Top Australia & the Pacific Day Trips - page 5

Make the most of your visit to the Blue Mountains with this comprehensive day tour from Sydney that bundles multiple top attractions. Take in sweeping views of the Three Sisters from Echo Point; glide above the rainforest on the Scenic Skyway; and explore the rainforest on a guided walk. Afterward, visit Sydney Zoo and get a free photo with a koala before capping off the day with ferry ride under the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Animal lovers—this one’s for you. Enjoy a hassle-free day out to Australia Zoo with round-trip transfers from select Brisbane hotels. Ride comfortably in an air-conditioned vehicle, then get into the zoo quickly as admission is included. Once inside, benefit from at least six hours to explore, catch live shows, and spot a variety of creatures, including tigers, giraffes, crocodiles, kangaroos, and more.

The Great Ocean Road's main stops draw crowds by midday, so timing your visit to the Twelve Apostles and Loch Ard Gorge around the buses takes local know-how. Ride it in reverse in a small group instead, reaching the headline sights ahead of the crowds with more time at each. Hotel pickup from Melbourne's CBD and Southbank sorts the start, so you spend the day looking rather than driving.

Visit two of the North Island’s most popular attractions in one day on this small-group tour from Auckland. First, hear behind-the-scenes stories from the making of "The Lord of the Rings” and “The Hobbit” films on a guided tour of the Hobbiton Movie Set. In the afternoon, continue to Rotorua to explore the city and visit the Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland where highlights include geysers, volcanic mud pools, and geothermal craters.

To see another side of Tahiti from the beach resorts you’d normally need to rent a 4-wheel-drive vehicle and brave the rugged roads. Simplify your adventure by letting someone else drive on a small-group day tour along coastal and mountain roads. After starting at black-sand beaches and coastal villages, travel deep into the mountains, visiting lakes, waterfalls, and remote valleys. Refresh with provided tropical fruits.

Swap Auckland for an exciting day trip showcasing the best of Rotorua. With stops at Wai-O-Tapu and Te Puia included, you can skip ticket lines and explore the area’s famous geothermal wonders with ease—including geysers, hot springs, and vivid landscapes. To help you get more out of your day, cultural performances are also part of the experience. Hotel pickup from Auckland CBD is included for added convenience.

Spend a full day exploring the landmarks of the Great Ocean Road. Watch the sunset at the famous Twelve Apostles rock formation, pass the Otway Ranges and spot koalas, explore landmarks in Port Campbell National Park and more. Known as one of Australia's most beautiful drives and one of Victoria's most popular destinations, the Great Ocean Road offers great photo ops of coastal scenery, picturesque seaside towns and pristine wilderness—a must-do excursion from Melbourne.

Discover the breathtaking views and magnificent waterfalls of the Blue Mountains without the crowds by delaying your morning departure from Sydney. Spend the day on guided bushwalks through this UNESCO World Heritage-listed landscape, admiring the views from lookout spots. This tour is timed so you miss the worst of the Sydney traffic and linger at the Three Sisters around sunset, after the crowds have disappeared.

Get out of Christchurch for half a day on a North Canterbury boutique wineries tour with a platter lunch. After a short drive from Christchurch, stop at three wineries, where you taste a selection of quality wines in the up-and-coming Waipara wine region. Possible stops include Pegasus Bay, Waipara Hills, Torlesse Wines, and Waipara Springs. Learn about Waipara’s unique terroir as you sip a range of superior reds and whites.

Experience the Local fresh produce and natural beauty of Bruny Island on this all inclusive full-day escape from Hobart. Indulge in freshly shucked oysters, artisan cheeses, local honey, fudge, and chocolate, as well as a delicious lunch made from local produce. In addition to the tasty treats, visit the island's must-see spots, including an exclusive guided tour and stair climb of the historic Cape Bruny Lighthouse, for beautiful ocean views.

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.

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.

If visiting the ancient coral cay of Green Island for the day wasn’t great enough, add a seawalker helmet dive to your package. Take a super-fast catamaran from Cairns to the island and choose between the use of snorkeling gear or a glass-bottom boat ride (included). Add more fun to the day by donning a glass helmet and taking a guided walk on the seabed, surrounded by coral and tropical fish while keeping your head dry.

