Australia, New Zealand Luxury Vacation Review: Queenstown, Rotorua, History, Culture, Local Cuisine, Museums

We traveled in-country for 27 days (17 days in Australia and 10 days in New Zealand). Each day was more spectacular than the previous one. During our glamping experience at Kangluna Camp in the outback, we saw kangaroos of all three species, huge emus, and colorful birds (Port Lincoln parrot, galah, etc).

We had wonderful interactions with indigenous people on a special tour of Berry Island and learned about and tasted edible plants/berries and their uses. The special tour of the Australian Museum’s indigenous section helped us expand upon and reinforce what we had learned earlier in the day, while the tour of the Te Papa further explained their traditions and history.

In Rotorua, New Zealand, our guide took us on a tour of her Maori village, including homes and community buildings, as well as explaining the significance and the use of the geothermal springs. This was followed by a multi-course dinner at the Maori home, with a performance by four Maoris in traditional dress. They sang, danced, and further explained the meaning of the Haka and their performance.

Our helicopter landing on a snowcapped glacier in Queenstown, New Zealand, was a truly memorable event.