Independent Australian & New Zealand Explorer

Independent Australian & New Zealand Explorer

45 Views

Independent Australian & New Zealand Explorer

16 Days

Visiting: Sydney, Cairns, Great Barrier Reef, Melbourne, Queenstown, Milford Sound, Rotorua, Waitomo Caves, Auckland

Tour operator:

Globus

Tour code:

IPE3-2024

Group Type:

Independent

Guide Type:

Self Guided

Trip Styles:

Adventure Tours

Activities:

Sightseeing

This tour is no longer available

Tour Overview

Upon visiting Australia, Oprah Winfrey proclaimed to the locals in Sydney, “You’re so darned friendly, you must go to friendly class!” If Oprah says it, it must be true! And now Independence by Globus makes it easy for you to experience this friendliness yourself! On this 16-day Australia & New Zealand vacation, we’ve arranged your hotel reservations, daily breakfast, sightseeing, and private transfers to/from the airports from/to your hotels for your intra-vacation flights. Plus, a one-of-a-kind feature: the Globus Local Host®, someone who is there throughout your stay (in Sydney, Cairns, Melbourne, and Queenstown) to ensure your vacation runs smoothly and to help you make the most of your vacation.

Your vacation begins the moment you arrive. Globus can pick you up at the airport and whisk you seamlessly to your selected hotel. Your Local Host will greet you with a smile and materials to help you get settled. The next day, after your included breakfast, we’ll pick you up at your hotel for a guided sightseeing tour with a local expert. You’ll hear inside stories behind the must-see sights, like the Opera House and Bondi Beach. And never fear...we’ve scouted the city for the best place to capture a photo of Sydney’s famous Harbour Bridge. In Melbourne, your guided sightseeing with an expert Local Guide includes the Royal Botanic Gardens and Queen Victoria Market. On the third day in each city, you have a free day to explore on your own (with your Local Host support, of course). You may want to follow in Oprah’s footsteps and climb to the top of Sydney Harbour Bridge; explore the cobblestone streets of the Rocks, the harborside area where the first convicts settled; or participate in a game of lawn bowling. In Melbourne, visit one of Australia's leading opal companies or take an excursion to see the little penguins emerge from the sea and waddle across the beach in the world-famous Penguin Parade.

It's not just the cities you'll experience on this Australia vacation. In Cairns, we’ll take you to the Outer Great Barrier, where you can snorkel, take a semi-submersible watercraft tour, or attend a presentation by a marine biologist. You'll be amazed by the clarity of the water and the variety of fish that will swim all around you. You may even see a green sea turtle glide by! You will also have a day at leisure so perhaps take an excursion via the Kuranda Scenic Railway to the quiet mountain village of Kuranda, or explore one of the markets to try locally grown mangoes and bananas.

After seeing the highlights of Australia, fly over the “ditch” to Queenstown, New Zealand, the “Adventure Capital of the World.” We’ll take you on what will undoubtedly be a highlight of your trip: a cruise on Milford Sound which boasts some of the most breathtaking scenery in the world. Continue to Rotorua where you’ll visit Agrodome to learn about New Zealand’s sheep industry and Te Puia to explore a geothermal wonderland. End your vacation in vibrant Auckland, New Zealand’s largest city.

With the time and hassles you save by letting us take care of the details, you’ve got yourself a vacation of a lifetime with the I-Time you deserve!

Places You'll See

Swissotel Sydney

Pullman Cairns International

The Savoy Hotel On Little Collins

Copthorne Hotel & Resort Queenstown Lakefront

Adina Auckland Britomart

Distinction Hotel Rotorua

Itinerary

Expand All

Day 1: Arrive In Sydney,Australia

Location: Sydney, Sydney


• Welcome to beautiful Sydney, Australia’s largest city. The remainder of the day is at your leisure for independent activities. Your Globus Local Host will make contact with you and meet to discuss your vacation, answer questions, and give suggestions to make the most of your stay.

