Travel Type
Escorted Tour
Duration
18 Days/17 Nights
Country
Australia
 

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
Domestic flights: Melbourne to Cairns, Cairns to Sydney, Sydney to Auckland, Auckland to Queenstown
Travel by luxury coach
English speaking experienced Travel Director and Driver Guide
28 meals: 17 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 2 Be My Guest Morning Teas, 7 dinners and 1 farewell dinner
Visits and sightseeing as per itinerary

Exclusions

International flights – 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.

Additional Information

Note

Booking code: QCANA

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 in to land certainly sparkles. The rest of your day is free for you to acquaint yourself with this magical city. Ask your Travel Director for suggestions.

Meals : Breakfast

Accommodation : Sofitel Wentworth Hotel, 5* for 3 nights or similar

7

DAY 7 SYDNEY

Discover one of the great highlights of Sydney, the beautiful Sydney Opera House with a guided tour inside this iconic building, before a Sydney Harbour sightseeing cruise enjoying million dollar views. If there was ever a place that slipped from the pages of a fairy-tale, Wendy’s Secret Garden at Lavender Bay is it. Overlooking Sydney Harbour, this pocket of floral paradise is explained by a local volunteer – did you know this was once unused wasteland? Your visit provides a contribution to the ongoing maintenance of the enchanting garden.

Meals : Breakfast

8

DAY 8 SYDNEY

You could spend weeks exploring Sydney. Months even. But you have today, so get set for a wild ride. Your agenda is completely up to you, but we have more than a few ideas. Perhaps a bird’s-eye perspective of the city on a Sydney BridgeClimb? Maybe a ferry to Manly for fish-and-chips on the beach? This evening, celebrate Sydney at dinner with your travel companions.

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. Tonight, dive deep into Indigenous culture and traditions at Te Pā Tū Māori Experience. Enjoy a forest kai horotai (seasonal canapés) and chef choice aperitif, followed by a seasonal three-course dinner.

Meals : Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation : Millennium Hotel, 4* for 1 night or similar

12

DAY 12 RORORUA - 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.

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

Get an early start to watch the sun rise over the lake or sleep in before heading to Christchurch, where community spirit is strong; not only has the city rebuilt since the devastating 2010/11 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

Accommodation : Distinction Christchurch Hotel, 4* for 2 nights or similar

17

DAY 17 CHRISTCHURCH

Travel north through rolling countryside to Hurunui Hills, a hill country farm in North Canterbury. Enjoy warm Kiwi hospitality with the Bamford Family, who have been farming at Hurunui since 1884 with six generations focused on producing premium Merino sheep, wool and Angus cattle. Soak up stunning scenery while enjoying morning tea, meet the farm animals & discover what it is like to live off the land on this unique By My Guest experience. Continue to a local vineyard, Waipara Springs Winery, where it’s time to relax a platter-style lunch among the vines. A big day leads to a big evening joining your Travel Director and travel mates for a celebratory Farewell Dinner featuring produce from the Canterbury region.

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

Sofitel Wentworth Hotel, 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 2024-2025-20264* and 5*
October 10, 202415335
November 28, 202414970 13057
January 30, March 20, 202514970
April 10, June 26, 202515720 13562
September 25, 202515720 13562
November 27, 202516340 14119
January 8, 29, March 5, 19, 202616340 14119
April 9, May 7, June 25, August 27, September 24, 202616475
October 8, 202616855
November 5, 19, 26, December 3, 10 202617130
January 7, 14, 21 28, February 4, 11, 18, March 4, 11, 18, 202717130
 
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. Prices include the contribution of customers to the Compensation Fund for clients of Quebec travel agents.

*** PLEASE CAREFULLY READ OUR TERMS & CONDITIONS. ***

Contrasts of Australia and New Zealand – Detailed itinerary
Contrasts of Australia and New Zealand – Detailed itinerary