If you want to enjoy a tropical island beach paradise from Cairns but don’t have a lot of time, this half or full-day trip to Green Island is ideal. Be transported by fast catamaran from Cairns to save time. Choose between a glass-bottomed boat tour or the use of snorkeling equipment. Get access to the island’s pool or take a self-guided walk of the island if you want to be more active.

Discover Cape Tribulation and its natural beauty on this all-day guided tour. Travel through the Gondwana Rainforest, stop at the Alexandra Range Lookout to get a bird's-eye view of the Daintree River, Port Douglas, and Cape Kimberly, and visit the Jindalba Boardwalk where you'll see a complex mangrove system. Plus, go on a crocodile and wildlife spotting cruise along the Daintree River.

Discover the natural wonders of the Great Barrier Reef from all angles on this action-packed tour—something few travelers get to enjoy. Cruise onboard a high-speed catamaran and enjoy an introductory or certified scuba dive at two different dive sites. After marveling over the colorful corals and marine life from underwater, hop aboard for a helicopter flight to see the islands and reefs from above.

Journey into the hinterlands on this 5-hour morning tour of the Springbrook National Park from the Gold Coast. Explore the UNESCO-listed Goondawanna rainforests by mini-van, stopping to walk through the jungle, peek into ancient caves and enjoy views of Mount Warning from the Best of All Lookout. Visit natural wonders like Purling Brook Falls and Natural Bridge. This small-group tour is limited to 15 people for a personalised experience, and includes light refreshments and hotel pick-up from selected locations.

Set out on a half-day catamaran tour to stunning Whitehaven Beach for swimming at this postcard–perfect slice of paradise. Considered one of the world's top beaches and the most beautiful one in the Whitsunday Islands, Whitehaven Beach is a must-see in the Great Barrier Reef region. Travel in comfort from Port Airlie on a motorized catamaran with air-conditioning. Morning or afternoon tea is provided on board and your crew supplies beach activities and informative commentary along the way.

Enjoy the ultimate day out in paradise at South Sea Island, in Fiji’s Mamanuca archipelago. After a cruise from Port Denarau, arrive at your tropical destination and choose from various activity options. Snorkel to discover the stunning coral reefs, kayak in the lagoons, ride a semi-submersible vessel, or upgrade to scuba dive. Feast on a barbecue lunch with unlimited beer, wine, and soft drinks throughout the day.

Make the most of your time in Auckland on a small-group tour that crams all the city’s best bits into just one day. Cover more sights in less time as you're transported by air-conditioned vehicle, rather than focusing on the road as you drive yourself. Gaze over the coastal scenery from Achilles Point; see Auckland historic Mt. Eden, the highest volcano on the isthmus; and enjoy lunch in historic Riverhead.

Join a Doubtful Sound cruise from Queenstown and discover this isolated gem deep within the UNESCO-listed Fiordland National Park. Travel by coach to Manapouri, take a ferry across Lake Manapouri and cross over Wilmot Pass, then down to Doubtful Sound to board your catamaran. Look out for dolphins, fur seals, and penguins amid a dramatic landscape of soaring forest-covered peaks and crystal-clear waters.

Journey to the majestic chasm of Kings Canyon on this full-day adventure from Ayers Rock. Travel across the rugged landscape of Central Australia, stopping at the Kings Creek cattle and camel station for a taste of Outback ranch life for breakfast. Choose from a strenuous walk to the canyon rim for unbeatable views, or an easier route along the canyon creek bed. Stop for lunch (own expense) at the Kings Canyon Resort.

Spend a blissful day on Moreton Island exploring the beaches, reef, and dunes on this tour from Brisbane or Surfers Paradise. Travel with an experienced guide in a rugged 4WD. You’ll snorkel or bodyboard, paddle transparent kayaks, and try sandboarding on the dunes: If sea conditions are unfavorable, take a 4WD island tour. Your day includes a picnic lunch on the beach but excludes national park fees and ferry tickets.

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.