Australia and New Zealand holiday with the Cook Islands

Itinerary in brief

• 3 nights Sydney
• 4 nights Rarotonga
• 3 nights Aitutaki
• 13 nights Campervan hire - New Zealand

Day 1: Depart UK

Depart the UK from your chosen airport.

Included: International flight

Day 2: Arrive Sydney

On arrival, you will be transferred to your centrally located hotel.

Included: Arrival transfer & hotel

Days 3 & 4: Sydney

You have three nights and two full days to enjoy all that Sydney has to offer. Take a seaplane flight over the harbour, climb the Harbour Bridge, explore the beach suburbs of Bondi and Manly, head out of the city and explore the Blue Mountains – the list of great things to do is endless. We can arrange any day trips you choose.

On day 4, we have included a tour to the Blue Mountains. On the way you will stop at the Featherdale Wildlife Park for a hands-on Australian wildlife experience where you will be able to feed the Kangaroos. Next up, is the famous Blue Mountains, known for its dramatic scenery. This region encompasses eucalyptus forests, waterfalls and villages, a perfect place to enjoy some great walks and take in the views, from Pulpit Rock to Hargraves Lookout and Lincolns Rock, as well as the famous Three Sisters. 

Included: Hotel, Blue Mountains tour

Day 5: Fly to Rarotonga

You will be greeted at the airport with a flower lei and driven to your hotel by shared transfer. On arrival at your accommodation, check in for a 4-night stay.

Included: Transfers, Palm Grove

Days 6 - 8: Rarotonga

You have a free day today, so its time to truly relax and set your clock to the laid back  'island time'!

If you want to see what local life is like on the island, head to the main town of Avaru, where there is a market every Saturday. On Sunday mornings you'll find most of the Islanders will be in church, and you're always welcome to join them at their Sunday service for another glimpse of every day local life here.

Why not hire a small car, moped or even a bicycle to do some exploring? There are plenty of lovely beaches to explore - some better for swimming, others snorkelling. If you fancy a bit more action, you can go kite surfing, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, or open water diving.

Besides beaches, Rarotonga has a lush, forested interior that's ripe for exploring. Why not join head out on a guided nature or cross-island walk? We can book several different options to discover the interior of the island. There are several different ‘Island nights’ that take place on Rarotonga too and we recommend attending one whilst you're here. It's the best way to enjoy Polynesian culture through food, dance and music. If you would like to include one of these in your trip just let your us know!

Included: Palm Grove

Day 9: Fly to Aitutaki

After breakfast, you will be taken by shared transfer back to Rarotonga Airport for the short and scenic 45 minute flight to Aitutaki. On arrival, you will be met and transferred to your accommodation, where you’ll check-in for a 3 night stay.

Included: Transfers, internal flights, Etu Moana 

Days 10 & 11: Aitutaki

We have included a cruise on the beautiful Aitutaki Lagoon. Float above the turquoise waters spotting turtles then head to some amazing snorkelling sites for an up-close experience in the water. A BBQ lunch is provided and you'll get to visit One Foot Island, a stunning uninhabited island popular with wedding couples looking for a romantic and private ceremony.

Included: Vaka cruise, Etu Moana 

Day 12: Depart Aitutaki

After checking out, you will be taken to the airport by shared transfer for your flight back to Rarotonga and your onward journey.

Included: Transfers, internal flights 

Days 13 - 25: Auckland to Christchurch campervan

We’ve included a 2 week campervan hire, taking you from Auckland to Christchurch. You’ll have a four berth campervan which will give you plenty of room to spread out during your two week trip.

Head out from Auckland, you could head north to sail the blue waters Bay of Islands or just drive south, stopping in at the pretty Coromandel Peninsula before enjoying a pint a the Green Dragon in Hobbiton.  Visit the bubbling pools of Rotorua, taste wine in the lush vineyards of Hawkes Bay and learn about the Art Deco history of Napier. Cycle between the tiny wineries in Martinborough and stop in the cool capital of Wellington, where we’d always recommend a visit to the brilliant Te Papa museum.

Taking the ferry over to the South Island, you can explore whichever route you like. Why not hike the paths of Abel Tasman National Park before driving down the west coast, stopping at the famous Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers before hitting up the cool city of Queenstown. You can then head back up to Christchurch via the pretty shores of Lake Tekapo. If you'd prefer a more leisurely route, explore the relaxing vineyards around Blenheim and look for whales in the waves around Kaikoura. Either way you'll finish your trip in the quirky city of Christchurch, where you can enjoy the quaint charm and unique street art of the second city of New Zealand.

Included: Campervan hire

Day 26: Depart Christchurch

Today, you will drop your camper at the airport depot before boarding your onward flight.

Included: International flight

Day 27: Arrive UK