AUSTRALIA
NEW ZEALAND
2023-2024 GUIDED HOLIDAYS
Welcome
Wild, wide and wonderful, Australia and New Zealand continually excite and inspire. It doesn’t matter how many mountains you’ve climbed or remote island shores you’ve visited, there’s always a different creation story to be told or gallery of ancient rock art to be revealed.
We offer our respect and gratitude to the First Nations, Torres Strait Islander and Māori custodians who have nurtured the land and its cultures for so many millennia, and who are now some of our most trusted partners in introducing them to a curious world.
Welcome Traveller,
This is your first step. Waiting for you within these pages are endless possibilities. In one moment, you could be dazzled by Bruce Munro’s Field of Light, as 50,000 glass spheres slowly dim with the rising sun, only to reveal Uluru’s grandeur in the distance. Then next, where the outback meets the tropics in Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge, jaunting from deep green pool to sandstone escarpment – your pathway to ancient Aboriginal rock art and enchanting Jawoyn stories will be revealed.
With AAT Kings, you’ll go behind the scenes with the makers, it’s what 100 years of expertise allows you to uncover. You won’t want to leave small towns like Penguin, after being hosted by a fifth-generation Tasmanian farmer, tasting Mt Gnomon Farm’s handcrafted produce from the heritage apple orchard. And, island life never tasted so sweet, as you meet Island Beehive’s owner and advocate protector of the Ligurian Bee heritage, who will dish up samples of Kangaroo Island honey (and honey ice cream). These are remarkable experiences that many unknowingly pass by – those unexpected moments which are the memories you treasure the most.
We are, and always have been pioneers leading the way and pushing boundaries. Together with our extraordinary Travel Directors on the road, we’re committed to worry-free and sustainable travel – making every single second of your journey remarkable.
Wherever you decide to roam, you’ll be in good hands.
Sincerely,
Ben Hall
AAT Kings Group | CEO
StartExploring
Click below to start exploring 
Cover Image:
Uluru Barbecue Dinner, Northern TerritoryAAT Kings invites you to an exclusive Aussie Barbecue dinner under the stars, so close to iconic Uluru, you can almost touch it.
Today, we're proud of
our history and of our people.
Some things never change...
100 + YEARS OF ADVENTURE - and many more to come
A century ago, the Australian outback was but a twinkle in most travellers' eyes. But thanks to visionaries like the Pike 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 customised, 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 domestic and international travellers on a wild and wonderful ride.
No corner of the Antipodes was - or is - off-limits, from the remote reaches of the Kimberley and the spiritual heartland of the Northern Territory, to the untamed Milford Sound, bubbling thermal Rotorua and quiet shores of Tasmania. Not to mention in-depth journeys across Sydney and its surrounds, where this forward-thinking travel venture came to fruition all those years ago.
We've come a long way and clocked a few kilometres in the process. But some things will never change. Like our spirit for adventure. Our oh-so-knowledgable 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.
Now, we're just jumping into more waterfalls, finding ourselves humbled by more sacred Indigenous sites, laying more footprints on deserted beaches and hiking through more tropical rainforests than ever before. And we've never been more passionate about our next discovery. Join us, and fall in love with Australia and New Zealand all over again.
"Keep doing what you're doing,
but try and do it better" - Bill King
Service and smiles from the start
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1920s
AAT Kings can be traced back to George Page's modest transport service from Melbourne to Brighton
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1930s
The Pike family introduced Sydney to Katoomba and Jenolan Caves which is still a part of our Day Tours business.
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1960s
Bill King decided there was a real future with off-the-beaten-track journeys - Bill purchased two Land Rovers, an ex-army international ambulance and a Denning Bus and launched Bill King's Northern Safaris
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1970s
Bill Designed and built his own 18 passenger vehicles and called them Desert Cruisers.
AAT Coachlines had commenced operations in the Northern Territory.
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1980
AAT Coachlines purchased Bill King's Northern Safaris and operated as Bill King's Australian Adventure Tours.
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1984
AAT Kings brand finally formed
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1997
AAT Kings joined The Travel Corporation's Family of Brands.
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1999
We began operations in New Zealand.
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2010s
Small group and immersive Inspiring Journeys brand was born
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2018
Down Under Tours joined the AAT Kings Group.
2019
SEIT Outback Australia joined the AAT Kings Group
Australia and New Zealand,
but not as you know it
At a time when exclusivity is the world’s greatest travel luxury, Australia ticks every box. It delivers every wide and wonderful landscape conceivable, from record-breaking canyons to soaring sacred monoliths; from tangles of rainforest to ribbons of reef. And in between await innumerable soulstirring stories to hear, characters to meet, adventures to enjoy, meals to savour, and spirits to accompany. We’ve spent the last century perfecting a Holy Grail of life-changing moments around the country – ones you likely never knew even existed, and that you won’t find in a guidebook or listed on any website. Our DNA has never changed – we are, and always have been pioneers committed to worry-free and sustainable travel, revealing Australia in a way that you never imagined possible.
