Top Australia & the Pacific Likely To Sell Out - page 7

Make the most of your time onshore in Tauranga on a half-day tour, offered in season (October–April). Visit beautiful beaches, orchards, historical landmarks, and more as you listen to engaging commentary from your guide about the history and culture of the region. You'll even get to sample local produce such as Manuka honey, kiwifruit, and avocados.

Gain entry to the New Zealand Maori Arts and Crafts Institute at Te Puia on a guided tour of this geothermal hot spot. Take a walking path up to steaming vents, boiling mud pools and erupting Pohutu Geyser at Te Whakarewarewa Thermal Valley; observe the emblematic kiwi bird; and discover Maori traditions at the cultural center. Upgrade to include a cultural performance of Maori song and dance, including the warlike ‘haka.’ Showtimes are available several times a day during admittance.

Journey out to Wellington’s south coast, looking out over the Cook Strait, and visit the region’s only fur seal colony. Journey out to Karori Rock’s "leaning lighthouse" to meet this thriving community of once-endangered critters. Tea, coffee, and snacks are provided so you can relax and watch the seals in this isolated area that even many Wellingtonians don't know about.

Be sure to put a performance by Opera Australia at the iconic Sydney Opera House on your Sydney itinerary. See classic operas by composers like Massenet and Verdi, as well as iconic Broadway musicals, depending on the season. Take in stunning views of Sydney Harbour while enjoying drinks or a meal (own expense) at one of the Opera House's fine dining venues before or after the performance to top off this unforgettable experience.

Seeing the Sydney Opera House from the outside is impressive—but most visitors never glimpse what happens behind the scenes. This backstage tour takes you through the Stage Door and into areas normally reserved for performers and staff, including rehearsal spaces and dressing rooms. Hear insider stories about the productions that bring the venue to life, then finish the experience with breakfast in the Green Room.

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.

Be immersed in the beauty of the UNESCO–listed Blue Mountains National Park for a day. During this day trip from Sydney, go off the beaten track while exploring magnificent valleys, rivers, and gorges with an expert guide. Visit Featherdale Wildlife Park en route, then hike in the Jamison Valley in the Blue Mountains and take in the views from several lookouts. Round-trip hotel transfers are included for your convenience.

Challenge yourself against the world’s highest commercially rafted waterfall and enjoy outdoor adventure on this Kaituna River white-water rafting trip from Rotorua. Hop into your raft in the Kahikitea Forest and take to the waves with a guide. Navigate steep canyons through native forest and test your nerve over 14 challenging rapids. Splash, paddle, and roll through New Zealand’s spectacular scenery with all safety equipment and hotel transfers included.

See the Franz Josef Glacier from the air on a helicopter flight above ice falls, snowfields, and crevasses. Touch down on a snowfield to see the icy landscape up close, and take in sweeping views across the maritime glacier. This helicopter tour departs from a helipad in Franz Josef township.

Add a bit of mystery to your day when you opt for the pilot’s choice glacier tour. Fly deep into the Southern Alps and over Franz Josef Glacier, admiring views that you can’t get from the ground. Then, depending on the day’s conditions and your pilot’s judgment, fly over Fox Glacier or Tasman Glacier, and into the Southern Alps for a snow landing and special photo opportunity.

A great way to maximize your time onshore in Tasmania, this fun-filled group trip includes a sightseeing tour around Hobart and Richmond, a trip up a mountain (by vehicle), and a visit to a wildlife sanctuary. Depending on time, either drive by or stop at the oldest brewery in Australia. Perfect for cruise ship shore excursions, the tour starts and ends at Tasports in Hobart, although pickup from other destinations can be requested.

End a day in paradise–Surfers Paradise– in style and comfort with a memorable sunset cruise through the spectacular waterways of the Gold Coast and Surfers Paradise canals. Sit back and relax on the vessel's open sundeck or inside, and enjoy complimentary snacks and drinks from the bar, as the sun goes down.

Fans of “The Lord of the Rings” movies will love being immersed in the mythical universe for a day in the Wellington region. You’ll visit a number of places that appeared in the films, including rivers, forests, and a quarry. Spend time at Wētā Workshop, where the special effects for these films, and many others, were created and brought to life. This is a must-do tour for Tolkien enthusiasts.

