Australasia Holidays

Stretching for more than 2,300 kilometres off the coast of Queensland, the Great Barrier Reef is the world's largest coral reef system. Cairns, Port Douglas and the Whitsunday Islands are popular bases for day trips and liveaboard cruises.

Uluru rises from the desert in Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park and is sacred to the Aṉangu, its Traditional Owners. Climbing has been banned since 2019, but guided base walks, cultural tours and the changing colours of the rock at sunrise and sunset are highlights.

In Fiordland National Park on New Zealand's South Island, Milford Sound is known for sheer cliffs, waterfalls and Mitre Peak. Boat cruises may bring sightings of seals, dolphins and penguins, depending on the season.

This full-day walk of around 19.4 kilometres crosses volcanic landscapes in Tongariro National Park, a dual UNESCO World Heritage Site. Highlights include steaming vents and the brightly coloured Emerald Lakes. Conditions can change quickly, so check the weather before setting out.

Running for around 240 kilometres along Victoria's south-west coast, the Great Ocean Road passes surf beaches, rainforest and the limestone stacks of the Twelve Apostles.

In Australia's Northern Territory, Kakadu is a UNESCO site known for its wetlands, waterfalls, birdlife and saltwater crocodiles. Aboriginal rock art at Ubirr and Burrungkuy (Nourlangie) is among the park's highlights. The dry season, from May to October, is the easiest time to visit.

Rotorua, on New Zealand's North Island, is known for geysers, bubbling mud pools and hot springs. It is also a popular place to experience Māori culture, with cultural performances and traditional hāngī feasts.

Set on Lake Wakatipu beneath the Remarkables, Queenstown is known for adventure activities, including bungy jumping, jet boating, skiing and hiking. The world's first commercial bungy jump opened at the nearby Kawarau Bridge in 1988, and jet boating, skiing and hiking are all popular.

South Australia's Barossa Valley is best known for Shiraz, while Marlborough, at the top of New Zealand's South Island, is famous for Sauvignon Blanc. Margaret River in Western Australia and Central Otago in New Zealand are also excellent for vineyard visits.

Cradle Mountain–Lake St Clair National Park is part of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. The Overland Track, usually walked over six days, is one of Australia's best-known multi-day hikes, while shorter walks offer chances to spot wombats.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have lived in Australia for at least 60,000 years, making theirs among the oldest continuous living cultures in the world. Guided tours led by Aboriginal guides offer insight into bush food, storytelling and connection to Country.

Rock art in places such as Kakadu dates back thousands of years. The contemporary Western Desert dot-painting movement began at Papunya in the early 1970s, and Aboriginal art is now displayed in galleries around the world.

The pōwhiri is a formal Māori welcome ceremony, often held on a marae (meeting place). It can include speeches, song and the hongi, a traditional greeting in which two people press noses. Visitors can experience Māori culture at cultural centres in Rotorua and elsewhere.

The haka is a Māori ceremonial dance performed to mark important occasions, welcome guests or lay down a challenge. The best-known haka, Ka Mate, is famously performed by the All Blacks before rugby matches.

 Matariki is the Māori New Year, marked by the rising of the Matariki star cluster in midwinter (June or July). It became a New Zealand public holiday in 2022 and is celebrated with events, food and remembrance.

Held every year on 25 April, Anzac Day commemorates Australians and New Zealanders who have served and died in war. It began with the anniversary of the Gallipoli landings in 1915, and dawn services take place across both countries.

Beach life is central to Australian culture. Volunteer surf lifesaving clubs, dating back to the early 1900s, patrol many beaches, and Sydney's Bondi Beach is one of the most famous in the world.

Sport is a national passion in both countries. Cricket's Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on 26 December is a major event in Australia, while rugby union is closely tied to New Zealand's national identity.