Spring
September to November. Sydney’s jacarandas bloom purple, New Zealand’s hillsides fill with lambs, and the days grow long and mild. It’s our favorite time for a combined trip, and the reef is warm and calm.
Australia & New Zealand
Harbor cities and red desert, coral reefs and glacier-carved fiords. Two easygoing countries that reward a long trip with a lifetime of stories.
By the Global Escapes travel team · Updated
- Best time to go
- September to November, March to April
- Trip length
- 14 to 21 days for both countries
- From Atlanta
- One stop, usually Los Angeles, then about 15 hours to Sydney
- Time difference
- Sydney 14 to 16 hours ahead of Eastern, New Zealand about 2 more
- Entry
- U.S. passport plus an Australian ETA and a New Zealand NZeTA
- Currency
- Australian and New Zealand dollars. Type I plugs, bring an adapter
Why Australia and New Zealand belong together
The long flight is the only hard part. Once you land, everything feels familiar and wonderfully far from home: warm welcomes, beautiful food and wine, and landscapes you won’t see anywhere else.
A first visit usually starts in Sydney, heads north to the Great Barrier Reef and into the Red Centre at Uluru, then crosses the Tasman Sea to Queenstown and the fiords of New Zealand’s South Island. Short domestic flights link it all together, and we time each leg so you’re never rushing to the airport.
Come back a second time and there’s plenty more: Melbourne and the Great Ocean Road, Tasmania’s wild coast, and New Zealand’s North Island, from the Bay of Islands to the geothermal valleys of Rotorua.
Getting around the classic route
- Sydney to CairnsAbout 3 hours by air
- Sydney to UluruAbout 3.5 hours by air
- Sydney to MelbourneAbout 1.5 hours by air
- Sydney to QueenstownAbout 3 hours by air
- Queenstown to Milford SoundAbout 4 hours by road, or a short scenic flight
- Auckland to RotoruaAbout 3 hours by road
When to go
The seasons are reversed, so their spring and fall line up with our fall and spring. There’s no wrong time to go, just different trips depending on the month.
- JanSummer holidays, beaches
- FebWarm, settled weather in NZ
- MarAutumn begins, wine harvest
- AprFall color in Queenstown
- MayCool, quiet, good for Uluru
- JunReef dry season, ski season
- JulOutback and reef at their best
- AugWhales along the east coast
- SepSpring blossoms, wildflowers
- OctJacarandas, lambs, long days
- NovLate spring, Melbourne Cup
- DecSummer, holidays, New Year’s
Peak season Shoulder season Low season
Average temperatures and rainfall
Jan4.0″
Feb4.7″
Mar5.2″
Apr5.0″
May4.6″
Jun5.2″
Jul3.8″
Aug3.2″
Sep2.7″
Oct3.0″
Nov3.3″
Dec3.0″
Jan2.8″
Feb2.0″
Mar1.9″
Apr2.3″
May3.0″
Jun2.4″
Jul2.2″
Aug2.1″
Sep2.5″
Oct2.5″
Nov2.4″
Dec2.4″
Average daily high and low in °F, with average monthly rainfall in inches.
Summer
December to February. Beach weather in Sydney, long golden evenings in Queenstown and New Year’s fireworks over the harbor. Summer school holidays run from late December through January, so we book early.
Fall
March to May. Warm seas, harvest season in the wine regions and gold poplars around Queenstown and Arrowtown in April. Easter is a busy holiday week in both countries; we plan around it.
Winter
June to August. Mild and sunny in the tropical north, with the reef and the Outback at their most comfortable. Queenstown becomes a ski town, and humpback whales travel up Australia’s east coast.
Where to go
The places our travelers love most, and what each one does best.
Sydney
The harbor does the talking: the Opera House, ferries to Manly, the Bridge Climb at sunset, and beaches like Bondi and Bronte a short ride from your hotel.
Best for First impressions, food, the harbor
Melbourne & the Great Ocean Road
Laneway cafés, galleries and serious dining, with Yarra Valley wineries and the Twelve Apostles on one of the world’s great coastal drives.
Best for Food and wine, culture, road trips
The Great Barrier Reef
Base yourself in Port Douglas, about an hour north of Cairns, for the outer reef and Daintree Rainforest, or sail the Whitsundays to Whitehaven Beach.
Best for Snorkeling, diving, island stays
Uluru
The great red rock at the heart of the country, glowing at sunrise and sunset. Walk its base, explore Kata Tjuta and learn its stories from Anangu guides.
Best for Once-in-a-lifetime landscapes, culture
Tasmania
Wilderness, wildlife and some of Australia’s best food. Hobart’s MONA museum, Wineglass Bay in Freycinet and the alpine trails of Cradle Mountain.
