This journey is available in three ways:
✨ New Zealand Explorer (7 days)
✨ Australia Explorer (7 days)
✨ The Full New Zealand + Australia Adventure (14 days) — with a special bundled discount when you book both

New Zealand Explorer

Begin your adventure in New Zealand’s North Island, where laid-back Auckland and its sparkling harbours set the tone. Explore the vibrant waterfront before venturing into lush coastal rainforests, dramatic black-sand beaches, and the magical glowworm caves on your way to Rotorua. Here, bubbling mud pools, steaming geysers, and an unforgettable evening of Māori culture and storytelling bring the spirit of Aotearoa to life.
The journey continues south to Queenstown, surrounded by alpine peaks and crystal-clear lakes, where you’ll cruise the breathtaking Milford Sound and experience some of the most cinematic scenery on earth.

Australia Explorer

Cross the Tasman Sea to Australia, where iconic cities meet tropical wonder. In Sydney, wander historic laneways, admire postcard-perfect views of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge, and relax on one of the city’s legendary beaches. From there, head north to Cairns, the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef and ancient rainforests. Your days are filled with snorkeling vibrant coral gardens, gliding above the rainforest canopy, and encountering Australia’s extraordinary wildlife.

The Full New Zealand + Australia Adventure (14 Days)

For travelers who want it all, the full 14-day journey seamlessly combines both countries into one unforgettable experience—and comes with a discounted rate (up to $1000 in savings) when booked together. It’s the ultimate way to experience the culture, landscapes, and coastlines of New Zealand and Australia in one epic trip.

Designed as a women-only adventure for January 2027, this experience blends nature, culture, adventure, and connection—perfect for women ready to explore the Southern Hemisphere alongside an inspiring community of travelers.

This journey includes a mix of city exploring, cultural experiences, light hiking, and outdoor excursions. Travelers should be comfortable walking for several hours at a relaxed pace, navigating uneven terrain in natural settings, and participating in full-day outings such as the Milford Sound cruise and Great Barrier Reef excursion. While no advanced fitness is required, a general level of mobility and stamina will ensure you get the most out of the trip. This itinerary is ideal for women who enjoy staying active, being outdoors, and experiencing nature without embarking on strenuous or high-intensity activities.

January is the height of summer in both New Zealand and Australia, bringing warm temperatures, long daylight hours, and plenty of sunshine. In New Zealand, expect mild to warm days—typically 65–80°F (18–27°C)—with cooler mornings and evenings, especially in Queenstown’s alpine setting. Australia is hotter and more tropical at this time of year: Sydney usually sits around 75–85°F (24–30°C) with low humidity, while Cairns is warm, humid, and summery, often 80–90°F (27–32°C) with chances of tropical showers. Overall, it’s an ideal season for beaches, outdoor adventures, and breathtaking summer scenery.

All the excursions listed in the itinerary are included. Bring cash/credit cards for purchasing souvenirs, additional snacks/meals, alcoholic drinks, extra activities, and other items. You can either order Australian & New Zealand dollars from your bank at home or use an ATM on arrival in Aukland and Sydney to get some cash. Exchanging USD to AUD or NZD at the airport or at a bank in Australia is not always easy and doesn't give the best exchange rates.

All gratuities are included in your adventure, with the exception of tips for your Chicas Abroad Tour Leader. While tipping your Tour Leader is entirely optional, it’s a meaningful way to show appreciation for the care, energy, and behind-the-scenes magic they bring to your trip.

If you’ve had an exceptional experience, a typical gratuity for a trip of this length ranges from $450–$650. In cases where more than one Tour Leader is present, you’re welcome to give your tip to one of them—they’ll ensure it’s shared among the team.

A custom packing list will be emailed out a few months prior to departure, but be thinking summer weather wear!

Welcome to Aotearoa (Maori name for New Zealand)! Touch down in Auckland, New Zealand’s “City of Sails,” where sparkling harbors and volcanic hills shape the skyline. After settling into your hotel, stretch your legs along the Viaduct Harbour, grab a gelato on the waterfront, or check out the lively Britomart district. In the evening, meet your fellow adventurers—your travel tribe for the next two weeks—and toast to the beginning of something big.

