Top Australia & the Pacific Adventure Tours - page 6

Visit parts of Kangaroo Island that are inaccessible any other way when you join this buggy tour of the Little Sahara dunes. With a guide and a small group of adventure-loving travelers you’ll spend two hours riding through wild, beautiful parts of the island. See ancient gum trees, spot koalas in the wild, be amazed by the rugged cliffs and coastline, and visit a pristine secluded beach.

Whether you want to immerse yourself in the Great Barrier Reef or view it from a bit of a distance, this day trip to the outer reef has you covered. The activity platform at the reef provides opportunities to snorkel, dive, and swim, and to view it from the comfort of a semi-submersible and an underwater observatory. An ideal day trip for the whole family.

Soar over the Yarra Valley during the golden light of sunrise during an unforgettable hot-air balloon flight. Float over the scenic landscape of gentle rolling hills and vineyards as day breaks across this beloved winemaking region. Upgrade to enjoy hotel pickup and/or a delicious buffet breakfast at Balgownie Estate after touching down back on solid ground.

Spend a day snorkeling on the UNESCO-listed Ningaloo Reef and you just might spot a whale shark—the world’s largest fish (April–August). Or, you may have the opportunity to swim at a safe distance to humpback whales (September–November). Relax aboard ‘Ningaloo Blue,’ a 65-foot (20-meter), state-of-the-art vessel with comfortable seating, shade, and an observation deck. Buffet lunch, snorkel gear and wetsuit, and round-trip hotel transport from Exmouth included.

See two great Australian landmarks, Uluru (Ayers Rock) and Kata Tjuta (the Olgas) during a 40-minute flight aboard a fixed-wing aircraft. Enjoy guaranteed window seats on all flights and listen to informative commentary from your pilot along the way. Get a bird's-eye view of these natural monuments as well as Mount Conner and Lake Amadeus.

Combine several of Fiji's must-see destinations—the Garden of Sleeping Giants, the hot springs mud pools, and a local village—on this single tour. All round-trip transportation is included, which makes getting around easy and means you can focus on the scenery. Learn about Fiji's native flora, fauna, mineral springs, and people through guided commentary.

Enjoy a thrilling active adventure in Vanuatu on a scenic buggy and sightseeing tour. Ride the low, open-air vehicles for around an hour to enjoy views of Vanuatu from a different vantage point. Then board a vehicle and head to Eton Blue Lagoon to check out the waterfall and go swimming if you like. Refuel with a tasty lunch, too.

Just off the coast of Exmouth, the turquoise waters of Ningaloo Reef are the home of one of the world’s most majestic animals—the whale shark. This full-day snorkeling adventure follows a spotter plane to give you the best chance to swim alongside these beautiful creatures. Plus, you can snorkel over the beautiful reef itself to see manta rays, dugongs, and turtles, and, if you’re really lucky, maybe even a whale.

See the spectacle of whales off the Noosa coast on this boat tour along the Noosa coastline. Spend time out at sea with an expert guide and learn all about the whales that migrate through these waters. Enjoy views of the Noosa National park, and feel adventurous as the Noosa Thriller boat ventures over the surf towards panoramic views of the ocean—perfect for spotting whales.

Engage in two of Fiji's top activities in one easy day from Nadi: ziplining and a mud bath visit. Zoom down Fiji's longest zipline in the morning, then proceed to the mud baths to soothe your tired muscles and rejuvenate in the afternoon. Lunch at the zipline course is included, as well as hotel pickup and drop-off to simplify your day.

Discover the natural beauty and flavors of the Margaret River region on this small-group tour by luxury 4WD. Take a canoe trip on the Margaret River, enjoy an exhilarating off-road ride and hike on remote sea cliffs; stop for lunch and wine tastings at a renowned winery; and visit a waterfall; see an ancient waterhole where you learn about Aboriginal traditions and taste local honey.

Discover the scenic wetlands of Lake Kununurra and the Ord River on this full-day cruise. Admire the views as you cruise all the way from the Diversion Dam to Lake Argyle, hop off to visit the Argyle Downs Homestead Museum and enjoy lunch by the riverside, and look out for birds and other wildlife along the way.

