First Choice
Internal-vacation flights included

Australia and New Zealand Panorama
15 Day Guided Vacation | Melbourne to Rotorua
Travel Period
Just how many legendary Antipodean attractions can you tick off in one journey? This comprehensive Melbourne to Auckland tour does both Australia and New Zealand justice. There’s the World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef and Wet Tropics of Queensland, Sydney Opera House, electric Melbourne lanes, Queenstown’s Remarkable Range, Rotorua’s steamy thermals and Auckland’s just-as-hot restaurants, just to name some highlights… phew!
Prices From CODE: QPACA
$7780
Above lowest price is based on 2023-06-29 departure
$9910
Above lowest price is based on 2023-06-29 departure
Child prices are available on request
*Internal-vacation flights: Please note that the price includes land and internal-vacation airfares, which are required to be booked in order to fulfil the vacation itinerary.
Secure your trip with a deposit
Trip Details
What's included
- • Specialist team of two highly experienced Travel Director and Driver Guide
- • Local Specialists (Guides)
- • Centrally located premium hotels
Dining
- • 14 Full Breakfasts
- • 1 Lunch
- • 4 Dinners with Wine
- • 2 Highlight Dinners
- • 1 Farewell Dinner
- • 1 Be My Guest Lunch
Flight Information
- • Day 1: Flights to arrive prior to 12:00pm into Melbourne Airport
- • Day 3: Melbourne to Cairns VA1291 (Required Internal Flight)
- • Day 6: Cairns to Sydney VA1418 (Required Internal Flight)
- • Day 15: Flights to depart after 2:00pm from Auckland Airport
- • Airline schedules may change at short notice. Please consider possible flight disruption when booking your flights.
What to Bring
- • Camera
- • Comfortable walking shoes
- • Sunglasses, sunscreen and hat
- • Water bottle
- • Warm layers in cooler months
Fitness Requirements
- • Low level of fitness required
Itinerary

