Best of Australia & New Zealand

(16 Days - Departs Daily on a Private Basis)
Sydney, Uluru (Ayers Rock), Daintree Rainforest, Great Barrier Reef, Auckland, Taupo, Queenstown & Milford Sound

Experience the best destinations and top luxury hotels and lodges in Australia and New Zealand on this luxurious tour, which includes sophisticated cities, stunning landscapes, soft-adventure activities, fascinating cultures, and acclaimed food and wine.

Begin in Sydney, Australia's most beautiful city. Enjoy a private insider tour of the city highlights, including the historic Rocks district, vibrant markets, favorite neighborhoods such as Paddington, the Royal Botanic Garden, Aboriginal art galleries and iconic Bondi Beach. One day, Artisans of Leisure will arrange a private tour of the Sydney Opera House and tickets to a performance. One afternoon, enjoy an exclusive private boat ride on Sydney Harbour. During free time, enjoy the city’s sophisticated restaurants, shops and harborside attractions. Upon request, Artisans of Leisure can arrange other special interest activities such as a private surfing lesson, a behind-the-scenes wildlife experience, a private tasting tour, kayaking in the harbor, Sydney Skywalk and an exhilarating Sydney Harbour BridgeClimb experience.

Next, fly to Uluru (Ayers Rock), the iconic sandstone monolith in Australia’s rugged Red Centre. Stay at Longitude 131, a luxurious tented lodge with views of Uluru against the expansive red earth and vast blue sky. During comprehensive private touring in the region with your own expert guide, walk along the base of beautiful Uluru to see Aboriginal rock art and waterholes, and hear about legends of the Dreamtime. Also hike among the 36 stone domes of the impressive Kata Tjuta (The Olgas) formation, and learn about the Outback’s unique flora and fauna and Aboriginal bush tucker cuisine. One night, dine under the stars while an astronomer points out the southern constellations in the clear desert night sky and a didgeridoo musician plays in the background.

Continue to Tropical North Queensland, and stay at Silky Oaks, a luxury lodge in the Daintree Rainforest. During private touring, learn about the unique ecosystem of the ancient tropical rainforest and UNESCO World Heritage Site. Take a private boat ride on the Daintree River. Also visit Mossman Gorge, and if desired, enjoy drift snorkeling on the Mossman River. Another day, visit Kuranda and ride the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway. Upon request, we can arrange additional activities in the area, such as hot-air balloon rides, Aboriginal crafts lessons, sea kayaking along the coast, “breakfast with the birds” at a local wildlife reserve and other family activities, and in-depth tours of the rainforest with a local Aboriginal guide.

Next, spend several days at spectacular Lizard Island, the best luxury resort in the Great Barrier Reef. One day, enjoy a snorkeling excursion to the outer reef. Artisans of Leisure will also arrange a private tour of the island’s coral reef research station. During free time at the resort, enjoy superb cuisine and activities such as snorkeling, swimming, stand up paddleboarding, kayaking, sailing, beach picnics, tennis, motorized dinghy rides, glass-bottom boat rides, nature walks and hikes. Upon request, we can also arrange scuba diving, scuba lessons, sunset cruises, private fishing excursions and more.

Then, fly to Auckland, New Zealand, a cosmopolitan city built on volcanic hills overlooking scenic Waitemata Harbour. Stay at the city's best luxury hotel, which is on the waterfront and within walking distance of interesting neighborhoods and top restaurants.

Next, you will be transferred through the bucolic countryside with touring of charming Hobbiton (a filming location from The Lord of the Rings), the historic town of Rotorua, and the active geothermal landscape at the Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland. Continue to Taupo and Huka Lodge, an acclaimed luxury lodge in a park-like setting along the Waikato River. During a private cruise on beautiful Lake Taupo, take in views of the volcanic peaks of Tongariro National Park and perhaps try fishing for the lake's abundant trout. Also enjoy time at leisure to relax at your lodge or walk along the river to Huka Falls. Upon request, Artisans of Leisure can arrange additional activities in the region, such as an excursion to the Waitomo Glowworm Caves, a traditional Maori hangi lunch, kayaking or sailing on local lakes, fly fishing on local streams, whitewater rafting, mountain biking, hiking in Tongariro National Park and an exclusive helicopter excursion to the top of a volcano.

Next, fly to the South Island and Queenstown, a lakeside resort town that's the gateway to some of the most exciting and dramatic attractions in New Zealand. Enjoy private touring of the historic gold mining village of Arrowtown, as well as the region's highly regarded wine country. Take in panoramas of Lake Wakatipu and The Remarkables mountain range en route to Blanket Bay, a legendary luxury lodge with outstanding views of the lake and the majestic Southern Alps. One day, take a spectacular private helicopter flight over the Alps to Milford Sound, one of New Zealand's most iconic sights, and land on a glacier high in the mountains. Also take a thrilling Dart River jet boat safari into the magnificent landscapes of Mount Aspiring National Park. Upon request, Artisans of Leisure can arrange additional activities in the region such as horseback riding, bungy (bungee) jumping, visiting filming locations used in The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit movies, hiking in the backcountry, visiting a sheep station and fly fishing on local streams.

This tour can easily be customized with additional days, activities or destinations.

Itinerary Overview

Day 1 Arrive Sydney, Australia Private arrival transfer to hotel for 2 nights. Afternoon private Sydney Harbour sailboat excursion Day 2 Sydney Half-day private city tour, including private Sydney Opera House tour. Evening dinner and performance at Opera House Day 3 Sydney – Uluru (Ayers Rock) Private transfer to airport for flight. Private arrival transfer to resort for 2 nights. Private sunset tour Day 4 Uluru (Ayers Rock) & Kata Tjuta (The Olgas) Morning and afternoon private tours of scenic and cultural highlights. Dinner under the stars Day 5 Uluru – Cairns – Daintree Rainforest Morning private tour. Afternoon private transfer to airport for flight to Cairns. Private arrival transfer to hotel for 2 nights Day 6 Daintree Rainforest Full-day private tour Day 7 Daintree Rainforest – Cairns – Great Barrier Reef Private transfer to airport for flight to Lizard Island for 3 nights Day 8 Great Barrier Reef Snorkeling excursion to outer reef Day 9 Great Barrier Reef Private tour of research station on the island and leisure time to enjoy resort and island activities Day 10 Great Barrier Reef – Auckland, New Zealand Transfer to airstrip for scheduled flight to Cairns. Private airport connection assistance to connect with international flights (not included in tour cost) to Auckland. Private arrival transfer to hotel for 1 night Day 11 Auckland – Rotorua – Taupo Private transfer to lodge for 2 nights with touring of Hobbiton, Rotorua and geothermal highlights en route Day 12 Taupo Private half-day cruise on Lake Taupo Day 13 Taupo – Queenstown (Glenorchy) Private transfer to airport for flight. Private arrival transfer to lodge for 3 nights with touring of Queenstown and Arrowtown en route Day 14 Queenstown & Milford Sound Morning private Milford Sound helicopter excursion and glacier landing. Afternoon Dart River safari Day 15 Queenstown Full-day private hiking and scenic touring Day 16 Depart Queenstown Private airport transfer

Hotels

Sydney: Park Hyatt Sydney Uluru (Ayers Rock): Longitude 131 Daintree Rainforest: Silky Oaks Great Barrier Reef: Lizard Island Auckland: Park Hyatt Auckland or Sofitel Auckland Viaduct Harbour Taupo: Huka Lodge Queenstown (Glenorchy): Blanket Bay

Cost

Upon request