Eighteen days in Australia and New Zealand, for two
Rainforest and reef in the tropical north, Blue Mountains waterfalls, beach cities, wine country around Adelaide, Perth's sunsets, the alpine lakes of Queenstown and wild Tasmania.
Full 18-day trip for two, door to door from the USA
Where the money goes
Estimated budget for two over 18 days, in US dollars. Distances are huge, so internal flights are a large share.
| Category | Estimated cost |
|---|---|
| International flightsUSA ⇄ Cairns or Sydney, return from Hobart via Sydney or Melbourne, 2 people. | $2,400 – $4,400 |
| Accommodation (17 nights)About $220–$550 a night: COMO, Oaks and Millennium hotels and island lodges. | $3,740 – $9,350 |
| Meals and diningCafé breakfasts, seafood and wine-region lunches. | $1,800 – $3,000 |
| Activities and experiencesGreat Barrier Reef day trip, wine tours, Milford Sound, geothermal parks. | $1,200 – $2,200 |
| Transport in the regionSeveral domestic flights and a trans-Tasman flight, plus car rentals. | $1,800 – $3,000 |
| Ground totalAll costs on the ground, excluding international flights | $8,540 – $17,550 |
| Grand totalFull 18-day trip for two, door to door from the USA | $10,940 – $21,950 |
Estimates only. Prices vary by season, departure city and availability.
Suggested 18-day itinerary
Australia's coasts and capitals, then New Zealand and Tasmania. Each stop shows the estimated cost of your stay.
Tropical North & Rainforest Romance
Tropical north and rainforest romance
- Snorkel or dive the Great Barrier Reef from Cairns.
- Daintree rainforest and Kuranda Scenic Railway.
- Fly south to the Blue Mountains and Wentworth Falls.
Coastal Cities & Harbor Lights
Coastal cities and harbour lights
- Newcastle's ocean baths and the Sunshine Coast's beaches.
- Brisbane's South Bank and river.
- Gold Coast sunset at Southport.
Capital Gardens & Cultural Capitals
Capital gardens and cultural capitals
- Canberra's galleries and Lake Burley Griffin.
- Melbourne's laneways and cafés.
- Barossa Valley wines near Adelaide.
The Wild West & Tropical North Return
The wild west and the tropical north
- Sunset at Cottesloe and quokkas on Rottnest Island.
- Darwin's Mindil Beach market.
Alpine Lakes & Geothermal Wonders
Alpine lakes and geothermal wonders
- Queenstown: Skyline gondola, Lake Wakatipu, Milford Sound day trip.
- Rotorua: geysers, Māori culture and hot pools.
Wild Island Escape
Wild island escape
- Salamanca Market and MONA by ferry.
- Wineglass Bay day trip.
- Fly home via Sydney or Melbourne.
Australia and New Zealand honeymoon destinations
Every stop on the route, with a link to find a stay.
Special notes for an intimate escape
Two ideas for the southern hemisphere.
Overnight on the reef
Some operators offer a night on a reef pontoon or a liveaboard boat, sleeping under the stars far from the coast.
Lakeside hot tubs
Book a private cedar hot tub above the Shotover River near Queenstown at sunset.
Logistics and travel tips
Entry
Apply for Australia's ETA and New Zealand's NZeTA before you travel.
Best time to go
September–November and March–May for mild weather everywhere; the tropical north is best May–October.
Getting around
Fly between regions; rent a car for Tasmania and Queenstown.
Sun
The sun is strong; pack sunscreen, a hat and a rash vest.
Plan the Australia and New Zealand trip at $304 – $610 per person a day
Browse tours and activities, or compare it with our 15-day Thailand honeymoon.
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