Can you arrange just part of my Rugby World Cup holiday?

Yes, we can arrange part of your Rugby World Cup holiday where it fits our specialist approach. For example, if you already have Sydney sorted, we could create a two-week self-drive route before or afterwards. Our strength is meaningful wider travel, rather than standalone city hotel bookings.

What can TravelEssence arrange around my Rugby World Cup matches?

TravelEssence can arrange the wider travel around your confirmed Rugby World Cup matches. This can include international and domestic flights, comfortable car hire, transfers, unique accommodation, local-led activities, and a detailed itinerary. We will shape the journey around your match dates, pace and interests.

How much time should I allow for a Rugby World Cup holiday in Australia?

Most travellers should allow enough time to enjoy Australia beyond the match days. The right length depends on your tickets: three weeks allows a focused route, while four to six weeks opens up more regions without rushing between host cities. We usually recommend building in breathing space between big travel days.

Can I combine the Rugby World Cup with a trip to New Zealand?

Yes, the Rugby World Cup can combine very well with New Zealand. Once your Australia match dates are fixed, we can look at whether New Zealand works before or after the rugby, and how much time to allow. For most travellers, we would suggest at least three weeks there to make the most of it.

How far in advance should I plan my 2027 Rugby World Cup holiday?

It is best to start planning once you know your match dates and host cities. Getting in touch early gives us more choice when looking at routes, accommodation and flights, especially around busy Rugby World Cup periods. You do not need every detail decided before starting the conversation.

Do I need to hire a car in Australia?

You will not necessarily need a hire car to get around Australian cities, but it can be the best way to explore once you leave them. A car gives you more freedom to reach coastal towns, national parks, small-scale stays and hidden gems that are harder to manage by public transport.

Can you help me travel between Rugby World Cup host cities?

Yes, we can help you travel between Rugby World Cup host cities as part of a wider itinerary. For example, if you were starting in Perth and heading to Sydney, we'd arrange flights to cover the large distance, but if you were going from Melbourne to Adelaide, we would plan into your route to drive along the Great Ocean Road and make the journey part of the experience. We will use our local knowledge to help avoid unnecessary backtracking and make the travel days feel manageable.

2027 Rugby World Cup Australia & New Zealand Holidays

Q: Can TravelEssence arrange Rugby World Cup tickets?

No, TravelEssence cannot arrange Rugby World Cup tickets. You will need to secure your own match tickets first, then we can plan the wider Australia holiday around your confirmed dates, host cities and travel priorities. This helps us focus on what we do best: building a meaningful, well-paced journey around the rugby.

Q: Can you plan my holiday if I’ve already booked my flights?

Yes, we can plan your holiday around flights you have already booked. Once we know your arrival and departure dates, airports and match schedule, we can piece the rest of the itinerary together carefully, including accommodation, car hire, domestic travel, activities and route planning.

Q: Can you work around accommodation or family visits I’ve already arranged?

Yes, we can work around accommodation, family visits or city stays you have already arranged. Many travellers have a few fixed points in the trip, and we can build the remaining journey around them so the whole holiday still feels joined up, realistic and enjoyable rather than patched together.

A dusty outback track winding through the Flinders Ranges in South Australia, with rugged red mountain ridges glowing in the warm light of sunset.

Your front row seat to Australia

Secured your tickets for the 2027 Men's Rugby World Cup? Now it's time to start building your adventure around them.

Your time Down Under might take you into the Red Centre, where you can learn about Indigenous cultures, through one of Australia’s renowned wine regions, or to a characterful cottage surrounded by nature. We’ll use our first-hand knowledge to work out what fits comfortably around your dates and interests, giving you time to enjoy your holiday at a relaxed pace.

How do we make your match schedule work?

With fixtures spread across several weeks and cities, there can be a lot to connect. We know when it makes sense to fly, when picking up a hire car can turn the next leg into a memorable road trip, and how much time to allow in each place.

Perhaps sailing around the Whitsundays, driving the Great Ocean Road, or watching the sun set over Uluru are already on your wish list. We can work them into your plans alongside lesser-known places and local experiences we think you’ll enjoy, creating a route that flows naturally from one fixture to the next.

You've got the tickets, we'll take care of the rest

For more than 20 years, we’ve been creating tailor-made, self-drive holidays across Australia and New Zealand, pairing hand-picked accommodation and locally led experiences that help you see a deeper side of Down Under.

