Country
Australia
Duration
18 Days/17 Nights
Travel Type
Escorted Tours
With AATKings.
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
Meals: 17 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 1 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 above
Additional Information
1
DAY 1 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 : Melbourne for 2 nights
2
DAY 2 MELBOURNE
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 afterwards to explore the city on your own, enjoy an optional experience or simply relax and watch the world go by.
Meals : Breakfast
3
DAY 3 MELBOURNE · CAIRNS
This morning you will be transferred to Melbourne Airport for your flight to Cairns, Queensland. On arrival join a private wildlife journey at Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures. Enjoy a boat cruise and encounter koalas, wallabies, birds, crocodiles and more! There will be time to partake in regenerating the rainforest particular to the Wangetti Valley which Hartley’s is located in. Feel free to join is as much or as little as you can with this tree planting project and be a part of keeping the World Heritage listed Wet Tropics alive. This evening is free for you to choose from the numerous restaurants that Cairns has to offer.
Meals : Breakfast
Accommodation : Cairns for 3 nights
4
DAY 4 CAIRNS · GREAT BARRIER REEF · CAIRNS
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 meter underwater. Enjoy a tropical buffet lunch before you return to Cairns. This evening enjoy a delicious meal overlooking the Cairns waterfront.
Meals : Breakfast, Lunch
5
DAY 5 CAIRNS
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 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! In the evening re-join your travelling companions for a dining experience at Ochre Restaurant.
Meals : Breakfast, Dinner
6
DAY 6 CAIRNS · SYDNEY
Following a leisurely start to the morning, it’s time to switch the tropical vibes back to city highlights as you fly to Sydney. What a way to kick off your arrival to Sydney with a dinner cruise enjoying the famous Sydney Harbour! You’ll pass under the Harbour Bridge, cruise past the Opera House and see many magnificent waterfront homes, beaches and parklands.
Meals : Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation : Sydney for 3 nights
7
DAY 7 SYDNEY
Enjoy a later start to the day, perhaps you’ll take an early morning stroll or simply make the most of a slow start. Today we explore the vibrant Inner West suburbs of Sydney. Tour Newtown, a community rich with lively culture and home to numerous street art sites that will surprise you. Continue through the suburb of Marrickville, recently crowned the 10th “coolest” and most livable neighborhood in the world before arriving at Dear Delicious Café. Meet the owner Greg in his sustainable garden and learn about how he has brought urban farming to the community before enjoying a tasty meal made with fresh local produce for your Be My Guest Lunch. After lunch you will meet Andrew the founder of Batch Brewery. Take part in a masterclass on site and learn how they combine creatively inspired limited release batches with sustainable practices. Later take some free time to do some shopping or enjoy an Optional Experience with free time this evening.
Meals : Breakfast, Lunch
8
DAY 8 SYDNEY
Visit Wendy’s Secret Garden at Lavender Bay, overlooking Sydney Harbour. Meet a local volunteer and learn the story of how the garden was formed from unused wasteland and how it is beautifully maintained by a group of volunteer gardeners. Most importantly, your visit to the garden provides a contribution to the ongoing maintenance of the enchanting garden. Take the opportunity to walk along the Sydney Harbour foreshore and make the most of some free time. This evening join your Travel Director and fellow travellers for a farewell dinner on the harbourfront.
Meals : Breakfast, Dinner
9
DAY 9 SYDNEY · AUCKLAND
This morning you say goodbye to Australia and fly to New Zealand! This evening meet your Travel Director for a welcome reception and dinner at your hotel in Auckland.
Meals : Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation : Auckland for 2 nights
10
DAY 10 AUCKLAND
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.
Meals : Breakfast
11
DAY 11 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.
Meals : Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation : Rotorua for 1 night
12
DAY 12 RORORUA · 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.
Meals : Breakfast
Accommodation : Queenstown for 3 nights
13
DAY 13 QUEENSTOWN · MILFORD SOUND · QUEENSTOWN
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.
Meals : Breakfast, Lunch
14
DAY 14 QUEENSTOWN
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 Postmasters Café. The historic cottage was once home to the town’s postmaster and has been a main street feature since the 1860s. Its old-world charm, complete with horse-hitching post, picket fence, beautiful gardens and hanging wisteria, has made it one of Arrowtown’s most photographed buildings and is the perfect venue for your highlight dinner.
Meals : Breakfast, Dinner
15
DAY 15 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 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.
Meals : Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation : Lake Tekapo for 1 night
16
DAY 16 LAKE TEKAPO · CHRISTCHURCH
Enjoy a relaxed start before heading north through South Canterbury, visit the charming boutique village of Geraldine as you travel through to Christchurch.
Meals : Breakfast
Accommodation : Christchurch for 2 nights
17
DAY 18 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.
Meals : Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation : Lake Tekapo for 1 night
18
DAY 18 CHRISTCHURCH
Your AAT Kings New Zealand holiday concludes this morning after breakfast. Your flights can depart any time today, and you will be transferred to Christchurch Airport.
Meals : Breakfast
|
Rates in CA$, per person, starting from, in double occupancy |
Land Package |
| Departures 2022-2023 | hotels 4 and 4.5* |
| September 1, 15, 29, 2022 | 12 008 |
| October 13, 2022 | 12 839 |
|
Nov. 17, Dec. 1, 15, 2022 Jan. 12, 19, 26, Feb. 2, 16, 23, 2023 March 2, 9, 16, 30, 2023 May 11, June 29, Sept. 14, 28, 2023 |
12 839 |
| October 12, 2023 | 13 315 |
|
Nov. 9, Dec. 28, 2023 Jan. 18, 25, Feb. 1, 15, 22, March 7, 14, 2024 |
13 473 |
|
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
