Top Australia & the Pacific Half-day Tours - page 9

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.

A hot air balloon ride offers visitors to Melbourne a new perspective over one of the most beautiful cities in the country. This balloon flight experience is made extra special by departing at dawn, giving travelers stunning views of Melbourne’s cityscape as the sun rises, the perfect addition to an Australian holiday for those seeking something memorable.

Visit "The Lord of the Rings" filming locations in and around Glenorchy, traveling by 4WD from Queenstown with a guide. This half-day tour includes stunning landscapes chosen by director Peter Jackson. See where famous scenes were filmed, the landscapes representing the Fortress of Isengard, Lothlórien, Ithilien Camp, and Forest of Amon Hen.

Uncover Melbourne's spookier side on this ghost tour of the city center. Hear ghostly tales that span the history of the city, passing by Queen Victoria Market, the Old Melbourne Gaol, Chinatown, and more. While walking between locations, pause for a drink (own expense) at three bars—each with their own creepy tale. A must-do for any fan of the macabre when visiting Melbourne.

Don’t miss out on anything during your trip-of-a-lifetime to Bora Bora. Let local insiders bring you to the most beautiful spots on the island’s famous lagoon, including the aquarium snorkeling site where you will encounter amazing marine life. Book a tour aboard the former race vessel Vitamin Sea, a 40-foot catamaran. With just a few other passengers on board, head to the crystalline waters of Paradise Bay, where you can swim, snorkel, and enjoy a magical “floating bar” experience.

Discover some of Central Otago’s top wineries on this small-group wine tour from Queenstown. Enjoy guided tastings at three wineries, including Gibbston Valley Winery, Kinross, and a boutique winery in Gibbston. Sample delicious regional wines and cheese, and gain insight into the delicate balances of scent and flavor at play in your glass.

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.

Spend half a day among the thriving wildlife of the outer Marlborough Sounds on a small-boat wildlife tour from Picton. Spot rare sea birds like penguins and shags, plus a couple of species of dolphin, in Queen Charlotte Sound. Set foot on Motuara Island, a bird sanctuary Island that holds significance to colonial New Zealand history. Your guides are deeply knowledgeable about this area, so make the most of them and ask plenty of questions.

Get together with a guide and a small group to explore the Sydney CBD, The Rocks, Surry Hills, or Newtown on a nightlife tour. Ideal for solo travelers, couples, and friends, this tour visits a few hidden and top-rated Sydney bars. Enjoy a provided beverage at the first venue, with no pressure to drink. Along the way, hear fascinating crime stories, local legends, and fun trivia.

After making your own way to Waiheke Island—or perhaps staying here—begin your tour at the easy-to-find Matiatia Ferry Terminal. Admire the views of the Hauraki Gulf as someone else drives you to your first wine tasting and lunch in a vineyard. Continue to other island settlements and wineries throughout the afternoon, before ending at an ocean-facing vineyard. Opt to stay for dinner (own expense) or be returned to the wharf.

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.

Ideal for travelers short on time, this small-group tour covers the best of Nadi in one day of sightseeing. Highlights include hunting for seasonal fruits, vegetables, and root crops at Nadi’s Farmers Market, visiting the ancestral cultural village of Viseisei, exploring the Garden of the Sleeping Giant, and checking out the Sri Siva Subramaniya Hindu temple. Hotel pickup is included for convenience.

Discover the rural beauty and Art Deco architecture of Hawke’s Bay on a half-day shore excursion from Napier. Travel through orchards, vineyards, and farming areas, visit the Arataki Honey Visitor Centre for honey tasting, and enjoy panoramic views from Te Mata Peak. All transport is by climate-controlled vehicle, making this tour a perfect introduction to the region’s landscapes and history.

Get a bird’s-eye perspective of Tropical North Queensland on an unforgettable hot air balloon flight at sunrise. Soar over the Atherton Tablelands as golden sunlight breaks across beautiful farmlands, rivers, and forests. Choose the duration of your flights and enjoy pickup and drop-off from your Cairns, Northern Beaches, or Palm Cove hotel. It’s a breathtakingly beautiful way to start your day!

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.

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 in Melbourne’s hidden gems and iconic sights on a leisurely bike tour. Travel with an expert local guide who shares the details of the city’s beginnings and Aboriginal history. Gain insight into modern Melbourne’s culture and stop to purchase lunch in Fitzroy. Your guide ensures the group’s safety while providing an entertaining and informative spin through Melbourne on two wheels.

Indulge in the succulent tastes of Waiheke Island on a half-day food and wine tour. A guide picks you up from the wharf and takes you to boutique wineries. Taste wine accompanied by locally produced specialties such as olive oil, oysters, and artisan cheese. Then settle in for a platter lunch at a vineyard restaurant. Linger on Waiheke and take the ferry back to Auckland whenever you like.

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.

Hawke’s Bay is one of New Zealand's premier wine regions—experience the best of it during a stress-free guided tour to four premium wineries, including Mission Estate and Trinity Hill. Taste a wide range of local wines, learn about winemaking, and visit New Zealand's oldest winery. This small-group tour includes all tastings and pizza for lunch, with hotel pickup and drop-off for added convenience.

Sample Central Otago wines without the stress of choosing a sober driver. Enjoy included hotel pickup from Queenstown on a leisurely drive around celebrated wineries in the Gibbston Valley. Have lunch at a winery restaurant (own cost), go behind the scenes at the country’s oldest wine cave and sample a range of varietals, from pinot noirs to various whites, and more.

Starting from Darwin, this Adelaide River Adventure includes a scenic drive to the Adelaide River wetlands, where you’ll learn about the wildlife species that call these waterways home—including the saltwater crocodile. You’ll then go on a Jumping Crocodile Cruise to see these crocs in their natural habitat. A local Indigenous owned and operated venture, the cruise is a great way to support the Traditional Custodians of this Country.

If you’re short on time in Napier but want to see—and taste—its highlights, join a half-day small-group tour to make the most of it. This guided tour is especially designed for cruise ship passengers. You’ll visit renowned Hawkes Bay vineyards, Art Deco buildings, the rocky wave of Te Mata Peak, and more. Fuel up on wine, cheese, and crackers, too.

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.