32 days in Australia & New Zealand Itinerary

Lent iconic status as a result of its famous bridge and opera house, Sydney has a down-to-earth charm that enhances its spectacular setting and functional efficiency.

Visit Bondi Beach and Shelly Beach for some beach relaxation. Take a break from the city and head to Manly Beach and Sydney Harbour National Park. There's much more to do: admire the landmark architecture of Sydney Opera House, snap pictures at Sydney Harbour Bridge, wander the streets of Darling Harbour, and hike along Bondi to Coogee Beach Coastal Walk.

For reviews, more things to do, photos, and tourist information, go to the Sydney custom trip planner.

Wellington, New Zealand to Sydney is an approximately 6-hour combination of train, flight, and bus. Traveling from Wellington to Sydney, you'll gain 2 hours due to the time zone difference. When traveling from Wellington in August, plan for somewhat warmer days in Sydney, with highs around 22°C, while nights are about the same with lows around 11°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 26th (Sat) to allow enough time to travel to Lord Howe Island.

Bursting out of the Tasman Sea, Lord Howe Island offers stunning scenery and many sandy beaches.

Get outdoors at Ned's Beach and Lord Howe Island Walking Trails.

To find ratings, reviews, photos, and other tourist information, read Lord Howe Island trip itinerary builder.

Do a combination of flight and train from Sydney to Lord Howe Island in 3.5 hours. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 29th (Tue) to allow time to travel to Cairns.

A neat, cosmopolitan city of shaded plazas and laid-back neighborhoods, Cairns serves as a popular base for exploration of the surrounding region and the Great Barrier Reef, as well as a center for watersport activities like surfing or waterskiing.

We've included these beaches for you: Palm Cove Beach and Four Mile Beach. Visiting Scuba & Snorkeling and Trinity Beach will get you outdoors. You'll find plenty of places to visit near Cairns: Hartley's Crocodile Adventures (in Palm Cove), Shannonvale Tropical Fruit Winery (in Mossman) and Wildlife Habitat Port Douglas (in Port Douglas). The adventure continues: do some two-wheel cruising with Trail Bike Adventures, zoom along the surf with a waterskiing or jet-skiing adventure, pause for some serene contemplation at St Monica's Cathedral, and kick back and relax at Ellis Beach.

To see reviews, more things to do, photos, and more tourist information, you can read our Cairns trip planner.

Traveling by flight from Lord Howe Island to Cairns takes 6.5 hours. In August, daily temperatures in Cairns can reach 31°C, while at night they dip to 19°C. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 4th (Mon) to allow time for travel to Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park.

For quintessential Outback scenery and culture, you can't beat a holiday in Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, a World Heritage Site.

Step out of the city life by going to Uluru and Valley of the Winds. Spend the 7th (Thu) wandering through the wild on a nature and wildlife tour.

For maps, more things to do, ratings, and tourist information, use the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park trip itinerary planner.

Traveling by flight from Cairns to Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park takes 5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive. Traveling from Cairns in September, expect a bit cooler with lows of 16°C in Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. Finish your sightseeing early on the 9th (Sat) so you can travel to Te Anau.

Set among the picturesque peaks and glacially carved fiords of Fiordland National Park, Te Anau offers those wishing to explore the park a great place to stay and enjoy the relaxing atmosphere of a small town in an enviable location.

Get outdoors at Fiordland National Park (Te Wahipounamu) and Milford Sound. On the 13th (Wed), hike the day away at Hollyford Track. On the 15th (Fri), hike the day away at Kepler Track. Next up on the itinerary: contemplate the waterfront views at Doubtful Sound, stroll through Mirror Lakes Walk, take your sightseeing to a higher altitude at Mitre Peak, and Head underground at Te Anau Glowworm Caves.

To find more things to do, other places to visit, reviews, and tourist information, refer to the Te Anau travel itinerary planner.

Explore your travel options from Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park to Te Anau with the Route module. You'll lose 2 hours traveling from Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park to Te Anau due to the time zone difference. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 15th (Fri) to allow time to drive to Queenstown.

Sheltered in an inlet of Lake Wakatipu, the resort town of Queenstown enjoys a strong reputation for its adventuring and skiing opportunities.

Take a break from the city and head to The Remarkables Ski Area and Skydiving. On the 17th (Sun), dedicate a day to the elevated beauty of Coronet Peak. There's much more to do: relax and rejuvenate at some of the top local wellness centers, get your game on at Skyline Queenstown, try to win big at Skycity Casino, and do a tasting at Peregrine Wines.

For photos, other places to visit, where to stay, and more tourist information, read our Queenstown travel itinerary creator.

You can drive from Te Anau to Queenstown in 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 20th (Wed) early enough to travel back home.