Please note the tour price reflected on the brochure is subject to change. Due to seasonality, and taxes prices of the tour are subject to change without due notice. Please consult with the operator directly for the recent price.
Highlights of Australia and New Zealand
Overview
Highlights (Bullets)
- Unique dining experience on board Melbourne’s Colonial Tramcar Restaurant
- Discover Melbourne’s colourful hidden laneways and arcades
- Indulge in a unique Aussie BBQ experience at Earth Sanctuary
- Toast an Uluru sunset with gourmet canapés and wine
- Discover rock art at Uluru and learn about sacred sites
- Hike through Walpa Gorge at Kata Tjuta (the Olgas)
- Create your own dot painting
- Cruise and snorkel on the Great Barrier Reef
- View Darling Harbour from your Sydney hotel room
- Dip your toes in the Pacific Ocean on Bondi Beach
- Experience Sydney Opera House on a guided tour
- Discover the glowworms of Waitomo Glowworm Grotto
- Immerse yourself in rich Maori arts and culture at an exclusive cultural dinner
- Travel on the TranzAlpine Train
- Discover spectacular Milford Sound on a lunch cruise
- Experience warm Kiwi hospitality at Morelea Farm
Short Description
It’s the perfect mix of modern cities and ancient landscapes. With gems like the amazing Great Barrier Reef, Sydney Harbour and breathtaking Milford Sound, paired with a world of ancient Aboriginal tradition in Australia’s Red Centre and the pounding Maori Haka in Rotorua.
Attractions & Cities Visited
Auckland Cairns Christchurch Great Barrier Reef Melbourne Mount Cook Queenstown Sydney Uluru (Ayers Rock) Uluru-Kata Tjuta National ParkActivities & Interests
Culture Educational/ learning Historic sightseeing History Nature Short Cruise Snorkeling Wildlife viewingItinerary
Day 1: Welcome to Melbourne
Meals: Dinner
Accommodation: Crowne Plaza Hotel Melbourne, 3 nights.
Welcome to Melbourne. On arrival you’ll be transferred to your hotel. This evening join your Travel Director for a welcome reception and dinner on board Melbourne's famous Colonial Tramcar Restaurant. It's a great opportunity to get to know everyone in a unique setting!
Please note: Flights need to arrive in Melbourne by 12pm as touring commences at 3pm.
Day 2: Melbourne
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Crowne Plaza Hotel Melbourne, 3 nights.
Explore Melbourne on a city sights tour then discover its eclectic little laneways, arcades, café society and street art on a private walking tour. The rest of your day is free. You may like to take an optional experience to Phillip Island to see the famous penguin parade or maybe you'd prefer to relax or even experience some of Melbourne's well known food and culture.
Day 3: Melbourne ‘Free Time’
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Crowne Plaza Hotel Melbourne, 3 nights.
Today is free for you to explore the delights of Melbourne. You may like to take a full day optional experience to the Great Ocean Road to discover the stunning coastline and the Twelve Apostles. Or maybe treat yourself to a theatre production or indulge in some world class fare at one of the city's famous eateries
Day 4: Melbourne – Alice Springs
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Accommodation: Chifley Alice Springs Resort
Today you fly from Melbourne to Alice Springs. On arrival visit the School of the Air and hear how this school delivers education to children living in remote areas. Next stop is the Royal Flying Doctor Service, where you'll learn about this facility that provides a 'mantle of safety' to the people of the outback. ‘You're invited’ this evening by Joe, Dan, Tommy and Ben Falzon for a homecooked gourmet BBQ dinner at Earth Sanctuary World Nature Centre. Join them as they share stories of ecology, culture and astronomy and even lead you on a sing-a-long accompanied by the didgeridoo and guitar. It will be a night to remember!
Day 5: Alice Springs – Ayers Rock
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Desert Gardens Hotel, Ayers Rock Resort, 2 nights.