We recommend arriving early in Melbourne – there’s so much to see in the Victorian capital before you meet your fellow travel companions
Hotel:
Crowne Plaza Hotel Melbourne,
2 Nights
Included Meals:
Dinner with Wine
Today, reach for rainbows in Melbourne’s eye-popping street art. Follow the lead of a local to discover alleys emblazoned with murals by some of the world’s greatest aerosol artists. Take note of the hidden bars and restaurants you pass – we can help you make a booking for tonight.
Included Meals:
Breakfast
Koalas, birds, wallabies, crocodiles – oh my! They all live side by side at Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures in Cairns, as you’ll discover on a boat cruise you’ll with a private guide through this wilderness reserve. The Daintree Rainforest here is part of the World Heritage listed Wet Tropics of Queensland, and you’ll help protect it on a restoration project.
Hotel:
Hilton Hotel Cairns,
3 Nights
Included Meals:
Breakfast
Did you know that the World Heritage listed Great Barrier Reef is home to 1,500 species of fish, 215 different birds, 3,000 molluscs, six of the world’s seven marine turtle species, and 30 species of dolphins and whales are residents? Get ready for an experience of a lifetime when you board a high-speed catamaran and cruise to the outer edge of the Great Barrier Reef. Strap on a snorkel and mask to view this marine menagerie up close and personal.
Included Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch
If you’re in the habit of getting up early now, you may wish to begin your day with a horizon-bending hot-air-balloon ride over the Atherton Tablelands. Prefer to stay grounded? Sign up for a guided walk through the Daintree Rainforest, or surround yourself with nature riding the Scenic Railway to Kuranda returning on the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway. Tonight, join your companions for dinner, with native ingredients highlighted at Ochre Restaurant on the waterfront.
Included Meals:
Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
You flew over Sydney Harbour to get here from Cairns; tonight you enjoy a front-row seat on a sunset cruise that takes you bast the Opera House and under the Harbour Bridge. Talk about a mesmerising way to end a day.
Hotel:
Sofitel Wentworth Hotel Sydney,
3 Nights
Included Meals:
Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
Discover one of the great highlights of Sydney, the beautiful Sydney Opera House with a guided tour inside this iconic building. If there was ever a place that slipped from the pages of a fairy-tale, Wendy’s Secret Garden at Lavender Bay is it. Overlooking Sydney Harbour, this pocket of floral paradise is explained by a local volunteer – did you know this was once unused wasteland? Your visit provides a contribution to the ongoing maintenance of the enchanting garden. Explore Sydney’s inner west and enjoy a lunch with the locals at the pub. Then drive through Sydney's hip Inner West to Batch Brewery where you will take part in a masterclass and learn how they combine creatively inspired limited release batches with sustainable practices.
Included Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch
The day is yours to explore at your leisure or book one of our hand-crafted selection of optional experiences. There are so many sights and activities to be had in this city and further afield. Enjoy your farewell Dinner tonight with your fellow travellers
Included Meals:
Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
It's time to say Hoo Roo Australia and Kia Ora New Zealand as you fly to Queenstown’s adventure capital. Take in its alpine, mountain town vibe, where the evening is free for you to enjoy one of its many lakefront restaurants and bars. Why not try some of the famous New Zealand lamb with a Pinot Noir from the local Otago wine region?
Hotel:
Millennium Hotel, Queenstown,
3 Nights
Included Meals:
Breakfast
Flying over New Zealand, the first thing you’ll notice is that there’s a lot of farmland. It’s fitting, then, that one of the first people you’ll meet is southern girl Laura, who will introduce you to the sheep farm she was born and raised on. Think sheep mustering and whip cracking as well as the chance to feed and pet the farm animals. Then you’ll feel like you’ve stepped back in time when you arrive at former gold-mining town of Arrowtown. Come dusk, cruise across Lake Wakatipu aboard the TSS Earnslaw; the only thing more inspiring than the peaks of the Remarkables that surround is the festive atmosphere welcoming you to Walter Peak High Country Farm, where a gourmet barbecue at the Colonel’s Homestead awaits.
Included Meals:
Breakfast, Highlight Dinner
You could spend a long time in and around Queenstown. But on your free day, we highly recommend either venturing into the end-of-the-Earth wilderness that is Milford Sound, to cruise past sheer cliffs, white-capped peaks and waterfalls. Or blissing out on an obligatory wine tour of the Otago region. It’s a difficult decision.
Included Meals:
Breakfast
Touching down in Auckland, you’ll immediately understand why it’s known as the ‘City of Sails’ – New Zealand’s largest city has two lovely yacht-filled harbours, which you can explore at our leisure this afternoon.
Hotel:
The Grand by SkyCity
Included Meals:
Breakfast
Today is set to sparkle – quite literally – as thousands of bright green and blue glowworms light up your next destination: the cavernous Ruakuri Cave at Waitomo. From overhead attractions to those below the ground… this evening your Highlight Dinner is prepared in an earthen Hangi at Te Puia. Your meal, succulent meats and vegetables, hot chocolate and steamed pudding, is served while you overlook the spectacular geothermal valley. Cap it off with a moving Māori cultural performance in the beautifully carved meeting house, Te Aronui a Rua. It’s an insightful and fun evening that will surely leave you with a newfound understanding and love for New Zealand.
Hotel:
Millennium Hotel, Rotorua,
2 Nights
Included Meals:
Breakfast, Highlight Dinner
Cute and cuddly, NZ’s national bird, the kiwi, is also endangered. Go behind the scenes on a working kiwi nursery and hatchery to learn how breeding programs are helping the population thrive. The natural drama reaches boiling point at Whakarewarewa, a geothermal reserve and the country’s only living Māori village, home to famous Pohutu Geyser and the bubbling beauty of mud pools. You’ll cap off your day joining your Travel Director and companions for a Farewell Dinner at Poco Tapas & Wine, where the menu is designed for sharing.
Included Meals:
Breakfast, Farewell Dinner
Two countries, multiple adventures, an abundance of new friends… Just how do you say goodbye to a journey like this?
Included Meals:
Breakfast
Please note: This itinerary may be subject to change.
Australia and New Zealand Panorama
First Choice
15 Day Guided Vacation
Melbourne to Rotorua
Just how many legendary Antipodean attractions can you tick off in one journey? This comprehensive Melbourne to Auckland tour does both Australia and New Zealand justice. There’s the World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef and Wet Tropics of Queensland, Sydney Opera House, electric Melbourne lanes, Queenstown’s Remarkable Range, Rotorua’s steamy thermals and Auckland’s just-as-hot restaurants, just to name some highlights… phew!
Highlights

