AUSTRALIA | From long weekends to bite-sized adventures, travellers have been looking for holidays that deliver more in less time.
AAT Kings’ Short Break journeys, part of its 2027/2028 season, aligned with Tourism Research Australia's 2025 Annual Benchmark Report, which highlighted a growth in shorter-length travel options.
Despite ongoing household financial pressures, Australians have continued to prioritise travel, with shorter trips, holidays closer to home and day trips, adapting how they explore.
With flexibility becoming as important as destination, rather than rushing through multiple locations, travellers have sought carefully planned itineraries that let them connect with a place, its people and its culture, even in a shorter timeframe.
Designed to offer greater choice and flexibility, AAT Kings’ Short Break journeys have combined iconic destinations, local expertise and thoughtfully curated experiences, making it easier to enjoy a memorable escape without taking weeks away.
Among the new additions is the Sydney, Blue Mountains & Hunter Valley Escape, bringing together Sydney's harbour lifestyle, the Blue Mountains’ picturesque landscape and the renowned food and wine experiences of the Hunter Valley.
Ideal as either a standalone getaway or an extension to a longer Australian holiday, the journey has balanced guided experiences with free time to explore.
For travellers looking to venture further afield, the Top End to Kimberley Adventure showcases two of Australia's most spectacular regions in one seamless journey.
From dramatic landscapes and rich Aboriginal culture to unforgettable outback experiences, the itinerary demonstrated that even a shorter holiday can deliver the depth and storytelling synonymous with AAT Kings.
Across the Tasman, the new South Island Discovery offers a fresh way to experience New Zealand's spectacular South Island. From world-famous rail journeys and alpine scenery to authentic regional encounters, it delivers the richness of a longer holiday in a more flexible format.
Each itinerary has combined the convenience of guided travel with opportunities for independent exploration, giving travellers the flexibility to make each journey their own.