Travel through the West MacDonnell and James Ranges and pause to view majestic Atila (Mt. Conner) often mistaken for Uluru, before arriving at Ayers Rock Resort. This afternoon is free for you to enjoy the resort’s facilities. Later, travel to the Uluru sunset viewing area. Witness and photograph the striking colour changes of Uluru at sunset while enjoying gourmet canapés and wine.
Day 6: Uluru and Kata Tjuta
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Desert Gardens Hotel, Ayers Rock Resort, 2 nights.
This morning view the magical Uluru sunrise. Afterwards, gain insight in to the traditional owners of the land, the Anangu, as you tour the caves at the base of Uluru discovering ancient rock art and hearing stories of the Aboriginal Dreamtime. Travel through the desert plains to Kata Tjuta and take a walk at Walpa Gorge. Later experience a Kata Tjuta sunset with sparkling wine and nibbles
Day 7: Ayers Rock – Cairns
Meals: Breakfast
Join an Aboriginal artist for a fun introduction to Western Desert Art. Your Anangu artist will provide you with cultural insight, explaining the meanings of their totems, before assisting you to complete your own painting to take home as a memento of your experience. In the afternoon you will fly from Ayers Rock to Cairns.
Day 8: Great Barrier Reef
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Get ready for an experience of a lifetime - board a high speed catamaran and cruise out to the Great Barrier Reef. You can snorkel and view this natural living wonder up close (equipment provided) or stay dry and explore the stunning reef from the comfort of a semi-submersible craft, just one metre underwater. Enjoy a tropical buffet lunch before you return to Cairns. This evening you'll dine at Dundee's Restaurant enjoy a delicious meal overlooking the Cairns waterfront.
Day 9: Cairns ‘Free Time’
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hilton Hotel Cairns, 3 nights.
Today is free for you to do as you choose! Perhaps take an optional experience to the Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park for an insightful look at indigenous culture or journey to Hartley's Crocodile Adventures for an opportunity to encounter native Australian animals. Or maybe travel to the ‘village in the rainforest’ on the Kuranda Scenic Railway and return to the lowlands on the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway
Day 10: Cairns – Sydney
Meals: Breakfast
Spend time at Cairns Wildlife Dome for the chance to see some cuddly Australian wildlife. This afternoon fly to Sydney where you will have a free evening to do as you please.
Day 11: Sydney
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
A day of sightseeing around this stunning harbour city awaits! Join a guided tour of the iconic Sydney Opera House before discovering Sydney's Eastern Suburbs and putting your feet in the sand at famous Bondi Beach. Take to the water on a Captain Guided Holidays Cook highlight lunch cruise, sailing around the glistening harbour while you enjoy a fresh seasonal menu. Spend the rest of your day seeing the sights of your choice or maybe even take an optional experience to see an opera under the famous sails of Sydney Opera House.
Day 12: Sydney ‘Free Time’
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Accommodation: Four Points by Sheraton Darling Harbour, Darling Harbour, 3 nights.
Enjoy a full free day in exciting Sydney. Maybe take an optional experience to the Blue Mountains or climb the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge on a 'BridgeClimb'. Spend your last evening in Sydney together along with your Travel Director and companions in a local restaurant by the water.
Day 13: Sydney – Auckland
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Accommodation: The Langham Hotel Auckland, 2 nights.
This morning you say goodbye to Australia and fly to New Zealand! This evening meet your Travel Director for your highlight dinner at 'Eight' at The Langham. Your personal degustation is prepared for you from the freshest, quality ingredients, including mouth-watering seafood and delicious desserts.
Day 14: Auckland Sightseeing & ‘Free Time’
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: The Langham Hotel Auckland, 2 nights.
A morning cruise on Waitemata Harbour is followed by a city sightseeing tour. Later, you'll have free time to relax or explore.
Day 15: Auckland – Rotorua
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Accommodation: Millennium Hotel, Rotorua
Join a guide for a boat tour through the Waitomo Glowworm Grotto. Continue to Rotorua where a Maori guide will accompany you at Te Puia Thermal Reserve. ‘You’re invited’ this evening to experience the heartpounding wero (challenge) from a Maori warrior during a Powhiri, a ceremonial welcome, at the Tamaki Family Marae. Journey into the village and gain a cultural insight into life in New Zealand before European settlement. Feast on succulent meats and vegetables cooked in a hangi, the traditional Maori method of cooking in the earth.
