60 days in Australia & New Zealand Itinerary

A neat, cosmopolitan city of shaded plazas and laid-back neighborhoods, Cairns serves as a popular base for exploration of the surrounding region and the Great Barrier Reef, as well as a center for watersport activities like surfing or waterskiing.

Step off the beaten path and head to Atherton Tablelands and Barron Falls. Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Cairns: Birdworld Kuranda (in Kuranda) and Artistree Gallery (in Yungaburra). Spend the 9th (Thu) among aquatic life with a scuba or snorkeling tour. And it doesn't end there: scramble along the landscape with a canyoning and rapelling tour, admire the striking features of Freshwater Station, see Off-Road Tours, and learn about all things military at The Australian Armour & Artillery Museum.

To see reviews, traveler tips, and more tourist information, go to the Cairns trip tool.

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam to Cairns is an approximately 14-hour flight. The time zone changes from Indochina Time to Australian Eastern Standard Time, which is usually a 3 hour difference. In February, plan for daily highs up to 36°C, and evening lows to 28°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 9th (Thu) so you can fly to Lord Howe Island.

Bursting out of the Tasman Sea, Lord Howe Island offers stunning scenery and many sandy beaches.

On the 10th (Fri), stroll through Blinky Beach, get a new perspective on nature at Lord Howe Island Museum, then hike along Lord Howe Island Walking Trails, and finally take your sightseeing to a higher altitude at Mt Gower. Here are some ideas for day two: enjoy the sand and surf at Old Settlement Beach, tour the pleasant surroundings at Ned's Beach, then kick back and relax at Lagoon Beach, and finally head outdoors with Outdoor Activities.

To find photos, ratings, maps, and other tourist information, go to the Lord Howe Island trip itinerary builder tool.

Fly from Cairns to Lord Howe Island in 6.5 hours. Traveling from Cairns to Lord Howe Island, you'll lose 0.5 hours due to the time zone difference. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 11th (Sat) to allow time to fly to Sydney.

Lent iconic status as a result of its famous bridge and opera house, Sydney has a down-to-earth charm that enhances its spectacular setting and functional efficiency.

Eschew the tourist crowds and head to Balmoral Beach, Mosman and Canyoning & Rappelling Tours. Get out of town with these interesting Sydney side-trips: Lincoln's Rock (in Blue Mountains National Park) and Wentworth Falls Lookout (in Wentworth Falls). Next up on the itinerary: enjoy some music at Sydney Opera House, brush up on your military savvy at Anzac Memorial, get to know the fascinating history of Cremorne Point to Mosman Bay Walk, and admire the natural beauty at Royal Botanic Garden Sydney.

For maps, photos, reviews, and other tourist information, use the Sydney road trip planner.

Traveling by flight from Lord Howe Island to Sydney takes 3.5 hours. You'll gain 0.5 hours traveling from Lord Howe Island to Sydney due to the time zone difference. In February in Sydney, expect temperatures between 31°C during the day and 23°C at night. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 18th (Sat) to allow time for the flight to Paihia.

The main tourist town in the Bay of Islands area, Paihia gives visitors a good range of accommodations, a convenient town center, long sandy beaches, and interesting architecture.

Eschew the tourist crowds and head to Paihia Harbour and The Stone Store & Kemp House - Kerikeri Mission Station. Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Paihia: Arai Te Uru Heritage Walk (in Omapere), Whangarei (Bream Head Coast Walks, Mount Manaia Track, &more) and Tane Mahuta Walk (in Opononi). Spend a day of island exploring on the 19th (Sun) at Urupukapuka Island. There's much more to do: look for all kinds of wild species at Wildlife Areas, fulfill a lifelong dream with a swim-with-the-dolphins experience, go for a walk through Opua Forest Lookout Track, and take a peaceful walk through Waipoua Forest.

For more things to do, maps, traveler tips, and more tourist information, refer to the Paihia trip itinerary website.

You can fly from Sydney to Paihia in 8.5 hours. The time zone difference moving from Australian Eastern Standard Time to New Zealand Standard Time is 2 hours. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 24th (Fri) so you can travel to Waitomo Caves.

