Country
Australia
Duration
18 Days/17 Nights
Travel Type
Escorted Tour
With AAT Kings
A bit city, a bit country; sometimes beachy, sometimes mountainous; in the company of locals and Indigenous guides – this epic Melbourne to Christchurch tour is diverse and dynamic. Traversing the East Coast of Australia, from Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef to Sydney and Melbourne, the tour also uncovers NZ’s North and South islands, where Auckland’s cuisine, Milford Sound’s grandeur and Rotorua’s thermal springs beckon.
Inclusions
17-night accommodation in double occupancy
Return airport transfers
Travel by luxury coach
English speaking experienced Travel Director and Driver Guide
30 meals: 17 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 Be My Guest lunch, 9 dinners
Visits and sightseeing as per itinerary
Exclusions
International/domestic flights and airport taxes – Pre-night in Sydney – Gratuities to hotel personnel, guides, and drivers – Optional excursions – Beverages unless noted in the itinerary – Any other services not specified in the inclusions.
1
DAY 1 MELBOURNE
Meet your fellow adventure-seekers – you’re going to be spending a fair bit of time with them.
Meals : Dinner
Accommodation : Crowne Plaza Hotel Melbourne, 3* for 2 nights or similar
2
DAY 2 MELBOURNE
Take a deep dive into Melbourne’s art-filled lanes and alleys on a private walking tour. Spot a jazz bar or hidden restaurant you fancy? The afternoon is yours to indulge however you wish.
Meals : Breakfast
3
DAY 3 MELBOURNE - CAIRNS
Things start to heat up in Cairns, the heart of Tropical North Queensland. Jump aboard a cruise at Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures to discover some of the wildlife that calls this part of the state home, koalas, wallabies, and crocs among them, before helping protect their habitats by planting trees as part of our Rainforest Restoration project. Talk about a feel-good day.
Meals : Breakfast
Accommodation : Hilton Hotel Cairns, 5* for 3 nights or similar
4
DAY 4 CAIRNS - GREAT BARRIER REEF
The Great Barrier Reef deserves its World Heritage listing – it’s one of the most biodiverse marine environments on the planet, home to thousands of species of fish and corals, as well as six of the world’s seven sea turtles. Strap on a snorkel and dive in, or keep your hair dry and take in the drama from an underwater observatory and semi-submersible craft.
Meals : Breakfast, Lunch
5
DAY 5 CAIRNS
Today is one of decisions: explore the Cairns Esplanade, or head up into the hills on a Scenic Railway journey to Kuranda. You’re surrounded by some of the world’s oldest rainforest as you return to base via the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway. If that’s not humbling enough, tonight’s dinner at Ochre Restaurant on the waterfront uses native ingredients that the world’s oldest civilisation has consumed for millennia.
Meals : Breakfast, Dinner
6
DAY 6 CAIRNS - SYDNEY
We hope you have a window seat for the flight into Sydney – the view over the harbour as you come into land certainly sparkles. The only perspective more dazzling is from a catamaran. All aboard for a dinner cruise gliding past the Sydney Opera House and under the Harbour Bridge.
Meals : Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation : Hyatt Regency Darling Harbour, 5* for 3 nights or similar
7
DAY 7 SYDNEY
Follow the lead of hipsters for a local’s tour through the inner west of Sydney. First stop is Newtown, where the parade of street art and achingly cool restaurants leads you to Marrickville then Dulwich Hill. Here, you’ll pop in on Dear Delicious café, where farm-to-table dining is in the spotlight thanks to owner Greg. Enjoy a Be My Guest lunch made featuring the veggies and herbs he grows himself. Around the corner is Batch Brewery where you’ll meet owner Andrew. Take part in a masterclass and learn how they combine creatively inspired limited release batches with sustainable practices.