Day 16: Rotorua – Christchurch
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Novotel Christchurch
Explore Rainbow Springs Nature Park and discover the native flora and fauna. You may even spot a kiwi! Next stop is the Agrodome Sheep Show for a taste of farm life. Later, you'll fly to Christchurch.
Day 17: Christchurch – Franz Josef
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Accommodation: Te Waonui Forest Retreat, Franz Josef.
Journey through the Southern Alps on the TranzAlpine train. Depart for Hokitika, home of the native greenstone (jade), for a factory visit and live demonstration by a local greenstone carver. Continue to Franz Josef Glacier.
Day 18: Franz Josef – Queenstown
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Accommodation: Millennium Hotel, Queenstown, 3 nights.
Drive over the Haast Pass, past Thunder Creek Falls and a trio of lakes. Enjoy the tastes of delicious stone fruit at Cromwell then visit the historic gold mining village of Arrowtown before arriving in Queenstown for an orientation tour. This evening join your Travel Director for a highlight dinner at The Boatshed. Set in the restored historic New Zealand Railways Shipping Office and relocated to its lakefront setting in 1936, The Boatshed, with its spectacular views of Lake Wakatipu and the Remarkables mountain range, is the perfect venue for your exclusive meal.
Day 19: Milford Sound Cruise
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch.
Accommodation: Millennium Hotel, Queenstown, 3 nights.
Drive along the shores of Lake Wakatipu to Te Anau then through the rainforest of Fiordland National Park. Travel through the hand-hewn Homer Tunnel to abundant photo opportunities afforded by the Mirror Lake, Cleddau Valley and the Chasm, on your way to Milford Sound to board your cruise. Return to Queenstown this afternoon.
Day 20: Queenstown 'Free Time'
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Millennium Hotel, Queenstown, 3 nights.
Today you may like to consider taking one of our optional experiences. You could ride the Shotover Jet, the most thrilling jet boat ride in the world! Perhaps join a wine tour at Gibbston Valley Winery or play a round of golf on one of Queenstown’s spectacular courses. Choose from the immaculately groomed greens of a resort course or a simple fairway with rugged mountain peaks as your backdrop. You could take a 4WD minibus excursion through Skippers Canyon alongside the Shotover River to Skippers Point in Mount Aurum Conservation Area. Or why not enjoy a relaxing spa. You’ll be pampered at one of Queenstown’s luxurious day spas. Sink into a therapeutic hot pool or treat yourself to a selection of therapies at a local salon. This evening, consider taking the gondola ride to Bob’s Peak for dinner at the Stratosphere Restaurant.
Day 21: Queenstown – Christchurch
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner.
Accommodation: Novotel Christchurch
Visit Lake Tekapo, stopping at the Church of the Good Shepherd. You are welcomed by your hosts Angie and Stan Taylor at Morelea Farm for a ‘You’re invited’ lunch in their 240 hectare garden. Join your Travel Director this evening in Christchurch for a farewell dinner.
Day 22: Farewell from Christchurch
Meals: Breakfast
Your holiday concludes this morning after breakfast. You will be transferred to Christchurch Airport for your onward flight.
Availability
- Single Supplement: $ 1,966
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115 AAT Kings Travel Reviews & Ratings
Highlights of Australia and New Zealand
Company Reviews
AAT Kings canceled tour 1 hour before
was totally disgusted by the behaviour
Absolutely no consideration
Amazing Trip
Even when off duty, we ran into them and they were happy to chat. The tours were also very well organised & were beyond my expectations.
very well organised & were beyond my expectations
Even when off duty, we ran into them and they were happy to chat. The tours were also very well organised & were beyond my expectations.
so much included in the trip
so much included in the trip.good hotels and some meals as a group.
could not find any problems with the holiday.