Enjoy a day in nature on an intimate small-group tour of the Springbrook National Park and Mount Tamborine. Visit the Natural Bridge, manmade glowworm caves, meander on Gallery Walk, and wander the impressive Tamborine Skywalk rainforest path. Native animals may pop out their heads from time to time, and stay fueled with a light lunch at a local restaurant. A great day out for families, couples, or solo travelers alike.

Experience the wonder of the wilderness on this full-day private Blue Mountains tour from Sydney. Leave the city lights far behind as you journey into the lush valleys, waterfalls, gorges, mountains, and forests that have shaped life here for tens of thousands of years. You can also opt to add on a visit to Featherdale Wildlife Park or swing by Scenic World and take a trip on the cable car.

Watch the spectacular stars above the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve on a tour that starts with a guided constellation tour, and ends in the warm waters of Tekapo Springs. Using a floating hammock in the hot pools is ideal for an evening of stargazing that won’t leave you with a sore neck, and access to an indoor star projector means you’re guaranteed to see stars in any weather.

See Uluru at its most atmospheric during this small-group sunset tour. Avoid the hassle of renting a car with hotel pickup and drop-off included and head to Australia's Red Centre for a relaxing evening. Enjoy light refreshments and a glass of sparkling wine, along with informative commentary from your guide and transportation, as you watch the sun dip below the horizon.

Australia is home to some of the world’s most beautiful landscapes and this tour from Sydney gives you a taste. Alongside a private guide, visit several locations that showcase the land, animals, and indigenous people of Australia. You'll zoom up mountains, stroll beaches, relax by a waterfall, and meet Australian wildlife, including koalas, kangaroos, and Tasmanian devils.

Enjoy unobstructed views of New Zealand’s tallest mountain—Aoraki Mt. Cook—as well as some of the South Island’s most beautiful natural landscapes without having to drive yourself. Join an easy guided full-day tour from Christchurch that takes you past Lake Tekapo and Lake Pukaki, fields of lavender (summer season only), and to hiking trails in Mt. Cook National Park to see the Tasman Glacier, New Zealand’s longest. End back in Christchurch.

Spend an afternoon on a food and walking tour of Auckland, discovering parts of the city that most first-time visitors miss out on. Stroll past city architecture while nibbling on sweet and savory treats along the way with a guide who takes care of navigating. Visit local producers of artisan wine, beer, ice cream, and other world-class offerings from Auckland's finest food purveyors and learn more about Auckland’s culinary culture as you go.

Experience the sunrise over Kata Tjuta (the Olgas) on an early morning tour that helps you beat the heat and the crowds. Before dawn, travel into UNESCO-listed Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park and admire the colors of the sunrise over one of the most iconic natural landmarks in Australia's Red Centre. Enjoy an outback picnic breakfast followed by a walking tour of stunning Walpa Gorge. This small-group tour promises a more personalized experience.

Take in Tauranga and Mount Maunganui’s scenic views on this 2-hour city sightseeing coach tour. Enjoy a scenic drive around the city, driving over the Harbour Bridge and checking out tourist hotspots like the Elms Mission House and Old Post Office, before heading to the Minden Lookout to snap photos of the Coromandel and White Island.

French Polynesia’s Moorea Lagoon boasts crystal waters home to diverse marine life, with native flora and fauna flourishing in hidden coves. On this tour, paddle across the lagoon by transparent kayak and gaze over the vibrant coral reefs below. With your guide to lead the way, hit the most beautiful corners of the lagoon, snorkel among the sea turtles and rays, and gain insight into traditional Polynesian culture.

Tackle the grade II and III rapids of the Barron River on this adrenaline-pumping half-day tour from Cairns or Port Douglas. Prepare to get wet and wild as you hurtle over the rapids, then float downstream past the jagged cliffs, plunging ravines, and lush rainforest of the Barron Gorge National Park. Best of all: With full instruction provided, this tour is suitable for all levels, including complete beginners.