The Best of Oz and NZ 15 Day Self Drive Tour Itinerary

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1

Melbourne

Begin your Australian adventure in Melbourne, a vibrant city celebrated for its hidden laneways, world-class dining, beautiful gardens, and thriving arts scene. Spend the day settling in and discovering why this cosmopolitan city is consistently ranked among the world's most liveable.

Inclusions at a glance:

  • Arrival into Melbourne
  • Explore Melbourne at leisure
  • Laneways, cafés & markets
  • 2 nights in Melbourne

Suggested Accommodation: 

Melbourne

Little Bourke offers modern accommodation in Melbourne's Chinatown. All self-contained apartments include high-speed internet access and flat-screen cable TV. Little Bourke is surrounded by the restaurants, bars and cafes of Melbourne’s vibrant CBD. Her Majesty’s Theatre is next door and Princess Theatre is a 5-minute walk away.

Punthill little Bourke

2

Melbourne

Journey along one of the world's most spectacular coastal drives, where dramatic cliffs, pristine beaches, lush rainforest, and iconic limestone formations create an unforgettable day of discovery.

Inclusions at a glance:

  • Morning tea
  • Full-day  Great Ocean Road tour
  • Twelve Apostles & Otway Rainforest
  • Apollo Bay & coastal villages

 

12 Apostles

3

Melbourne to Uluru (Ayers Rock)

Leave the city behind and fly to Australia's spiritual heart, Ayers Rock. Rising from the desert plains, Uluru is one of the world's most extraordinary natural landmarks and a place of deep cultural significance to the Anangu people.

Inclusions at a glance:

  • Flight to Uluru
  • Explore Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park
  • 2 nights in Uluru

Ready to make the journey yours? Enquire online or speak with a Travel Designer to personalise your ideal wildlife and nature adventure.

Suggested Accommodation:

Uluru Sunrise

Emu Walk Apartments are just a short walk from Ayers Rock Resort centre. Each apartment is air-conditioned and has a TV with free-to-air channels, plus a balcony or veranda. All apartments are self-contained, with separate kitchen, living and bedroom areas. Emu Walk Apartments are close to Gecko’s cafe which offers gourmet pizzas, pasta and Mediterranean-style dishes.

Emu Walk Apartments

4

Uluru

Experience the Red Centre in a truly unforgettable way as you journey across the desert by camel before witnessing Bruce Munro's spectacular Field of Light installation illuminated beneath the night sky.

Inclusions at a glance:

  • Canapés & sparkling wine
  • Desert camel ride
  • Field of Light Star Pass
  • Sunset views of Uluru

Make it yours
Add a morning cultural base walk with an Aboriginal guide to gain a deeper understanding of Uluru's spiritual significance.

Camel Uluru

5

Uluru to Sydney

Take to the skies for a breathtaking aerial perspective of Uluru and Kata Tjuta before continuing to Sydney, Australia's iconic harbour city, where sparkling waterways and world-famous landmarks await.

Inclusions at a glance:

  • Fly to Sydney
  • Sydney Harbour Dinner Cruise
  • 2 nights in Sydney

Suggested Accommodation:

Sydney

Adina Town Hall Sydney is a stunning, fully refurbished apartment hotel centrally located on Kent Street in Sydney’s CBD. Conveniently adjacent to Town Hall Station, it offers easy access to the city’s top attractions. The hotel is within walking distance of the Queen Victoria Building, Pitt Street Mall, Chinatown, Darling Harbour and Barangaroo. Accommodations include spacious studio and apartment-style options with contemporary design and modern comforts. The hotel also features an on-site gym and indoor swimming pool.

adina apartment hotel sydney town hall

6

Sydney

Spend the day exploring Sydney at your own pace. Discover famous beaches, waterfront neighbourhoods, and vibrant dining precincts, or simply soak up the atmosphere of one of the world's most beautiful harbour cities.

Inclusions at a glance:

  • Explore Sydney at leisure
  • Sydney Harbour & beaches
  • Shopping & dining opportunities

Make it yours
Enhance your time in Sydney with a Harbour Bridge climb, a visit to Taronga Zoo, a private harbour cruise, or a tailored sightseeing experience.

Sydney Opera

7

Sydney to Auckland

Cross the Tasman Sea and arrive in Auckland, New Zealand's largest city. Surrounded by sparkling harbours and volcanic landscapes, Auckland offers a wonderful introduction to the country's relaxed lifestyle and natural beauty.

Inclusions at a glance:

  • Flight to Auckland
  • Explore Auckland at leisure
  • Harbour & volcanic landscapes
  • 1 night in Auckland

Make it yours
Celebrate your time in Auckland with a private harbour cruise or a unique three-course dining experience at Orbit 360°, overlooking the sparkling city lights.

Suggested Accommodation:

Auckland - View from the Harbour

Adina Apartment Hotel Auckland Britomart offers stylish, spacious accommodation in a prime city location. Ideal for both short and extended stays, it combines the comfort of apartment living with the convenience of hotel services. Guests enjoy modern interiors, on-site dining, and easy access to shopping, dining and key attractions.

Adina

8

Auckland to Rotorua

Travel through the lush Waikato countryside to the magical Waitomo Glowworm Caves, where thousands of tiny lights illuminate an underground world before continuing to Rotorua, the cultural and geothermal heart of New Zealand.

Inclusions at a glance:

  • Waitomo Glowworm Grotto experience
  • See Rotorua's geothermal wonders
  • 2 nights in Rotorua

Make it yours
Stop by to visit the infamous Hobbiton Movie Set tour on your way to Auckland – a must-see experience enjoyed by all ages.

