Australia and New Zealand make ideal vacation destinations for anyone that is looking for a bit of luxurious living and excitement. High-quality sporting activities are on offer in most locations, and especially in those that are situated on the coast. Whether you are into aquatic sports, land-based activities, walking, hiking, fine dining or a vibrant nightlife, Australia and New Zealand have it all.

1. In the southern part of Australia the opportunities for excitement and for experiencing something really special abound. This area is most famous for its amazing aquatic life and the colorful and fascinating Great Barrier Reef. Here you can snorkel or scuba dive; swim right along sea lions, shoals of tuna and groups of dolphins.
2. The immense Australian Outback is ideal for trekking and the Heysen Trail is especially popular. A 1200-kilometer trail, this is one of the longest on the continent and affords trekkers the opportunity of visiting some stunning landscapes.  Book an experienced guide for safety reasons and as a ready source of information.
3. In Rotorua, on New Zealand’s North Island, you can wine, dine and recline like royalty in one of the ten luxurious lodge complexes. The most respected luxury travel companies run these complexes, and the accommodations are first-class.
4. Try caving in one of the many cavern complexes scattered throughout New Zealand. Specialist companies that give all the equipment, give training and supply qualified guides, run these adventure expeditions to a very high standard.
5. New Zealand is justly famous for its high-quality wines. You can enroll on a wine country tour that takes in all the major vineyards and receive lessons from the experts.  Accommodation is provided at luxury hotels and lodges overnight.
6. Heli-skiing must be the ultimate in a New Zealand adventure holiday experience. This expensive and relatively new sport combines a helicopter ride over the mountains with boarding or skiing in areas of unpacked snow that are not accessible by any other means.
7. Hire a luxury yacht to explore the extensive New Zealand coastline, which has changed hardly at all since the voyages of Captain Cook.  You can also see the landscape featured in The Lord of the Rings trilogy from the comfort of a very well-appointed boat.
8. Hot-air balloon trips are a favorite in both Australia and New Zealand, providing visitors with a bird’s eye view of the terrain.
9. Game and sports fishing using chartered boats with all the necessary equipment supplied, are perfect for the angling enthusiast.
10. Bungee jumping is great fun; there are so many breathtaking bridges spanning sheer chasms in these two countries that it is an immensely popular sport for those with the nerve to take the plunge.

The big cities, such as Sydney, as you would perhaps expect, have a particularly wide range of luxury places at which to stay. For some self-indulgence whilst on vacation, why not hire an expensive luxury private yacht from Sydney harbor for a cruise, or book a self-drive motor launch for the weekend to explore along the coastline? There are even special wedding cruises to get marriages off to a good start.

The Sydney Harbor Marriott Hotel is famous for its up-market rooms and suites, with unparalleled service and facilities. At Cairns in Queensland the Shangri-La Hotel has spacious luxury rooms and top-quality service.

In New Zealand, luxury hotels such as the Huka Lodge in Taupo and the George Hotel in Christchurch offer equally splendid facilities and provide fine dining for visitors.