Itinerary
- Day 1
Auckland
You'll arrive in Auckland and make your way by taxi from the airport to your hotel. After you settle in, the day is yours to spend however you like. The city has plenty to see on your own time, from the Sky Tower that dominates the skyline to Viaduct Harbour where you can check out the waterfront, or head over to Mission Bay Beach for a walk along the promenade. If you're interested in something different, Auckland Domain has an extinct volcano and formal Wintergardens worth exploring.
- Start point
- Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand (Arrive Auckland. Make your way to the hotel, 15:00)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (The Parnell Hotel or Grand Millenium Hotel )
Optional Activities
- Visit Sky Tower
- Explore Viaduct Harbour
- Visit Auckland Domain
- Explore Wintergardens
- Visit Mission Bay Beach
- Browse bars and cafes
Landmarks/POIs Sky Tower Viaduct Harbour Auckland Domain Wintergardens Mission Bay Beach 
- Day 2
Auckland
This morning or early afternoon, you'll join a 4-hour guided tour starting with hotel pick-up. The tour runs at either 8:30am or 1:00pm and takes you through the main highlights including the Harbour Bridge, North Head, Achilles Point, Mount Eden, Auckland Domain, the Museum, Wintergardens, and Parnell Village. After the tour finishes, the rest of your day is free. You'll have time to grab lunch, explore neighborhoods on your own, or rest back at your hotel.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (The Parnell Hotel or Grand Millenium Hotel )
Included Activities
- Auckland Harbour Bridge visit
- North Head visit
- Achilles Point visit
- Mount Eden visit
- Auckland Domain visit
- Auckland Museum visit
- Wintergardens visit
- Parnell Village visit
Landmarks/POIs Auckland Harbour Bridge North Head Achilles Point Mount Eden Auckland Domain Auckland Museum Wintergardens Parnell Village - Day 3
Auckland
You'll spend 3 to 3.5 hours on a walking tour of downtown Auckland with a local guide leading a small group. The route takes you through cobblestone streets and narrow lanes where you'll see buildings ranging from Classical to Baroque styles built over two centuries. Your guide shares stories about the city's early Maori history and how European colonial settlers shaped the place. Once the tour ends, the rest of the day and evening are free for whatever you want to do.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (The Parnell Hotel or Grand Millenium Hotel )
Included Activities
- Auckland Downtown walking tour with local guide
- Day 4
Auckland
The morning is completely free, so you can sleep in, grab breakfast at a café, or wander around your area. In the afternoon, you'll be picked up from your hotel for a 5-hour eco-tour heading west to the Waitakere Ranges, Auckland's largest regional park. After about 30 minutes of travel, you'll start a rainforest walk before heading to Piha Beach to walk on the black sand. The tour includes afternoon refreshments and commentary from your guide about the landscape and wildlife.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (The Parnell Hotel or Grand Millenium Hotel )
Included Activities
- Waitakere Ranges rainforest walk
- Piha Beach visit and walk on black sand
- Afternoon refreshments
Landmarks/POIs Waitakere Ranges Piha Beach - Day 5
Auckland to Rotorua
This is a full-day tour covering two major New Zealand sites. You'll travel from Auckland to the Hobbiton Movie Set first, where you can see all 44 Hobbit Holes, the Shire, and the Green Dragon Inn from Lord of the Rings. Then it's on to Rotorua and Te Puia Geothermal Wonderland, where you'll see the famous Pohutu geyser. The site also features Maori cultural exhibits, art, traditions, and architecture. You'll walk through nature trails and have chances to see native birds and possibly the iconic Kiwi bird.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (The Parnell Hotel or Grand Millenium Hotel )
Included Activities
- Hobbiton Movie Set tour with access to 44 Hobbit Holes, the Shire and Green Dragon Inn
- Te Puia Geothermal Wonderland visit
- Pōhutu geyser visit
- Native bird viewing
- Kiwi bird viewing
Landmarks/POIs Hobbiton Movie Set Te Puia Pōhutu Geyser 
- Day 6
Auckland to Sydney
You'll check out of your Auckland hotel this morning and arrange a taxi to the airport for your flight to Sydney. Once you land in Sydney, another taxi takes you to your central hotel. The rest of the day is yours to explore at your own pace. Sydney has the famous Opera House with its distinctive sail design, Darling Harbour, the Harbour Bridge, the Royal Botanic Garden, and Sydney Tower with its Skywalk offering 360-degree views of the city.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (ibis Sydney World Square)
Optional Activities
- Visit Sydney Opera House
- Explore Darling Harbour
- Visit Circular Quay
- Explore Royal Botanic Garden
- Visit Sydney Tower Skywalk
