Wild, wide and wonderful, Australia continually excites and inspires. It doesn’t matter how many mountains you’ve climbed or remote island shores you’ve visited, there’s always a different creation story to be told or gallery of ancient rock art to be revealed.
We offer our respect and gratitude to the First Nations and Torres Strait Islander custodians who have nurtured the land and its cultures for so many millennia, and who are now some of our most trusted partners in introducing you to this wonderful part of the world.
Welcome Traveller,
This is your dream trip, your exciting journey through a country we've been exploring for over 100 years. It’s truly beautiful, and I promise you that you won't find a group more passionate than us to ensure your holiday is spectacular.
We’ve had the privilege to curate some new experiences this year, launching a new Aboriginal Culture & Australian Highlights tour, one that allows us to further showcase the rich and ancient culture that we have here in Australia. Initiatives such as Koorie Heritage Trust in Melbourne, where you’ll discover significant sites and gathering places of the Kulin Nation. Your walk with them helps support their Cultural Experiences Program which celebrates and continues the traditions of the First Peoples of South Eastern Australia. All that walking builds up a big appetite, so you’ll join us in saying a big thank you after lunch at Big Esso by Mabu Mabu, which aims to bring Indigenous ingredients to kitchens across Australia. You’ll sample their celebrated menu, discovering recipes infused with strawberry gum and pepper berries.
You’re also invited to visit projects we support through our MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experiences and The TreadRight Foundation, visiting not-for-profit volunteer organisations such as the Understorey Nursery. You’ll help locals on a Perfect Tasmania tour nurture plants to improve the biodiversity of revegetation sites.
This is only a small taste of what awaits you. With world-class tours across Australia and over 200 definite departures, turn these pages knowing at every step you’re in good hands with us.
Sincerely,
Ben Hall
AAT Kings Group | CEO
Embark on an unforgettable journey as you immerse yourself in rich history and natural beauty on our guided Uluru Base Walk. Discover the stories etched into this land as you visit sacred sites, view Aboriginal rock art and hear creation stories.
Experience this on Outback Adventure, Outback Safari & Northern Territory Explorer.
A century ago, the Australian outback was but a twinkle in most travellers’ eyes. But thanks to visionaries like the Pyke family and Bill King, the way we explore the Land Down Under was about to change in unimaginable ways. Over the coming decades, maps were unfolded, desert cruisers and coaches were customised, and guides were trained. From humble beginnings, the company now known as AAT Kings was going places few had gone before, pioneering new paths across Australia and New Zealand and taking intrepid domestic and international travellers on a wild and wonderful ride.
No corner of the Antipodes was – or is – off-limits, from the remote reaches of the Kimberley and spiritual heartland of the Red Centre, to the untamed Milford Sound, bubbling thermal Rotorua and quiet shores of Tasmania. Not to mention in-depth journeys across Sydney and its surrounds, where this forward-thinking travel venture came to fruition all those years ago.
We’ve come a long way and clocked a few kilometres in the process. But some things will never change. Like our spirit for adventure. Our oh-so-knowledgeable Travel Directors. The local characters we meet (and will never forget) along the way. The epic, goosebumpinducing stories we’re told by First Nations guides. The life-changing experiences on offer – the kind that only 100 years of exploring affords.
Now, we’re just jumping into more waterfalls, finding ourselves humbled by more sacred sites, laying more footprints on deserted beaches and hiking through more tropical rainforests than ever before. And we’ve never been more passionate about our next discovery. Join us, and fall in love with Australia and New Zealand all over again.
"Keep doing what you're doing,
but try and do it better" - Bill King
1920s: AAT Kings can be traced back to George Page’s modest transport service from Melbourne to Brighton.
1930s: The Pike family introduced Sydney to Katoomba and Jenolan Caves which is still apart of our Day Tours business.
1960s: Bill King decided there was a real future with off-the-beaten-track journeys – Bill purchased two Land Rovers, an ex-army international ambulance and a Denning Bus and launched Bill King’s Northern Safaris.
1970s: Bill designed and built his own 18 passenger vehicles and called them Desert Cruisers. AAT Coachlines had commenced operations in the Northern Territory.
1980s: AAT Coachlines purchased Bill King’s Northern Safaris and operated as Bill King’s Australian Adventure Tours.
1984: AAT Kings brand formed.
1997: AAT Kings joined The Travel Corporation’s Family of Brands.
1999: We began operations in New Zealand.
2010: Small group immersive Inspiring Journeys brand was born.
2012: AAT Kings purchased APT’s Day Tours & Short Breaks.
2018: Down Under Tours joined the AAT Kings Group.
2019: SEIT Outback Australia joined the AAT Kings Group.
Red Tailed Black Cockatoo
At a time when exclusivity is the world’s greatest travel luxury, Australia ticks every box. It delivers every wide and wonderful landscape conceivable, from record-breaking canyons to soaring sacred monoliths; from tangles of rainforest to ribbons of reef. And in between await innumerable soul-stirring stories to hear, characters to meet, adventures to enjoy, meals to savour, and spirits to accompany.
We’ve spent the last century perfecting a Holy Grail of life-changing moments around the country – ones you likely never knew even existed, and that you won’t find in a guidebook or listed on any website. Our DNA has never changed – we are, and always have been pioneers committed to worry-free and sustainable travel, revealing Australia in a way that you never imagined possible.
We were built on pioneering spirit, and to this day our tours include adventures that few others experience. We’re constantly looking for ways to make journeys extraordinary, whether that’s remote night-sky gazing or lunch on a dairy farm. This is Australia, but not as you’ve ever seen it. Read more
What you want from your holiday is not necessarily the same as your neighbour. Sometimes, it’s about adventure. Often, it’s a good glass of wine and a remarkable view. Perhaps you want to see major sights, or choose your own path while we handle the main roads. Whatever your destination and route, we have an itinerary for you. Read more
There are plenty of things we can all do while travelling to contribute to sustainable tourism practices. We’ve developed a series of tours with signature MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experiences – to ensure travel has a positive impact on our planet, the communities we visit and the wildlife we encounter. Read more
Your wellbeing is our primary concern. In addition to elevated hygiene protocols, AAT Kings tours guarantee upgraded coach air-conditioning filtration systems. We only work with partners we know and trust, and our Travel Directors ensure everything runs smoothly, with a support team on call. Read more
When you travel with AAT Kings, you’re not only part of our century-old heritage, but are welcomed into just as many years of experience in The Travel Corporation. Journey confidently knowing our familyowned parent company has welcomed millions of people around the world across its brands. Read more
Over the last century, we’ve explored almost every corner of this wide and wonderful country on our Guided Holidays. Needless to say, we’ve met a few characters along the way. These encounters have turned into enduring friendships that allow us to get beneath the skin of the destinations we take you to, offering only-locals-know adventures and insights that most other travellers will never even know existed. We take you places, and our passionate insiders – whether vintners, farmers, astronomers, chefs, historians or Aboriginal artists – reveal their true beauty.
NT Internationally acclaimed artist Bruce Munro is noted for his immersive sitespecific installations that employ light to evoke emotional response, often in an outdoor context and on a monumental scale. The Field of Light was inspired by a trip to Uluru over 30 years ago. It is installed in a remote desert area within sight of majestic Uluru and is made up of more than 50,000 slender solar powered stems crowned with radiant frosted glass spheres.
Aboriginal artist and Katherine local Manuel Pamkal has been painting since he was 15. Today, he has more awards under his belt than he cares to admit, and he’ll share his creative inspiration with you on his Top Didj Cultural Experience. You’ll learn techniques behind different Aboriginal art styles, and hear about Manuel’s life growing up near the King River – his childhood stories are humbling, inspiring and hilarious.
On your included scenic flight you’d be forgiven for thinking you’d been transported to Mars when flying over the Anna Creek Painted Hills, a smudge of fiery colours decorating a rocky outcrop popping from the South Australian desert. It’s almost as otherworldly as the saltpans of Lake Eyre which – on miraculous occasions – fills with water and attracts all manner of birds. Both are aerial art of the most inspiring kind.
A cruise to the Great Barrier Reef, incorporating the world’s oldest living culture and some of Australia’s most amazing marine life. Traditional Owners have passed down their dreamtime stories over tens of thousands of years and now they are brought to you. Gain a deeper cultural understanding of this diverse ecosystem and Aboriginal heritage. Interact with original clap sticks and fire poles plus view live demonstrations of traditional dances and the didgeridoo.
Just north of Perth, Yanchep National Park is a lush bush reserve and wetland known for its resident population of western grey kangaroos and rich birdlife. You’ll discover this and more, from the perspective of an Noongar Aboriginal local, on a Cultural Tour – a rare chance to meet with Derek Nannup and see, in a new light, the land his elders have called home for tens of thousands of years. Wild, wide and wonderful, this is Australia in a gripping snapshot.
If visiting the cutest-sounding town on the planet is on your bucket list, ensure this is included on your itinerary. The Mt. Gnomon Farm sits just outside Penguin in the north of Tasmania, and is the site where fifth-generation farmer Guy Robertson and his family have perfected centuries-worth of skills in cider orchards and gardens. Your farm-to-fork Be My Guest lunch amid this lush setting is like Tassie in a fresh and flavourful mouthful.
independent & transparent satisfaction rating
This was our first AAT Kings tour, and our first ever "tour" experience of any kind. I was impressed by the effort our tour director put into planning, communicating and responding during the trip: to both the expected and unexpected events. They gave a genuine sense of caring about our well being and experience.
John P
Alistair M
@jemtravel
Kings Canyon
Barry N
No two travellers are ever the same. Which means that with AAT Kings, neither are any two tours. We understand that sometimes you want to switch off and enjoy the scenery, with your itinerary, accommodation and exclusive experiences all seamlessly sorted ‘behind the scenes’. Other journeys require the essentials covered and insider tips provided, but need built-in flexibility so you can go your own way. Whether you have a couple of weeks or a couple of hours, whether you want to leave everything to us or customise parts of your journey, AAT Kings offers a travel style for every kind of traveller. And regardless of the tour you choose, you’ll leave a minimal footprint, connect with culture and support the local communities you visit.
Uluru base walk, Northern Territory
For explorers who want:
There’s nothing quite like setting off to see Australia, knowing that each wild encounter, all your accommodation – and everything in between – has been taken care of by your Travel Director, guides and the team of supporting experts. All you need to do is relax, make lasting connections and delve into the country’s culture. This is about going to wild places, with creature comforts.
EXPLORE ❯For explorers who want:
Take a fully curated holiday, add in a good dose of flexibility, and you arrive at this travel style, designed for those who like travel fundamentals taken care of – the transportation, accommodation – but also like the option of exploring independently, with tips from knowledgeable Travel Directors to point you in the right direction if needed.
EXPLORE ❯For explorers who want:
When you have a week or less to dive into thundering waterfalls, snorkel the world’s biggest reef or dine under a carpet of stars at Uluru, this travel style is for you. Your journey unites everything that’s great about AAT Kings – the cultural connections, insider knowledge, wondrous sights – and condenses it into a fully curated, blissfully efficient, bite-sized package.
EXPLORE ❯For explorers who:
A century ago, AAT Kings became an Australian pioneer in day tripping, taking adventurous explorers where few others had gone before. We know this space well, and our Driver Guides have every connection to make your day of adventure – whether around the Blue Mountains or Tiwi Islands – as meaningful as possible. Why spend a day watching TV, when you can forge a memory for a lifetime?
EXPLORE ❯
MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® – This is our goal as a travel provider. We recognise our responsibility to ensure our impact on the planet we call home, the people we visit, and the rich wildlife we find there, is a positive one. Our work ensures that the impact of our business is positive in two ways; through our TreadRight Foundation, and our sustainability strategy, How We Tread Right. The three pillars of our support are:
►MAKE TRAVEL MATTER®Experiences are conscious travel experiences available on selected AAT Kings’ itineraries. They are chosen with great care based on the positive social or environmental impact they have on their communities and those who experience them. There are plenty of things we can all do while travelling to contribute to sustainable tourism practices. We’ve developed a series of tours that each include a signature MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, allowing our guests to see and understand firsthand the important work we support and its impact. Look for the symbol below to see how you can MAKE TRAVEL MATTER®.
AAT Kings supports the work done at the University of Tasmania to develop a vaccine to ensure these creatures can thrive disease-free in the wild. See Tasmanian Devils feeding at night as an optional experience on Tasmanian Wonders.
To find out more visit aatkings.com/aat-kings-cares
This Aboriginal owned and operated family business offers an authentic Aboriginal culture and nature based experience. Included on Northern Territory Explorer.
Visit the Park that directly protects and rehabilitates one of the country’s most important seal breeding colonies. Included on Tastes of Southern Australia.
Witness a Welcome to Country, created specifically for AAT Kings, connecting you to the stories of the palawa Aboriginal People. Included on Perfect Tasmania.
TreadRight is a not-for-profit founded by AAT Kings and our sister brands under The Travel Corporation (TTC), to support sustainable tourism projects around the world. Through TreadRight, AAT Kings has helped fund more than 60 projects worldwide
To find out more
visit aatkings.com/aat-kings-cares
The travel landscape is forever changing, something we know only too well at AAT Kings
– after all, we’ve been crafting life-changing itineraries for more than a century. Now, more than ever, we’re committed to sparking your wanderlust, while ensuring your wellbeing. We’re by your side to take the hassle and worry out of your holiday, so you can enjoy the journey (and the company), then sleep soundly knowing we’re doing what it takes behind-the-scenes to ensure your safety and health.
Our Travel Directors not only hold a wealth of information about the destinations you visit, but also have their finger on the pulse when it comes to the latest protocols in hygiene, local etiquette and social distancing.
AAT Kings is an integral part of a much bigger family, The Travel Corporation, with a network of in-the-know advisors and travel professionals around the globe. We’re up-to-date when it comes to the latest health protocols, and are ready to apply internationally proven best practices if issues arise
Our Travel Directors and Drivers rarely need backup, but they have it thanks to a full support team on call around the clock to ensure your journey is seamless and hassle-free, from the moment you sign up until the moment you return home.
Relax and breathe – we’re filtering the air through our fleet of coaches using top-of-the-range air filtration systems to ensure impurities are not left lingering. Expect a full replacement of fresh air every couple of minutes, to protect your health and wellbeing
We’ve always maintained high levels of hygiene on our coaches, but we've now elevated precautions to include enhanced deep cleaning and sanitisation for your safety. Our protocols meet international standards, and we’re continually monitoring the travel landscape for best practices.
The people we work with around Australia and New Zealand care about our guests as much as we do. We’re extremely selective when it comes to our partners – whether restaurants, hotels, suppliers or venues – and we ensure upfront that we’re aligned in our commitment to health and hygiene.
We have worked closely with the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) to guide and cocreate their “New Normal Safe and Seamless Traveller Journey” global protocols. Find out more ❯
At AAT Kings, we’re proud of our service and experience, revealing the wonders and characters of Australia and New Zealand to guests for more than 100 years. We’re even prouder to be part of a much bigger family, The Travel Corporation (TTC), which enjoys a global reach and a portfolio that includes some of the world’s most prestigious travel brands – from luxury hotels and boutique river cruises to independent holiday package companies and guided travel experiences. The collection is diverse, but we all share standards of excellence and common goals: to offer outstanding service and experiences, whichever corner of the planet our guests choose to roam.
We want our guests to experience everything they expect on their holiday – but we’re committed to giving them a whole lot more. We consistently deliver unexpected moments of joy, so you return home with lasting memories, not just a stamp in your passport.
We’re passionate about the planet, and about sustainably revealing its many wonders to our guests through the highest levels of service, exceptional experiences, and hugely knowledgeable employees and Travel Directors.
You, our guests, are the reason we have been operating and innovating as a family brand for the past century. You return time and time again, and your loyalty and feedback help keep things fresh and fun while we keep discovering the world together.
Travel offers the power to have a positive impact not only on us, but also on the destinations and communities we visit. Which is why, through our non-profit TreadRight Foundation, we strive to create meaningful, lasting partnerships and projects that enhance and protect the people and places we visit. Learn how you can help at treadright.org/checklist.
The vibrant colour and irresistible spirit of Australia can be found everywhere, across its vast plains and mountain ranges, beaches and islands. So many unforgettable moments await you – watch the sun turn golden across waterlily-filled Kakadu billabongs, immerse yourself in Queensland’s bath-warm waters amongst hundreds of tropical fish, or explore some of the world’s most pristine beaches in Tasmania’s Freycinet.
Australia holds the key to the most unique and remarkable holiday you’ve ever had.
Share your memories with us by using #aatkings and #smilekings
@Susie.tw | ULURU
Share your memories with us by using #aatkings and #wildawaits
Australia's most sacred Indigenous site, mighty Uluru stands pround, watching over the Red Centre, its history filled with myth and legend.
Be drawn to the spectacular sandstone country of Nitmiluk National Ptark and the majestic Katherine Gorge with spectacular cliffs that glow in the changing light.
One of the seven natural wonders of the world, to experience the Great Barrier Reef is to explore an underwater paradise of colour and life.
An island paradise where sea lions roam free, the Remarkable Rocks lean precariously and the Admirals Arch boasts thousands of stalactites.
Marvel at Wineglass Bay, one of the world’s most beautiful beaches, in perfect formation, surrounded by ancient native bushland.
You’ll be captivated by its small town charm and relaxed coastal vibe, experience the colours and warmth of the landscape and find out why travellers have been exploring Broome for more than a century.
The lunar-like Pinnacles are thousands of limestone spires, rising eerily out of the desert sands of Nambung National Park.
A magnificent prehistoric rock formation, you will marvel at its size and shape, eroded by the weather over millions and millions of years.
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AMSC
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Definite Departures highlighted in red.
For prices, additional departure dates, flight Information, latest deals and year-round offers including past guest offers, grooup booking discounts for 9+ guests and multi-trip savings, visit aatkings.com/AMSC or contact your local travel agent.
A limited number of single rooms are also available.
Local ConnectionAunty Margret is a Sydney legend, pioneering Indigenous tourism around the city. Discover Aboriginal sites and stories on one of her Dreamtime Southern X tours.
Cultural ImmersionWhether at sunrise or sunset, the beauty of Uluru is mesmerising. Aboriginal creatives at Maruku Arts capture it in their paintings and will show you how to do the same.
Sustainable FootprintsBig Esso not only crafts menus using sustainably grown native produce, but also supports Aboriginal growers, makers, bakers and brewers.
Wildlife & NatureTake a deep dive (literally) into the Aboriginal stories behind the creation of the Great Barrier Reef with Dreamtime Dive & Snorkel from Cairns.
Flights to and from the start/end of your trip are not included in the trip price.
Day 1 – flights to arrive prior to 1.00pm into Melbourne AirportDay 13 – flights to depart anytime from Cairns Airport
Return arrival and departure airport to hotel transfers are included.
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 Ayers Rock Day 6 - Ayers Rock to SydneyDay 10 - Sydney to Cairns
Arrival and departure flight requirements. Arrival and Departure flights are not included in trip price Day 1 – flights to arrive prior to 1.00pm into Melbourne AirportDay 13 – flights to depart anytime from Cairns Airport
Please note that the price above is land only. Internal-holiday airfares are not included but are required to be booked in order to fulfil the itinerary.Day 4 - Melbourne to Ayers Rock Day 6 - Ayers Rock to SydneyDay 10 - Sydney to Cairns
Discuss with our reservations team for details
Return airport to hotel transfers are included in the trip price
Flights are not included in the holiday price
Tour Information are valid for departures between 1 Oct 2024 – 31 Mar 2025 and may be subject to change. Visit aatkings.com/booking-conditions for terms and conditions.
Arrive early in Australia’s cultural capital to explore art-filled laneways, galleries and boutiques at your own pace. Melbourne is also Australia’s food capital – we have something special planned for your Welcome Diinner. Hotel: Intercontinental Melbourne. DW
Australia’s Aboriginal culture spans oceans, rivers, rainforest, outback and cities, as you’ll discover with Koorie Heritage Trust. From the organisation’s base at Federation Square, explore Melbourne with a First Nation's guide along the banks of the Yarra River, a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience. It's only a few steps to Big Esso by Mabu Mabu, a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, celebrating contemporary Torres Strait Islander culture through cuisine. The menu is an explosion of native Australian bush flavours, from finger lime to quandong, with a drinks list that heroes Indigenous-owned businesses – their art also decorates the walls. More awaits at the Ian Potter Centre (NGV) in Federation Square, which hosts one of Australia's most significant collections of art from First Nations Creatives.
Hotel:
Intercontinental Melbourne.
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Take the pulse of Melbourne in your own time. Need touring suggestions? Your Travel Director can assist. You might choose to stay in the heart of the city exploring the Royal Botanic Gardens with an Aboriginal guide. Or for a bird’s-eye view, zip to the Melbourne Eureka Skydeck – it’s the highest of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere. While it’s tempting to linger, a bevy of attractions await on the outskirts of the city, including the Great Ocean Road. Spending a day driving this World Heritage-listed route is a rite of passage, uniting surf, seaside towns and wilderness walks. You might choose to head to the other side of the bay – Phillip Island is a mecca for wildlife, including penguins that waddle from the ocean to their sandy burrows every evening. Hotel: Intercontinental Melbourne. B
Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa is World Heritage-listed for a reason. Explore spiritual landscapes that are sacred to the Anangu people; your guide on the Kuniya walk to Mutitjulu Waterhole will point out rock art and bush foods. The ultimate way to end the day is watching the sinking sun paint the outback all manner of fiery hues – flute of bubbles in hand. This is your backdrop for an exclusive Barbecue dinner. Hotel: Desert Gardens. B DW
The outback inspires creativity, as you’ll discover meeting Aboriginal artists and sculptors at Maruku Arts, a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience. Their works capture the drama of Australia, and they’ll show you how to do the same during an art class. Spend the afternoon visiting the Gallery of Central Australia (GOCA), spotlighting ethically sourced Aboriginal art. Or, take to the sky on an optional scenic flight. Back at ground level, wander into Walpa Gorge, then say cheers to another Kata Tjuta sunset with a glass of bubbles. Hotel: Desert Gardens. B
50,000 – that’s the number of lights that artist Bruce Munro used to create his alfresco artwork, Field of Light. This blanket of bulbs casts a surreal glow over the Uluru countryside, and is particularly beguiling on a sunrise visit. Tonight, is yours to explore Sydney. We have a little black book of hot restaurants to try if you need tips. Hotel: Sofitel Wentworth Hotel Sydney. B
Bring your stamina for an action-packed day exploring the Harbour City, including a behind-the-scenes tour of the Opera House. It sits on land belonging to the Eora Nation, as you’ll discover when you meet Aunty Margret of Dreamtime Southern X on a walking tour around the Rocks district. Swap the shore for the water on an expedition to explore Sydney from the water on a harbour cruise. Hotel: Sofitel Wentworth Hotel Sydney. B
Go your own way or ask your Travel Director to assist booking tours like the Burrawa Indigenous Climb, which sees you scale the Sydney Harbour Bridge accompanied by an Aboriginal guide. Or spend the day with an AAT Kings guide in the Blue Mountains. You don’t need to go far to have an adventure, as you’ll discover on Dave's Rocks Pub Tour, taking you to some of the city’s most historic drinking establishments. Or take in the harbour in a helicopter, swooping over beaches and bushland. It’s an outlook that inspires creativity, as you might choose to discover on a guided tour of the Art Gallery of NSW. Hotel: Sofitel Wentworth Hotel Sydney. B
What’s better than one free day to explore Sydney at your leisure? A second free day. We wouldn’t blame you for spending hours strolling the sand at Bondi Beach or catching the ferry across the harbour to Manly or choosing another Optional Experience. Hotel: Sofitel Wentworth Hotel Sydney. B DW
After your morning flight from Sydney, spend your free afternoon soaking up the steamy climes of Cairns. Explore the vibrant esplanade or opt for an Indigenous-owned cruise by Mandingalbay Tours. Hotel: Flynn, A Crystalbrook Collection Resort. B
Dreamtime Dive & Snorkel’s catamaran tours tell the story of the Great Barrier Reef through First Nations' eyes. The company’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander sea rangers regale you with 65,000-year-old Dreamtime creation stories, a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, while you cruise to Moore Reef; here, slip into warm water to flipper among some of the 1,500 species of fish. Hotel: Flynn, A Crystalbrook Collection Resort. B L
Spend your free day soaking up the sights of Tropical North Queensland, perhaps joining a tour to catch the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway and Kuranda Scenic Railway deep into the rainforest. Or maybe on an Outback Tasting Adventure, uniting distillers, brewers, cheesemongers and farmers. You may opt to discover native bush tucker on a Cape Tribulation, Mossman & Daintree tour, taking you through one of the world’s oldest rainforests. End your wild adventure with a Farewell Dinner at Ochre Restaurant on the Cairns waterfront. Hotel: Flynn, A Crystalbrook Collection Resort. B FD
You’ll not only depart Cairns a more seasoned traveller, but also a more thoughtful one. And don’t be surprised if you leave with a posse of new friends – Australia’s Aboriginal guides are as generous with their stories as they are with their time. B
Definite Departures highlighted in red.
