Top Australia & the Pacific Half-day Tours - page 8

Experience one of the wonders of New Zealand’s natural world on this glowworm caving adventure in Waitomo. Pull on your boots and helmet before heading through the private farmland and native forest to the Mangarongapu Cave system with a local guide and small group. With your headlamp to light the way, hike around huge boulders and through shallow streams, and marvel at the millions of bright green glowworms illuminating the rocky limestone.

Watch the golden rays illuminate the countryside on this sunrise hot-air balloon ride over the Avon Valley near Perth. Starting from Northam, this ballooning and breakfast experience includes a relaxing and memorable flight through the sky and a delicious post-ballooning breakfast. While you’re in the air, your friendly pilot will also give you the chance to lend a hand—if you wish—and will join you for coffee and questions afterwards.

See Darwin’s highlights on a handy half-day tour by bus. Learn about Darwin’s World War II history at the Defence of Darwin Experience, with admission to this military heritage site included. Explore the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, and stop by the 1934 Qantas Hangar and Darwin Aviation Museum, among other sites on this comprehensive introduction to Darwin. Includes handy hotel transfers; caravan parks cost extra.

Discover the sealife of Ningaloo Reef—a UNESCO World Heritage Site—on this full-day, small-group snorkeling experience. Join a local guide and a small group to explore the vibrant coral reef ecosystem. Snorkeling equipment, lunch, and a morning snack are included for a hassle-free day. Plus, pickup from the Ningaloo Visitor Center or your accommodation is available.

View Christchurch’s highlights on a half-day sightseeing tour introducing the architecture, gardens, and waterways of “The Garden City” without the hassle of self-driving or catching public transportation. Pass city center landmarks, meander around perennial gardens, visit the seaside, and marvel at views over the Canterbury Plains and Southern Alps. Choose a morning or afternoon departure, and opt to upgrade to include the International Antarctic Centre.

Enjoy an unforgettable animal encounter with a visit to Hartley's Crocodile Adventures from Cairns. Brave a face-to-face meeting with menacing crocodiles or hand-feed kangaroos and wallabies with guidance and supervision from the friendly staff, then get up-close to other Aussie creatures like Koala's, cassowaries, quolls and snakes. Best of all, your self-guided tour includes entrance tickets, hotel pick-up and round-trip transport from Cairns.

Sail the gorgeous South Sea Island nestled among the Mamanuca Islands. Just thirty minutes from Denarau, explore crystal waters, coral reefs, and swim among the colorful tropical fish. Adventure comes to you with access to watersport equipment, dance performances, and a subsea adventure in the semi-submersible coral viewer. Indulge in the included lunch, alcoholic beverages, and bottled water. The perfect opportunity to relax and experience the best of Fiji.

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.

Enjoy a morning cruise through Queen Charlotte Sound in the Marlborough Sounds, visiting historic Ship Cove, where Captain Cook landed in the 1770s. Disembark to see the memorial on the sheltered beach, as well as Māori wood carvings. On the return journey, cruise through Endeavour Inlet with passenger and freight drop-offs while listening to informative commentary about the marine life, cultural history, and natural features of the Marlborough Sounds.

Relax and see Brisbane from a different perspective on this half-day river cruise. Instead of navigating busy streets or planning separate sightseeing activities, enjoy a smooth ride along the Brisbane River, with live commentary and scenic views of historic and modern landmarks. Back on land, enjoy an included lunch at a nearby pub.

Take a break from the city and spend the day in Martinborough, one of the finest food and drink destinations in the North Island. Enjoy the views as you leave Wellington and cross the Remutaka Ranges into the Wairarapa region. Visit a cheese factory, a chocolatier, and a winery, tasting some of the finest local produce as you go. Spend some free time in Martinborough at the end, sampling more food if you wish.

The coast off Port Stephens often sees whales and dolphins pass by, although they can be challenging to spot from the land. Get closer to the action by setting out onto the open ocean with this wildlife-watching cruise. Learn about whales and dolphins from commentary aboard the catamaran and benefit from their experienced eyes to better spot any nearby creatures.

