Contrasts of Australia

9 days
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4.6/5 Excellent
100+ reviews  
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USTOA

Cancellation Policy
Small Group Tour
There’s no denying Australia’s diversity. This Melbourne to Sydney tour invites you to glimpse a full range of natural attractions, whether two World Heritage Sites in Cairns (the Great Barrier Reef and Wet Tropics of Queensland) or the eye-popping, art-clad laneways of Melbourne and architectural marvel of Sydney Opera House. Wherever you venture, expect to ...
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$6,430
From$4,763
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Overview

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

What's this trip about?

    There’s no denying Australia’s diversity. This Melbourne to Sydney tour invites you to glimpse a full range of natural attractions, whether two World Heritage Sites in Cairns (the Great Barrier Reef and Wet Tropics of Queensland) or the eye-popping, art-clad laneways of Melbourne and architectural marvel of Sydney Opera House. Wherever you venture, expect to discover First Nations culture.

Details

Itinerary focusClassic Highlights
Group sizeGroup - max of 40 people
Age range6 years and up
Flights and transportN/A
Start CityMelbourne (VIC)
End CitySydney

Travel Themes

  • Cultural

Destinations

Activities

  • Culture

Max Group Size

  • Max Group Size: 40

Trip includes

    • 3 UNESCO World Heritage Sites – Great Barrier Reef, Wet Tropics of Queensland, Sydney Opera House Centrally located premium hotels Arrival and departure private airport transfers

Itinerary

Travel Map

Day 1: Welcome to Melbourne

Settle into your hotel on the banks of the Yarra River and meet your Travel Director for a Welcome Reception and dinner at the South Wharf riverside pub, The General Assembly restaurant. It's a great opportunity to get to know everyone in a unique setting.

Crowne Plaza Hotel Melbourne

Dinner

Day 2: Melbourne Sightseeing

Get out and see the sights today on a guided walk with your Travel Director discovering the little lanes, arcades, and café society of stylish Melbourne. Gaze up at the beautiful Victorian façades lining grand boulevards. Stroll past famous, edgy street art that shows...

Day 3: Melbourne - Cairns

Things start to heat up in Cairns, the heart of Tropical North Queensland. Jump aboard a cruise at Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures to discover some of the wildlife that calls this part of the state home, koalas, wallabies and crocs among them. Now that you’ve appreciat...

Day 4: Great Barrier Reef

Go from city to sea today on a full day bucket list exploration of the world’s largest coral reef system in the Great Barrier Reef, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Set sail on a high-speed catamaran for these tropical waters then explore this underwater wonderland up cl...

Day 5: Cairns Free Time

Today is a free day to do as you choose. A great option is the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway to Kuranda, travelling over and through World Heritage rainforest, explore quaint Kuranda village and later board the historic Kuranda Scenic Railway for the return journey (own...

Day 6: Cairns - Sydney

Following a leisurely start to the morning it’s time to switch the tropical vibes back to city highlights as you fly to Sydney. Check into your centrally located hotel and spend the rest of the day and evening exploring as you wish. You could visit Mrs. Macquarie's Ch...

Day 7: Sydney

Discover one of the great highlights of Sydney, the beautiful Sydney Opera House, on a guided tour inside this iconic building before experiencing the beauty of the city aboard a Harbour Cruise sailing past Circular Quay, Shark Island, magnificent homes, beaches and p...

Day 8: Sydney

The day is a free day to explore at your leisure or book one of our hand crafted selection of optional activities. There are so many sights and experiences to be had in this city and further afield. You might choose to visit the Three Sisters in the Blue Mountains, fo...

Day 9: Farewell from Sydney

All good things must come to an end. Fill up on your last breakfast before bidding farewell to your fellow travel companions.

Full Breakfast

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Dates & Availability

Price From $4,763
Price per day$529
Last Updated: 12/19/2024
Departure Date
Finish Date
Double Room (Shared)
Single Room
Availability
16 Jan 2025
24 Jan 2025
$5,205
$6,643
30 Jan 2025
07 Feb 2025
$4,995
$6,365
06 Mar 2025
14 Mar 2025
$5,205
$6,643
20 Mar 2025
28 Mar 2025
$4,995
$6,365
10 Apr 2025
18 Apr 2025
$5,379
$6,729
08 May 2025
16 May 2025
$5,379
$6,729
26 Jun 2025
04 Jul 2025
$4,763
$5,911
28 Aug 2025
05 Sep 2025
$5,379
$6,729
25 Sep 2025
03 Oct 2025
$5,379
$6,729
09 Oct 2025
17 Oct 2025
$4,763
$5,911

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

4.6/5  Excellent
Excellent
1,428
Great
398
Average
73
Disappointing
24
Terrible
17
L

Leslie

Jul 2024

Written on

Contrasts of Australia

Excellent trip. Excellent tour guide. Great accommodations. ...

C

C Smeester

Apr 2024

Written on

Contrasts of Australia

Contrasts of Australia tour included Melbourne, Cairns and Sydney. Accomodations were good at all except the rooms in Sydney were much smaller. Snorkeling the Grea...

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Other AAT Kings Reviews

T

Trusted Customer

Dec 2024

Written on

Anonymous

The whole trip was simply a dream! Everything was perfect! The drivers guided us through the trip safely, very attentively, very friendly and helpful. And Manuela, ...

T

Trusted Customer

Dec 2024

Written on

Northern Spotlight

Very interesting. The tour leader is very professional and helpful.

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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

  • Crowne Plaza Hotel Melbourne
  • Hilton Hotel Cairns
  • Sofitel Wentworth Hotel Sydney
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 .
Meals Included
  • 1 Dinner (D)
  • 8 Full Breakfast (B)
  • 1 Lunch (L)
  • 1 Dinner with Wine (DW)
  • 1 Farewell Dinner (FD)
Age Requirements
6 years and up
Additional Information
Trip ID
aatkin-ACANA24

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