For prices, additional departure dates, flight Information, latest deals and year-round offers including past guest offers, grooup booking discounts for 9+ guests and multi-trip savings, visit aatkings.com/NAAD or contact your local travel agent.
A limited number of single rooms are also available.
Local ConnectionDiscover the beauty of the Australian outback over a Be My Guest dinner at Earth Sanctuary, plus tours with the Royal Flying Doctor Service and School of the Air.
Cultural ImmersionFrom Uluru to Kakadu, nothing puts life in perspective quite like glimpsing 40,000-year-old rock art with an Aboriginal guide.
Sustainable FootprintsSleep soundly at Wilpena Pound Resort knowing your stay contributes directly to the local Adnyamathanha people and regional conservation projects.
Wildlife & NatureAncient red rock cliffs encircle desert palms at Kings Canyon, the spectacular heart of Australia and a place that will make your pulse race.
Day 1 – flights to arrive prior to 12.30pm into Adelaide Airport
Day 15 – flights to depart anytime from Darwin Airport
Flights are not included in the holiday price
Return airport to hotel transfers are included in the holiday price
Flights are not included in the holiday price
Tour Information are valid for departures between 1 Apr 2024 – 30 Sep 2024 and may be subject to change. Visit aatkings.com/booking-conditions for terms and conditions.
At once cultured yet cool, Adelaide attracts foodies, historians and art aficionados in equal measure. Explore at your leisure, before meeting a local gourmand to tour the city’s legendary Central Market. This place has been selling cheese, green ant gin and artisan bread for 140-plus years, before joining your Travel Director for a Welcome Dinner. Hotel: Crowne Plaza Adelaide. DW
One of Australia’s oldest wine regions, the Clare Valley is all rounded hills, rippling vines and native forest. It’s the postcard-perfect setting for historic Knappstein Enterprise Winery, producing sweet-scented rieslings and mineral-rich reds. The route north lands you at Hawker, the gateway to the Flinders Ranges, but there are plenty of reasons to linger, including well-preserved heritage buildings and the Jeff Morgan Gallery. The best is yet to come, as you arrive at Wilpena Pound Resort in the shadows of a staggering natural amphitheatre. Know that your MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience visit to the resort helps by contributing towards the sustainable economic future of the Adnyamathanha who in turn work with the resort to minimize the environmental footprint and participate in the conservation of the region. Hotel: Wilpena Pound Resort. B DW
The river red gums that envelop Hills Homestead will leave you lost for words. You get here on a leisurely walk along Wilpena Creek and continue to Wangarra Hill Lookout for views over the pound’s peaks and curves. The drama is echoed as you climb to Pichi Richi Pass and the historic town of Quorn, where with a Local Guide, you'll hear the importance of this town in the ANZAC's Gallipoli Campaign, before easing into Port Augusta. Hotel: Majestic Oasis Apartments. B DW
The main attraction in Woomera is a former rocket-testing site, today stocked with disused rockets and missiles. Speaking of space, you’ll think you’ve landed on the moon as you travel through sun-baked country to Coober Pedy, known as ‘the opal capital of the world’. Things get deep as you travel underground to visit the town’s head-scratching subterranean facilities. Hotel: Desert Cave Hotel. B DW
Emerge from your cave and cross the border into the Northern Territory. Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park has World Heritage status for a reason; under the gaze of the world’s mightiest monolith, toast the end of the day with a glass of bubbles and a camera full of sunset photos. Help protect the highlights of Australia's wilderness through your bucket list visit to Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park. Hotel: Desert Gardens. B
Pre-dawn wake-up calls are worth it when you get to enjoy a Red Centre sunrise. On this MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience you’ll encounter the iconic Uluru, or ‘The Rock,’ half a billion years old, standing 348 meters high and taller than the Eiffel Tower. Marvel at the majesty of Uluru as you circumnavigate its base or join a guided walk to Mutitjulu Waterhole. This landscape takes you back to the beginning of time, a sacred place among the Anangu people. More soul-salving landscapes await at Kata Tjuta, cool relief provided as you walk amid its domes to Walpa Gorge. Hotel: Desert Gardens. B
Another sunrise excursion awaits, with this morning’s optional tour to Bruce Munro's Uluru Field of Light – a blanket of 50,000 glowing bulbs. Next chance to stretch your legs is at Kings Creek Station, the largest exporter of wild camels in Australia. All your senses will be activated at Kings Canyon, 440-million years in the making. Hotel: Kings Canyon Resort. B DW
Things are bigger in the NT outback, from the cattle stations to the MacDonnell Ranges, which stretch like a dinosaur spine toward Alice Springs. Aside from its plethora of Aboriginal galleries and art stores, Alice makes Australian history for her 1872 Telegraph Station, one of 12 along the Overland Telegraph Line between Adelaide and Darwin. Hotel: Doubletree by Hilton Alice Springs. B
Aboriginal culture is strong in Alice, as you’ll fast find on a tour revealing the history of the Arrernte people at the Alice Springs Desert Park. The other thing that’s mighty is community spirit – it’s essential when there are so few people scattered over such a vast area of land. Enter the Royal Flying Doctor Service, its base a museum that goes behind the scenes of the life-saving health services delivered to people in remote realms. One of the benefits of being this far-flung is the lack of light pollution. And at Earth Sanctuary World Nature Centre, this equates to epic stargazing. Your Be My Guest BBQ dinner here with the Falzon family is enlightening and uplifting. Hotel: Doubletree by Hilton Alice Springs. B BGD
1.3 million square kilometers – that’s the eye-watering distance the School of Air’s lessons are broadcast across daily. Learn how teachers interact with children who would otherwise have no access to education. It doesn’tmatter how studious you are, you might just believe in aliens when you pass Wycliffe Well, the self-proclaimed ‘UFO capital’ of Australia. It’s the devil (well, his marbles) that awaits at Karlu Karlu, where precariously balanced boulders appear superglued together. Hotel: Bluestone Motor Inn. B DW
Since the 1930s, the Daly Waters Historic Pub has been dishing up schnitzels, barramundi burgers and hearty steaks. The walls are lined with treasures that passers-by leave behind. ‘Land of the Never Never’ awaits at Mataranka. Visit a replica of the Elsey Homestead, used in 1982 Aussie drama We of the Never Never. Or wander palm-lined walkways to take a dip in the region’s thermal springs. Hotel: Contour Hotel Katherine. B DW
The Jawoyn have called Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge home for millennia. You can feel their presence as you cruise the waterway, home to more than a few resident crocs. They’ll make another appearance in Kakadu, when you explore Yellow Water Billabong. You don’t need binoculars to spot the sea eagles, brolgas and kingfishers; they’re everywhere you look. Hotel: Mercure Kakadu Crocodile Hotel. B DW
Decisions, decisions: optional morning flight over Kakadu and Arnhem Land, or a sleep in. We vote for the former before you venture toward Ubirr and its ancient Aboriginal rock art. The night is yours in steamy Darwin, where the characters are as large as the shadows cast at sunset. Hotel: Hilton Garden Inn Darwin. B
Nature rules today, your explorations into Litchfield National Park revealing magnetic termite mounds standing two metres tall. And then there are the waterfalls: Florence, for its dreamy cascades, and Wangi, where youcan cool off in a crystal-clear waterhole (swimming is seasonal). See the NT capital in a new light when you venture out on a Darwin Harbour Cruise, your sparkling wine glass full to toast your last evening on this epic adventure. Hotel: Hilton Garden Inn Darwin. B FD
Time to bid adieu and head home to sort through all those photos. Even better are the memories; two weeks of wild outback adventures. B
Definite Departures highlighted in red.
For prices, additional departure dates, flight Information, latest deals and year-round offers including past guest offers, grooup booking discounts for 9+ guests and multi-trip savings, visit aatkings.com/NUAD or contact your local travel agent.
A limited number of single rooms are also available.
Local ConnectionGo behind the scenes with local guides (they know where to spot crocs) while cruising Kakadu’s Yellow Water Billabong, or touring the School of the Air.
Cultural ImmersionThirsty visitors have been leaving mementos on the walls of the Daly Waters Pub for 40+ years. Over a beer think about what you can contribute.
Sustainable FootprintsSleep soundly at Ayers Rock Resort knowing your stay is helping the Mutitjulu Foundation fund projects in health and education for Uluru’s Aboriginal communities.
Wildlife & NatureThere’s nothing quite like cooling off under a waterfall, particularly when it drops from ridges shrouded in rainforest that drapes Litchfield National Park.
Day 1 – flights to arrive prior to 3.00pm into Ayers Rock Airport
Day 11 – flights to depart anytime from Darwin Airport
Flights are not included in the holiday price
Return airport to hotel transfers are included in the holiday price
Flights are not included in the holiday price
Tour Information are valid for departures between 1 Apr 2024 – 30 Sep 2024 and may be subject to change. Visit aatkings.com/booking-conditions for terms and conditions.
Today is one of colours. The ochre soil spiked with cycads as you come into land. The endless blue sky. The russet hues of Uluru… And that’s all before the enchanting hour. Come sunset, the landscape changes with every click of your camera. If you can stop snapping, have a glass of bubbles and some nibbles with your fellow adventurers. Hotel: Desert Gardens.
Help protect the highlights of Australia's wilderness through your bucket list visit to Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park. You'll encounter the iconic Uluru, or ‘the Rock,’ half a billion years old, standing 348 meters high and taller than the Eiffel Tower. If you’re looking for a reason to roll out of bed before dawn, make it an Uluru sunrise. We’re not saying it’s better than the sunset. But rising with the birds certainly has benefits. Like being cool when you tour the base of the world’s biggest monolith. A circumnavigation is 11 kilometres, if you’re up for it. Or you can join a guided walk to Mutitjulu Waterhole, a sacred spot decorated with millennia-old Aboriginal rock paintings. Dive even deeper into First Nations traditions at the Uluru-Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre. Then wander through Kata Tjuta and Walpa Gorge, with more bubbles to serenade the day’s end.
Hotel:
Desert Gardens.
B
The only other reason to get up before dawn is to glimpse the Uluru Field of Light, a dazzling installation by British artist Bruce Munro that sees 50,000 stem-like globes blanket the Uluru soil. It’s optional – we won’t judge you for sleeping in, steeling yourself for today’s adventures. But if you’ve come this far, it would be a shame to opt for shut-eye over eye-popping. Speaking of which, did you know Australia has the largest population of wild camels in the world, and Kings Creek Station, your next stop, is the largest exporter of these doe-eyed creatures? From here, the land eases into Kings Canyon, part of the immense Watarrka National Park. Views over the Red Centre are perspective-resetting. Hotel: Kings Canyon Resort. B DW
Cattle stations are the size of small nations in the NT outback, as you’ll discover on your journey toward Alice. The other ‘big’ thing in these parts is the MacDonnell Ranges, undulating across the red earth like a serpent’s spine. Back in 1872, Alice Springs was a hive of activity, as a Telegraph Station was built to connect Adelaide and Darwin as part of the Overland Telegraph Line. Sweat and tears went into the project, as you’ll discover browsing the grounds-cum-museum. If you thought you were getting out of a sunset, think again – panoramas from Anzac Hill steal the scene. Hotel: Doubletree by Hilton Alice Springs. B
Visit Alice Springs Desert Park. It's home to a vast range of plants and wildlife native to the area. You can really appreciate the beauty and diversity of this incredible landscape. In remote parts of Australia, community is everything, whether to ensure stories of the Arrernte people are not forgotten, or to help those who need help. The passionate Royal Flying Doctor Service health workers commute hundreds of kilometres to provide aid. Their stories are at once uplifting and inspiring. End the day on a high at Earth Sanctuary World Nature Centre, where the Falzon family host a BBQ Be My Guest dinner under the stars. This is a lesson in off-the-grid, sustainable living. Let it inspire you to follow suit at home. Hotel: Doubletree by Hilton Alice Springs. B BGD
The whole of Peru covers 1.3 million square kilometres – the same size playing field that the School of the Air broadcasts daily classes to. Watch a live session with kids in some of Australia’s most remote reaches, providing them with educational tools otherwise unavailable. Not on the curriculum? Aliens, although you will learn all about them passing through Wycliffe Well, also known as Australia’s ‘UFO capital’. Undeniably otherworldly are the precariously balanced boulders that characterise Karlu Karlu (Devils Marbles) and the landscapes surrounding gold-rich Tennant Creek. Hotel: Bluestone Motor Inn. B DW
When you’re not working hard in the Australian outback, you’re having a lot of fun. Case in point the Daly Waters Historic Pub, where the food – schnitzels, burgers – comes second to the atmosphere. Follow the lead of those here before you and leave a memento to decorate the walls. If you were a fan of TV drama We of the Never Never, you’ll recognise your next destination: the (replica) Elsey Homestead in Mataranka. Explore, or soak in the palm-shrouded thermal springs. Hotel: Contour Hotel Katherine. B DW
Explore the natural beauty of Nitmiluk National Park on a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience cruise along Katherine Gorge. You’ll wind through this gorge carved through ancient sandstone alongside steep cliff walls, watching for lush rainforest gullies in giant cracks, and maybe a freshwater crocodile or two on the banks. You can almost feel the spirits yawning as they created this landscape on Jawoyn land, part of Nitmiluk National Park. A sprinkling of crocs, a flutter of rare birds. It takes your breath away. More wildlife lurks in Kakadu’s Yellow Water Billabong, which is a mecca for sea eagles, brolgas and little kingfishers. Hotel: Mercure Kakadu Crocodile Hotel. B DW
The best way to grasp the immensity of Kakadu and Arnhem Land? From the air, should you wish to take an optional flight. You won’t regret it – perspective is always a good thing. Speaking of which, Ubirr’s Aboriginal rock art dates back an eye-watering 20,000+ years. If it looks familiar, that’s because it starred in classic Aussie movie, Crocodile Dundee. Get your Darwin bearings on a quick tour – we want to give you as much time as possible to enjoy a bite to eat at the Mindil Beach Sunset Market. Hotel: Hilton Garden Inn Darwin. B
Think of today as dessert: the sweet finale to a decadent degustation. Travel deep into Litchfield National Park, pocked with 100-year-old, two-metre-high magnetic termite mounds. We’re not sticking around though – Florence and Wangi falls await. Change into your swimming costume and take a dip in the gem-like waterholes. Darwin can get steamy, but you’ll have wind in your sails as you cruise the harbour at sunset, enjoying one last toast to the NT. Hotel: Hilton Garden Inn Darwin. B FD
‘Ma Muk’ (‘See you later’), as the Larrakia people would say. This Dreamtime adventure is over for now, but we’re positive your memories will last forever. B
Definite Departures highlighted in red.
For prices, additional departure dates, flight Information, latest deals and year-round offers including past guest offers, grooup booking discounts for 9+ guests and multi-trip savings, visit aatkings.com/WDBP or contact your local travel agent.
A limited number of single rooms are also available.
Local ConnectionPassion unites the people who work in Kununurra’s thriving sandalwood industry, as well as those who guide you while cruising the Kimberley’s Danggu (Geikie) Gorge.
Cultural ImmersionThe only way to understand life on the land is to visit a working farm. The Katherine Outback Experience is not only eye-opening, but entertaining.
Sustainable FootprintsSleep soundly knowing your stays at Karijini National Park’s Eco Tents and El Questro’s Emma Gorge Resort are not only stylish, but sustainable.
Wildlife & NatureThe Ningaloo Coast has World Heritage status for good reason – it cradles one of the most biodiverse marine sanctuaries in Australia.
Day 1 – flights to arrive prior to 2.00pm into Darwin Airport
Day 21 – flights to depart anytime from Perth Airport
Flights are not included in the holiday price
Return airport to hotel transfers are included in the holiday price
Flights are not included in the holiday price
Tour Information are valid for departures between 1 May 2024 – 30 Sep 2024 and may be subject to change. Visit aatkings.com/booking-conditions for terms and conditions.
You’ll fall for the capital of the NT; its balmy tropical climes, fiery sunsets and laid-back locals. Take in the sights on a tour, learning about the events that have shaped it over the years. Later, join your Travel Director for a Welcome Dinner. Hotel: Vibe Hotel Darwin Waterfront. DW
Nature takes over at Nitmiluk National Park, where you cruise through dramatic Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge. There’s no time to catch your breath – you’re off to meet Tom Curtain on a cattle station, where he entertains through song and stories. Hotel: Contour Hotel Katherine. B DW
Kununurra exists thanks to the Ord River Irrigation Scheme. The project not only helped water the countryside, but created Lake Argyle. You won’t forget your sunset cruise. Hotel: Kununurra Country Club Resort. B DW
Today is one of decisions: An optional early-morning flight over (or 4WD tour of) the Bungle Bungles? Or a wander with your Travel Director through Mirima National Park. Hotel: Kununurra Country Club Resort. B
Go behind the scenes at Hoochery Distillery, which not only makes lip-smacking rum, but also delicious rum cake. From here you’re on the epic Gibb River Road to El Questro Wilderness Park, where an oasis of pandanus and palms envelops your safari-style accommodation. Hotel: Emma Gorge Resort, Tented Cabin with private facilities. B DW
The Kimberley’s sounds follow you across the mighty Pentecost River to freshwater Chamberlain Gorge, your boat dwarfed by its soaring escarpments while you cruise. Afternoon remedy? A splash in the pool, perhaps, or a dip in the waterhole within Emma Gorge. Take your pick. Hotel: Emma Gorge Resort, Tented Cabin with private facilities. B DW
While the Argyle Diamond Mine has stopped producing rare pink diamonds, you can still visit with an Aboriginal guide. Your destination for the night, Halls Creek is small in population, but big in personality. Hotel: Kimberley Hotel. B L DW
Dive deep into First Nations culture at the Aboriginal art gallery in Fitzroy Crossing, the gateway to Danggu (Geikie) Gorge. This remarkable part of the Kimberley was formed by the Fitzroy River carving the Napier Range. It’s a fertile home for creatures big and small. Hotel: Fitzroy River Lodge. B L DW
The reason Broome was born is because of pearls. Today, it’s just as well known for its sizzling Indian Ocean sunsets, best enjoyed from the Cable Beach sand. Hotel: Cable Beach Club Resort. B
Today is yours to explore. Perhaps veer off to a pearl farm, to witness the precision that goes into growing and harvesting these gems. Or simply enjoy Broome’s tropical climes, strolling along 22-kilometre Cable Beach, hunting for dinosaur footprints and browsing boutiques. Hotel: Cable Beach Club Resort. B DW
The eye-opening colours of the Pilbara are your backdrop today. It’s sparsely populated, but there are plenty of local characters to meet over dinner in Port Hedland. Hotel: Hospitality Port Hedland. B DW
Karijini is where gorges seem to cleave off the edge of the Earth, waterfalls tumble from escarpments and turquoise rock pools shimmer like precious gems. You’re hundreds of kilometres from anywhere, so expect dazzling stargazing from your safari tent. Hotel: Karijini Eco Retreat. B DW
It took billions of years to create Karijini’s geological wonders: the red layered cliffs, the quiet gorges, the soaring gum trees and distinctive termite mounds. Cooling off under waterfalls is highly recommended. Hotel: Karijini Eco Retreat. B DW
There are a few (hundred) kilometres of Pilbara to cover between Karijini and Exmouth on the World Heritage listed Ningaloo Coast. This pocket of the state is also blessed with Cape Range National Park, where gorges and waterfalls beckon. Hotel: Mantarays Ningaloo Beach Resort. B DW
Depending on the time of year, Ningaloo Reef is home to both whale sharks and humpbacks. Opt to snorkel with both (ethically) or book a sunset cruise, sparkling wine in hand. The decision is yours. Hotel: Mantarays Ningaloo Beach Resort. B DW
Today’s cruise in a glass-bottomed boat allows you to glimpse Ningaloo’s extraordinary marine life in comfort. Next stop is the Carnarvon Space and Technology Museum. Did you know it played a role in the 1969 moon landing? Hotel: Best Western Hospitality Inn Carnarvon. B DW
Prepare yourself for the ‘living fossils’ at Hamelin Pool, home to the most abundant colony of stromatolites in the world. The state’s World Heritage listed Shark Bay is also characterised by Shell Beach, formed from billions of coquina bivalve shells. Hotel: Monkey Mia Dolphin Resort. B DW
Meet the wild resident dolphins that turn up to the shore every morning, then spend the afternoon at leisure. Optional sunset cruise or scenic flight over the bay, anyone? Hotel: Monkey Mia Dolphin Resort. B
Peregrine falcons swoop over Hawks Head Lookout in Kalbarri National Park, particularly pretty during wildflower season. Arriving in Geraldton, pay homage to sailors lost at the HMAS Sydney Memorial. Hotel: Mantra Geraldton. B
Nambung National Park’s Pinnacles are a staggering collection of natural limestone structures, jutting into the sky. It’s a spiritual place, as is Yanchep National Park, where your Aboriginal guide decodes native plants and tells Dreamtime stories on a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience. Hotel: Crowne Plaza Perth. B FD
It’s hard to believe this epic adventure has come to an end. Three weeks of incredible memories to take home with you. B
Definite Departures highlighted in red.
For prices, additional departure dates, flight Information, latest deals and year-round offers including past guest offers, grooup booking discounts for 9+ guests and multi-trip savings, visit aatkings.com/WPBD or contact your local travel agent.
A limited number of single rooms are also available.
Local ConnectionIndigenous heritage stars while touring Argyle Diamond Mine with an Aboriginal guide; go behind the scenes to sample spirits with the family behind Hoochery Rum Distillery.
Cultural ImmersionYour First Nations host in Yanchep National Park is on a mission to reveal its ancient history. Dreamtime stories and bush-tucker tastings await.
Sustainable FootprintsEvery step you take, every move you make... will help protect the national parks you visit for future generations, whether on land or in the water.
Wildlife & NatureHave you ever wondered what life was like 3,500 million years ago? At Hamelin Pool you’ll find out while witnessing the world’s most abundant colony of stromatolites.
Day 1 – flights to arrive prior to 12 noon into Perth Airport
Day 21 – flights to depart anytime from Darwin Airport
Flights are not included in the holiday price
Return airport to hotel transfers are included in the holiday price
Flights are not included in the holiday price
Tour Information are valid for departures between 1 Jun 2024 – 31 Aug 2024 and may be subject to change. Visit aatkings.com/booking-conditions for terms and conditions.
