- • Specialist team of two highly experienced Travel Director and Driver Guide • 4 UNESCO World Heritage Sites – Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park, Great Barrier Reef, Sydney Opera House, Fiordland National Park • Centrally located premium hotels • Arrival and departure private airport transfers
Highlights of Australia and New Zealand
Trip Type: Guided HolidayNZD 20,425.00 /Person
Three World Heritage Sites on one tour? It’s a reality on this two-country adventure. Whether you’re drifting across the Great Barrier Reef, sailin...
Highlights of Australia and New Zealand
Three World Heritage Sites on one tour? It’s a reality on this two-country adventure. Whether you’re drifting across the Great Barrier Reef, sailing Sydney Harbour, gazing at Uluru-Kata Tjuta or cruising through Milford Sound, this Melbourne to Christchurch tour has ‘pinch me’ moments abound. These moments come with experiences of Indigenous heritage, from Maori hangis in Rotorua to Aboriginal guides in the Red Centre.
Welcome to Melbourne
Settle into your hotel on the banks of the Yarra River and meet your Travel Director for a Welcome Reception and dinner at the South Wharf riverside pub, The General Assembly restaurant. It's a great opportunity to get to know everyone in a unique setting.
Crowne Plaza Hotel Melbourne
- Melbourne
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. Or, consider an optional experience to Phillip Island to see the nightly ritual of the Penguin Parade. Or simply relax and watch the world go by.
Crowne Plaza Hotel Melbourne
- Melbourne
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.
Crowne Plaza Hotel Melbourne
- Melbourne
Melbourne - Alice Springs
Some parts of Australia are so remote that the only way kids can get an education is remotely via the School of the Air. Your next stop is the birthplace of the Alice Springs township, the historic Telegraph Station. Being this far flung also means there’s no light pollution from cars or skyscrapers. The result? Unrivalled stargazing (and a BBQ feast) with the Falzon family at their eco-oriented Earth Sanctuary World Nature Centre.
Mercure Alice Springs Resort
- Melbourne
Alice Springs - Uluru
The rusty red landscapes of Uluru beckon as you leave Alice Springs 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).
Desert Gardens
- Alice Springs
Uluru & 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.
Desert Gardens
Uluru - Cairns
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. Later, 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 tropical Cairns.
Hilton Hotel Cairns
- Uluru
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. 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.
Hilton Hotel Cairns
- Cairns
Great Barrier Reef
The world’s largest living organism, the Great Barrier Reef, never fails to dazzle. Set out on a catamaran to explore this natural wonder of 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. A tropical buffet lunch is served on board before returning to Cairns.
Hilton Hotel Cairns
- Great Barrier Reef
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 – at your leisure.
InterContinental Hotel Sydney
- Cairns
Sydney
Bring your stamina: today is one of innumerable highlights. Go on a tour of the Sydney Opera House, discovering its architectural and performance secrets. If these sails could talk. Then see the city from the water on a Sydney Harbour Highlight Lunch Cruise enjoying a menu focusing on local food and wine. One icon to another: The world’s most famous beach beckons this afternoon, with your chance to pad along the sand at Bondi with Sydney’s beautiful people.
InterContinental Hotel Sydney
- Sydney
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? Tonight a Highlight Dinner back in the shadow of the Opera House at Midden restaurant.
InterContinental Hotel Sydney
- Sydney
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.
Horizon by SkyCity Auckland
- Sydney
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.
Horizon by SkyCity Auckland
- Auckland
Auckland - Rotorua
Get up close with NZ's national bird, the endangered kiwi, at a working nursery and hatchery. See how breeding programs help sustain the population. Then, immerse yourself in the Te Pā Tū Māori Experience, celebrating Māori history, traditions and future aspirations celebrated over forest kai horotai (seasonal canapés) with chef choice aperitif, and a delicious three-course meal.