Hutt Lagoon, Western Australia
Amazing Experiences
We were built on pioneering spirit, and to this day our trips include adventures that few others experience. We’re constantly looking for ways to make journeys extraordinary, whether it's an Uluru Sunrise Field of Light or a locals-only sunset barbecue. This is Australia, but not as you’ve ever seen it.
Diverse Travel Styles
What you want from your holiday is not necessarily the same as your neighbour. Sometimes, it’s about adventure. Often, it’s a good glass of wine and a remarkable view. Perhaps you want to see major sights, or choose your own path while we handle the main roads. Whatever your destination and route, we have an itinerary for you.
Conscious Travel
There are plenty of things we can all do while travelling to contribute to sustainable tourism practices. We’ve developed a series of tours with signature MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience – to ensure travel has a positive impact on our planet, the communities we visit and the wildlife we encounter.
Worry-free Travel
Your wellbeing is our primary concern. In addition to elevated hygiene protocols, AAT Kings trips guarantee upgraded coach air-con filtration systems. We only work with partners we know and trust, and our Travel Directors ensure everything runs smoothly, with a support team on call.
Family Values
When you travel with AAT Kings, you’re not only part of our century-old heritage, but are welcomed into just as many years of experience in The Travel Corporation. Journey confidently knowing our family-owned parent company has welcomed millions of people around the world across its brands.
Highlights of Australia & New Zealand
From$12480
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 and 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.
Dining
21 Full Breakfasts
2 Lunches
2 Be My Guest Lunches
4 Dinners with Wine
4 Highlight Dinners
1 Farewell Dinner
1 Welcome to Melbourne
Melbourne is known for its amazing food, as you’ll discover while meeting your fellow travellers tonight. Hotel: Crowne Plaza Hotel Melbourne, 3 nights. DW
2 Melbourne
Get your Melbourne bearings on a city tour, but make sure you’re wearing comfy shoes for when you hit the streets to explore hidden alleys covered in eye-popping murals. Spot a jazz bar or restaurant you fancy? The afternoon is yours to indulge. B
3 Melbourne Free Time
There are endless reasons to linger in Melbourne. But if you feel like exploring further afield, talk to us about a road trip along the Great Ocean Road (it deserves its name) or to Phillip Island. The penguins waddling from the ocean up the sand to their burrows is the cutest thing you’ll ever see. B
4 Melbourne – Uluru
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). Hotel: Desert Gardens Hotel, Ayers Rock Resort, 2 nights. B
5 Uluru and Kata Tjuta
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. B
6 Uluru – Cairns
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. Hotel: Hilton Hotel Cairns, 3 nights. B
7 Cairns Free Time
Cruising with crocs, a scenic railway ride into World Heritage listed rainforest, a wander along the Cairns Esplanade? Today the choice is yours. B
8 Great Barrier Reef
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. L B DW
9 Cairns – 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. Hotel: Intercontinental Hotel Sydney, 4 nights. HD B
10 Sydney
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. BG B
11 Sydney Free Time
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. B
12 Sydney Free Time
Now you’ve found your bearings in Sydney, why not linger around the harbour – perhaps it’s time to glimpse it from above on a Sydney BridgeClimb? This bird’s-eye view certainly puts things in perspective. Back at ground level, you’re in the heart of the Rocks, the city’s original colonial settlement and a place of cobbled alleys and private galleries. Finally, a Highlight dinner back in the shadow of the Opera House at Portside Restaurant. Because you’ll never tire of glimpsing this beauty. HD B
13 Sydney – Auckland
All you have to do today is sit back and enjoy the view as you cross the Tasman to embark on your next adventure. Hotel: The Grand by SkyCity, 2 nights. DW B
14 Auckland
We’ll take you out to Mission Bay and Bastion Point – have your camera poised – and then leave you to your own devices in the afternoon. Need suggestions? How about a cruise to Waiheke Island for a wine tour? B
15 Auckland – Rotorua
Cute and cuddly, NZ’s national bird, the kiwi, is also endangered. Go behind the scenes on a working kiwi nursery and hatchery to learn how breeding programs are helping the population thrive. This evening your Highlight Dinner is prepared in an earthen hangi at the Te Pa Tu Maori Experience. It’s an eye-opening (and tasty) introduction to Māori culture. Hotel: Millennium Hotel, Rotorua. HD B