Your Rugby World Cup fixtures might be the first pieces of the puzzle. Perhaps you’ve also booked your international flights or plan to stay with family for part of the trip. We’ll work around what you already have in place, arrange the parts you'd like us to handle, and bring it all together in one clear itinerary.

While you’re away, we’ll keep an eye on the details behind the scenes. If something unexpected happens, you can speak directly to someone who knows your plans and can step in straight away.

Travel consultant discussing trip photos with a couple at a table

'I love using my first-hand knowledge to show rugby fans how much more they can experience away from the stadiums.'
— Kieran Swetman, Travel Specialist

An aerial view of Sydney Harbour at sunset

Explore Sydney and beyond

Sydney will host some of the tournament’s biggest matches, including the fierce England v Wales head-to-head. With fellow host city Newcastle also just a few hours north, it’s a natural base for combining the rugby with time to explore more of New South Wales.

There’s plenty to enjoy in the city itself, from its characterful neighbourhoods and harbour to the relaxed coastal retreats of Manly and Coogee. We can also arrange experiences further afield, chosen around your interests and how active you want to be.

Our recommended activities

What can I do between matches around Sydney?

Hiker standing on a cliffside walkway overlooking the vast forested valleys and sandstone escarpments of the Blue Mountains, New South Wales, Australia

The Blue Mountains by 4WD

A local guide takes you away from the busiest Blue Mountains viewpoints, tailoring the day around your interests such as native wildlife, bushwalking, photography, and spectacular scenery.

A small boat is docked by a beach in Sydney Harbour

Sydney Harbour cruise

A small-group cruise reveals quieter corners of Sydney Harbour, with views of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge, stories of Indigenous and maritime history, and lunch at an exclusive yacht club.

A couple on a vineyard tour led by a local guide in the Hunter Valley in New South Wales

Hunter Valley wine tour

A day in one of Australia’s most famous wine regions includes visits to small-scale wineries, vineyard tours, and tastings of the Semillon and Shiraz the area is known for.

Our recommended accommodation

Where can I stay in Sydney?

From harbourside hotels near iconic sights to quieter stays tucked into residential neighbourhoods, we’ll help you find the right base for you.

A victorian-style hotel in Potts Point in Sydney

Characterful Victorian hotel

Set across three restored Victorian terraces, this boutique hotel puts you among the cafés and restaurants of Potts Point, within easy reach of Sydney Harbour and the Royal Botanic Garden.

An apartment bedroom with a double bed and desk and chair with windows overlooking the Sydney skyline

Modern apartment in the CBD

These serviced apartments in central Sydney put you just a short walk from the bustling Darling Harbour. The property features an indoor pool, fitness room, sauna, spa, and on-site restaurant.

A hotel rooftop courtyard with seating area and views over the Surry Hills skyline

Boutique hotel in Surry Hills

A stylish base in Surry Hills, with cafés, restaurants, shops, and public transport nearby. We particularly like the courtyard garden and rooftop, with views across the Sydney skyline.

Brisbane between matches

Brisbane has an easy-going atmosphere that makes it a lovely place to slow the pace. You could ride the CityCat along the river, explore its vibrant neighbourhoods, or find a sunny spot for a drink and watch the world go by.

For a stay that balances location with plenty of character, we can book you into an elegant traditional Queenslander in leafy New Farm, close to the CBD. Its breezy wraparound veranda, cosy reading nooks, and residential setting offer a very different feel from a standard city hotel, and it's the kind of stay our customers love.

Two people sit at a table with glasses of beer looking out at the river, bridge and buildings of Brisbane

A jeep is parked on a remote beach in Noosa with two people exploring around it and the sea and rainforest surrounding

What could you do with three or four days?

With three or four nights free, Noosa could fit comfortably into the wider trip, giving you time for a scenic drive up the Sunshine Coast, coastal hikes with far-reaching views, and kayaking through the Everglades while looking out for eagles, jabirus, and pelicans.

One of the experiences we often recommend is a Jeep tour led by local guide Luisa. Depending on your interests, your day could take you in search of waterfalls, into the hinterland, or to hidden beaches where there's hardly anyone else around.

Melbourne to Adelaide: make the journey part of the holiday

If your fixtures take you from Melbourne to Adelaide, the distance between them can become part of the experience. With several days available, we can turn the journey into a road trip along the Great Ocean Road, one of Australia’s most memorable coastal routes.

