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The Big Trip
New Zealand & Australia
22 March – 14 April 2026
Full Itinerary
Sunday, 22 March 2026
Air New Zealand NZ1
LHR London Heathrow → AKL Auckland
Depart: 2026-03-22 at 21:35
Arrive: 2026-03-24 at 10:55
Conf: ANZ-4G7H2K · Ref: PQ44XL
1 stop in Los Angeles. 23kg checked bag each.
Tuesday, 24 March 2026
Hotel DeBrett
2 High Street, Auckland CBD
Check-in: 2026-03-24 at 15:00
Check-out: 2026-03-26 at 11:00
Conf: DBR-887211
Wednesday, 25 March 2026
Hobbiton Movie Set Tour
501 Buckland Rd, Hinuera, Matamata
2026-03-25 at 10:30
⚠ Arrive 30 min early — Shire's Rest car park
🎒 Sturdy shoes, light rain jacket, camera
Thursday, 26 March 2026
Maui Motorhomes — motorhome
Pickup: Maui Auckland Branch, 36 Richard Pearse Dr, Mangere · 2026-03-26 13:00
Drop-off: Maui Christchurch Branch · 2026-04-04 10:00
Conf: MAUI-NZ-66127
4-berth River. Full insurance included. Pickup desk closes 16:00.
Friday, 27 March 2026
Lake Taupo sunset BBQ
2026-03-27 at 18:30
Sunday, 29 March 2026
Wellington Holiday Park
95 Hutt Park Rd, Lower Hutt, Wellington
Check-in: 2026-03-29 at 14:00
Check-out: 2026-03-30 at 10:00
Conf: WHP-330921
Monday, 30 March 2026
Interislander — ferry
Pickup: Wellington Ferry Terminal · 2026-03-30 08:45
Drop-off: Picton Ferry Terminal · 2026-03-30 12:15
Conf: IIS-554820
Motorhome included. Check in 60 min before departure.
Top 10 Holiday Park — Kaikoura
11 Beach Rd, Kaikoura
Check-in: 2026-03-30 at 15:00
Check-out: 2026-03-31 at 10:00
Conf: T10-KAI-7733
Tuesday, 31 March 2026
Kaikoura Whale Watch
Whaleway Station Rd, Kaikoura
2026-03-31 at 07:15
⚠ Check in 45 min before departure
🎒 Warm layers, motion sickness tablets, sunglasses
Wednesday, 1 April 2026
Lake Tekapo Motels & Holiday Park
2 Lakeside Drive, Lake Tekapo
Check-in: 2026-04-01 at 15:00
Check-out: 2026-04-02 at 10:00
Conf: LTP-441900
Dark Sky Stargazing — Mt John
Mt John Observatory, Lake Tekapo
2026-04-01 at 21:00
⚠ Meet at Earth & Sky cafe 30 min before
🎒 Warmest layers, gloves, hat — temperatures drop to 4°C
Thursday, 2 April 2026
Queenstown Lakeview Lodge
27 Frankton Rd, Queenstown
Check-in: 2026-04-02 at 15:00
Check-out: 2026-04-04 at 10:00
Conf: QLL-009711
Friday, 3 April 2026
Milford Sound Day Cruise
Real Journeys Visitor Centre, Queenstown
2026-04-03 at 07:00
⚠ Long day — coach 4 hrs each way
🎒 Packed lunch, waterproofs, camera
Saturday, 4 April 2026
Jetstar JQ284
CHC Christchurch → SYD Sydney
Depart: 2026-04-04 at 14:20
Arrive: 2026-04-04 at 15:55
Conf: JQ-220A1 · Ref: 3PL9MM
Pier One Sydney Harbour
11 Hickson Rd, Walsh Bay, Sydney NSW
Check-in: 2026-04-04 at 17:00
Check-out: 2026-04-07 at 11:00
Conf: P1-SYD-7710
Sunday, 5 April 2026
Sydney Opera House Backstage Tour
Bennelong Point, Sydney
2026-04-05 at 09:30
🎒 Closed-toe shoes required
Anniversary dinner — Quay restaurant
2026-04-05 at 19:30
Monday, 6 April 2026
Bondi to Coogee coastal walk + brunch
Bondi Beach pavilion
2026-04-06 at 08:00
Tuesday, 7 April 2026
Virgin Australia VA841
SYD Sydney → CNS Cairns
Depart: 2026-04-07 at 13:10
Arrive: 2026-04-07 at 16:25
Conf: VA-117BB · Ref: X7K2QQ
Reef House Boutique Resort
99 Williams Esplanade, Palm Cove QLD
Check-in: 2026-04-07 at 18:00
Check-out: 2026-04-10 at 11:00
Conf: RH-PC-220
Wednesday, 8 April 2026
Great Barrier Reef Snorkel Cruise
Reef Fleet Terminal, Cairns
2026-04-08 at 08:00
⚠ Check in at Quicksilver desk by 07:30
🎒 Swimwear under clothes, rash vest, reef-safe sunscreen
Thursday, 9 April 2026
Daintree Rainforest & Cape Tribulation
Palm Cove hotel pickup
2026-04-09 at 07:30
🎒 Insect repellent, water, hiking shoes
Friday, 10 April 2026
Qantas QF729
CNS Cairns → MEL Melbourne
Depart: 2026-04-10 at 14:55
Arrive: 2026-04-10 at 19:10
Conf: QF-668ZZ · Ref: BB3KLM
The Hotel Windsor
111 Spring St, Melbourne VIC
Check-in: 2026-04-10 at 21:00
Check-out: 2026-04-13 at 11:00
Conf: WIN-MEL-5544
Sunday, 12 April 2026
Great Ocean Road full-day tour
Federation Square, Melbourne
2026-04-12 at 07:30
🎒 Camera, walking shoes, layers (windy at the Apostles)
Monday, 13 April 2026
Qantas QF9
MEL Melbourne → LHR London Heathrow
Depart: 2026-04-13 at 21:25
Arrive: 2026-04-14 at 05:30
Conf: QF-998AA · Ref: BB3KLM
Direct Perth stopover for fuel only. Vegetarian meal requested.
Emergency Contacts
NZ Emergency: 111
British High Commission — Wellington
44 Hill Street, Thorndon, Wellington 6011
Phone: +64 4 924 2888
Emergency (after hours): +44 20 7008 5000
NZ Emergency Services
Police / Fire / Ambulance: 111
NZ Non-Emergency Police
Phone: 105
AU Emergency: 000
British High Commission — Canberra
Commonwealth Avenue, Yarralumla, ACT 2600
Phone: +61 2 6270 6666
Emergency (after hours): +44 20 7008 5000
Australian Emergency Services
Police / Fire / Ambulance: 000
Tourist Emergency Assistance
Phone: 1300 555 135
Travel Insurance
Provider: Allianz Worldwide Care
Policy: AWC-UK-2026-447821
Emergency: +44 20 8666 9292
Personal Contacts
Sarah Whitman (sister): +44 7700 900221
James Whitman (dad): +44 7700 900118
Vehicle Hire
Maui Motorhomes NZ — Ref: MAUI-NZ-66127 — Breakdown: 0800 651 080