Top Australia & the Pacific Half-day Tours - page 11

Take an in-depth tour of the wine-growing region on Waiheke Island with a guide on this excursion. You'll learn about what makes the vineyards so successful and the characteristics of the local wine through guided commentary and visits to three top vineyards. With round-trip transportation from Waiheke’s ferry terminal provided, you can take full advantage of the tastings without worrying about who will drive.

Located in the heart of Fiordland National Park, Milford Sound forms part of the Te Wahipounamu World Heritage Site. Explore the stunning fiord in a way few tourists will—by air and water during a half-day excursion. The exhilarating, round-trip helicopter flight from Queenstown includes a glacier or alpine landing. Perhaps spot dolphins, seals, and penguins during an unforgettable cruise.

Explore the underwater world of Bora Bora Lagoon on a snorkeling adventure. After receiving safety instructions and getting your snorkeling gear, you’ll have the chance to freely swim in the crystal-clear, shallow waters. Your guide will offer personalized attention, highlighting the top spots for snorkeling and handling all the details. Experience the vibrant marine life in the breathtaking lagoon of Bora Bora.

I offer you a delicious culinary escapade in the image and taste of my love for Papeete, the city where I was born. An immersion in my life in Tahiti, the island where I was born and flourished as a Polynesian and citizen of the world. We will start with a typical breakfast, seated around our famous raw fish in coconut milk. Then, it is to the rhythm of all our tastings (minimum 10) that I will guide you through the city, its history and its flavors. I will show you the addresses that mark my daily life: from the famous Papeete market to the little hidden gems that are close to my heart. Throughout this morning together, we will explore and celebrate the vibrant culinary culture of Papeete, the flavors, stories and characters behind everything we will taste together. From local specialties, to snacks from my childhood, to modern street food, Papeete will not leave you hungry!

Immerse yourself in the natural beauty of Bora Bora's lagoon with a small-group snorkeling tour to the island’s best spots. Put on snorkeling gear and head out into the lagoon, home to all sorts of tropical aquatic life. Then feast on a Polynesian-style barbecue picnic while enjoying local hospitality and relaxing on the white-sand beach of a small island.

See the best sites Moorea has to offer with this 4x4 tour of the tropical Polynesian island. You'll visit Cook's Bay, wander through a tropical garden with its own vanilla plantation, taste homemade jam, see a pineapple farm, and stop to taste local fruits and liquors. You'll also get to head up to the beautiful viewpoint at Belvedere to take in great views of the island and its surroundings.

Visit the Tifajek Mud Pools and Hot Springs, a rustic but much-loved Fijian experience, on this all-terrain vehicle adventure from Nadi. Get off the beaten path and access parts of the island that traditional tours can't on a rugged quad bike, with your guide in the lead to provide navigation and directions. Head to the Sleeping Giant Mountain Range to visit the orchid garden before heading to the pools where you can slather yourself with mud, and then rinse off in the hot springs.

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.

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.

Spend the morning or afternoon visiting Middle-earth on this half-day “The Lord of the Rings” tour from Wellington. A guide with insider knowledge entertains Frodo fans on a journey into the scenic New Zealand countryside. Get a behind-the-scenes look at LOTR movie production on a tour of the Weta Workshop and discover why director Peter Jackson selected this region to film the renowned trilogy, along with “The Hobbit” movies.

Every neighborhood has its favorite local haunts, but it’s not easy for visitors to tap into the best insider eats. With this secret food tour, discover where those in the know dine in while learning about the neighborhood’s unique history and culture. Explore the area highlights on foot with your guide, stopping to sample a variety of popular dishes.

Experience the best of Tahiti on a private half-day tour that encircles the island. See parts of Tahiti that many travelers miss in their hurry to other parts of French Polynesia. Stop at waterfalls, temples, tropical gardens, lookout points, and historic and cultural sites that are important to indigenous Tahitians. Learn more about French Polynesia from your guide, who will tell you many stories.

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.

Take a break from sightseeing and spend the day basking on the white sand beaches of Malamala Beach Club with this half-day tour from Denarau, Nadi, and Wailoaloa. Enjoy a boat ride across Fiji's crystal clear waters to the beach club and then relax and soak up the island vibes, swim in the resort-style infinity-edge pool, or choose from any other activities, including snorkeling or other water sports.

Make the most of your time on Taha’a Island by skipping the winding coastal road and touring by boat. Admire views of the island from the water, and stop to snorkel at the Taha’a Coral Garden. Stop on land to visit the vanilla and pearl farms for which the island is famous. Refuel with a tasty Polynesian lunch on a private island, where you can swim and enjoy the beach.

Sample several of Waiheke Island’s award-winning wines at vineyards across the island before stopping for a gourmet meal at a beachfront restaurant on this half-day tour of the island. Gaze out over the Hauraki Gulf while you dine and then continue your tour, setting off to taste yet more wine.

Your underwater experience is limited when snorkeling off the beach in Moorea, so join a guided snorkeling tour by boat to access coral gardens and other snorkeling spots you couldn’t otherwise reach. Your guides take you out to the best places for snorkeling with rays, sharks, and amazing colorful fish. The small group size means you get personalized instruction. Refresh with a provided tropical fruit platter, too.

Explore New Zealand’s only castle—Larnach Castle—on this half-day small-group tour around Dunedin. Hop aboard an air-conditioned minivan and discover some of the city’s most popular sights, from the steepest street in the world to New Zealand’s most photographed building, before enjoying coastal views of the Pacific Ocean from the scenic Highcliff Road.

The Marlborough region is New Zealand’s largest producer of wine. This half-day tour from Blenheim includes hotel pickup and offers a comprehensive introduction to Marlborough wine, starting with a lunch (own expense) at a winery restaurant paired with wine. In the afternoon, visit up to four wineries to tour vineyards, learn about winemaking, and enjoy expert-led tastings.

If you’re short on time but want to experience the best of the Hunter Valley, this half-day vineyard tour is ideal. You’ll visit three boutique wineries, where you’ll sample a selection of fine wines. At one, you’ll take a cheese and wine masterclass, where you’ll learn to match seven cheeses with seven wines. Armed with this knowledge, happy hour at your house will never be the same again.

See the sheer cliffs of Milford Sound from the air and water on this half-day tour from Queenstown by sightseeing plane and catamaran. Fly over Fiordland National Park, part of a UNESCO-listed landscape, then touch down at Milford Sound for a nature cruise. This tour is perfect for photography and wildlife watching, and hotel pickup and drop-off from centrally located Queenstown hotels is included.

Enjoy a fully guided tour of Dunedin and the Otago Peninsula on this shore excursion from Port Chalmers. See key Dunedin landmarks in the city, such as the historic University of Otago, seriously steep Baldwin Street, and the neo-gothic Dunedin Railway Station. Then head to the Otago Peninsula to explore Larnach Castle on a guided tour, with a table reserved in the Ballroom Cafe for lunch (own expense).

Immerse yourself in the natural landscape of the Otago Peninsula on this small-group tour. Don't worry about navigating your way on unfamiliar roads, with your guide driving you there. Enjoy taking in the local wildlife and the chance to see native blue penguins. Ideal for nature-lovers and those looking to take a break from the city.

There are few places in New Zealand where you’re likely to spot kiwis in the wild, and Stewart Island is one. Improve your chances of spotting this nocturnal bird on a guided tour at dusk. Head out for a pre-sunset cruise, spotting albatross, penguins, and fur seals, before a venture into the bush toward a secluded beach where kiwi are often spotted. For a deeper understanding of New Zealand, upgrade to the culture "kiwi and culture encounter" to hear stories of Maori and European history.