Traveling solo to Australia and New Zealand is an adventure in itself, and this 25-day Solo-ish trip ensures you’ll never feel alone. From the moment you arrive, your expert CEO and built-in travel mates will make you feel at home. Journey through New Zealand from north to south, immersing yourself in Māori culture, cooking Kiwi dishes with locals, and exploring the stunning landscapes of Kaikoura and Franz Josef—whether with your group or on your own. In Australia, embark on a 4x4 adventure to French Island to spot wild koalas, explore the awe-inspiring Uluru while learning about its rich Indigenous history, and cap off the trip near the iconic Great Barrier Reef.
Travel Style
Solo-ish Adventures
Service Level
Standard
Physical Grading
3 - Average
What's Included
Dinner Party: Dinner Party, Auckland
Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group
We Day: Mt Eden Summit Walk, Auckland
We Day: Kohutapu Tribal Tour, Rotorua
Your Discover Moment: Franz Josef
Me Day: Queenstown Me Day, Queenstown
Dinner Party: Melbourne Cooking Class, Melbourne
G Day: Queen Victoria Market & Melbourne Street Tour, Melbourne
We Day: French Island Day Trip, French Island
Me Day: Sydney Me Day, Sydney. Complimentary arrival transfer. Mt Eden Summit Walk. Cruise Lake Rotoiti to hot springs. Free time in Rotorua. Full day immersion with Kohutapu Lodge. Waitomo Glow Worm Caves. Visit to Kaikoura Seal Colony. Free time in Kaikoura. Hike Hokitika Gorge. Franz Glacier Trek. Free time in Franz Josef. Full Day Cruise at Doubtful Sound. Free time in Queenstown. Tour Queen Victoria Market. Laneways Street Art Tour with your CEO. Full day 4x4 excursion to French Island to spot Koalas. Guided walks at Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park. Full Service Desert Tented Camp stay in the Red Centre. Sunset at Uluru. Guided Hiking at Kings Canyon. Visit to Telegraph Station. Day trip to Manly Beach. Free time in Sydney. Kuranda Skyrail. Free time in Cairns. Internal airfare. Transport to/from all included activities.
What are the main highlights of this trip?
Mt Eden Summit Walk, Cruise Lake Rotoiti to hot springs, Full day immersion with Kohutapu Lodge, Waitomo Glow Worm Caves, Visit to Kaikoura Seal Colony, Hokitika Gorge, Franz Glacier Trek, Full Day Cruise at Doubtful Sound, Tour Queen Victoria Market, Laneways Street Art Tour with your CEO, Full day 4x4 excursion to French Island to spot Koalas, Explore Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park, Day trip to Manly Beach, Kuranda Skyrail
How large will the group be?
Max 16, avg 12
What meals are included in this trip?
13 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 6 dinners
What are the modes of transportation on my trip?
Flight, private vehicle, boat, ferry, walking.
Is there an extra cost for travelling solo?
We believe solo travellers should not have to pay more to travel so our group trips are designed for shared accommodation and do not involve a single supplement. Single travellers joining group trips are paired in twin or multi-share accommodation with someone of the same sex for the duration of the trip. Some of our Independent trips are designed differently and solo travellers on these itineraries must pay the single trip price.
Where will we stay during the trip?
Hotels (22 nts), Outback Tented Camp (2 nts, shared facilities).
Itinerary
Dinner Party: Auckland
Kia Ora and welcome to New Zealand! After taking your included arrival transfer to the hotel, join your fellow solo-ish travellers for a welcome meeting. Then get hands on with a cooking class! Alongside your new mates, cook up a fresh and delicious Kiwi meal while getting to know the people you're travelling with.
G Day: Rotorua
After grabbing your first Kiwi breakfast, join your CEO for a guided walk up to the Mt Eden Summit. The views of Auckland at the top are incredible-so don't forget to take some photos. Later, make your way south to Rotorua where you can choose to enjoy a lunch stop at Eat Street, a local block of popular food stalls and restaurants. In the afternoon, join your fellow Solo-ish travel mates and board a boat to cross Lake Rotoiti, with a surprise en route. Together we'll relax lakeside in hot springs, nestled within the bush. A pretty awesome day to enjoy Rotorua and to get to know your group.
