Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
New Zealand - North Island - South Island - Australia - Sydney - Lord Howe Island
100% customisable for you
International flight via Hong Kong. Arrival two days later.
Welcome upon landing and assistance with customs, baggage and security procedures. Private transfer to the heart of the business district and two-night stay in a comfortable, modern suite, just a few steps from the waterfront.
Things to see and do - Stroll along the waterfront and sit on the terrace of a café to soak up the atmosphere of the country's largest city - visit the Auckland Museum, which devotes much of its space to Maori culture as well as artefacts from all over Oceania - a beachside tour - the famous Sky Tower, the largest tower in the southern hemisphere - the colonial village of Parnell - the trendy district of Ponsonby - Mount Eden, an extinct volcano with beautiful views of the city.
Pick up the hire car and drive to Coromandel National Park, where you'll be staying for two nights in Whitianga, on the shores of Mercury Bay, in our first B&B. It's a small, two-bedroom property perched on a hill overlooking the sea, whose owners are the epitome of New Zealand's wonderful hospitality.
Home to Mercury Bay, Whitianga perfectly replicates the typical New Zealand blend of relaxation, hospitality, playfulness and unspoilt nature. It also offers a wide range of outdoor activities, such as a bay cruise, mountain biking, trekking, canyoning, rafting, diving and fishing.
Option - A kayaking trip to the Cathedral Cove Marine Reserve.
Drive south towards Taupo. After more than three hours on the road, the majestic Lake Taupo embodies all the uniqueness and beauty of the country. Born from the explosion of a supervolcano, it is New Zealand's largest lake, especially renowned for trout fishing, with the volcano peaks of Tongariro National Park in the background.
Included in the itinerary - Entry tickets for Orakei Korako Thermal Park, accessible via short boat crossing. Also known as the Hidden Valley, this exceptional site has a beautiful palette of colours and a very active and varied geothermal system. There are gushing geysers, hot springs, mud baths and some of the world's largest and most beautiful silica terraces.
Spend the night in a B&B in a quiet area of Taupo. Enjoy the wood fire in the lounge, and the piano available on the terrace that opens onto the private vineyard and valley.
Leave the shores of Lake Taupo and head to the magnificent Tongariro National Park, with its three dormant volcanoes: Tongariro, Ngauruhoe and Ruapehu. The National Park is protected two-fold; both by its UNESCO World Heritage Site listing and its sanctity in the eyes of the Maori people. Tongariro offers landscapes with remarkable colours that range between the rocky grey mountains and the surreal turquoise crater lakes. Needless to say, hikes are a real hit here.
Spend the night around Whakapapa village, in a neo-Georgian castle nestled in the heart of Tongariro National Park. It's an old-fashioned hotel set in a stunning natural environment.
Option - Flying over the three volcanoes in the National Park.
Drive to Wellington at the northern tip of North Island. The crescent-shaped capital of New Zealand faces the huge bay overlooking the Cook Strait and South Island. You'll spend the night at a lovely hotel on bustling Cuba Street. Worth particular mention is the small swimming pool, in which you can see the city as you swim underwater, and the many restaurants in the neighbourhood where you can sample the various cuisines of the world.
Things to see and do - Te Papa Tongarewa, the national museum that covers Maori fauna, flora, geology and culture - the botanical garden and its beautiful rose garden - strolling the streets in search of old Victorian-style buildings - a pleasant stroll around Jervoy Quay - taking the cable car from Lambton Quay to enjoy a remarkable view of the bay.
Ferry ride to South Island (with access to the Premium Lounge onboard). Three hours via the Cook Strait. Arrive at Picton via the beautiful Charlotte Sound, then drive to Kaiteri, the maritime gateway to Abel Tasman National Park. You'll spend two nights in a small hotel that is simple but very pleasant. The welcome is discreet and warm, and you'll have stunning views of the surrounding hills and valleys. There's also a lovely terrace and a real respect for nature.
New Zealand's smallest nature reserve is just as wonderful as its neighbours. Golden sandy beaches, beautiful and secret bays, pristine forests, and a rich and diverse wildlife: Abel Tasman Park is of picture rare beauty and diversity. As you explore by kayak or boat, you'll discover a small on-shore paradise.
Included in the itinerary - A free day to hike in the heart of the national park, with a boat ride to Totaranui and a stop-off at the famous Abel Tasman Coast Track with two options: a free hike between Onetahuti and Bark Bay (one hour 30 minutes) or between Bark Bay and Anchorage Bay (three hours 30 minutes).
Take the beautiful scenic road along the untouched west coast to Greymouth, built on the site of an ancient Maori village at the mouth of the Grey River, at the foot of the Southern Alps.
