New add-ons
COACH tour operator AAT Kings’ redesigned 1999 Australia programme features an increase in tour departures, as well as more modular add-on product.
The operator has strengthened the choice of mid-range three-star accommodation and added more adventure stopover packages in the Northern Territory.
These include a four-day Alice Springs, Kings Canyon and Ayers Rock tour from £230; or from Darwin, a three-day Kakadu, Wildlife and Waterfalls itinerary from £195 which also takes in aboriginal Arnhemland.
Sales and marketing manager UK and Europe Elissa Hosking said: “Our additional tour departures are predominately in Western Australia, as well as in the Southeast, Northern Territory and Tasmania.
“We have been able to do this by forming alliances with hotels in order to secure more rooms.” Also new to the programme is a seven or eight-day rail and overland tour called The Ghan and Centre Discovery.
This includes travel on The Ghan train from either Sydney or Melbourne to Adelaide and on to Alice Springs, and overland to Ayers Rock via the West McDonnell Ranges.
Prices start at £555, with dinner, breakfast and first-class sleeping berth on the train and accommodation on the land tour.
Another addition is a nine-day East Coast Flyaround air-based tour itinerary which includes Melbourne, Cairns and Sydney, plus accommodation, from £660.
Hosking said: “We have also redefined our pre-bookable, five-coupon Tour Pass, which previously cost £120.
“It is now called the Australian Sightseeing Pass. This allows clients to select three either half or day tours from a choice of 80 for a pre-bookable purchase price of £80.”
Report by ALAN MOORE