We Day: Rotorua
Together we head to the Maori-owned Kohutapu Lodge, to explore New Zealand's Indigenous culture on this full day excursion. Learn how a hangi lunch is prepared in an underground pit, the traditional way, and enjoy the feast with your Maori hosts. Learn about traditional eel traps and be welcomed into a traditional marae. Walk through the 800-year-old podocarp trees in the Whirinaki Rainforest to learn about the history of the forest and spot endemic birds and medicinal plants. Today's adventure is one of New Zealand's most authentic and community-based Indigenous programs, and will surely stand out as a highlight of your Solo-ish Adventure.
Rotorua: Free Day
A full day free gives you the opportunity to explore this unique town how you want. With seemingly endless options, choose to visit some hot springs, go white water rafting or explore from the treetops on a Rotorua Canopy Tour.
Rotorua to Auckland: Glow Worm Caves
This morning we drive from Rotorua to Waitomo to see the magical glow worms illuminate the caves. Ride a boat through the water filled caves, and as the sunlight fades, see how the bright blue glow brightens from the silk worms hanging from the ceiling. After, drive to Auckland for the night, our last evening on the North Island.
Auckland to Kaikoura: South Island
Together we fly to New Zealand's South Island this morning. After arriving, drive to North Canterbury, stopping for lunch along the way. Then continue the drive to Kaikoura. In the afternoon, visit the giant and adorable fur seals that live on the peninsula.
Kaikoura: Free Day
Kaikoura is one if the best places in all of New Zealand to see wildlife. Spend today however you wish, but of course we recommend trying to see some of these amazing animals in the wild. Opt to go on a Giant Sperm Whale watching tour or out for a tour in hopes to swim with the Dusky Dolphins.
Kaikoura to Hokitika
Drive to Hokitika, a town nudged between the Tasman Sea to the west and the Hokitika River to the south. Full of beautiful nature, wildlife and a history of ship wrecks, gold and green stone miners, Hokitika is not to be missed. The drive can make for one of our longer days, but we'll make some pitstops along the way to break up the journey. After arrival, enjoy free time to explore the town.
Hokitika to Franz Josef: Franz Josef Glacier
Walk through remarkable Hokitika Gorge, crossing the suspension bridge and admiring the incredibly blue water. Head back to town for a group lunch. Then drive to Franz Josef, and hike through the rain forest of Franz Josef with views of the beautiful glacier.
Franz Josef: Free Day
A free day today in Franz Josef calls for adventure. Opt to take a scenic helicopter flight up to the impressive glacier, or kayak on Lake Mapourika. Or choose to join the Guided Heli Hike, taking a helicopter to the glacier and hiking through the snow capped mountains and over the bright blue glacier.
Franz Josef to Queenstown
Drive with your fellow solo-ish travellers to the adventure capital of the world, Queenstown. After arrival, settle in and enjoy an evening stroll in this picturesque lakeside town.
Me Day: Queenstown
Today is your Me Day, which means today is all about me... well you! With so much to do in Queenstown, opt to spend today exploring the adventure capital however you so wish. Or choose to join your CEO and other solo-ish travellers to ride the famous Queenstown gondola. Ride to the top of the mountain and take in the beautiful view of the lake and mountain peaks. Then tonight, choose to join your CEO for a final group dinner in New Zealand. This may be an early dinner because we have an early morning tomorrow, but come together for a bite and a drink before our final day in New Zealand together.
Fiordland National Park
Wake early for a visit to one of New Zealand's most spectacular destinations on a day trip to Fiordland National Park. Drive from Queenstown, board a boat and cruise between the breathtaking mountain slopes, cascades and sea. Keep your eyes peeled for dolphins and rainbows made by the waterfalls. After the boat ride, drive back to Queenstown and enjoy one last free evening in Queenstown.
Queenstown to Melbourne
Say goodbye to New Zealand today as you fly to Australia and continue your Solo-ish adventures. You'll meet some new Solo-ish mates who will be joining the trip in Australia at a welcome meeting in Melbourne. You'll say goodbye to your Kiwi CEO in Queenstown and meet your new Australian CEO at your welcome meeting in Melbourne this evening.
G Day & Cooking Class: Melbourne
Today, get to know your fellow Solo-ish travellers, CEO and the city of Melbourne with a full day immersion into this vibrant city. Start at the Queen Victoria Markets. Continue your day with a cooking class in the heart of Melbourne CBD's Little Italy. Dive head first into Australian-Italian cuisine and cook up some pizzas alongside your new travel mates. After the delicious feast, join your CEO for a tour of Melbourne's laneway street art.
