- Explore the vibrant energy of Melbourne at the heart of the action – on its cosmopolitan streets. You will be provided an in-depth perspective on all the iconic sights and some hidden gems.
- Visit Tamaki Māori Village where Māori Culture and traditions take centre stage with an authentic Hangi.
- Meet an outback family who reveal to guests their passions for astronomy and sustainability as you dine under the stars
22 DAY HIGHLIGHTS OF AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND
Price From
SOLO
You get your own room/cabin by paying a single supplement charge in addition to the tour price.
$8,999
Overview
A perfect mix of modern cities and ancient landscapes characterises this epic journey across two nations. The Great Barrier Reef and breathtaking Milford Sound complement a world of ancient Aboriginal tradition in Australia’s Red Centre and vivid Māori culture in Rotorua. From tropical Cairns to the towering mountain peaks of the land of The Long White Cloud, you’ll be amazed at every turn.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 01: Welcome to Melbourne
Welcome to Melbourne! On arrival you will be transferred to your hotel. This evening join your Travel Director and fellow travellers for a Welcome Reception and dinner at the South Wharf riverside pub, The General Assembly. It’s a great opportunity to get to know everyone in a unique setting!
Meals: Dinner
Accommodation: Crowne Plaza Hotel Melbourne or similar
Day 02: Melbourne Sights
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.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Crowne Plaza Hotel Melbourne or similar
Day 03: Melbourne Free Day
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.
Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Crowne Plaza Hotel Melbourne or similar
Day 04: Melbourne – Alice Springs
Today you fly from Melbourne to Alice Springs. On arrival visit 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. This evening Joe, Dan, Tommy and Ben Falzon invite you to ‘Be My Guest’ for a home cooked 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-along accompanied by the didgeridoo and guitar. It will be a night to remember!
Meal: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: Mercure Alice Springs Resort or similar
Day 05: Alice Springs – Uluru
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 whilst enjoying canapés and wine.
Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Desert Gardens Hotel or similar
Day 06: Uluru – Kata Tjuta
This morning view the magical Uluru (Ayers Rock) 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.
Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Desert Gardens Hotel or similar
Day 07: Uluru – Cairns
Rise early to experience the ethereal Field of Light art installation. Wander through the paths surrounding 50,000 hand-crafted frosted glass spheres of light. As the sun rises, join your fellow travellers on top of a sand dune to watch the desert awakening over Uluru. Meet an Indigenous artist for a fun introduction to Western Desert Art. Your Anangu artist will provide you with cultural insights, explaining the meanings of local totems and assisting you to complete your own painting to take home as a memento of your experience. In the afternoon board your flight to tropical Cairns.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Shangri-La Hotel, The Marina or similar
Day 08: Cairns Free Day
Today is free for you to do as you choose! Maybe visit 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. You may choose to travel to Kuranda on the historic scenic railway or just sit back and enjoy a delicious lunch at a local restaurant.
Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Shangri-La Hotel, The Marina or similar
Day 09: Great Barrier Reef
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 enjoy a delicious meal overlooking the Cairns waterfront.
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Shangri-La Hotel, The Marina or similar
Day 11: Sydney Sights
A day of sightseeing around this stunning harbour city awaits! Discover Sydney’s famous Eastern Suburbs and wiggle your toes in the sand at famous Bondi Beach. Next return to the city for a guided tour of iconic Sydney Opera House before taking to the water on a Captain Cook lunch cruise, sailing around the glistening harbor 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 climb the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge.
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Intercontinental Hotel Sydney or similar
Day 12: Sydney Free Time
Today is free for you to do as you choose. Why not take a day trip to the spectacular Blue Mountains for fresh mountain air and stunning scenery. You’ll visit the charming village of Leura, see the famous Three Sisters rock formation and visit a Wildlife Park to see some of Australia’s cuddly native animals. Spend your last evening in Sydney together along with your Travel Director and companions in a local restaurant by the water.