16 Rotorua – Queenstown
Ever wondered what it’s like to be a film star? Today you’ll get a taste of celebrity lifestyle when you sit down to breakfast in the village of Hobbiton, the movie set of The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit Trilogies. Take a guided tour past Hobbit Holes and the Mill, and wave to your fans. Hotel: Millennium Hotel, Queenstown, 3 nights. B
17 Milford Sound Cruise
Sheer cliffs, thundering waterfalls, glaciers and rainforest – if there’s a destination more inspiring than Milford Sound in Fiordland National Park, we’re yet to find it. After a cruise here (look out for dolphins and sea lions), we’re sure you’ll agree. L B
18 Queenstown Free Time
Today is all yours. Love adventure? Ride the Shotover Jet. Oenophile? Arrange a tour to Otago wineries. Regroup for a Highlight Dinner at the historic Postmasters Cottage. HD B
19 Queenstown – Lake Tekapo
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. Hotel: Peppers Bluewater Resort Lake Tekapo. DW B
20 Lake Tekapo – Christchurch
Ever wondered what life on the land is like? Meet Angie and Stan Taylor, who have farmed this countryside for more years than they care to remember. The stories you’ll hear over lunch. Hotel: Distinction Christchurch Hotel, 2 nights. BG B
21 Christchurch
Community spirit is strong in Christchurch; not only has the city rebuilt since the devastating 2011 earthquakes, but it’s thriving, with architectural innovations like the world’s first church built of cardboard. Take in the sights with an in-the-know local. Tonight, raise a glass to your travels at a Farewell Diner. FD B
22 Farewell from Christchurch
How did three weeks disappear like that? Re-live all the memorable moments on your way home. B
Wonders of Australia and New Zealand
From$8130
Highlights
Insider Knowledge
While there’s nothing quite like snapping a shot of the Sydney Opera House from outside, did you ever wonder what secrets lie within? Discover all on an insider’s tour.
Local Connection
An urban winery with an edge, Brisbane’s City Winery offers an insight into making delicious drops. Join a sommelier or vintner for a few sips paired with more-ish bites.
Cultural Immersion
A barbecue below ground? It’s a reality at the Mitai Māori Village, where your meal comes with an eye-opening performance revealing New Zealand’s Maori heritage.
Sustainable Footprints
New Zealand’s National Kiwi Hatchery is a vital piece of the puzzle when it comes to sustaining the country’s national bird. Visit, and learn about their breeding program.
Wildlife and Nature
If Rotorua reminds you of Mars, you’re not alone. Mud pops and jettisons from cracks in the Earth, and steam rushes skywards. Nature is in control here.
Dining
14 Full Breakfasts
1 Lunch
4 Dinners with Wine
1 Highlight Dinner
1 Farewell Dinner
1 Be My Guest Dinner
1 Welcome to Brisbane
The best way to make new friends? At a winery, of course. It turns out you don’t even need to leave Brisbane to do just that thanks to City Winery, and urban hub for delicious drops. Grapes are sourced from across the state then turned into wine you’ll enjoy under the guidance of a sommelier or vintner, plus your fellow travellers. Hotel: Royal on the Park, 2 Nights. BG
2 Brisbane
As the captivating sounds of the didgeridoo ring out, you’ll discover (Meeanjin) Brisbane’s First Nations history and art on a walking tour with an Aboriginal guide, whose ancestors inhabited the shores of the Brisbane River for over 40,000 years. You’ll need some time to digest the morning’s sights. The afternoon and evening are all yours - ask us for tips on where to drink and dine. B
3 Brisbane - Hamilton Island
Get ready to set your body clock for ‘island time’. Arriving on Hamilton is quite the experience: you land on a tiny airstrip, then are told the only way to get around is in a golf buggy or foot. Do either or both, and then regroup for sunset cocktails at One Tree Hill with some of the best views over the Whitsundays. Hotel: Reef View Hotel, 3 Nights. DW B
4 Great Barrier Reef
Did you know that the World Heritage listed Great Barrier Reef, is home to 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? Head out on a catamaran to swim and snorkel – or enjoy a bird’s-eye view of paradise on a scenic flight over Heart Reef. L B
5 Hamilton Island Free Time