The WA capital is colourful in more ways than one. There are alleys lined with eye-popping street art, and wildflowers blanket Kings Park. Discover the sights, then meet your fellow adventurers at a Welcome Dinner. Hotel: Crowne Plaza Perth. DW
Talk about starting on a high. First stop is Yanchep National Park, where, on a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, your Aboriginal guide decodes native plants and tells Dreamtime stories. Just as scene-stealing are Nambung National Park’s Pinnacles, limestone structures jutting into the sky. Arriving in Geraldton, pay homage to sailors lost during WWII at the HMAS Sydney Memorial. Hotel: Mantra Geraldton. B
Prepare yourself for the ‘living fossils’ at Hamelin Pool, home to the most abundant colony of stromatolites in the world. The state’s World Heritage listed Shark Bay is also characterised by Shell Beach, formed from billions of coquina bivalve shells. Hotel: Monkey Mia Dolphin Resort. B DW
If you didn’t fall in love with the gin-clear waters and powdery sand of Monkey Mia last night, you will today. Meet the dolphins that turn up to the shore every morning, then spend the afternoon at leisure. Optional sunset cruise, perhaps? Or a scenic flight over the bay? Hotel: Monkey Mia Dolphin Resort. B
Did you know the Carnarvon Space and Technology Museum played a role in the 1969 moon landing, and was instrumental in the space race? Your visit here is interactive, so prepare to try on space suits and climb aboard a supercraft simulator. Hotel: Best Western Hospitality Inn Carnarvon. B DW
Today’s cruise in a glass-bottomed boat allows you to glimpse the World Heritage listed Ningaloo Coast in comfort. Gliding around Coral Bay, your guide will point out colourful corals, turtles and angelic fish. Hotel: Mantarays Ningaloo Beach Resort. B DW
Depending on the time of year, Ningaloo Reef is home to both whale sharks and humpbacks. You can opt to snorkel with both (ethically) or book a sunset cruise to see some breaching and blowing, sparkling wine in hand. Hotel: Mantarays Ningaloo Beach Resort. B DW
A frontier like no other, Karijini is where gorges seem to cleave off the edge of the Earth, waterfalls tumble from escarpments and remote turquoise rock pools shimmer like precious gems. Expect dazzling stargazing from your safari tent. Hotel: Karijini Eco Retreat. B DW
It took billions of years to create Karijini’s geological wonders: the red layered cliffs, the quiet gorges, the soaring gum trees and distinctive termite mounds. If you packed your swimsuit, cooling off under waterfalls comes highly recommended. Hotel: Karijini Eco Retreat. B DW
The Pilbara is sparsely populated, but you will find people in Port Hedland. There are plenty of local characters to meet over dinner at your hotel. Hotel: Hospitality Port Hedland. B DW
The reason Broome was born is because of pearls. Today, it’s just as well known for its Indian Ocean sunsets, best enjoyed from a vantage on the Cable Beach sand. Hotel: Cable Beach Club Resort. B DW
Today is yours to explore. Stay in town and shop for pearls, wander the coast on the lookout for dinosaur footprints. Or simply enjoy Broome’s tropical climes, strolling along 22-kilometre Cable Beach. Hotel: Cable Beach Club Resort. B
Things are bigger in Broome, including the 125-million-year-old dinosaur footprints. Remote Fitzroy Crossing is the gateway to Danggu (Geikie) Gorge. This remarkable part of the Kimberley was formed by the Fitzroy River carving the Napier Range. Hotel: Fitzroy River Lodge. B DW
Dive deep into First Nations culture on a visit to an art gallery, a community venue supporting Aboriginal creatives in the Fitzroy Crossing region. Aboriginal culture is strong in the Great Sandy Desert as well, on the edge of which sits Halls Creek. Hotel: Kimberley Hotel. B L DW
While the Argyle Diamond Mine has stopped producing rare pink diamonds, you can still visit with an Aboriginal guide. From here you’re on the epic Gibb River Road to El Questro Wilderness Park. Hotel: Emma Gorge Resort, Tented Cabin with private facilities. B L DW
The Kimberley’s sounds follow you to Chamberlain Gorge, your boat dwarfed by its soaring escarpments. Afternoon remedy? A splash in the pool, perhaps, or a dip in the waterhole within Emma Gorge. Take your pick. Hotel: Emma Gorge Resort, Tented Cabin with private facilities. B DW
Kununurra was born through the Ord River Irrigation Scheme. It now waters crops like sugarcane, turned into lip-smacking rum at Hoochery Distillery. A sunset cruise here is something you won’t forget in a hurry. Hotel: The Cambridge Kununurra. B DW
Today is one of decisions: An optional flight over (or 4WD tour of) the Bungle Bungles? Or a wander with your Travel Director through Mirima National Park. Hotel: The Cambridge Kununurra. B
NT locals come with plenty of country swagger, as you’ll discover when you meet award-winning musician Tom Curtain for an afternoon of knee-slappin’ songs and stories on a cattle station. Hotel: Contour Hotel Katherine. B DW
Nature rules at Nitmiluk National Park, where you cruise through dramatic Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge. Your northern sojourn reveals the region’s historic events, all the way to Darwin. Hotel: Vibe Hotel Darwin Waterfront. B FD
It’s hard to believe this epic adventure has come to an end. Three weeks of incredible memories to take home with you. B
Definite Departures highlighted in red.
For prices, additional departure dates, flight Information, latest deals and year-round offers including past guest offers, grooup booking discounts for 9+ guests and multi-trip savings, visit aatkings.com/WBMP or contact your local travel agent.
A limited number of single rooms are also available.
Local ConnectionLaunch into the sky at the Carnarvon Space Museum, then take a deep dive below the surface while cruising World Heritage-listed Ningaloo Reef.
Cultural ImmersionNoongar culture and Dreamtime history shine bright on an adventure through Yanchep National Park with charismatic Derek Nannup.
Sustainable FootprintsYour national park fees protect the places you visit, ensuring this fragile part of the world will be around for future generations to enjoy.
Wildlife & NatureWe’ll forgive you for not wanting to leave Karijini National Park, a magical place where waterfalls drop into turquoise rock pools. A salve for the soul.
Day 1 – flights to arrive prior to 3.00pm into Broome Airport
Day 13 – flights to depart anytime from Perth Airport
Flights are not included in the holiday price
Return airport to hotel transfers are included in the holiday price
Flights are not included in the holiday price
Tour Information are valid for departures between 1 May 2024 – 30 Sep 2024 and may be subject to change. Visit aatkings.com/booking-conditions for terms and conditions.
Multicultural Broome delivers many surprises, from its eclectic restaurants to its long pearling history – the pristine waters produce some of the most prized pearl oysters in the world. Discover Broome’s other standout attraction: its sunsets. Follow locals to the sand on Cable Beach and salute the end of your first spectacular day in WA, glass of bubbles in hand. Hotel: Cable Beach Club Resort.
Which direction should you choose to venture today? Head north deep into the Kimberley where the Horizontal Falls reveals the power of nature. Get some perspective of the tides here on an optional scenic flight. Or perhaps veer off to a pearl farm, to witness the precision that goes into growing and harvesting these gems. Or simply enjoy Broome’s tropical climes, strolling along 22-kilometre Cable Beach, hunting for dinosaur footprints and browsing boutiques. Hotel: Cable Beach Club Resort. B DW
At first glimpse of the Pilbara, you may well think you’ve been transported to Mars. The soil couldn’t get any redder, the skies any wider, the rock formations any more dramatic, much of the countryside streaked with mineral deposits. People are few and far between until you reach the town of Port Hedland. There are plenty of local characters to meet over dinner at your hotel. Hotel: Hospitality Port Hedland. B DW
Love at first sight? It’s likely to happen at Karijini National Park. This is nature amplified, a place of immense gorges and deep, dark chasms; waterfalls and gem-like rock pools. This red slice of the Hamersley Range is a magnet for nature lovers, not only for the earthly delights but also the creatures that call the cliffs home. You’re hundreds of kilometres from the nearest town, so expect dazzling stargazing from your safari tent. Hotel: Karijini Eco Retreat. B DW
It took billions of years to create the geological wonders of Karijini: the striking red escarpments and the quiet gorges all enveloped by tall gums. You have a single day to explore, so bring your stamina and sense of adventure. You’re heading deep into the national park, discovering hidden nooks and waterholes just begging you to swim in them. Things get hot here – why not dive in? Hotel: Karijini Eco Retreat. B DW
It’s an epic commute across the Pilbara from inland Karijini to Exmouth on the World Heritage listed Ningaloo Coast. While you’re driving, dream about all the marine creatures that await in Ningaloo Reef. Many fish and cetaceans live here year-round, but some larger-than-life visitors only drop in at certain times, on their migratory path. Hotel: Mantarays Ningaloo Beach Resort. B DW
Steel yourself for a few ‘pinch-me’ moments today. You could choose to snorkel (with an ethical operator) over Ningaloo Reef. Time of year pending, you may have whale sharks and possibly humpback whales in your company. Nothing quite prepares you for the initial moment you glimpse these gentle giants up close. Or, spend your day strolling the sand and cruising with dolphins at sunset. The choice is yours. Hotel: Mantarays Ningaloo Beach Resort. B DW
You don’t need to get your hair wet to experience the sheer wonderment of Ningaloo Reef. A Coral Bay glass-bottom boat cruise gets you within a whisker of turtles, colourful coral and an embarrassment of fish. You won’t know where to look, although your on-board naturalist will help guide your gaze. From staring at the sea to staring at the stars: your next port of call is the Carnarvon Space and Technology Museum. Did you know it played a role in the 1969 moon landing? Just one fascinating fact you’ll learn from your passionate guide. Hotel: Best Western Hospitality Inn Carnarvon. B DW
While stromatolites might sound like something belonging in a cave, these ‘living fossils’ grow in the water at Hamelin Pool. Rock-like in appearance, they’re actually alive, and reveal what life might have been like 3.5-billion years ago. Remarkably, this is the world’s most abundant colony of them. It’s just one of the natural allures of the state’s World Heritage listed Shark Bay, which is also characterised by Shell Beach, formed from billions of coquina bivalve shells. Hotel: Monkey Mia Dolphin Resort. B DW
Sparkling turquoise water, powdery white sand, ochre dunes – Monkey Mia knows how to dial up the drama. And then there are the wild resident dolphins, which famously swim to shore every morning to splash about in the shallows and interact with humans. It’s a hard act to follow. Perhaps choose an optional sunset cruise, or get some perspective of the bay on an optional scenic flight? Hotel: Monkey Mia Dolphin Resort. B
Kalbarri National Park is known for many things: its gorges, towering coastal cliffs and rare wildlife among them – spot peregrine falcons from Hawks Head Lookout. And then there are the wildflowers, which bloom and blanket much of the countryside in spring, transforming it into a floral wonderland. Arriving in Geraldton, pay homage to sailors lost off the WA coast during WWII at the HMAS Sydney Memorial. Hotel: Mantra Geraldton. B
Two final wilderness highs provide a fitting end to this journey of contrasts. Within Nambung National Park, the Pinnacles create a moonscape that appears plucked from a science fiction film, its staggering collection of natural limestone structures jutting into the sky. It’s a spiritual place, as is nearby Yanchep National Park. Here, on a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, Noongar man Derek Nannup’s Dreamtime stories tell the tale of how the land was created. His tours are hands-on, so expect to taste bush tucker and try the didgeridoo. Arriving in Perth you have a Farewell Dinner to swap contact details with your new friends and reminisce about your western adventure. Hotel: Crowne Plaza Perth. B FD
How do you pick a favourite adventure from the last 12 days? You don’t have to – let them all shine in equal measure in your memory. B
Definite Departures highlighted in red.
For prices, additional departure dates, flight Information, latest deals and year-round offers including past guest offers, grooup booking discounts for 9+ guests and multi-trip savings, visit aatkings.com/WPMB or contact your local travel agent.
A limited number of single rooms are also available.
Local ConnectionAs if exploring Ningaloo Reef with a local wasn’t enough of a highlight… on this adventure you go behind the scenes at Carnarvon Space Museum.
Cultural ImmersionPlaying the didgeridoo and hunting with spears is fun, but not as easy as it looks. Charismatic Derek Nannup introduces you to Noongar culture and Dreamtime history in Yanchep National Park.
Sustainable FootprintsYour national park fees protect the places you visit, ensuring this fragile part of the world – and the First Nations communities that call it home – will be around for future generations to enjoy.
Wildlife & NatureMonkey Mia’s dolphins are wild – and wildly friendly. They surf the waves to shore every morning to greet rangers and onlookers.
Day 1 – flights to arrive prior to 12 noon into Perth Airport
Day 13 – flights to depart anytime from Broome Airport
Flights are not included in the holiday price
Return airport to hotel transfers are included in the holiday price
Flights are not included in the holiday price
Tour Information are valid for departures between 1 Jun 2024 – 31 Aug 2024 and may be subject to change. Visit aatkings.com/booking-conditions for terms and conditions.
Almost two weeks of adventures lie before you, the first a twirl around Perth. The Western Australian capital almost steals the street-art trophy from Melbourne, the city’s alleys and warehouses decorated with eye-popping murals and installations. It’s also remarkably green, with 400-hectare Kings Park and Botanic Garden sitting pretty in the CBD, on a lazy bend of the serpentine Swan River. Two thirds of the grounds are reserved for native plants. If you don’t know your fellow travellers by now, you will by the time your Welcome Dinner is over. Hotel: Crowne Plaza Perth. DW
It’s time to go north to Yanchep National Park. Here, on a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, Noongar man Derek Nannup’s Dreamtime stories tell the tale of how the land was created. His tours are hands-on, so expect to taste bush tucker and try playing the didgeridoo. Think the day couldn’t get any better? Within Nambung National Park, the Pinnacles create a moonscape that appears plucked from a sci-fi film, its staggering collection of natural limestone structures jutting into the sky. Arriving in Geraldton, pay homage to sailors lost off the WA coast during WWII at the HMAS Sydney Memorial. Hotel: Mantra Geraldton. B
While stromatolites might sound like something belonging in a cave, these ‘living fossils’ grow in the water at Hamelin Pool. Rock-like in appearance, they’re actually alive, and reveal what life might have been like 3.5-billion years ago. Remarkably, this is the world’s most abundant colony of them. It’s just one of the natural allures of the state’s World Heritage listed Shark Bay, which is also characterised by Shell Beach, formed from billions of coquina bivalve shells, and fabled Monkey Mia. Hotel: Monkey Mia Dolphin Resort. B DW
Sparkling turquoise water, powdery white sand, ochre dunes – Monkey Mia knows how to dial up the drama. And then there are the wild resident dolphins, which famously swim to shore every morning to splash about in the shallows and mingle with humans. It’s a hard act to follow. Perhaps choose an optional sunset cruise, or get some perspective of the bay on an optional scenic flight? Or both. The afternoon is yours. Hotel: Monkey Mia Dolphin Resort. B
Your next port of call is the Carnarvon Space and Technology Museum. Did you know it played a role in the 1969 moon landing? Just one of the fascinating facts you’ll learn from your passionate guide. The experience is interactive, so budding astronauts can opt to try on space suits and climb aboard a spacecraft simulator. Hotel: Best Western Hospitality Inn Carnarvon. B DW
You don’t need to get your hair wet to experience the sheer wonderment of Ningaloo Reef. A Coral Bay glass-bottom boat cruise gets you within a whisker of turtles, colourful coral and an embarrassment of fish. You won’t know where to look, although your on-board naturalist will help guide your gaze. This is part of the World Heritage listed Ningaloo Coast, a popular hangout for larger-then-life migratory marine life including whale sharks and humpbacks. Before you settle into your plush Exmouth hotel, admire the curves of the coastline from Vlamingh Head Lighthouse. Hotel: Mantarays Ningaloo Beach Resort. B DW
Steel yourself for a few ‘pinch-me’ moments today. Opt to snorkel (with an ethical operator) over Ningaloo Reef. Time of year pending, you may have whale sharks and possibly humpback whales in your company. Nothing quite prepares you for the initial moment you glimpse these gentle giants up close. Or spend your day strolling the sand and cruising with dolphins at sunset. The choice is yours. Hotel: Mantarays Ningaloo Beach Resort. B DW
It’s an epic commute across the Pilbara from Exmouth to inland Karijini. But it’s oh-so worth it. If you’ve ever wanted to fall in love at first sight, it’ll happen at Karijini National Park. This is nature amplified, a place of immense gorges and deep, dark chasms; waterfalls and gem-like rock pools. This red slice of the Hamersley Range is a magnet for nature lovers, not only for the earthly delights but also the creatures that call the cliffs home. You’re hundreds of kilometres from the nearest town, so expect dazzling stargazing from your safari tent. Hotel: Karijini Eco Retreat. B DW
It took billions of years to create the geological wonders of Karijini: the striking red escarpments and the quiet gorges all enveloped by tall gums. You have a single day to explore, so bring your stamina and sense of adventure. You’re heading deep into the national park, discovering hidden nooks and waterholes just begging you to swim in them. Hotel: Karijini Eco Retreat. B DW
At first glimpse of the Pilbara, you may well think you’ve been transported to Mars. The soil couldn’t get any redder, the skies any wider, the rock formations any more dramatic, much of the countryside streaked with mineral deposits. People are few and far between until you reach the town of Port Hedland. There are plenty of local characters to meet over dinner at your hotel. Hotel: Hospitality Port Hedland. B DW
Skirting the edge of the Great Sandy Desert, your morning outlook is flat – almost as far as the eye can see, the sand eventually giving way to mountain ranges, and then multicultural Broome. This city delivers many surprises, from its eclectic restaurants to its long pearling history – the pristine waters produce some of the most prized pearl oysters in the world. The other standout attraction here happens at sunset. Follow locals to the sand on Cable Beach and salute the end of another spectacular day in WA. Hotel: Cable Beach Club Resort. B DW
Which direction should you choose to venture today? Head north deep into the Kimberley on an optional experience where the Horizontal Falls reveals the power of nature. Get some perspective of the tides here on a scenic flight, then feel the force of the water on a heart-starting cruise across the rapids. Or veer off to a pearl farm to witness the precision that goes into growing and harvesting these gems. Or simply enjoy Broome’s tropical climes, strolling along 22-kilometre Cable Beach, hunting for dinosaur footprints and browsing boutiques. Hotel: Cable Beach Club Resort. B
How do you pick a favourite adventure from the last 12 days? You don’t have to – let them all shine in equal measure in your memory. B
Definite Departures highlighted in red.
For prices, additional departure dates, flight Information, latest deals and year-round offers including past guest offers, grooup booking discounts for 9+ guests and multi-trip savings, visit aatkings.com/WBD or contact your local travel agent.
A limited number of single rooms are also available.
Local ConnectionWA sunsets are epic, as you’ll discover cruising the Ord River from Lake Argyle as well as exploring Danggu (Geikie) Gorge. Your ranger will spot lurking crocs.
Cultural ImmersionYour Aboriginal guide through the Argyle Diamond Mine knows about the rare pink gems once mined here. They’ll also enlighten you on how sacred this land is.
Sustainable FootprintsAboriginal Songlines are strong across Western Australia. Ensure they stay that way with a visit to a First Nations art gallery, and support creatives by picking up a piece or two.
Day 1 – flights to arrive prior to 3.00pm into Broome Airport
Day 11 – flights to depart anytime from Darwin Airport
Flights are not included in the holiday price
Return airport to hotel transfers are included in the holiday price
Flights are not included in the holiday price
Tour Information are valid for departures between 1 May 2024 – 30 Sep 2024 and may be subject to change. Visit aatkings.com/booking-conditions for terms and conditions.
You’re about to spend the next 10 days with a group of similarly minded adventure-seekers who will likely become best friends before you even leave tonight’s dinner venue. Break the ice over a few cool drinks and a suitably dazzling Broome sunset. Hotel: Cable Beach Club Resort. DW
Multicultural Broome became a base for fortune-seekers the world over during its ‘pearl rush’. The pristine waters here grow great oysters, and the resulting pearls are prized by lovers of all things that gleam. Your day here is one of decisions. Go to the source and opt to see how pearls are grown and harvested, or head north to feel the full force of nature on an optional scenic flight over (and heart-starting cruise through) the Horizontal Falls. Hotel: Cable Beach Club Resort. B
Preserved for 125 million years in the reef rock at Gantheaume Point are the imprints of long-extinct dinosaurs. Remarkably, the Broome coast has become one of the most significant paleontological sites in the world. Next stop – Fitzroy Crossing, the gateway to Danggu (Geikie) Gorge. Jump aboard a boat to discover how this part of the Kimberley was formed. Hotel: Fitzroy River Lodge. B DW
Begin your deep dive into First Nations culture at a Fitzroy Crossing art gallery, a thriving venue dedicated to works by Aboriginal creatives. Your connection to this culture continues as you travel toward the Great Sandy Desert, on the edge of which is Halls Gap. Hotel: Kimberley Hotel. B L DW
The Argyle Diamond Mine was once the world’s largest producer of rare pink diamonds. While operations have ceased, you can still visit. Your First Nations guide will explain the Aboriginal significance. The Gibb River Road is the stuff road trip legends are made of. You’ll see why, your route to El Questro Wilderness Park coveringa few kilometres of the epic expanse. Hotel: Emma Gorge Resort, Tented Cabin with private facilities. B L DW
The best way to wake up? With the sun streaming through your tent. The Kimberley’s sounds follow you across the mighty Pentecost River, a mecca for those who love a spot of barramundi fishing. Arriving at Chamberlain Gorge, your cruise chariot awaits. Jump aboard to feel very small indeed, your boat dwarfed by soaring 65-metre escarpments. When it’s time to cool down, take a dip in the resort pool or at a waterhole within Emma Gorge. Hotel: Emma Gorge Resort, Tented Cabin with private facilities. B DW
Discover how Kununurra’s Hoochery Distillery makes its lip-smacking rums and whiskys. Try a tasting paddle to get your heart started or sit down to a slice of rum cake - morning tea sorted. Kununurra only exists because of the Ord River Irrigation Scheme. Farming pioneers came here to establish vast cattle stations, the life of one family is chronicled at the Durack Homestead Museum, which you’ll visit before enjoying sunset while cruising the Ord River. Hotel: The Cambridge Kununurra. B
How active and adventurous do you want today to be? Rise early for a bird’s-eye view of the beehive-like Bungle Bungles on a scenic flight, or stay grounded on a 4WD tour through the national park. Otherwise lace up your walking shoes and wander with your Travel Director through Mirima National Park, known as the ‘mini-Bungles’ for its rocky resemblance. Hotel: The Cambridge Kununurra. B DW
Say goodbye to WA and hello to the NT. Locals come with plenty of country swagger, as you’ll discover when you meet the horseman and award-winning musician Tom Curtain for an afternoon of knee-slappin’ fun on a cattle station. Tom is larger than life, and entertains crowds through songs and bush stories. The ultimate way to discover life on the land. Hotel: Contour Hotel Katherine. B DW
Nature reigns supreme at Nitmiluk National Park bordering Kakadu. This is Jawoyn land, and a place where you’ll feel your spirit soar. Particularly when you’re cruising through dramatic Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge, your boat the only sound in this enormous chasm. The balmy Darwin climate sets the pace for your final city tour: relaxed. Discover the city’s architecture and learn about the events that have shaped life. Hotel: Vibe Hotel Darwin Waterfront. B FD
Eleven days. Countless adventures. A bunch of new friends. And a renewed appreciation for the wild side of Australia. What a journey. B
Definite Departures highlighted in red.
For prices, additional departure dates, flight Information, latest deals and year-round offers including past guest offers, grooup booking discounts for 9+ guests and multi-trip savings, visit aatkings.com/WDB or contact your local travel agent.
A limited number of single rooms are also available.
Local ConnectionAfter catching an epic sunset cruising the Ord River and Lake Argyle outside Kununurra, enjoy the flavours of Hoochery Rum Distillery – the owners are legends.
Cultural ImmersionAboriginal Songlines are strong across Western Australia. Ensure they stay that way with a visit to a Kimberley First Nations art gallery.
Sustainable FootprintsEvery footstep you take into a national park ensures your visit treads lightly. Fees go toward protecting the environment, and the animals that call it home.
Wildlife & NatureNature humbles at Purnululu National Park in the Kimberley, where the striated domes of the Bungle Bungles pop from the desert like Jurassic beehives.
