Some journeys you plan, and some journeys change the way you see the world. When I designed this route through Australia and New Zealand, I wanted to experience both countries through their cities, their coastlines and their people. What I found were two completely different worlds: one big, sunny and full of energy, the other green, intimate and wonderfully relaxed. Travelled together, they told one remarkable story.
My journey began in Melbourne, and I fell for the city almost immediately. Melbourne doesn’t try to impress you at first glance; it lets you discover it slowly. I spent my days wandering through narrow laneways covered in street art, stopping at tiny coffee bars where the baristas take their flat whites very seriously. Every corner seemed to hide a new restaurant, a small gallery or a market full of local produce. In the evening, the city lights reflected on the Yarra River, and I understood why so many Australians call Melbourne their favourite city.
From there, I continued to Sydney, and the change of atmosphere was instant. Where Melbourne is creative and a little hidden, Sydney is bright, open and confident. My first morning by the harbour is one I won’t forget: the ferries coming and going, the water sparkling, the white sails of the Opera House catching the early sun. I walked the coastal path from Bondi to Coogee, past rock pools, surfers and cliffs dropping into the turquoise ocean. In the late afternoon, I took the ferry to Manly, one of the most beautiful boat rides in the world, for the price of a bus ticket.
Further north, Brisbane welcomed me with warm subtropical air and a wonderfully easygoing rhythm. Life here moves along the river. I hopped on the CityCat ferry, watching the city glide by, and spent long afternoons at South Bank, where locals relax by the lagoon and under the shade of the trees. In the evening, the Story Bridge lit up above the water, and from the lookout on Mount Coot-tha, the whole city spread out beneath me in the setting sun. It was the perfect, relaxed finale to my time in Australia.
A short flight across the Tasman Sea, and suddenly everything was green. Auckland, the City of Sails, sits between two harbours, surrounded by volcanic hills and dotted with boats. I climbed Mount Eden, an old volcanic crater in the middle of the city, and looked out over a landscape of water, islands and rolling hills. It felt like a completely different world from the one I had left behind just hours before.
From Auckland’s harbour, a short ferry ride brought me to what turned out to be one of the highlights of the entire journey: Waiheke Island, the wine island. The moment I stepped off the boat, the pace of life slowed down. Vineyards roll down the hills towards the sea, and small beaches hide in quiet bays. I spent my days going from one winery to the next, tasting local wines on terraces overlooking the water, with long lunches that seemed to last all afternoon. If there is a place in New Zealand that teaches you to slow down, this is it.
Wellington, the capital, surprised me with its character. It is compact, creative and full of life, wrapped around a beautiful harbour and surrounded by green hills. I rode the historic red cable car up to the Botanic Garden, wandered along the lively waterfront and lost myself for hours in Te Papa, the national museum, where New Zealand’s nature, history and Māori culture come together. The famous Wellington wind made sure I was never too comfortable, but the cafés along Cuba Street were always there to warm me up.
My journey ended in Christchurch, on the South Island. It’s a city with a story of resilience, rebuilt with creativity and heart after the earthquakes of 2011. I found it full of new energy: modern architecture next to historic buildings, colourful street art and a city centre that feels young and inviting. Gliding along the calm Avon River in a traditional punt, past the beautiful Botanic Gardens, was the perfect peaceful ending to my journey. Looking towards the Southern Alps on the horizon, I already knew I would come back one day.
Australia gave me space, sunshine and an energy that is hard to describe. New Zealand gave me calm, warmth and a closeness to nature that I had rarely felt before. Together, they created a journey of extraordinary contrasts, and one I would recommend to anyone dreaming of a once-in-a-lifetime trip.
For a route like this, I would recommend around three to four weeks, so there’s time to truly enjoy each city and its surroundings without rushing. And to make the long journey from Europe easier, a few days in Singapore or Hong Kong along the way is the perfect way to begin or end your adventure.