15 Day New Zealand & Australian Explorer
✓ 14 nights in quality accomodation
✓ Flight from Cairns to Auckland
✓ All internal airfares
✓ Breakfast daily
✓ Travel in luxury coach
✓ Experienced Travel Director and Driver Guide
✓ Airport Transfers
✓ Visit the most iconic cities of Australia and New Zealand
✓ Enjoy the flexibility of exploring independently
✓ Explore Queenstown with three nights in this adventure capital
✓ Tuck into Hangi (earth oven) at the Tamaki Maori Village
✓ Incredible sightseeing as per the itinerary
✓ 24/7 customer service and your own Dedicated Support Agent
Travel with the experts for a carefully curated, value-packed discovery of the world's most iconic destinations. Our tours are bursting with must-see sights, rich experiences and quality inclusions, all at an unbeatable price. Bucket list dreams are ticked off on these all-encompassing journeys.
Your tour starts in Auckland this morning. On arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel. This evening meet your Travel Director for a welcome reception at your hotel in Auckland.
Travel to the Waitomo Caves to see the incredible Glow-worm Grotto and Limestone Caves with a local guide. Glide silently through the subterranean cavern lit by thousands of tiny glowworms.
This evening join your travelling companions for a memorable Be My Guest Dinner. Experience the heart pounding wero (challenge) from a Maori warrior during a Powhiri, a ceremonial welcome, at the Tamaki Family Marae.
Journey into the village and gain an insight into life in New Zealand before European settlement. Feast on succulent meats and vegetables cooked in a hangi, the traditional Maori method of cooking in the earth.
Today is your chance to experience the scenic wonders of the geothermal wonderland of Rotorua. You could explore Rainbow Springs Kiwi Wildlife Park, and take a ‘behind the scenes’ tour through the working kiwi nursery and hatchery.
Visit Te Puia and join a guided tour through the Whakarewarewa Thermal Reserve, home to famous Pohutu Geyser and the bubbling beauty of the mud pools.
Later, why not spend a little more time experiencing the thermal wonders, with a soak in the hot mineral waters of the Polynesian Spas? Your AAT Kings Travel Director will assist you in booking all of your chosen optional experiences.
This morning you’ll fly from Rotorua to Queenstown. When you arrive you’ll board your coach and travel to the delightful gold rush village of Arrowtown, on the sparkling Arrow River, once one of the world’s richest rivers.
Afterwards you’ll get a feel for Queenstown and surrounds on an orientation tour. See Lake Wakatipu, the Remarkables mountain range and home of the Bungy Jump at Kawarau Bridge.
You have a free day so why not take an optional experience to break taking Milford Sound for an unforgettable cruise on the majestic fiord.
Today’s your last chance to soak up the atmosphere in New Zealand’s adventure capital. You could ride the Shotover Jet Boat, take a mini-bus excursion through skipper’s canyon, tempt your tastebuds on a wine tour or just explore Queenstown on your own.
It’s time for us to bid you farewell as you are transferred to Queenstown Airport for your onward flight to Melbourne. On arrival you will be transferred to your hotel.
This evening you will join your Travel Director and fellow travellers for a Welcome Dinner. It's a great opportunity to get to know everyone.
Melbourne is known for its eclectic little laneways, arcades, café culture and street art. This morning your Travel Director will show you these hidden gems on a private walking tour.
The rest of your day is free, and your Travel Director will point you in the right direction for you to explore the city on your own terms. You might want to use the free CBD trams and explore The Queen Victoria Markets to try gourmet foods and fresh local produce.
This evening is your chance to experience some of Melbourne's well known restaurants or you could take in a show at one of the many theatres.
Today you fly from Melbourne to Uluru. After checking into your hotel at Ayers Rock Resort we traverse the vast outback with Kata Tjuta looming into focus.
Walking into the rising walls of Walpa Gorge you will feel and hear why this is such a significate place to the local people. Staying longer in Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park for sundowners and nibbles as you witness the striking colour changes of a spectacular sunset over Uluru.
Rise early to experience the desert awakening and the spectacular sunrise over Uluru. Dive into the culture and gain insight in to the traditional aboriginal owners of the land as you discover the Uluru Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre.
Explore aboriginal rock art caves and through to waterholes under immense Uluru. In the afternoon you will fly from Uluru to Sydney.
Sydney is full of iconic sights and this morning you will see the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Sydney Opera House and the beautiful Bondi Beach. On this morning’s city sights tour you will not only see the iconic sights but also some hidden gems.
Then you will do what the locals do and hit the water on a Sydney Harbour Cruise. This afternoon you have free time to explore Sydney sights the way you want.
Wake up to another day to explore Sydney. Today you have the flexibility to explore the city any way that you want. You might want to sleep in or choose an optional activity to travel further afield to the beautiful Blue Mountains or climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge for spectacular views of the city. Your Travel Director will be able to assist you to get the most out of your day.
This morning you will fly from Sydney to tropical Cairns. After some free time for lunch and a bit of a wander around this tropical city, you will journey to Hartley's Crocodile Adventures for an opportunity to encounter native Australian animals.
After getting up close to a crocodile you will join your fellow travellers to give back and plant a tree as part of our rainforest restoration project.