Explore more of the Whitsundays’ Conway National Park on a fun small-group Segway tour. Learn to operate the vehicle: full instruction and practice time is provided so no experience is necessary. Then follow your guide on a scenic tour through the rainforest, going further than you would on foot. Glide along serene rainforest trails, following part of the Whitsunday Great Walk, and hop off to enjoy a filling morning tea.

Experience the wild beauty of Western Australia as you embark on a leisurely cruise from Lake Kununurra between Diversion Dam and Lake Argyle. Board your vessel and enjoy the ride through gorge country, keeping your eyes peeled for local wildlife such as birds and crocodiles. Cruise to the sprawling Lake Argyle and then turn back around to witness a beautiful sunset on the way back to Kununurra.

See Sydney’s top sights on a half-day private city tour that still leaves you with time to enjoy the rest of the day on your own. You’ll check off Sydney’s must-see attractions, including the Opera House, Harbour Bridge, Bondi Beach and Circular Quay. Hear about the city’s history and modern-day culture from a private guide-driver, and take in daily life around neighborhoods like Paddington and Darlinghurst.

Discover the natural beauty and fresh seafood of the Marlborough Sounds on an afternoon cruise from Picton. Travel by luxury catamaran through the sheltered waters of Queen Charlotte Sound. Taste fresh, locally farmed salmon and Greenshell mussels on board, pairing them with a glass of local wine if you like (own expense). Learn about marine farming in the sounds, and admire the views of otherwise hard-to-reach places.

Experience Australia’s natural beauty up close on a thrilling half-day 4WD adventure from Cairns. Venture to Barron Gorge and Kuranda National Parks, and witness the startling contrasts of tropical rainforest, savannah, and rugged mountains, without worrying about navigating off-road paths. Stop along the way to snap photos of the mighty Barron Falls and swim in the clear waters of Davies Creek.

Explore the main points of interest in Moorea with a handy half-day tour/shore excursion. Check off the island’s natural and cultural attractions on a handy-half day tour, including the great views from the Belvedere lookout point, a fruit juice factory and distillery, an archaeological site, and more. Choose from several morning and afternoon departures to suit your schedule.

Get a personalized introduction to Auckland’s most important sights on a small-group half-day tour. Make the most of your time in Auckland with a convenient trip that includes round-trip hotel transfer from centrally located Auckland hotels or the port. Admire the city and sea views from lookout points, pass through some of the city’s most upmarket neighborhoods, and get a great overview of the City of Sails.

Explore pretty Waiheke Island's beaches, vineyards, and rolling scenery on a small-group day tour that includes tastings at three boutique vineyards. You'll get an overview and orientation of the island, stopping for great views and sandy beaches, and learn about local wine production as you sip Waiheke vintages. Group size is limited to six people to ensure personal service, with pickup and drop-off at Waiheke Island’s wharf.

Combine a relaxing sunset cruise on an outrigger canoe on Bora Bora's lagoon with a romantic dinner at a top-notch restaurant during this evening experience. Sip a glass of included sparkling wine while watching the sun sink below the tropical horizon, then sit down at one of the island's best restaurants for an intimate dinner overlooking the lagoon. Restricted to over-18s only.

See more of the Melbourne sites that interest you on this half-day, guided bike tour. From hidden laneways to historic landmarks, get an insider’s perspective on the best of Melbourne while enjoying the speed and flexibility of touring on two wheels. Bikes and gear are included on this small-group tour.

After a catamaran cruise across Lake Wanaka to Mou Waho Island—which sits in the middle of the lake—spot rare native birds that are extinct on mainland New Zealand. Thanks to successful conservation efforts, the island is a rare haven for birdlife. Enjoy a guided hike with an expert guide to a lake at the top of the island, an experience that’s rated one of the best must-do activities in Wanaka.

Benefit from personalized attention and snorkeling instruction on this private snorkeling tour of the Bora Bora Lagoon. Choose from morning or afternoon departure depending on your schedule, then set out with your dedicated crew to visit four to five area snorkeling spots. Guided snorkeling excursions mean you'll have the best chance of spotting marine life such as barracuda, eels, sharks, and rays swimming among vibrant coral. You can travel light, as all snorkel equipment, towels, and refreshments are provided.