Australia and New Zealand are unlike any other part of this world. Both offer up a rich array of wonderful experiences.

Breathtaking landscapes that remain timeless and unspoiled coupled with the warmth of a friendly welcome that is unmatched anywhere.

Imagine…the lush farmland and wilderness of New Zealand… the sophisticated cities of Melbourne and Sydney…the world's largest barrier reef… marsupials, crocodiles and swimming with dolphins…the world's finest trout fishing… rain forests… vineyards…mountains... deserts… whale watching… Alpine lakes and endless white sand beaches… all served up in total luxury and style.

The A&K itineraries to Australia and New Zealand offer up all of the wonders and excitement, which represent the very best of Down Under.

A truly marvelous combination of modern, cosmopolitan luxuries with unspoiled natural beauty. (nothing less for those who desire the very best!)

Travel programs

AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND

Escorted Discovery Series

Highlights of New Zealand & Australia - 20 days

In more than 15 years of planning itineraries to New Zealand and Australia, A&K has distilled the 'must see' experiences into a new and improved version of their successful Highlights itinerary. Not only has A&K included some wonderful destinations, but your A&K Guide will arrange for you to participate in many of a vast array of optional activities. This holiday is perfect for the first-time visitor.

Highlights… New Zealand history at the Auckland Museum…

Rotorua's geysers and thermal pools… Cruise on Lake Tarawera… Pamper yourself at the Polynesian Spa… Dinner with local 'Kiwi' family… Scenic Milford Sound…

Dart River wilderness jetboat safari… Private tour of the Sydney Opera House… Sunset cruise on famous Sydney Harbour… Alice Springs Desert Park… Mysterious Uluru (Ayers Rock) and Kata Tjuta (the Olgas)… Dine under the stars in the Red Center… Visit World Heritage-listed Daintree Rainforest… Hayman Island… Great Barrier Reef by float plane

Land arrangements from $6690 per person - entire program, from $4990 per person - Australia only, from $2485 per person - N.Z. only
Internal air from $2115 per person -entire program
From $1525, Australia only, from $590 N.Z. only
Departures limited to 24 passengers

Escorted Connoisseurs Series

The Best of the Best Down Under - 21 days

A&K's Dream Tour of New Zealand & Australia

The charming luxury lodges and intimate hotels selected here are, quite simply, the very best in the region: the best locations for exploring, the best design and style, the best ambience and atmosphere, the best food and wine, ans the most friendly, welcoming and unobtrusive service.

Highlights… Auckland, the 'City of Sails'… Outstanding accommodation at Kauri Cliffs and Huka Lodge, the 'gems' of New Zealand (an A&K exclusive)… Wide choice of optional activities including golf, fly fishing and wilderness walking… Scenic cruise on Lake Taupo… Rotorua's bubbling thermal pools… Breathtaking helicopter flight over scenic Milford Sound… Exciting Dart River jetboat safari… Dinner with a 'Kiwi' family… Lunch with an Aussie family at their sheep station… Uluru (Ayers Rock) and Kata Tjuta (the Olgas)… Three glorious nights on luxurious Lizard Island (an A&K exclusive) on the Great Barrier Reef…

Habour-view suites at Sydney's Four Seasons Hotel… Sydney Harbour Cruise…Private Opera House tour… Blue Mountains National Park where kangaroos may be viewed in the wild

Land arrangements from $13580 per person, entire program, from $6990 per person, Australia only, from $6990 per person, N.Z. only
Internal air from $2255 per person, entire program, from $1260 per person, Australia only, from $995 per person, N.Z. only
Departures limited to 16 passengers

Family Holiday Series

A New Zealand Family Holiday - 14 days

When A&K came to design this family holiday for New Zealand, their problem was not what to put in, but what to leave out.

A&K has set out to provide a collection of experiences for children of all ages that will amaze, excite, intrigue, involve, stimulate and, in some instances, challenge your family.