Accommodation: 4 or 5-star hotel, Auckland
Meals Included: Welcome Dinner

Enjoy a perfect introduction to Auckland with a full-day “Best of Both Worlds” adventure, starting with a relaxing hotel breakfast before exploring the city’s vibrant history, iconic landmarks, and stunning harbour views. In the afternoon, escape to the tranquil Waitakere Ranges for panoramic vistas, peaceful rainforest walks among kauri trees and ferns, and a visit to the dramatic black-sand Piha Beach. With scenic stops, cultural insights, and a classic Kiwi afternoon tea, this tour blends city highlights and natural wonders into one unforgettable experience.

Accommodation: 4 or 5-star hotel, Auckland
Meals Included: Breakfast

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before setting off on a scenic journey from Auckland to Rotorua, featuring an unforgettable tour of the iconic Hobbiton Movie Set. Travel through the rolling green hills of the Waikato—true Shire country—as your guide shares stories about the region and the films. At Hobbiton, explore 44 charming hobbit holes, the Mill, the Party Tree, and even snap a photo at Bilbo’s door before savoring a hearty feast in the Party Marquee. Raise a complimentary ale, cider, or ginger beer inside the Green Dragon Inn, and step inside a fully themed Hobbit hole for the full Middle-earth experience. After the tour, continue on to Rotorua, where you’ll check in and enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure.

Accommodation: 4 or 5-star hotel, Rotorua
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Enjoy a full day of Rotorua’s most iconic experiences, starting with a city highlights tour before exploring the vibrant geothermal wonders of Wai-o-Tapu—including the famous Lady Knox Geyser and its dazzling volcanic landscapes. Continue to Te Puia for a guided journey through the Whakarewarewa geothermal valley, meeting kiwi birds, witnessing the mighty Pōhutu geyser, and learning about Māori carving and weaving traditions. In the evening, immerse yourself in Te Pā Tū, a spectacular 3.5-hour cultural celebration where seasonal Māori stories, song, and performance accompany a forest-canapé welcome and an unforgettable multi-course Māori-fusion feast. This day blends nature, culture, and cuisine into a richly memorable Rotorua experience.

Accommodation: 4 or 5-star hotel, Rotorua
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

After breakfast, enjoy an assisted transfer to Rotorua Airport for your flight to Queenstown. Upon arrival, you’ll be greeted and transferred to your hotel, where you can settle in and spend the rest of the day relaxing or exploring Queenstown at your own pace.

Accommodation: 4 or 5-star hotel, Queenstown
Meals Included: Breakfast

Note: Flight from Rotorua to Queenstown included in the registration price.

Set out after breakfast for a top-rated small-group adventure to the breathtaking Milford Sound, traveling in comfort aboard a premium glass-roof Mercedes coach with panoramic views. Enjoy engaging commentary and scenic stops along the journey before boarding a 1 hour 45 minute nature cruise through the majestic fiord, where you’ll spot waterfalls, fur seals, penguins, and sometimes dolphins. With a picnic lunch included and a more personal, crowd-free experience throughout the 12–13 hour day, this tour offers an unforgettable and intimate way to experience one of New Zealand’s most iconic natural wonders.

Accommodation: 4 or 5-star hotel, Queenstown
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Start your day with breakfast before meeting your driver-guide for a scenic Queenstown sightseeing tour, visiting charming Arrowtown, watching bungy jumpers in action, and taking in the beauty of Lake Wakatipu. Then brace yourself for an adrenaline-pumping Shotover Jet ride as you skim through dramatic river canyons at thrilling speeds. After the excitement, unwind at Kinross Winery for an exceptional wine experience, where expert hosts introduce you to rare Central Otago wines and the stories behind them. Your day ends with a delicious three-course sharing-style dinner featuring quintessential New Zealand dishes, from slow-cooked lamb to fresh market fish and seasonal sides—a perfect blend of adventure, flavor, and relaxation.

Accommodation: 4 or 5-star hotel, Queenstown
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

After breakfast, enjoy an assisted transfer to Queenstown Airport for your flight to Sydney (or home if you aren't joining us in Australia). Upon arrival, once you’ve completed entry formalities, you’ll be warmly greeted and transferred to your hotel. Check in and settle into your new surroundings, with the rest of the day free to relax or begin exploring Sydney at your own pace.

