Australia & New Zealand: A Month Down Under

Land in Auckland, grab your bags, and find your way to the hostel. There are no set plans until the evening, so it's a good chance to shake off the jet lag. Drop your stuff and head out to get a feel for the city before meeting up with the rest of the crew later on.

The road trip kicks off with a journey along the backroads toward the surf town of Raglan. First stop is Bridal Veil Falls for a short walk through native North Island bush. Once in Raglan, the plan is to get straight on the water for some sea-kayaking around the harbour's remote corners. The hostel for the next two nights is right in the middle of town, close to the surf breaks and artsy shops.

Today is all about Raglan's world-famous surf break. A surf lesson is on the agenda, so grab a board and get ready to hit the waves. The instructors use big soft-top boards, which makes standing up a lot easier. The afternoon is free to explore the town, relax on the black sand beach, or just hang at the hostel and trade stories with your new mates.

It's back on the road, heading for Rotorua with a stop at Waitomo. The main draw here is the glow worm caves; you can opt for a caving trip to see the ceiling lit up like a starry night. The drive continues to Rotorua, a town known for its geothermal activity and distinct sulfur smell. The evening is spent at Te Puia, a thermal valley, for a nighttime cultural experience that includes seeing the geyser erupt under the stars.

The morning is free to explore more of Rotorua. Your best move is to check out the geothermal parks with their bubbling mud pits and colorful pools, or if you're feeling adventurous, go white-water rafting. In the afternoon, it's a short drive to Taupo. On the way, there's a mandatory stop at the mighty Huka Falls to see the sheer volume of water thundering over the edge. Arrive in Taupo for an afternoon sailing trip on New Zealand's largest lake.

Today is a long drive south to Wellington, the nation's capital. It's a solid 5-6 hours on the road, so settle in and watch the scenery change. You'll arrive with enough time to hit the Te Papa National Museum, which has a mix of historical Māori artifacts and modern exhibits. Afterwards, you can take the cable car for city views or stroll along the Oriental Parade. The night usually ends with the crew heading out to explore the central business district.

A morning ferry takes you across the Cook Strait to the South Island. Pro tip: get out on the deck for the views as you enter the Marlborough Sounds. It's properly scenic. After docking in Picton, it's another overland drive towards Abel Tasman National Park. The route passes through lush native forests and along clear blue water, ending at a campsite near the park entrance, surrounded by golden sand beaches.

Today is all about exploring Abel Tasman National Park at your own pace. The plan involves catching an Aqua Taxi from Marahau up the coast to Anchorage, then walking the 12km coastal track back. The trail winds through native forest, with birdsong overhead and occasional waterfalls. You'll pass a series of pristine golden-sand beaches and turquoise bays, perfect for a swim or just relaxing in the sun before you make your way back to the campground.

Time to head south down the coast of black-sand beaches toward Westport. The drive includes a key stop at Cape Foulwind to see a New Zealand fur seal colony from a viewing platform. It's a great chance to watch them in their natural habitat before continuing on. Westport is an old coal-mining town; once you arrive, the best move is to find a local pub, grab a beer, and take in the West Coast vibe for the evening.

The coastal drive continues south with a stop at Punakaiki to see the Pancake Rocks and blowholes. It’s a short loop trail that shows off the bizarre, layered rock formations. After stretching your legs, the journey pushes on towards Franz Josef. You'll arrive at a wilderness lodge set in the rainforest, which serves as the base for exploring Glacier Country.

You've got a full free day in Franz Josef, and the main event is the glacier. If you want to actually get on the ice, a heli-hike or a guided ice walk are the ways to do it. Otherwise, you can explore the surrounding rainforests, lakes, and waterfalls on your own. For a more relaxed day, the Glacier Hot Pools are in town and offer a good way to unwind after a few days of travel. The choice is yours.

Get ready for a long but scenic travel day. The road to Queenstown, the adventure capital of the world, is an 8-9 hour drive that takes you from Glacier Country, back to the coast, and then inland over Haast Pass. The scenery is constantly changing, from lush forests to mountain passes, so keep your camera charged. You'll roll into Queenstown in the evening, ready for a few days of adrenaline.