Details
Flight & Transport Inclusions
All internal ground transport
Group Size
Standard Group - 25 + people
Accommodations
Crowne Plaza Hotel Melbourne
1-5 Spencer St, Melbourne, VIC 3008
3 nights.
Crowne Plaza - First ClassCrowne Plaza - Exterior
Crowne Plaza Hotel Melbourne is located on Spencer Street on the fringe of the CBD. Just a short stroll to Crown Casino, Docklands and South Wharf, Crowne Plaza Melbourne is a Southbank hotel ideally situated on the bank of the Yarra River.
Features
220/240 V AC
Air Conditioning
RadioDirect Dial Telephone
Satellite/cable colour TV
Wi-Fi Iron / Ironing Board
MicrowaveHair Dryer
Communal self-catering kitchen
Manual temperature control
Cancellation policy
You or any member of your party may cancel your booking at any time, providing that the cancellation is notified to us in writing by the person who made the original booking, if applicable, via the travel agent with whom you made the booking. The cancellation will be effective from when an acknowledgement is sent out by AAT Kings confirming the cancellation, once the written request has been received at our offices. As this incurs administration expenses and losses, we shall apply cancellation charges as shown below (including Kangaroo Island & Tiwi Island day tours):
Period Of Notice And Cancellation Fee
More than 56 days prior to departure: Deposit forfeited
56-29 days prior to departure is 35% of tour price
28-12 days prior to departure is 60% of tour price
11-0 days prior to departure is 100% of tour price
Additional Information
Accommodation
Run of house rooms are used at all hotels featured in this brochure unless otherwise specified. A twin room generally means a room with two single beds but some hotels may offer one double bed or include a bunk bed within the room. We cannot guarantee the room configuration in advance. In Triple share rooms the third bed may be a ‘foldaway’, ‘sofa bed’ or ‘roll away’ which can sometimes restrict the amount of available space in the room. Quad share rooms are unavailable and clients are required to book two twin rooms. Inter-connecting rooms are available on request and subject to availability. Generally hotel rooms will be available from 3pm and are to be vacated by 10am, irrespective of your arrival or departure times. Should you wish your room to be available prior to 3pm on your first day of arrival or available after 10am the day you depart it may be possible to reserve the room at the time of booking for the cost of an extra night.
Solo Travellers
If you are travelling alone on a First Choice or Best Buys Guided Holiday and do not wish to pay the single supplement, AAT Kings will ensure that you share a room with a person of the same gender. If we fail to match you, we’ll provide the single room at no extra cost. Please request at time of booking. Does not apply to Small Group Tours and Independent Tours.
Airfares
Please note that AAT Kings does not incur any liability for airfares purchased by travel agents or clients. In the unlikely event that a tour is cancelled, AAT Kings cannot be held responsible for airfare conditions. All risk, loss and expense must be borne by the travel agent or client.
Luggage allowance
One medium size suitcase per person (with maximum total dimensions of 150cm and weighing no more than 23kg) plus one piece of hand luggage which may be carried on board the coach. Please note that luggage with wheels will not fit in the overhead compartments and cannot be accepted as hand luggage. We are required by strict Government vehicle weight regulations to enforce and adhere to this limit. If your luggage exceeds this limit, we ask that you make alternative arrangements for the excess to be forwarded to the termination point of your tour. Please note we suggest you have wheels on your suitcase, as there are certain places where assistance is not available. All luggage and personal effects are at all times and in all circumstances at the risk of the tour participant. Luggage insurance is strongly recommended.
Airlines may impose stricter weight and size limits for luggage and may also charge fees for checked luggage, including the first checked bag. Please check with your airline(s) directly for their most current luggage regulations and related fees. AAT Kings is not responsible for additional fees imposed by carriers regarding luggage.
Smoking and Seat Rotation
Government regulations prohibit smoking inside tourist coaches. Please restrict smoking to the ample stops en route. To enable everyone the opportunity of enjoying window and front seats, clients change seats daily during the course of the tour.
Trip ID#:
HigOfaAat
Meals Included
21 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches and 9 Dinners
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