Top Australia & the Pacific Adventure Tours - page 5

Explore the highlights of the West MacDonnell Ranges on a guided tour from Alice Springs—without the hassle of driving or planning. In just one day, check off multiple sites, including Simpsons Gap, Standley Chasm, Ormiston Gorge, Ochre Pits, Ellery Creek Big Hole, and Glen Helen. Enjoy short walks into dramatic gorges, discover hidden waterholes, capture classic Outback photos, and swim at select spots (conditions permitting).

One of the best, and easiest, ways to explore Noumea, New Caledonia is by hopping on the local green train. This fun trolley train is perfect for cruise ship passengers who are visiting the city for a short time. See all the top sights including Anse Vata Beach, Castel Hagen, Pacific Lagoon, and the Ouen Toro viewpoint.

Hop on board the only glass-bottomed boat on Moorea on this chilled out half-day tour. You’ll be taken around the beautiful lagoon to three different snorkeling spots, where you can immerse yourself in the warm tropical waters and get up close to the colorful fish and coral. Enjoy lunch on a private island that most visitors don’t get to access. A fun day for the whole family.

Visit Cape Tribulation at the heart of the Daintree to see a spectacular natural habitat come to life at night. Our Daintree Great Barrier Reef Night Tour is led by a local guide who will take you underneath the canopy of one of earth's oldest rainforests. You'll find a lively nocturnal world of Far North Queensland flora and fauna, some of which only exists here.

Experience Cape Tribulation on a half-day snorkeling adventure. After a convenient pickup at your hotel, board a sturdy ocean safari vessel and head for the cape. Throw on your gear and dive in, watching for sea turtles, eagle rays, giant clams, brilliant coral, starfish, and tropical fish as you swim along the spectacular Great Barrier Reef. Marvel at the Daintree Rainforest—a UNESCO World Heritage site—from the water.

Ride to the Low Isles on this Great Barrier Reef sailing and snorkeling cruise from Port Douglas. You'll enjoy a full day relaxing on white-sand beaches, snorkeling and sailing the reef in a glass-bottom boat. With an expert marine biologist as your guide, explore pristine tropical waters filled with marine life. You're served a buffet lunch by an attentive crew aboard a luxury catamaran, limited to 33 passengers.

The day begins with the sighting of long-billed dolphins, who dance and twirl above the waves in a fascinating aerial ballet. We will continue with a first snorkeling stop at the site of the Aquarium, an enchanted underwater world where plane and boat wrecks lie in silence, surrounded by clouds of tropical fish. A desk and a large coral heart add a magical touch to this magical decor. Then head to the ocean to explore a spectacular site, where underwater freshwater springs spring and a multicolored coral garden flourishes. You will have the chance to swim alongside sea turtles, getting close to them in their natural habitat. However, this meeting remains subject to the presence of animals and cannot be guaranteed at every exit. Enjoy a platter of local fruit and cold drinks at our last stop, for a gourmet break in the heart of the lagoon.

See more mountains and glaciers from the air on a scenic 45-minute helicopter ride than you can from the ground at Franz Josef. You’ll fly deep into the Southern Alps, where you’ll see Mount Cook and three major glaciers: Franz Josef, Fox, and Tasman. Land on the snow for an up-close encounter and to take some unique photos.

Take a break from sightseeing and enjoy a couple of hours on the water. On board a charter yacht, the Kindred Spirit, sail on Lake Taupo, admiring the mountain views. Sail to the Maori Rock Carvings, which can only be seen from the water. Depending on the weather, you can cool off with a swim or simply sit on the deck and relax with a blanket to keep you warm.

No Coral Bay vacation is complete without a trip out to the water to see Ningaloo Reef for an incomparable look at life under the waves. Knowing the best spots to look for aquatic wildlife can be pretty tricky for non-locals, but with the help of a guide, you and your group benefit from an insider’s knowledge of the ideal places to stop for snorkeling.

Take in the truly magnificent views of Franz Josef Glacier and surrounds with this helicopter flight. See lush rainforest, the amazing glacier, and the impressive Southern Alps mountain range. Part of this flight time is an alpine landing (approximately 10 minutes) where you get to land on top of a peak and pause to take in the dramatic scenery.

Set out on a thrilling ATV adventure, just five minutes from downtown Queenstown. Begin with a short training session before riding through a private 650-acre adventure park with a guide, navigating rugged trails and hill climbs that lead to panoramic views over the Shotover River, Coronet Peak, Central Otago, and the Southern Alps. Tours are tailored to the group’s skill level, with small group sizes ensuring personalized guidance. All your gear is included for ease, and finish your experience with complimentary photos.