Insider Knowledge
Ever wondered how the Sydney Opera House was crafted, and which performers have taken to the stage? Go behind the scenes with a local expert.

Local Connection
Farm life is a thing for many New Zealand locals. Meet Laura, who will teach you about life on the land on her South Island estate.

Cultural Immersion
Kiwis celebrate their heritage at every chance possible, as you’ll discover at Te Puia, where your dinner comes with an eye-opening performance revealing New Zealand’s Maori heritage.

Sustainable Footprints
Operation Nest Egg may sound like it’s from a Bond movie, but it’s actually a way that the National Kiwi Hatchery is helping boost the population of kiwi birds in the wild. Your visit helps.

Wildlife and Nature
Cairns is a place two World Heritage Sites meet: The Wet Tropics of Queensland and the Great Barrier Reef. Bring your sense of adventure to explore both.
Accommodation
Your Guided Holiday includes a range of quality accommodation for your comfort.
The accommodation you will enjoy on this tour includes:


Crowne Plaza Hotel Melbourne is located on Spencer Street on the fringe of the CBD. Just a short stroll to Crown Casino, Docklands and South Wharf, Crowne Plaza Melbourne is a Southbank hotel ideally situated on the bank of the Yarra River.
- 220/240 V AC
- Air Conditioning
- Radio
- Direct Dial Telephone
- Satellite/cable colour TV
- Wi-Fi
- Iron / Ironing Board
- Microwave
- Hair Dryer
- Communal self-catering kitchen
- Manual temperature control
Features


Set amid tropical greenery on Cairns’ waterfront, this hotel is a gateway to the Great Barrier Reef. The Reef Terminal is just 400 metres from the hotel’s front doors, and both the Boardwalk and Esplanade dining precincts are just a short 2 minute stroll.
- Air Conditioning
- Radio
- Phone
- Private balcony
- Bathrobe
- Bathroom Amenities
- Hair Dryer
- Internet Access
- Mini Bar
- Iron / Ironing Board
Features


Sofitel Sydney Wentworth offers a luxury escape without equal. Ideally situated in the heart of central Sydney’s business and shopping districts, this hotel is conveniently located 500 metres from the nearest ferry, train and bus stops and only minutes from famous Sydney attractions like the Opera House, Circular Quay, The Rocks and the Royal Botanic Gardens.


Millennium Hotel Queenstown is only minutes from Queenstown shopping, entertainment and outdoor activities such as bungee jumping, white water rafting and jet boating.
- Air Conditioning
- Colour TV
- Refrigerator
- Mini Bar
- Phone
- In-room safe
- Iron / Ironing Board
- Hair Dryer
- Electric blankets
- Broadband Internet access
Features


Discover an oasis of luxury in the heart of Auckland's vibrant city. The modern and spacious SKYCITY Grand Hotel allows you to relax in style while enjoying our world-class casino, more than 20 restaurants, cafes and bars, a theatre, free live entertainment on selected nights and the iconic Sky Tower.
- Plasma television
- Bathrobe
- Luxury bathroom products
- Mini Bar
- Refrigerator
- Air Conditioning
- In-house movies
- Coffee/tea making facilities
- Work Desk
- Iron / Ironing Board
- Hair Dryer
- In-room safe
Features