After yesterday’s Great Barrier Reef overload, we wouldn’t blame you for sleeping in. But… there are so many other things to see and do around Hamilton, at your leisure. Enjoy brunch at the marina, or lace up your hiking boots and head up Passage Peak for unbroken views across the archipelago. Perhaps followed by a well-deserved dip at Catseye Beach or Coral Cove. The stretch of sand that’s regularly voted the most beautiful in the world, however, is Whitehaven – so high in silica, it squeaks underfoot. It’s a short boat-ride away, but we can help you get there. B
6 Hamilton Island - Sydney
One last Hamilton ocean swim? Why not. Touchdown Sydney and you have equally enticing views over Darling Harbour, where dinner is served. Is there any better way to end a day than this? Hotel: Hyatt Regency Darling Harbour, 3 Nights. DW B
7 Sydney
You might have seen Sydney Opera House from the outside, but have you ventured within? This incredible architectural feat holds many secrets, as your local guide will reveal. From harbour to beach – Bondi beckons. Stroll the promenade in the company of Sydney’s beautiful people – perhaps lingering for a coffee or spritz – before regrouping to help feed those in need via community organisation Our Big Kitchen B
8 Sydney Free Time
Today is yours to get your final fix of Australia’s largest city. If you haven’t seen enough of the harbour, buckle in for a Sydney BridgeClimb, perhaps, before joining your companions for a sunset dinner cruise. What a way to end the day. DW B
9 Sydney - Queenstown
It only takes three hours to travel from Sydney to New Zealand. But you’ll feel like you’ve stepped back in time when you arrive at former gold-mining town of Arrowtown. Hotel: Millennium Hotel, Queenstown, 3 Nights. B
10 Queenstown
Flying over New Zealand, the first thing you’ll notice is that there’s a lot of farmland. It’s fitting, then, that one of the first people you’ll meet is southern girl Laura, who will introduce you to the sheep farm she was born and raised on. Come dusk, cruise across Lake Wakatipu aboard the TSS Earnslaw; the only thing more inspiring than the peaks of the Remarkables that surround is the festive atmosphere welcoming you to Walter Peak High Country Farm, where a gourmet barbecue at the Colonel’s Homestead awaits. HD B
11 Queenstown Free Time
You could spend a long time in and around Queenstown. But on your free day, we highly recommend either venturing into the end-of-the-Earth wilderness that is Milford Sound, to cruise past sheer cliffs, white-capped peaks and waterfalls. Or blissing out on an obligatory wine tour of the Otago region. It’s a difficult decision. B
12 Queenstown - Auckland
Touching down in Auckland, you’ll immediately understand why it’s known as the ‘City of Sails’ – New Zealand’s largest city has two lovely yacht-filled harbours, which you can explore at our leisure this afternoon. Hotel: The Grand by SkyCity. B
13 Auckland - Rotorua
Today is set to sparkle – quite literally – as thousands of bright green and blue glowworms light up your next destination: the cavernous Ruakuri Cave at Waitomo. From overhead attractions to those below the ground… this evening your dinner is prepared in an earthen hangi at the Mitai Māori Village. It’s an eye-opening (and tasty) introduction to Māori culture. Hotel: Millennium Hotel, Rotorua, 2 Nights. DW B
14 Rotorua
Cute and cuddly, NZ’s national bird, the kiwi, is also endangered. Go behind the scenes on a working kiwi nursery and hatchery to learn how breeding programs are helping the population thrive. The natural drama reaches boiling point at Whakarewarewa, a geothermal reserve and the country’s only living Māori village, home to famous Pohutu Geyser and the bubbling beauty of mud pools. FD B
15 Farewell from Rotorua and Auckland
Most people travel for two weeks and don’t even scratch the surface, let alone enjoy cultural immersion across two countries. What a wild and wonderful ride. B
Australian Highlights
From$7470
Highlights
Insider Knowledge
Melbourne has some of the world’s most vibrant street art – if you know where to look. Follow your local guide to discover eye-popping murals, hidden down back alleys.
Local Connection
Join an Anangu artist at the Maruku Arts Dot Painting class and paint your own piece of Aboriginal art as a memento of this experience.
Cultural Immersion
The Sydney Opera House is the stuff of postcards. You get to go behind the scenes with an expert who not only reveals architectural highlights, but also performance secrets.
Sustainable Footprints
Your visit to Uluru-Kata Tjuta, Kakadu and Litchfield national parks helps protect these incredible wilderness areas for future generations.
Wildlife and Nature
The only living organism you can see from outer space, the Great Barrier Reef is among the world’s most important, and biodiverse, ecosystems. Dive under the surface and see for yourself.
