Best Trips To Australia And New Zealand
My mate Dave once booked a “quick” trip to Australia and New Zealand. He had ten days, one carry-on, and a firm belief that the two countries were basically neighbors. By day...
My mate Dave once booked a “quick” trip to Australia and New Zealand. He had ten days, one carry-on, and a firm belief that the two countries were basically neighbors. By day three, he was in Christchurch, jet-lagged, eating a meat pie, and wondering why he hadn’t just picked one.
That’s the thing about this corner of the world: it looks compact on a map until you realize the distances are absurd. You can’t “do” both countries in a week, no matter how many travel reels tell you otherwise. But you can choose a trip that actually feels like a holiday.
Pick Your Lane (Or At Least Your Region)
Australia is a continent pretending to be a country. New Zealand is two islands packed with more landscapes than should be legal. Trying to cram both into one itinerary is like ordering every dessert on the menu and then complaining you feel sick.
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So here’s a friendly, slightly opinionated guide to the best trips in Australia and New Zealand. Yes, you’ll still need to make choices. No, you won’t regret them. Probably.
Best Trips in Australia
The Greatest Hits: Sydney, Uluru, and the Reef
If it’s your first time, this is the classic for a reason. Start in Sydney for the harbour, the beaches, and the coffee that takes itself very seriously.
Then fly to Uluru for sunset, silence, and a sense of scale that makes your problems feel pleasantly tiny. Finish at the Great Barrier Reef, ideally from Cairns or Port Douglas, before the coral tells you what it really thinks of climate change.
Two weeks minimum. Three is better. You’re welcome.
The East Coast Road Trip
For a more freewheeling vibe, fly into Sydney and drive north toward Brisbane and Cairns. You’ll hit surf towns, national parks, and more bakeries than your waistline asked for.
Stop at Byron Bay if you want to feel underdressed in linen. Keep going to Fraser Island (K’gari) for sand dunes and dingo warnings. This trip is best in a campervan, or a rental car with a very forgiving insurance policy.
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Melbourne, the Great Ocean Road, and Tasmania
Melbourne is the cultured, coffee-obsessed sibling who secretly thinks Sydney is shallow. Use it as a base for the Great Ocean Road, where the Twelve Apostles are fewer than twelve but still dramatic.
Then hop to Tasmania for wilderness, whisky, and wombats. It’s Australia’s best-kept secret, though the secret is getting out. Go before everyone else does.
Best Trips in New Zealand
The North Island Starter
Auckland is fine, but Rotorua is where things get weird in the best way. Geysers, mud pools, and a faint sulphur smell that follows you like a needy ghost.
Don’t skip Hobbiton if you’re even mildly into Lord of the Rings. Then head to Wellington for coffee, wind, and a museum that’s actually free and actually good.
The South Island Showstopper
Queenstown is the adventure capital, which means you can bungee, jet-boat, or just drink wine while others scream. Milford Sound is the postcard you’ve seen a thousand times, and yes, it’s still worth it.
Drive the West Coast for glaciers and wild beaches. Add Abel Tasman for golden sand and sea kayaking. Give this island at least ten days.
The Whole Shebang
If you have three weeks, do both islands. Start in Auckland, end in Queenstown, and take the ferry between islands if you want to feel adventurous and slightly seasick.
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You’ll move a lot, but you’ll see it all. Just don’t pretend it’s relaxing. It’s a highlight reel, not a nap.
Best Combined Australia and New Zealand Trips
The Three-Week Sampler
Pick Sydney and the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, then fly to Queenstown and Milford Sound in New Zealand. It’s a taster menu, not a full meal.
You’ll get iconic sights without completely burning out. Side note: book domestic flights early, because this region is not cheap.
The Adventure Loop
For adrenaline junkies, pair Queenstown with Cairns and Tasmania. You’ll hike, dive, bungee, and eat your weight in meat pies.
It’s chaotic, expensive, and unforgettable. Kind of like that friend who convinces you to jump off a bridge with a rubber band attached.
One Last Thing
Don’t try to see everything. Australia and New Zealand reward slow travel, repeat visits, and saying “next time” without guilt.
Pick two or three bases, stay longer than you think you should, and let the place surprise you. That’s the best trip. Trust me.