This is Queenstown, and you've got a full free day to see what it's all about. If you're here for the adrenaline, this is your chance. Options range from jet boating on the Shotover River to bungee jumping, skydiving, or canyon swinging. If that's not your speed, there are plenty of hiking trails, or you can just explore the town's lively atmosphere.

Today is a break from the high-adrenaline stuff with a day trip to Fiordland National Park. It's a long drive out and back, but the payoff is a boat cruise through Milford Sound. The landscape is massive, with sheer cliffs rising from the dark water and waterfalls everywhere. It's one of the wettest places on Earth, so expect rain, but that just makes the waterfalls more dramatic. You'll head back to Queenstown for the night.

You have another full free day in Queenstown to tick off anything you missed. It's a second chance to try one of the adrenaline activities like bungee jumping or mountain biking, or to just take it easy. Explore the town, find a good spot for a Fergburger, or hike up Queenstown Hill for panoramic views. It's your last full day here, so make the most of it.

Leave Queenstown behind and travel towards Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park. Once there, you'll have some free time for a hike on one of the trails, like the Hooker Valley Track, or to visit the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre. Afterwards, the journey continues to Lake Tekapo, where you'll be staying for the next two nights. The area is a designated Dark Sky Reserve, so the stargazing is unreal on a clear night.

The day starts with a relaxed 21km bike ride along the flat, quiet canals near Lake Tekapo, with big mountain views the whole way. The rest of the day is yours to explore. You can hike up to the Mt John Observatory for incredible views over the Mackenzie Basin, visit the iconic Church of the Good Shepherd, or just chill by the impossibly blue lake. The Tekapo Hot Springs are another solid option for the afternoon.

A three-hour drive brings you to Christchurch, the largest city on the South Island. It's a city rebuilding itself after the earthquakes, with a mix of old English architecture and creative new spaces. You'll have the afternoon free to explore. Check out the Botanic Gardens or the cardboard cathedral. Tonight's accommodation is unique: you'll be sleeping in a converted jailhouse. It's a good chance to see what the city's nightlife is like with the crew.

Today's drive takes you up the coast to Kaikoura, a town where the mountains meet the sea. This place is all about marine life. The afternoon is free to get out on the water. The best options are a whale-watching cruise to spot sperm whales or a dolphin swimming encounter. You can also just walk the coastal path and keep an eye out for seals and seabirds like albatrosses and petrels.

It's time to say goodbye to the South Island. The morning drive takes you from Kaikoura to Picton, where you'll catch the ferry back across the Cook Strait to Wellington. It's your last chance to take in the views of the Marlborough Sounds. Once you're back in the capital, it's the final night in New Zealand for the group. A last dinner and a night out with the crew is the standard way to send it off.

Today you trade kiwis for kangaroos. Head to the Wellington airport for the four-hour flight to Sydney, Australia. After landing and checking into the hostel, the evening is yours. A good first move is to head down to The Rocks, the historic area by the harbour, to get your first glimpse of the Harbour Bridge and Opera House and find a pub for dinner.

Time to explore one of Australia's most famous beaches. The plan is to hop on the local ferry for the scenic trip across the harbour to Manly. Once you're there, the day is pretty open. You can take a surf lesson, chill on the pine-lined beach, or explore the shops and cafes along the Corso. The ferry ride itself offers classic views of the city skyline and the harbour.

You've got a full free day to tackle Sydney. You can't do it all, but you can make a dent. The classic tourist circuit includes the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge (you can even climb it, if your budget allows). Otherwise, check out the museums, wander through the Royal Botanic Garden, or hop on a bus to Bondi Beach to see the scene there.

It's your final day in Sydney, so it's a good chance to tick off anything you missed. Maybe that's exploring the cool neighborhoods of Newtown or Surry Hills, finding some good food in Chinatown, or just having a final walk around the harbour. Ask your hostel mates for tips if you're out of ideas; there's always something going on.

Time to leave the big city behind. Today is a travel day, taking the train north up the coast to Coffs Harbour. It's a long ride, so grab a window seat and watch the scenery roll by. From Coffs Harbour, it's a short 30-minute transfer to a dedicated surf camp in Arrawarra, your home for the next couple of days. Settle into the surf-focused lifestyle.