Meal: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: Millennium Hotel. Rotorua or similar
Day 14: Auckland Sightseeing
Embark on a city sightseeing tour this morning. Travel around the waterfront from central city out to Mission Bay. Prepare your camera for the stop at Bastion Point and the Michael Joseph Savage Memorial, as you will get stunning shots of Auckland, the North Shore and the Waitemata. This afternoon is at leisure.
Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: The Grand by SkyCity or similar
Day 15: Auckland – Rotorua
Today, you’ll venture through Waikato region passing through Cambridge known as ‘The Town of Trees and Champions’ on your way to Rotorua. On arrival embark on an orientation of the area before visiting Rainbow Springs Nature Park for a guided tour of the National Kiwi Hatchery Aotearoa, the national leader in kiwi husbandry. Learn about the work being done to save New Zealand’s national bird, see kiwi eggs being incubated, the hatching process and newly hatched kiwi chicks. This evening enjoys a traditional Hangi Highlight Dinner and cultural performance at the Tamaki Maori Village.
Meal: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: Millenium Hotel, Rotorua or similar
Day 16: Rotorua – Queenstown
Your day starts with breakfast at Hobbiton, experience the iconic rolling hills and green pastures of the Hobbiton Movie Set as seen in The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies before continuing to Auckland to board your flight to Queenstown. Tonight, speak with your Travel Director about dining recommendations in Queenstown.
Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Millenium Hotel, Queenstown or similar
Day 17: Melford Sound
Journey along the shores of Lake Wakatipu, over the Devil’s Staircase and along to Te Anau and its lake, the largest in the South Island. Experience magnificent scenery as you continue along this alpine highway to Fiordland National Park. Enjoy numerous photo opportunities afforded by the Mirror Lakes, Knobs Flat, Hollyford Valley lookout (Pop’s view), Cleddau Valley and the Chasm, drive through the hand-hewn Homer Tunnel towards the iconic Mitre Peak and the Bowen Falls before reaching Milford Sound. Enjoy lunch and a cruise on this wonder of nature. Later, return to Queenstown for the evening.
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Millenium Hotel, Queenstown or similar
Day 18: Queenstown Free Day
Today choose from a range of optional sightseeing experiences. You could ride the world famous’ Shotover Jet or enjoy a cruise across Lake Wakatipu aboard the TSS Earnslaw to Walter Peak High Country Farm for a gourmet barbecue lunch at the Colonel’s Homestead. This evening, join your Travel Director for dinner at the BoatShed. Set in the restored historic Railway Shipping Office and relocated to its lakefront setting in 1936, The Boatshed with its spectacular views of Lake Wakatipu and the Remarkables is the perfect venue for your highlight dinner.
Meal: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: Millenium Hotel, Queenstown or similar
Day 19: Queenstown – Lake Tekapo
Today you will leave the alpine wonderland of Queenstown behind, traveling through Central Otago to the Mackenzie region with time along the way to stop in Arrowtown then Cromwell, situated next to the pristine Lake Dunstan and taste delicious stone fruit at a local orchard. Continue over the dramatic Lindis Pass before reaching the Starlight Highway and Tekapo’s world renowned UNESCO Aoraki McKenzie International Dark Sky Reserve. This afternoon enjoys the views of Mt Cook before heading to the iconic Church of the Good Shephard. This evening, see amazing constellations that can only be seen in the southern hemisphere, including the Southern Cross, to the Magellanic Clouds and the Milky Way. Your local specialist expert astronomy guide will enhance your knowledge and understanding of our Southern Skies as you admire and ponder the possibilities through our powerful optical telescopes.
Meal: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: Peppers Bluewater Resort Lake Tekapo or similar
Day 21: Christchurch
This morning see how Christchurch is rebuilding after the devastating earthquakes of 2010 and 2011, pop into the Transitional Cathedral in Latimer Square, the temporary home of the Christchurch Cathedral. It is the world’s only cathedral made substantially of cardboard! After a Christchurch city sights tour, you’re invited to a Be My Guest morning tea at the home of Tim and Isabelle Weston, owners of Britten Stables. Formerly a horse stables for nearby Mona Vale Gardens and following that, the birthplace of the world-record-setting Britten V1000 motorcycle designed and built in the garage by Isabelle’s late father, John Britten. The couple restored the original charm of Britten Stables and transformed it into the exquisite home that it is today. This evening, join your AAT Kings Travel Director and Driver, and your new-found friends for a farewell dinner.