Dining
12 Full Breakfasts
1 Lunch
1 Be My Guest Lunch
2 Dinners with Wine
1 Highlight Dinner
1 Farewell Dinner
1 Welcome to Melbourne
Is there such a thing as too much time in Melbourne? Arrive early before meeting your fellow adventure-seekers over a beverage or two. Hotel: Crowne Plaza Hotel Melbourne, 3 nights. DW
2 Melbourne Sightseeing and Free Time
Melbourne is known for its cool cafés – we recommend grabbing a coffee to fuel you through a walking tour exploring the city’s most eye-popping laneways. This afternoon, you decide. Perhaps a nature-based sojourn to Phillip Island to see penguins waddle from the ocean to the sand? We wouldn’t blame you for lingering and taking a deep dive into Melbourne’s culinary offerings. Ask us for tips on the hottest spots to drink and dine. B
3 Melbourne Free Time
If you’re still getting your Melbourne bearings, linger in town to explore boutiques, galleries, and eclectic suburbs. But if it’s time to venture further afield, you might want to sign up to discover the Great Ocean Road, a stretch of coastline that deserves its reputation as one of the most scenic touring routes in the world. Wherever you wander, be sure to take in a show at one of the city’s glorious theatres. We can assist with tickets. B
4 Melbourne – Uluru
Spiritual, sacred and spectacular, the world’s largest rock monolith will give you goosebumps. In Australia’s Red Centre, Uluru has been home to the Anangu people for millennia. Their connection is palpable, as you’ll discover when you arrive at Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, at sunset watching the shifting colours transform the desert with every last ray (sparkling wine essential). Hotel: Desert Gardens Hotel, Ayers Rock Resort, 2 nights. B
5 Uluru and Kata Tjuta
If there’s one thing worth getting out of bed early for, it’s sunrise over Uluru. Incredibly, the Rock’s base caves are home to First Nations art that dates back tens of thousands of years. What an honour to glimpse it. The ochres and silvery greens of the NT outback follow you to Kata Tjuta, where Walpa Gorge humbles with its soaring cliffs. Wander through the tallest domes before yet another sparkling sunset (and sparkling wine). B
6 Uluru – Cairns
Ok, so the other reason to get up early is to view artist Bruce Munro’s installation Field of Light at dawn – 50,000 glowing spindles of light blanketing the desert. Clamber to the top of a sand dune to marvel in the morning unfolding over this very special part of the world. An Anangu artist will explain just what makes it so spiritual over an introduction to Western Desert art, introducing totems and symbols important to the region and represented in paintings and installations. Head to your next stop in sunny Cairns. Hotel: Hilton Hotel Cairns, 3 nights. B
7 Cairns Free Time
If you’re in the habit of getting up early now, you may wish to begin your day with an optional horizon-bending hot-air-balloon ride over the Atherton Tablelands. Prefer to stay grounded? Sign up for a guided walk through the Daintree Rainforest, or surround yourself with nature riding the Scenic Railway to Kuranda returning on the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway – perhaps with a side visit to Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures for a wetlands cruise? B
8 Great Barrier Reef
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. L B DW
9 Cairns – Sydney
Touch down in Australia’s largest city, with a harbour you could gaze at all day long. And all night. Freshen up and do just that when you join your Travel Director and travel mates on a Highlight Dinner cruise around Sydney Harbour against the backdrop of the Harbour Bridge and Opera House. Hotel: Intercontinental Hotel Sydney, 4 nights. HD B
10 Sydney
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. BG B
11 Sydney Free Time
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. B
12 Sydney
Now you’ve found your bearings in Sydney, why not linger around the harbour – perhaps it’s time to glimpse it from above on a Sydney BridgeClimb? This bird’s-eye view certainly puts things in perspective. Back at ground level, you’re in the heart of the Rocks, the city’s original colonial settlement and a place of cobbled alleys and private galleries. This evening, celebrate your holiday at a Farewell Dinner at Portside Restaurant at the Sydney Opera House. Talk about ending on a high. FD B
13 Farewell from Sydney
What an epic journey, with so many destinations explored in less than two weeks. Now you just have to sort through the photos… B
Wonders of Australia
From$4820
Highlights
Insider Knowledge
The sails are immortalised on postcards. But it’s what lies behind the scenes of the Sydney Opera House that is most intriguing. Discover all with a local guide.
Local Connection
A working winery, in a capital city? It’s a thing in Brisbane, where you’ll meet a sommelier or vintner to discover City Winery’s top drops.
Cultural Immersion
Most people wander Brisbane unaware of the city’s Aboriginal heritage. When you explore with, you’ll take a deep dive into First Nations culture.
Sustainable Footprints
Do good, feel good, and meet amazing people when you join with the team of not-for-profit Our Big Kitchen to cook a meal for those in need living in the Sydney burb of Bondi.
Wildlife and Nature
Did you know cars are not permitted on Hamilton Island? The only way to get around is in a golf buggy, by bike, on foot or in a boat. Get out there and explore this patch of paradise.