Day 2: Sydney

Location: Sydney

Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 3: Sydney

Location: Sydney

Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 4: Sydney,Cairns

Location: Sydney, Cairns

Meals Included: Breakfast


• Fly to Cairns, “Gateway to the Great Barrier Reef.” Enjoy a 3-night stay in this tropical paradise. The remainder of the day is yours to start exploring.

Day 5: Cairns. Excursion To The Outer Great Barrier Reef

Location: Great Barrier Reef

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch


• Prepare for the experience of a lifetime when you board a catamaran and cruise to the Great Barrier Reef, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. Explore this underwater world that is a dazzling kaleidoscope of coral and sea life. Choose to snorkel, take a semi-submersible watercraft tour, or attend a presentation by a marine biologist. Late this afternoon, return to Cairns.

Day 6: Cairns

Location: Cairns

Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 7: Cairns,Melbourne

Location: Cairns, Melbourne

Meals Included: Breakfast


• Transfer to Cairns for your flight to Melbourne, the cosmopolitan heart of Australia. The remainder of the day is at your leisure.

Day 8: Melbourne

Location: Melbourne

Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 9: Melbourne

Location: Melbourne

Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 10: Melbourne,Queenstown,New Zealand

Location: Melbourne, Queenstown, Queenstown

Meals Included: Breakfast

• Fly to Queenstown, the “Adventure Capital of the World.” The remainder of the day is at your leisure. Your Local Host is available for sightseeing, shopping, and dining suggestions.

Day 11: Queenstown. Excursion To Milford Sound

Location: Milford Sound

Meals Included: Breakfast


• Enjoy a full-day excursion to Milford Sound. First, travel by motorcoach along the shores of Lake Wakatipu to Te Anau, gateway to Fiordland National Park. View the Mirror Lakes as you pass through Eglinton Valley. From the Homer Tunnel, emerge into Cleddau Valley. Join your Milford Sound cruise for an unforgettable experience. Be on the lookout for wildlife such as dolphins and penguins, and enjoy the breathtaking waterfalls and scenery. Return to Queenstown late this evening.

Day 12: Queenstown

Location: Queenstown

Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 13: Queenstown,Rotorua

Location: Queenstown, Rotorua

Meals Included: Breakfast

• Fly to Rotorua on New Zealand’s north island. The rest of the day is at your leisure.

Day 14: Rotorua

Location: Rotorua

Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 15: Rotorua,Waitomo,Auckland

Location: Rotorua, Waitomo Caves, Auckland

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch


• Head north to Waitomo, where you will take a boat trip through the Waitomo Glowworm Caves. Continue on to Auckland where your evening is at leisure.

Day 16: Auckland

Location: Auckland

Meals Included: Breakfast


• Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.

UNESCO Sites

Auschwitz|Great Barrier Reef|Sydney Opera House

Meals

Breakfast daily; 2 lunches

Accommodation

Sydney:Swissotel Sydney
Cairns:Pullman Cairns International
Melbourne:The Savoy Hotel on Little Collins
Queenstown:Copthorne Hotel & Resort Queenstown Lakefront
Rotorua:Distinction Hotel Rotorua
Auckland:Adina Auckland Britomart

Check out our Q&As

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    For over 90 years.

  • Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?

    Yes

  • What policies are in place for Covid-19?

    Please contact us for latest Covid-19 policies

  • What documents will I receive before I travel?

    Travel documents, including any air tickets, itineraries, and other information, are available approximately two to three weeks prior to departure provided full payment has been received.

  • What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?

    The Globus Lighthouse Project - an illuminating initiative where we can all come together to tread lightly and give generously for the globe's greater good. Globus, along with sister companies Avalon Waterways and Cosmos, invite our travellers and partners to help us in supporting causes that provide for a more sustainable planet and a brighter tomorrow.

Reviews of this operator

Lisset  

Great Value for your Money

19-Dec-2022

This is my second time travelling with Globus, would have been my third if not for COVID. The way they plan everything is super organized, the tour managers are very caring and knowledgeable. We always enjoy all the site visits planned for each trip. They start by picking you up from the airport and from then on everything is taken care of up until the last day of your trip, even dropping you off at the airport not matter the time of day or night. The hotels at every city are always great and centrally located so you can walk around during your free time or plan your own visits to different sites.

