Highlights of Australia & New Zealand

Discover the incredible diversity of Australia, with the opportunity to explore the vibrant cities of Sydney and Melbourne, the striking and remote Outback and the breathtakingly beautiful Great Barrier Reef. Contrast this with the serenity of New Zealand, with its fascinating Maori culture, magnificent glaciers, wild forests and stunning fiords. You may also opt to book just the Highlights of Australia or the Highlights of New Zealand.

Tour overview
•   City tour of cosmopolitan Melbourne plus a full day at leisure to explore
•   Visit to the the Royal Flying Doctor Service in the Outback town of Alice Springs
•   Traditional Outback barbecue at a homestead
•   Trip to a camel farm
•   Watch the magical sunset over Uluru with a glass of wine, then see sunrise the next morning
•   Discover the scared Aboroginal site of Kata Tjuta
•   High speed catamaran cruise to the Great Barrier Reef to snorkel or scuba dive
•   Optional Skyrail Rainforest Cableway ride above the rainforest canopy
•   Discover Sydney's Opera House and other iconic attractions
•   Optional visit to the Blue Mountains or the Hunter Valley wine region
•   Cruise around Auckland's Waitemata Harbour
•   Boat tour through the mesmerising Glowworm Caves at Waitomo
•   Maori guided tour of Whakarewarewa Thermal Reserve and traditional Maori Hangi feast
•   Experience life on the farm at the Agrodome Sheep Show
•   Board the famous TranzAlpine train passing through the Southern Alps to Arthur's Pass
•   Visit the dramatic Franz Josef Glacier - optional flight, weather permitting
•   Journey to Milford Sound and see the iconic Mitre Peak
•   Day at leisure in Queenstown, adrenalin capital of New Zealand
•   Pass beautiful scenery of Aoraki Mount Cook National Park to Lake Tekapo
•   Explore the sights of pretty Christchurch

Guide

Highlights of Australia & New Zealand is escorted by a tour director and tour driver and is operated by AAT Kings.

MEAL PLAN → Breakfast daily from Day 2, three lunches and five dinners.
ACCOMMODATION → Accommodation is provided in centrally located four star hotels,
although three star hotels may be provided in more remote areas and small towns.
TOUR INCLUDES → Sightseeing and entrance fees as detailed, and hotel porterage.
TRANSPORT INFORMATION → Departure and arrival airport transfers are included. Modern luxury coaches are airconditioned with reclining seats, two door access, onboard toilet, ample legroom and large panoramic windows. All AAT Kings coaches operate a non-smoking policy.
GROUP SIZE → 25-50 passengers. Minimum numbers apply (please call for details).
NB → International and domestic flights are not included.

DAY 1 - MELBOURNE
Arrive in the cosmopolitan city of Melbourne and enjoy an evening welcome drink with your tour guide and fellow travellers. During your stay you will take a morning tour of the city and see the Royal Botanic Gardens and Parliament House. You will also have a full day at leisure to explore the city. Perhaps visit Philip Island to see the famous Penguin Parade or enjoy a scenic ride on Puffing Billy, a century-old steam train.

DAY 4 - MELBOURNE-ALICE SPRINGS

Fly to Alice Springs for a tour of this unique outback town, stopping at the School of the Air and the Royal Flying Doctor Service. Enjoy panoramic views from Anzac Hill and travel to a genuine outback homestead for an evening barbecue dinner.

DAY 5 - ALICE SPRINGS-ULURU
Morning visit to a camel farm before arriving at Ayers Rock Resort. Sip a glass of local wine whilst watching a magical sunset over Uluru from ‘sunset strip’. Rise early to view Uluru at sunrise, with an option to climb to the summit. Tour the caves at the base of the rock and hear stories of the Aboriginal Dreamtime before heading to Kata Tjuta (the Olgas), a sacred Aboriginal site of 36 colossal domes of red rock.

DAY 7 - ULURU-CAIRNS
Free morning before flying to Cairns. Next day, cruise by high-speed catamaran to the spectacular Great Barrier Reef, with time for scuba diving (extra cost), snorkelling and swimming. Enjoy a reef education presentation and tropical buffet lunch onboard the pontoon. Next day at leisure with option to take a Skyrail Rainforest Cableway ride above the rainforest canopy.

DAY 10 - CAIRNS-SYDNEY
Before your flight to Sydney, encounter unique native animals at the Cairns Wildlife Dome. Next day visit the famous Opera House, Royal Botanic Gardens and Mrs Macquarie’s Chair. Stroll along Bondi Beach and enjoy a luncheon cruise at Sydney Harbour. Next day there is the option to visit the Blue Mountains or the Hunter Valley (extra cost).

DAY 13 - SYDNEY-AUCKLAND
Fly to Auckland, the ‘City of Sails’. Morning cruise on Waitemata Harbour and visit the America’s Cup Village.

DAY 15 - AUCKLAND-ROTORUA
Head south for a boat tour through the Waitomo Glowworm Caves. Continue to Rotorua for a Maori guided tour of the Whakarewarewa Thermal Reserve. Enjoy a traditional Maori Hangi feast and concert.

DAY 16 - ROTORUA-CHRISTCHURCH
Visit Rainbow Springs, followed by an entertaining look at life on the farm at the Agrodome Sheep Show. Fly to Christchurch.

DAY 17 - CHRISTCHURCH-FRANZ JOSEF
Board the famous TranzAlpine train, traversing the Southern Alps to Arthur’s Pass. Follow the coastal road through dramatic West Coast scenery to Franz Josef, home of the majestic glacier, with the opportunity to take a scenic flight (extra cost, weather permitting).

DAY 18 - FRANZ JOSEF-QUEENSTOWN
Continue through Mount Aspiring National Park. Visit historic Arrowtown before travelling to Queenstown.

DAY 19 - QUEENSTOWN
Discover the magnificent alpine scenery of Fiordland and journey through the Homer Tunnel. Stop briefly at the Chasm, en route to Milford Sound with iconic Mitre Peak and magical Bowen Falls high above you.

DAY 20 - QUEENSTOWN
Day at leisure to explore Queenstown.

DAY 21 - QUEENSTOWN-CHRISTCHURCH
Enjoy the breathtaking scenery of Aoraki Mount Cook National Park as you travel to Lake Tekapo. Visit the Church of the Good Shepherd before continuing to Christchurch. Enjoy local hospitality with a delicious dinner in a local’s home.

DAY 22 - CHRISTCHURCH
Transfer to Christchurch airport for your onward flight.