Things to see on the way - The Buller Gorge swing bridge - Paparoa National Park - Punakaiki and the amazing Pancake Rocks, limestone formations evoking stacks of pancakes sprayed by the powerful jets created by the waves that rush into the rock cavities.
Spend the night in a charming, secluded guesthouse overlooking the Tasman Sea. You'll hopefully feel nice and relaxed, and love the little paths to the beach, the panoramic sunsets and the owner's warm welcome.
Included in the itinerary - Train journey between Greymouth and Christchurch. This journey from the Tasman Sea to the Pacific Ocean is legendary in New Zealand and is one of the most beautiful rail journeys in the world. From Greymouth, you cross a beech forest before sinking into the Southern Alps and through Arthur's Pass National Park, then you cross the Waimakariri River valley, and finally the Canterbury plains and its farms. The TranzAlpine journey is very comfortable. Large windows allow you to watch the scenery, while at the rear of the train, an open car allows you to take the best pictures - the train changes speed depending on the scenery, so you can really enjoy the setting.
Upon arrival in Christchurch, transfer and overnight stay in a B&B, where you'll get a very warm welcome in a beautiful Victorian residence located in the heart of the city.
Pick up your second hire car and drive west to Twizel, in the heart of South Island. Beyond the agricultural fields of Canterbury and past Timaru, you'll approach the peaks of the Southern Alps until you enter the Mackenzie Basin, famous for its glacial lakes.
You'll receive a warm, New Zealand welcome in a small, cosy lodge where you'll stay for two nights. The decor consists of light tones and it offers breathtaking sunrise views from the main terrace. Mount Cook, New Zealand's highest peak overlooking Tasman Glacier, is an hour's drive away.
Option - A boat ride on the Tasman Glacier's terminal lake in the amongst the icebergs.
Head south-west to Queenstown; drive for two hours on a pleasant, well-maintained road that winds through the foothills of the Southern Alps and offers stunning views of the peaks and valleys. Upon arrival, spend three nights in a friendly and warm B&B with a full view of the lake and mountains.
Situated on the shore of the lake and surrounded by mountains, Queenstown is a lively little town that alternates between a winter sports resort and a summer resort.
Included in the itinerary - Tickets to the Onsen Hot Pools, which houses private and hidden pools nestled in wooden structures facing the Shotover mountain range and river.
Things to see and do - Treat yourself to a dose of adrenaline with bungee jumping or parachuting, rafting, quad biking, mountain biking - enjoy a peaceful walk along the shores of the lake to reminisce about your trip - hike to Coronet Peak, the oldest ski resort in the country - climb to the top of Bob's Peak by Gondola - for bird lovers, visit the Kiwi and Birdlife Park - enjoy an evening on the bustling streets of the city.
Option - A cruise through the impressive Milford Sound fjord with small plane transfers.
International flight to Sydney. Upon arrival, private transfer to the heart of Paddington and overnight stay in a small, simple and unpretentious family-run hotel. Immerse yourself straight away in the neighbourhood's pleasant Boho village atmosphere, with its lovely Victorian homes, traditional market, trendy shops, colourful and popular cafes and restaurants, art galleries, bookshops and cinemas. Worth particular mention is the swimming pool located in the hotel's inner courtyard, which is rare for a small hotel of this type in the heart of the city.
Private transfer to the airport and flight to Lord Howe Island, two hours off-shore. Spend three nights on the north-east coast of the island, in a small, simple and cosy lodge. It's a hideaway with practical and comfortable rooms, which enjoys a privileged location between the countryside and beaches - Ned's Beach and Middle Beach are within easy reach and are renowned for the richness of their underwater life.
Classified as a World Heritage Site, this small island at the edge of the world is paradise. A glistening lagoon of bluefish, green turtles, pink abalone and catfish that come to the surface to eat right out of your hand. Welcoming only 400 visitors at one time, it's home to about 50 diving sites - including drop offs and shipwrecks - and 11 beaches. Soak up the easy-going lifestyle here with walks on the beach, in the forest or through the twin peaks, snorkelling trips, relaxing on the sand and even a round of golf.
Return flight to Sydney and private transfer to Paddington, where you'll spend the night in a small hotel.
Optional - An improvised stroll with one of our team on the ground, to experience Sydney like a local, in terms of both city and beach.
Private transfer to the airport and catch your flight home. Overnight flight, arriving the next day.
Everything in this itinerary is entirely customisable, down to the smallest details. Here are some more suggestions of what could be included
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
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Our team of destination experts will get to know you and your unique requirements for your holiday
We work with you to build an ultra-personalised holiday itinerary with your choice of accommodation, experiences and activities
All of our holidays include little extras designed to make a big difference to your trip, from fast-tracking you through airport check-in and security to our network of local Concierges
