Top Australia & the Pacific Day Trips - page 3

Skip the hassle of planning logistics and experience Uluru with a small group, led by a local guide. Walk to Mutitjulu Waterhole, follow the Mala Walk, and visit ancient rock art sites while learning the powerful stories and traditions of the Anangu people. End the day at the Talinguru Nyakunytjaku viewing area, and enjoy an uninterrupted sunset over Uluru with a glass of sparkling wine.

Discover one of the jewels in the crown of New Zealand's spectacular South Island on this full day Milford Sound hiking tour with cruise. Travel along the Milford Road from Te Anau and enjoy panoramic views over the beautiful countryside. Enjoy a relaxing boat cruise through the fjord and out to the Tasman Sea, and gaze over soaring clifftops and plummeting waterfalls. Afterwards, enjoy short guided walks and explore Fiordland's spectacular natural scenery with a local nature guide.

Enjoy a hassle-free way to experience the best of Rottnest Island on this full-day trip. Travel to Rottnest by ferry from either Perth or Fremantle, then embark on a sightseeing tour of the island by coach. While listening to your guide’s narration, check out landmarks including the West End and Wadjemup Lighthouse. Then, have free time to explore the car-free island at your leisure, and see the sights that interest you most.

The Mamanuca Islands can only be reached by boat, so take the stress out of transport planning by having everything organized for you. After a Denarau Island hotel pickup, board the boat and head to Mana, Monu, and Mondriki islands. Visiting multiple islands in one day means you make the most of your trip. Enjoy free time to swim and snorkel, and refuel with a delicious Fijian buffet lunch.

Sydney's busy roads can make sightseeing tricky. Skip city traffic and combine a ferry ride with admission to Taronga Zoo. Depart from Circular Quay and sail across Sydney Harbour, taking in panoramic views of the skyline along the way. At the zoo, spot koalas and kangaroos, along with wildlife from around the world. Your package includes round-trip ferry transfers, so getting back to the city center couldn't be easier.

With a wealth of artisan food producers, it can be hard to know where to get started if you want to tackle Bruny Island's gourmet food scene. Take out the guesswork and join a guided tour that takes you from Hobart, straight to a variety of delicious food tastings. Sample award-winning cheeses, premium wines and beer, freshly shucked oysters, handcrafted fudge, mead, and local honey—and top off the day with a delicious lunch at a beachside restaurant. There's also time to take in the island's pristine vistas during scenic stops around the island.

This full-day tour is ideal for travelers who want to see a lot of the Sunshine Coast Hinterland and Noosa in one day without having to self-drive. Get out of Brisbane and travel to the beautiful outskirts, visiting highlights including iconic beaches at Noosa Heads, the Eumundi Markets, and artisan villages. Enjoy views of the Glasshouse Mountains, too. Learn more about the area from your guide’s commentary.

Trade the bustle of Sydney for the picturesque Blue Mountains—and make your travel logistics easy and hassle-free—on this full-day tour. Catering to active adult travelers, this tour includes scenic views, waterfall hikes, and more. You can look forward to visiting Wentworth Falls, stopping at the Three Sisters, and spotting wildlife. All national park fees, lunch, and transportation from central Sydney are included.

Journey to the heart of the Blue Mountains on this full-day tour from Sydney, including hotel pick-up. Kick-off your adventure seeing a koala or a kangaroo at Featherdale Wildlife Park, then enjoy a dramatic view of the Three Sisters rocks from Echo Point. After lunch (own expense), head to Scenic World to ride the Cableway, Skyway and Railway for unbeatable aerial views of the Jamison Valley and Katoomba Falls. Finish with a leisurely cruise along the Parramatta River to Sydney’s Darling Harbour or Circular Quay.

A Milford Sound cruise is a must-do activity in southern New Zealand, but getting there independently can be stressful because of the rugged mountain roads. This full-day tour from Te Anau includes a hotel pickup and picnic lunch, so you don’t need to pack your own. Watch the views rather than the road by going with a guide and driver. See many spectacular sights along the way, including Mirror Lakes.

Experience the magnetic allure of Uluru (Ayers rock) on this half-day tour from Ayers Rock resort. Get up close to the UNESCO-listed landmark with a drive around the base and follow the Kuniya Walk to the Mutitjulu Waterhole. Discover Uluru’s spiritual significance as you admire ancient Aboriginal rock art and visit the Uluru – Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre. Then, sip a glass of wine and munch on canapés as you witness the dazzling sunset over Uluru. Finish your day with a hearty Aussie-style BBQ (if option selected) beneath the desert stars.

The lakeside resort town of Rotorua is renowned for its geothermal wonders and rich Maori heritage. On this full-day tour from Auckland, benefit from the personal touch of a small-group excursion and a chance to customize your itinerary with a choice of tour options. Visit the bubbling pools of Wai-O-Tapu Geothermal Wonderland in the morning, then choose from a variety of activities to spend your afternoon: visit the Te Puia Maori Village, explore the Redwoods Treewalk, relax at the Polynesian Spa, or soak in the Secret Spot Hot Tubs.