Landmarks/POIs Sydney Opera House Darling Harbour Circular Quay Sydney Harbour Bridge Royal Botanic Garden Sydney Tower 
- Day 7
Sydney
You'll use an open-air, double-decker Hop On Hop Off bus ticket to explore Sydney on your own schedule. There are up to 34 stops across 2 different routes, so you can get off whenever something interests you. Visit Circular Quay near the Rocks and Opera House, check out the Botanical Gardens, pop into the Sea Life Sydney Aquarium, walk through Chinatown, see the Australian Museum, spend time at Bondi Beach, or relax at Rose Bay. Keep in mind that entrance fees to individual attractions aren't covered by the bus ticket.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (ibis Sydney World Square)
Included Activities
- Sydney Hop On Hop Off Bus 1 Day Pass access to multiple routes and stops
Optional Activities
- Visit Circular Quay
- Visit Sydney Opera House
- Explore Botanical Gardens
- Visit Sea Life Sydney Aquarium
- Explore The Rocks
- Visit Darling Harbour
- Explore Chinatown
- Visit Australian Museum
- Visit Bondi Beach
- Visit North Bondi
- Visit Rose Bay
Landmarks/POIs Circular Quay Sydney Opera House Royal Botanic Garden Sea Life Sydney Aquarium The Rocks Darling Harbour Chinatown Australian Museum Bondi Beach North Bondi Rose Bay - Day 8
Sydney to Blue Mountains
An all-day sightseeing tour takes you to the Blue Mountains, a UNESCO World Heritage Site located outside Sydney. You'll stop at secluded lookouts with views of the Three Sisters rock formation over Jamison Valley. During the day, you'll walk through ancient rainforest spotting local plants and native birds. On the way back to Sydney, the tour includes a stop at Featherdale Wildlife Park where you can see koalas, kangaroos, and other native Australian animals.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (ibis Sydney World Square)
Included Activities
- Blue Mountains sightseeing tour
- Three Sisters rock formation viewing
- Jamison Valley viewing
- Rainforest walk
- Featherdale Wildlife Park visit
- Koala viewing
- Kangaroo viewing
Landmarks/POIs Blue Mountains Three Sisters Jamison Valley Featherdale Wildlife Park 
- Day 9
Sydney Harbour
You'll get a 1-day Sydney Harbour rocket ferry ticket letting you hop on and off throughout the day at places you choose. The ferry has recorded commentary about Australian history and the harbour's role in the city. You can visit up to five different harbourside locations including Circular Quay with the Rocks and Opera House, Taronga Zoo to see koalas and platypus, Watsons Bay with its beaches and Doyles restaurant, Shark Island national park if you want to picnic or swim, or Manly with its beaches, restaurants and shops.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (ibis Sydney World Square)
Included Activities
- Sydney Harbour rocket ferry 1-day ticket with hop on/off access
Optional Activities
- Visit Circular Quay
- Visit The Rocks historic precinct
- Visit Sydney Opera House area
- Visit Royal Botanic Gardens
- Visit Taronga Zoo
- Visit Watsons Bay
- Dine at Doyles on the Beach restaurant
- Visit swimming beaches at Watsons Bay
- Visit HMAS Watson
- Visit Shark Island
- Visit Manly
- Explore Manly restaurants and cafes
Landmarks/POIs Circular Quay The Rocks Sydney Opera House Royal Botanic Garden Taronga Zoo Watsons Bay Shark Island Manly - Day 10
Sydney
You'll join a sightseeing bus tour with a live guide who can answer questions and provide local insights. The tour passes iconic spots like the Sydney Opera House, Harbour Bridge, and Bondi Beach. Your guide shares stories about Sydney's history and culture throughout the day. The tour stops at carefully chosen spots for photos to help capture your memories. The afternoon and evening are free, so you can relax at your hotel, take another walk around the city, or head out to dinner at one of the city's restaurants.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (ibis Sydney World Square)
Included Activities
- Sydney Sightseeing Coach Tour with live guide
Optional Activities
- Dine at Sydney restaurants
Landmarks/POIs Sydney Opera House Sydney Harbour Bridge Bondi Beach - Day 11
Sydney
This is a free day in Sydney. Use it however you'd like, whether that's exploring neighborhoods you haven't seen yet or heading back to favorite spots from earlier in your trip to get better photos or spend more time.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (ibis Sydney World Square)
- Day 12
Sydney
Another free day in Sydney. You might return to areas you particularly liked, try a new restaurant, wander through a different neighborhood, or simply relax and enjoy the city at your own pace.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (ibis Sydney World Square)
- Day 13
Sydney to Departure
Your time in Sydney and Australia comes to an end this morning. You'll check out of your hotel and make your way to the airport in time for your flight home. Your Down Under adventure is complete.
