stargazing Tour Mount Cook

The darkness of the night sky around Aoraki (Mount Cook) is unbeatable - its official! Let the team at Big Sky Stargazing introduce you to the wonders above. The 4367sq km Gold Status Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve is the largest in the world and for this tour you will be the centre of it all. Unleash your imagination as you discover planets, star clusters, moons, distant galaxies and even our very own galaxy, the spectacular Milky Way. See it all using the naked eye, state of the art astronomy telescopes and binoculars or if the weather is not favourable then 'live' under the high definition digital dome planetarium.

Accommodation: Mount Cook - 2 nights

Mt Cook Heli Hike takes you on an exploration of the Tasman Glacier, the largest of several glaciers which flow south and east towards the Mackenzie Basin from the Southern Alps. At 27km in length, Tasman Glacier is New Zealand's longest glacier. Your helicopter will fly you from Mount Cook Airport to around 1,200 metres above sea level where you will spend up to 2 hours in the mountains. Your guide will take you on a journey to explore the white ice with an interpretative trek. Your crampons bite into the glacier ice as you trek on easy undulating terrain, below Aoraki/Mt Cook and Mount Tasman the highest peaks of the Southern Alps.

Queenstown, located on the shores of Lake Wakatipu and surrounded by the magnificent Southern Alps, is New Zealand's most celebrated destination. Offering a wealth of accommodation to suit all travellers, there is huge diversity in the experiences to be enjoyed - from adrenaline activities such as bungee jumps and sky diving, adventurous excursions like jet-boating and hiking, through to superb golf, gourmet food and wine tours or romantic hot air ballooning.

Accommodation: Queenstown - 3 nights

Skyline Gondola and 3 Luge Rides

Reputed to be the steepest lift in the Southern Hemisphere, the gondola carries visitors high above Queenstown to the Skyline complex located on Bob's Peak. Situated an easy five minute walk from central Queenstown, the gondola is an all weather tourist attraction in its own right. Sit back and relax as the views from the gondola unfold while you journey to the Skyline complex. Up on top ride the Luge for some fast paced fun! Two 800 metre tracks winding down through the trees with scenic views and action packed turns.

TSS Earnslaw Cruise and Walter Peak Gourmet Dinner BBQ

The perfect way for you to end an action packed day in and around Queenstown is to take a nostalgic cruise on the TSS Earnslaw vintage steamship along Lake Wakatipu to the Colonel's Homestead at Walter Peak Farm. Enjoy high country hospitality and a carvery style buffet, or Homestead Roast, featuring the best of New Zealand meats and along with fresh vegetables and garden salads. You may well find the house dessert specialities hard to resist! An entertaining after dinner show provides a glimpse into farming life.

The Nevis is by far the highest in Australasia, towering 134 metres (440 feet) above the Nevis River the Highwire is the same height as the top of Sydney Harbour Bridge. Jumpers accelerate to over a screaming 128kmph. Purpose designed and built purely for bungy jumping with a jump pod suspended by hightension wires that span 380 metres across The Nevis River, access is by cable car. Even hardened jumpers from other sites have been known to be Nervous on the Nevis.

Te Anau is a township of tranquil beauty nestled on the shores of Lake Te Anau. It is located close to the main southern walking tracks such as the Hollyford, Routeburn and Greenstone Tracks. Other activities based at Te Anau include flight seeing, fishing, kayaking, sailing and horse riding as well as a variety of trips on the lake itself. You can also visit the underground waterfall and glow-worm grotto of the Te Anau Caves. This mountainous region of unspoilt forests and lakes was the home of two of the more remote regions of the Lord of the Rings movies.

Te Anau Glow Worm Caves

The fascinating caves system on the western shore of Lake Te Anau offers an underground adventure that charms visitors of all ages.Following a scenic cruise across beautiful Lake Te Anau, informative and friendly guides take you on an exploration of the caves by path and small punt. Observe how the rushing water sculpts the rock formations, before gliding through silent darkness to the glowworm grotto. The delicate incandescence of hundreds of tiny glowworms is a magical sight.

Accommodation: Te Anau - 2 nights

Travel down the Upper Waiau River with crisp air rushing by, crystal-clear waters below & stunning views all around. Pause along the way to learn about the area's rich history, spot trout, re-imagine Lord of the Rings from 3 film locations. Enjoy plenty of photo opportunities plus high-speeds and spins - great fun for all. Emerge onto Lake Manapouri & embrace true silence while surrounded by towering mountains and a view that will leave you speechless.

Disembark into the National Park for a short guided nature stroll among native flora and fauna. Back at the boat ramp, mount-up on hard-tail mountain bikes to follow the designated cycle trail along the river's edge back to Town - 10km moderate fitness required, eBike upgrade available.

Travel approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes to Milford Sound – "The Eighth Wonder of the World". Moody Dramatic and Stunning - Milford Sound is simply stunning. Milford Sound offers what is probably the most spectacular fiord scenery in the southern hemisphere, and the well-known and striking views of Mitre Peak from the head of the fiord form the subject of innumerable paintings, postcards, posters, and pictorial postage stamps. Whatever the fiord's mood, teeming with rain or with sun glistening on deep water, it will inspire you.

Accommodation: Milford Sound - 2 nights

Milford Sound is of New Zealand's most spectacular sea kayaking destinations! The way to really experience the magnificence of this world famous fiord is at water level from a sea kayak. Paddle beneath towering granite overhangs, waterfalls, the Pembroke Glacier - Stare up at Mitre Peak, glacier scarred rock walls that rise 1200 meters (3937 feet) vertically from the sea and waterfalls that tumble from hanging valleys and crash into the sound far below - don't get too close! You will be accompanied by Fur seals, the rare Fiordland Crested Penguins and the playful dolphins both Bottlenose & Dusky that frequent the fiord.

Travel approximately 3 hours and 45 minutes back to Queenstown. Although celebrated as New Zealand's 'adventure capital' Queenstown offers far more than a fast paced action-packed holiday. Head down the Gibbston Valley wine trail to sample some of the region's best Pinot or catch a ride on the 100 year old Steamship - the TSS Earnslaw - to Walter Peak Station for dinner and a farm tour. Browse the waterfront cafes and have lunch at Michelin star chef Josh Emett's 'Rata.' -but if you do really want the adrenaline rush Queenstown is known for, take your pick from the Shotover Jet, Nevis Bungy, Canyon Swing, Zipline, Luge or Heli-ski.

Accommodation: Queenstown - 1 night

Today we say farewell. There may be time for some last minute excursions or shopping before you head home. We know you will enjoy your New Zealand holiday and our promise is to make your travels through New Zealand and Australia as hassle-free and hospitable as possible - ensuring that today you leave with a camera full of photos, and huge smiles on your faces when recalling your time in New Zealand! Have a great homeward journey, farewell and hope to see you again soon..