However, while this itinerary is certainly a mind-broadening journey, it is overall enormously fun.

Highlights… War canoes and Maori tattoos at the Auckland Museum…Sharks and penguins at Kelly Tarlton's Underwater World… Wilderness walks and beach-combing on Coromandel Peninsula… Rotorua's geysers and bubbling mud pools… 4WD bush safari challenge and luge ride… Rainbow Springs Wildlife Reserve…

Lake Tarawera cruise, water activities and beach barbecue… Eco-walk on Mokoia Island… Scenic Milford Sound cruise… Dart River jetboat ride… 'Funyak' paddle trip…

Mountain biking around Hagley Park… Swimming with dolphins at Akaroa… Punting on the Avon in Christchurch

Land arrangements from $4590 per adult, from $4160 per child under 12, ask The Travel Goddess for full family holiday pricing details
Internal airfare from $590 per adult, from $395 per child under 12
Departures limited to 24 passengers

An Australian Family Holiday - 14 days

It is hard to think of anywhere more perfect for a family holiday than Australia. It is sunny and safe, clean and green, but above all, great fun. This itinerary will delight children of all ages who enjoy sailing on Sydney Harbor, flying by float plane to the Great Barrier Reef and exploring the rainforest in Far North Queensland. A camel ride at dawn to Uluru (Ayers Rock) is an experience that no traveler, young or old, will ever forget.

Highlights… Sailing Sydney Harbour… Breakfast with the animals at Taronga Zoo… Learn to surf at famous Bondi Beach…Fascinating Alice Springs Desert Park…Aussie bush barbecue… Learn to throw a boomerang… Ride a camel in the Red Center… Mysterious Uluru (Ayers Rock)…

Daintree Rainforest… Optional breakfast with the birds at the Rainforest habitat…

Lots of fun activities: water sports, play reef golf on the sand at low tide or tennis, walk, swim or just relax at Hayman Island… Great Barrier Reef by float plane

Land arrangements from $4880 per adult, from $4635 per child under 12, ask The Travel Goddess for full family holiday pricing details
Internal air from $1375 per adult, from $960 per child under 12
Departures limited to 24 passengers

Active Series

New Zealand: A Natural Playground - 13 days

The 'Natural Playground' concept originated in New Zealand to enable you to select from the vast array of different activities and at the same time have the security and camaraderie of traveling with new friends. The range of activities available is enormous and A&K has meticulously selected the best operators and local guides. In this itinerary you have the opportunity to participate in activities that you might never have found on your own.

Highlights… Invigorating sail on Auckland Harbor… Wilderness walks, mountain trek and beach-combing on the Coromandel Peninsula… Fascinating Rotorua…

Lake Tarawera cruise… Helicopter ride and an eco-walk on Mokoia Island… Scenic flight to Milford Sound… Skippers' Canyon expedition… Dart River jetboat ride… Canoe trip through the Southern Alps…

Lots of optional activities to chose from: bungy jumping, ballooning, fishing, golf, kayaking, whitewater rafting and parapenting… Swim with the dolphins at Akaroa

Land arrangements from $4750 per person
Internal air from $590 per person
Some activities on this program have minimum age requirements.
Departures limited to 20 passengers

Australia: A Natural Playground - 16 days

The Natural Playground concept, gives you the best of both worlds - the security of traveling with new friends escorted by an expert A&K guide and the luxury of choosing from a vast range of optional activities that suit every interest. Travel through Melbourne's garden city to a wonder wilderness area in Tasmania, then to Adelaide for a visit to Kangaroo Island, continuing on to the Red Center, then on to Far North Queensland and the Great Barrier Reef, ending in cosmopolitan Sydney with its sparkling harbor.