For those of us joining us on the Australia Explorer only, please plan to arrive in Sydney at any time this day.

Accommodation: 4 or 5-star hotel, Sydney

Meals Included: Breakfast

Note: Flights from Queenstown to Australia included for those guests joining us on the full New Zealand and Australia Adventure.

Start your day with breakfast before meeting your guide for a half-day Panoramic Sydney tour, exploring the historic Rocks district, the grand colonial architecture of Macquarie Street, and stunning viewpoints like Mrs. Macquaries Point overlooking the Opera House and Harbour Bridge. Travel through the glamorous Eastern Suburbs—Kings Cross, Rose Bay, Watsons Bay—and enjoy a relaxing stop at world-famous Bondi Beach. Continue past Tamarama and Bronte before returning to the city and boarding your Sydney Harbour Lunch Cruise. Spend two unforgettable hours gliding across one of the world’s most beautiful harbours, taking in iconic landmarks with live commentary, while enjoying a generous fresh buffet—including seafood—and a full beverage package. The cruise concludes at Circular Quay, where you’ll transfer back to your hotel for the rest of the afternoon at leisure.

Accommodation: 4 or 5-star hotel, Sydney

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Begin your day with breakfast before meeting your guide for an unforgettable full-day adventure into the Blue Mountains. Travel west from Sydney through historic townships to Sydney Zoo, where you’ll enjoy close encounters with koalas, kangaroos, and Australia’s unique wildlife—with a cultural talk led by Aboriginal guides. Continue to the charming village of Leura before heading to Echo Point for sweeping views of the Jamison Valley and the iconic Three Sisters. Enjoy a scenic 2-course lunch perched above the escarpment, then explore Scenic World with an Unlimited Discovery Pass, giving you all-day access to the thrilling Scenic Railway, Cableway, Skyway, and tranquil rainforest Walkway. Take in dramatic cliffs, waterfalls, and ancient forests from every angle before returning to Sydney via Olympic Park, completing a richly immersive day of nature, culture, and spectacular views.

Accommodation: 4 or 5-star hotel, Sydney

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

After breakfast, enjoy an assisted transfer to Sydney Airport for your flight to Cairns. Upon arrival, once you’ve completed all entry formalities, you’ll be met and transferred to your hotel. After check-in, the rest of the day is yours to relax or begin exploring the tropical city of Cairns at your own pace.

Accommodations: 4 or 5-star hotel, Cairns

Meals: Breakfast

Experience the magic of the Great Barrier Reef with Quicksilver’s premier cruise to Agincourt Reef, a spectacular ribbon reef on the edge of Australia’s Continental Shelf. Travel in comfort aboard a wave-piercing catamaran and spend the day exploring this vibrant underwater world—snorkel among colorful coral gardens, dive for an even closer look (optional), or stay dry while enjoying incredible marine views from the semi-submersible, underwater observatory, and viewing platform. With opportunities to witness fish feeding and even add an exhilarating helicopter flight over the reef, this is an unforgettable, once-in-a-lifetime adventure. Morning and afternoon tea, a tropical buffet lunch, and return transfers are all included.

Accommodations: 4 or 5-star hotel, Cairns

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Meet your guide at the hotel and transfer to Freshwater Station, where your preferential Kuranda Scenic Railway tickets let you skip the queues and settle in for a breathtaking historic train journey from Cairns’ cane fields into the lush rainforest. Enjoy about an hour exploring Kuranda’s vibrant village and markets before boarding the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway—again without queues—to glide above and through the World Heritage–listed rainforest. Stop at Red Peak and Barron Falls for scenic lookouts, boardwalks, and interpretive experiences. After descending to the Smithfield Terminal, continue to Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures for free time to explore the wildlife park, including a wetlands boat cruise among saltwater crocodiles, the thrilling Crocodile Attack Show, and an up-close look at Australia’s most venomous snakes.

Accommodations: 4 or 5-star hotel, Cairns

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Wake up in tropical paradise one last time before your journey home. Swap photos, hugs, and memories with your travel sisters—you just explored two incredible countries together, made lifelong friendships, and experienced adventure after adventure. Until the next trip!

Meals: Breakfast