Discover the wondrous wildlife and mystical natural attractions of Western Australia on this full-day tour from Perth. Discover kangaroos and koalas at Caversham Wildlife Park and enjoy an included fish and chips lunch in the lobster fishing town of Cervantes. Take a guided walk through the eerie, lunar-like landscape of Pinnacles Desert, and get your heart racing as you speed through the massive dunes of Lancelin on a sandboarding and 4WD adventure.

Experience the natural phenomenon of the Horizontal Falls and the pristine beauty of the Kimberley on this small-group, half-day tour from Derby. Take in the views of Derby’s tidal flats, King Sound, and Cone Bay during a scenic seaplane flight with a landing on calm Talbot Bay. Continue with an exciting boat cruise through the Horizontal Falls, relax on a creek cruise, and enjoy a cooked lunch onboard. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included for your convenience.

Explore the great outdoors in Fiji, without the worry of navigating and driving on unmarked roads. On this off-road cave safari tour, you’ll have the ultimate hassle-free day. Travel in an off-road vehicle with a guide to teach you about Fijian history and culture. You’ll access places that would be hard to reach alone, explore the Naihehe Caves, and enjoy a delicious barbecue lunch.

Immerse yourself in the magical Gondwana Rainforests of Australia, a UNESCO World Heritage wonder. Reconnect with nature as you explore stunning lookouts, majestic waterfalls, and lush rainforests. End your journey with a delicious organic, vegan dinner amidst the serene forest setting. Leave with a greater appreciation and understanding of the region.

If you’ve already seen Broome from ground level, get an entirely different view of the landscape on a helicopter ride. Marvel at the long stretch of white sand that is the famed Cable Beach as you soar into the air. Head north over Willie Creek Pearl Farm and keep your camera ready for shots of Gantheaume Point, the rugged red Pindan Cliffs, and other landmarks before returning to land.

Tahiti is known for its blissful beach vacations but if you’re feeling adventurous and want to see what lies beyond the resorts, this off-roading adventure along the Mana Road ticks the boxes. Explore the rugged interior without having to drive yourself along challenging roads. Visit waterfalls, rivers, and lakes and get the chance to swim at a refreshing natural spot. Admire the beautiful forest-covered mountains as someone else drives.

Although a tour through the Barossa Valley offers the chance to see some of Australia’s finest scenery, the best view of this slice of Australian wine country is from the air. Take in the totality of the Barossa region during this short scenic flight, departing from Hoffnungsthal Valley. This tour offers a perspective that’s not available on an on-the-ground wine tour; see the scale of the plantings in the valley, as well as the Jacob’s Creek winery’s extensive tank farm.

Explore some of the most inaccessible places in north-western Australia the easy way on this half-day tour. From Broome, you and your small group will be flown to the incredible Buccaneer Archipelago. Be impressed by the natural wonder of the Horizontal Falls (tide dependent) and the aerial views of the islands and the Dampier Peninsula coast. Stop at the Ardyaloon Hatchery for lunch and learn more about Aboriginal culture.

Experience the thrill of a helicopter flight and alpine landing on a 20-minute scenic helicopter tour, departing from Aoraki/Mt. Cook Village. You’ll get sweeping views over the Ben Ohau Range before touching down on a landing site in the mountains (snow is seasonal). Enjoy this South Island alpine setting as your professional pilot narrates the vista from above.

If you’re into dinosaurs, beautiful views, and good food and drink, this eclectic tour is for you. Your small group will be taken to where you can see 120 million-year-old dinosaur footprints within a dramatic landscape. Take a boat ride up Dampier Creek and keep an eye out for wildlife (the modern, not the prehistoric, kind). Finish off the tour with refreshing cocktails and a tasty meal at a waterfront restaurant.

Spend half a day among the thriving wildlife of the outer Marlborough Sounds on a small-boat wildlife tour from Picton. Spot rare sea birds like penguins and shags, plus a couple of species of dolphin, in Queen Charlotte Sound. Set foot on Motuara Island, a bird sanctuary Island that holds significance to colonial New Zealand history. Your guides are deeply knowledgeable about this area, so make the most of them and ask plenty of questions.

Hop aboard the high-speed catamaran and enjoy more time to spend scuba diving and snorkeling the outer Great Barrier Reef. This dive cruise from Port Douglas provides beginning and certified divers access to three different dive sites along the Agincourt Ribbon Reef. Bonus: you might swim in the natural habitat of seasonal dwarf minke whales. Lunch is provided.