Highlights… Bicycle ride along the banks of the Yarra in Melbourne… Three-night stay at Freycinet Lodge in beautiful Tasmania… Visit the natural habitats of Kangaroo Island… Mysterious Uluru (Ayers Rock)… Snorkel and dive the Great Barrier Reef…

Lots of optional activities to choose from: abseiling, sea kayaking, hot-air ballooning, whitewater rafting, skydiving and bungy jumping… Climb the famous Sydney Harbor Bridge…

Learn to surf at Bondi Beach… Thrilling 60-mph jetboat ride on Sydney Harbor

Land arrangements from $5690 per person
Internal airfare from $1635 per person
Some activities on this program have minimum age requirements
Departures limited to 20 passengers

Private Travel Collection - New Zealand & Australia

For people who prefer to travel on their own, the Private Travel Collection offers a portfolio of A&K's recommended independent itineraries, to the most popular places, ready to reserve today.

The Private Travel Collection itineraries include the best destinations and the best activities. Private Travelers stay at the finest hotels available at every destination.

Informed, enthusiastic, expert local guides and private transfers are included. Meals are included when it is convenient or appealing to do so.

There is always plenty of time to explore on your own when the market or museum beckons. Contact The Travel Goddess for further details of these wonderful Private Travel Collection itineraries.

Discovering the Best of New Zealand & Australia - 17 days
Land arrangements from $10390 per person
Internal airfare from $2190 per person

Classic New Zealand - 11 days
Land arrangements from $5950 per person
Internal air from $730 per person

Classic Australia - 16 days Land arrangements from $6550 per person Internal air from $1230 per person

New Zealand Wilderness - 14 days
Land arrangements from $6790 per person
Internal air from $515 per person

Australian Wilderness Adventure - 17 days
Ideal for the Family
Land arrangements from $7845 per person
Internal air from $1410 per person

New Zealand Hideaways - 12 days
Land arrangements from $8450 per person
Internal air from $845 per person

The Great South Pacific Express
The legendary Venice Simplon-Orient Express has graced the railways of Europe sine 1883 - and now the celebrated elegance, fine cuisine and superb service of this "world's most luxurious train" are available in Australia as well.

Great South Pacific Express operates to the same exacting standards on a scenic long-distance route along Australia's eastern coastline. Step aboard to enjoy a privileged grandstand view of one of the great railway routes of the world, from tropical Cairns, along the Great Dividing Mountain range cloaked by lush rainforest…

to the sparkling beaches of Brisbane… and on through the wine country and rolling landscapes that herald the approach to Sydney.

The Great South Pacific Express rivals her elder sister in style, but her ambiance is quintessentially Australian. Air-conditioned throughout, with superb sleeping compartments (each with its own en-suite bathroom), restaurants, lounges, boutique and an open-sided observation car. Cuisine combines fresh local produce with the inspiration of Australia's most talented chefs.

Great South Pacific Express makes an unforgettable addition to one of A&K's escorted programs in Australia - or build your own independent itinerary around a journey on board the train.

Contact The Travel Goddess for itinerary details and fare schedules for the Great South Pacific Express.

All of the stated fares are per person, based on double occupancy. Tour fare includes hotel accommodations; meals as specified; transfers; sightseeing (including entrance fees); escort services; baggage handling; gratuities; hotel taxes as indicated in each itinerary.

International air and taxes are not included. A&K has specially priced airfares that are generally lower than those published by the airlines, particularly in Business Class. Ask The Travel Goddess for details.

Contact The Travel Goddess for brochures, itinerary details, destination insights, departure dates, fares and what is included, and any other enquiries you may have about these wonderful and captivating destinations.

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T.G. says - this is such a captivating part of the world… so many natural wonders to behold… including those lifeguards on Bondi Beach! Did you know that some of the world's finest lodges and resorts are Down Under… ask this Goddess for details. For you train lovers, The Great Southern Pacific Express is one of the world's greatest rail journeys… ask me about it!

"Australia is so kind that, just tickle
her with a hoe, and she laughs up a harvest"
Douglas Jerrold