15 days in Australia & New Zealand Itinerary

Created using Klarna Trips South Pacific trip planner
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Fly
1
Melbourne, Australia
— 3 nights
Fly to Queenstown, Bus to Te Anau
2
Te Anau, New Zealand
— 2 nights
Bus
3
Queenstown, New Zealand
— 1 night
Fly
4
Taupo, New Zealand
— 1 night
Drive
5
Rotorua, New Zealand
— 1 night
Fly
6
Paihia, New Zealand
— 1 night
Fly
7
Sydney, Australia
— 2 nights
Fly
8
Cairns, Australia
— 2 nights
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Melbourne, Australia — 3 nights

Australia's Garden City

Appreciate the collections at The Johnston Collection and Hellenic Museum. Explore hidden gems such as Stand-Up Paddleboarding and Abbotsford Convent. Venture out of the city with trips to Altona (Cherry Lake Altona & Altona Beach). Next up on the itinerary: stroll the grounds of Melbourne General Cemetery, examine the collection at Victoria Police Museum, and get a new perspective on nature at The National Opal Collection.

To see traveler tips, ratings, more things to do, and other tourist information, go to the Melbourne trip planner.

London, UK to Melbourne is an approximately 24.5-hour flight. You'll lose 10 hours traveling from London to Melbourne due to the time zone difference. Traveling from London in December, expect nights in Melbourne to be somewhat warmer, around 14°C, while days are much hotter, around 30°C. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 1st (Mon) to allow enough time to travel to Te Anau.
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Side Trips
Find places to stay Dec 29 — Jan 1:

Te Anau, New Zealand — 2 nights

On the 2nd (Tue), take a memorable drive along Eglinton Valley, then stroll through Lake Gunn, then tour the pleasant surroundings at Gertrude Saddle, and finally look for all kinds of wild species at Milford sound Hwy. On the next day, get great views at Te Anau Lion Lookout Point, then identify plant and animal life at Te Anau Bird Sanctuary, then examine the collection at Fiordland Vintage Machinery Museum, and finally get interesting insight from Tours.

To find maps, where to stay, and other tourist information, go to the Te Anau online tour itinerary planner.

You can do a combination of flight and bus from Melbourne to Te Anau in 8.5 hours. The time zone difference moving from Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST) to New Zealand Standard Time (NZST) is 2 hours. Finish your sightseeing early on the 3rd (Wed) so you can take a bus to Queenstown.
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Outdoors · Parks · Wildlife · Trails
Side Trips
Find places to stay Jan 1 — 3:

Queenstown, New Zealand — 1 night

Shallow Bay

Start off your visit on the 4th (Thu): view the masterpieces at Ivan Clarke Gallery, then explore the landscape on two wheels at Queenstown Trail, then take a tour by water with Boat Tours & Water Sports, and finally get outside with SkiHireNz Frankton.

To find reviews, where to stay, ratings, and tourist information, use the Queenstown day trip app.

Traveling by bus from Te Anau to Queenstown takes 4 hours. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 4th (Thu) early enough to fly to Taupo.
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Outdoors · Parks · Museums · Shopping
Find places to stay Jan 3 — 4:

Taupo, New Zealand — 1 night

Great Cloak of Tia

On the 5th (Fri), take a memorable tour with Taupo Horse Treks, then look for gifts at Souvenir Outlet & Mountain Bike Hire, then explore the landscape on two wheels at Great Lake Trail, and finally tour the pleasant surroundings at Kinloch Beach.

To see ratings, other places to visit, maps, and more tourist information, read Taupo tour itinerary maker site.

You can fly from Queenstown to Taupo in 5 hours. Other options are to do a combination of car and ferry; or do a combination of bus and ferry. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 5th (Fri) early enough to drive to Rotorua.
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Outdoors · Parks · Wildlife · Beaches
Find places to stay Jan 4 — 5:

Rotorua, New Zealand — 1 night

Sulphur City

Kick off your visit on the 6th (Sat): take an in-depth tour of Bibleworld Musuem & Discovery Centre, view the masterpieces at 3D Trick Art Gallery, then experience rural life at aMAZEme, and finally take in the awesome beauty at Rainbow Mountain - Crater Lake Walk.

For photos, ratings, reviews, and other tourist information, use the Rotorua itinerary planning site.