Day 1 – flights to arrive prior to 2.00pm into Darwin Airport
Day 11 – flights to depart anytime from Broome Airport
Flights are not included in the holiday price
Return airport to hotel transfers are included in the holiday price
Flights are not included in the holiday price
Tour Information are valid for departures between 1 May 2024 – 30 Sep 2024 and may be subject to change. Visit aatkings.com/booking-conditions for terms and conditions.
The balmy Darwin climate sets the pace for your city tour: relaxed. Things don’t happen in a hurry here. Even the fiery sunsets seem to linger. You’ll catch one later, but first an orientation tour to meet locals, discover the city’s architecture and learn about the events that have shaped life, from Cyclone Tracy to WWII when the Northern Territory capital was bombed. Now it’s time to watch the day disappear and meet your fellow adventure seekers for a Welcome Dinner. Hotel: Vibe Hotel Darwin Waterfront. DW
As you begin your travels south, yet more reminders of the impact of WWII line the banks of the Adelaide River, where the headquarters of a military base once stood. Then nature takes over at Nitmiluk National Park bordering Kakadu. This is Jawoyn land, and a place where you’ll feel your spirit soar. Particularly when you’re cruising through dramatic Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge, your boat the only sound in this enormous chasm. There’s no time to catch your breath – you’re off to meet larger-than-life character Tom Curtain on a cattle station, where he entertains crowds through song and stories. Hotel: Contour Hotel Katherine. B DW
Say goodbye to the NT and hello to WA, your introduction to the state the unexpected delights of Kununurra. It’s in the middle of nowhere, and only exists because of the Ord River Irrigation Scheme. Before it was a twinkle on the map, farming pioneers came here to establish vast cattle stations. The life of one family is chronicled at the Durack Homestead Museum, which you’ll visit before enjoying yet another sunset, this time cruising the Ord River and Lake Argyle. Some experiences burn into your memory. Hotel: Kununurra Country Club Resort. B DW
How active and adventurous do you want today to be? Rise early to enjoy a bird’s-eye view of the beehive-like rock formations of the Bungle Bungles on an optional scenic flight or stay grounded on a 4WD tour through the national park. Otherwise, lace up your walking shoes and wander with your Travel Director through Mirima National Park, known as the ‘mini-Bungles’ for its rocky resemblance. Hotel: Kununurra Country Club Resort. B
It’s not every day that you get to go behind the scenes of a rum distillery with the family that owns it. Discover how Hoochery Distillery makes its lip-smacking, award-winning rums and whiskys. Try a tasting paddle to get your heart started or sit down to a slice of rum cake – morning tea sorted. The Gibb River Road is the stuff road trip legends are made of. You’ll see why, your route to El Questro Wilderness Park covering a few kilometres of the epic expanse. Now exhale – your safari-style tents for the night are surrounded by an oasis of pandanus and palms. Hotel: Emma Gorge Resort, Tented Cabin with private facilities. B DW
The best way to wake up? With the sun streaming through your tent, wildlife all around. The Kimberley’s sounds follow you across the mighty Pentecost River, a mecca for those who love a spot of barramundi fishing. Arriving at Chamberlain Gorge, an enormous fresh waterhole, your cruise chariot awaits. Jump aboard to feel very small indeed, your boat dwarfed by soaring 65-metre escarpments. When it’s time to cool down, take an afternoon dip, whether in the resort pool or at a waterhole within Emma Gorge. Take your pick. Hotel: Emma Gorge Resort, Tented Cabin with private facilities. B DW
Until recently, the Argyle Diamond Mine was the world’s largest producer of rare, and dazzling, pink diamonds. While operations have ceased, you can still visit and go behind the scenes. Your Aboriginal guide will not only point out where the magic once happened, but also explain the significance of this land. Equally important to Aboriginal communities is the Great Sandy Desert, which Halls Gap perches on the edge of. This place is small in population, but big in personality. Hotel: Kimberley Hotel. B L DW
The remote town of Fitzroy Crossing acts as the gateway to Danggu (Geikie) Gorge. But before you cruise the waterway, continue your deep dive into First Nations culture at the Aboriginal art gallery here. Then embark your boat to discover how this remarkable part of the Kimberley was formed by the Fitzroy River carving the Napier Range, leaving behind a dramatic chasm, home to a plethora of wildlife. Keep watch for freshwater crocs, fruit bats and wallabies. Hotel: Fitzroy River Lodge. B L DW
Among the most multicultural cities in Australia, Broome became a base for fortune-seekers the world over during its ‘pearl rush’. The pristine waters here grow great oysters, and the resulting pearls are prized by lovers of all things that gleam. A city tour will give you your bearings. Then it’s time to settle in for Broome’s other attraction: its sunsets. Follow locals to the sand or find a perch in a beachside bar to salute the end of another spectacular day in WA. Hotel: Cable Beach Club Resort. B
A day of decisions. Head north to feel the full force of nature on an optional scenic flight over (or heart-starting cruise through) the magical Horizontal Falls. You can also enlist to do both. Or simply enjoy Broome’s tropical climes, strolling along 22-kilometre Cable Beach, hunting for dinosaur footprints and browsing the pearl boutiques in town. It’s hard to resist a purchase; even harder when you go straight to the source at a pearl farm, to see how they’re harvested. Hotel: Cable Beach Club Resort. B FD
Eleven days, countless memories, a bunch of new friends… you’ll leave Broome with your travel wanderlust ignited. B
Definite Departures highlighted in red.
For prices, additional departure dates, flight Information, latest deals and year-round offers including past guest offers, grooup booking discounts for 9+ guests and multi-trip savings, visit aatkings.com/THLH or contact your local travel agent.
A limited number of single rooms are also available.
Local ConnectionWhether you’re cruising the Gordon River and Wineglass Bay or going behind the scenes on a Be My Guest lunch at Mt. Gnomon Farm, in-the-know locals will keep you company.
Cultural ImmersionYou'll be treated to a Welcome to Country by the Paredarerme people, the traditional owners of Oyster Bay, at Spring Bay Mill.
Sustainable FootprintsLearn about how to create a more sustainable environment for the future on our Kipli Takara Bush Tucker tour.
Wildlife & NatureCradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park is the kind of place that makes you put life into perspective. How can nature be this humbling?
Day 1 – flights to arrive prior to 3.00pm into Hobart Airport
Day 13 – flights to depart anytime from Hobart Airport
Flights are not included in the holiday price
Return airport to hotel transfers are included in the holiday price
Flights are not included in the holiday price
Tour Information are valid for departures between 1 Apr 2024 – 31 Mar 2025 and may be subject to change. Visit aatkings.com/booking-conditions for terms and conditions.
You don’t have to venture far from your hotel to find inspiration in Hobart, whether you’re exploring the harbour or easing into one of the city’s applauded galleries and wine bars. Save room for your Welcome Dinner, enjoyed in the company of your fellow adventure-seekers. Hotel: Hotel Grand Chancellor Hobart . DW
Your morning excursions delve deep into many of the things that make Hobart great: the Botanical Gardens, historic Battery Point and the Cascade Brewery. End on a literal high at Mt. Nelson Lookout, offering dizzying views over the city. From alpaca throws to woodwork, Salamanca Market unites Tassie talent. Grab a coffee and navigate stalls, wedged alongside the precinct’s historic sandstone warehouses.
Hotel:
Hotel Grand Chancellor Hobart .
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Waterfalls, lakes and ancient moonscapes – today is a journey of contrasts. Not to mention soul revival. Exhale amid the forest enveloping Russell Falls in Mt. Field National Park. Forget your worries at Lake St. Clair, the deepest of its kind in Australia. Sigh as you skirt the World Heritage-protected Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park. Then revel in the serenity of Strahan. You’re overlooking Macquarie Harbour, seven times the size of Sydney Harbour. Hotel: Strahan Village. B DW
No day that involves a cruise is a bad day. Even better if it’s the deep, dark waters of the Gordon River. Soak up the silence of this untouched wilderness area en route to Sarah Island, Tassie’s oldest convict settlement; today, haunting ruins have been reclaimed by nature. Your commute toward immense Cradle Mountain Lake St. Clair National Park visits Rosebery – tagline: “welcome to the rainforest, don’t complain about the rain” – and tiny Tullah, population 165. Hotel: Cradle Mountain Hotel. B L DW
At the heart of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area, Cradle Mountain is all moss-covered ancient rainforests and deep river gorges, snow-tipped peaks, wild alpine moorlands and glacial lakes – case in point Dove Lake, where you’ll likely spot Bennetts wallabies, echidnas and pademelons. Pause at Waldheim Chalet, once the home of Gustav and Kate Weindorfer, the duo pivotal in the park’s formation. Hotel: Cradle Mountain Hotel. B DW
Tasmania has its fair share of award-winning gin and whisky distilleries, as well as small boutique breweries. Among them is a seaside tap house found in the petite town of Penguin. If there’s a place with a cuter name, we’re yet to locate it on a map. Sit back and enjoy a tasting paddle of local brew while taking in the views overlooking glorious Bass Strait. Continue your palate expansion at Mount Gnomon Farm. Farmer Guy Robertson is as passionate about his orchard as he is the cider he makes. Sip your way through a Be My Guest lunch. Continue to quirky Sheffield, the ‘Town of Murals’ and through the Meander Valley to Launceston.
Hotel:
Hotel Grand Chancellor Launceston.
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BGL
Prepare for goosebumps – Cataract Gorge is humbling. Even more remarkable is the fact that this enormous cavern is just a few minutes’ walk from the heart of Launceston. Explore at your leisure. By the time you reach Josef Chromy Wines, you’ll have worked up a thirst. We’ve got you covered. This afternoon is yours: an optional cruise along the Tamar River, perhaps? Hotel: Hotel Grand Chancellor Launceston. B L
You’ll smell Bridestowe Estate well before you arrive – this lavender farm welcomes with soothing aromas, and addictive flavours in the form of lavender ice-cream. Moving moments await at Legerwood Carved Memorial Trees, a series of trees carved with sculptures as an homage to fallen WWI soldiers. It’s a poignant reminder just how lucky we are to have Tasmania’s scene-stealing landscapes to gaze over. Be sure to head out tonight to catch a glimpse of the little penguins that call Bicheno home. Hotel: Diamond Island Beach Resort. B DW
There’s a reason this part of Tasmania takes home top honours for its beaches – they were made for postcards. The brilliant blue ocean follows you through Cape Tourville’s virgin eucalypt forests, with golden beaches as far as the eye can see. Soak in the beauty of the breathtaking Freycinet Peninsula on a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience that contributes to the preservation of its wildlife. You’ll cruise past granite coastline, towering pink cliffs of the Hazards range, beaches fringed by dense bush, and the gentle shores of Coles Bay. Hotel: Eastcoaster Tasmania. B L DW
This morning, the GPS is set for the historic township of Richmond; explore the convict-built goal and bridge or browse the quaint boutique shops in town. Next, join us for a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience at Risdon Cove. Kipli Takara (meaning food walk) is an immersive experience where guests are invited to walk the culturally rich landscape with palawa (Tasmanian Aboriginal) guides across this abundant natural pantry that was returned to Tasmanian Aboriginal ownership in 1995. You will be treated to a guided walk of this unique property, hearing about the history and current story of the area. Along the way guests are able to taste the native bush tucker currently in season and get a first-hand glimpse into how palawa continue to enjoy cultural foods and undertake culturally-centred land management across lutruwita/Tasmania. This experience includes a unique tasting of local, native flavours. This evening is at your leisure in Hobart. Hotel: Hotel Grand Chancellor Hobart . B L
While the World Heritage listed Port Arthur Historic Site has a grim convict history, you wouldn’t know it today – the countryside is all rolling green fields and ocean views. Only the place names give its heritage away: cruise around the Isle of the Dead, glimpse rugged sea cliffs from Pirate’s Bay Lookout, and veer past Tasman’s Arch, Devil’s Kitchen and the Blowhole. Tonight is at your leisure – we can recommend any number of stellar restaurants. Hotel: Hotel Grand Chancellor Hobart . B
There’s something about Tasmania’s capital that encourages life in the slow lane. You’ll quickly fall into step today, yours to spend as you will. Perhaps add on a Bruny Island cruise to spot playful sea lions and ogle Australia’s highest sea cliffs? Or enjoy a bird’s-eye view on a scenic flight down to the great Southwest? Or get your cultural fix with a visit to the Tasmanian Museum & Art Gallery. Hotel: Hotel Grand Chancellor Hobart . B FD
If you can still count all the delicious things you have eaten and drunk, and all the epic things you have seen and done, two weeks down the track, we commend you. Now’s the time to re-live them with friends and family back at home. B
Definite Departures highlighted in red.
For prices, additional departure dates, flight Information, latest deals and year-round offers including past guest offers, grooup booking discounts for 9+ guests and multi-trip savings, visit aatkings.com/THHL or contact your local travel agent.
A limited number of single rooms are also available.
Local ConnectionCheese, wine, whisky and cider all await in Tassie. Go behind the scenes with the makers, including farmer Guy Robertson for a Be My Guest lunch.
Cultural ImmersionListen to local street performers as you taste delicious homegrown produce at Tassie’s iconic Salamanca Market.
Sustainable FootprintsYour visit contributes to National Parks and Wildlife, protecting Tasmania’s wilderness including the Franklin-Gordon Rivers.
Wildlife & NatureCarved by ice during glaciations over the last two million years, Lake St. Clair is the deepest of its kind in Australia. Added bonus – it’s surrounded by World Heritage listed Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park.
Day 1 – flights to arrive prior to 3.00pm into Hobart Airport
Day 7 – flights to depart after 5.00pm from Launceston Airport
Flights are not included in the holiday price
Return airport to hotel transfers are included in the holiday price
Flights are not included in the holiday price
Tour Information are valid for departures between 1 Apr 2024 – 31 Mar 2025 and may be subject to change. Visit aatkings.com/booking-conditions for terms and conditions.
The Tasmanian capital packs a lot of punch into such a small perimeter, from restaurants that garner global praise to moody wine bars, eye-opening galleries, waterside walks and character-filled historic precincts. Explore at your leisure before meeting the adventurous souls over a Welcome Dinner. Hotel: Hotel Grand Chancellor Hobart . DW
This morning you’ll see what makes Hobart tick, from the leafy Botanical Gardens, a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, to historic Battery Point and Cascade Brewery. It all fits neatly together when you get some perspective from the lofty Mt. Nelson Lookout, gazing over the River Derwent, all the way to Bruny Island in the south. Three hundred – that’s the number of stalls you’ll navigate this afternoon at Hobart’s mighty Salamanca Market. Get your heart started sampling gin and whisky, or order a coffee and pick up made-in-Tasmania arts and crafts. The precinct, amid historic sandstone buildings, is almost as pretty as the produce. Hotel: Hotel Grand Chancellor Hobart . B
The West Coast of Tassie is wild – in the best possible way. The air seems cleaner, the lakes cooler, the colours brighter, the waterfalls larger… as you’ll discover when the mist envelops you at tiered Russell Falls. This is part of Mt. Field National Park, the state’s most diverse nature reserve. Speaking of breaking records, Lake St. Clair is the deepest of its kind in Australia, carved by ice during glaciations over the last two million years. Pausing here puts life into perspective. Skirt the World Heritage listed Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park, characterised by soaring Huon pines, before arriving in Strahan. Small in population but big in personality, the town overlooks the immense Macquarie Harbour. Did you know it’s seven times the size of Sydney Harbour? Hotel: Strahan Village. B DW
Today’s watery welcome is the deep, dark Gordon River, its expanse coloured by tannins from button grass. Soak up the silence of this untouched wilderness area on a cruise out to Sarah Island, a former penal settlement – Tassie’s oldest – where convicts laboured under harsh conditions felling pines for boat-building. The haunting ruins that remain have been reclaimed by the rainforest, telling a chilling story of life on the land. As do mining towns Rosebery and Tullah, enveloped by dense forest and volcanic mountains. This is your backdrop en route to immense Cradle Mountain-Lake St. Clair National Park, a mecca for some of Australia’s most elusive wildlife: keep watch for Tasmanian devils and platypuses. Hotel: Cradle Mountain Hotel. B L DW
Cradle Mountain has not always been pristine – it owes much of its protected status to early settlers Gustav and Kate Weindorfer, who were pivotal in championing the conservation of the area. Their efforts are remembered at Waldheim Chalet, their former home, set among myrtles and King Billy pines that gradually give way to moss covered ancient rainforests and deep river gorges, snow-tipped peaks and wild alpine moorlands. This is the heart of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area, carved by glacial waterways like Dove Lake. You can see why Bennetts wallabies, echidnas, wombats and pademelons live here – you, too, will find it hard to tear yourself away. If you’re a night person, consider enlisting to spot Tassie’s nocturnal animals, whether at a devil sanctuary or in the wild. Hotel: Cradle Mountain Hotel. B DW
Tasmania has its fair share of award-winning gin and whisky distilleries, as well as small boutique breweries. Among them is a seaside tap house found in the petite town of Penguin. If there’s a place with a cuter name, we’re yet to locate it on a map. Sit back and enjoy a tasting paddle of local brew whilst taking in the views overlooking glorious Bass Strait. Steel yourself for the ciders fermented at Mount Gnomon Farm. Here, passionate farmer Guy Robertson will pour brews made from apples grown in his orchard, before you sit down to a farm-to-table Be My Guest lunch. Then you’re on your way to quirky Sheffield, the ‘Town of Murals’, before travelling through the Meander Valley to Launceston.
Hotel:
Hotel Grand Chancellor Launceston.
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BGL
Your final day ends on a high in Cataract Gorge, a rare natural phenomenon on the outskirts of Launceston. There’s bushland on one side, and a Victorian garden replete with ferns and exotic plants on the other. Get a different perspective of the green cavern on the scenic chairlift, zipping you over the water to a lofty lookout. You can’t leave Tassie without sipping a few of its cool-climate wines, perhaps a pinot noir or flute of sparkling enjoyed overlooking the manicured grounds of the Josef Chromy Estate. Sample the range, then settle in with your favourite drop enjoyed over lunch. This afternoon is yours: if you’re not heading home yet, we recommend extending your adventure with an optional cruise along the Tamar River. A fitting end to a week of wonderment. B L
Definite Departures highlighted in red.
For prices, additional departure dates, flight Information, latest deals and year-round offers including past guest offers, grooup booking discounts for 9+ guests and multi-trip savings, visit aatkings.com/TLHH or contact your local travel agent.
A limited number of single rooms are also available.
Local ConnectionWhether meeting growers at Bridestowe Lavender Estate, spotting wildlife on a Wineglass Bay nature cruise or exploring Tassie’s cool capital, in-the-know locals offer eye-opening insights.
Cultural ImmersionPort Arthur’s heritage shaped modern-day Australia. The best way to understand its significance? With a historian guiding you through the World Heritage Site.
Sustainable FootprintsLearn about how to create a more sustainable environment for the future on our Kipli Takara Bush Tucker tour.
Wildlife & NatureWander a few steps from Launceston and you’re in the natural wonderland that is Cataract Gorge, where rivers carve a landscape of rolling green fields and ferns.
Day 1 – flights to arrive prior to 4.30pm into Launceston Airport
Day 7 – flights to depart anytime from Hobart Airport
Flights are not included in the holiday price
Return airport to hotel transfers are included in the holiday price
Flights are not included in the holiday price
Tour Information are valid for departures between 1 Apr 2024 – 31 Mar 2025 and may be subject to change. Visit aatkings.com/booking-conditions for terms and conditions.
Tasmania’s second-largest city, Launceston sits pretty on the banks of the Tamar River. Arrive early? Distractions are endless. We suggest jumping on a boat to cruise the waterway, gliding through the Tamar Valley or up into Cataract Gorge. This rare natural phenomenon unites bushland with neat Victorian gardens, replete with ferns and exotic plants. Get a different perspective of the green cavern on the scenic chairlift, zipping you over the water to a lofty lookout. Consider yourself a bit of a gourmand? Some of Tassie’s top wineries are within easy reach. Sip your way around the Josef Chromy estate, Swinging Gate or Jansz before meeting the adventurous souls that will keep you company over the next week. Meet your Travel Director for a drink before embarking on your journey along Tasmania’s glorious east. Hotel: Hotel Grand Chancellor Launceston.
Arriving at Bridestowe Lavender Estate, you could be forgiven for thinking you’ve been transported straight to Provence. This bucolic patch of purple is a feast for all the senses(did you know lavender is a great sleep aid?). Then taste the wares, whether in lavender ice-cream or honey made from the 500,000 very happy bees that live here. Moving moments await at Legerwood Carved Memorial Trees, an avenue of sculpted trees, carved in homage of fallen WWI soldiers. It’s a poignant reminder of just how privileged we are to have Tasmania’s scene-stealing landscapes to gaze over today. Head out tonight to catch a glimpse of the little penguins that call Bicheno home. Hotel: Diamond Island Beach Resort. B DW
Embarking on your Freycinet adventure, you may think someone has taken the glasses off your nose and cleaned them for the first time. The towering Hazards Range that backdrops your base gleams pink in the morning sunshine. Fun fact: the prized granite here was used to build the foyer of New York’s Empire State Building. The brilliant blue ocean curves into coves dusted with golden sand. And dusty greens patchwork Cape Tourville’s virgin eucalypt forest, stretching as far as the eye can see. Amid it all is Wineglass Bay, a gem-like crescent with gin-clear water. Rest up – you’re taking this in over a lunchtime cruise. Hotel: Eastcoaster Tasmania. B L DW
This morning, the GPS is set for the historic township of Richmond; explore the convict-built goal and bridge or browse the quaint boutique shops in town. Next, join us for a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience at Risdon Cove. Kipli Takara (meaning food walk) is an immersive experience where guests are invited to walk the culturally rich landscape with palawa (Tasmanian Aboriginal) guides across this abundant natural pantry that was returned to Tasmanian Aboriginal ownership in 1995. You will be treated to a guided walk of this unique property, hearing about the history and current story of the area. Along the way guests are able to taste the native bush tucker currently in season and get a first-hand glimpse into how palawa continue to enjoy cultural foods and undertake culturally-centred land management across lutruwita/Tasmania. This experience includes a unique tasting of local, native flavours. This evening is at your leisure in Hobart. Hotel: Hotel Grand Chancellor Hobart . B L
Isle of the Dead, Pirate’s Bay Lookout, Devil’s Kitchen… the attractions around Port Arthur Historic Site give away the region’s grim convict heritage. But don’t be put off by the colourful names; the rolling green countryside, rugged cliffs and dramatic rock formations make this one of the most postcard-perfect pockets of the state. Explore what remains of the World Heritage Site with a historian – they know all the secrets that took place behind these walls – then enjoy a different perspective from the water on a scenic cruise. Tonight is at your leisure. We can recommend any number of stellar restaurants and wine bars to while away the evening in. Hotel: Hotel Grand Chancellor Hobart . B
Today is one of decisions. Do you fancy lingering in Hobart’s city centre, exploring gallery-lined streets and taking in glorious Georgian architecture, either at your leisure or with a guide? Or perhaps you’re inclined to explore the Tasmanian Museum & Art Gallery, occupying one of Australia’s most historically significant sites and home to an eye-watering 800,000 objects ranging from fossils to fine art. Maybe you want to end your Tassie adventure the way it began, savouring the state’s end-of-the-Earth wilderness areas. Take on Mount Wellington, with its glorious views of Hobart and beyond, or cruise to spot playful sea lions and ogle Australia’s highest sea cliffs around Bruny Island. The choice is yours. Hotel: Hotel Grand Chancellor Hobart . B FD
Epic landscapes, tasty food and wine, historic attractions – we’ve packed a lot into the last week. Today, digest all your adventures as we bid adieu. B
Definite Departures highlighted in red.
For prices, additional departure dates, flight Information, latest deals and year-round offers including past guest offers, grooup booking discounts for 9+ guests and multi-trip savings, visit aatkings.com/ESMA or contact your local travel agent.
A limited number of single rooms are also available.
