Australasia holidays

Australia is a real bucket list destination. This enormous country could comfortably fit the whole of Europe inside its borders, with plenty of room to spare. So its diversity is hardly surprising.

The vast Red Centre is home to iconic Uluru – or Ayers Rock – and sacred indigenous land. Further east, you’ll find glittering cities like Brisbane and Sydney, and must-see sites like Byron Bay, the Blue Mountains and Fraser Island. And, of course, there’s the incredible Great Barrier Reef. This sprawling collection of coral is filled with fascinating marine life, including rays, turtles and countless topical fish.

In the southern state of Victoria, there’s colourful Melbourne – crammed with rooftop bars, coffee shops and street art-covered lanes – and one of the most scenic drives in the world, the Great Ocean Road. Meanwhile, on the west coast, sun-soaked Perth has become something of a foodie haven. And it’s within easy reach of great vineyards and fascinating wildlife spots – expect to see kangaroos, koalas, whale sharks and more.

In New Zealand, the mountains, lakes and glaciers will leave you breathless. This already much-loved destination catapulted to fame after starring as Middle Earth in The Lord of the Rings. And you may find it hard to believe that the scenery is, in fact, real.

New Zealand’s South Island is filled with natural wonders. Walk on the blue-hued ice of Fox Glacier and Franz Joseph Glacier, and admire the snowy peaks of the Southern Alps. Journey to the dramatic Fiordland National Park, then sail or kayak across the glass-like waters of Milford Sound. And head to picturesque Queenstown, on the shores of Lake Wakatipu, for adrenaline-pumping activities like skydiving, bungee jumping and white-water rafting.

The more populous North Island, meanwhile, is home to geysers, hot springs and sleepy cities. Discover thermal pools in Rotorua, hike the Tongariro Alpine Crossing in search of bright green lakes, and explore the sub-tropical Bay of Islands. And, after a couple of action-packed weeks, you can enjoy some downtime in the restaurants of Auckland or the cosy pubs of Wellington.

There’s more to Australasia than Australia and New Zealand. The South Pacific has some of the most paradisiacal islands in the world. Holidays to Fiji, for instance, offer pristine white sands, turquoise waters and, unsurprisingly, some of the best snorkelling in the world. You’ll also be treated to an unfailingly friendly welcome from the Fijian peoples. Meanwhile, French Polynesia – and Bora Bora in particular – is increasingly popular for exotic honeymoons.

Alternatively, the Cook Islands have a real castaway feel. Nearly 2,000 miles away from New Zealand, this remote utopia is made up of just 15 isles. You can look forward to picturesque beaches, dense forests and cultural experiences. But, like Fiji, the Cook Islands are most famous for their amazing snorkelling and diving opportunities. The little island of Aitutaki has one of the biggest coral lagoons in the world, where you can swim with tropical fish and other creatures, including turtles, sea cucumbers and clams.

When you’re planning an Australasia holiday, it can be hard to know where to start. Choosing where to go and what to do can seem like an impossible task – and that’s where our experts come in.

At Travelbag, we offer a number of tours and multi-centre holidays, so you can make the very most of your trip to Australasia.

You can travel up Australia’s east coast on an incredible self-drive holiday, or explore the immense Outback with an exciting tour. Or you could hire a campervan and spend three weeks driving around New Zealand, discovering this beautiful country at your own pace. Want to combine two weeks in Australia with a fortnight in New Zealand? We can make that happen, too. Thanks to our tours, multi-centres and self-drive options, you can create your perfect Australasia holiday.