Top Australia & the Pacific Culture - page 2

Experience the sunrise over Kata Tjuta (the Olgas) on an early morning tour that helps you beat the heat and the crowds. Before dawn, travel into UNESCO-listed Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park and admire the colors of the sunrise over one of the most iconic natural landmarks in Australia's Red Centre. Enjoy an outback picnic breakfast followed by a walking tour of stunning Walpa Gorge. This small-group tour promises a more personalized experience.

Taupō’s Mine Bay Māori rock carvings are a striking attraction but they’re impossible to access on foot. Hop on board a charming replica steamboat and take a scenic cruise out to the carvings. Learn all about the history and the myths behind the 1970s carvings from your crew, and along the way enjoy pristine views of Lake Taupō and beyond, including the nearby volcanoes Tongariro, Ruapehu and Ngauruhoe.

Experience one of Australia’s most impressive buildings—the Sydney Opera House—on a guided tour followed by lunch or an early dinner at Midden by Mark Olive, House Canteen, or Opera Bar. Learn all about the Opera House from your guide, then relax and soak in the show-stopping views at your choice of restaurant.

Make the most of a stopover on Tahiti with this fun-filled half-day tour. This is a small group tour with 7 people for you and your party so you’re sure to receive personalized attention. Check out the highlights of the island and fit in more than you probably could traveling independently. The itinerary includes time at the Grottos of Maraa, Venus Point and the lighthouse, the botanical gardens, and more.

A great way to maximize your time onshore in Tasmania, this fun-filled group trip includes a sightseeing tour around Hobart and Richmond, a trip up a mountain (by vehicle), and a visit to a wildlife sanctuary. Depending on time, either drive by or stop at the oldest brewery in Australia. Perfect for cruise ship shore excursions, the tour starts and ends at Tasports in Hobart, although pickup from other destinations can be requested.

Learn more about the geothermal landscapes surrounding Rotorua and in Waimangu Volcanic Valley than you could by relying on guidebooks with this full-day small-group tour. Hop aboard a minibus in Tauranga and journey through dramatic scenery, marked by volcanic craters and bubbling geothermal mud pools, stopping at white sand beaches, hot springs, and redwood forests along the way.

Experience the scenic Yarra Valley on the Puffing Billy train. This full-day trip takes you through the Dandenong Ranges to Emerald Lake, the Healesville Sanctuary Zoo, and the Yarra Valley Chocolaterie & Ice Creamery. At the last stop you can enjoy free samples and chocolate shopping. This trip starts and ends at The Hotel Windsor in Melbourne.

While many people start with the city center of Melbourne and its laneways when exploring, there’s much more to Melbourne than this one area. Experience different sides to the city in one compact tour on this shared bus tour that goes beyond the laneways and places you can easily walk to. Explore lush Melbourne Gardens, iconic graffiti Laneways and Melbourne Markets. Experience 5 curated food and drink experiences each with their own vibe and feel, before completing your tour with a drink.

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.

Explore Kakadu National Park and learn about Australia’s Aboriginal heritage on a full-day tour from Darwin. You'll see the highlights of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed park, including ancient rock art of Ubirr Rock and views from the Nadab lookout. Then take a Guluyambi cultural cruise along the East Alligator River, traveling with an indigenous guide who stops along the way to show you the dramatic landscapes of Arnhem Land. Note: March and April visit the Burrungkuy and Nourlangie Rock galleries and ride the Billabong cruise.

Skip the beach and join this half-day riverboat tour that introduces you to Guam's history and culture—in an entertaining way. Cruise through the rainforests, along the Talofofo and Ugum rivers, learn about local flora and fauna, and visit an ancient Chamorro village to learn how old traditions are being kept alive.

One of the Northern Territory's key attractions is its isolation, but an increasing number of visitors means that the Territory's most popular attractions are becoming very busy. Cruise the Adelaide River without bumping into lots of other groups on this early-morning tour, with the chance to swim in picturesque—and croc-free—locales and meet a crocodile without a horde of onlookers spoiling the experience.