Local ConnectionMeet Craig Starr on his 400-hectare sheep farm Gold Creek Station for a tale or two, and a BBQ. The stories continue at Australian Parliament House.
Cultural ImmersionWalk with a guide through the galleries of the First Peoples arts and cultural centre at Federation Square.
Sustainable FootprintsBy visiting Kangaroo Island’s Hanson Bay Wildlife Sanctuary, you not only gain insights into Australian animals, but also have the chance to support them.
Wildlife & NatureAcross the Great Ocean Road’s 240 kilometres you’ll discover all manner of natural drama, from limestone stacks to World Heritage listed rainforest and untouched coastal coves.
Day prior – flights to arrive anytime into Sydney Airport
Day 11 – flights to depart anytime from Adelaide Airport
Flights are not included in the holiday price
Return airport to hotel transfers are included in the holiday price
Flights are not included in the holiday price
Tour Information are valid for departures between 1 Apr 2024 – 31 Mar 2025 and may be subject to change. Visit aatkings.com/booking-conditions for terms and conditions.
As hard as it is to say goodbye to Sydney, it’s just as easy to say hello to the Southern Highlands. South of the ‘Harbour City’, the bucolic countryside of Berrima awaits – fun fact: this is the oldest Georgian village in Australia. Further on, you’re welcomed to Gold Creek Station by sheep farmer Craig Starr for a Be My Guest BBQ lunch and tales about life on the land. Onward to the country’s cool little capital, home to Parliament House, where you’ll go behind the political scenes. Tonight, join your Travel Director for a Welcome Dinner. Hotel: Crowne Plaza Canberra. DW BGL
Get some Canberra perspective from the summit of Mt. Ainslie. You won’t be able to see the Murray River, but you’ll soon cross it en route to Beechworth, Victoria’s best-preserved gold rush town. We’ll give you the Beechworth lowdown, then set you on your way to explore character-filled antiques stores, galleries and museums at your leisure. There are plenty of charming places to refuel, as well, before Wangaratta’s cathedrals beckon. Hotel: Quality Hotel Wangaratta. B
Meandering south toward historic Glenrowan, you’re well and truly in Ned Kelly country – this is where the infamous bushranger and his gang were finally captured in 1880. We’ll tell you all the tales, then a few more about Melbourne, the home of Aussie rules football, some of the country’s best arts institutions, and a swag of stellar restaurants, cafés and bars. Once you have your bearings, explore as you will. We can help with evening restaurant reservations. Hotel: Crowne Plaza Hotel Melbourne. B
You’re on your own today. Well, not really, because your Travel Director is at your service to help arrange optional sightseeing experiences. After you’ve enjoyed a strong coffee in one of Melbourne’s atmospheric laneways, that is. Adrenaline junkie? Linger in the city, gaining bird’s-eye views from the Melbourne Skydeck at the Eureka Tower. Animal lover? Venture to Phillip Island to see hundreds of little penguins pad along the sand. Hotel: Crowne Plaza Hotel Melbourne. B
The Great Ocean Road is one of the world’s most epic journeys, a dramatic 240-kilometre union of limestone stacks (Twelve Apostles, we’re looking at you), World Heritage listed rainforest, untouched coastal coves and sleepy towns, like Lorne and Apollo Bay. It’s hard to know where to point your camera. We recommend having it poised to snap shots of the Loch Ard Gorge and London Bridge rock formations. It doesn’t get any better than this. Hotel: Lady Bay Resort. B DW
Emus, kangaroos, koalas, echidnas… These are just some of the animals you’ll likely spot as you drive through Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve – housed in a dormant volcanic crater. Remarkably, this pocket of paradise was once wasteland, transformed by volunteers. More volcanic history awaits across the South Australian border in Mt. Gambier, home to the crater-filling Blue Lake. By now you’ll be pretty thirsty, so it’s a good thing the Coonawarra wine region is around the corner. After a few sips, you may find yourself getting deep – literally. Naracoorte’s Alexandra Cave is a maze of delicate needle-like stalactites and massive twisting columns. Hotel: William MacIntosh Motor Lodge, Naracoorte. B DW
The Fleurieu Peninsula is a natural adventure playground, all rolling hills, rugged clifftops and sandy beaches. Seaside Victor Harbor turns on the charms – take a horse drawn tram ride out to Granite Island or visit the train station home to some steam locomotives – before your ferry blasts its horn. All aboard for Kangaroo Island, home to native wildlife like sea lions, koalas and diverse bird species. Your destination is South Australia’s oldest European settlement, Kingscote. Hotel: Aurora Ozone Hotel, Executive Rooms. B DW
If you like alliterations, you’ll love today’s attractions: first stops are Remarkable Rocks and Admirals Arch, home to an immense colony of raucous fur seals. Hanson Bay Wildlife Sanctuary was badly damaged by the 2019 bushfires. Through your MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, you’ll assist with their bushfire recovery plan and wildlife rehabilitation program. Learn from one of their experienced guides about the delicate ecosystem and Australian native animals. More wildlife greets you at Seal Bay Conservation Park, where enormous sea lions barrel down the sand to the water. This is one of the most significant breeding colonies in the country. A well-deserved tasting of craft beer awaits at a boutique brewery, the only one on the island. How does a Golden Ale sound? Your destination is South Australia’s oldest European settlement, Kingscote.
Hotel:
Aurora Ozone Hotel, Executive Rooms.
B
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You’ve arrived in the South Australian capital, known for its well-preserved churches and well-admired cuisine. Did you know that Adelaide boasts more restaurants per capita than any other city in Australia? After a cultural walking tour through the city’s Botanic Gardens with an Aboriginal Guide, and an Adelaide city tour, the afternoon is yours to see just how many you can sample – we have a few recommendations, including a visit to the epic Central Market, where you can try green ant gin with cheese, among so many other delicacies. Hotel: Crowne Plaza Adelaide. B
Pull on your elastic-waisted pants – today is one of indulgences through the Adelaide Hills and the Barossa, dotted with atmospheric towns like Hahndorf, Australia’s oldest surviving German settlement. A Barossa and Hahndorf tour reveals the bountiful food and wine this pocket of the state is known for. And you’ll enjoy a tasting from small batch wine makers from across the valley as well as discovering local flavours over lunch at Lambert Estate enveloped by vines. Hotel: Crowne Plaza Adelaide. B L FD
By day 11, you will have a suitcase full of gin, wine and cheese; a camera full of dreamy images; and more memories than you can count. Hotel: Crowne Plaza Adelaide. B
Definite Departures highlighted in red.
For prices, additional departure dates, flight Information, latest deals and year-round offers including past guest offers, grooup booking discounts for 9+ guests and multi-trip savings, visit aatkings.com/EMKA or contact your local travel agent.
A limited number of single rooms are also available.
Local ConnectionMike established Kangaroo Island Brewery in 2015, and loves talking to guests about the flavours distinguishing his beers.
Cultural ImmersionGain a deeper understanding of the indigenous plants that grow in the area along, with their traditional uses, at the Botanic Garden in Adelaide.
Sustainable FootprintsSupport bushfire and wildlife rehabilitation projects on Kangaroo Island when you visit Hanson Bay Wildlife Sanctuary.
Wildlife & NatureThe underworld beckons at Naracoorte’s Alexandra Cave, a maze of delicate needle-like stalactites and massive twisting columns.
Day prior – flights to arrive anytime into Melbourne Airport
Day 7 – flights to depart anytime from Adelaide Airport
Flights are not included in the holiday price
Return airport to hotel transfers are included in the holiday price
Flights are not included in the holiday price
Tour Information are valid for departures between 1 Apr 2024 – 31 Mar 2025 and may be subject to change. Visit aatkings.com/booking-conditions for terms and conditions.
You’re on your way to the Great Ocean Road, a snaking coastal route that is one of the world’s most epic journeys. Across a dramatic 240 kilometres you’ll take in limestone stacks like the Twelve Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge and London Bridge. Then traverse through World Heritage listed rainforest, skirting untouched coastal coves, and pausing in sleepy towns like Lorne and Apollo Bay, where bare feet and boardshorts are the dress code. Get together with your fellow travellers for a Welcome Dinner. Hotel: Lady Bay Resort. DW
Emus, kangaroos, koalas, echidnas... oh my! These are just some of the animals you'll likely spot as you drive through Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve, housed in a dormant volcanic crater. Remarkably, this pocket of paradise was once wasteland, transformed by volunteers. More volcanic history awaits across the South Australian border in Mt. Gambier, home to the crater-filling Blue Lake. Bring your sunglasses, because the lake’s name doesn’t do it justice – the intensity of the hue is blinding. By now you’ll be pretty thirsty, so it’s a good thing the Coonawarra wine region is around the corner. Fancy a world-class cab sav, shiraz or merlot? You’ve come to the right place. Your final adventure is deep, in every sense of the word. Naracoorte’s Alexandra Cave is a maze of delicate needle-like stalactites and massive twisting columns. Hotel: William MacIntosh Motor Lodge, Naracoorte. B DW
Nature rules large again today as you weave along the Fleurieu Peninsula to Victor Harbor. After rolling hills, sandy beaches and rugged cliffs, you’re greeted with the charms of this seaside town – the gateway to Kangaroo Island. All aboard the ferry for your journey toward this ‘mini Galapagos’. Kangaroo Island deserves its moniker, as you’ll discover tomorrow. But today, all you have to do is ease into the island with a tasting of craft beers at Kangaroo Island’s only brewery. How does a Limestone Road Pale Ale sound? Hotel: Aurora Ozone Hotel, Executive Rooms. B DW
First stop today truly deserves its name: the orange-lichen-clad Remarkable Rocks command your attention over the blazing blue of the Southern Ocean. Then there’s Admirals Arch, home to an immense colony of raucous fur seals and a very photogenic lighthouse. Like much of the island, Hanson Bay Wildlife Sanctuary was badly damaged by the 2019 bushfires. Through your MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, you’ll assist with their bushfire recovery plan and wildlife rehabilitation program. Learn from one of their experienced guides about the delicate ecosystem and Australian native animals. More wildlife greets you at Seal Bay Conservation Park. Here, on a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience you’ll visit one of the country’s most important sea lion breeding grounds. On a guided walk, you’ll learn about these creatures - one of the rarest species in the world of only 12,000, 800 of which call Seal Bay home. Move aside: enormous sea lions regularly barrel down the sand toward the water. Hotel: Aurora Ozone Hotel, Executive Rooms. B L
On your cruise back to the mainland, picture some of the culinary opportunities that await you in the South Australian capital. Adelaide is known as the 'city of churches' but we think a more apt title is the 'city of cuisine'. After a cultural walking tour through the city's Botanic Garden with an Aboriginal Guide, and an Adelaide city tour, the afternoon is yours to see just how many restaurants and bars you can sample. Want recommendations? We might point you in the direction of the epic Central Market, the largest of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere with more than 70 stalls selling artisan edibles (and drinkables). Hotel: Crowne Plaza Adelaide. B
Now that you have a taste for South Australian produce, take a deep dive on today’s adventure through the Adelaide Hills and the Barossa, dotted with atmospheric towns like Hahndorf, Australia’s oldest surviving German settlement. Wander down its tree-lined streets and take time to explore the quaint shops. Wining and dining dominate the landscape, with some of the country’s oldest grape vines planted across this pocket of the state. Discover local flavours over lunch at Lambert Estate, nestled in rolling hills enveloped by vines. Return to Adelaide and join your Travel Director for a Farewell Dinner at Koomo, Adelaide’s highest restaurant, for a Japanese inspired feast. Hotel: Crowne Plaza Adelaide. B L FD
A week in this part of the world really isn't enough. We hope we've inspired you to come back for another taste. B
Definite Departures highlighted in red.
For prices, additional departure dates, flight Information, latest deals and year-round offers including past guest offers, grooup booking discounts for 9+ guests and multi-trip savings, visit aatkings.com/ESBM or contact your local travel agent.
A limited number of single rooms are also available.
Local ConnectionThere’s not much your guide through Canberra’s Parliament House doesn’t know; it’s a similar story for Craig Starr, who hosts a BBQ on his 400-hectare sheep farm.
Cultural ImmersionGold rush towns always come with stories about infamous bush rangers and love scandals. Hear them when you arrive in historic Beechworth.
Wildlife & NatureMore than 32,000 little penguins live around Phillip Island, and some 4,000 of them pitter patter from the sea to their sandy burrows every evening. Say goodnight.
Sustainable FootprintsOur Take 3 for the Sea program helps conserve our oceans through small collective efforts of rubbish collection.
Day Prior – flights to arrive anytime into Sydney Airport
Day 5 – flights to depart anytime from Melbourne Airport
Flights are not included in the holiday price
Return airport to hotel transfers are included in the holiday price
Flights are not included in the holiday price
Tour Information are valid for departures between 1 Apr 2024 – 31 Mar 2025 and may be subject to change. Visit aatkings.com/booking-conditions for terms and conditions.
It’s hard to believe that just 1.5 hours from Sydney lies a patch of countryside that could have been transplanted straight from the English Cotswolds. Think atmospheric villages amid rolling hills of grape vines – the Southern Highlands is the closest wine region to Australia’s largest city, after all. And then there are the grand gardens and emerald farms, one of which you’ll visit to meet Craig Starr and his family. Gold Creek Station farm is your backdrop for a Be My Guest BBQ lunch and tales about life on the land. This is your entrée to the country’s cool little capital of Canberra, home to Parliament House, where you’ll go behind the political scenes. Tonight, join your Travel Director for a Welcome Dinner. Hotel: Crowne Plaza Canberra. DW BGL
Thanks to architect Walter Burley Griffin, Canberra is an urban planner’s delight – the city is that well laid out, as you’ll discover when you head to the summit of Mt. Ainslie for panoramic views. You won’t yet be able to see the Murray River, but you’ll soon cross it en route to Beechworth. From Australia’s longest river to Victoria’s best-preserved gold rush town, Beechworth saw an influx of fortune-seekers during the 1850s. Your Travel Director will give you the Beechworth lowdown, then set you on your way to explore character-filled antiques stores, galleries, leafy parks and gardens, and museums at your leisure. There are plenty of charming cafés and restaurants to refuel in as well, before Wangaratta’s cathedrals beckon. Hotel: Quality Hotel Wangaratta. B
Meandering south toward historic Glenrowan, you’re well and truly in Ned Kelly country – this is where the infamous bushranger and his gang were finally captured in 1880. The story is remembered on pretty much every city corner, whether in enormous statues or at the museum. We’ll tell you all the tales – some of them true, many of them hearsay. All of them entertaining. Then we’ll tell you a bit more about Melbourne, like how it’s the home of Aussie rules football, covets some of the country’s best arts institutions, and has a swag of stellar restaurants, cafés and bars. Small wonder it’s known as Australia’s cultural, culinary and sporting capital. Once you have your bearings after a city tour, head off to explore. Forget your map – one of the joys of being in Melbourne is getting lost. Discovering a hidden jazz bar. Stumbling upon a hole-in-the-wall restaurant. Finding a gallery that catches your eye. Enjoy. Hotel: Crowne Plaza Hotel Melbourne. B
You could spend weeks exploring Melbourne and its surrounds and not tire of the attractions. But you just have today, so make the most of it. We wouldn’t hold it against you if all you want to do is jump on a tram and ride the rails to the city’s character-filled neighbourhoods. But if you want to explore further afield, we’ve got you covered on an optional experience. For a bird’s-eye view of the bay, sign up to scale the Melbourne Skydeck, offering dizzying vistas in every direction. Animal lover? Venture to Phillip Island to see hundreds of little penguins pad along the sand en route to their burrows. Want to get back to nature? Chug through the lush Dandenong Ranges on the Puffing Billy Steam Train, followed by a sip or two of wine in the Yarra Valley. The choice is yours. Hotel: Crowne Plaza Hotel Melbourne. B
Wait, how did you just pack so much action into a working week? Cities, countryside, farms, wineries, islands… this Sydney to Melbourne trip has been quite the adventure. B
Definite Departures highlighted in red.
For prices, additional departure dates, flight Information, latest deals and year-round offers including past guest offers, grooup booking discounts for 9+ guests and multi-trip savings, visit aatkings.com/NDAU or contact your local travel agent.
A limited number of single rooms are also available.
Flexible HolidaysLife in the Top End moves at a leisurely pace. Choose your own leisurely adventure exploring World Heritage listed Kakadu National Park or the steamy NT capital, Darwin.
Iconic SitesHave your camera poised: we’re taking you from the wilds of Kakadu to the escarpments of Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge and epic landscapes of Uluru.
Sustainable TravelSupporting Aboriginal-owned and -operated businesses helps ensure the world’s oldest culture thrives into the future.
Natural WondersSunrise over Uluru has this incredible ability to make you forget everything else around you and just focus on the now.
Day 1 – flights to arrive prior to 3.00pm into Darwin Airport
Day 11 – flights to depart anytime from Ayers Rock Airport
Flights are not included in the holiday price
Return airport to hotel transfers are not included in the holiday price
Flights are not included in the holiday price
Tour Information are valid for departures between 1 Apr 2024 – 31 Aug 2024 and may be subject to change. Visit aatkings.com/booking-conditions for terms and conditions.
Get to know the steamy NT capital at your own pace – you’ll fast find that the characters here are almost as colourful as the sunsets. You’ll enjoy the latter over drinks and nibbles with your Travel Director and fellow adventure-seekers. A tasty entrée to your 11-day odyssey. Hotel: Vibe Hotel Darwin Waterfront.
Today is about getting your Darwin bearings on a city tour revealing the events that have shaped the city over the decades, from wars to natural disasters. You’ll be a Darwin expert after visiting attractions like East Point Military Reserve and the MAGNT (Museum and Art Gallery Northern Territory). The afternoon is at your leisure. If you’re at a loss for ideas, we can point you in the direction of the Royal Flying Doctor Service Tourist Facility, perhaps, or the Mindil Beach Sunset Market, loaded with 200+ stalls. Grab a bite and watch the day end with your feet in the sand. Hotel: Vibe Hotel Darwin Waterfront. B
Aboriginal culture is strong in this part of Australia, and its kept alive by Traditional Landowners on this morning’s tour. 100% Aboriginal owned and operated family business, Pudakul offers cultural and nature-based cultural experiences from the Adelaide River Flood Plains on Aboriginal owned land Limilngan-Wulna. On this MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, dive deep into First Nations heritage, highlighting art, music and bush tucker. Your next deep dive is into the heart of Kakadu, a World Heritage listed national park that is one of Australia’s most important living ecosystems. Hotel: Mercure Kakadu Crocodile Hotel. B D
Kakadu is vast, spanning almost 20,000 square kilometres. The best way to gain appreciation for just how immense it really is from the air on an optional (but highly recommended) morning flight. Now that you have your bearings, take to the land to discover ancient Aboriginal rock art and cruise the wildlife-packed Yellow Water Billabong to search for enormous saltwater crocs – your eagle-eyed guide knows where to look. End your Kakadu tour on a high, watching the sun set over floodplains. Hotel: Mercure Kakadu Crocodile Hotel. B
From one glorious national park to another… today’s backdrop is the end-of-Earth escarpments of Nitmiluk National Park, carved by rivers millions of years ago. Cruising through Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge is a humbling experience even before you know the region’s history. Small wonder freshwater crocs and all manner of birds call the cavern home. Hotel: Contour Hotel Katherine. B D
If the Elsey Homestead looks familiar, that’s because it starred in the 1982 Aussie drama We of the Never Never. Today it’s better known for its Mataranka thermal hot springs. Pop on your swimsuit and have a soothing soak, the magical setting surrounded by palms. The only thing more refreshing is a cold beverage at the Daly Waters Pub, self-declared as Australia’s ‘original outback pub’. You can imagine the kind of swagger the locals bring. Visitors are encouraged to leave their mark as well; a memento, perhaps, or autograph on the walls. Hotel: Bluestone Motor Inn. B D
The Stuart Highway is long (2,700 kilometres), very straight and very flat. Which makes the appearance of Karlu Karlu (Devils Marbles) on the horizon all the more dramatic. These massive granite boulders pock the countryside. But they’re not just a pretty sight – they’re a sacred place for the Aboriginal community, created by the fossilised eggs of the Rainbow Serpent. Get the lay of the land atop Alice Springs’ Anzac Hill. From this vantage, the East and West MacDonnell Ranges appear to stretch to the horizon. Hotel: Doubletree by Hilton Alice Springs. B
Sleep in, take to the skies in a hot-air balloon as the desert awakens, explore the West Macs on a guided tour or visit the Alice Springs Desert Park. It's home to a vast range of plants and wildlife native to the area. You can really experience the beauty and diversity of this incredible landscape. The Arrernte people, traditional owners of the park, are also on hand to share their local wisdom and knowledge. this morning is yours to spend as you choose. Save some energy for this afternoon’s visit to the historic Telegraph Station – the reason the town was formed – and School of the Air, to gain an insight into outback and remote learning. Hotel: Doubletree by Hilton Alice Springs. B
From the moment you wake up until the last of day disappears, spiritual Aboriginal culture is all around on today’s Northern Territory tour. Get set to be in awe over Dreamtime stories about the creation of Uluru, the world’s largest monolith. It’s particularly pretty at sunset when the fading rays change the desert’s colour with every sip of your sparkling wine. Hotel: Outback Hotel & Lodge. B
There aren’t many things worth getting up in the dark for. Sunrise over Uluru is one. It’s a magical time of day, the shifting light casting the countryside aglow. Exploring the base of ‘the Rock’ on an Uluru tour, you’ll begin to understand why this part of the country is so special to the Anangu people, who have called the region home for millennia. Go at your own pace this afternoon. We wouldn’t blame you for taking a dip in the resort pool to cool off. But if you want to see the monolith in another different light, opt to chopper around it on a scenic helicopter flight. Either way, you’ll have plenty of stories to tell over your Farewell Dinner. Hotel: Outback Hotel & Lodge. B FD
Another reason to rise early: to catch the (optional) Field of Light art installation by artist Bruce Munro that blankets the desert floor. Your spirit will glow just as brightly as you bid farewell to this epic Northern Territory tour. B
Definite Departures highlighted in red.
For prices, additional departure dates, flight Information, latest deals and year-round offers including past guest offers, grooup booking discounts for 9+ guests and multi-trip savings, visit aatkings.com/NDKD or contact your local travel agent.
A limited number of single rooms are also available.
Flexible HolidaysYou’ll want to linger in Katherine, Kakadu and Darwin. It’s a good thing you’ve got free time to discover the steamy Top End at your leisure.
Iconic SitesIf you love the great outdoors, you’ve come to the right place. Discover the wilds of Kakadu and Litchfield National Parks, as well as Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge.
Sustainable TravelWith every visit to a Top End national park, you’re helping to protect some of Australia’s most fragile wilderness areas.
Natural WondersLitchfield National Park is shaped by water, from its lakes and rivers to its waterfalls and waterholes. And there’s nothing quite as invigorating as taking a dip.
Day 1 – flights to arrive prior to 1.30pm into Darwin Airport
Day 6 – flights to depart after 1.30pm from Darwin Airport
Flights are not included in the holiday price
Return airport to hotel transfers are not included in the holiday price
Flights are not included in the holiday price
Tour Information are valid for departures between 1 May 2024 – 30 Sep 2024 and may be subject to change. Visit aatkings.com/booking-conditions for terms and conditions.
Darwin is the kind of place that excites all your senses. It’s always steamy, which means you have a constant glow. The aroma of tropical fruits wafts from markets. The horizons are wide and sunsets blazing. Take in sights and attractions that tell stories of the NT capital’s unexpected history on a city tour. As the day begins to disappear, follow the lead of the colourful locals to the Mindil Beach Sunset Market. Your Travel Director will give you the lowdown, highlighting the eclectic range of cuisine on offer – expect everything from Greek to Japanese. What a tasty start to your getaway. Hotel: Travelodge Darwin Resort.
