Aboriginal Culture and Australian Highlights

13 days
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4.7/5 Excellent
100+ reviews  
98%
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premier

USTOA

Cancellation Policy
Small Group Tour
If you want to immerse yourself in the world’s oldest continuous living culture, you’ve come to the right place. From the spiritual heart of Australia to its cities, discover the country’s Aboriginal heritage through activities ranging from climbing bridges to creating paintings. You’ll also get to meet some of the characters who nurture Indigenous culture an...
26%
$9,782
From$7,246
See departure dates

Overview

Trip type
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

What's this trip about?

    If you want to immerse yourself in the world’s oldest continuous living culture, you’ve come to the right place. From the spiritual heart of Australia to its cities, discover the country’s Aboriginal heritage through activities ranging from climbing bridges to creating paintings. You’ll also get to meet some of the characters who nurture Indigenous culture and keep it alive for future generations.

Details

Itinerary focusClassic Highlights
Group sizeGroup - max of 40 people
Age rangeNo age restrictions
Flights and transportN/A
Start CityMelbourne (VIC)
End CityCairns

Travel Themes

  • 50 plus
  • Cultural

Destinations

Activities

  • Culture

Max Group Size

  • Max Group Size: 40

Trip includes

    • Exclusive Sunrise Field of Light art installation experience at Uluru 3 UNESCO World Heritage Sites – Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, Great Barrier Reef, Sydney Opera House Centrally located premium hotels

Itinerary

Travel Map

Day 1: Welcome to Melbourne

Arrive early in Australia’s cultural capital to explore art-filled laneways, galleries and boutiques at your own pace. Melbourne is also Australia’s food capital – we have something special planned for your Welcome Dinner.

Intercontinental Melbourne

Day 2: Melbourne

Australia’s Aboriginal culture spans oceans, rivers, rainforest, outback and cities, as you’ll discover with Koorie Heritage Trust. From the organisation’s base at Federation Square, explore Melbourne with a First Nation's guide along the banks of the Yarra River, a M...

Day 3: Melbourne Free Time

Take the pulse of Melbourne in your own time. Need touring suggestions? Your Travel Director can assist. You might choose to stay in the heart of the city exploring the Royal Botanic Gardens with an Aboriginal guide. Or for a bird’s-eye view, zip to the Melbourne Eure...

Day 4: Melbourne - Uluru

Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa is World Heritage-listed for a reason. Explore spiritual landscapes that are sacred to the Anangu; your Travel Director on the Kuniya walk to Mutitjulu Waterhole will point out rock art and bush foods. The ultimate way to end the day is watching the s...

Day 5: Uluru

The outback inspires creativity, as you’ll discover meeting Aboriginal artists and sculptors at Maruku Arts, a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience. Their works capture the drama of Australia, and they’ll show you how to do the same during an art class. Spend the afternoon ...

Day 6: Uluru - Sydney

50,000 – that’s the number of lights that artist Bruce Munro used to create his alfresco artwork, Field of Light. This blanket of bulbs casts a surreal glow over the Uluru countryside, and is particularly beguiling on a sunrise visit. Tonight, is yours to explore Sydney. We have a little black book of hot restaurants to try if you need tips.

Sofitel Wentworth Hotel Sydney

Day 7: Sydney

Bring your stamina for an action-packed day exploring the Harbour City, including a tour of the Opera House. It sits on land belonging to the Eora Nation, as you’ll discover when you meet an Aboriginal Guide of Dreamtime Southern X, on a walking tour around the Rocks ...

Day 8: Sydney Free Time

Go your own way or ask your Travel Director to assist booking tours like BridgeClimb, which sees you scale the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Or spend the day with an AAT Kings guide in the Blue Mountains. You don’t need to go far to have an adventure, as you’ll discover on D...

Day 9: Sydney Free Time

What’s better than one free day to explore Sydney at your leisure? A second free day. We wouldn’t blame you for spending hours strolling the sand at Bondi Beach or catching the ferry across the harbour to Manly or choosing another optional experience.

Sofitel Wentworth Hotel Sydney

Day 10: Sydney - Cairns

After your morning flight from Sydney, spend your free afternoon soaking up the steamy climes of Cairns. Explore the vibrant esplanade or opt for an Indigenous-owned cruise by Mandingalbay Tours.

Flynn, A Crystalbrook Collection Resort

Day 11: Great Barrier Reef

Dreamtime Dive & Snorkel’s catamaran tours tell the story of the Great Barrier Reef through First Nations' eyes. The company’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander sea rangers regale you with 65,000-year-old Dreamtime creation stories, a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Exper...

Day 12: Cairns Free Time

Spend your free day soaking up the sights of Tropical North Queensland, perhaps joining a tour to catch the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway and Kuranda Scenic Railway deep into the rainforest. Or maybe on an Outback Tasting Adventure, uniting distillers, brewers, cheesemo...

Day 13: Farewell from Cairns

You’ll not only depart Cairns a more seasoned traveller, but also a more thoughtful one. And don’t be surprised if you leave with a posse of new friends – Australia’s Aboriginal guides are as generous with their stories as they are with their time.

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Dates & Availability

Price From $7,246
Price per day$557
Last Updated: 11/20/2024
Departure Date
Finish Date
Double Room (Shared)
Single Room
Availability
20 Feb 2025
04 Mar 2025
$7,706
$9,800
06 Mar 2025
18 Mar 2025
$8,030
$10,235
20 Mar 2025
01 Apr 2025
$8,030
$10,235
09 Oct 2025
21 Oct 2025
$5,614
$7,412
19 Feb 2026
03 Mar 2026
$5,784
$7,637
05 Mar 2026
17 Mar 2026
$6,805
$8,985
19 Mar 2026
31 Mar 2026
$5,784
$7,637
08 Oct 2026
20 Oct 2026
$6,940
$9,165
18 Feb 2027
02 Mar 2027
$7,135
$9,420
04 Mar 2027
16 Mar 2027
$7,135
$9,420

Check current availability, prices, specials & more.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

AAT Kings Reviews & Ratings

4.7/5  Excellent
Excellent
1,331
Great
357
Average
69
Disappointing
23
Terrible
15
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Other AAT Kings Reviews

T

Trusted Customer

Nov 2024

Written on

Southern Spectacular

Well organized with very nice itinerary, great tour guide and coach driver, top hotels and lots of included additions which were included with the price of the tour...

