Frequently asked questions

Will I be travelling with a reliable company?

Yes. We are a multi-award winning company with more than 30 years experience in Australian sightseeing and Day tours. We are a company that places the highest value on quality and service and boast a 96% satisfaction rating from past travellers, many of whom choose to travel with us again and again. We’re also a bonded global member of Tour Operator Associations, with a worldwide reputation for reliability, which all adds up to complete peace of mind when you book with us.

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Will the coach be comfortable and modern?

Yes, we have one of the newest coach fleets in Australia. Our modern and luxurious Mercedes Benz and Scania coaches are equipped with air conditioning, reclining seats, seatbelts, restrooms, two door access, ample legroom and large panoramic windows, so you won’t miss a thing.

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How many other people will I travel with?

Depending on the Day tour you choose, our group sizes can vary. Generally our Day tours have between 8 and 46 people, so there is a great opportunity to mingle and make new friends. However, there are a few exceptions where, depending on the season, you may travel as part of a larger group.

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How do I make a reservation?

You have a few options:

You can book online, call or visit one our Day tour offices or contact our friendly reservations staff on 1300 556 100.

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How can I make a change to my reservation?

Contact the relevant Day tours office; our friendly staff can change or amend your booking, pick up point or help with special requirements on tour. They can also answer any further questions you might have about the specific Day tour you are taking.

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What are your cancellation fees?

Cancellation fees are levied relative to the amount of notice given: Under 6 days and over 24 hours notice - 50% plus your deposit, within 24 hours or where no notice is given - 100%.

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What's included in the price of AAT Kings' Day tours?

Complimentary pick up at select hotels, luxurious coach transport, expert local Driver guides as well as meals, sightseeing and entry fees as specified in your itinerary.
We are all about choice, which is why we offer Day tour options that include lunch or certain activities and those that don’t. If you have any questions about exactly what’s included in your Day tour contact the local Day tours office.

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Are there any discounts available?

Yes, we offer a range of discounts and savings, including multi-tour savings, discounts for children, Australian pensioners as well as specials and last-minute deals.

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Do I need to reconfirm my Day tour reservation?

Please reconfirm your bookings on arrival in Australia or to the region you are visiting at the local Day tour office prior to the date of travel – please reconfirm your booking at least 24 hours prior to departure.

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Can I travel with children on your Day tours?

Yes, we are more than happy to accommodate children. We also offer special infant and children’s rates – infants under 2 are free and children 2 – 15 years are entitled to travel at 50% off the adult tour price on tours (restrictions apply).

We do recommend that people travelling with children consider whether the itinerary is suitable, in particular the activities involved and the duration of the tour to ensure the comfort of small children.

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Are your Day tours suited to elderly passengers?

Yes, with such a diverse range of Day tours we offer sightseeing options to suit everyone. However, some Day tours require more walking or a higher fitness level than others. Please check with our expert staff before booking to find out if the Day tour is suited to your needs if you are unsure.

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Do you cater for special dietary requirements?

Yes, meals requests must be advised at the time of booking or 14 days prior to departure. All efforts are made to accommodate special dietary requirements, like vegetarian and coeliac meals however in some locations this cannot be guaranteed and there are special dietary requirements, like Kosher meals that cannot be accommodated simply because of the numerous locations, venues and regions visited.

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Do I need to advise AAT Kings of any special needs e.g. medication, mobility issues or serious medical conditions?

Yes, it is essential you advise us of any mobility, medical conditions or special needs you may have at the time of booking so that we can ensure your needs are met as best as possible.

Passengers requiring special assistance are welcome onboard AAT Kings tours providing they are accompanied by an able-bodied companion capable of providing all necessary assistance and do not require special assistance from AAT Kings personnel or anyone else on the tour. There are also some special requirements like collapsible wheelchairs on some Day Tours due to storage restrictions.

In order to help you decide if a coach tour is a suitable holiday for yourself, take a look at our Special Assistance Information. Prior to booking confirmation, you will need to complete a Special Assistance Form and return it to AAT Kings so that we can request confirmation of travel.

If you have any questions or need help deciding if a Day tour is right for you, please contact our friendly Day tours team.

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What are AAT Kings' booking terms and conditions?

Please visit our Terms and Conditions page for full details.

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Do I need travel insurance?

We strongly advise all travellers take out travel insurance to cover any unforeseen circumstances.

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Where can I join my Day tour?

This varies depending on your Day tour. There are central departure points in Melbourne, Sydney, Alice Springs, Kings Canyon Resort and Darwin.

ALICE SPRINGS

Day tours Office - 74 Todd Street, Alice Springs

DARWIN

Transit Centre – 69 Mitchell Street, Darwin

KINGS CANYON RESORT

Mobil Petrol Station at Kings Canyon Resort / or reception area King Canyon Resort

MELBOURNE

Day tours Office – Federation Square, cnr Flinders and Russell Streets, Melbourne

SYDNEY

Day tour office Star City - Coach Interchange Terminal, level B2 Star City, Pirrama Road, Pyrmont, Sydney

AYERS ROCK RESORT

Hotel pick up only, please refer to hotel pick up list

AAT Kings also offers complementary pick up at select hotels in Sydney, Melbourne, Darwin, Ayers Rock Resort and Alice Springs. We cannot pick up from private addresses.