The ancient landscapes of Litchfield National Park are shaped by water, as you’ll fast discover when exploring this immense protected wilderness. There are lakes and rivers, waterfalls and waterholes. Get set to visit Florence Falls, then take a dip (seasonal) in the gin-clear pool of Wangi Falls, this dreamy setting enveloped by monsoon forest. The landscape is also shaped by termites. The national park is pocked with enormous termite mounds, which are architectural feats complete with tunnels and nursery chambers. Small creatures with a big vision. Hotel: Contour Hotel Katherine. B D
Join Manuel Pamkal, Aboriginal artist and prominent Katherine local, at his Top Didj Cultural Experience. You'll learn different techniques behind Aboriginal art styles, and hear about Manuel's life growing up near the King River. Katherine is a little bit tropical, a little bit outback, and a whole lot gorgeous. The region’s main attraction is its gaping Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge, which carves the countryside in spectacular form. On this MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, your guides will share their knowledge of plants, animals, dreamtime stories and their culture. Sit back on your boat and enjoy a cruise through this ancient landscape, home to the Jawoyn people for millennia.
Hotel:
Contour Hotel Katherine.
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Today is your chance to reset your body’s natural rhythms with a morning dip in Edith Falls – because days are better when you begin them with your head under water. (Please note that swimming at Edith Falls is seasonal and opening is controlled by National Parks) This series of cascades in Nitmiluk National Park will set your pulse racing. Before venturing deep into Kakadu, you’re poised for refreshments with a short stopover in the film-set-like town of Pine Creek, where buildings date back to the heady gold rush days. In Kakadu, you’ll take a guided walk to view ancient Aboriginal rock art at Burrungkuy (Nourlangie). Hotel: Mercure Kakadu Crocodile Hotel. B
If you want a different perspective, sign up for an optional scenic flight over the national park, revealing just how wide, wild and wonderful this part of the world really is. Australia is home to some of the oldest art in the world, and much of it decorates rock walls at Ubirr – this jaw-dropping site protects Aboriginal rock paintings and carvings dating back more than 20,000 years. If you thought that was impressive, wait till you see the view over Kakadu from the top of the escarpment. This afternoon, there’s nothing between you and nature, the dramatic escarpments, waterholes and abundant wildlife of Kakadu looming large. Speaking of large, there are saltwater crocs to spot while you drift away on a Yellow Water Billabong cruise. Your local guide will share the secrets of these ancient waterways. Top off your holiday sharing a Farewell Dinner with your Travel Director and travel mates. Hotel: Mercure Kakadu Crocodile Hotel. B FD
Following your Kakadu tour, you may also spot enormous ‘salties’ lurking in river crossings you pass by. Plus you may also see them at Fogg Dam. But here you will definitely witness a cacophony of birds. This really is a twitcher's paradise. A fitting (and slightly noisy) end to this epic wilderness journey.
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Definite Departures highlighted in red.
For prices, additional departure dates, flight Information, latest deals and year-round offers including past guest offers, grooup booking discounts for 9+ guests and multi-trip savings, visit aatkings.com/WEMP or contact your local travel agent.
A limited number of single rooms are also available.
Flexible HolidaysWe’ve curated optional experiences to reveal Albany. Or find your own adventure in this historic WA town.
Iconic SitesNature humbles at Wave Rock and the Pinnacles, kangaroos sleep on beaches in Esperance, and ocean awaits along Busselton’s jetty.
Time For YouIt’s hard not to smile when you spot a quokka on Rottnest. Explore the island’s powdery beaches and turquoise waters at your own pace.
Sustainable TravelThe Aboriginal connection to Yanchep National Park is strong, your enlightening visit supporting custodians of the land.
Natural WondersCrossing the Nullarbor is a rite of passage, your commute through Australia’s desert all rusty reds as far as you can see. Mesmerising is an understatement.
Day 1: Flights to arrive prior to 12 noon into Perth Airport
Day 15: Flights to depart anytime from Perth Airport
Please note: Flights are not included in the holiday price
Flights are not included in the holiday price
Tour Information are valid for departures between 1 Apr 2024 – 10 Nov 2024 and may be subject to change. Visit aatkings.com/booking-conditions for terms and conditions.
Perth may be the West Australian capital, but it’s home to a remarkable amount of green space. Spend your day here exploring inner-city Kings Park, perhaps, to witness more than 3,000 floral species in the Botanic Gardens, overlooking the Swan River. It’s hard to believe how far you’ve come already – and what’s yet to come. Get the low-down with your Travel Director over dinner. Hotel: Holiday Inn West Perth. B D
Wave Rock deserves its name – the cliff resembles an enormous surf wave above the bush. The rainbow-hued granite swell is a short walk from another imaginatively named rock formation: Hippo’s Yawn. You can climb through the ‘neck’ to grab a happy snap. Wave Rock locals are a friendly bunch, passionate about the place they call home. But don’t take our word for it. Meet Sheenagh, who will show you her farm and talk life on the land. Which can be harsh, but also healing, in a way unique to the Aussie outback. Feed her cattle and glimpse her collection of vintage cars. Hotel: Wave Rock Motel, Hyden. B D
Get your bearings on a Kalgoorlie town tour, with vistas over the staggering ‘Super Pit’ open-cut gold mine. Today’s outings continue to gleam as you visit Hannans North Mine; nothing puts life into perspective like standing next to enormous U-Haul trucks and loaders. Hotel: Rydges Kalgoorlie. B D
More than 31,000 hectares of sweeping heathlands, rugged coastal peaks and white sandy beaches… it’s no wonder Cape Le Grand National Park is voted among the most alluring of its kind in Australia. Just when you thought WA couldn’t get any prettier, you arrive at Thistle Cove – sun, sand, sea and sculpted rock formations that ‘whistle’ with the sounds of the wind and waves – and Lucky Bay, a postcard-worthy cove where kangaroos sunbake on the sand. Hotel: Comfort Inn Bay of Isles. B D
Today’s journey takes you through Fitzgerald River National Park, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, then Stirling Range National Park, blanketed with 1,500 species of wildflowers, some of which are found nowhere else on Earth. Enjoy perspective from the Bluff Knoll Lookout, one of WA’s highest peaks. Hotel: The Dog Rock Motel. B D
Nature, history, food and wine… there’s not much that Albany can’t do. The hardest thing you have to decide is which direction to wander. Perhaps opt for a tour to the last port of call for ANZAC troopships departing Australia in WWI. Maybe explore Torndirrup National Park, where steep cliffs give way to dramatic rock formations and whales are a common sight. Or get a taste for the region on a culinary excursion. The choice is yours. Hotel: The Dog Rock Motel. B
Suspended 40 metres above the forest floor, the Tree Top Walk gives you a bird’s-eye view of the soaring tingle trees that stand large through the Valley of the Giants. More lofty attractions await at the Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse, the tallest of its kind in Australia, set at the tip of a peninsula where the Indian and Southern oceans meet. Standing here, the wind in your hair, you’ll feel like you’re on the edge of the Earth. Being amid nature makes you thirsty. It’s a good thing the Margaret River wine region is on the horizon. Hotel: Stay Margaret River. B D
The Margaret River’s 200 vineyards produce 25 per cent of Australia’s premium wines. And then there are the gourmet purveyors in between… you’re in for a tasty day. Vasse Virgin makes olive oil that’s sweet enough to drink. We recommend you savour it with bread, however, while learning how it’s made and browsing other products it’s used in – like delicately scented soaps. Lunch is leisurely, at a vineyard with plenty of time to sip and savour local drops, many of chich take home global awards. If you still have room for dinner, ask us for recommendations. Hotel: Stay Margaret River. B L
The Margaret River is one of the only wine regions in the world where grapes are grown just metres from the sand. The coastal backdrop follows you all the way to Busselton, home to the longest wooden jetty in the Southern Hemisphere. Tip your cap to those who built this 1.8-kilometre structure out into Geographe Bay. The afternoon is all yours in Freo. Hot tip: The city’s markets feature 150 stalls under one roof, and there are hip new lifestyle precincts to while away the evening in. Hotel: Esplanade Hotel Fremantle - by Rydges. B D
Sometimes, the most memorable travel days are those where you lose yourself wandering the foreshore, lingering over lunch or a cool ale. We highly recommend you spend this day of leisure doing just that (Freo’s Little Creatures Brewery is legendary). Of course, having a local show you around also has its benefits, with a Fremantle tour revealing those hidden haunts most visitors pass right on by. If you’re catching the ferry for a Rottnest Island tour, make sure you have your phone ready to capture selfies with the island’s smiley quokkas, not to mention the blindingly turquoise water. Hotel: Esplanade Hotel Fremantle - by Rydges. B
Yanchep National Park is staggeringly beautiful. It’s also incredibly spiritual, as you’ll discover on an Aboriginal cultural experience revealing First Nations history through Dreamtime stories and didgeridoo sessions. It’s a hands-on experience – don’t worry if you can’t make the didg hum; there are traditional tools to play with. We’ve left some of the best to last: entering Nambung National Park you’re greeted by an ethereal moonscape. Your Pinnacles tour meanders around this collection of head-scratching limestone formations. This afternoon, Geraldton’s moving HMAS Sydney Memorial beckons. Hotel: Mantra Geraldton. B
The colours of UNESCO World Heritage-listed Shark Bay are so vivid, you’ll think they’re painted on, a patchwork of blues fading into powdery sand so white you’ll need your sunglasses. This is what awaits in Monkey Mia. We wouldn’t blame you wandering barefoot along the beach, ordering sundowners as the day disappears in a blaze of glory. Other than a cruise to spot all sea creatures great and small, perhaps the best way to gain perspective of the vast coastline is on an optional scenic flight over Shark Bay Marine Park. Hotel: Monkey Mia Dolphin Resort. B D
Bring your stamina – today’s adventures begin early. But if there’s anything worth getting out of bed for, it’s Monkey Mia’s wild dolphins, which swim close to shore to greet visitors every morning. Keep your sunnies handy at Shell Beach, a powder-white cove formed from billions of coquina bivalve shells up to 10 metres deep, and Hamelin Pool, the world’s best-known colony of stromatolites. Believe it or not, these rock-like formations are alive. Arriving at Kalbarri National Park you’ll take in the Murchison River Gorge from the Hawks Head Lookour. If you’re here during wildflower season, expect acacia, banksia and caladenia in full bloom. Hotel: Kalbarri Edge Resort. B D
Just when you thought WA couldn’t get any more colourful, Hutt Lagoon appears on the horizon – just one of the state’s bubblegum pink lakes. Arriving back in Perth you have a Farewell Dinner to swap contact details with your new friends and reminisce about the last two weeks. Hotel: Travelodge Perth. B FD
Bid farewell to your fellow travellers when your trip concludes after breakfast. Hotel: Holiday Inn West Perth. B
Definite Departures highlighted in red.
For prices, additional departure dates, flight Information, latest deals and year-round offers including past guest offers, grooup booking discounts for 9+ guests and multi-trip savings, visit aatkings.com/WPPP or contact your local travel agent.
A limited number of single rooms are also available.
Flexible HolidaysQuite possibly Australia’s happiest critters, quokkas await across the sandy coves of Rottnest Island; the beaches are just as pretty in Albany, and come wrapped in history.
Iconic SitesFrom the powdery coves of Esperance to the vine-laced groves of the Margaret River region, we’ve got the colours of Australia covered.
Sustainable TravelTaking in the forest from the Valley of the Giants Tree Top Walk is not only spectacular, but it’s contributing to the sustainability of this pocket of WA.
Natural WondersSurf’s up at Wave Rock, a 110-metre granite swell resembling a wave about to crash to shore. If you think that’s impressive, just wait till you hear it’s three million years old.
Day 1 – flights to arrive prior to 12 noon into Perth Airport
Day 11 – flights to depart anytime from Perth Airport
Flights are not included in the holiday price
Return airport to hotel transfers are not included in the holiday price
Flights are not included in the holiday price
Tour Information are valid for departures between 1 May 2024 – 31 Oct 2024 and may be subject to change. Visit aatkings.com/booking-conditions for terms and conditions.
Western Australia’s capital and largest city, Perth is remarkably green. The snaking Swan River cuts through town, its banks lined with leafy promenades – not to mention glorious Kings Park, a floral wonderland home to more than 3,000 plant species in the Botanic Gardens. Enjoy a stroll with your Travel Director to ease into your WA adventure and later join your fellow travellers for a Welcome Dinner. Hotel: Holiday Inn West Perth. D
Say hello to Wave Rock, a 110-metre, rainbow-hued granite swell formed more than three million years ago. It’s in the ballpark of another imaginatively named rock formation: Hippo’s Yawn. You can actually climb through the hippo’s ‘neck’ to grab a happy snap. Fun fact: the visitor centre here has the world’s largest collection of toy soldiers. Wave Rock local Sheenagh knows a thing or two about life on the land. She’s passionate about her farm, and proudly shows off the outback while you explore the wide open spaces that characterise the WA countryside. You'll also get to glimpse her collection of vintage cars – who knew folks in this part of the world were such avid collectors? Hotel: Wave Rock Motel, Hyden. B D
Today is deep – quite literally. Your journey through classic WA outback lands you in Kalgoorlie – get your bearings on a town tour, pausing to take in vistas over the staggering ‘Super Pit’ open-cut gold mine. Put life into perspective standing next to monstrous loaders and haul trucks at Hannans North Mine. It’s a shimmering opportunity to experience gold rush history and discover the Golden Mile. Hotel: Rydges Kalgoorlie. B D
Nature humbles at Cape Le Grand National Park, a staggering 31,000 hectares of sweeping heathlands, rugged coastal peaks and powdery beaches. It’s so pretty that kangaroos come here for a little sunbaking on the sand – at Lucky Bay, you’ll see Australia’s national emblem dozing beside the water. And then there’s Thistle Cove, replete with sun, sand, sea and sculpted rock formations that ‘whistle’ with the sounds of the wind and waves. Hotel: Comfort Inn Bay of Isles. B D
Bring your stamina for a day of unparalleled wilderness encounters. Well, until tomorrow, and the next day. Fitzgerald River National Park is one of the most ecologically important pockets of WA, home to 20 per cent of the state’s flora. Small wonder it’s a designated UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Journey on through the Stirling Range National Park, blanketed with more than 1,500 species of wildflowers, some of which are found nowhere else on Earth. Get some perspective from the Bluff Knoll Lookout, one of WA’s highest peaks. Hotel: The Dog Rock Motel. B D
Albany turns on pretty much every charm, whether you’re ready for more nature, are a history buff, or feel like it’s time for food and wine. You have a day at leisure to go in whichever direction you please. Perhaps opt for a tour that relives the town’s heritage as the last port of call for ANZAC troopships departing Australia in WWI. Maybe explore Torndirrup National Park, where steep cliffs give way to dramatic rock formations and whales are a common sight during migration. Or get a taste for the region on a culinary excursion. Hotel: The Dog Rock Motel. B
Think big when you visit the Valley of the Giants, where the Tree Top Walk gives you a bird’s-eye view of the soaring tingle trees that stand large all around; you’re suspended 40 metres above the forest floor. More lofty attractions await at the Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse, the tallest of its kind in Australia, set at the tip of a peninsula where the Indian and Southern Oceans meet. Being amid nature makes you thirsty. It’s a good thing the Margaret River wine region is on the horizon. Hotel: Stay Margaret River. B D
There aren’t many places in the world where grape vines grow metres from the sand – the Margaret River region is one. Here, 200 vineyards sit beside talented makers, bakers and purveyors. All you need to know is that today is one of indulgences, beginning at Vasse Virgin to savour olive oil that’s good enough to drink. But maybe try it on bread instead. Lunch is leisurely, at a vineyard with plenty of time to sip and savour local drops. If you still have room for dinner, ask us for recommendations. Hotel: Stay Margaret River. B L
You’ve seen the bucolic vine-laced countryside; now experience the region’s coast as you journey north to Busselton. Yet another record-breaking attraction awaits: the longest wooden jetty in the Southern Hemisphere. Tip your cap to those who built this 1.8-kilometre structure out into Geographe Bay. The afternoon is all yours in Freo. Hot tip: The city’s markets feature 150 stalls under one roof. Hotel: Esplanade Hotel Fremantle - by Rydges. B D
Freo sits at the mouth of the Swan River, its port the gateway to all manner of watery expeditions. One that will surely make you smile is the ferry ride to Rottnest Island, where Australia’s happiest (and friendliest) critters await. Bring your swimsuit to cool off between cycling expeditions. If you’re ready for some downtime, follow the lead of locals to Little Creatures Brewery for an icy ale. Or explore the town in the company of an in-the-know local. Today is yours to create, but we always have a few ideas in our little black book. Hotel: Esplanade Hotel Fremantle - by Rydges. B
Eleven days. Too many beaches to count. Wildlife galore. A few wine bottles and a few thousand memories… this trip is one for the record books. B
Definite Departures highlighted in red.
For prices, additional departure dates, flight Information, latest deals and year-round offers including past guest offers, grooup booking discounts for 9+ guests and multi-trip savings, visit aatkings.com/WPKG or contact your local travel agent.
A limited number of single rooms are also available.
Flexible HolidaysFrom a jaw-dropping Skywalk to striated seaside cliffs, you’ll appreciate a day at leisure to explore Kalbarri. Continue your natural high walking barefoot along Geraldton’s sandy coves.
Iconic SitesGet set for colour: botanicals in King’s Park, wildflowers in national parks and the bleached limestone towers of The Pinnacles.
Sustainable TravelHeritage Lynton Station was a convict depot way back in 1853. Your visit helps preserve the buildings and landscapes that remember this slice of history.
Natural WondersEye-popping is one way to describe Hutt Lagoon, a high-salinity waterway that changes hue from bubble-gum pink to crimson red.
Day 1 – flights to arrive prior to 4.00pm into Perth Airport
Day 7 – flights to depart after 1.30pm Domestic or after 2.30pm
International from Perth Airport
Flights are not included in the holiday price
Flights are not included in the holiday price
Tour Information are valid for departures between 1 Sep 2024 – 30 Sep 2024 and may be subject to change. Visit aatkings.com/booking-conditions for terms and conditions.
Arrive early into Perth? The West Australian capital has some of Australia’s most happening lifestyle precincts, many filled with eye-popping street art, others with the kind of cafés you might expect to find on the streets of New York. Explore at your leisure before meeting fellow flower lovers for drinks and canapés as the sun sets over the mighty Swan River. Hotel: Crowne Plaza Perth.
Settle in for a few hours of hypnotic coastal scenery as you make your way north to Kalbarri. All the wave gazing is thirsty work. Thankfully, family-owned Illegal Tender Rum Co. has a few quenching distillations prepared for your arrival. Go behind the scenes to glimpse how this distinctive sugar-cane-based spirit is made, sampling award-winning spiced rum (among others) while you wander. Lunch is served on the distillery’s deck overlooking dreamy fields, with each bite like Western Australia in a mouthful. Hotel: Kalbarri Edge Resort. B L D
Some 400 million years ago, the Murchison River carved its way through Kalbarri National Park, leaving behind echo-inspiring gorges of red-and white banded sandstone as well as soaring coastal cliffs. It’s quite the sight, and best taken in from a height. Enter the Kalbarri Skywalk, a precipitous projection 25 metres beyond the gorge rim and a dizzying 100 metres above the river. A different perspective is offered from the Hawk’s Head Lookout and Nature’s Window, the latter a natural rock arch that frames the gorge far below. The real reason you’re here, however, is for the wildflowers – more than 12,000 species carpet this part of the state, 60 per cent of which are found nowhere else on Earth. Some are hard to find, so tread lightly. Hotel: Kalbarri Edge Resort. B
Step back in time – all the way to 1853 – when you arrive at Lynton Station, a former convict depot and homestead composed of a collection of historic limestone buildings. Just as eye-opening is Hutt Lagoon, an enormous lake that is sometimes bubblegum pink, sometimes lilac, and occasionally even red. The high salinity here determines its hue at different times of year. Your last stop is the moving HMAS Sydney Memorial, high on the hill overlooking Geraldton; it pays homage to the ship’s crew who were lost when it went down off the West Australian coast. Hotel: Mantra Geraldton. B L D
Geraldton is the gateway to a bedazzlement of wildflowers – picking where to go can be daunting. We have a little black book of hotspots, like Mullewa, which straddles both geological and climatic transition zones. Translation: it’s a floral wonderland. Expect waves of everlastings and flowering shrubs along roadsides and in surrounding nature reserves, and have your camera poised to snap the star attraction: the wreath flower. Your Travel Director knows where to look. Hotel: Mantra Geraldton. B
Arriving at Nambung National Park, you may think you’ve been transported to the moon, so surreal is the desert landscape of limestone pillars that surrounds. Welcome to The Pinnacles, jutting out from shifting yellow sands and standing up to five metres tall. You’re walking amid history: these structures were created millions of years ago as seashells were broken down into sand and then eroded by water and wind. After a scenic drive back to Perth, join your Travel Director and fellow wildflower lovers for a Farewell Dinner. Hotel: Crowne Plaza Perth. B FD
You’ve seen blooms around the state. But one final glimpse remains in Perth’s lush Kings Park. It’s remarkable to think that this inner-city patch of green is home to the Western Australian Botanic Gardens, replete with more than 3,000 species of the state’s unique flora. What a powerful end to a flower-filled journey. B
Definite Departures highlighted in red.
For prices, additional departure dates, flight Information, latest deals and year-round offers including past guest offers, grooup booking discounts for 9+ guests and multi-trip savings, visit aatkings.com/WPMP or contact your local travel agent.
A limited number of single rooms are also available.
Flexible HolidaysYou need time to appreciate the beauty of Monkey Mia and Shark Bay, on land and in the water. Choose to cruise in the company of dolphins at sunset or discover Aboriginal culture.
Iconic SitesCome for Monkey Mia’s resident population of wild dolphins; linger for the rugged landscapes of Kalbarri and Nambung national parks.
Sustainable TravelAboriginal culture is strong and spiritual in Yanchep National Park. Discover how the land has sustained First Nations communities for millennia.
Natural WondersYou’ll be lost for words exploring the lunar-like landscape surrounding The Pinnacles, a surreal union of limestone formations jutting into the sky.
Day prior – flights to arrive anytime into Perth Airport
Day 5 – flights to depart anytime from Perth Airport
Flights are not included in the holiday price
Return airport to hotel transfers are not included in the holiday price
Flights are not included in the holiday price
Tour Information are valid for departures between 1 May 2024 – 10 Nov 2024 and may be subject to change. Visit aatkings.com/booking-conditions for terms and conditions.
Get set for a good dose of coastal drama today as you journey north from Freo all the way to Geraldton. But before you get there, pause in Yanchep National Park, a union of bush and wetlands that is as spectacular as it is sacred. The best way to understand its significance to First Nations communities is in the company of an Aboriginal guide. On this MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, there are Dreamtime stories and didgeridoo playing, and hands-on learning with traditional tools. Just try not to leave more informed than when you arrived. Two national parks in one day – your next stop is Nambung. We’ll forgive you for thinking you’ve been transported to the set of a sci-fi movie when you arrive at this moonscape, studded with limestone pillars stretching five metres into the sky. Welcome to The Pinnacles. Arriving in Geraldton, more moving moments await at the evocative HMAS Sydney Memorial. Hotel: Mantra Geraldton.
