Australia New Zealand Anniversary Trip: Luxury and Adventure

Experience luxury and adventure in some of Australia and New Zealand’s most unique, unspoiled landscapes. Snorkel the Great Barrier Reef, kayak with fur seals, explore the Australian rainforest and heli over the stunning Milford Sound.

A combination of gorgeous scenery, luxury lodges, and outdoor adventure was the recipe for this Australia New Zealand Anniversary Trip: Luxury and Adventure package we planned for a Dallas couple.

They started their trip in the Daintree Rainforest, the oldest living rainforest in the world, and stayed in a luxurious treehouse at Silky Oaks Lodge. They spent a day exploring the area’s top attractions, first taking an Aboriginal-guided tour of the Daintree, then heading out to the Great Barrier Reef for an amazing snorkel cruise in the world’s most famous coral reef.

Next, for their Australia New Zealand Anniversary Trip: Luxury and Adventure vacation, they flew to Sydney and took a scenic transfer to Emirates One&Only Wolgan Valley. This incredible resort in the Blue Mountains offers world-class luxury amid an accessible wilderness marked by canyons and escarpments, eucalypt forests, and large open fields where kangaroos hop freely. They went mountain biking and horseback riding in this one-of-a-kind landscape and were able to unwind after an adventurous day in their private pool with panoramic valley views.

Next, it was on to New Zealand. They flew to Rotorua, where they stayed in the fabulous Treetops Lodge—the perfect base to explore this fascinating geothermal region. They were able to tour the Kiwi Encounter, one of the few places where you can see the beloved Kiwi bird. They also spent a few nights in the beautiful Golden Bay and took a kayaking adventure in Abel Tasman National Park, an adventure lover’s dream.

The last stop on their Australia New Zealand Anniversary Trip: Luxury and Adventure was Queenstown, New Zealand’s adventure capital. They spent three nights at Azur Lodge, enjoying breathtaking views of Lake Wakatipu and the Remarkables mountain range. They took an unforgettable helicopter ride to the pristine Milford Sound and then had a guided hike on the famous Routeburn Walk.

At last, their magical anniversary trip came to an end. They returned home with plenty of stories to tell about their adventures in Australia and New Zealand!

Suggested Itinerary

Day 1
Welcome to Australia! Fly from Sydney to Cairns, where you’ll be transferred to the luxurious Silky Oaks Lodge. This incredible eco-retreat is located in the Daintree Rainforest—a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the world’s oldest living rainforest—and blends in perfectly with its gorgeous surroundings. Your home for the next 4 nights is a spacious treehouse overlooking the rainforest canopy.
Silky Oaks Lodge

Day 2
Today, join our mates at Walkabout Cultural Adventures for an Aboriginal-guided tour of the mesmerizing Daintree Rainforest. Your guide will share his intimate knowledge of the land, showing you medicinal or culinary uses for the local plants. Then, you’ll head to a secluded stream with no one else around for swimming and spearfishing. This incredible tour gives you access to parts of the rainforest that other tourists don’t get to see. Then, you’ll get to explore the other top attraction of Port Douglas: the famed Great Barrier Reef. Head out on a snorkeling cruise to discover this unique and colorful underwater world.
Silky Oaks Lodge

Day 3 – 4
Enjoy the next 2 days at your leisure. Explore walking trails through the rainforest or use one of the lodge’s complimentary canoes for an adventure down the Mossman River. Perhaps indulge in a spa treatment using traditional Aboriginal techniques and local ingredients. In the evenings, enjoy romantic dinners in the treehouse restaurant.
Silky Oaks Lodge

Day 5 – 7
Your driver will whisk you back to Cairns for your flight to Sydney. On arrival, enjoy a short, scenic road transfer to Emirates One&Only Wolgan Valley, your home for the next 3 nights. In the midst of 4,000 acres of rugged wilderness, One&Only Wolgan Valley offers guests the chance to immerse themselves in an authentic and meaningful experience whilst enjoying luxurious accommodation, fine food & wine, and a range of holistic spa treatments.

