Auckland (New Zealand) | Blenheim (New Zealand) | Melbourne / Narrm (Australia) | Queensland (Australia) | Queenstown (New Zealand) | Sydney (Australia) | Te Anau (New Zealand) | Uluru / Ayers Rock (Australia) | Wellington (New Zealand)
The following are Grand Australia & New Zealand tour dates available from Tauck. Select a bonus offer graphic to view its details, including its terms.
There is at least one departure that the vendor is advising is Not Available for the selected year. Click here if you would like such tours to be included below.
Tour begins: 5:00 PM, The Langham Melbourne. A transfer is included from Melbourne Airport to The Langham Melbourne. Your journey begins with a welcome cocktail reception followed by dinner at the hotel.
You'll see a lot of Melbourne on a sightseeing tour of the city, including a guided walking tour to discover the real city (and its amazing coffee) along its distinctive laneways. The rest of the day and evening are yours to spend as you please in Melbourne; enjoy lunch and dinner as you please.
Take a morning private charter flight to the heart of Australia's desert Outback, arriving at Uluru (formerly known as Ayers Rock) for lunch and an overnight stay at Sails in the Desert in the country's "Red Centre." In the evening, the light of the setting sun bathes the mystical rock with a palette of ever-changing color... and you'll enjoy the natural "show" with canapés and champagne overlooking the monolith.
Aboriginal traditions define life in the Outback, especially at Uluru (formerly known as Ayers Rock); learn about the Dreamtime legends associated with this massive monolith on a guided tour this morning. Fly via private charter to Cairns in Queensland, gateway to the amazing Great Barrier Reef. Board the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway for a journey above the tropical rainforest canopy, with opportunities for short, ranger-guided walks to discover more about this remarkable ecosystem. Continue on to Silky Oaks Lodge, your luxury eco-lodge on the Mossman River adjacent to Daintree National Park, to begin a three-night rainforest resort stay.
Spend a full day exploring one of Earth's most extraordinary natural wonders, the Great Barrier Reef – a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the world's largest coral reef system. Activity choices include a catamaran cruise to Agincourt Reef, where you can snorkel, view marine life from an underwater observatory, or take a semi-submersible ride; an adventure boat excursion for scuba divers and snorkelers; or a relaxing spa day at the lodge. Enjoy a leisurely dinner and evening at your resort.
Early risers may choose to soar over the Atherton Tablelands on an optional hot air balloon ride* at dawn (an additional charge per person; see pricing details). The rest of the day is free to spend as you wish at your rainforest resort and spa, or explore the area as you please. Enjoy dinner tonight at the lodge.
It's all about crocodiles at Hartley's Crocodile Adventures, one of Queensland's most renowned wildlife parks and a leader in crocodile conservation. Here, you'll come face to face with some of Australia's most iconic creatures, with opportunities to learn about the park's wildlife and conservation efforts. Your visit includes a private crocodile feeding presentation and an exclusive boat cruise on Hartley's lagoon, gliding through waters that are home to resident saltwater crocodiles. After lunch, fly to Sydney via private charter for a three-night stay in the heart of the city at InterContinental Sydney, in guest rooms overlooking iconic Sydney Harbour.
Sydney's remarkable harbor takes center stage today, beginning with a guided tour of the Sydney Opera House, one of Australia's most recognizable landmarks and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Discover the story behind its extraordinary design and the vision that brought this architectural masterpiece to life. Then, see the city from a different perspective on a cruise of Sydney Harbour, with sweeping views of the Opera House, Sydney Harbour Bridge, and the waterfront neighborhoods that give the city its distinctive character. Continue exploring Sydney on an afternoon sightseeing tour, discovering more of the history, landmarks, and lively atmosphere of Australia's largest city. The remainder of the day and evening are yours to enjoy as you wish.
This morning, set out on a guided walking tour through The Rocks, one of Sydney's oldest neighborhoods, where the city's colonial history comes vividly to life. Located near Sydney Harbour Bridge, this historic district was among the earliest areas of European settlement following the arrival of Britain's First Fleet in 1788. Along its narrow laneways, sandstone buildings, and heritage-listed pubs, discover stories of the convicts, sailors, merchants, and families who helped shape the growing settlement. Your guide brings the neighborhood's colorful past into focus, revealing how this once-bustling port community has evolved into a lively district of galleries, cafés, and historic landmarks. After lunch, return to your hotel, with the remainder of the afternoon and evening free to enjoy Sydney as you wish.
Bid Australia a fond farewell this morning and board a flight across the Tasman Sea, bound for New Zealand. Whether you purchase your international flights independently or through Tauck, all guests are required to purchase an additional on-tour flight (the trans-Tasman flight on Day 10, Qantas flight 161 between Sydney and Wellington) on their own, which is not included in the total tour cost. Tauck will not be able to assist in the purchase of that flight. First stop is Wellington, New Zealand's intimate waterfront capital with an impressive artistic and cultural edge. Accommodations for the next two nights are Club Rooms at InterContinental Wellington; enjoy a 3-course dinner at the hotel this evening.