Approximate Distance: 225 kms | 140 miles  Total Driving Time: 2 hours 50 mins

Suggested Accommodation:

Glowworm Caves Waitomo
Accommodation:
Regent of Rotorua is a chic boutique retreat in the heart of the city, just steps from Lake Rotorua and vibrant Eat Street. Blending glamour and comfort, it offers a stylish base for exploring the region’s geothermal wonders and cultural attractions. Guests can unwind in the heated outdoor or indoor thermal pools, enjoy contemporary dining at the Regent Room, and relax with warm, attentive service in a sophisticated yet inviting atmosphere.
Regent of Rotorua

9

Rotorua

Discover one of New Zealand's most extraordinary geothermal landscapes before immersing yourself in Māori culture with an evening of traditional food, storytelling, music, and performance.

Inclusions at a glance:

Make it yours
Unwind with a soak in natural hot springs or discover the towering redwoods on a guided forest walk.

Rotorua Geothermal

10

Rotorua to Queenstown

Enjoy a leisurely morning before flying south to Queenstown, New Zealand's adventure capital, surrounded by towering mountains and the crystal-clear waters of Lake Wakatipu.

Inclusions at a glance:

  • Flight to Queenstown
  • Alpine scenery & lake views
  • 3 nights in Queenstown

Make it yours
Upgrade your evening with a scenic Skyline Gondola ride followed by a memorable dinner with panoramic alpine views.

Suggested Accommodation:

Central Otago - Queenstown

Sitting on the crystal-clear shores of Lake Wakatipu, Novotel Gardens is centrally located - only a five-minute walk to town on level ground - home to prime restaurants and boutique shopping. Rooms are spacious and comfortable with views from private balconies over manicured landscapes, with the property being adjacent to the beautiful Queenstown Gardens.

Novotel Queenstown

11

Queenstown

Experience one of the world's most spectacular landscapes with a scenic flight and cruise through Milford Sound, where towering peaks, waterfalls, and rainforest create an unforgettable journey.

Inclusions at a glance:

Milford Nature Cruise

12

Queenstown

Enjoy a full day to discover Queenstown your way. From adventure activities and wine tasting to scenic cruises and alpine walks, there's something here for every traveller.

Inclusions at a glance:

  • Explore Queenstown at leisure
  • Collect South Island rental car
  • Lakeside & mountain scenery

Make it yours
Choose from a range of unforgettable experiences, including a premium winery tour, a guided Routeburn adventure, a scenic Dart River Safari, or a round of golf in one of New Zealand’s most spectacular settings.

River Jet Queenstown

13

Queenstown to Aoraki / Mount Cook

Travel through some of New Zealand's most spectacular alpine landscapes to Aoraki / Mt Cook National Park, home to the country's highest peak and internationally recognised dark skies.

Inclusions at a glance:

  • Scenic alpine drive
  • Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park
  • Star Gazing Tour 
  • 1 night in Mount Cook

Approximate Distance: 265 kms | 165 miles  Total Driving Time: 3 hours 10 mins

Suggested Accommodation:

Mt Cook National Park

A stunning destination surrounded by the silent splendor of the Southern Alps and with spectacular views of Aoraki/Mount Cook and the surrounding National Park World Heritage area. Guests can dine at several on-site restaurants. The hotel is also home to the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre, that features a museum, planetarium, and cinema.

Hermitage Hotel Mount Cook

14

Mount Cook to Christchurch

Begin the day exploring the remarkable Tasman Glacier before travelling through the Canterbury countryside to Christchurch, New Zealand's charming Garden City.

Inclusions at a glance:

  • Breakfast
  • Tasman Glacier boat experience
  • Scenic drive to Christchurch
  • Canterbury landscapes

Approximate Distance: 331 km | 206 miles  Total Driving Time: 4 hours

Tasman Glacier Mt Cook
Adina Heritage Christchurch, located in Cathedral Square, blends historic grandeur with modern comfort. Housed in a striking 1913 Italian High Renaissance palazzo and category-one heritage building, it offers spacious one‑ to three‑bedroom self-contained suites featuring full kitchens, dining and living areas. Guests enjoy a heated indoor lap pool, sauna, gym, valet parking, and 24‑hour reception. Just 20 minutes from the airport and steps from CBD attractions.
Heritage Christchurch

15

Christchurch

Enjoy a relaxed final morning reflecting on your journey through Australia and New Zealand before departing Christchurch with memories of spectacular landscapes, unique wildlife, and unforgettable experiences.

Inclusions at a glance:

  • Rental vehicle return 
  • Final morning in Christchurch

Ready to make the journey yours? Speak with one of our Travel Designers to customise your own unforgettable Australia and New Zealand adventure.

Christchurch

Profile picture for user Marcella Johnston
What Marcella Johnston says about this tour: "We don't all have six weeks available for a long, leisurely Australasian road trip, but that doesn't mean you have to miss out. With passionate travel experts like us designing your trip, you can fit so much into 15 days! For starters, you'll wind your way down Australia's Great Ocean Road, watch Uluru change colour in the sun & shadows, snorkel the Great Barrier Reef and cruise majestic Sydney Harbour. Then it's New Zealand's turn to blow your mind: Waitomo's glow worm caves, Rotorua's geothermal landscapes, and jaw-dropping Milford Sound are among the many highlights."
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Pricing terms

The price is based on current exchange rates but is only an approximation. Please contact us for a final price