Shark Bay is one of the planet’s greatest wilderness areas – if you don’t believe us, chat to UNESCO about the World Heritage listing they gave this pocket of WA. A window in time and a wildlife refuge, it’s all powdery white coves and gin-clear waters that naturally attract a plethora of wildlife. This afternoon, take in the bounty at your own pace, perhaps on a sunset cruise to spot sea creatures great and small, or from the air, where your bird’s-eye view reveals just how wide and wonderful the coast really is. Come dusk, be sure to find an oceanside perch and a cold beverage. Cheers to the end of another amazing day in WA. Hotel: Monkey Mia Dolphin Resort. B D
If you need a reason to be up with the birds, make the dolphins of Monkey Mia it. These wild bottlenoses swim to shore every morning to greet visitors before heading off to surf the waves. It’s a hard act to follow. But then again, so is Shell Beach, formed from billions of coquina bivalve shells that pile up to 10 metres deep. Hamelin Pool is home to the world’s largest colony of stromatolites. They appear rock-like, but are actually living, and they date back to the beginning of life on Earth. Talk about putting things into perspective. We hope you brought your stamina – there’s more to come. Kalbarri National Park was carved by the Murchison River millions of years ago. The gorge that remains is particularly pretty during wildflower season, when acacia, banksia and caladenia are in dazzling bloom. Hotel: Kalbarri Edge Resort. B D
If you thought you’d seen it all, wait until Hutt Lagoon appears on the horizon. One of Western Australia’s eye-popping pink lakes, this body of highly salty water changes hue at different times of the year – sometimes it’s bubblegum, often it’s lilac, occasionally it’s red. It’s always incredible. What a blazing way to end your WA stay. But wait, you still have a Farewell Dinner and drinks with your new friends. Don’t forget to exchange email addresses. Hotel: Holiday Inn West Perth. B FD
Short and sweet, we hope your journey inspired extended West Australian wanderlust. B
Definite Departures highlighted in red.
For prices, additional departure dates, flight Information, latest deals and year-round offers including past guest offers, grooup booking discounts for 9+ guests and multi-trip savings, visit aatkings.com/FHLH or contact your local travel agent.
A limited number of single rooms are also available.
Flexible HolidaysDiscover Tasmania’s wild side spotting devils, wombats and little penguins. Or just chill out with a glass of wine in Hobart and Launceston’s forward-thinking restaurants.
Iconic SitesFrom untamed wilderness areas like Cradle Mountain and Freycinet National Park to the World Heritage listed Port Arthur, Tassie is not short on attractions.
Sustainable TravelYour entry fees into the state’s national parks assist with the conservation of these pristine natural environments.
Natural WondersCruise the Gordon River amid World Heritage listed wilderness, the banks clad with ancient forest, including a 2,000-year-old pine.
Day 1 – flights to arrive prior to 12.30pm into Hobart Airport
Day 10 – flights to depart anytime from Hobart Airport
Flights are not included in the holiday price
Flights are not included in the holiday price
Tour Information are valid for departures between 1 Apr 2024 – 31 Mar 2025 and may be subject to change. Visit aatkings.com/booking-conditions for terms and conditions.
The Tasmanian capital of Hobart may be small in size, but it’s big in attractions, as you’ll discover this afternoon. Put your destination into perspective from the summit of Mt. Nelson, offering endless vistas over Australia’s southernmost city. View the charming Georgian cottages of Battery Point and explore the streets and convict built warehouses along Salamanca Place, the backdrop of epic Saturday markets. Gaze over boats at Constitution Dock - this is where yachts finish when competing in the annual Sydney to Hobart race, and take a stroll in the second oldest Botanical Gardens in Australia with its amazing collection of plants from around the world. Tonight, join your Travel Director for a Welcome Dinner. Hotel: Best Western Hobart. D
Western Tasmania is like nature amplified, a place where the wilderness rules and people are few and far between. Visiting Mount Field National Park is a humbling experience, not only for the fact it’s part of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area, but also because it’s home to some of the tallest eucalypts and flowering plants on Earth. Wander amid these giants to reach Russell Falls – take a deep breath; you’re officially on holiday. Records continue to be broken at Lake St. Clair, the deepest freshwater Lake in Australia, before you arrive in Strahan, gateway to World Heritage listed Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park. Hotel: Strahan Village. B D
The inky waters of the Gordon River – given its colour by amber button-grass tannins – are as eery as they are beautiful, the mirror-like surface only broken by your Gordon River chariot as you cruise through Hells Gates, the treacherous entrance to the harbour before returning to Sarah Island. It’s hard to reconcile the beauty of this part of the state with its grim history as a penal colony; a place where convicts would fell Huon pines for boat building. Disembark at Heritage Landing to view one of these 500-year-old majestic trees. Safely back on dry land, it's soon time to discover 'The Ship That Never Was', the dramatic and hilarious true story of the Great Escape from Sarah Island! You'll see it performed live by a group of theatre professionals. Hotel: Strahan Village. B L D
Today your journey reaches new heights – quite literally with a visit to the 1,545-metre Cradle Mountain, your backdrop as you explore Dove Lake on your Cradle Mountain tour, the wild alpine moorlands here a natural magnet for lovers of the wilderness. The spectacular and pristine wilderness of Cradle Mountain is home to the mysterious and secretive Tasmanian Devil. You’ll love the next adventure today, a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience. A Day Keeper at Devils @ Cradle will lead you through the sanctuary and provide you with a thorough insight into its operation. When joining this tour you will be directly supporting these animals and threatened species conservation. Leave the Central Highlands after an uplifting day and head towards the scenic north-west coast for your overnight stay. Hotel: Beachfront Voyager Motor Inn. B L D
Table Cape is by far Wynyard's most remarkable natural wonder, at 180 metres high, 'The Cape' - as locals refer to it - offers spectacular views of Tasmania's coastline. As you drive to the top of the remains of a 12-million-year-old volcano you'll reach Table Cape lookout where, on a clear day, you can see mountain ranges over 175 kilometres away. If there’s a town with a cuter name than Penguin, we’re yet to find it. Locals embrace its appeal – there are penguin sculptures at every turn, including one measuring over 3 metres tall. Your journey along the northwest coast also passes through Ulverstone and Sheffield, The Town of Murals, boasting over 100 large paintings depicting the area’s rich history and local characters. All this exploring builds an appetite. Refuel at Ashgrove Tasmanian Farm, where happy cows contribute to award-winning cheeses – everything from cheddar and red Leicester to creamy Tasmanian blue. Hotel: Best Western Plus Launceston. B
There are few places in the world where you can leave the city behind and within minutes be amid an immense wilderness area. Launceston is one. Blink and you’re at Cataract Gorge, a yawning chasm carved by ancient rivers. This rare natural phenomenon unites bushland with neat Victorian gardens, replete with ferns and exotic plants. Get a different perspective of the green cavern on the optional scenic chairlift, zipping you over the water to a lofty lookout. We wouldn’t blame you for lingering here, or perhaps sample more of Tassie’s finest fare on a Tamar Valley winery tour. The choice is yours. Hotel: Best Western Plus Launceston. B
You’ll smell Bridestowe before you see it, this enormous lavender farm perfuming the Tasmanian countryside. The flowers grown here aren’t just used in fragrances – they’re also infused into ice-cream, teas and jams. It’s a tasty entrée to the Legerwood Carved Memorial Trees, sculpted into World War One soldiers. Little penguins come out to play in Bicheno; sign up to spot them after dark as they waddle to shore from the water. Hotel: Beachfront at Bicheno. B D
The colours at Freycinet National Park are so vivid you’ll think someone has taken the glasses off your nose and cleaned them for the first time: The patchwork of ocean blues that lap Coles and Wineglass bays. The dramatic pink granite cliffs. There’s a reason why the peninsula stars on postcards. The other place on postcards is Richmond, its grand 1820s Georgian buildings today home to bijou boutiques, galleries and cafés that appear to be lost in time. Hotel: Best Western Hobart. B
The Isle of the Dead, Devil’s Kitchen, Blowhole… the attractions at and around Port Arthur nod to the region’s notoriously grim history. This is the best-preserved convict site in Australia, and among the most significant convict-era destinations worldwide. The stories these walls could tell. Hotel: Best Western Hobart. B FD
It took early explorers months to circumnavigate Tasmania. You’ve done it in 10 days. What a wild ride. B
Definite Departures highlighted in red.
For prices, additional departure dates, flight Information, latest deals and year-round offers including past guest offers, grooup booking discounts for 9+ guests and multi-trip savings, visit aatkings.com/CBFT or contact your local travel agent.
A limited number of single rooms are also available.
Flexible HolidaysSmell the flowers at Floriade, an immense wonderland of bulbs best enjoyed at a leisurely pace. More blooms await in Bowral, with its antiques stores and cosy cafés.
Iconic SitesFrom Floriade and Parliament House to quaint historic villages, Canberra’s attractions don’t disappoint.
Natural WondersCanberra is one of Australia’s greenest cities, from its alternative energy ethos to its ample parks that welcome visitors at every turn.
Day Prior – flights to arrive anytime into Sydney Airport
Day 3 – flights to depart after 8.00pm from Sydney Airport
Flights are not included in the holiday price
Flights are not included in the holiday price
Tour Information are valid for departures between 1 Apr 2024 – 31 Mar 2025 and may be subject to change. Visit aatkings.com/booking-conditions for terms and conditions.
This short getaway from Sydney sees you leave the skyscrapers behind and venture into the bucolic countryside of the Southern Highlands, all heritage villages, vineyards and manicured gardens. The allures all unite in Berrima, the best-preserved Georgian town in Australia – look no further than its convict-era sandstone gaol. Despite its gloomy history, the building awfully pretty to look at. All this touring is hungry work – thankfully, a barbecue lunch awaits on the grounds of working cattle and sheep farm Gold Creek Station, where you’ll learn about life on the land from someone who works it every day. Speaking of working hard for the money, 10,000 people spent years constructing Parliament House, the architecturally eye-catching seat of the nation’s government that was constructed largely from Australian materials. Your Canberra tour guide will take you behind the scenes and reveal all the secrets. Hotel: Crowne Plaza Canberra. L D
There are more than a million bulbs on display annually Floriade, an explosion of colour that transforms the banks of Lake Burley Griffin – as well as some of Canberra’s suburbs in recent years. The month-long affair – the largest of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere – was originally designed to celebrate Australia’s Bicentenary and Canberra’s 75th birthday. But it has become a regular on the city’s event calendar. You’ll see why. Continue your weekend in Canberra browsing immaculate flower beds in various patterns and themes, then enjoy entertainment, market stalls and a lively spring vibe. Hotel: Crowne Plaza Canberra. B
Yet more flowers await in the Southern Highlands, where Bowral's Corbett Gardens play host to 75,000 tulips. The aptly named Tulip Time Festival here will inspire you to buy some tulips to plant back home - it's that eye catching. Before you board your coach for your return to Sydney, you'll have time at leisure in the Southern Highlands village of Mittagong. B
Definite Departures highlighted in red.
For prices, additional departure dates, flight Information, latest deals and year-round offers including past guest offers, grooup booking discounts for 9+ guests and multi-trip savings, visit aatkings.com/NUCA or contact your local travel agent.
A limited number of single rooms are also available.
Flexible HolidaysUluru is one of those places you could spend a lot of time at. Arrive early to soak up the spirituality.
Iconic SitesThings get deep in Cooper Pedy, that Aussie town that lies largely underground. Visit some iconic buildings all marbled with opals.
Sustainable TravelSleep soundly knowing that wherever you wander with AAT Kings, you’re contributing to the protection of the destinations you visit.
Natural WondersSalt lakes and South Australia go hand in hand. Prepare for your white-out at Lake Hart, a vast pearly plain made all the more dramatic by the pindan soil that surrounds.
Day Prior – flights to arrive anytime into Ayers Rock Airport
Day 4 – flights to depart anytime from Adelaide Airport
Flights are not included in the holiday price
Return airport to hotel transfers are not included in the holiday price
Flights are not included in the holiday price
Tour Information are valid for departures between 1 Jun 2024 – 31 Aug 2024 and may be subject to change. Visit aatkings.com/booking-conditions for terms and conditions.
There’s something starkly beautiful about the Australian outback. The pindan soil, silvery gums, horizon-busting skies, vast swathes of sun-baked nothingness. This is your backdrop as you cross from the Northern Territory into South Australia, ready to get deep at your destination. Coober Pedy, known as ‘the opal capital of the world’, is all lunar landscapes at the surface, and psychedelic colours underground. Locals not only mine rainbow hued opals in a vast network of subterranean tunnels, but also live here, go to church here and send their kids to school here. You’ll get to bed down in an underground hotel as well. Nature’s air-conditioning. Hotel: Desert Cave Hotel. D
It’s hard to imagine landscapes more dramatic than those you’ve experienced so far. But nature ups the ante at Lake Hart, a vast saltpan that sparked a community in the 1930s. Today, it’s all but deserted, adding to the ethereal atmosphere. The vastness of the South Australian outback was no doubt one of the reasons why it was chosen to become the world’s largest military land base. Believe it or not, Woomera has been a testing base for atomic bombs, ballistic missiles and satellite boosters. Mull over that en route to SA’s natural harbour of Port Augusta. Hotel: Majestic Oasis Apartments. B D
The Wadlata Outback Centre was created to decode some of the countryside you’ve been traversing over the past two days. Come face-to-face with giant ripper lizards, journey back in time to when dinosaurs roamed this land, and meet some of the people who first owned, explored and settled the region – as well as some of those who live here today. There are fossils and more opals, and interactive exhibits; have you ever tried Morse code? All this outback is thirsty work. Thankfully the Clare Valley is on the horizon. Gather in the cellar door at historic Knappstein Wines to find out just why their riesling takes home so many awards. Their other drops are pretty tasty, too. Hotel: Crowne Plaza Adelaide. B D
While your AAT Kings journey comes to an end, we seriously hope you have plans to linger in (and around) the South Australian capital, ready for your next Adelaide tour. From its wineries to its epic Central Market, there’s a reason why this part of the state attracts some of Australia’s most innovative bakers, makers, growers, producers and vintners. Dig in! B
Definite Departures highlighted in red.
For prices, additional departure dates, flight Information, latest deals and year-round offers including past guest offers, grooup booking discounts for 9+ guests and multi-trip savings, visit aatkings.com/SAMC or contact your local travel agent.
A limited number of single rooms are also available.
Flexible HolidaysTake a flight over mighty Lake Eyre, or if terra firma is more your thing, stay on the coach to Coober Pedy to experience more of the famous Oodnadatta Track with your experienced Driver Guide.
Iconic SitesExplore Farina, one of Australia’s most famous ghost towns, and enjoy a tour of Coober Pedy where 70% of the population live underground.
Sustainable TravelArkaroola has established an education and research foundation to foster an interest in science, education and conservation. AAT Kings donates $10 for every guest who visits.
Natural WondersSee prehistoric river systems as you fly over Lake Eyre, Australia’s largest inland lake.
Day 1 – flights to arrive prior to 11.00am into Adelaide Airport
Day 8 – flights to depart after 5.00pm from Adelaide Airport
Flights are not included in the holiday price
Return airport to hotel transfers are not included in the holiday price
Flights are not included in the holiday price
Tour Information are valid for departures between 1 Apr 2024 – 31 Oct 2024 and may be subject to change. Visit aatkings.com/booking-conditions for terms and conditions.
The South Australian capital often flies under the radar – locals like it that way, happy to keep their buzzing dining precincts, glorious gardens and on-your-doorstep wineries to themselves. But the secret is well and truly out, and over the course of the afternoon you’ll discover just how diverse Adelaide really is. Touring the city you’ll cover every interest base: sports (Adelaide Oval), horticulture (the Botanic Garden), culture (the Art Gallery of South Australia) and food (Adelaide Central Market). Tonight, join your Travel Director and fellow travellers for a drink and then wander up to the foodie hub of North Terrace. The city offers plenty of eateries in which to while away your evening. Hotel: Adabco Boutique Hotel.
You don’t have to travel far from Adelaide to be surrounded by vines. In fact, just 1.5 hours north lies the Clare Valley, and therein one of Australia’s most awarded wineries. Knappstein Enterprise Winery’s roots reach back to 1878, which yields extremely tasty drops, as you’ll discover at the cellar door before lunch in the Clare Valley’s atmospheric central town. It’s the best way to ease into the wide-open, otherworldly spaces of the Flinders Ranges – your commute is a short journey by coach, but it transports you to seemingly Martian landscapes, some 800 million years in the making and home to the Adnyamathanha people for tens of thousands of years. The First Nations community owns and manages your base for the night, Wilpena Pound Resort, and they’ll welcome you to Country with spirit and soul. Hotel: Wilpena Pound Resort. B D
The cliffs and craters and ravishing red rocks of the Flinders Ranges shine brightly in the morning sun, your outlook particularly pretty from Wangara Lookout. From this vantage, you’ll enjoy expansive views over the natural amphitheatre that is Wilpena Pound. It’s an awe-inspiring way to start the day, before your journey carves north through dramatic Bunyeroo and Brachina Gorges. Keep your eyes peeled for endangered yellow-footed rock wallabies – only 2,250 remain in Australia, and most call this part of the country home. You’ll begin to understand why they favour the South Australian outback when you arrive in Arkaroola, characterised by ancient granite mountains and golden spinifex-covered hillsides and providing a vantage over Lake Frome and the desert beyond. But the real stars here are those overhead, as you’ll discover on an astronomy tour that brings the dazzling night sky into full focus. Prepare to be humbled – in the best possible way. Hotel: Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary. B D
What was happening in Arkaroola 1.6 billion years ago? Your guide will help decode the region’s mind-boggling geological history as you navigate the steep slopes and hair-raising ascents of the Ridgetop Track. Plants here are found nowhere else on the planet, and gorges are so vast that they seem to cleave off the edge of the earth. A patina follows your journey northwest to the Ochre Cliffs outside Lyndhurst, where an artist’s smudge of fiery hues paints the countryside all the way to the horizon. It’s as sacred as it is spectacular, with the Aboriginal community having utilised the rich clay soil in ceremonies for centuries. You can see why this part of Australia was attractive to the 1800s settlers of nearby Farina – but you’ll also learn why they departed, leaving an eerie ghost town on the outskirts of Marree, where you’ll lay your swimming head for the night. Hotel: Marree Hotel. B L D
Much of the South Australian outback towns exist because of the old Ghan Railway, click-clacking from Adelaide to Darwin. Plenty of history will be revealed on your morning’s journey down the line’s westward bend, perhaps only outshone by the natural drama of Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre. Australia’s largest inland lake is – most of the time – a shimmering saltpan covering hundreds of square kilometres, yet is occasionally transformed by desert downpours into a thriving oasis. You’ll have the chance to glimpse it from the air, your bird’s-eye view unfolding beneath you like a work of art. Speaking of art – your included scenic flight will also pass over the Anna Creek Painted Hills, a rocky outcrop that literally pops out of the flat desert, creating silhouettes resembling cartoon characters. Touch down to explore the otherworldly countryside before jetting on to your destination for the next two nights, Coober Pedy, brimming with compelling quirks and subterranean adventures. Hotel: Desert Cave Hotel. B
The self-proclaimed ‘opal capital of the world’, Coober Pedy’s many attractions lie primarily below the earth’s surface. Due to the above-ground heat (temperatures can soar) many locals choose to take up a subterranean residence as well. Once you’ve explored this fascinating community – including fossicking for opals in surrounding mines – look further afield to Aboriginal owned Kanku-Breakaways Conservation Park, where you’ll travel along a stretch of the Dog Fence: a barrier spanning 5,300 kilometres across three states. As mind-boggling as the construction is, it pales in comparison to the setting’s moonscape of fossilised shells and cracked grey clay. The only thing more surreal than the natural landscape is the constructed one this afternoon at Coober Pedy Opal Fields Golf Club, where the fairways are dirt and sand. Pick up a club to thump balls around the oil-soaked putting green. Hotel: Desert Cave Hotel. B D
It’s hard to imagine landscapes more dramatic than those you’ll have experienced so far. But the bar is officially raised by those at Lake Hart, another vast saltpan that sparked a community in the 1930s. Today, it’s all but deserted, the isolation reminding you that Mother Nature always rules. The vastness of the South Australian outback here was no doubt one of the reasons why it – specifically Woomera – was chosen to become the world’s largest military land base. Established by the British in 1947, the countryside here has been a testing base for atomic bombs, ballistic missiles and satellite boosters. It’s a piece of Australian history few know of, but that you will leave appreciating, as you head toward your evening’s repose in the natural harbour of Port Augusta. Hotel: Majestic Oasis Apartments. B
The Barossa needs no introduction – your journey today will take in one of Australia’s oldest wine regions, and local makers know a thing or two about creating memorable vintages. Lambert Estate reveals some of the finest regional drops, your lunchtime tipples complemented by glorious views over the vines. Cheers to that! You’ll arrive in plenty of time for your Adelaide flight, your heart, mind and spirit filled with the natural and human wonders of a region that exudes superlatives. B L
Definite Departures highlighted in red.
For prices, additional departure dates, flight Information, latest deals and year-round offers including past guest offers, grooup booking discounts for 9+ guests and multi-trip savings, visit aatkings.com/SAKI or contact your local travel agent.
A limited number of single rooms are also available.
Flexible HolidaysFoodies, rejoice! Arrive early to discover the culinary joys of Adelaide (don’t miss the Central Market) then refuel at Kangaroo Island Brewery. They make a mean beer.
Iconic SitesFrom the Remarkable Rocks to Admirals Arch and Seal Bay, Kangaroo Island’s natural drama is only outshone by its abundance of wildlife.
Sustainable TravelVisits to Seal Bay Conservation Park and Flinders Chase National Park help protect these fragile ecosystems – and the animals that call them home.
Natural WondersFlinders Chase National Park offers an embarrassment of floral and fauna encounters, from voluptuous rock formations to jagged sea cliffs and tall stands of eucalypts.
Day 1 – flights to arrive prior to 4.00pm into Adelaide Airport
Day 5 – flights to depart anytime from Adelaide Airport
Flights are not included in the holiday price
Return airport to hotel transfers are not included in the holiday price
Flights are not included in the holiday price
Tour Information are valid for departures between 1 Apr 2024 – 31 Oct 2024 and may be subject to change. Visit aatkings.com/booking-conditions for terms and conditions.
The ‘City of Churches’ is, it turns out, also the honorary ‘City of Food’. You only need to wander around the Adelaide Central Market to discover a smorgasbord of local produce. If you have the time to explore slightly further afield, it’s a short drive to the orchards, vineyards and cheesemongers of the Adelaide Hills and the Barossa. Plenty of tasty reasons to arrive early in the South Australian capital. Meet your fellow adventurers this evening with a drink at your hotel. Hotel: HotelMotel Adelaide.
This morning, embark on a city sights tour before discovering the pretty-as-a-picture Fleurieu Peninsula, the gateway to all manner of wild and wonderful destinations. Not in the least Kangaroo Island, accessed via the Cape Jervis ferry, cruising south over the Great Australian Bight bound for Penneshaw. Bubbling with excitement to arrive on KI? So is Mike, your host at Kangaroo Island Brewery. This is no ordinary brew-house – Mike makes all his beers using rainwater he collects from the roof of his shed. Try a paddle of his liquid gold, or sip wine and cider while chatting with your affable host. Hotel: Aurora Ozone Hotel, Executive Rooms. B D
Today mingles wilderness, wildlife and wonderful food in equal measure. Your outlook begins on a high at the Remarkable Rocks. Formed some 500 million years ago, the precariously balanced, rust-hued granite boulders cut a dramatic form against the inky blue of the Southern Ocean and silvery shrubs that cover the countryside. Your outlook is just as wild at Admirals Arch, a natural rock formation within Flinders Chase National Park, and a popular hangout for cacophonous New Zealand fur seals. The colony loll about on just about every surface you can see. They’re petite compared to the creatures found at Seal Bay, where playful seals tumble down the sand to splash about in the water – metres from where you stand. And onto that food and drink. After a two-course lunch at Vivonne Bay Bistro, Peter at Island Beehive will dish up samples of the honey (and delicious honey ice-cream) he makes here using Ligurian bees. They’re found on KI, and nowhere else in Australia. Meanwhile, the owners of Islander Estate Vineyard will pour you a glass or two and talk through the production of their wines. Hotel: Aurora Ozone Hotel, Executive Rooms. B L
One of the reason bees are so happy on Kangaroo Island is because they have an immense floral bounty to buzz over at Emu Bay Lavender Farm. Maria and Tony have been tending the land for two decades, and today grow 10 varieties of this fragrant flower. They turn it into all kinds of products, from soaps and beauty products to ice-cream, jam and scones. Dig in. Before you leave the island, follow your nose to Emu Ridge Eucalyptus Distillery. If Australia was an aroma, this would be it. Pick up essential oils, body creams, sweets honey and soaps, and taste their cider. Then bliss out knowing that anything you eat or use not only tastes and smells great, but also has therapeutic properties. Back in Adelaide, relax this afternoon before joining your fellow foodies for a Farewell Dinner. Hotel: HotelMotel Adelaide. B FD
Bags a few kilos heavier thanks to all that honey, lavender and eucalyptus, it’s time to bid farewell to Adelaide and Australia’s second-largest (but perhaps most beguiling) island. B
Definite Departures highlighted in red.