Centrally located in the city beside mystical Lake Rotorua, this hotel is just a brief stroll from the Rotorua Museum, Convention Centres and adjacent to a Polynesian Spa.
- Air Conditioning
- Mini Bar
- Coffee/tea making facilities
- Internet Access
- Sky TV
- Personalised message and wakeup service
- Work Desk
- Radio
- Hair Dryer
- In-room safe
- Iron / Ironing Board
Features
Need accommodation before or after your tour?
Our special discounted rates make booking accommodation with us during your holiday both easy and affordable at selected AAT Kings hotels and resorts. Ask our friendly reservations at the time of booking.
Optional Experiences
To ensure your holiday is filled with memorable experiences, we have included a range of quality Optional Excursions for you to choose from and partake in, if you wish, during your holiday. The excursions can be booked on tour through your Travel Director.
Appellation Central Wine Tours - Boutique Wine Tour (Queenstown)

NZ$219 Adult NZ$139 Child
An afternoon amongst the boutique vineyards and splendid alpine scenery of Central Otago. Taste wines at 4 premium vineyards over two contrasting wine regions, learn about the wine and pioneering history and visit the Historic Precinct of Old Cromwell. Includes a delightful platter lunch and a glass of wine with lunch.
Down Under Tours Kuranda Skyrail and Scenic Railway (Cairns)

Adult Price: AUD $186Child Price: AUD $98
Join your Down Under Tours coach transfer to Smithfield Station. Here you join Skyrail and marvel at the World's Most Beautiful Rainforest Experience, including time at both Red Peak and Barron Falls stations, both with spectacular lookouts. On arrival in Kuranda, the Village is yours to explore. The vibrant and colourful Heritage markets take place daily. Your return to Cairns is aboard the famous Kuranda Scenic Rail. Winding around curves, across bridges and through hand-hewn tunnels, this amazing engineering feat is a tribute to our pioneers. Upon arrival at historic Freshwater Station, you will board your coach back to your accommodation.
Down Under Tours Daintree Dreaming With Ngadiku Walk (Cairns)

Adult Price: AUD $306 Child Price: AUD $275
Great Adventures Introductory Dive (Cairns)

Adult Price: AUD 184.00
For an underwater adventure to remember, experience an introductory dive! It’s fun and no experience is necessary to take a fully supervised introductory dive. Professional and experienced instructors will guide you through every aspect of your dive, allowing you to have a relaxed, enjoyable experience.
Hot Air Cairns - 40 Minute Flight (Cairns)

Adult Price: AUD 440.00 + flight levy (Weekday), $495.00 + flight levy (Weekend)
Experience the fun & unique sensation of being in a Hot Air Balloon, flying gently high above the Atherton Tablelands, Australia. The balloon takes off from Mareeba on the Atherton Tablelands. Enjoy the picturesque landscape at dawn, floating in your Hot Air Balloon, time to really breathe in the wide-open spaces! We have Australia's largest fleet of Hot Air Balloons and a fun and highly trained crew to maximise the enjoyment of your balloon flight. It's just like a balloon festival, every day!
*Additional $30.00 insurance levy to be paid direct to Hot Air Cairns applies.
** If your tour ends in Cairns, you must have post tour accommodation or a late departing flight. Ask us for details
Nautilus Aviation (Cairns)
Adult Price: AUD $199
Take to the sky on a 10-minute scenic flight. You will have the best seat to witness the iconic Great Barrier Reef from above.
Phillip Island - Penguins, Koalas & Wildlife (Melbourne)

Adult Price: AUD 199.00
Child Price: AUD 139.00
If you’re curious about our native wildlife or just love animals, we’ve got you covered today! Start the day off with a visit to the Koala Conservation Reserve where you’ll join an experienced park Ranger and explore the tree top boardwalks to see the koalas up close in their natural habitat.Then there is the main attraction – The little penguins waddling up the sand to their dune burrow homes returning from their daily fishing excursion. Arrive at Phillip Island Parade Visitors Centre and learn about the life cycle of the little penguins and learn of the environmental and conservation initiatives in place to ensure the wildlife and vulnerable geology of Phillip Island remains protected. As the sun goes down, head to the beach and watch as the Little Penguins battle the surf and make their way to their dune burrows. See the Little Penguins up close as they return to their nests to greet their families.
FIND OUT MOREPure Glenorchy - Lord of the Rings Scenic Tour (road-Queenstown)

