Australia/New Zealand Highlights

Example itinerary of the best of Australia and New Zealand.

This is an example itinerary incorporating both Australia and New Zealand at the high end for luxury travellers who only have 12 nights to sample signature experiences of both countries.  It is a fast-moving itinerary which hits a number of high points.

The itinerary makes extensive use of top accommodation, helicopters, light aircraft and private guides, so it is expensive.  Cost can be reduced by reducing usage of expensive items, such as helicopters and top lodges.  For a couple, our estimate is NZ$45,000 per person.  For two couples travelling together, NZ$27,500 per person.  For four couples, plus a shortened programme, we managed to halve the per person cost - so creative pruning is an option if budget constraints require it.

As with all our itineraries, this is a baseline only and is customisable to your individual needs.

Day 1

Arrive in Sydney.  Be met by your chauffeur who will drive you to the Park Hyatt.  This top hotel has the best location in Sydney, on the water by the harbour bridge and Opera House.  The rest of the day is at leisure for you to recover from your flight.  That evening, we will book one of Sydney's top restaurants for you based on your dining preferences.  If there is a specific aspect of Sydney you would like to explore, please let us know.

Day 2

Spend the morning discovering Sydney with our guide.  Then in the afternoon fly to Melbourne and transfer to award winning lodge Moonlight Head.  This is a relatively new lodge which has redefined the luxury landscape in Australia with the detail of its personal service as well as the signature activities based on the property. 

Day 3

A day at Moonlight Head.  After a breakfast with kangaroos, we propose the journey from Moonlight Head to Cape Otway Lighthouse, where there are koalas in the wild.  This incorporates lovely coastal views and possibly a one-hour bushwalk.  

Day 4

Your private light aircraft will pick you up at Moonlight Head and take you for a low-level flight over the Great Ocean Road.  Arrive at Portee Station in Australia's Outback in time for lunch.  Relax around the station in the afternoon before going on a dusk wombat/kangaroo tour.  That evening enjoy a gourmet barbecue at the lodge. 

Day 5

After a leisurely breakfast have a tour of the woolshed followed by lunch in the paddock or down by Sandy Beach.  Then be joined by the locals for an afternoon of aboriginal culture which will flow over into dinner with aborignial music by starlight.

Day 6

Fly to Adelaide on your private aircraft for your connection with your international flight to Auckland where you will be met at the door of your aircraft by our representatives and assisted through the priority exits.  Meet your chauffeur/guide and transfer to Treetops Lodge in Rotorua, a three hour drive.  If you prefer, we can book a 20-minute scheduled flight or arrange a helicopter transfer incorporating a private visit to the Waitomo Caves and an informative one-hour bushwalk with our eccentric but very knowledgeable guide.  Treetops is a traditional hunting/fishing lodge set in a large, remote, rainforest estate.  The architecture is impeccable, and the villa suites are of the highest standard.   

Day 7

We have developed a custom Maori experience at Treetops which you will experience in the morning.  This focuses on nature, food and a fierce traditional welcome.  In the afternoon, visit some geothermal sights together with a Maori guide who will incorporate some aspects which are not normally available to tourists.  Then drive three hours past Taupo and over the ranges to Hawkes Bay and stay at Greenhill Lodge.  Greenhill is a lovely old homestead which has hosted the Queen Mother a long time ago and is now without doubt the top lodge in the Hawkes Bay.  A quiet, classical place set amidst mature trees on a hill, Greenhill is a lovely place to relax.

Day 8

This is a day of rest in the Hawkes Bay.  If you wish, we can schedule activities.  Options include: hiking; riding horses on the beach; insider wine tour of this top Bordeaux style area; kayaking; fly fishing; golf at Cape Kidnappers, the country's most picturesque course; sightseeing a local gannet colony; sightseeing art deco Napier.   

Day 9

Fly to Queenstown and stay at Punatapu Lodge.  On arrival at the airport, meet the helicopter pilot who did all the helicopter work for 'Lord of the Rings' (if available - he has a busy ongoing filming schedule)and he will fly you to some beautiful places used as film locations as well as Fiordland/Milford Sound. He will then return you directly to your lodge.  Punatapu is situated 20km from Queenstown in a private lakeside estate, with eclectic design and many original pieces of New Zealand art.

Day 10

Day at leisure in Queenstown.  Activities to choose from are: private Land Rover tour of a high country station; sightseeing of a number of places; day hiking; fly fishing; kayaking and diving in Milford Sound.

Day 11

Drive up to Wanaka with wine entrepreneur Grant Taylor (who is credited as one of the major influences behind the rise of local Central Otago wines).  Stop at a number of vineyards on the way.  Stay at Silver Pine.  Silver Pine is a new lodge located high on a mountain with stunning views of Lake Hawea.  With only 4 suites, this is an intimate experience and the food is delicious.  We have persuaded the host, Mike Yates, to become one of our guides as we find him excellent value.

Day 12

A day by helicopter with Lydia Bradey, the first lady to make it to the summit of Everest with no additional oxygen.  She has selected some of her favourite places for us, received consent for one-off landings, and can tailor her trip to incorporate as much walking as you wish  (or alternatively we can substitute helicopter fly fishing, helicopter hunting, or remote helicopter jetboating)

Day 13

Fly out.