Millennium Hotel Rotorua
- Auckland
Rotorua - Auckland - Queenstown
You're invited to an exclusive Be My Guest morning tea at the Red Barn on a working dairy farm in the Waikato district. Expect country banter and have a go at the forgotten art of butter churning. The feel-good vibes that endure will follow you all the way to Queenstown, the self-proclaimed adventure capital of New Zealand. It makes perfect sense – there are ski fields, white-water river, and bridges strapped with bungy cords wherever you turn. And then there’s the dining scene; whether you’re in the mood for bulging burgers or lakeside tapas, ask us for recommendations on this leg of your Queenstown New Zealand tour.
Millennium Hotel, Queenstown
- Auckland
Milford Sound Cruise
Sheer cliffs, thundering waterfalls, glaciers and rainforest – if there’s a destination more inspiring than Milford Sound/Piopiotahi in Fiordland National Park, we’re yet to find it. After a cruise here, we’re sure you’ll agree.
Millennium Hotel, Queenstown
- Queenstown
Queenstown Free Time
Today is all yours. Regroup for a Highlight Dinner at the historic Postmasters Cottage.
Millennium Hotel, Queenstown
- Queenstown
Queenstown - Lake Tekapo
Arrowtown, known for its charm, and Cromwell, for its 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.
Peppers Bluewater Resort Lake Tekapo
- Queenstown
Lake Tekapo - Christchurch
Get an early start to watch the sun rise over the lake or sleep in before heading north through South Canterbury to Christchurch. Take in the sights of a city coming back to life in a whole new way.
Distinction Christchurch Hotel
- Lake Tekapo
Christchurch
Travel to Hurunui Hills, a hill-country farm in North Canterbury. Enjoy warm Kiwi hospitality with the Bamford Family. Soak up the stunning scenery, meet the farm animals, and discover what it is like to live off the land on this unique By My Guest experience. Then visit a local vineyard, Waipara Springs Winery, where it's time to relax over a platter-style lunch among the vines. A big day leads to a big evening, joining your Travel Director for with a celebratory Farewell Dinner.
Distinction Christchurch Hotel
- Christchurch
Farewell from Christchurch
How did three weeks disappear like that? Re-live all the memorable moments on your way home.
- Christchurch
- Australia dazzles, or exploring remote reaches of the Northern Territory under a blaze of stars, or colourful alleys in Melbourne hand-in-hand with an art aficionado.
- Dive deep in to Indigenous culture at Te Pa Tu Maori Experience, where Maori culture is revealed through a traditional hangi meal and dance performance.
- Dive deep into Indigenous culture at Te Po Māori Experience at Te Puia, where Māori culture is revealed through art, tradition and cuisine.
- Your visit to a kiwi hatchery helps ensure the future of this adorable (yet endangered) bird for future generations of visitors.
- 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.
- Specialist team of two highly experienced Travel Director and Driver Guide 4 UNESCO World Heritage Sites – Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park, Great Barrier Reef, Sydney Opera House, Fiordland National Park Centrally located premium hotels Arrival and departure private airport transfers
- Warm layers in cooler months Comfortable walking shoes Sunglasses, sunscreen and hat Water bottle
- Flights to and from the start/end of your trip are not included in the trip price. Day 1 – flights to arrive prior to 12 noon into Melbourne AirportDay 22 – flights to depart anytime from Christchurch Airport Return arrival and departure airport to hotel transfers are included Internal-holiday flights IncludedPlease note that prices include land and internal-holiday airfares, which AAT Kings will book in order to fulfil the holiday itinerary: Day 4 – Melbourne to Alice SpringsDay 7 – Ayers Rock to CairnsDay 10 – Cairns to SydneyDay 13 – Sydney to AucklandDay 16 – Auckland to Queenstown
- Low level of fitness required
Departure
Arrival
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Booking Enquiry
Destination DetailsTrip Location
Melbourne (VIC), Australia
Christchurch (Nz), New Zealand
Australia
New Zealand