19 days in South Pacific Itinerary

Surrounded by lakes and featuring impressive areas of geothermal landscape, the city of Rotorua offers an otherwordly landscape and a welcoming, peaceful environment, with the culture of the native Maori people very much in the foreground.

Kick off your visit on the 26th (Mon): witness a stunning natural landmark at Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland, make a trip to Te Puia, and then steep yourself in history at Tamaki Maori Village. On your second day here, whizz through the canopy at some of the top local zipline courses and adventure parks, learn about winemaking at Volcanic Hills Winery, then get a dose of the wild on a nature and wildlife tour, and finally take a peaceful walk through Redwoods, Whakarewarewa Forest.

To find more things to do, maps, traveler tips, and other tourist information, read our Rotorua vacation planner.

Dallas, USA to Rotorua is an approximately 26-hour flight. The time zone difference moving from Central Standard Time (CST) to New Zealand Standard Time (NZST) is 18 hours. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 27th (Tue) early enough to travel to Cairns.

Espiritu Santo offers an impressive combination of natural beauty and cultural experiences.

Kick off your visit on the 28th (Wed): explore the fascinating underground world of Millenium Cave and then kick back and relax at Champagne Beach. On your second day here, look for all kinds of wild species at Nanda Blue Hole and then stroll through Port Olry Beach.

For ratings, maps, where to stay, and more tourist information, use the Espiritu Santo tour planner.

Traveling by combination of flight and car from Rotorua to Espiritu Santo takes 13 hours. The time zone difference moving from New Zealand Standard Time to Vanuatu Time is minus 1 hour. June in Espiritu Santo sees daily highs of 83°F and lows of 71°F at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 29th (Thu) early enough to travel to Cairns.

A neat, cosmopolitan city of shaded plazas and laid-back neighborhoods, Cairns serves as a popular base for exploration of the surrounding region and the Great Barrier Reef, as well as a center for watersport activities like surfing or waterskiing.

You'll get in some beach time at Palm Cove Beach and Trinity Beach. You'll find plenty of places to visit near Cairns: Port Douglas (Four Mile Beach & Wildlife Habitat Port Douglas) and Hartley's Crocodile Adventures (in Palm Cove). There's more to do: trek along Esplanade Boardwalk and take advantage of the amenities at Esplanade Lagoon Pool.

To find ratings, maps, and tourist information, refer to the Cairns online itinerary creator.

Traveling by combination of car and flight from Espiritu Santo to Cairns takes 9 hours. The time zone difference moving from Vanuatu Time to Australian Eastern Standard Time (Queensland) is minus 1 hour. Traveling from Espiritu Santo in June, plan for little chillier nights in Cairns, with lows around 65°F. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 3rd (Mon) to allow enough time to travel to Melbourne.

The state of Victoria crown jewel, Melbourne boasts shaded streets, leafy residential neighborhoods, vibrant street life, and a picturesque city center.

Dedicate the 7th (Fri) to wine at some of the top wineries in the area. The adventure continues: admire the natural beauty at Royal Botanic Gardens, make a trip to Flinders Street Station, stroll through Melbourne Zoo, and take in panoramic vistas at Eureka Skydeck 88.

For maps, reviews, more things to do, and tourist information, go to the Melbourne itinerary builder.

You can fly from Cairns to Melbourne in 5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a train. Traveling from Cairns in July, things will get colder in Melbourne: highs are around 56°F and lows about 42°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 8th (Sat) to allow enough time to travel to Sydney.

Lent iconic status as a result of its famous bridge and opera house, Sydney has a down-to-earth charm that enhances its spectacular setting and functional efficiency.

You'll enjoy a bit of beach vacationing at Bondi Beach and Clovelly. And it doesn't end there: enjoy the thrill of live dance at Sydney Opera House, hike along Bondi to Coogee Beach Coastal Walk, take in nature's colorful creations at Royal Botanic Gardens, and kick back and relax at Manly Beach.

For reviews, more things to do, and other tourist information, read our Sydney custom trip planner.

Fly from Melbourne to Sydney in 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a train. Expect somewhat warmer temperatures when traveling from Melbourne in July; daily highs in Sydney reach 64°F and lows reach 48°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 12th (Wed) early enough to travel back home.