Head deep beneath the surface of the earth at Waitomo Caves, a village and cave system that draws both extreme sports enthusiasts and those wanting something a little more relaxed.

On the 25th (Sat), Head underground at Ruakuri Cave, then surround yourself with nature on Spellbound, then Head underground at Waitomo Glowworm Caves, and finally Head underground at Footwhistle Glowworm Cave. On the 26th (Sun), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: Head underground at Caveworld, step off the mainland to explore Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari, appreciate the history behind Statue of shearer, then appreciate the history behind Sir Colin Meads Statue, and finally relax and float downstream with a rafting and tubing tour.

To find other places to visit, reviews, ratings, and other tourist information, you can read our Waitomo Caves driving holiday planner.

Traveling by combination of taxi and flight from Paihia to Waitomo Caves takes 5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or do a combination of flight and bus. Finish your sightseeing early on the 26th (Sun) so you can drive to Rotorua.

Surrounded by lakes and featuring impressive areas of geothermal landscape, the city of Rotorua offers an otherwordly landscape and a welcoming, peaceful environment, with the culture of the native Maori people very much in the foreground.

Step off the beaten path and head to Mount Maunganui Summit Track and Pilot Bay. Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Rotorua: Minden Lookout (in Tauranga), Wairere Falls (in Okauia) and Mount Maunganui Base Track (in Mount Maunganui). And it doesn't end there: relax and float downstream with a rafting and tubing tour, trot along with a tour on horseback, experience rural life at aMAZEme, and take an unforgettable tour with a helicopter tour.

To see other places to visit, photos, and other tourist information, read Rotorua road trip tool.

You can drive from Waitomo Caves to Rotorua in 2 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. In February in Rotorua, expect temperatures between 28°C during the day and 19°C at night. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 3rd (Fri) so you can go by car to Taupo.

The resort town of Taupo lies on the banks of Lake Taupo, the largest body of water in the whole of Australasia.

Discover out-of-the-way places like Aratiatia Rapids and Helicopter Tours. When in Taupo, make a side trip to see Tongariro River Trail in Turangi, approximately Turangi away. There's much more to do: contemplate the waterfront views at Lake Taupo, identify plant and animal life at Orakei Korako Geothermal Park & Cave, get to know the fascinating history of Opepe Scenic and Historic Reserve, and make a trip to Maori Rock Carvings.

For ratings, reviews, more things to do, and more tourist information, use the Taupo trip planning site.

Drive from Rotorua to Taupo in 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 8th (Wed) to allow time to take a shuttle to Tongariro National Park.

Tongariro National Park has a long history of preserving New Zealand's pristine alpine landscape.

Step off the beaten path and head to Tongariro Alpine Crossing and Horsemtrails. Get out of town with these interesting Tongariro National Park side-trips: Taihape (Mount Stewart Reserve & Gumboot Statue), Ohakune (Waitonga Falls Walk Trailhead, Tangiwai Rail Disaster Memorial, &more) and Whitecliffs Boulders (in Ohingaiti). There's much more to do: trek along Tongariro Northern Circuit, tour the pleasant surroundings at Rotopounamu Track, admire the sheer force of Mangawhero Falls, and take in the pleasant sights at Mead's Wall.

To see reviews, ratings, maps, and tourist information, you can read our Tongariro National Park online driving holiday planner.

Getting from Taupo to Tongariro National Park by shuttle takes about 1.5 hours. Other options: drive; or do a combination of bus and taxi. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 13th (Mon) to allow time to fly to Wellington.

Wellington, the world's southernmost capital city and New Zealand's second most populous urban area, combines the nation's rugged history and nature with its modern and cosmopolitan present.

Start off your visit on the 14th (Tue): identify plant and animal life at Wildlife Areas, snap pictures at City to Sea Bridge, then get the lay of the land with Walking tours, and finally see the interesting displays at Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: test your problem-solving skills at popular escape rooms, take in nature's colorful creations at Wellington Botanic Garden, then admire the landmark architecture of Old Government Buildings, and finally ponder the world of politics at New Zealand Parliament.

