Day 1
Arrive in Melbourne
Crowned "The World's Most Liveable City" for seven years in a row, friendly Melbourne is the perfect place to begin your Australian self-drive adventure.
This compact, diverse metropolis is begging to be explored after settling into your comfortable accommodation. There are hidden charms around every corner, beautiful Botanic Gardens, and chic city squares where you can soak up the atmosphere to your heart's content.
Here are some of our favourite things to do in Melbourne:
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Lose yourself in cobbled laneways lined with tempting coffee shops, chic boutiques, and cosy bars.
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Admire the always-evolving street art covering every inch of Hosier Lane.
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Take a tram to St Kilda beach's historic esplanade and drop into Acland St's irresistible cake shops.
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Make a sporting pilgrimage to the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground.
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Grab a bite to eat at Queen Victoria Market – it's the largest market in the Southern Hemisphere.
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Choose from a dizzying array of restaurants & eateries – you're in Australia's foodie capital.
Accommodation: Oaks Melbourne on Market – 2 Nights
Day 2
Great Ocean Road Guided Day Tour
Discover amazing coastal scenery, adventure, and wildlife on a full-day coach tour along the famous Great Ocean Road.
Great Ocean Road – One of the World's Greatest Drives
Experience and enjoy the breathtaking Great Ocean Road: every twist and turn exposes you to stretches of broad, uninterrupted beaches, dramatic coastlines, and the lush rainforest of the Otway Ranges. This remarkable scenery provides an amazing backdrop for a day that will be etched in your memory forever.
Visit Australia’s oldest surviving lighthouse at Apollo Bay, enjoy a typical Aussie BBQ lunch, take a rainforest walk in the Otway Ranges, and see the world-famous limestone rock stacks – the 12 Apostles – at the western end of the Great Ocean Road.
There are plenty of opportunities to see the native wildlife in its natural habitat, including koalas and a variety of Australian birdlife.
Day 3
Melbourne to Uluru (Ayers Rock)
Bid farewell to the city and fly to Australia's Red Centre for your first glimpse of magnificent Ayers Rock, or Uluru as it is also known.
Ayers Rock stands 348 metres above the ground and reaches over 700 metres underground. Uluru is also home to the World Heritage-listed Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, which is of extreme importance to the local Aboriginal people.
Settle into your self-catering apartment at Ayers Rock Resort and prepare to witness the most epic sunset you can imagine over Uluru: it's a moment the whole family will remember forever.
Accommodation: Emu Walk Apartments – Uluru, Ayers Rock – 2 Nights
Day 4
Field of Light: Star Pass - The Magical "Field of Light"
The experience begins with a convenient hotel pick-up and short transfer to the remote desert location with majestic views of Uluru.
You’re welcomed at an exclusive dune top just after the sun has set on the horizon. Savour a selection of outback canapés with sparkling wine or beer as your host provides insight into the light installation that awaits you. As darkness falls, 50,000 glass spheres gently come to life. Covered under a sky brilliant with stars, Field of Light beckons you to explore and lose yourself momentarily in the rhythms of coloured light.
Tour duration approx. 2.5 hours including transfers
Day 5
Ayers Rock Scenic Flight – onto Cairns
Uluru (Ayers Rock) Scenic Flight
Experience the beauty of Uluru on a dramatic scenic flight. Soaring over Uluru and the incredible rock formations of Kata Tjuta (The Olgas) gives you amazing views of the area from a whole new perspective.
Fly from Ayers Rock to Cairns.
With its close proximity to the Great Barrier Reef and Daintree Rainforest, Cairns is a haven of scuba diving, snorkelling, reef cruises, fishing, rainforest walks, native bird and wildlife watching.
Accommodation: BreakFree Royal Harbour Cairns – 3 Nights
Day 6
Cruise the Great Barrier Reef
Enjoy a full-day cruise to the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and the tropical island paradise of Green Island.
Great Barrier Reef: Full Day Cruise
Climb aboard the Ocean Free – a 16.5-metre sailing schooner – and set sail for Green Island in the Great Barrier Reef, where the beautiful coral gardens of Pinnacle Reef are begging to be explored.
A delicious smorgasbord lunch is served on board the boat to fuel you up for your adventures, and how you choose to spend your day is entirely up to you! Wander the rainforest tracks, snorkel or scuba the pristine waters, or relax on the beach and sip cocktails from the island bar.