Dining
6 Full Breakfasts
1 Lunch
2 Dinners with Wine
1 Be My Guest Dinner
1 Farewell Dinner
1 Welcome to Brisbane
It turns out, you don’t need to be located on a vineyard to make terrific wine. Welcome to City Winery, located in the heart of Brisbane and a hub for delicious drops. This is your introduction to the Queensland capital, with a sommelier or vintner hosting a tasting session before dinner is served. Is there any better way to mingle with new friends? Hotel: Royal on the Park, 2 Nights. BG
2 Brisbane
As the captivating sounds of the didgeridoo ring out, you’ll discover (Meeanjin) Brisbane’s First Nations history and art on a walking tour with an Aboriginal guide, whose ancestors inhabited the shores of the Brisbane River for over 40,000 years. The afternoon and evening are all yours – perhaps explore the Queen Street Mall, Queen Street Wharf or the trendy bars and restaurants of Brisbane’s South Bank. Ask us for tips on where to drink and dine. B
3 Brisbane - Hamilton Island
There are no cars on Hamilton Island. Which pretty much sums up the pace of life on this drop of dreaminess in the middle of the Whitsundays. Feel your pulse slow as you ease into ‘Hamo’ speed, perhaps taking a dip in the gin-clear Coral Sea, maybe heading off for a round of golf, definitely booking a recliner by the pool. If you feel the need to explore further afield, book a golf buggy. Wherever you wander, re-join the crew for sunset cocktails. Hotel: Reef View Hotel, 3 Nights. DW B
4 Great Barrier Reef
The Great Barrier Reef is immortalised in record books for good reason. Yes, it breaks records in size. But it also breaks them in beauty – there will be moments today, skipping over the archipelago in a catamaran, when you’ll think someone has taken the glasses off your nose and cleaned them for the first time. Skip over the World Heritage listed Coral Sea to a pontoon – your base to swim and snorkel with what lies beneath. That includes six of the world’s seven marine turtles. How many can you count? For a different perspective, take to the skies on an optional scenic flight revealing the scale and drama of this magical part of Queensland. You’ll fall in love with Heart Reef. L B
5 Hamilton Island Free Time
After yesterday’s Great Barrier Reef overload, we wouldn’t blame you for sleeping in. But… there are so many other things to see and do around Hamilton, at your leisure. Enjoy brunch at the marina, or lace up your hiking boots and head up Passage Peak for unbroken views across the archipelago. Perhaps followed by a well-deserved dip at Catseye Beach or Coral Cove. The stretch of sand that’s regularly voted the most beautiful in the world, however, is Whitehaven – so high in silica, it squeaks underfoot. It’s a short boat-ride away, but we can help you get there. B
6 Hamilton Island - Sydney
Sleep in, enjoy a leisurely breakfast, sneak in one last swim and soak up the views – you’re on Hamilton Island time, after all. This patch of paradise is a siren you’ll want to return to. But you’ve got another watery outlook to distract you: Sydney’s Darling Harbour. Watch the city light up as you enjoy dinner at a waterside restaurant. Hotel: Hyatt Regency Darling Harbour, 3 Nights. DW B
7 Sydney
There are some places that sear into your memory. The Sydney Opera House is one. This harbourside building is mind-blowing from the outside, and equally mesmerising from the inside, as you’ll discover on a behind-the-scenes tour. The city’s other famous landmark is Bondi Beach, a crescent of sand where the beautiful people flock to swim and surf. Don your swimsuit and join them, or stroll the promenade in search of boutiques and achingly cool cafes. Speaking of food, this afternoon you’re doing good at Our Big Kitchen, helping feed those in need within the Bondi community. B
8 Sydney Free Time
You could spend weeks exploring Sydney. Months even. But you have today, so get set for a wild ride. Your agenda is completely up to you, but we have more than a few ideas. Perhaps a bird’s-eye perspective of the city on a Sydney BridgeClimb? Maybe a ferry to Manly for fish-and-chips on the beach? And ideally a stroll through the Royal Botanic Garden, which offers so many lookouts for sparkling harbour views, amplified over dinner when you jump on a boat to cruise under the Harbour Bridge and beside the Opera House. FD B
9 Farewell from Sydney
You’ve experienced Sydney from most angles, but you’re about to see it from above the clouds as you bid farewell to your fellow companions. B
Contrasts of New Zealand
From$4831
Highlights
Insider Knowledge
World Heritage listed Milford Sound/Piopiotahi is remarkable to look at; it’s even more thrilling when its flora and fauna is decoded by your oh-so-knowledgeable cruise guide.
Local Connection
Ever wondered about Southern Alps life on the land? Enjoy lunch with farmers and go behind the scenes.
Cultural Immersion
Discover just how strong Māori culture is at Te Pa Tu Maori Experience, celebrating art, tradition and cuisine. Bring your appetite for a hangi meal, cooked underground.