Wake up at the surf camp and hit the beach for a morning surf lesson. The instructors will get you in the water and on the waves. After the lesson, you'll go on a trek through the coastal bushland to find kangaroos in their natural habitat. The afternoon is free. You can head back to the beach, scramble over the rocks to explore tide pools, or just chill out at the camp.

It's a coastal drive from Arrawarra to the legendary arts and surf town of Byron Bay. After arriving and dropping your bags, grab some lunch before taking the classic walk up to the Cape Byron Lighthouse, the easternmost point of mainland Australia. Keep an eye on the water as you go; you might spot migrating whales or resident dolphins from the trail. The rest of the afternoon is free to take in the town's hippie vibe.

A full free day in Byron Bay means you can surf, sunbathe, or just wander. The town is full of hidden beaches and great cafes. If you want more action, you could try sea kayaking with dolphins or even go skydiving for a view of the whole cape. Or just grab a board and hit the waves; the surf culture here is the main event for a reason.

Trade one coastal town for a bigger city. The drive from Byron Bay takes you to Brisbane, Queensland's capital. You'll have the day to explore. You can walk through the City Botanic Gardens, hike Mount Coot-tha for panoramic views, or check out the South Bank Parklands. For the evening, the Eat Street Northshore market is a great option for food, or find a bar under the Story Bridge in Fortitude Valley.

It's an early start for the journey to K'gari (formerly Fraser Island), the world's largest sand island. Upon arrival, you'll be greeted with a traditional Welcome to Country ceremony by the local Butchulla people. Then it's straight into a 4WD adventure across the sand tracks. You'll swim in the crystal-clear waters of Lake McKenzie, hike through a rare rainforest growing on sand, and walk along the beach at sunset. The night ends with stories around a campfire.

The 4WD adventure on K'gari continues. Today's drive is along the famous 75 Mile Beach, a sand highway that runs up the island's coast. You'll stop to see the Maheno shipwreck, a rusted hull beached on the shore, and swim in Eli Creek, a freshwater stream that flows into the ocean. In the afternoon, you'll say goodbye to the island and head back to the mainland, continuing on to the chic beach town of Noosa.

Today's plan is a hike through Noosa National Park. Catch a ferry and then start the walk along the coastal track to Hell's Gates, a dramatic headland with stunning views of the turquoise water. Keep an eye out for koalas in the eucalyptus trees along the way. The afternoon is free to explore Noosa. You can check out the upscale shops on Hastings Street, rent a surfboard, or just relax on the main beach before taking the ferry back.

You have one last free day in Noosa. Hit the shops on Hastings Street, have a final coffee on the beach, or go for another surf. In the afternoon, it's time to pack up and head to the train station. Tonight is spent on an overnight train, heading north towards Airlie Beach, the gateway to the Whitsunday Islands. You'll fall asleep in Noosa and wake up in a new part of Queensland.

Hop off the train at Proserpine and take a short bus ride to Airlie Beach. This lively town is the main hub for exploring the Whitsunday Islands and the Great Barrier Reef. After dropping your bags at the hostel, the day is yours. You can relax at the town's man-made lagoon, wander through the shops, or start planning a day trip out to the reef.

Get ready for a full day out on the water. You'll board a high-speed ocean raft to zip around the Whitsunday Islands. The day includes stops for snorkeling in the turquoise water, a bushwalk up to the famous Hill Inlet Lookout for that postcard view over Whitehaven Beach, and time to relax on Whitehaven's pure white silica sand. It's a classic Queensland experience.

It's an early start for another long travel day. You'll take a bus from Airlie Beach back to Proserpine to catch a 10-hour train north to Cairns. It's a good day to catch up on sleep, read a book, or just watch the Queensland landscape of sugar cane fields and small towns roll by. You'll arrive in Cairns, the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, in the evening.

Welcome to tropical North Queensland. You've got a free day in Cairns, and the main draw is the Great Barrier Reef. You can book a boat trip out to snorkel or dive among the coral and fish. If you'd rather stay on land, other options include exploring the Daintree Rainforest or cooling off at the Cairns Esplanade Lagoon. The day wraps up with a final big night out with the crew to celebrate the end of the trip.

It's the end of the road. There are no activities planned for today, so you're free to pack your bags and depart at any time. Grab a final coffee, say goodbye to your new mates, and head to the airport for your flight home.