Best for Second-timers, nature, food
Auckland & the Bay of Islands
Auckland’s harbor and the vineyards of Waiheke Island, then north to the Bay of Islands for sailing, dolphins and the Waitangi Treaty Grounds.
Best for Sailing, wine, an easy start
Rotorua
Geysers, bubbling mud and hot pools, with Māori culture at its heart. Hobbiton and the Waitomo glowworm caves are both within easy reach.
Best for Families, culture, geothermal wonders
Queenstown & Fiordland
Mountains, lakes and Central Otago pinot noir, with jet boats and skiing for the adventurous and Milford Sound a scenic flight away.
Best for Scenery, adventure, wine
In depth
Fiordland & Milford Sound
Carved by glaciers in New Zealand’s far southwest, Fiordland National Park is part of the Te Wāhipounamu World Heritage Area. Sheer green walls drop straight into dark water, waterfalls pour from the cliffs, and Mitre Peak stands guard at the mouth of Milford Sound.
Rain is part of the magic. This is one of the wettest corners of the country, and a downpour sets hundreds of temporary waterfalls running, so a gray day can be the most memorable one. Fur seals, dolphins and, in season, Fiordland crested penguins often join the cruise.
For something quieter, Doubtful Sound is larger and more remote, reached by boat across Lake Manapouri and a short drive over Wilmot Pass. Walkers can tackle the Milford Track with guides and comfortable lodges along the way.
Ways to see it
- Scenic flight from QueenstownFly in, cruise, fly back the same day
- By road via Te AnauA full day, with stops along the Milford Road
- Overnight cruiseMilford or Doubtful Sound, at its stillest at dawn
Good to know
The small things that make a big difference once you land.
Two approvals, one trip
Australia’s ETA and New Zealand’s NZeTA are separate, and both are applied for online or by app before you fly. We’ll remind you when it’s time and make sure every name matches your passport.
Ease into the time change
Overnight flights from Los Angeles land in the morning, and you lose a calendar day on the way out. We plan a gentle first day, with an early room if possible, so you’re ready to go by day two.
Declare your snacks
Both countries take biosecurity seriously. Declare any food, and make sure hiking boots and outdoor gear are clean before you pack. When in doubt, declare it.
Driving on the left
Both countries drive on the left. For scenic routes like the Great Ocean Road or the Milford Road, a private driver-guide lets you enjoy the view.
Sun and sea
The sun is strong, even on cool days, so pack a hat and good sunscreen. Swim between the flags at patrolled beaches, and wear a stinger suit in the tropics from about November to May.
Tipping and paying
Tipping isn’t expected in either country, though a little extra for great service is always appreciated. Contactless cards work almost everywhere, and you’ll rarely need cash.
Questions we hear a lot
Do U.S. citizens need a visa for Australia and New Zealand?
You don’t need a traditional visa for a vacation, but you do need an approval for each country before you fly. Australia uses an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA), applied for through the official AustralianETA app, which allows stays of up to three months per visit. New Zealand uses the NZeTA, applied for through the official app or website, which also allows stays of up to three months and includes New Zealand’s International Visitor Levy, currently NZD $100 per person. Apply at least a few days before you go and check current requirements before you travel.
How long should we plan for both countries?
Two and a half to three weeks lets you enjoy both without rushing: Sydney, the reef and perhaps Uluru in Australia, then Queenstown, Fiordland and the North Island in New Zealand. With ten to twelve days, we usually suggest choosing one country and doing it well.
When is the best time to visit?
For a combined trip, September to November and March to April are hard to beat, with comfortable weather in both countries and fewer crowds than midsummer. December to February is summer, the liveliest and busiest season. June to August is ideal for the northern reef and the Outback, and it’s ski season in Queenstown.
When is the best time to see the Great Barrier Reef?
June to October brings drier weather, calm seas and clear water. From roughly November to May the water is warmer and it’s also stinger season, when lightweight full-body suits are worn for swimming and snorkeling. Reef trips run all year.
Can we fit Uluru into the trip?
Yes. Direct flights from Sydney take about three and a half hours, and two or three nights is the sweet spot for sunrise and sunset at the rock, a walk at Kata Tjuta and a dinner under the desert stars. May to September is the most comfortable time, with warm days and cool nights.
Is this a good trip for families?
It’s a wonderful one. English is spoken everywhere, the wildlife is unforgettable, and there’s a natural mix of city, beach and adventure. Glass-bottom boats and semi-submersibles let non-swimmers see the reef, and New Zealand’s farm stays, glowworm caves and jet boats are big hits with kids.
Let’s plan your Australia & New Zealand trip
Tell us when you’re thinking of going and who’s coming along. An advisor will take it from there.