Sustainable Footprints
Operation Nest Egg may sound James Bond-esque, but it’s actually a National Kiwi Hatchery project to care for the country’s kiwi population. You can be involved.
Wildlife and Nature
You’d be forgiven for thinking you’d be transported to Mars when you arrive at Rotorua, a place where steam and mud pop, fizz and swoosh at every turn.
Dining
9 Full Breakfasts
1 Lunch
2 Dinners with Wine
2 Highlight Dinners
1 Farewell Dinner
1 Be My Guest Lunch
1 Welcome to Auckland
New Zealand’s largest city is also one of its prettiest, as you’ll discover exploring at your leisure. Arrive early to linger in its hip harbourside precincts, where galleries and design-driven stores await. You’ll have worked up an appetite by the time you meet your fellow travel companions for a few local tipples at a Welcome Reception and dinner. Hotel: The Grand by SkyCity, 2 Nights. DW
2 Auckland
If you didn’t get your Auckland bearings yesterday, you will today. Have your camera poised as you reach Mission Bay, a dreamy waterside suburb where the blues patchwork to the horizon. Then get snap happy at Bastion Point and the Michael Joseph Savage Memorial, offering epic vistas over Auckland and its harbours. Want some tips on how to spend your free afternoon? How about going behind the scenes of the All Blacks or cruising to Waiheke Island to sip more wine? B
3 Auckland - Rotorua
You could be forgiven for thinking Rotorua’s landscapes are a sci-fi movie set. Mud pops and jettisons from bubbling geysers, and steam rushes skywards from cracks in the Earth. The surrounding forest is a fertile habitat for New Zealand’s national bird, being protected and bred at the National Kiwi Hatchery Aotearoa. The cotton-ball kiwi is under threat in the wild; at the hatchery, passionate conservationists reveal how they are saving the population, one incubated egg at a time. Tonight, dive deep into Māori culture and traditions at Te Pa Tu Māori Experience , where your hangi Highlight Dinner is cooked underground. Hotel: Millennium Hotel, Rotorua. HD B
4 Rotorua - Auckland - Queenstown
Lord of the Rings fanatics, prepare for a day of goosebumps – breakfast is served in the very spot that Frodo and Bilbo once lived. The Hobbiton Movie Set is all rolling hills and emerald pastures, a storybook landscape for The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies. The feel-good vibes will follow you all the way to Queenstown, where some of the country’s most awarded restaurants await. Whether you’re in the mood for bulging burgers or lakeside tapas, ask us for recommendations. Hotel: Millennium Hotel, Queenstown, 3 Nights. B
5 Milford Sound/ Piopiotahi Cruise
Bring your stamina and sense of adventure – things get a little wild today. Nature rules as you skirt gleaming Lake Wakatipu, over the Devil’s Staircase to Te Anau, the alpine gateway to World Heritage listed Fiordland National Park. Once you’ve paused to admire the drama at Mirror Lakes, Knobs Flat, Hollyford Valley lookout, Cleddau Valley and the Chasm, you’ll begin to understand why Rudyard Kipling called this the ‘Eighth Wonder of the World’. You haven’t even seen Bowen Falls or Milford Sound/Piopiotahi yet… Cruise the latter with an eagle-eyed guide, on the lookout for fur seals and dolphins. L B
6 Queenstown Free Time
Take today at your own pace. Like things fast and furious? Feel the wind in your hair on the high-octane Shotover Jet, perhaps. Prefer to be able to talk while you cruise? Glide across Lake Wakatipu aboard the historic TSS Earnslaw to Walter Peak High Country Farm for a gourmet barbecue lunch. Wherever you wander, be sure to save space for tonight’s Highlight Dinner at Postmasters Café, a historic Arrowtown cottage replete with picket fence and Instagrammable gardens HD B
7 Queenstown - Lake Tekapo
Whether pinot noir grapes or cherries, things grow well in Central Otago. Get a taste for the region’s stone fruit at a local orchard. Mountain drama – including views of Aoraki/Mt. Cook – is your backdrop en route to Lake Tekapo, with water so turquoise it looks like a Renaissance painting. This part of the country is ravishing and remote; the lack of light pollution means dazzling Southern Hemisphere stargazing at UNESCO Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve. It’s handy to have an astronomer in your company to decode the constellations of the Milky Way. Life in perspective… Hotel: Peppers Bluewater Resort Lake Tekapo. DW B
8 Lake Tekapo - Christchurch
The Canterbury region of the west coast is a bucolic union of grassy plains, mirror-like lakes and snow-capped mountains, the kind you might see on postcards. Enjoy some warm Kiwi hospitality at Morelea, the home of Angie and Stan Taylor. Indulge in a Be My Guest barbecue lunch and hear about a lifetime spent in farming in New Zealand. You'll also get to witness Angie preparing her famous pavlova dessert. After soaking up country life, you’ll arrive in Christchurch ready to explore the Garden City. Hotel: Distinction Christchurch Hotel, 2 Nights. BG B
9 Christchurch
Start your last full day of your travels touring the beautiful English city of Christchurch, which is not only rebuilding itself after the devastating 2010/11 earthquakes, but is changing the way architects think about design. Case in point the mind-bending Transitional Cathedral, made largely of cardboard, and Turanga, the gold-clad central library. A big day leads to a big evening joining your Travel Director and travel mates for a celebratory Farewell Dinner featuring produce from the Canterbury region. FD B
10 Farewell from Christchurch
You’ve travelled hundreds of kilometres across two islands, likely taken thousands of photos, and made countless memories and new friends. The only thing left to do is plan your next trip. B
New Zealand Panorama
From$3002
Highlights
Insider Knowledge
Your guide to the Ruakuri Cave at Waitomo will light up your life – and if they don’t, the glowworms surely will.
