Luxury New Zealand & Australia Tour Review: Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Kangaroo Island, Auckland, Christchurch, Milford Sound

We would probably go the the Queensland area in Australia and skip one of the cities we visited or limit time in one or two of them. We visited Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide and loved them all for different reasons but they were all cities and though far apart still in the New South Wales. In New Zealand we would stay longer and drive more and take it slower. The landscape and topography is so gorgeous and I would want more time to just soak it in. I would definitely take a longer wine tour on Waiheke Island outside of Auckland. We only had about a 2.5-3.5 hour tour and felt rushed everywhere we went. We didn't really have time to enjoy the wine but had to drink it rapidly to get to the next place. It is a beautiful island and the wineries are small and intimate. I would also spend more time in Auckland and in Wellington and some of the other small cities in the southern tip of the North Island and the northern tip of the South Island. I would not have done the Great Ocean Road tour. If you have driven along the coast in the US or in Europe the view is similar and all we did was drive (fast) and look out the window. The 12 apostles were nice to see but not worth a 10 hour day. Overall there is not alot I regret or wish we had done differently. It is just when you know more about what a country has to offer, you would do things a bit differently the next time. [Travel Company's Comments] It is wonderful that you discovered these are amazing countries and one trip just does not do them justice. I have several clients that after their first trip have subsequently gone back multiple times to explore specific areas in depth and really take the time needed in each location to experience everything it has to offer. I have gone back thru all of my notes made during our phone conversations as well as thru emails during the planning process and at the time of document review and one thing that I wrote down several times was your desire to explore on your own in each city. I sincerely apologize if I interpreted that incorrectly and should have provided you with more detailed lists of things to do and see. I did find several emails where I listed some suggestions for each area and we did discuss some possible activities during our document review but obviously I should have been more specific or more detailed. I personally do not prepare the final documents and noted in emails that I would receive them approximately two weeks prior to departure and would overnight them to you. The documents were sent overnight delivery on October 10 for your October 24 departure so feel that was within the time frame. We do not like to send them out any sooner to avoid having to reissue them when schedule changes with airlines, transfers, etc come up. This can lead to a lot of confusion and missed connections so even though two weeks might seem a little tight it really is for the best in the long run. Below please find the email sent on your behalf to the Quay West Suites (and an email was sent to all of your other accommodations prior to arrival as well). Unfortunately I have to rely on my contacts and associates in Australia and New Zealand to honor my requests and to act on them accordingly. I would love to be able to travel along with each and every client to ensure things are handled exactly as I have booked them but of course that is not possible. I am meeting with the US Manager for the Mirvac Properties (Quay West Suites) at the end of this month and then also traveling to Sydney in March and will be meeting with the local manager at the property as well. You are the second client to have an issue with the early check in and if they are not able to accommodate then I will be looking for an alternative property in Sydney that offers two bedroom condo style accommodations (unfortunately not many options).