Meals : Breakfast, Lunch
8
DAY 8 SYDNEY
Follow the lead of hipsters for a local’s tour through the inner west of Sydney. First stop is Newtown, where the parade of street art and achingly-cool restaurants leads you to Marrickville then Dulwich Hill. Here, you’ll pop in on Dear Delicious café, where farm-to-table dining is in the spotlight thanks to owner Greg. Enjoy a Be My Guest lunch made featuring the veggies and herbs he grows himself. Around the corner is Batch Brewery where you’ll meet owner Andrew. Take part in a masterclass and learn how they combine creatively inspired limited release batches with sustainable practices.
Meals : Breakfast, Dinner
9
DAY 9 SYDNEY - AUCKLAND
Battle of the harbours: Sydney has one, but Auckland has two. Small wonder it’s known as the ‘City of Sails’.
Meals : Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation : The Grand by SkyCity, 5* for 2 nights or similar
10
DAY 10 AUCKLAND
Get your Auckland bearings on a city tour, before choosing a precinct to while away the afternoon in. Ask us for dinner tips.
Meals : Breakfast
11
DAY 11 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 dinner is prepared in an earthen hangi at the Mitai Māori Village. It’s an eye-opening (and tasty) introduction to Māori culture.
Meals : Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation : Millennium Hotel, 4* for 1 night or similar
12
DAY 12 RORORUA - 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.
Meals : Breakfast
Accommodation : Millennium Hotel, 4* for 3 nights or similar
13
DAY 13 QUEENSTOWN - MILFORD SOUND - QUEENSTOWN
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.
Meals : Breakfast, Lunch
14
DAY 14 QUEENSTOWN
Sleep in, find a rooftop wine bar for lunch, take a stroll around the lake… wherever you wander, meet your fellow travellers for a Highlight Dinner at 1860s Postmasters Cottage.
Meals : Breakfast, Dinner
15
DAY 15 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.
Meals : Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation : Peppers Bluewater Resort, 4* for 1 night or similar
16
DAY 16 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...
Meals : Breakfast
Accommodation : Distinction Christchurch Hotel, 4* for 2 nights or similar
17
DAY 17 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.
Meals : Breakfast, Dinner
18
DAY 18 FAREWELL FROM CHRISTCHURCH
It’s hard to say goodbye; so say ‘see you soon’ instead.
Meals : Breakfast
HOTEL OPTIONS OR SIMILAR
Melbourne
Crowne Plaza, 4*
Cairns
Hilton Hotel, 5*
Sydney
Hyatt Regency Darling Harbour, 5*
Auckland
The Grand by Sky City, 5*
Rotorua
Millennium Hotel, 4*
Queenstown
Millennium Hotel, 4*
Lake Tekapo
Peppers Bluewater Resort, 4*
Christchurch
Distinction Hotel, 4*
|
Rates in CA$, per person, starting from, in double occupancy |
Land Package |
| Departures 2023-2024-2025 | 4* and 5* |
| April 13, June 29, Aug. 31, Sept. 28, 2023 | 11995 |
| Oct. 12, 2023 | 12275 |
| Nov. 9, 30, Dec. 28, 2023 Jan. 18, Feb. 1, 15, March 7, 2024 |
12510 |
| April 11, May 9, 30, June 27, Aug. 29, Sept. 12, 26, 2024 | 12600 |
| Oct. 10, 2024 | 12885 |
| Nov. 7, 14, 21, 28, Dec. 5, 12, 2024 Jan. 9, 16, 23, 30, 2025 Feb. 6, 13, 20, 2025 March 6, 13, 20, 2025 |
13120 |
| Single room supplement | On request |
**Prices in this document are for information only; they were issued at press time, for the current year. Please note that due to exchange rates and temporary promotions, they can increase or decrease at any time. Contact your travel agent for the price and promotion of the moment. The prices indicated exclude the contribution to the Customer Compensation Fund of $3.50 per $1,000 of tourism product or service purchased from a travel agent in Quebec.