See the awe-inspiring Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland on a half-day tour, led by a knowledgeable guide. Follow a well-marked path alongside bubbling hot springs and volcanic craters at Rotorua’s most comprehensive geothermal site. Be amazed by the daily eruption of the Lady Knox Geyser, then take a tour around Waimangu Volcanic Valley, a young geothermal ecosystem.

Start your Broome adventure with this guided tour. Learn about the town's unique history as you see the sights, including Cable Beach, Gantheaume Point, Roebuck Bay, Broome Port jetty, and more. Plus, see Broome's oldest buildings and the world's oldest operating open-air picture garden. Also, get recommendations for the rest of your visit.

Visitors often miss some of Melbourne’s best attractions because they don’t know how to reach the city's outer locations. This full-day tour makes visiting easy by handling the transport for you. Travel from the city out to the Dandenong Ranges to ride the famous Puffing Billy steam train, then go see all sorts of native Australian wildlife at Healesville Sanctuary.

Access parts of the Australian Sports Museum that are usually off limits during a tour of the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground. Enjoy an exclusive glimpse into the inner sanctum of the MCG as you walk on the pitch and enter changing rooms used by cricket legends throughout the years. Plus, admission to the Australian Sports Museum is included.

Short on time? Marvel over the star attractions of Australia’s Red Centre on a half-day tour from Ayers Rock. Witness the dazzling sunrise over sacred Uluru from the Talinguru Nyakunytjaku viewing platform and learn about the rock’s spiritual importance to the Anangu indigenous people. Then, embark on a guided hike through the red desert of the Walpa Gorge and get up close to the magnificent domed rocks of Kata Tjuta (The Olgas).

Immerse yourself in the natural wonders and eventful history of Tasmania on a 6-hour boat tour from Strahan. The first-class catamaran ensures comfort from beginning to end. Cruise through Hell’s Gates, then enjoy a guided visit on Sarah Island, which once housed the island’s most notorious penal settlement. Enjoy a buffet lunch on board the ship, then continue your adventure with a boardwalk tour through the UNESCO listed Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park.

Sydney’s modern skyline hides layers of history that can be easy to overlook without local context. This small-group walking tour brings the city’s past to life as you explore the historic waterfront around Customs House and the surrounding streets of The Rocks. Along the way, learn how Aboriginal heritage, British colonization, convict history, and later migration shaped the city's development.

Enjoy cycling around Auckland without the effort on an e-bike tour that helps you zoom up hills and travel smoothly on flat ground. Ride through the Auckland Domain, summit Mt. Eden, enjoy harbor views, and more. Travelers with varying fitness and cycling experience can ride together, making this a great family trip. Get fitted with a headset to listen to your guide’s commentary as you cycle.

Make the most of a short stay in the Red Centre—even on the tightest of schedules—by starting your day early with sunrise over Uluru—one of the region’s must-see highlights. Enjoy a relaxed picnic breakfast before visiting Mutitjulu Waterhole and viewing ancient rock art that reveals the area’s deep cultural significance. Finish with a scenic drive around the base of Uluru, and experience its scale and beauty in just a few hours.

Take in the highlights of New Zealand’s largest city on this half-day tour of Auckland and benefit from your guide’s commentary. Admire views of Auckland Harbour and drive over the Harbour Bridge; gaze out over the city from the top of Mt. Eden; and see spectacular views of the Mission Bay beaches—all in just half a day, with plenty of photo stops along the way.

Explore one of Australia’s most distinctive natural features—Uluru—on this fun Segway tour. Your guide will take you to some hidden Aboriginal rock art sites, and tell you about the local history and culture. Travel along the base of the enormous monolith on a Segway. These fun vehicles are also environmentally friendly and make little noise, so they’re the ideal way to explore a sacred natural wonder.

Book a 1- or 2-day pass on a Hobart hop-on hop-off bus tour for an easy way to explore the city's top attractions at your own pace. Travel by double-decker red bus to 20 stops around the city, where you can hop off whenever you wish to visit the places that interest you. Alternatively, opt to stay onboard the bus for the full loop.