J

Jayne Lougheed

Nov 2024

Written on

Everywhere on both islands.south island was particularly stunning.To notch.

Absolutely top notch director and very knowledgeable.Our ...

D

Desmond Morgan

Nov 2024

Written on

Great trip..

The 4 of us had great time

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Tour Operator

AAT Kings

premier
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A century ago, the Australian outback was but a twinkle in most travelers’ eyes. But thanks to visionaries like the Pyke family and Bill King, the way we explore the Land Down Under was about to change in unimaginable ways. Over the coming decades, maps were unfolded, desert cruisers and coaches were customized, and guides were trained. From humble beginnings, the company now known as AAT Kings was going places few had gone before, pioneering new paths across Australia and New Zealand and taking intrepid travelers on a wild and wonderful ride. We’ve come a long way and clocked a few kilometers in the process. But some things will never change. Like our spirit for adventure. Our oh-so-knowledgeable Travel Directors. The local characters we meet (and will never forget) along the way. The epic, goosebump-inducing stories we’re told by First Nations guides. The life-changing experiences on offer – the kind that only 100 years of exploring affords. We’ve never been more passionate about our next discovery. Join us and fall in love with Australia and New Zealand all over again. #aatkings


Why we love this operator
AAT Kings is renowned for its quality service, knowledgeable guides, and extensive network of destinations.
What they’re known for
AAT Kings is known for being one of Australia and New Zealand's leading tour operators, specializing in guided tours.

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Logistics

Accommodation

  • Intercontinental Melbourne
  • Desert Gardens
  • Sofitel Wentworth Hotel Sydney
  • Flynn, A Crystalbrook Collection Resort
Cancellation policy

Cancellation by the Traveller
Travel arrangements for any member of the party may be cancelled at any time by written notice by the person who made the booking.

If notice of cancellation is received by the Provider before final payment is due (see The Table), the deposit will be retained. If cancellation is made after final payment is due cancellation fees will apply (see The Table). These cancellation fees represent the costs incurred less any expected recoveries. Please also refer to Air cancellation Section where applicable.Notice of cancellation must be made in writing directly to the Provider or through your Travel Agent. Please also refer to the Provider's Gold Seal Additional Protection.

If a person in a party cancels and there is a room change caused by this cancellation (such as a twin share to Single, or Triple to twin share), charges for the new room type will be the responsibility of the remaining party. The charges detailed in the Summary Terms table (which includes GST), representing costs incurred by the Provider in cancelling your travel arrangements, will apply when notice of cancellation for your trip is given after the booking is confirmed. Please also refer to the Provider's Gold Seal Additional Protection.

If a guest fails to join the trip on the day of departure, cancellation fees will be 100% (unless the guest notifies us of the delay and joins the trip later at their own expense).

Cancellation fees as per The Table apply to additional accommodation and/or chargeable transfers prior to and after the trip, itinerary extensions or cruise reserved through the Provider.

Cancellation fees and charges will include any amounts that we have paid or have contractually committed to pay to third parties to deliver your travel arrangements which we cannot reasonably recover (for example payments made or due to airlines and hotels). Any payments we have made to third parties will only be refunded to you once we have deducted the above cancellation fees and charges and once we have actually recovered the amounts from the third parties.

All cancellation fees as per The Table are additional to any cancellation fees or other charges that may be levied by your Travel Agent.

Gold Seal Protection premiums are non-refundable.

If the reason for your cancellation is covered under your insurance, you may be able to reclaim these charges from your insurer. You are responsible for making the claim to your insurer. We will provide you with documentation to support your claim.

Cancellation by the Provider
The Provider reserves the right, to modify or cancel any trip, accommodation, in-destination activity or arrangement, definite or not, at any time.

Cancellation due to Failure to Pay

If full payment is not received by the due date (see The Table), The Provider has the right to cancel your reservation and no refund will be made. The Provider will not be responsible for lost reservations.

Cancellation due to Force Majeure Events

If The Provider cancels a trip as a result of a Force Majeure Event, a future travel credit (FTC) to the value of funds paid to date, less any unrecoverable third-party costs incurred, will be provided. All FTCs will be valid for 24 months from date of issue.

Where a trip is terminated mid-trip due to a Force Majeure event, if we provide you with any alternative services or assistance (such as hotels or travel) then you agree to pay for these costs.

Cancellation due to Events other than Force Majeure Events

If the cancellation by the Provider is not as a result of a Force Majeure Event, the Provider will provide an alternative comparable trip (if available). If an alternative is not available, then a refund will be made. The Provider is not liable for any cancellation or change cost or penalties incurred on other travel arrangements, including air travel, that may be affected thereby.

The Provider is not responsible for other travel arrangements that you or your party have made outside the Provider and which are affected by our cancellations.

For more additional details, see the booking conditions of TruTravels at the following web address: https://www.aatkings.com/about-us/booking-conditions-published-5-august-2024/

Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
Visa requirements vary depending on your country of origin and your country of destination. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the relevant requirements. For a handy tool that can help you quickly find the requirements, please visit this link .
Age Requirements
No age restrictions
Additional Information
Trip ID
aatkin-AMSC24

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