As August wrapped up, we heard from a great cross-section of suppliers across both sides of the Tasman. Over the month we caught up with a premium chauffeured touring company in Sydney, the full network of New Zealand’s iconic multi-day cycle trails, a world-class garden attraction in the heart of the Waikato, and the North Island’s largest ski area on the slopes of Mt Ruapehu, gearing up for its summer season. Here’s a recap of what these suppliers shared with us throughout August — from luxury day trips out of Sydney, to a South Island cycling adventure, a wander through 18 gardens of the world in Hamilton, or a scenic gondola ride above Tongariro National Park.
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1. AEA Luxury Tours – Sydney, New South Wales
AEA Luxury Tours is one of Sydney’s leading premium touring operators, offering private and small-group shared tours across Sydney, the Blue Mountains, the Central Coast and the Hunter Valley. Travelling in custom Mercedes Sprinter vans, guests are looked after by friendly, knowledgeable guides who keep groups small and steer clear of over-crowded tourist stops, delivering a genuinely comfortable and personalised day out.
The private tour portfolio ranges from half-day Sydney sights to full Blue Mountains “Diamond Day” experiences, gin tastings on the Central Coast and deep dives into Hunter Valley wine country, while the shared tour range offers a more accessible way for FIT clients to experience the same iconic destinations, including overnight options in the Blue Mountains.
Why recommend AEA Luxury Tours to your clients:
AEA fills the gap between a standard coach tour and a fully private charter, giving agents a flexible, premium option for clients who want comfort and personal attention without the price tag of an exclusive vehicle. The breadth of itineraries — from a quick half-day Sydney sights tour to a Blue Mountains overnight — means AEA can be slotted into almost any Sydney stopover, whether a client has half a day or several. The small-group, no-crowds philosophy is a strong differentiator for agents selling to clients who’ve already done the big-bus version of Sydney and want something more considered.
What’s new/exciting:
- Sydney’s Northern Wilderness and Coastal Adventure — a new shared tour exploring Sydney’s Northern Beaches, giving clients an easy-access alternative to the well-trodden Eastern Suburbs and Harbour circuits.
- Blue Mountains Overnight — a shared-tour option that turns the Blue Mountains into a two-day experience, ideal for clients who want more time among the escarpments and villages without booking a fully private itinerary.
- Blue Mountains Hike the World Heritage — a private tour for more active clients wanting a guided walking experience through World Heritage-listed bushland, rather than a purely scenic drive.
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2. New Zealand Great Rides – Nationwide
The New Zealand Cycle Trail’s 23 Great Rides showcase some of the country’s most spectacular landscapes via dedicated, purpose-built cycling routes — an exciting and sustainable way for clients to reach must-see sights well off the main highways. From the bicultural heritage of the Twin Coast Cycle Trail in the far north to the alpine grandeur of the Queenstown Trail and Around the Mountains Cycle Trail in the deep south, the Great Rides network covers virtually the length of the country.
Grades range from easy, family-friendly trails such as the Otago Central Rail Trail and Hauraki Rail Trail through to genuinely challenging expert terrain like the Old Ghost Road, meaning there’s a Great Ride to suit almost any client, from casual sightseers to committed mountain bikers.
Why recommend New Zealand Great Rides to your clients:
Cycle touring continues to grow as a way for clients to slow down and experience New Zealand’s scenery, food, wine and small-town hospitality at a different pace than a standard self-drive. Because the network spans both islands and every grade of difficulty, agents can build a Great Ride into almost any itinerary — a day on the Hawke’s Bay Trails paired with a wine lunch, a multi-day Alps 2 Ocean adventure connecting the Southern Alps to the Pacific, or a shoulder-season ride on the Central Otago trails timed around Cromwell and Clyde’s wineries and towns. It’s also an easy upsell alongside car hire and accommodation packages, giving agents another point of difference for clients who’ve “done” New Zealand’s classic road-trip routes before.
What’s new/exciting:
- Lake Dunstan Trail continues to be one of the most popular shorter rides for FIT clients, combining spectacular Central Otago scenery with heritage towns and easy access to dining and wine-tasting — ideal as a half-day add-on around Queenstown or Wanaka.
- Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail, New Zealand’s longest Great Ride at 315km, remains a standout multi-day booking opportunity for clients wanting an epic, guided-or-self-guided journey from the Southern Alps to the Pacific Ocean.
- Hawke’s Bay Trails offer an easy, low-grade network perfect for clients combining cycling with the region’s food, wine and art deco architecture — a strong shoulder-season option.
- The Queenstown Trail and Around the Mountains Cycle Trail give agents flexible half-day-to-multi-day options that pair naturally with a South Island touring itinerary.
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3. Hamilton Gardens – Waikato, New Zealand
Just 1.5 hours from Auckland, Hamilton Gardens is one of New Zealand’s most surprising and rewarding attractions — a collection of 18 enclosed gardens, each a meticulously recreated journey through a different culture, era or garden style. From the Ancient Egyptian Garden and Chinese Scholars’ Garden to the Italian Renaissance Garden and Māori Te Parapara Garden, every space is layered with history and cultural storytelling, making it far more than a typical botanical garden visit.
The attraction is consistently ranked among the top things to do in New Zealand and sits in the top 10% of attractions worldwide on TripAdvisor, with guided highlight tours and an audio guide available for visitors who want the full story behind each garden.
Why recommend Hamilton Gardens to your clients:
Hamilton Gardens is an ideal stop for agents building Waikato itineraries or looking to break up the Auckland–Rotorua or Auckland–Waitomo drive with something genuinely memorable rather than just a fuel stop. Because each garden tells a distinct cultural story, it appeals well beyond typical garden enthusiasts — history buffs, photographers, and families all find something to enjoy. The guided tours and audio guide options make it easy to package for both independent travellers and small groups, and its accessibility just off SH1 makes it a simple, high-value addition to almost any North Island touring route.
What’s new/exciting:
- The Medieval Garden, the newest addition to the Gardens’ collection, is nearing completion — a fresh drawcard for agents to flag to repeat visitors or clients who’ve been before.
- Guided Highlight Tours and Audio Guides give clients flexible ways to experience the Gardens, whether they want an expert-led story or a self-paced exploration.
- Hamilton Gardens holds Qualmark Gold certification and is aligned with the Tiaki Promise, reinforcing its credentials as a responsible, sustainably managed attraction.
- With gates open early (6:15am) through to 9:00pm, the Gardens offer flexibility for agents building early-morning or golden-hour photography stops into an itinerary.
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4. Whakapapa – Mt Ruapehu, Tongariro National Park
Whakapapa is New Zealand’s largest ski area, but it’s also a fantastic summer destination set within the dual World Heritage-listed Tongariro National Park on the slopes of Mt Ruapehu. The 2026/27 summer season runs from 1 November through to 30 April, with the Sky Waka gondola operating year-round at a slower, more scenic pace, climbing 390m over 1.8km from its base station at 1,630m to Knoll Ridge Chalet at 2,020m — New Zealand’s highest eatery. From the top, short walking trails wind through dramatic volcanic terrain, making it an easy and rewarding half-day stop for clients who’d never otherwise consider a “ski field” in summer.
Why recommend Whakapapa to your clients:
Whakapapa gives agents a compelling reason to include Tongariro National Park in a summer North Island itinerary, without needing clients to be hikers or skiers. The gondola ride and short walks at the top make for an accessible, family-friendly day out combining alpine views and dining at altitude, close to the central North Island. It’s an easy add-on for agents building itineraries around Taupo, Tongariro Crossing or Whanganui National Park, giving clients a scenic, low-effort way to experience the mountain in the warmer months.
What’s new/exciting:
- NZ’s highest high tea returns this November at Knoll Ridge Chalet, 2,020m up the mountain — clients who register interest early can save 20%.
- Short Walks from the top of the Sky Waka give clients of all fitness levels access to sweeping Tongariro National Park views and unique volcanic terrain without committing to a full hike.
- Premium glass gondola cabins are available for clients wanting an even better view on the 12-minute journey up to Knoll Ridge Chalet.
- The Sky Waka gondola runs year-round, making it a reliable, weather-flexible activity to build into any Central Plateau itinerary.
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