Explore the serene waters of Lake Mapourika on this kayak adventure from Franz Josef town. Paddle with your guide out onto Lake Mapourika, avoiding the risk of getting lost and learning about the landscape and geology as you go. Enjoy uninterrupted views and marvel at the reflective views of the Southern Alps. Head into a kiwi sanctuary in a protected estuary and explore some of the country’s oldest untouched rainforest.t.

Instead of rushing to keep up with a group, this self-guided e-bike adventure is a peaceful way to explore the cycle paths between Arrowtown and Queenstown at your own pace. Begin with a pickup at a time that suits your schedule—with e-bike rental included—then, get taken to the start point in Arrowtown. After that, independently explore the local area’s bridges, mountains, and stunning trails with breaks whenever you like.

The rugged peaks, wild glacial valleys, and frozen rivers of the Fox Glacier are even more impressive from above and a helicopter flight offers an unbeatable viewpoint. Hop aboard for a scenic helicopter ride, gaze out over the magnificent landscapes, then enjoy a thrilling snow landing overlooking the glacier.

Experience the diverse geographical landscapes of the Milford Sound fjord by both land and water on this full-day, private tour from Te Anau. Start your journey by hopping aboard a cruise vessel and exploring the deep-blue waters around the fjord before joining your driver-guide to explore Fiordland National Park (Te Wahipounamu). A great way to explore without having to navigate yourself.

The Fox and Franz Josef glaciers are New Zealand’s most accessible glaciers, and many visitors find it hard to choose between them. This helicopter tour takes in both with a thrilling flight over snowy peaks and frozen waterfalls, and an unforgettable snow landing overlooking one of the glaciers. You’ll enjoy views of the mountainous landscape that you can’t get any other way.

Adventure-seeking travelers will love riding both a jet ski and a quad bike on this handy combo tour. On a full-day excursion you’ll see the highlights of Moorea’s sea and land while having fun. Spend half a day touring the coastline on a jet ski, stopping to snorkel at beautiful spots. Spend the other half taking the backroads on a quad bike, stopping at viewpoints and tropical fruit plantations.

There are so many amazing things to see in and around Melbourne that it can be tough to squeeze them all in, but this full-day group trip to Phillip Island is a great place to start. This way, you get to visit Brighton Beach, Nobbies Centre, the Penguin Parade, and a wildlife park, but don’t have to put up with any of the stress of organizing tickets, transport, and itineraries.

Take in the highlights of Agnes Water by land and sea on-board a unique LARC amphibious vehicle. Set out on a full-day adventure crossing tidal creeks, sandy beaches and 4WD drive trails, as you explore the Town of 1770 and Bustard Bay. Stop for lunch (included) on Middle Island, take in the views from the Bustard Head lighthouse, then get your adrenaline pumping as you try sandboarding (optional) down the dunes of Middle Island.

Travelers in Rotorua don’t need to travel all the way to Waitomo to see twinkling glow-worms: there are groves in forests near the city, but you have to know where to look. Take an evening bush walk to see these increasingly rare creatures, and avoid getting lost as your guide leads the way. The evening timing means you can easily fit the tour into other daytime activities in and around Rotorua.

Discover the rugged mountains and wildflower valleys of the Grampians National Park on this full-day tour from Melbourne—no need to tackle local roads yourself. Once there, learn about Aboriginal culture, have lunch in Halls Gap (own expense), then climb to the Boroka Lookout for fantastic views of the Mt. William and Serra Ranges. Hike to see the dramatic Balconies, view the idyllic Mackenzie Falls, and spot wild kangaroos roaming through the valleys.

Sail on a 2-masted schooner from Cairns to Green Island for a full day of snorkeling, swimming, and optional scuba diving on the Great Barrier Reef. Spend time in the water around the magnificent coral reef, or laze on Green Island’s white sandy beaches. Refuel with a buffet lunch, morning and afternoon tea, and indulge in a glass of wine as you cruise back to Cairns.

Leave the bustle of Sydney behind during a full-day tour of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains National Park. Head off the usual tourist trail to visit hidden spots that most travelers don't know about, and gain valuable insight thanks to the local knowledge of your guide. Throughout the day, enjoy highlights such as spotting native Australian wildlife—such as koalas and kangaroos—and snap photos at multiple scenic stops, including the Three Sisters and Govetts Leap.