AAT Kings - Highlights of Australia & New Zealand Itinerary

On arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel. This evening join your Travel Director for a welcome reception and dinner - it's a great opportunity to get to know everyone in a unique setting.

Included Meals: Dinner with Wine

Accommodation: Melbourne - 3 Nights

Join your Travel Director for a city sights tour that includes a private walk through Melbourne's famous hidden laneways. You'll discover the city's eclectic little lanes, arcades, café society, and fascinating street art. There's time afterward to explore the city on your own, enjoy an optional experience or simply relax and watch the world go by.

Included Meals: Breakfast

Crowned "The World's Most Liveable City" for seven years in a row, friendly Melbourne is the perfect place to explore.

This compact, diverse metropolis is begging to be explored after settling into your comfortable accommodation. There are hidden charms around every corner, beautiful Botanic Gardens, and chic city squares where you can soak up the atmosphere to your heart's content.

Here are some of our favourite things to do in Melbourne:

•    Lose yourself in cobbled laneways lined with tempting coffee shops, chic boutiques, and cozy bars.
•    Admire the always-evolving street art covering every inch of Hosier Lane
•    Take a tram to St Kilda beach's historic esplanade and drop into Acland St's irresistible cake shops.
•    Make a sporting pilgrimage to the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground
•    Grab a bite to eat at Queen Victoria Market - it's the largest market in the Southern Hemisphere
•    Choose from a dizzying array of restaurants & eateries — you're in Australia's foodie capital.

The rusty red landscapes of Uluru beckon as you leave Melbourne for Ayers Rock Resort, your backdrop this afternoon is the world’s largest rock monolith. Follow your guide to the perfect perch to capture Uluru as the last of the day disappears, glass of bubbles in hand (of course).

Meal: Breakfast

Accommodation: Uluru - 2 Nights

The only reason to get out of bed before dawn? For a magical Uluru sunrise. It’s a spiritual place, with stories of the Anangu, caretakers of this remote arid landscape revealed while you tour the base. The red desert follows you to Kata Tjuta, where nature humbles as you walk through the towering domes of this ancient rock formation. Cheers to the end of another amazing day.

Included Meals: Breakfast

So the other reason to rise in the dark is to witness Bruce Munro’s Field of Light, an installation of 50,000 orbs blanketing the outback. This is the countryside that First Nations artists immortalise in their paintings – try your hand at creating one during an intro to Western Desert art. Head to your next stop in sunny Cairns.

Included Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Cairns - 3 Nights

Today is a free day to do as you choose.

A great option is the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway to Kuranda, be amazed as you travel over and through the World Heritage rainforest, explore quaint Kuranda village, and later board the Kuranda Scenic Rail for this historic rail journey.

If you’d prefer to spend the day relaxing by your hotel pool or sitting back at a local café you can do that too!

Included Meals: Breakfast

The world’s largest living organism, the Great Barrier Reef, never fails to dazzle. Set out on a catamaran to explore a kaleidoscope of colour: over 1,500 species of fish, 215 different birds, 3,000 molluscs, six of the world’s seven marine turtle species, and 30 species of dolphins and whales are residents. Strap on a snorkel or visit an underwater observatory and semi-submersible craft to take in the menagerie without getting your hair wet. Tonight, celebrate the end of an incredible day at dinner on Cairns’ waterfront at Salt House for regional seafood plucked straight from the ocean, highlighting fresh, local ingredients, and prepared on their custom-built Argentinian wood fired grill.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner with Wine

This afternoon you'll fly to Sydney!

We hope you have a window seat, because the view of Sydney Harbour as you come in to land is one that postcards were made for. Join your Travel Director for a Highlight Dinner cruise around Sydney Harbour against the backdrop of the Harbour Bridge and Opera House.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Highlight Dinner

Accommodation: Sydney - 4 Nights

Bring your stamina: today is one of innumerable highlights. Go behind the scenes at the Sydney Opera House, discovering its architectural and performance secrets. If these sails could talk. One icon to another: The world’s most famous beach beckons this morning, with your chance to pad along the sand at Bondi with Sydney’s beautiful people. From Worked up an appetite? A local Surf Life Saver will take you into the members-only Bondi Surf Bathers' Life Saving Club. Learn about this historic club and gain an understanding of the important work that is done here saving lives on this famous beach. Next, a Be My Guest lunch with views overlooking the Pacific Ocean.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Be My Guest Lunch

The hardest decision you have to make today: explore more of Sydney, or head to the Blue Mountains, 11,400 square kilometres of World Heritage listed wilderness, a place where sandstone escarpments appear to cleave off the edge of the Earth and waterfall-cooled valleys of rainforest slip dreamily from the pages of a fairytale? The choice is yours.

Included Meals: Breakfast

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 get up close and personal to some of Australia’s cuddly native animals.

If you’ve always wanted to climb Sydney Harbour Bridge, today could be your chance on a thrilling ‘Bridgeclimb’. This evening, join your Travel Director and fellow travellers for a farewell dinner on the harbourfront.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner with wine

Haere Mai and Welcome to the 'City of Sails'

Fly across the Tasman Sea to Auckland, the City of Sails. The remainder of the day is yours to do as you please. There is plenty to see and do in Auckland. New Zealand’s largest city is located between two large harbours and 48 extinct volcanic cones scattered over the city are evidence of its volcanic past. They also provide a perfect location for viewing the city! A diversely cultural place, Auckland is a great location for marine adventures, wine tasting, forest walks, and urban sophistication. Meet your New Zealand Travel Director over dinner at your hotel this evening.
 

