Australia and New Zealand 15N is a fifteen-night trip that starts in Sydney, moves to New Zealand's North Island, then covers the South Island's alpine country and Queenstown. It suits travellers who want two countries in one holiday and are happy with several long travel days. The package is land-only, so international flights are booked separately.
The Australian leg is three nights in Sydney, which gives time to settle before the flight to Auckland. In New Zealand, the route spends two nights each in Auckland, Rotorua and Christchurch, then one night each in Taupō, Wellington, Aoraki/Mount Cook and Te Anau, and two nights in Queenstown. Milford Sound is a full day from Te Anau.
Check the Australian entry requirements separately, because they differ from New Zealand's. The package includes visa assistance and private transfers on arrival and departure. Read the New Zealand travel guide for background on the islands, or see New Zealand tour packages for a New Zealand-only trip.
Your trip expert can stretch, shorten or swap any day.
Land in Sydney and transfer to your hotel by private vehicle. Rest after the long journey from India. Keep the first day light. Check the Australian entry requirements separately before you travel, because they differ from New Zealand's rules. Confirm your arrival time with your planner, so the transfer is ready.
Spend the day at leisure in Sydney, at a pace that suits you. Your planner can suggest sightseeing that fits your interests. Keep the evening free for an early night, because the next days include a flight and a full schedule. Ask your planner for ideas, such as a harbour walk or a museum visit, and book any tours in advance.
Use the third morning for a final visit around Sydney, then return to the hotel and pack. Check the baggage allowance for the Auckland flight, because rules can differ on separate tickets. Confirm your airport transfer time with your planner the evening before. Keep your passport and travel documents in your hand luggage.
Fly from Sydney to Auckland, then transfer to your hotel. Take a harbour walk if you have energy left. Auckland is more than an arrival city, so use the afternoon to explore its waterfront and viewpoints. Allow time for airport check-in and the connection, and confirm your flight timings before you travel.
Spend the day on a Waiheke Island trip or a visit to a west-coast beach such as Piha. Plan ferry times carefully, and keep the weather in mind, as wind can affect the water. Return to Auckland in the evening for an easy dinner. Pack a light rain layer for the ferry ride.
Drive to Rotorua for its geothermal landscapes. Visit the geothermal area in the afternoon and walk among the steam and hot springs. Book your Māori cultural evening in advance, because it is popular in summer. Pack a warm layer for the evening, as the weather can change quickly. Allow time for the drive and for stops along the way.
Spend the second day on geothermal sights and a spa visit. Rotorua suits a relaxed day, with time for walks and a soak. Keep the afternoon free for rest, especially after the travel of the previous days. Book your spa session ahead, and check opening times before you go, as they can change in the off-season.
Travel to Taupō, a volcanic lake town near Huka Falls. Visit the falls and the lakefront. If Tongariro National Park track conditions allow, you can add a walk, so confirm the plan with your planner first. Allow time for the lakefront and the falls, and check walking conditions before you set off.
Travel to Wellington using the transport your planner confirms. Visit Te Papa museum and walk along the waterfront. Wind can disrupt outdoor plans, so keep the afternoon flexible. Plan a relaxed evening in the city, and check ferry and transport schedules before you leave. Use the morning to explore the waterfront at an easy pace.
Travel to Christchurch, the South Island gateway. Explore the gardens and the city at an easy pace. Use the evening to plan the alpine leg of your trip. Explore the gardens and the city centre, and rest in the late afternoon. Plan the alpine leg with your planner, and confirm the transfer time to Aoraki/Mount Cook.
Take a day trip toward Arthur's Pass for alpine scenery. Mountain weather can change quickly, so allow extra time for the return. Keep the evening relaxed in the city. Pack layers and waterproof clothing for the mountain conditions. Check road conditions before you set off, and allow extra time for the return.
Travel to Aoraki/Mount Cook through the Canterbury high country. Take a valley walk with views of the peaks. The area sits within the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve, so the night sky is a highlight. Keep one evening free for the night sky, and pack warm layers for after dark.
Drive south-west towards Te Anau, with a stop at Lake Tekapo for lake views. Allow extra time, because road distances are longer than they look on a map. Rest in Te Anau before the Milford Sound day. Check the weather forecast for the Milford Sound day before you set off.
Take a full-day trip to Milford Sound for a fjord cruise, with waterfalls and seals along the route. Start early, because the road is long. Drive on to Queenstown in the evening for your overnight stay. Keep your camera ready, and allow time for the return drive. Pack a warm layer for the boat.
Spend a day around Lake Wakatipu, with a visit to Arrowtown or a drive to Glenorchy. Book adventure activities such as jet boating or a scenic flight now, because they fill early. Keep the evening relaxed. Confirm bookings with your planner before the trip, and keep one flexible afternoon. Pack a warm layer for the evening, as Queenstown can be cool after dark.
Enjoy breakfast and check out. Your driver takes you to the airport for your flight, leaving time for check-in. Flights are not included, so confirm all flight timings with your planner before you travel. Your planner will confirm your departure transfer time and check that bags are packed the evening before.
Flights are not included.
Fifteen nights across Sydney, Auckland and New Zealand's two islands, with several long travel days.
Flights are not included, including the Sydney to Auckland flight.
Check Australian entry requirements separately, because they differ from New Zealand's.
Check baggage allowances on separate tickets, because through-connection rules vary.
Milford Sound is a full day from Te Anau, with an overnight in Queenstown afterwards.
Reserve Queenstown and Milford Sound activities early, because they sell out first.
Breakfast is included daily; other meals are extra.
Entry fees, the New Zealand visa fee and levy, and travel insurance are extra.
March to May and September to November suit this route best for weather and cost.
FAQs
What travellers ask about this trip. Your trip expert can answer anything else.
Sydney is a common connection point on routings to Auckland, so this trip combines a city stay with the New Zealand islands. Choose it only if you want both countries. A New Zealand-only trip is shorter and simpler to plan.
It is a full schedule with several long travel days. It gives Sydney three nights and New Zealand twelve. If you want a slower pace, choose the 10-night New Zealand trip, or ask us to shorten the Australian leg.
Probably, and the rules differ from New Zealand's. This page does not set out Australian visa rules, so check the official Australian source before you book. Our planners can help you prepare, but the official source has the final word.
No. Flights, including the Sydney to Auckland sector, are not included in our land-only packages. Your planner can suggest timings and routings that connect smoothly with your international flights from India. Your planner can show the flight timings and connections for your city.
Domestic flights link the main cities, and they are quoted separately. Sightseeing and transfers within the itinerary are by private vehicle. Ask your planner which domestic flights suit your timing and budget. Ask about timings for your route and the domestic flights you need.
March to May and September to November balance weather, crowds and cost well. December to February is warmest but busiest, and June to August suits snow sports on the South Island. Book early for summer and school holidays. Ask your planner for dates that suit your school holidays.
More ideas
Auckland 1N · Taupō 2N · Queenstown 4N · Te Anau 1N · Queenstown 1N
Auckland 1N · Rotorua 1N · Taupō 1N · Wellington 1N · Christchurch 2N · Aoraki/Mount Cook 1N · Te Anau 1N · Queenstown 2N
*Approximate price per person, excl. GST. Contact us for exact pricing.
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