Today is a day to explore the best of the Cairns region. You might choose to tick off the Great Barrier Reef of your bucket list or if getting on the water isn’t your thing, your Travel Director can find you something more your style.
You could take to the rainforest and join the Skyrail ride through the treetops and a scenic railway journey from the beautiful town of Kuranda. After another day of exploring the way you want, you will join your fellow travellers for a waterfront farewell dinner.
This morning you say goodbye to tropical Cairns and your fellow travellers before boarding your included flight back home.
Deposit & Payments
Booking Process
Refundable deposit within 28 days of purchase:
For cancellations made within 28 days of paying the deposit on any tour, your deposit can be refunded in full or can be transferred to a new booking should you decide to change to another package or destination. Please note this change of mind guarantee does not apply for bookings made within 90 days of departure, after which time our standard 48 hour cooling off period applies. After this time, your booking becomes non-refundable.
All cancellation or change requests must be advised in writing to our Customer Service Team at support@inspiringvacations.
Refund times will vary and the timeframe of which will be advised at the time of cancellation. Any refund of deposit will be issued back to the original form of payment.
Any bookings made prior to 13 March 2020 must abide by the original payment term conditions.
Transferrable second installment up until 90 days before scheduled departure:
Following the second installment payment and up until 90 days before your departure only, should you wish to postpone your travel or transfer to another package, we can provide you with a credit note of the current balance paid on your booking, to be used to rebook within 18 months of the credit being issued.
Any change request must be advised in writing to our Customer Service Team at support@inspiringvacations.
Any bookings made prior to 13 March 2020 must abide by the original payment term conditions.
Please refer to our full Terms and Conditions for more details
Airfare Information
Premium Economy or Business Class upgrades
Please specify this as a 'Special Request' when completing your booking and you will be quoted for the additional fare. In the event your selection is unavailable, or that you are dissatisfied with the quote, you will be provided with a full refund.
Land Only discount
A reduction of $300 per person applies if you wish to arrange your own airfares and transfers. To purchase a land-only fare, please select this option in the booking process under 'Departure City'.
Please note, if you are not arriving or departing as per the group itinerary, airport transfers are also no longer included. If you would like us to arrange this service for you, please refer to the ‘Extra services’ section for pricing.
Extending Your Stay
Some customers like to enhance their holiday by extending their stay pre- and/or post-tour or including a stopover in another destination. If you wish to do so, please follow these steps:
By choosing to extend your stay, please note that a supplement of $150 per person, plus applicable fare and tax differences will apply. We will contact you via email with a quote and proposed flight itinerary, and then proceed with collecting the additional payment required to confirm your request.
You can enhance your holiday by arriving or departing before or after the tour, or booking a tour extension. On this tour you can choose from the following options:
Pre and post-tour accommodation
Arrival and departure airport shuttle transfers (deviating from group flights forfeits your group airport transfers)
Please note, the transfers are not private and you may be grouped with other Inspiring Vacations customers.
Please specify in the 'Special Request' field when making your purchase your preferred travel arrangements and if you would like our team to book additional nights' accommodation and/or airport transfers. The additional cost for these land arrangements will be added to your final payment invoice and are subject to availability.
Fitness Requirements
While the tour itinerary should give you some guidance and overview to the expected requirements, a basic level of fitness will be required. If you have any concerns please consult your healthcare provider prior to purchase/travel.
As a general rule, porterage is not included, therefore at all times you are expected to handle your own luggage where help may not be available.
Tipping
A friendly reminder that tipping is not included in your package. While tipping is not customary, it's of great significance to the people who will take care of you during your travels, inspires excellent service, and is an entrenched feature of the tourism industry across many destinations.
You may also consider tipping your tour leader and driver for outstanding service throughout your trip. Remember, a tip is not compulsory and should only be given when you receive excellent service.
Accommodation
The accommodation listed is subject to change. Any changes will be of an equal or higher standard. Bedding configurations (double or twin) are requests only. All efforts will be made to meet your preferences, however, any changes are beyond our control.
Single Supplement
Single supplement is $3,200 per person, in addition to the twin-share price.
Triple Share
Not available.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is required to protect yourself against the unexpected.
Visa & Passport information
It is the traveller's responsibility to ensure they have a valid passport. The passport must be valid for a minimum of six months from the intended date of your return.
Please note that these details are subject to change without notice. We recommend visiting https://smartraveller.gov.au for up to date information in terms of entry requirements.
Tour Documentation
Final documentation, including e-tickets and hotel details, will be provided approximately 30 days prior to travel.
Group Size
Maximum 50 people.
Trip Style
Group Tour - Unparalleled value for money is the name of the game. These tours tick all the boxes with loads of inclusions: sightseeing highlights, quality accommodation, transfers, private transportation, breakfasts and some meals. You will be travelling with up to 50 Inspiring Vacations guests and the tour will be escorted by an expert, local tour leader.
Children
Children must be 5 years old or over and share a room with parents at all times. Children are charged the same price as adults.
Tour Length
The total length of the tour in days includes time spent inflight and is subject to change, depending on the flight schedule. Please refer to the day-by-day itinerary for the time spent in your destination(s).