Find your connection – rediscover Australia
This article is brought to you by AAT Kings.
Under a wide, open sky, the landscape glows gold in the late afternoon light and eyes are fixed on the ethereal beauty of Uluru as the setting sun changes the time-honoured red rock to stunning hues of orange, pink and purple. It is something to behold, but the show is far from over. After the sun dips below the horizon, this spiritual place is tucked in under a phalanx of stars that come out to play. Uluru is just one of the experiences you can have with AAT Kings.
With over a century of experience, AAT Kings invites you to rediscover Australia, exploring hidden gems brimming with character and beauty, savouring local culinary treasures, and forging connections with First Nations communities on a journey where adventure meets discovery.
At the heart of every AAT Kings tour is a commitment to celebrating the rich cultural significance of Australia through immersive, off-the-beaten-path experiences. Redefining group travel and coach touring, they offer their guests an opportunity to discover a deeper, more authentic perspective that goes beyond the ordinary. Dedicated to supporting the traditions and arts of the communities they visit, they aim to preserve and celebrate the rich cultural heritage of these regions through Make Travel Matter Experiences, thoughtfully chosen for the positive social and environmental impact they offer for local communities and the travellers who engage with them.
For those who love the freedom of travel but appreciate the convenience of a skilfully crafted tour, AAT Kings offers you the opportunity to enjoy the best of both. With expert guides and carefully curated itineraries, you can rest easy and embrace the adventure, knowing that every detail is taken care of as you discover more of Australia.
Image credits: AAT Kings
Into the Devonian past, WA
Immerse yourself in a geological wonder millions of years in the making on an 11-day ‘Wonders of the Kimberley’ tour, from the beaches of Broome through the yawning gorges, mirror-like waterholes, immense rock formations, and wild national parks of the Kimberley, all the way to sun-soaked Darwin.
With so much of this vast landscape swathed in millennia of First Nations culture, a highlight is a Make Travel Matter Experience through the spectacular Mimbi Caves, a dense labyrinth of canyons, with an Indigenous guide. Inside, you’ll marvel at the delicate limestone formations and crystal-clear freshwater pools visible today that are the ghostly remnants of the Devonian Reef, a reef system that flourished for nearly 23 million years before it faded from existence 350 million years ago.
Image credit: Tourism Western Australia
Immerse yourself further into the region’s rich heritage through its ancient rock paintings and Gooniyandi Dreaming stories over billy tea and damper before diving deeper into First Nations culture at a community art gallery that supports Aboriginal creators and offers a unique glimpse into their vibrant artistic traditions.
Image credit: Tourism Western Australia
‘Walk to Sky’ at the Kalbarri Skywalk, WA
Adventurous travellers can explore Western Australia’s diverse landscapes, from white sand beaches and blue marine parks to red rock gorges, on AAT Kings’ 13-Day ‘Wonders of the Pilbara & West Coast’ tour, led by an expert Travel Director.
Starting in Perth, head north to discover the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Ningaloo Coast and Shark Bay before venturing into the Pilbara region, known for its red earth and rich cultural heritage. Along the way, snorkel Ningaloo Reef with an ethical operator, visit Yanchep National Park where an Aboriginal guide will share Dreaming stories, and marvel at the Pinnacles, a surreal moonscape of limestone towers in Nambung National Park.
In Karijini National Park, explore towering red escarpments and serene ravines, discovering secret nooks and gin-clear waterholes that beg you to take a refreshing dip. Then float on air as you step out onto the cantilevered platforms of Kaju Yatka (Kalbarri Skywalk), suspended 100m above the ancient Murchison River Gorge. Learn from Nhanda Elder Collen Drage about the gorge’s ancient formation and forage for seasonal bush foods like quandong fruit, cogla (woody pear), and sandalwood nuts while gaining insight into Nhanda culture.
Image credit: Tourism WA
On the dot in the NT
Experience the magic of Kings Canyon, Uluru and Kata Tjuta on AAT King’s ‘Four-Day Short Break from Alice Springs’. Begin with a kaleidoscopic Uluru sunset, sipping sparkling wine as the sun dips below the horizon, followed by an awe-inspiring Kata Tjuta sunrise.
Your knowledgeable driver guide will provide insightful commentary on the natural and geological history of the World Heritage-listed Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, as well as the unique Australian desert flora and fauna. Visit the Cultural Centre, where you’ll explore local galleries and witness Aboriginal artists at work. Then, continue to the base of Uluru to hear Aboriginal Tjukurpa (creation) stories that breathe life into the landscape.
Continue your journey with an artistic experience at Maruku Arts, a not-for-profit organisation representing over 900 Anangu artists from remote communities across the Central and Western Deserts. Here, you’ll be inspired by Aboriginal storytelling techniques and guided by a local Anangu artist to create your own masterpiece in a Make Travel Matter Experience. Complete your Red Centre adventure with a stay at Kings Canyon Resort, where you’ll marvel at an exquisite light installation by renowned artist Bruce Munro.
Image credits: AAT Kings
Support a social enterprise, Koorie Heritage Trust, VIC
AAT Kings offers unique ways to rediscover and connect authentically with Australia’s diverse landscapes and cultures, with a Make Travel Matter Experience being a highlight. On their 11-day ‘Tastes of Southern Australia’ from Sydney to Adelaide, AAT Kings’ friendly Travel Director will introduce Southern Australia’s culinary delights. And on the 13-day ‘Aboriginal Culture & Australian Highlights’ from Melbourne to Cairns, travellers with a thirst for knowledge can dive into Australia’s First Nations heritage on an immersive experience into the world’s oldest continuous culture where they’ll connect to Country and meet some of the characters who nurture Indigenous traditions and keep them alive for future generations.
Both tours include a significant Make Travel Matter Experience with Victoria’s Koorie Heritage Trust. From Federation Square in Melbourne, guests embark on a journey along the Yarra River with a First Nations guide. This experience highlights Aboriginal art, culture and history, including the spiritual significance of the Birrarung Wilam (River Camp). AAT Kings’ collaboration with the not-for-profit Koorie Heritage Trust aims to enhance understanding and appreciation of Koorie heritage and foster meaningful cultural exchanges
Ask your travel agent or contact our experts today! Discover more at aatkings.com
This article is brought to you by AAT Kings.