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Do you have pick up areas outside of the cities?

Day tours only pick up from the central meeting points or from set hotels in each region, please refer to the hotel pick-up list or central departure points to find your closest location.

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I am being dropped off by car where is the best place to meet my Day tour?

If you are being dropped of by car the central departure point is generally the best option.

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Do you provide hotel pick-ups?

Yes, we offer a courtesy hotel pick up service. Please refer to the hotel pick-up list to find the closest location and pick up time. It is important you are waiting outside the front of the hotel five minutes prior to the scheduled pick up time.

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Is smoking allowed on your Day tours?

Government regulations prohibit smoking on board all tourist coaches in Australia. Please restrict smoking to the ample stops on your Day tour. Smoking is also not permitted in restaurants and public spaces such as shops, museums and art galleries in Australia.

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Will I have time on my own?

Yes, we pride ourselves on offering the perfect mix of sightseeing and free time. While many amazing must-see experiences are included, there is also time to shop, explore, relax in a local café or take a walk.

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Can we take any luggage with us?

Depending on the Day tour you are taking we may be able to accommodate some luggage, but it is not guaranteed. Please check with the local Day tour office when you book your Day tour.

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What do I need to bring with me on my Day tour?

Hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, comfortable clothes and walking shoes, a weatherproof jacket and drinking water are a good start to any trip. Spending money and a camera to capture your special memories are also advised. 

Certain Day Tours and regions require you bring additional belongings:

Blue Mountains Day Tours – The Blue Mountains can be cooler than the city centre so it is recommended you pack a warm jumper, particularly during winter. If you are doing adventure caving please wear clothes that can get dirty as well as sturdy footwear like jogger or trainers.

Dolphin Watching / Snowboarding Day Tours – On these trips there is the opportunity to ride the boom-net on the back of the boat to see the Bottlenose Dolphins, you will need bathers or a swim suit to partake in this activity as well as a towel, sunscreen and a hat.

Melbourne and surrounds Day Tours – Australia’s southern regions can get much cooler than the north of the country, a jacket and scarf is required in winter. In the summer months bathers or a swim suit and towel are recommended as is good quality sunscreen and a hat.

Northern Territory Day Tours – Plenty of drinking water is essential on all Northern Territory tours, especially in the summer months. On some Day Tours there are specific limits of water you are required to carry. Additional water is available onboard all our coaches so you can refill water bottles as needed. It is also important to bring a hat and sunscreen. Due to the dusty landscape in the Northern Territory we recommend you avoid wearing light coloured clothing.

While the temperature in the Northern Territory can get very hot during the summer months evenings and winter can get quite cool, so remember to bring a jumper if you are travelling during the winter or will be out at night.

Many of our Day tours in the Northern Territory also present the opportunity to enjoy a swim in some of the amazing waterholes during summer. If you would like to enjoy a swim bathers or a swimsuit and towel are essential.

Mosquito’s can be a nuisance during the wet season and all year around at sunset and dusk, so we also advise you bring mosquito repellant.

Check with our local Day tour offices if you require more detail on what to pack for your Day tour. You may or may not be able to leave things on the coach, so please check in advance if you are unsure.

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What don't I bring?

Hot food and drinks are not permitted on our coaches. There are plenty of rest stops where you will have access to food, drinks, snacks and rest rooms.

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What are Optional activities?

We’ve included the must-see and must-do experiences in all our Day tours but we also offer you the choice of Optional activities that are offered to enhance the experience. Some examples of Optional activities include Adventure Caving in the Blue Mountains, a camel ride or early morning hot-air balloon trip over the Australian outback. These amazing experiences are available to you at an additional cost, but the choice is completely up to you.

Note: AAT Kings operates some of the Optional activities offered, but many are run by independent third parties. AAT Kings accepts no liability where Optional activities are operated by a third party.

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How can I pay for the Optional activities?

Optional activities will be booked and organised by your Tour Director or Driver guide on your behalf while on tour. You then pay the supplier directly, in cash or by credit card for your Optional activity.

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Do I need to tip my Driver guide?

While it’s not compulsory in Australia, tipping is becoming an increasingly accepted practice in all areas of the service industry, but particularly in restaurants, bars and taxis. Likewise on your AAT Kings Day Tour, if you feel that your Driver guide has done an excellent job, then we would recommend tipping up to the equivalent of AUD$5 per day. However, it’s not compulsory. It is up to you!

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Are the recommended arrival and departure times strict?

It is important you are aware of the arrival and departure times of your Day tour. For the comfort of everyone onboard and to ensure no one misses out on the planned experiences the coach will not wait and in some instances if you miss a departure time you will need to make your own way to the next destination to catch up.

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