Meal: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: Distinction Christchurch Hotel or similar
What's included
- Accommodation in the category chosen or similar (subject to availability)
- Meals as mentioned in the program
- Travel in luxury coach
- Experienced driver guide and travel director
- 24/7 customer service and your own dedicated support
- Airfares (Domestic and International flights)
- Meals and drinks are not mentioned in the program
- Tipping for driver and tour guide & personal expenses
- Travel insurance (we strongly recommend you hold a valid travel insurance policy for all domestic and overseas travel)
- Trip delay or interruption by airline schedule change
- Extra cost or missing tour caused by flight delay or cancel
- Any service not clearly mentioned in the program
*Actual accommodation may vary due to availability. However, equivalent quality is guaranteed.
Dates & Prices
indicates Lowest Price
Departure
Arrival
Price
Note
Fine Print
Deposit & Payment
First Payment
$10
To secure your seat
Second Payment
$1500
Pay within 30 days
Final Payment
90 days
Prior the departure date
Booking Process
Step 1
Select tour packages as preferred
Step 2
Complete the Booking Form
Step 3
We will contact you within 12 hours
Another option: Feel free to request your tailor-made tour
How to Extend Your Stay
Some customers like to enhance their holiday by extending their stay before/behind and/or post-tour. $200 per person is applied for trip extension or early arrivals.
If you wish to do so, please follow these steps:
- Follow the “Book Now” prompts, until you reach the “Anything else we need to know?” field
- Here, please specify your preferred flight arrangements and if you require additional accommodation, with the number of nights needed.
- After finalising your purchase and submitting your booking form, a member of our Reservation team will be in contact with you via email to verify your request.
The additional cost for these land arrangements will be added to your final payment invoice, due 90 days prior to departure, and is strictly subject to availability.
Important Information
Tipping
A friendly reminder that tipping is not included in your package. For the services of your guide, it is suggested that you budget for AUD$10-20 per person, per day. Tipping of your driver is also appreciated and we would suggest AUD$5 per person, per day.
As this particular tour does not collect a ‘kitty’, it is entirely up to the individual whether or not you would like to tip locals for the services of things like taxis or when dining at restaurants. In these cases, we suggest you allow 10-20% of the value of the service as a tip. Again, it is not compulsory and entirely up to the individual.
Accommodation
The accommodation listed is subject to change. Any changes will be of an equal or higher standard. Bedding configurations (double or twin) are requests only. All efforts will be made to meet your preferences however any changes are beyond our control.
Single Supplement
Single supplement is $3,299 per person in addition to the twin share price.
Paired Solo Traveller
Not available.
Triple share:
Not available. Third customer needs to pay for single supplement.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is required to protect yourself against the unexpected.
We have partnered with SureSave to offer you competitive rates for your travel insurance. You can book comprehensive or budget cover simply to arrange your policy.
Passport information
It is the traveller’s responsibility to ensure they have a valid passport. The passport must be valid for a minimum of six months from the intended date of return and must have more than 2 blank pages.
Please note that these details are subject to change without notice. We recommend visiting https://smartraveller.gov.au for up to date information in terms of entry requirements.
Tour Documentation
Final documentation will be provided approximately 30 days prior to travel.
Group size
25 – 40 people
Children
Children must be 2 years old or over and share a room with parents at all times. Children are the same price as adults.
Tour Length
The total length of the tour in days includes time spent in flight and is subject to change depending on the flight schedule, please refer to the day by day itinerary for the time spent on land.
Flight Information
Customers must purchase these flight by your own to fullfill with the itinerary.
Day 1: Flights to arrive prior to 12 noon into Melbourne Airport
Day 4: Melbourne to Alice Springs: QF796
Day 7: Ayer Rock to Cairns: QF1854
Day 10: Cairns to Sydney: VA1418
Day 13: Sydney to Auckland: VA141
Day 16: Auckland to Queenstown: NZ623