We’ll arrange the hire car, map out comfortable driving days, and hand-select accommodation along the way.

Mark and Roz welcome you to their slice of paradise

One of our favourite places to send travellers is a boomerang-shaped cottage in the Johanna Valley, where hosts Mark, Roz, and their dog Blue welcome you to a peaceful corner of the Great Ocean Road surrounded by native wildlife.

Local hosts Mark and Roz sit on a bench with their dog Blue, with the coastline of the Great Ocean Road in the background

A heritage hotel in Melbourne with a fountain, pedestrians, vehicles and more modern buildings around it

Only have a few days around Melbourne?

A shorter gap can work well too. The Mornington Peninsula is within easy reach of Melbourne and offers a change of pace, with vineyards, coastal scenery, and cosy places to stay. If you’re looking for something more active, we often suggest spending a couple of days in the Grampians, where walking trails lead through dramatic rock formations to far-reaching views.

If you prefer to stay closer to the city, we can book you into a historic landmark hotel in the heart of the CBD. From there, you're well placed to enjoy Melbourne’s creative neighbourhoods, food scene, and waterfront. We’d also recommend making time to visit St Kilda, where seaside walks come with the chance to spot little penguins around the pier.

Arriving in Adelaide with time to spare?

A few free days around Adelaide can take your holiday in very different directions. You could spend time in one of South Australia's renowned wine regions, escape to nearby Kangaroo Island for close encounters with native wildlife, or head into the Flinders Ranges for a taste of the Outback.

If you're staying around Adelaide, we prefer to take our customers beyond the city centre. A cottage in the Adelaide Hills gives you countryside and character, while a base in Glenelg puts the beach on your doorstep and keeps you close enough to head back into the city for the rugby.

A pier stretching out from the beach into the sea with people walking along it as the sun sets below the clouds in Glenelg

Our favourite experiences in South Australia

What can I do between matches in Adelaide?

A couple sitting together looking out across the mountains during the sunset in Flinders Ranges Outback, Australia

Flinders Ranges Outback escape

A three-night stay in the Flinders Ranges gives you time to experience the Outback properly, with an eco-villa as your base, a scenic flight over the ranges, and a 4WD tour at sunset.

AUS - 4 weeks - nature - Journey through South East Australia

Kangaroo Island wildlife break

A visit to Kangaroo Island brings you close to wildlife in its natural habitat, from grazing kangaroos and koalas in eucalyptus trees to foraging echidnas and sea lions along the coast.

South Australian wine country

The vineyards of the Barossa Valley or McLaren Vale are made for a slower few days, with cellar-door tastings, vineyard stays, and leisurely al fresco lunches taking centre stage.

Perth: take the scenic route

As host city for the opening match of the tournament, Perth is also a great starting point for a self-drive through South West Australia. Some of the Rugby World Cup holidays we’ve already planned do just that: time in Perth for the opening games, followed by a road trip around the South West before flying on to Sydney for the later stages of the tournament.

For your time around Perth, we often recommend staying in Fremantle. This historic port is quieter than the city centre and has plenty of character, with lively markets, waterfront restaurants, the fascinating Fremantle Prison, and easy access to Rottnest Island by boat.

How much of the South West can I see?

South West Australia works well for both short escapes and longer self-drive routes. If there's time in your schedule, we’d suggest heading to Margaret River for its celebrated wineries, beautiful coastline, and relaxed places to stay. With more time, the route could continue towards Pemberton and Denmark, adding forests, quiet beaches, and a slower few days on the road.

Need a little inspiration?

What your Rugby World Cup trip could look like

Your match dates give us the starting points. From there, we can build a wider Australia holiday around the places you want to see and the time you have available. These sample trips show what's possible.

See more Australia trip examples

More sample trips

View more holiday ideas

nz-south-mount cook national park-hooker valley

Could New Zealand be part of your Rugby World Cup holiday?

If New Zealand’s misty fiords, snow-capped peaks, volcanic hot pools, and rugged coasts have long been on your wish list, travelling to Australia for the Rugby World Cup could be the perfect opportunity to experience them for yourself.

We can build New Zealand into the same tailor-made itinerary, whether you visit before the tournament or hop over the Tasman Sea afterwards.

A couple of weeks gives you time to focus on one island, while a longer stay opens up more of the country. We’ll shape the route around the days you have available and take care of the flights, accommodation, car hire, and activities, so New Zealand fits naturally into your trip.

Itineraries to inspire your plans