Joan Cupp (Google Reviewer)  

My go-to escorted travel Co My...

01-Mar-2024

My go-to escorted travel Co My 4th trip with Globus and the did not disappoint. The sales deals they offer make it affordable for me to travel. All of the guides are well versed in the history of the area you travel in.

David R  

What a wonderful trip, thanks Globus

10-Jan-2023

Globus is my favorite travel agency. I tried others, but always come back to Globus. It is a 100% stress free one-stop shop. Easy booking with flight, hotel, transportation and travel insurance all in one place. Great customer service at reasonable prices. Lots of information prepared for the trip to handle travel logistics. I planned and booked my trip within 24 hours. Highly recommended to everyon

Alexander Wright  

Great guide, accommodations, and tours.

28-Dec-2022

We had a fantastic guide, with a great mix of free time and guided tours.

CTRTeach 11  

Globus exceeded my expectations!

20-Dec-2022

This is my first Globus tour. I was pleasantly surprised with the depth and quality. The hotels were top notch, and the cruise on the Nile exceeded my expectations. The cabins were roomy and comfortable, and the food was very good.

Nancy Arias  

The experience was amazing!!

30-Dec-2022

The trip was amazing. Our tour guide was so kind and very knowledgeable. I needed to attend a very important meeting via zoom. She was very understanding and accommodating to my needs and made it happen. I was very grateful! Our driver was by far the best driver I’ve ever encountered! I was beyond impressed with our guide, driver and trip!! I will definitely be back for another adventure!!

Irish Beth Maddock (Google Reviewer)  

Did the Globus Highlands and...

30-Sep-2023

Did the Globus Highlands and Islands Scottish Tour with Ian and Allister. What a trip!! With his sharp wit, immense knowledge and fun humour, Ian absolutely brought Scotland to vivid life with his many tales, informative quips and total, utter passion for history. Was spellbound. Am so VERY thankful I had the opportunity to be on Ian's last bus tour before retiring with Globus. In addition, to being so hard working and helpful, with Allister our driver, I cannot tell you how safe and secure I felt in his capable driving hands. He had some very awkward traffic and interesting roads to navigate with our large bus, (especially on the islands and up north) but he handled it all expertly and without a hitch. So much so, I was able to relax and enjoy the journey. All in all, with our tour, you could tell both these kind men cared very much for those of us who needed the extra help and advice. Made my bucket list trip to Scotland so memorable and wonderful. Thank you Ian and Allister! Globus is truly fortunate to have you both.

Lynda Bailey (Google Reviewer)  

I really enjoyed my Cosmos...

11-Jun-2024

I really enjoyed my Cosmos tour to Italy last September. However I was totally disappointed by two major things which completely changed the atmosphere of the holiday for me. One was the 'last minute' rearrangement of one of our hotels which then put us well outside of Florence on a trading estate for two nights instead of walking distance from the city walls. That completely blocked any plans or ideas of enjoying Florence in the evening. My biggest disappointment was the terrible travel arrangements and associated advice about travelling through Heathrow Cosmos put in place for me and for which they refused to be accountable despite the fact that they had made the ticket booking on my behalf and I had asked them for appropriate check in advice at all key points before I travelled. As a result I was put on standby when I should never have been (even the BA departure staff were shocked at this) and separated from my luggage which travelled on a later flight. I spent over 6 hrs of my first day in Rome in the airport waiting for my luggage and subsequent transfer to my hotel, without any assistance from Cosmos or BA airside staff. When I complained after my holiday, Cosmos would not take any responsibility at all for the fact that I lost the first day of my holiday and approx. 50% of the time I was due to spend in Rome, preferring to blame BA who in turn were uncontactable about my complaint. Very poor customer service indeed.

Book with Confidence

  • Low Deposit

    Globus requires a minimum deposit of 200 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of globus charges.

    Up to 91 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

    At 90 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.

    At 29 days before tour starts: Forfeit 80% of booking price.

    At 1 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.