Day 7
Free Day – Rainforest
Today is free to enjoy the Cairns region at your leisure. With some of the planet's oldest rainforests just a short drive away, we strongly recommend paying them a visit!
Suggested Activity: Full Day Daintree Rainforest 4WD Safari
Cross the Daintree River on a Cable Ferry, eat lunch with local wallabies (you can even hand-feed them!), stroll along the elevated rainforest boardwalk, and learn about Aboriginal culture from knowledgeable local guides.
Suggested Activity: Day Trip to Kuranda, The Village in the Rainforest
Surrounded by World Heritage Rainforest, vibrant Kuranda is home to a kaleidoscope of colourful characters and natural beauty.
Day 8
Sydney – Evening Harbour Cruise
Fly onwards to Sydney, the oldest and grandest of Australia's big cities. Blessed with a glorious natural harbour, golden beaches, and a blissful climate, this incredible metropolis makes a stunning final destination on your Contrasts of Australia Tour.
Sydney Harbour Dining Cruise
Tonight's Sunset Dinner Cruise on the Harbour shows off Sydney in style. Sparkling wine in hand, enjoy spectacular views of the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge as you dine.
Accommodation: Adina Hotel Sydney Darling Harbour – 2 Nights
Day 9
Explore Sydney At Your Leisure
Enjoy some free time to discover Sydney in depth, at your own pace.
Take a ferry to Manly for a laid-back beach day, or cruise to Taronga Zoo, where both animals and visitors alike can enjoy jaw-dropping harbour views.
Day 10
Fly to Christchurch
New Zealand’s second-largest city and the gateway to the South Island, Christchurch sits on the very edge of the Canterbury Plains and is bordered by the Pacific Ocean. Explore the new city rising from the ashes of the 2011 earthquake.
Accommodation: Rydges Latimer Square Christchurch – 1 night
Day 11
Tranz-Alpine Train Journey / Glacier Country
Rated as one of the top six scenic train journeys in the world, the famous TranzAlpine Train will take you deep into the heartland of the South Island. From Greymouth, collect your rental car and travel to Franz Josef – this is Glacier Country.
Accommodation: Holly Homestead, Franz Josef – 1 night
Day 12
Scenic Flight with Glacier Landing / Lake Wanaka
Fly over Franz Josef Glacier, with a landing in this stunning landscape. Then, traverse the Haast Pass and prepare to view the emerald and sapphire lakes and rivers of Wanaka.
Accommodation: Wanaka Homestead – 1 night
Day 13
Te Anau – Gateway to Fiordland National Park
Te Anau offers an excellent base for exploring Fiordland. Don’t miss the Te Anau Glowworm Caves.
Accommodation: Whitestones B&B Te Anau – 2 nights
Day 14
Doubtful Sound Wilderness Cruise
Deep in the heart of Fiordland, Doubtful Sound offers serene wilderness views, wildlife encounters, and peaceful moments.
Day 15
The Alpine Resort of Queenstown
Queenstown is New Zealand’s adventure capital, offering a range of outdoor activities, including bungee jumping, wine tasting, and more.
Accommodation: Scenic Suites, Queenstown – 2 nights
Day 16
Wilderness Safari – Deep Into Mt Aspiring National Park
Take a thrilling Dart River Wilderness Safari into Mt Aspiring National Park, followed by a Heritage Trail walk through Paradise Valley.
Day 17
Fly to Rotorua – Sitting on the Pacific Ring of Fire
Rotorua is known for its geothermal activity, Maori culture, and stunning natural beauty.
Accommodation: Silver Fern Rotorua Accommodation & Spa, Rotorua – 2 nights
Day 18
Waimangu Geothermal Walk and Lake Rotomahana Cruise
Explore geothermal features and enjoy a scenic boat cruise on Lake Rotomahana.
Day 19
The City of Sails – Auckland
Auckland, the largest city in New Zealand, offers a variety of activities from harbour cruises to nature walks.
Accommodation: Skycity Hotel, Auckland – 2 nights
Day 20
Auckland City Revealed – Half Day Tour
Discover Auckland’s history and culture with a guided half-day tour. Explore the Viaduct Harbour and Britomart for a final night of fine dining.
Day 21
Homeward Bound
Haere ra and Bon Voyage!
We are sure you will enjoy the 21 Day Oceania Discovery Itinerary 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 memory card 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 in Oceania.