Discover Wellington, New Zealand's waterfront capital, beginning with a special early-opening visit to Te Papa Tongarewa, the country's national museum. Enjoy the opportunity to explore before regular opening hours, with a guided orientation introducing you to its remarkable collections of New Zealand's natural environment, art, history, and Māori and Pacific cultures. Continue with a sightseeing tour of Wellington, taking in sweeping views from Mount Victoria before visiting the Parliament precinct and He Tohu, home to three of New Zealand's most important founding documents, including the Treaty of Waitangi. Your tour concludes at the top of the Wellington Cable Car, with panoramic views across the city and harbor. The remainder of the day and evening are yours to explore as you wish.
Tauck puts a charter plane at your service this morning for your flight to Blenheim on New Zealand's South Island, gateway to the sunlit valleys of Marlborough wine country. Framed by the Wither Hills and nourished by crisp sea air, this region produces some of the world's most celebrated Sauvignon Blancs – and a landscape as generous as the wines themselves. Arrive for a two-night stay in the heart of the region and begin your discovery of Marlborough's rural life with a visit to a privately owned working farm. Meet the family, watch an expert sheep-shearing demonstration, and see the remarkable partnership of shepherd and sheepdog at work. Join your hosts for morning tea at the homestead before continuing to Wither Hills Winery, set against rolling vineyards, for a wine tasting and a three-course lunch paired with select regional wines. Afterward, settle into The Alfred, your contemporary riverside hotel in Blenheim, with time to relax or explore the town. Dinner tonight is at the hotel.
This morning, set out to explore one of New Zealand's most captivating coastal regions – the Marlborough Sounds. Formed by a network of ancient sunken river valleys, these waterways and forested hills stretch along the northern tip of the South Island. Once navigated by Māori communities and later visited by European settlers, the Sounds are known for their secluded coves, sheltered bays, and ridgelines that descend to the sea. Board your vessel for a leisurely luncheon cruise through this spectacular landscape, sampling green-lipped mussels, a Marlborough delicacy, paired with local wines. As you sail, the panorama shifts with every turn – blue water, emerald headlands, and sweeping coastal views. Return to The Alfred this afternoon for some time at leisure before tonight's Tauck Exclusive Event. This evening, experience the Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre, home to an extraordinary collection of historic aircraft and aviation memorabilia presented through immersive exhibitions. Discover the stories behind these remarkable aircraft before sitting down to Dinner with the Warbirds, a memorable evening surrounded by aviation history.
Today, depart Blenheim aboard Tauck's private charter flight to Manapouri, gateway to the magnificent Fiordland region of New Zealand's South Island. Continue to Te Anau for a two-night stay at Distinction Te Anau Hotel & Villas. This afternoon, choose between exploring the fascinating Te Anau Glowworm Caves, where thousands of tiny lights illuminate an underground world, or taking a scenic jet boat excursion through the waterways and landscapes of Fiordland. Return to your hotel for dinner this evening.
Take a dramatic drive through the extraordinary scenery of New Zealand's Fiordland National Park, with opportunities to admire the mountain valleys, forests, and waterways along the way. At Milford Sound, board a private boat accompanied by a naturalist for a scenic luncheon cruise beneath towering cliffs and alongside glacier-carved landscapes. Return to Te Anau this afternoon for a special presentation at Fiordland Cinema, where Ata Whenua – Shadowland reveals the remarkable wilderness of Fiordland through breathtaking aerial footage filmed across changing seasons and landscapes. Enjoy wine and local cheeses following the screening, then spend the evening as you wish.
This morning, travel to beautiful Queenstown, situated on the shores of Lake Wakatipu amid the dramatic landscapes of New Zealand's Southern Alps. Along the way, stop for lunch at Ayrburn, a historic estate near Arrowtown that has been transformed into a distinctive destination for dining and wine. Enjoy a glass of sparkling wine on arrival before sitting down to lunch in a setting that blends the property's 160-year heritage with contemporary New Zealand hospitality. Continue to Queenstown, where your accommodations at Sofitel Queenstown Hotel & Spa offer French-inspired sophistication in the heart of the town. Dinner is included this evening.
Even if you're not all that adventurous, today's thrilling high-speed jet boat ride* through the narrow gorges of Skippers Canyon on the Shotover River – followed by a scenic helicopter flight* – will be memorable highlights. With the excitement of the morning behind you, return to Queenstown for an afternoon and evening at leisure, with time to explore the town's shops, restaurants, and beautiful lakeside setting as you wish.
Travel via Tauck's private charter flight from Queenstown to Auckland today for a two-night stay in Club Floor rooms at InterContinental Auckland with harbor views. After lunch, visit Auckland Museum, where exhibits explore New Zealand's natural history, Māori heritage, and the stories of the people who have shaped the country. Return to your waterfront hotel, with dinner included this evening at the hotel or at one of Auckland's many restaurants.
Depart from Auckland's ferry terminal for nearby Waiheke Island, a picturesque landscape of farmland, forests, beaches, and vineyards. Explore the island's beautiful scenery and enjoy a distinctive whisky tasting at The Heke before continuing to Mudbrick Vineyard for a farewell lunch overlooking the surrounding countryside and waters of the Hauraki Gulf. Return to Auckland by ferry, then gather this evening for a farewell cocktail reception at your waterfront hotel.
Tour ends: Auckland. Fly home anytime. A transfer is included from InterContinental Auckland to Auckland Airport. You should allow three hours for check-in at the airport.
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