Local Connection
If you’ve ever wanted to know what life on the land was like, South Island farmer Laura will reveal all. She’s been here her whole life – there’s not much she doesn’t know.
Cultural Immersion
Kiwis celebrate their heritage at every chance possible, as you’ll discover at Mitai Māori Village, where your hangi dinner is accompanied by a cultural performance.
Sustainable Footprints
The national symbol of New Zealand, kiwi birds are as adorable as they are endangered. Your visit to a hatchery supports breeding programs to ensure their future.
Wildlife and Nature
Blessed with snow-capped peaks and vast mirror-like lakes, Queenstown is the kind of place that makes you want to instantly become a New Zealand resident.
Dining
6 Full Breakfasts
2 Highlight Dinners
1 Farewell Dinner
1 Welcome to Queenstown
Queenstown deserves its destination crown. And you’ll have plenty of time to explore. But first stop is Arrowtown, a former mining town so dreamy it looks like it has slipped straight from a movie set. Drop in on bijou boutiques, cafés and bars along the tree-lined promenade before an afternoon at your leisure in Queenstown. Hit us up for dining recommendations. Hotel: Millennium Hotel, Queenstown, 3 Nights.
2 Queenstown & Surrounds
Arriving in New Zealand, the first thing you probably noticed is that there’s a lot of farmland. It’s fitting, then, that one of the first people you’ll meet is southern girl Laura, who will introduce you to the sheep farm she was born and raised on. Come dusk, cruise across Lake Wakatipu aboard the TSS Earnslaw; the only thing more inspiring than the peaks of the Remarkables that surround is the festive atmosphere welcoming you to Walter Peak High Country Farm, where a gourmet barbecue at the Colonel’s Homestead awaits. HD B
3 Queenstown Free Time
You clearly need more than one day to appreciate Queenstown and its surrounds. And when we say surrounds, we mean Milford Sound. Today, sign up to dive deep into this yawning gorge within World Heritage-listed Fiordland National Park – it’s within easy reach of your base, and is best explored on an optional South Island tour that sees you jumping aboard boat to cruise the mirror-like waterway. Don’t be surprised if you see dolphins and seals playing in the wake of waterfalls. If you like things fast-paced, opt for bungy jumping, jet-boating or sip-lining. You are in the adventure capital of New Zealand, after all B
4 Queenstown - Auckland
Touching down in Auckland, you’ll immediately understand why it’s known as the ‘City of Sails’ – New Zealand’s largest city has two lovely yacht-filled harbours, which you can explore at our leisure this afternoon. Hotel: The Grand by SkyCity. B
5 Auckland - Rotorua
Today is set to sparkle – quite literally – as thousands of bright green and blue glowworms light up your next destination: the cavernous Ruakuri Cave at Waitomo. From overhead attractions to those below the ground… this evening your dinner is prepared in an earthen hangi at the Mitai Māori Village. It’s an eye-opening (and tasty) introduction to Māori culture, with musical and dance performances revealing stories passed down through generations. Hotel: Millennium Hotel, Rotorua, 2 Nights. HD B
6 Rotorua
Cute and cuddly, NZ’s national bird, the kiwi, is also endangered. Go behind the scenes on a working kiwi nursery and hatchery to learn how breeding programs are helping the population thrive. The natural drama reaches boiling point at Whakarewarewa, a geothermal reserve and the country’s only living Māori village, home to famous Pohutu Geyser (the country’s largest) and the bubbling beauty of mud pools. FD B
7 Farewell from Rotorua and Auckland
Short, sweet and packed with highlights – how else to describe this wonderful week?
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