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Melbourne's Famous Hidden Laneways Tour
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 afterward to explore the city on your own, enjoy an optional experience or simply relax and watch the world go by.
Included Meals: Breakfast
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Melbourne at Leisure
Crowned "The World's Most Liveable City" for seven years in a row, friendly Melbourne is the perfect place to explore.
This compact, diverse metropolis is begging to be explored after settling into your comfortable accommodation. There are hidden charms around every corner, beautiful Botanic Gardens, and chic city squares where you can soak up the atmosphere to your heart's content.
Here are some of our favourite things to do in Melbourne:
• Lose yourself in cobbled laneways lined with tempting coffee shops, chic boutiques, and cozy bars.
• Admire the always-evolving street art covering every inch of Hosier Lane
• Take a tram to St Kilda beach's historic esplanade and drop into Acland St's irresistible cake shops.
• Make a sporting pilgrimage to the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground
• Grab a bite to eat at Queen Victoria Market - it's the largest market in the Southern Hemisphere
• Choose from a dizzying array of restaurants & eateries — you're in Australia's foodie capital.
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Fly from Melbourne to 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).
Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Uluru - 2 Nights
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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.
Included Meals: Breakfast
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Renowned Field of Light - Fly to 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.
Included Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Cairns - 3 Nights
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Cairns at Leisure
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 the 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!
Included Meals: Breakfast
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Great Barrier Reef Cruise & Snorkel
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.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner with Wine
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Sydney: Australia's Crown Jewel!
This afternoon you'll fly to 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.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Highlight Dinner
Accommodation: Sydney - 4 Nights
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Sydney
Go behind the scenes at the Sydney Opera House, discovering its architectural and performance secrets. Later, 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.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Be My Guest Lunch
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Fly to Auckland
Haere Mai and Welcome to the 'City of Sails'
Fly across the Tasman Sea to Auckland, the City of Sails. The remainder of the day is yours to do as you please. There is plenty to see and do in Auckland. New Zealand’s largest city is located between two large harbours and 48 extinct volcanic cones scattered over the city are evidence of its volcanic past. They also provide a perfect location for viewing the city! A diversely cultural place, Auckland is a great location for marine adventures, wine tasting, forest walks, and urban sophistication. Meet your New Zealand Travel Director over dinner at your hotel this evening.
Some Activities and sightseeing options if you have time:
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner with wine
Accommodation: Auckland - 2 nights
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Auckland Sightseeing Tour
City Tour
Embark on a city sightseeing tour this morning to Mission Bay. Keep your camera at the ready to capture spectacular panoramic views of the skyline, sprawling North Shore and Waitemata Harbour from Bastion Point and Michael Joseph Savage Memorial. Spend the afternoon as you wish.
Meals: Breakfast
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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 Maori Experience, celebrating Maori history, traditions and future aspirations celebrated over forest kai horotai (seasonal canapes) with chef choice aperitif, and a delicious three-course meal.
Meals: Breakfast and Highlights Dinner
Accommodation: Rotorua - 1 night
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Rotorua - Auckland - Queenstown via Hobbiton
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.
**(airfare is not included and must be booked in addition to this itinerary - please contact us to confirm the most up to date details).
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Queenstown - 3 nights
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Milford Sound Cruise
Journey over the Devil’s Staircase and along the shores of Lake Wakatipu to Te Anau and its lake, the largest in the South Island. Travel through the rainforest of World Heritage Fiordland National Park, sighting glaciers and mountain ranges. Drive through the hand-hewn Homer Tunnel to the numerous photo opportunities afforded by the Mirror Lake, Pop’s Lookout, Cleddau Valley and the Chasm, Mitre Peak and Bowen Falls before reaching Milford Sound. Enjoy lunch while you cruise on this wonder of nature. Return to Queenstown this evening.
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
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Queenstown at Leisure
Explore Queenstown your way! Go wild with a jet boat ride or white water rafting. For the less adventurous there is a wine and garden tour, play a round of golf, or just enjoy wandering through the town and botanic gardens.
This evening join your Travel Director for dinner at The Boatshed, set in the historic Railway Shipping Office built-in 1936. Restored and relocated to its lakefront setting, The Boatshed with its spectacular views of Lake Wakatipu and the Remarkables, is the perfect venue for your Highlights dinner this evening.
Recommended Alternative Excursions are:
Routeburn Day Walk | Highest Bungy Jump | Explore Arrowtown |
Biking Skippers Canyon | Round at Millbrook Golf Resort | |
Earnslaw Steamboat Cruise | Dart River Jetboat Safari |
Meals: Breakfast and Highlights Dinner
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Queenstown to 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 with Wine
Accommodation: Lake Tekapo - 1 night
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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 while you enjoy morning tea, 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.
Meals: Breakfast, Be My Guest Morning Tea, Lounch Farewell Dinner
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Bon Voyage
Haere rā and Bon Voyage!
We are sure you will enjoy this tour and our promise is to make your travels through New Zealand as hassle-free and hospitable as possible - ensuring that today you leave with a memory card full of photos, and huge smiles on your faces when recalling your time in New Zealand! Have a great homeward journey, farewell and hope to see you again soon in Aotearoa, New Zealand.
Meals: Breakfast
Tour Inclusions
Itinerary Variations – the provider strives to improve trip itineraries. If improvements can be made, or if circumstances beyond their control make changes necessary, the provider reserves the right to vary itineraries and to make substitutions.
Included Highlights
Local Connection
Australia dazzles, whether you’re gazing at the night sky in the Red Centre with the Falzon family, or exploring colourful alleys in Melbourne hand-in-hand with an art aficionado.
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 & 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.
Inclusions
- •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
Dining
- 4 Dinners with Wine
- 21 Full Breakfasts
- 1 Be My Guest Dinner
- 3 Lunches
- 1 Highlight Lunch
- 3 Highlight Dinners
- 2 Be My Guest Morning Teas
- 1 Farewell Dinner
** Required Internal Flights: are to be purchased in order to fulfil the itinerary and are NOT included in the land content price - please contact us to confirm these details and any other itinerary updates
Flight Information Internal-holiday flights: Please note that prices include land and internal-holiday airfares, which AAT Kings will book in order to fulfil the holiday itinerary:
- Day 1 – flights to arrive prior to 12 noon into Melbourne Airport
- Day 22 – flights to depart anytime from Christchurch Airport
Internal-holiday flights: Please 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 Springs
Day 7 – Ayers Rock to Cairns
Day 10 – Cairns to Sydney
Day 13 – Sydney to Auckland
Day 16 – Auckland to Queenstown
Return airfares from your home port are not included in the price above.
Return airport to hotel transfers are included in the holiday price.
What Daniel says about this tour: Three World Heritage Sites is the reality on this two-country adventure. From the Great Barrier Reef, sailing Sydney Harbour, gazing at Uluru-Kata Tjuta or cruising through Milford Sound, epic moments abound. Immerse yourselves in experiences of Indigenous heritage, from Maori hangis in Rotorua to Aboriginal guides in the Red Centre.
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