We Day: French Island
When we say one epic day- we do mean one.epic.day. On a full day trip to French Island, join your CEO on an off roading tour through the national park. French Island National park is home to Victoria's healthiest and most abundant wild koala population. With beautiful beaches, rocky coastline, and protected mangroves as the backdrop, join your local guides for an incredible adventure trying to spot koalas, long-nosed potaroos and potentially the incredibly rare bandicoots. End the day with an incredible G Adventures-style surprise.
Melbourne to Uluru and Kata Tjuta
Board a flight bound for Yulara, the gateway to Uluru and the Red Centre. Together with your Solo-ish mates and CEO, spend your day exploring the Australian outback, starting first with Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park and the Walpa Gorge walk. Watch the sunset around Uluru before making your way back to your permanent tented camp. Enjoy an outdoor meal and some bonding time under the stars with your fellow Solo-ish friends.
Uluru to Kings Canyon: Explore Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park
Rise early this morning and catch the breathtaking sunrise over Uluru, Australia's most iconic Indigenous landmark. This morning, explore Uluru on foot on a guided walk through some of the most culturally significant areas of the site. These sacred spaces are some of the oldest on the planet, and understanding the interpretation behind them makes them even more impactful. In the afternoon, drive to Kings Canyon overland, to your next permanent tented camp in the bush.
Kings Canyon to Alice Springs
In the desert morning, head out for an early hike throughout Kings Canyon. Choose between the harder 3 hour Rim hike and a more approachable 1 hour option. The Rim walk is a 6km walk along the upper rim of Kings Canyon. The most difficult part of the hike is the very beginning with a 500 step ascent, but the landscapes and views you are rewarded with are more than worth the effort. You won't even remember the effort it took to get up there. (Sort of!) If you prefer to take it easy, enjoy a 2km hike through canyon valley. In the afternoon, rest your legs on the drive to Alice Springs.
Alice Springs to Sydney
Enjoy a morning tour of Alice Spring learning about Telegraph Station, Anzac Hill and more. Then fly from Alice Springs to Sydney. Arrive to the city in the afternoon and enjoy free time to settle in or explore. Opt to visit Spice Alley with your CEO and other hungry solo-ish mates for an Asian inspired dinner in this cool and unique spot.
Sydney: Manly Beach
Join your CEO as you climb aboard the local ferry and travel from Sydney to Manly Beach. Manly is one of Australia's most famous beaches, which is quite the praise for a giant island nation. With world class surfing, beautiful water and lined with pine trees, you'll quickly learn why its so popular amongst locals and travelers alike. Relax on the beach, grab some fish n chips and ice cream or take the easy coastal walk to Shelly Beach. Return to Sydney CBD this evening for a dinner together out on the town.
Me Day: Sydney
Spend today in Sydney however you'd like. It is your Me Day after all! Opt to join your CEO and other fellow Solo-ish travellers for a guided tour of the Sydney Opera House or choose to enjoy some solo time. Opt to climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge, or whip through the bay on a Jet Boat ride.
Sydney to Cairns
Leave the city behind and fly north to Cairns, the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef. This afternoon, have a chance to explore Kuranda Village tucked away in Kuranda National Park. Do some shopping in the local market and visit the beautiful gardens. Then ride the Skyrail down towards Cairns. Pass over the top of the tropical rainforest, admire the incredible view and makes stops at a waterfall and other incredible lookout points.
Cairns: Free Day
A free day in Cairns means one thing for most people, an adventure to the Great Barrier Reef! Book a tour out to sea to snorkel or scuba dive through the biggest coral reef system in the entire world. In the evening, opt to join your fellow Solo-ish travellers for one last hoorah together.
Cairns
You arrived a solo traveller and are leaving with many new friends. Say goodbye to your fellow Solo-ish friends and depart at any time.
Is travel insurance required for my trip?
Travel insurance is compulsory in order to participate on any of our trips. When travelling on a group trip, you will not be permitted to join the group until evidence of travel insurance has been sighted by your leader, who will take note of your insurance details. When selecting a travel insurance policy we require that at a minimum you are covered for medical expenses including emergency evacuation and repatriation. A minimum coverage of USD200,000 is required. We strongly recommend that the policy also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage and personal effects. Some tours include adventure activities that require extra coverage (e.g. crampon use); please review your itinerary and make sure that you are covered for all included activities. If you have credit card insurance we require proof of purchase of the trip (a receipt of credit card statement) with a credit card in your name. Contact your bank for details of their participating insurer, the level of coverage and emergency contact telephone number.
Terms, conditions and restrictions apply; pricing, availability, and other details subject to change and/ or apply to US or Canadian residents. Please confirm details and booking information with your travel advisor.