Enjoy the next few days at leisure. Wolgan Valley is a natural sanctuary where you can experience a haven of wildlife, breathtaking natural beauty, and relaxation. For a little adventure travel here, you can take part in numerous excursions, including 4×4 safaris, night wildlife spotting, horseback riding, mountain biking, bush walking, and heritage or Aboriginal interpretation tours.
Emirates One&Only Wolgan Valley

Day 8
Head back to Sydney and fly to Rotorua, New Zealand. Here, you will be treated to stay at one of the country’s most renowned wilderness resorts, Treetops Lodge. A nature lover’s paradise, the lodge is set in more than 2,500 acres of private wilderness in New Zealand’s famed geothermal region. This afternoon, take the gentle hike to the Bridal Veil Waterfalls and enjoy a private picnic with a gourmet meal packed by the resort.
Treetops Lodge

Day 9
Embark on a sightseeing tour of Rotorua today. First, tour the town and visit the Rotorua Museum. You will then move on to the Rainbow Springs trout hatchery and wildlife sanctuary. Here, enjoy a tour of the Kiwi Encounter—a working nursery and hatchery where kiwi birds are raised as part of Operation Nest Egg. Take a short stroll through the beautiful Government Gardens before concluding your tour with a visit to Te Puia Thermal Reserve for a close look at geysers, boiling mud, and silica terraces. At the onsite Arts & Crafts Institute, you’ll see Maori weavers and carvers at work on traditional crafts.
Treetops Lodge

Day 10
Today is yours to spend at your leisure. Enjoy the local trout streams, lakes, and over 70 km of hiking trails. Optional activities include 4WD and heli safaris, fly fishing, mountain biking, horseback riding, and more. This evening, enjoy a complimentary upgrade to the Chef’s Top Table at dinner, where you’ll be treated to a delicious meal with matching wines.
Treetops Lodge

Day 11
Enjoy a private transfer to the airport this morning. Hop on a flight to the South Island and land in Nelson, the gateway to Abel Tasman National Park. Pick up your rental car and drive to Golden Bay, taking in the gorgeous coastal scenery along the way. This remote coastal shore is begging to be explored. Ride horses along cliffs and across lonely beaches. Spot seal pups on the rocks and whales at sea. Lose yourself in the ocean gusts whipping across the long, sandy Farewell Spit. Your stylish accommodation is in a tranquil country estate and features 4 uniquely decorated suites.
4-star hotel in Golden Bay

Day 12
Today, embark on a kayaking adventure in the gorgeous Abel Tasman National Park. Discover the beautiful beaches, tidal estuaries, and rivers of the most scenic kayaking area of the park: Anchorage to Bark Bay. Keep an eye out for fur seals in the water—they may even try to hop on your kayak! Pause at a sheltered cove for lunch and take some time to relax and explore. On your return journey, if the winds are favorable, the kayak sails will be hoisted and you will sail back to Torrent Bay.
4-star hotel in Golden Bay

Day 13
Your luxury honeymoon continues today with a flight to Queenstown. A delight for scenery lovers and adrenaline junkies alike, this is the outdoor adventure capital of the country, if not the world. Your home here is Azur Lodge, one of New Zealand’s most luxurious lodges. Nestled at the northern end of Lake Wakatipu, about 45 minutes from Queenstown, the lodge features unspoiled natural beauty wherever you look.
Azur Lodge

Day 14
It’s time to explore the Fiordlands, one of New Zealand’s most pristine and picturesque regions. Fly from Queenstown to Milford Sound by helicopter, enjoying views of dramatic mountains, crystal clear lakes, waterfalls, and fiords surrounded by lush rainforest. Connect with Mitre Peak Cruises for a relaxing nature cruise on Milford Sound, where you’ll have the chance to see dolphins, fur seals, and rare penguins. Return to Queenstown by helicopter with an alpine landing for the ultimate experience.
Azur Lodge

Day 15
Today, you will experience the famous Routeburn Walk. First, enjoy a scenic drive to the northern end of Lake Wakatipu and into the Routeburn Valley. Your walk begins in the ancient beech forest of Mount Aspiring National Park. The high, snow-capped mountains provide a magnificent backdrop for the walk up to this beautiful river valley. Enjoy a delicious picnic lunch in a scenic location. Back at the lodge, spend your last evening in New Zealand looking out over Lake Wakatipu and the Southern Alps with a glass of fabulous local wine in hand.
Azur Lodge

Day 16
Fly back home today, reminiscing about your amazing experiences in the wilds of Australia and New Zealand.

About this vacation
Cost Per Person

Does not include the cost of airfare


Based on
17 day stay
2 travelers

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