For prices, additional departure dates, flight Information, latest deals and year-round offers including past guest offers, grooup booking discounts for 9+ guests and multi-trip savings, visit aatkings.com/SAEP or contact your local travel agent.
A limited number of single rooms are also available.
Flexible HolidaysKick back in Coffin Bay with wine and the sound of didgeridoos. Or lace up your hiking shoes to explore countryside around Elliston. Ask us for tips.
Iconic SitesThe end-of-the-Earth sea cliffs of the Great Australian Bight frame a marine environment that humbles. Explore by land and sea, and get set for goosebumps.
Sustainable TravelEnjoy some bush tucker and learn how to water divine as owner Kane shows you his man-made eco sanctuary hidden away in the hinterland of Coffin Bay.
Natural WondersMarvel at the weathered rock formations as you wander arounds Murphy's Haystacks; 1,500 million years in the making.
Day 1 – Flights to arrive by 8.00am into Adelaide Airport
(We strongly recommend you arrive the evening prior)
Day 7 – Flights to depart anytime from Adelaide Airport
Flights are not included in the holiday price
Return airport to hotel transfers are not included in the holiday price
Flights are not included in the holiday price
Tour Information are valid for departures between 1 Apr 2024 – 15 Nov 2024 and may be subject to change. Visit aatkings.com/booking-conditions for terms and conditions.
Often the best way to get a taste for a region is through its food and wine. And we’re determined to help you do just that from day dot of this tour. Just 90 minutes after departing Adelaide you’re in the heart of the Clare Valley, one of South Australia’s premier wine regions. And one of its premier wineries beckons. Gather in the cellar door at Knappstein Wines, whose riesling (among other drops) will make you weak at the knees. The township of Port Augusta is your base tonight, its broad harbour reaching out to the Spencer Gulf. Join your Travel Director and travelling companions for a Welcome Dinner. Hotel: Majestic Oasis Apartments. D
The town of Kimba may be small in population, but it’s big in attractions. Look no further than the eight-metre-tall Big Galah, guarding over the Eyre Peninsula. The other larger-than-life drawcard is Kimba’s silos, which forward-thinking artists have decorated with eye-popping murals. Talking about colourful countryside, wait until you see the pink ripples that Pildappa Rock casts. This immense granite outcrop was formed 1.5 billion years ago, its wave-like shape swooping over a swathe of pindan soil. Hotel: Ceduna Foreshore Hotel & Motel. B D
You could spend weeks exploring Ceduna and surrounds, tucked into an inlet on the Eyre Peninsula. But you have a day, so bring your stamina. First up, head down the coast to Smoky Bay for a cruise around the scenic harbour in search of dolphins and sea lions, followed by a shared lunch including freshly shucked oysters and wine enjoyed in a working oyster shed. This afternoon, discover more of Ceduna on a town tour, and visit to a local Aboriginal art gallery before arriving at your seaside hotel in Streaky Bay for an evening at leisure.
Hotel:
Streaky Bay Hotel & Motel.
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This part of the South Australian coast is pristine – this morning explore Cape Bauer Loop Scenic Drive where you’ll visit the Whistling Rocks and Blowholes, as well as enjoying panoramic views over Hally’s Beach. Nature continues to reign supreme at Murphy's Haystacks, a series of ancient pillars and boulders that appear to pop from the Earth, and Talia Caves – honeycombed granite rocks framing the beach. Stretch your legs along a section of the Elliston Coastal Trail at Little Bay, offering a windswept snapshot of some of the Eyre Peninsula's most dramatic scenery before arriving in Port Lincoln.
Hotel:
The Port Lincoln Hotel.
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This morning head to Coffin Bay to dive deep into Aboriginal culture on a Wild Yarnbala tour, covering off-grid, organic orchards and gardens, giving you the opportunity to taste bush tucker and learn water divining before being serenaded by a didgeridoo and lap steel guitar, as you sip on a gin filled with botanicals you’ve just picked from the orchard. The nutrient-rich waters in this area are a natural habitat for many marine creatures but none more popular or famous than their oysters. Wearing waterproof waders, tour an oyster farm, slurp some freshly shucked molluscs, then sit down on the deck overlooking beautiful Coffin Bay and enjoy an indulgent seafood platter. Later, get your Port Lincoln bearings on a guided tour before heading back to your waterfront hotel.
Hotel:
The Port Lincoln Hotel.
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Today’s your day to compare silo art: Kimba vs Tumby Bay, the latter painted by artist Martin Ron. Arriving at the Lucky Bay Jetty, jump aboard the Spencer Gulf Searoad to cruise across the gulf to Wallaroo. And just when you thought your week in South Australia couldn’t get any more colourful, you arrive at Bumbunga Pink Lake. This eye-popping waterway changes colour from pastel to bubble-gum to lipstick, depending on the salinity. Join your Travel Director tonight for a Farewell Dinner. Hotel: HotelMotel Adelaide. B FD
Short and sweet, we hope your journey inspired extended South Australian wanderlust. B
Definite Departures highlighted in red.
For prices, additional departure dates, flight Information, latest deals and year-round offers including past guest offers, grooup booking discounts for 9+ guests and multi-trip savings, visit aatkings.com/QSC or contact your local travel agent.
A limited number of single rooms are also available.
Flexible HolidaysChoose your own adventure on the Gold Coast and in the Whitsundays, where surf and sand meet rainforest hinterland. Hike, swim, snorkel, cruise, repeat.
Iconic SitesHow many people get to say they visited three World Heritage Sites on a single holiday? You can: K’gari (Fraser Island), the Great Barrier Reef and the Wet Tropics of Queensland.
Sustainable TravelOur Take 3 for the Sea program helps conserve our oceans through small collective efforts of rubbish collection.
Natural WondersSome of the world’s oldest tropical rainforest envelops Cairns, this verdant tangle of ferns and palms a natural magnet for native wildlife.
Day prior – flights to arrive anytime into Sydney Airport
Day 12 – flights to depart anytime from Cairns Airport
Flights are not included in the holiday price
Return airport to hotel transfers are not included in the holiday price
Flights are not included in the holiday price
Tour Information are valid for departures between 1 Apr 2024 – 31 Mar 2025 and may be subject to change. Visit aatkings.com/booking-conditions for terms and conditions.
As much as you’ll want to linger in Sydney, Coffs Harbour is calling. On the mid-North Coast of New South Wales, this pocket of paradise has some of the state’s most impressive beaches, not to mention the glorious national parkland that surrounds. Follow the breeze (and lead of locals) to the beach for a dazzling end of day, before a Welcome Dinner with your fellow adventure seekers. Hotel: BreakFree Aanuka Beach Resort. D
Australia’s most easterly point is the stuff that postcards were made for, as you’ll discover when you reach the Cape Byron Lighthouse, standing proud over the Pacific Ocean. Dolphins are a common sight year round, and they’re joined by whales during migration. For lunch, we can point you in the direction of a tasty Byron Bay fish-and-chip shop – order a haul to eat with your feet in the sand. Which you’re going to see plenty of at your next destination. Hotel: Novotel Surfers Paradise. B
Your base in Surfers Paradise is the heart of the Gold Coast, a city that really does sparkle. Today you might choose to explore beaches (there are too many to count), lingering in light-filled cafés and restaurants. Or enlist in a Gold Coast tour to see another side of the ‘Goldie’ in the Mt. Tamborine hinterland – a hub for creatives and foodies. The city also breaks records for its extensive network of canals, which you might opt to explore on a leisurely cruise. Hotel: Novotel Surfers Paradise. B
Follow the waves north to Hervey Bay, the gateway to K’gari (Fraser Island). The ferry ride across the strait is a highlight, particularly during whale migration when these gentle giants come to the calm, protected waters to calve. Landing on K’gari, expect to see a lot of sand. This is, after all, the world’s largest sand island, and the only place in the world where rainforest grows from the sand. Hotel: Kingfisher Bay Resort. B
The island also has a really long sand highway, which you’ll get to zip along on a 4WD tour across 75 Mile Beach, all the way up the east coast to the Pinnacles Coloured Sands, calm Eli Creek and the Maheno shipwreck, which offers quite the photo opportunity. Just when you thought the island couldn’t get any prettier, Lake McKenzie appears on the horizon, this dazzling patch of blue formed only with rainwater. It’s a hard act to follow, but the ancient rainforest at Central Station and Wanggoolba Creek lives up to the challenge with its huge satiny, scribbly gum and kauri trees. Hotel: Kingfisher Bay Resort. B L
Back on the mainland you’re in Queensland’s cattle country. Case in point Langmorn Station, where the Creed family will welcome you with afternoon tea and a tour of the immense (and historic) cattle property – the original family homestead was built in 1873. The Creeds will regale you with stories about life on the land. The theme continues as you cross the Tropic of Capricorn to arrive in Rockhampton, the beef capital of Australia. See if it deserves its title sampling some of the town’s restaurants. Ask us for tips. Hotel: Quality Hotel Regent, Rockhampton. B
Another town with an impressive title is Sarina, Australia’s sugar capital. If you’ve ever wanted to know how sugar cane is processed and distilled, you’ll find the guided tour at the Sarina Sugar Shed a sweet addition to the itinerary. And yes, you get to sample the wares. Continue, on a high, along the east coast to Airlie Beach, the gateway to the Whitsundays. Life moves at a leisurely pace here. Fall into step and take things slow tonight. Hotel: Mantra Club Croc. B L
The Whitsunday Islands need little introduction, the 74 tropical drops of land a beguiling union of powdery beaches and rainforest, all ringed by the Coral Sea. There are endless ways to explore this part of the Great Barrier Reef – today, we’re letting you choose. Perhaps rise early for an optional helicopter ride over Heart Reef. Or catch a catamaran to Whitehaven Beach, with sand so high in silica it squeaks underfoot. Hotel: Mantra Club Croc. B
After all the excitement of yesterday, today it’s time to relax and enjoy the scenery – more sugar cane fields and rolling green paddocks, all framed by the ocean and rainforest-clad mountains. Stretch your legs en route to Cairns and soak up this steamy part of the state. Hotel: DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Cairns. B
The Cairns Esplanade is a hive of activity in the morning, with active locals out before the humidity of the day sets in. Keep pace, before cooling off in the Atherton Tablelands, a high tropical plateau of rainforest, including the heritage listed Curtain Fig Tree. And waterfalls, like Millaa Millaa, where enormous iridescent Ulysses butterflies like to dance. Explore Kuranda before getting some perspective on the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway, through and high above the canopy of the Barron Gorge National Park. Hotel: DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Cairns. B
Just when you thought your outlook couldn’t get any better, you’re zipping over the Great Barrier Reef on a high-speed catamaran. Snorkel with six of the world’s sea turtles bobbing over fans of coral, as well as so many fish you won’t know where to look. If you prefer to keep your head above water, the marine world can also be glimpsed from an underwater observatory and glass-bottom boat. Hotel: DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Cairns. B L FD
A ridiculous number of beaches, world-record breaking rainforest, dreamy islands and even dreamier ocean… it’s going to be hard to say goodbye to this backdrop. Not to mention your fellow travellers. B
Current season sold out
For prices, additional departure dates, flight Information, latest deals and year-round offers including past guest offers, grooup booking discounts for 9+ guests and multi-trip savings, visit aatkings.com/QGS or contact your local travel agent.
A limited number of single rooms are also available.
Flexible HolidaysTake a trip back in time at your leisure exploring Croydon’s Historic Precinct, circa 1800s, and the Historic Village Herberton, replete with 50 restored period buildings.
Iconic SitesOne of Australia’s great rail journeys, the Savannahlander traverses the Wet Tropics region of the Kuranda Range. The 1960’s ‘silver bullet’ cuts a striking form en route to Forsayth.
Natural WondersFeel your spirit soar gazing at the striated sandstone cliffs of Cobbold Gorge, an ancient geological landform carved by rivers more than 10,000 years ago.
Day prior – flights to arrive anytime into Cairns Airport
Day 9 – We recommend that guests fly out the day after
the tour returns to Cairns, as it may be delayed getting
back into Cairns.
Flights are not included in the holiday price.
This holiday is operated by Heritage Tours.
Visit aatkings.com for details.
Flights are not included in the holiday price
Tour Information are valid for departures between 1 May 2024 – 15 Oct 2024 and may be subject to change. Visit aatkings.com/booking-conditions for terms and conditions.
Your journey begins on a high – literally – as you depart Cairns and weave north into the Atherton Tableland. There are lakes, record-breaking pines and Historic Village Herberton, a recreated tin mining town replete with shops and a pub. Hotel: Malanda Lodge Motel. L D
All aboard the 1960s Savannahlander train as it tracks towards Einasleigh in the Wet Tropics. Order a cold one at the pub or visit Copperfield Gorge before the ‘silver bullet’ chugs toward Georgetown. Hotel: Latara Motel. B L D
The aquatic jewel of the Gulf Savannah, Croydon’s Lake Belmore is the region’s largest body of water. Karumba sits at the mouth of the Norman River on the Gulf of Carpentaria; it's a twitcher's delight, as you’ll discover on a sunset cruise. Hotel: Karumba Lodge. B L D
The Gulf of Carpentaria is a rare example of a shallow sea on top of a continent. It’s a unique marine ecosystem that fosters all manner of fish, as you’ll learn at the Les Wilson Barramundi Discovery Centre & Hatchery. Feeling thirsty? Enjoy happy hour at Point Sunset. Hotel: Karumba Lodge. B L D
Explorers Burke and Wills came through this part of Queensland while surveying the gulf. Campsite 119 was their most northerly post. They didn’t make it to Mutton Hole Wetlands Regional Park, but you will, with time for croc- and bird-watching. Hotel: Gulfland Motel. B L D
When the journey matters just as much as the destination, jump aboard the historic Gulflander train. As locals like to say, “it travels from nowhere to nowhere”. But it sure is fun. Hotel: Cobbold Gorge Cabins. B L D
This ancient geological landform is distinguished by its narrow, striated sandstone formations and humbling 10-metre cliffs. Cruising here, the only sounds you’ll hear are the wind and wildlife. Hotel: Cobbold Gorge Cabins. B L D
Sleep in – we’re in no rush today. Forsayth for lunch, then campfire entertainment before retiring to your accommodation in antique railway carriages. Hotel: Undara Lava Lodge. B L D
The Undara Lava Tubes were carved by the world’s longest lava flow from a single volcano. Huge caves have formed along the tubes, creating a surreal underground world. Time to say see-you-later to the Savannah. B L
Current season sold out
For prices, additional departure dates, flight Information, latest deals and year-round offers including past guest offers, grooup booking discounts for 9+ guests and multi-trip savings, visit aatkings.com/QYC or contact your local travel agent.
A limited number of single rooms are also available.
Flexible HolidaysIf you can’t get enough of Queensland’s wildlife, sign up for an Eco Cruise from Weipa, the largest town on the Cape York Peninsula.
Iconic SitesFew people get to say they’ve stood at the very top of mainland Australia. You’ll join a very exclusive club of lucky travellers.
Sustainable TravelSleep soundly knowing your national park fees are helping protect fragile and untouched pockets of wilderness.
Natural WondersThere’s something hypnotic about the Queensland outback, from the vast stretches of nothingness to the horizon-bending skies.
Day Prior – flights to arrive anytime into Cairns Airport
Day 7 – We recommend that guests fly out the day after
the tour returns to Cairns, as it may be delayed getting
back into Cairns.
Flights to and from your holiday are not included in the price.
This holiday is operated by Heritage Tours.
Visit aatkings.com for details.
Flights are not included in the holiday price
Tour Information are valid for departures between 1 May 2024 – 15 Oct 2024 and may be subject to change. Visit aatkings.com/booking-conditions for terms and conditions.
Your adventure toward the very top of Australia starts on a high – literally. All aboard your plane bound for Horn Island; but first a twirl over the Great Barrier Reef. Your ferry transfer from Horn takes you to Thursday Island, the capital of the Torres Strait Islands, and an archipelago rich in Aboriginal culture, history and natural beauty, Time might stand still here, but you won’t – you’re on a guided tour of Thursday, ringed by some of the bluest water you’ll ever see, before transferring to your base and one of the northernmost settlements in Australia. Hotel: Seisia Holiday Village. D
There are just a few hundred kilometres of water (and almost as many islands) separating you from Papua New Guinea when you reach Cape York. Not many people can say they’ve stood at the very top of mainland Australia. Closer to home is Somerset, a long-abandoned 1864 settlement of the larger-than-life Australian pioneer Frank Jardine. This was the first European settlement on the Cape York Peninsula; all that remains today are bits of masonry, rusted cannons and a handful of tombstones, including that of Jardine and his wife. Lunch is served on palm fringed Anchorage Beach overlooking the Albany Passage. It’s a patina that will sear into your memory. Hotel: Seisia Holiday Village. B L D
Cross the Jardine River and you’re well on your way to one of Far North Queensland’s coolest attractions: Fruit Bat Falls. Linger here over lunch, with time to dive in, splash about and chill out. You’ll be happy to hear the waterhole you’re swimming about in is croc free… Continuing south along the Old Telegraph Track, you’ll soon reach Bramwell Station, Australia’s northernmost cattle station and your base for the night. Hotel: Bramwell Cattle Station. B L D
Before you roll out of bed this morning, decide how you want to spend your afternoon in Weipa, a tiny town that was formed off the back of mining bauxite. You might decide to dig deep and discover how these rocks (the world’s main source of aluminium) are pulled from the ground. Or join an optional Weipa Wildlife & Eco Cruise around the harbour and up the Embley River to Hay Point, revealing Aboriginal culture and the abundance of animals that call this part of the Cape home. Wherever you wander, be sure to catch a blazing sunset over the Gulf of Carpentaria. Hotel: Albatross Bay Resort. B D
More of Australia’s mining history awaits in the historic gold town of Coen – small in size, but with plenty of country swagger. And lots of cold beer, which is essential in these steamy parts of Australia. Your base for tonight was once the Musgrave Telegraph Station, a slice of Aussie history dating back to 1887. The Martian landscape that surrounds is all red dirt spiked with green shrubs. You could be forgiven for thinking you’re on the set of a Mad Max movie. Hotel: Musgrave Roadhouse. B L D
Nature looms large today, your expedition beginning in Rinyirru (Lakefield) National Park – in Queensland, there’s only one expanse of wilderness that’s larger, and that’s and that’s the Simpson Desert. Rinyirru is wild, wide and wonderful, a place where enormous waterlily-covered billabongs are home to an unfathomable number of birds. Continuing through Lakeland takes you to Quinkan Country – home to one of Australia best-preserved rock-art sites – near Laura before arriving in the old gold port of Cooktown. Hotel: Sovereign Resort Hotel. B L D
Your Top End adventure ends with myths and legends aplenty at Black Mountain, sometimes dubbed the Bermuda Triangle of Australia. We’ll make sure you arrive safely to quench your thirst at the legendary Lion’s Den Hotel. Don’t over-indulge – you’re about to hit the rugged, 4WD Bloomfield Track, crossing the Bloomfield River near the Aboriginal community of Wujal Wujal. From Cape Tribulation to Cairns, you’re hemmed by two World Heritage Sites: the rainforest of the Wet Tropics of Queensland on one side, and the Great Barrier Reef on the other. What a way to end a week. B L
Current season sold out
For prices, additional departure dates, flight Information, latest deals and year-round offers including past guest offers, grooup booking discounts for 9+ guests and multi-trip savings, visit aatkings.com/QCY or contact your local travel agent.
A limited number of single rooms are also available.
Flexible HolidaysIf you can’t get enough of wildlife, sign up for an Eco Cruise from Weipa, the largest town on the Cape York Peninsula.
Iconic SitesAt the very tip of Australia, Cape York is the largest unspoilt wilderness area in the country. Few people get to see this magical part of the world.
Sustainable TravelSleep soundly knowing your national park fees are helping protect fragile and untouched pockets of wilderness.
Natural WondersVisiting Quinkan Country, sacred Aboriginal land, is a spiritual experience. The rock art here dates back tens of thousands of years, revealing Dreamtime stories.
Day Prior – flights to arrive anytime into Cairns Airport
Day 7 – We recommend that guests fly out the day after
the tour returns to Cairns, as it may be delayed getting
back into Cairns.
Flights to and from your holiday are not included
in the price.
Flights are not included in the holiday price
Tour Information are valid for departures between 1 May 2024 – 30 Sep 2024 and may be subject to change. Visit aatkings.com/booking-conditions for terms and conditions.
Moments after departing Cairns you're amid the World Heritage listed Wet Tropics of Queensland. Cross the Daintree River and you’re on your way to Cape Tribulation, where the rainforest meets the Great Barrier Reef. You’re not here to dive in – your journey takes you off-road along the 4WD Bloomfield Track. Legends (and myths) await at Black Mountain, sometimes dubbed the Bermuda Triangle of Australia. Hotel: Sovereign Resort Hotel. L D
Today you're in Quinkan Country, home to one of Australia best-preserved rock-art sites. Nearby, Rinyirru (Lakefield) National Park is big in more ways than one, from its enormous waterlily-covered billabongs to its unfathomable number of birds. Hotel: Musgrave Roadhouse. B L D
The historic gold town of Coen may be small in size, but it’s got plenty of country swagger. Bauxite mining was the reason the tiny town of Weipa was formed. Today, visitors arrive for blazing sunsets over the Gulf of Carpentaria. Hotel: Albatross Bay Resort. B L D
How do you want to spend your pre-lunch hours? Perhaps on an optional Weipa Wildlife & Eco Cruise, revealing First Nations culture and wildlife. Or dig deep on a bauxite mine tour. How these rocks are pulled from the ground is head-scratching. As is the size of Bramwell Station, Australia’s northernmost cattle station and your base for the night. Hotel: Bramwell Cattle Station. B D
Your early start today is worth it when you arrive at Fruit Bat Falls for lunch. Dive in, splash about, cool off, unwind. There’s not much between you and Cape York; cross the Jardine River and you’re there. Seisia is the departure point for ferries to Thursday Island and fishing charters. It’s also the gateway to tomorrow’s adventures. Hotel: Seisia Holiday Village. B L D
Not many people can say they’ve stood at the very top of mainland Australia at Somerset, the first European settlement on the Cape York Peninsula. Lunch is served on palm fringed Anchorage Beach overlooking the Albany Passage. Hotel: Seisia Holiday Village. B L D
Rich in Aboriginal culture, history and natural beauty, Thursday Island is the capital of the Torres Strait Islands. Time might stand still here, but you won’t – you’re on a guided tour before heading to Horn Island to board your aircraft, flying over the Great Barrier Reef back to Cairns. Wait, how did this week pass so quickly? B
The immersive, vast beauty of Australia and New Zealand awaits.
You’ll witness the many hues of an outback sunset blend into ochre natural wonders, hear ancient languages spoken and see stories written in the sand.
Indulge in native flavours and relax in dwellings nestled within the heart of your destination.
Meet our vibrant makers and creators, and the local storytellers whose passion it is to share with you the very best of these unique lands. Delight the senses with exclusive culinary experiences and allow your expert guide to show you the iconic sights that promise moments of awe and wonder.
Your journey will be expertly curated with no detail forgotten, ensuring your adventure is seamless, stress free and timed to perfection. With more than 100 years’ experience in showcasing these mesmerising locations, we’ve collected a wealth of unmatched knowledge and passion that allows us to create an unforgettable travel experience for you.
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