Getting from Taupo to Rotorua by car takes about 1.5 hours. Other options: drive; or take a bus. In January, daily temperatures in Rotorua can reach 27°C, while at night they dip to 19°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 6th (Sat) to allow enough time to fly to Paihia.
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Museums · Nature · Parks · Shopping
Find places to stay Jan 5 — 6:

Paihia, New Zealand — 1 night

Kick off your visit on the 7th (Sun): get great views at Opua Forest Lookout Track, then hike along Kororipo Pa Historic Walk, then take in the architecture and atmosphere at St James Anglican Church, and finally appreciate the extensive heritage of Rewa's Village.

To see ratings, photos, maps, and other tourist information, use the Paihia tour itinerary maker tool.

You can fly from Rotorua to Paihia in 4.5 hours. Other options are to drive; or take a bus. Finish your sightseeing early on the 7th (Sun) so you can fly to Sydney.
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Parks · Historic Sites · Wildlife · Museums
Side Trip
Find places to stay Jan 6 — 7:

Sydney, Australia — 2 nights

The Harbour City

Kick off your visit on the 8th (Mon): identify plant and animal life at Blues Point Reserve, then appreciate the extensive heritage of Sydney Harbour Circle Walk, then enjoy the sand and surf at Camp Cove, and finally visit a coastal fixture at Hornby Lighthouse. Here are some ideas for day two: hike along Rose Bay to Nielsen Park Walk, then enjoy the sea views from Macquarie Lighthouse, then hike along Parsley Bay Reserve, and finally explore the striking landscape at Mahon Pool.

To find photos, more things to do, ratings, and tourist information, use the Sydney journey planning website.

Fly from Paihia to Sydney in 8.5 hours. Due to the time zone difference, you'll gain 2 hours traveling from Paihia to Sydney. Expect a daytime high around 32°C in January, and nighttime lows around 23°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 9th (Tue) early enough to fly to Cairns.
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Parks · Historic Sites · Outdoors · Nature
Side Trips
Find places to stay Jan 7 — 9:

Cairns, Australia — 2 nights

The Gateway to the Great Barrier Reef

On the 10th (Wed), admire the masterpieces at NorthSite Contemporary Arts, explore the world behind art at Samurai Gallery Australia, stroll around Munro Martin Parklands, take in the exciting artwork at Peter Jarver Gallery, then pause for some serene contemplation at St Saviour's Anglican Church Kuranda, and finally explore the different monuments and memorials at McLeod Street Pioneer Cemetery.

For maps, ratings, reviews, and other tourist information, read Cairns day trip planning website.

Fly from Sydney to Cairns in 4.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a train. Expect a bit warmer temperatures when traveling from Sydney in January; daily highs in Cairns reach 37°C and lows reach 28°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 11th (Thu) to allow time to fly back home.
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Historic Sites · Museums · Parks · Shopping
Side Trip
Find places to stay Jan 9 — 11:

Australia travel guide

4.5
Beaches · Wildlife Areas · Gardens
Australia is a country of breathtaking beauty and unforgettable adventure. From coast to coast you’ll find ancient rainforests, towering cities, stunning outback landscapes and white sand beaches. It’s not only the scenery that varies here, but also the lifestyle. Lay back and relax within a coastal paradise, explore the bustling laneways of a lively metropolis, or feed your sense of adventure in the most remote and remarkable pockets of the country. Whether you’re connecting with Aboriginal culture, tasting seafood straight from the ocean, or diving with gentle whale sharks, you’ll discover why there’s nothing like Australia.
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New Zealand travel guide

4.5
Land of the Long White Cloud
Far-flung New Zealand has become known for its astounding topography, singular biodiversity, varied climate, and for marrying native Maori and post-colonial European cultures on its two main islands and the multitude of smaller landmasses dotted around them. Free-spirited New Zealanders cultivate a love of sports, sustainability, and the outdoors. Far from other landmasses, the islands existed for millions of years before being inhabited by humans, so an abundance of species have come to thrive in the thick, wild rainforest, vast and rugged backland, and extensive surrounding marine areas. While much of New Zealand tourism centers around adventures through this spectacular scenery, take time to explore the nation's rich cultural heritage as well. The traditions and history of the Maoris, and the industry and internationalism of the descendents of the first European settlers endure in fascinating attractions, ranging from museums, to farms, to places of worship.
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