Some Activities and sightseeing options if you have time:

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner with wine

Accommodation: Auckland - 2 nights

City Tour 

Embark on a city sightseeing tour this morning to Mission Bay. Keep your camera at the ready to capture spectacular panoramic views of the skyline, sprawling North Shore and Waitemata Harbour from Bastion Point and Michael Joseph Savage Memorial. Spend the afternoon as you wish.

Meals: Breakfast

Get up close with NZ's national bird, the endangered kiwi, at a working nursery and hatchery. See how breeding programs help sustain the population. Then, immerse yourself in the Te Pā Tū Maori Experience, celebrating Maori history, traditions and future aspirations celebrated over forest kai horotai (seasonal canapes) with chef choice aperitif, and a delicious three-course meal.

Meals: Breakfast and Highlights Dinner

Accommodation: Rotorua - 1 night

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.

**(airfare is not included and must be booked in addition to this itinerary - please contact us to confirm the most up to date details).

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Queenstown - 3 nights

Journey over the Devil’s Staircase and along the shores of Lake Wakatipu to Te Anau and its lake, the largest in the South Island. Travel through the rainforest of World Heritage Fiordland National Park, sighting glaciers and mountain ranges. Drive through the hand-hewn Homer Tunnel to the numerous photo opportunities afforded by the Mirror Lake, Pop’s Lookout, Cleddau Valley and the Chasm, Mitre Peak and Bowen Falls before reaching Milford Sound. Enjoy lunch while you cruise on this wonder of nature. Return to Queenstown this evening.

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Explore Queenstown your way! Go wild with a jet boat ride or white water rafting. For the less adventurous there is a wine and garden tour, play a round of golf, or just enjoy wandering through the town and botanic gardens. 

This evening join your Travel Director for dinner at The Boatshed, set in the historic Railway Shipping Office built-in 1936. Restored and relocated to its lakefront setting, The Boatshed with its spectacular views of Lake Wakatipu and the Remarkables, is the perfect venue for your Highlights dinner this evening.

Recommended Alternative Excursions are:

Meals: Breakfast and Highlights Dinner

Arrowtown and Cromwell are known for their natural drama; just as enticing is the tasty stone fruit. Take a bite. Arriving at Lake Tekapo, you’re far from anywhere. Which practically guarantees dazzling stargazing in the UNESCO Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner with Wine

Accommodation: Lake Tekapo - 1 night

Enjoy a relaxed start before heading north through South Canterbury, visit the charming boutique village of Geraldine as you travel through to Christchurch.

New Zealand’s second-largest city and the gateway to the South Island, Christchurch sits on the very edge of the Canterbury Plains and is bordered by the Pacific Ocean. 

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Christchurch - 2 nights

Travel north through rolling countryside to Hurunui Hills, for a Be My Guest experience with the Bamford Family. Enjoy warm kiwi hospitality from Scotty and the team, who have been farming at Hurunui since 1884 with six generations focused on producing premium Merino sheep, wool and Angus Cattle. You will hear from Maria in the woolshed and enjoy a sheep dog demonstration before morning tea in the garden. Continue to local vinyard Waipara Springs Winery where you will enjoy a platter style lunch among the vines.

This evening join your Travel Director for a Farewell Dinner.

Meals: Breakfast, Be My Guest Morning Tea, Lunch, Farewell Dinner

Haere rā and Bon Voyage!

We are sure you will enjoy this tour and our promise is to make your travels through New Zealand as hassle-free and hospitable as possible - ensuring that today you leave with a memory card full of photos, and huge smiles on your faces when recalling your time in New Zealand! Have a great homeward journey, farewell and hope to see you again soon in Aotearoa, New Zealand.

Meals: Breakfast

Itinerary Variations – the provider strives to improve trip itineraries. If improvements can be made, or if circumstances beyond their control make changes necessary, the provider reserves the right to vary itineraries and to make substitutions. 

Included Highlights 

Insider Knowledge

The best way to take the pulse of Australia’s most creative city is with a local guide, leading you through colourful back alleys.

Local Connection

Learn the meanings of Aboriginal Western Desert Dot Art from an Anangu artist before painting your own piece to take home.

Cultural Immersion

Dive deep into Indigenous culture at Te Pa Tu Maori Experience, where Māori culture is revealed through a traditional hangi meal and dance performance.

Sustainable Footprints

Your visit to a kiwi hatchery helps ensure the future of this adorable (yet endangered) bird for future generations of visitors. 

Wildlife & Nature

Nature humbles at Milford Sound, where plunging cliffs and raging waterfalls meet inky dark water. On your cruise you’ll begin to understand why dolphins and sea lions love living here.

Premium Inclusions

• Private car airport transfers on arrival and departure
• Enjoy selected New Zealand and Australian wines with all hotel dinners
• Airport meet & greet on arrival

Inclusions

• Experienced Travel Director and Driver Guide
• Travel by luxury coach
• Quality accommodation

Dining 

•  21 Full Breakfasts
• 2 Lunches
• 2 Be My Guest Lunches
• 4 Dinners with Wine
• 4 Highlight Dinners
• 1 Farewell Dinner

** Required Internal Flights: are to be purchased in order to fulfil the itinerary and are NOT included in the land content price - please contact us to confirm these details and any other itinerary updates

Flight Information Internal-holiday flights: Please note that prices include land and internal-holiday airfares, which AAT Kings will book in order to fulfil the holiday itinerary:

• Day 1: Flights to arrive prior to 12:00pm into Melbourne Airport
• Day 4 – Melbourne to Alice Springs
  Day 7 – Ayers Rock to Cairns
  Day 10 – Cairns to Sydney
  Day 13 – Sydney to Auckland
  Day 16 – Auckland to Queenstown
• Day 22: Flights to depart any time from Christchurch