Admire the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Daintree Rainforest while someone else takes care of logistics on this full-day, small-group tour. Get picked up from Port Douglas, spot crocodiles on a river cruise, learn about local flora and fauna at Marrdja Botanical Walk, explore Mossman Gorge, and soak up the scenery at Mt. Alexandra Lookout. Plus, take a beach walk to the spot where the rainforest and Great Barrier Reef meet.

Discover the scenic coastline, beaches, national parks, flora, and fauna of Bruny Island on an easy full-day tour from Hobart. Travel via ferry to the island (tickets included), and walk through the temperate rainforest. Stop at a viewing platform at the Neck, and sample locally made products, such as chocolate and honey. Explore the beautiful Tasmanian landscape without having to drive yourself and return to Hobart in time for dinner.

Make the most of your time in Tropical North Queensland with this all-in-one day trip through the Atherton Tablelands. Take in natural beauty and cultural insight in one comprehensive experience. Start beneath the ancient Cathedral Fig Tree, where a guide reveals the rainforest’s deep spiritual and ecological roots. Take a dip in the waters of Lake Eacham, enjoy a hearty pub lunch made with local ingredients, and visit two of the region’s most scenic waterfalls—Millaa Millaa and Josephine Falls. Along the way, spot native wildlife such as tree-kangaroos, and end your journey at the Babinda Boulders.

Head out on a rainforest adventure on the original Daintree Rainforest Tour. Take a guided walk through the ancient Daintree Rainforest and along the flawless white beaches of Cape Tribulation with your guide. Then, hop aboard a river cruise and listen to commentary about the local wildlife as you try to spot crocodiles. Then, take a freshwater swim in the heart of the rainforest and enjoy a homegrown tropical fruit ice cream.

The desert landscape of the Pinnacles is especially atmospheric at dusk. Skip experiencing it in the company of busloads of tourists on a full-day tour from Perth that’s timed to get you to the Pinnacles for sunset. Before that, take in the views of the incredible sand dunes from the Guilderton lookout, stroll along the Hangover Bay Coast, and admire the views from the Nilgen Lookout. Includes a picnic dinner with wine.

Explore the Great Barrier Reef and a lush island rain forest on this catamaran tour to Green Island from Cairns. Create your own perfect day on this protected coral cay with a variety of activities including snorkeling, scuba diving, Seawalking, nature walks, and tours on a glass-bottom boat. Upgrade to include a delicious buffet lunch on board the catamaran and/or a ride in a semi-submarine. It’s a fantastic way to discover the underwater wonders of the world’s most famous reef.

Explore the lush beauty, amazing wildlife, and rich heritage of Tropical North Queensland on this customizable full-day trip to Kuranda from Cairns. Travel to this enchanting rainforest village aboard the historic Kuranda Scenic Railway, and choose from a variety of activities including visits to Birdworld and Rainforestation Nature Park. Hang out with koalas and exotic birds, browse local markets, and more. At the end of the day, glide through the treetops back to Cairns on the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway.

Enjoy a full-day tour of the stunning Whitsunday Islands, traveling on a sturdy motorized raft to Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet Beach. Choose from two tours that offer either more snorkeling or more beach time. Gain exclusive access to secluded spots where you can snorkel around pristine coral reefs, and take a walk with your guide in the national park to a lookout point with spectacular views.

Inland Moorea is covered in great hiking trails, but don’t risk getting lost in the rainforest-covered mountains. A guide shows you the way on this half-day hike to the beautiful Afareaitu Waterfall, where you can swim to cool off. Pass Polynesian temples and lush plants along the way, and learn more about local culture from your guide. Includes a fresh-fruit tasting at a tropical garden.

If you’re short on time but want to see the most impressive landscapes of the Southern Alps, this twelve-hour group guided tour packs in the best. Starting in Queenstown, you’ll travel over the Lindis Pass into Canterbury and onward to dazzling Lake Pukaki and Mt. Cook Village. Enjoy views of New Zealand’s highest mountain and spend free time exploring the village of the same name.

As well as its stunning countryside, Central Otago in New Zealand is known for its world-class wine and adventure tourism. This ‘hop on, hop off’ bus tour lets you experience some of the best wineries and attractions at your own pace without the hassle of driving. Come away knowing a bit more about this slice of paradise, with commentary along the way to educate and entertain you.

Get an overview of the Atherton Tablelands region on a comprehensive day tour from Cairns. With a guide to show you the best spots, such as crater lakes, rain forest hikes, and waterfall swims, learn about the ecology and geology of the region. Highlights include Lake Eacham, Milla Milla Falls, Josephine Falls, and Babinda Boulders. A 2-course lunch, national park fees, and round-trip transportation from central Cairns accommodations included.