NZ$180 Adult NZ$90 Child
Lord of The Rings Scenic Tour: Visit the stunning locations from Lord of The Rings. Encounter lsengard, Lothlorien Forest, The Misty Mountains, Ithilien and many more. Experience the absolute beauty of the Dart River Valley and our closest world heritage area. Learn about the remarkable history and unique culture of Glenorchy. Our tour feature’s some of the world’s most spectacular scenery visiting Mt Aspiring World Heritage Area, Glenorchy, The Dart River Valley and Paradise. Encounter ancient beech forest, braided rivers and glacier carved valleys.
Milford Sound Day Trip (Queenstown)
Adult: $219.00 NZD
Child: 119.00 NZD
Enjoy Milford Sound’s awe-inspiring scenery from the comfort of our modern, spacious vessels. Our Scenic Cruise vessels have purpose-built observation lounges and large decks, so you can be sure you’ll get some great viewing opportunities. You’ll see the geological drama of sheer cliffs, massive waterfalls, glaciers and rainforest. Keep a look out for wildlife like seals basking on the rocks or dolphins. During the cruise, our friendly crew provide commentaries in several languages and point out the sights such as Mitre Peak and the Pembroke Glacier.
Dinner and Harbour Cruise on Spirit of Cairns (Cairns)

Adult Price: From AUD 119.00
Child Price: From AUD 69.00
A Cairns Dinner Cruise is the perfect way to end a perfect day in paradise. Step aboard the luxury catamaran Spirit of Cairns for a 2.5 hour evening cruise through the calm water inlet and waterfront precinct of Cairn. Enjoy fabulous dining and live music with the lights of Cairns City and mountain silhouettes as your backdrop.
Sydney Opera House Behind the Scenes Tour (Sydney)

Adult: $43.00
Child: $23.00
Join a Local Guide on a behind the scenes tour of the Sydney Opera House as you go on a journey to uncover untold stories, anecdotes and history as you discover the magic beneath the sails. Watch unforgettable moments from past Concert Hall performances, learn the history and future of this world-famous building that boasts heritage inspired interiors and state or the art technology and of course marvel at the soaring cathedral interiors.
Sydney Tower Restaurant Dinner (Sydney)

Adult Price: AUD 72.00
Child Price: AUD 23.00
Enjoy a memorable evening perched high above the city with uninterrupted revolving views. This delicious buffet dinner includes over 40 freshly prepared dishes across a range of international cuisines including a selection of fresh seafood, salads, hot dishes and desserts. Prices from:
Blue Mountains & Australian Wildlife (J15) (Sydney)

Adult Price: AUD 243.00
Child Price: AUD 171.00
Explore the World Heritage listed Blue Mountains. Stretching over one million hectares, the Blue Mountains is an inspiring mix of rainforest, canyons, tall forests and heathlands. Visit the famous Three Sisters rock formation up close from Echo Point before arriving at Scenic World where you can witness the vastness of the Blue Mountains as you join the Scenic Railway, Cableway and Skyway. These rides are a great way to see the steep valleys and canyons and follow the boardwalk along the valley floor. Stop in picturesque Leura at lunchtime and grab a bite to eat at one of the many cafés. Encounter koalas, kangaroos, wombats and other native animals.
FIND OUT MOREBridge Climb (Sydney)

Adult Price: AUD 344.00
Child Price: AUD 149.00
Hand On Country Eco Tour (Cairns)
Adult: $149.00 AUD
Child: $79.00 AUD
Deadly After Dark Sunset Cruise (Cairns)
Adult: $99.00 AUD
Child: $59.00 AUD
Sydney Heli Tours - 20min Flight (Sydney)

