The fun and affordable way to see Australia and New Zealand

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Coach holidays are genteel affairs these days. Spotless, luxe buses take you on guided adventures to hard-to-reach places while you relax and look at the scenery. Chat to your fellow travellers, read a book, research the next destination (or post selfies from the last) using the free Wi-Fi or just recline your seat and enjoy being chauffeured. No maps, no fatigue, no responsibility, no stress. A glass of wine with lunch? No worries.

Coach holidays are a fun, collegial and affordable way to see some of Australia's – and the world's – most fascinating places. Comprehensive, well-researched itineraries ensure you see the best a region has to offer. Transfers and entrance fees are usually included, quality hotels are booked and commentaries from expert guides add layers of understanding to the experience, bringing the history, geography and culture to life. You can also tap into their local knowledge to discover the best restaurants and other attractions. There's also plenty of time to explore the sights and sites on your own, knowing the bus won't leave without you.

Australia is blessed with excellent coach holiday operators, a function of the competitive nature of the industry, which also keeps prices down. Industry figures estimate coach holidays represent a saving of about 40 per cent on similar self-guided trips and about 50 per cent of bookings are repeat business.

AAT Kings has been the doyen of coach holidays in Australia and New Zealand for years and their holidays are without peer. Their proficiency and commitment is evidenced by the quality of their itineraries and staff. All tours are hosted by a knowledgeable driver guide and they, as well as others on the trip, will become friends.

Here is a taste of the kind of encounters you can expect on a short break with AAT Kings.

Kakadu and the Red Centre

Timeless and visually stunning, these parts of Australia can nevertheless be a daunting prospect for suburban Aussies. The Top End and the Red Centre are perfect for coach holidays. Let someone else worry about the distances and unfamiliar roads while you absorb the distinctive rugged beauty on tours of Kakadu, Uluru and Kata Tjuta, Kings Canyon, Alice Springs and Tennant Creek.

The relationship of Aboriginal peoples to these areas is visceral and AAT Kings pays respectful homage to this immutable, spiritual bond. The driver guide will help you see the land through ancient Indigenous eyes by explaining the rich mythology and genuine connection.

Florence Falls in the Top End.

A Short Break to Kakadu from Darwin includes a guided wetlands cruise on Mary River, where crocodiles lurk with menace and colourful birds wander among serene lily pads and take to the wing as you approach. You'll drop in to Bowali Visitor Centre to learn more about the flora and fauna, see ancient Aboriginal rock art at Ubirr and Nanguluwur and wander through a paperbark forest in Barramundi Gorge for a swim in a clear pool beside a waterfall. Other Top End possibilities include camping for a night at Nitmiluk, canoeing through Katherine Gorge and tours of Cutta Cutta Caves, Mataranka Hot Springs, Litchfield National Park and the stunning Wangi Falls.

Experience the wonders of the Red Centre.

Explorations of the Red Centre focus on the chameleonic Uluru and multi-domed Kata Tjuta. Dawn and dusk viewings of Uluru are soulful experiences and tours often feature a barbecue dinner overlooking the rock. AAT Kings in partnership with Flight Centre also operates a four-day Family Shindig trip here and the fun, kid-friendly itinerary features a camel ride, dot painting and a treasure hunt, as well as a guided walks at the ageless monuments. This is a brilliant way to introduce city kids to the wonder of the Red Centre.

View tours in the Top End 

View tours in the Red Centre

Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef

AAT Kings runs several tours to and around tropical North Queensland. Headlining the itinerary is the majestic Great Barrier Reef and you will visit the outer reef aboard a high-speed catamaran. Witness the multitudinous marine life from the underwater observatory or semi-submersible craft and hear a presentation from a marine naturalist before diving in. Snorkelling among turtles, rays, innumerable species of colourful fish and coral – along with harmless reef sharks – is a universal bucket-list experience. Equipment, towels, refreshments and fresh water showers are all included.

Just as mindboggling is the 120-million-year-old World Heritage-listed Daintree region, home to some of the oldest rainforest on the planet. At Cape Tribulation – where these two natural wonders meet – you'll see Mossman Gorge and meet the local Kuku Yulanji people before taking a guided walk through the rainforest and a Daintree River cruise where your guide will show you the incredible and diverse wildlife, including cassowaries and crocodiles.

Take a rainforest trip on board the Kuranda Scenic Railway.

The Tjapukai – Skyrail – Kuranda leg of the itinerary is a great day out. At Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park in Cairns you'll enjoy Indigenous dancing, learn bush tucker secrets and see didgeridoo and fire-making demonstrations before embarking on the 7.5-kilometre Skyrail Rainforest Cableway over the endless green canopy of the Barron Gorge National Park. The cableway leads to Kuranda – the village in the rainforest – where alternative is the norm. Browse the artisan crafts at the Heritage Markets or have a cuddle at the Koala Gardens. Then it's all aboard the Kuranda Scenic Railway for the winding trip down through the rainforest and past Stoney Creek Falls back to Cairns.

Longer tours also include the town of Mossman, a riverside lunch at Silky Oaks Lodge in the rainforest and visits to Hartley's Crocodile Adventures and the beautiful seaside town of Port Douglas.

View tours in Queensland 

Sydney and the Blue Mountains

Scenic spot: Enjoy the views of Sydney Harbour.

Avoid the stress of Sydney traffic and let AAT Kings show you the "Emerald City" and the majestic Blue Mountains beyond. The itinerary gives you a good look at Australia's oldest and most exciting city and includes a Harbour Bridge crossing and photo-ops at Milsons Point for a city panorama and North Head overlooking Sydney Harbour and beyond. Take your shoes off and wander along Manly Beach before returning to the city for a buffet luncheon cruise on Sydney Harbour and spend the afternoon taking in views of Sydney Opera House, Royal Botanic Gardens and Mrs Macquarie's Chair. And what better way to finish the day than the chance to dip your toes into the blue water of Australia's world-famous Bondi Beach.

On the Blue Mountains leg, you'll stop at Katoomba and visit Meehni, Wimlah and Gunnedoo – aka the Three Sisters rock formation – overlooking the bucolic Jamison Valley. Nearby Scenic World at Katoomba is not only accurately named, it boasts the world's steepest railway as well as a cableway, skyway and several walkways, all with spectacular views.

The pretty little town of Leura is home to some lovely restaurants, cafes and antique shops. Sweet-toothed connoisseurs will drool at Josophan's Fine Chocolates and big boys and small will love the Toy and Railway Museum. Another amazing garden on some itineraries is the cliff-top Blue Mountains Botanic Gardens at Mount Tomah.

Other regional highlights include the enormous sandstone escarpments at Grose Valley and the views and walking trails at gorgeous Wentworth Falls.

View tours in NSW