To see traveler tips, reviews, ratings, and other tourist information, refer to the Wellington vacation builder.

Traveling by flight from Tongariro National Park to Wellington takes 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or do a combination of taxi and train. In March in Wellington, expect temperatures between 22°C during the day and 16°C at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 15th (Wed) early enough to travel to Fox Glacier.

A trip to Fox Glacier brings you close to one of New Zealand's most easily accessible natural wonders.

Eschew the tourist crowds and head to Hooker Valley Track and Lake Matheson Walk. Venture out of the city with trips to Aoraki Mount Cook National Park (Te Wahipounamu) (Kea Point Track & Sealy Tarns Track). The adventure continues: take an unforgettable tour with a helicopter tour, take in the pleasant sights at Tatare Tunnels Walk, tour the pleasant surroundings at Moraine Walk, and enjoy the sand and surf at Gillespies Beach.

To see more things to do, traveler tips, where to stay, and more tourist information, use the Fox Glacier driving holiday planning site.

You can do a combination of flight and bus from Wellington to Fox Glacier in 8 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of ferry and car; or do a combination of ferry and bus. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 19th (Sun) early enough to drive to Queenstown.

Sheltered in an inlet of Lake Wakatipu, the resort town of Queenstown enjoys a strong reputation for its adventuring and skiing opportunities.

You'll explore the less-touristy side of things at Moke Lake and Lakes District Museum & Art Gallery. Explore Queenstown's surroundings by going to Roxburgh Gorge Trail (in Roxburgh), Old Fashioned Costume Photography (in Arrowtown) and Cromwell Heritage Precinct (in Cromwell). There's much more to do: skim along the rocks with a canyoning and rapelling tour, trek along Tiki Trail, look for all kinds of wild species at Kiwi Park, and get some thrills on the water with a speed boat tour.

To see maps, traveler tips, photos, and other tourist information, you can read our Queenstown road trip planning site.

Drive from Fox Glacier to Queenstown in 4.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. Cap off your sightseeing on the 24th (Fri) early enough to catch the bus to Te Anau.

Set among the picturesque peaks and glacially carved fiords of Fiordland National Park, Te Anau offers those wishing to explore the park a great place to stay and enjoy the relaxing atmosphere of a small town in an enviable location.

Discover out-of-the-way places like Doubtful Sound and Lake Marian Track. You'll find plenty of places to visit near Te Anau: Manapouri Lake (in Manapouri) and Milford Sound (Homer Tunnel, Milford sound Hwy, &more). And it doesn't end there: Head underground at Te Anau Glowworm Caves, trek along Mirror Lakes Walk, explore the activities along Milford Sound, and tour the pleasant surroundings at Lake 2 Lake Trail.

For where to stay, ratings, traveler tips, and tourist information, read Te Anau online travel route planner.

Take a bus from Queenstown to Te Anau in 4 hours. Cap off your sightseeing on the 30th (Thu) early enough to travel to Melbourne.

The state of Victoria crown jewel, Melbourne boasts shaded streets, leafy residential neighborhoods, vibrant street life, and a picturesque city center.

Eschew the tourist crowds and head to Geelong Botanical Gardens and St Paul's Cathedral. Change things up with these side-trips from Melbourne: Rye Beach (in Rye), Blue Lotus Water Garden (in Yarra Junction) and Sea All Dolphin Swims (in Queenscliff). There's much more to do: take in nature's colorful creations at Royal Botanic Gardens, walk around Fitzroy Gardens, take a stroll through Degraves Street, and don't miss a visit to Hardware Lane.

To find other places to visit, traveler tips, more things to do, and other tourist information, read Melbourne driving holiday planner.

Do a combination of bus and flight from Te Anau to Melbourne in 8.5 hours. Due to the time zone difference, you'll gain 2 hours traveling from Te Anau to Melbourne. March in Melbourne sees daily highs of 30°C and lows of 15°C at night. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 5th (Wed) to allow time for the flight back home.