Adult Price: AUD 240.00
Child Price: AUD 240.00
This is the best way to see Sydney in all its glory. See full panoramic views of the Harbour Bridge, Opera House, Manly Cove and Sydney’s spectacular Harbour and city skyline. This tour will leave you breathless! Throughout your 20 minute flight your pilot will be providing you with expert commentary via voice activated headsets. The photo opportunities are once in a lifetime on this journey in the sky.
* If your tour ends in Sydney, you must have post tour accommodation or a late departing flight. Ask us for details
Sydney Heli Tours (30 mins) (Sydney)
Adult: $360.00 AUD
Child: $360.00 AUD
This is the best way to see Sydney in all its glory on an extended flight. See full panoramic views of the Harbour Bridge, Opera House, Manly Cove, Sydney’s spectacular Harbour and city skyline and as far north as Long Reef. This tour will leave you breathless! Throughout your 30 minute flight your pilot will be providing you with expert commentary via voice activated headsets. The photo opportunities are once in a lifetime on this journey in the sky.
Skyfeast Sydney Tower Restaurant Dinner (Sydney)
Adult: $100.00 AUD
Child: $45.00 AUD
Enjoy a memorable evening perched high above the city with uninterrupted revolving views. This delicious buffet dinner includes over 40 freshly prepared dishes across a range of international cuisines including a selection of fresh seafood, salads, hot dishes and desserts. Prices from
The Rocks Pub Walk (Sydney)

Adult Price: From AUD 115.00
Tread in the footsteps of the convicts, larrikin gangs & locals of the past as you share a drink in four of Sydney's oldest pubs. Between watering holes, your guide will take you through the alleys & cobbled streets of The Rocks as they share the gossip, shouts and stories of Australia's first European settlement. Tour includes: A choice of a beer (285ml/10oz), house wine or soft drink at each pub. 2.5 hours in duration. Runs 2:30pm & 6.30pm daily. Commences from Harts Pub, Essex St & Gloucester Street, The Rocks.
Dart River Jet (Queenstown)

NZ$299 Adult NZ$205 Child
A stimulating not-to-be missed journey into the Dart River Valley where mythology, heritage & fantasy meet reality. our Jet trip is an exhilarating and spectacular journey deep into the heart of the world-renowned Mt Aspiring National Park, with the only jet boat operator allowed on the Dart River.
Kiwi Birdlife Park (Queenstown)

Adult: $52.00 NZD
Child: $26.00 NZD
The Kiwi Birdlife Park is a wildlife sanctuary found in the heart of Queenstown. They hold and display over 20 species of native NZ wildlife in our 5 acre Park, all of which are part of nationally managed programmes. Your entry fee supports their conservation work. They offer guaranteed kiwi viewing in our specially constructed nocturnal houses, audio tours (available in English and Japanese; allow 45min), Conservation Shows (11am, 3pm; allow 30min) and Kiwi Feedings (10am, 12pm, 1.30pm, 4.30pm; allow 15min). They offer an all-day pass and the park can be enjoyed in all weather. Experience conservation in action!
KJET (Queenstown)
NZ$99 Adult NZ$59 Child
Firstly, your twin engine Jet boat roars across crystal clear Lake Wakatipu at breath-taking speed. You’ll be surrounded by majestic mountains and mesmerising scenery. Then you zoom under the Kawarau Dam onto the deep green waters of The Kawarau River where we’ll take you for lots of 360° spins. Next the adventure heightens as your driver navigates the fast –moving currents of the narrow braided Shotover River. Your Big Yellow will race up the shallow channels at speeds of up to 95km/h. All the while skimming across water that’s less than 5cm deep in places.Finally, you return to the Pier for a complimentary view from Queenstown’s Underwater Observatory. Here you can view and purchase photos and videos from your trip. Then get up close and personal with our fascinating rainbow trout and lake-life.
Real Journeys - Walter Peak BBQ Dinner and Earnslaw (Queenstown)
NZ$159 Adult NZ$89 Child
Enjoy a 30-minute jet boat ride down the mighty Shotover River and through Shotover Canyon with the only company permitted to operate in this area. A major highlight is experiencing the famous “Shotover Jet Turn” where your boat spins through a full 360 degrees turn. Includes return transfers from Queenstown. (Duration: 1.5 hours in total)