Top Australia & the Pacific Private and Luxury - page 2

Wetlands made Kakadu National Park a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and Yellow Water Billabong is one of the most beautiful. Join Indigenous-owned Yellow Water Cruises on a guided journey of discovery among crocodiles, eagles, and reflecting waters. The wildlife, like the light, changes throughout the day.

Short on time in Sydney but want to see the city’s top sights without juggling transport yourself? This half-day sightseeing tour solves that with a carefully planned route covering highlights such as the Sydney Opera House, Sydney Harbour Bridge, Bondi Beach, The Rocks, Paddington, and scenic Mrs Macquarie’s Point. With live commentary along the way, you enjoy a relaxed, efficient introduction to Sydney’s landmarks in just a few hours—without the hassle of planning it all yourself.

Get out of the city and into the wild on this small-group tour with guaranteed sightings of wildlife. Visit viewing platforms, national parks with waterfalls, and other areas to get up close to charming wombats and kangaroos in their natural habitat. You also enjoy several Australian snacks throughout the day including meat pies and a delicious dinner at a historic pub.

Bora Bora’s warm lagoon is home to hundreds of marine species, from stingrays to blacktip sharks and lemon sharks. With this guided snorkeling tour, maximize your chances of seeing these creatures in their natural habitat. Dive on in to explore several snorkeling spots under safe supervision.

See the highlights of Nadi on a full-day tour, starting with the Sri Siva Subramaniya Temple. Learn about its Hindu features from your knowledgeable guide before a scenic drive to a handicraft market. After lunch (own expense), stop by Namaka fruit market for a kava tasting, visit Viseivisei Village to learn about Fijian traditions, and admire orchids at the Garden of the Sleeping Giant. Finish with a therapeutic mud bath at Sabeto Hot Springs.

Explore the Blue Mountains the easy way on a full-day group tour from Sydney. It’s an action-packed trip with spectacular views, railway and cable car rides, forest walks, and wildlife encounters at Sydney Zoo. See much more than you could touring independently. This thorough tour appeals to travelers with many interests. Return to Sydney’s Circular Quay by ferry in time for dinner in the city.

Watch the dreamy sunset over the Whitsunday islands on this evening cruise, sailing on-board a traditional gaff-rigged schooner. Sip a complimentary glass of sparkling wine and tuck into light snacks as you glide around Pioneer Bay, and experience the beauty of Airlie Beach at twilight as you drift back to shore.

Experience one of the wonders of the natural world up close and personal on this snorkeling and diving cruise on the Great Barrier Reef. Climb aboard a superyacht in Cairns and set sail to two different outer reef locations. Explore the colorful world underneath the water, and snorkel or dive for a closer look. A delicious barbecue lunch and light refreshments are included.

Come hungry to this half-day food tour of Moorea that will let you eat like a local. Your Moorea-born guide will take you to some of the best food joints, where the French, Chinese, and Polynesian influences are strong. See the sights while filling your belly with great food and making new friends on an intimate, small-group tour.

Get access to remote areas of the island of Moorea on this half-day tour via 4WD vehicle. Visit Cook's Bay, a vanilla plantation, a local liquor factory, and Magic Mountain. Along the way, you'll get in-depth commentary from your guide on the island's history, culture, and modern-day life. Taste the flavors of Moorea with samples of different local jams, juices, and pineapple-derived alcohol.

Cruise across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak High Country Farm aboard the TSS Earnslaw, a vintage steamship (or a replacement vessel when the steamship is undergoing maintenance). Stroll the lakeside gardens, watch a farm show, and see sheepdogs in action. Take a guided tour and enjoy free time to stroll. Savor a delicious afternoon tea with scones before heading back to Queenstown the same way you came.

Take a leisurely river cruise from Brisbane to the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary on this two-in-one, time-saving tour. This half-day tour departs from bustling Southbank and cruises along the Brisbane River with views of iconic landmarks on the way to Lone Pine. Upon arrival, enjoy ample time to view the animals, from koalas and platypus to kangaroos and more.

A Milford Sound cruise is a must-do activity in southern New Zealand, but getting there independently can be stressful because of the rugged mountain roads. This full-day tour from Te Anau includes a hotel pickup and picnic lunch, so you don’t need to pack your own. Watch the views rather than the road by going with a guide and driver. See many spectacular sights along the way, including Mirror Lakes.

See Sydney’s sights in less of the time—and beat summer heat or winter rain—from the comfort of a climate-controlled sightseeing bus, complete with a live guide. Carefully selected photo stops include a point where you can take a picture with both Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge, as well as Bondi Beach. As you travel, your guide will tell tales of Sydney’s history and culture—and answer your questions too.

As New Zealand’s capital city, Wellington has a long history filled with stories of both Maori peoples and Western settlers. Explore the city on this half-day tour, riding the steep cable car to the summit to take in stunning views, discovering hidden gems around the city, and passing by some of Wellington’s most popular tourist attractions.

Many whale-watching tours head straight into open water, but this cruise begins in Sydney Harbour, where you can enjoy breakfast or a barbecue lunch (depending on the option selected). After your meal, sail past sights such as the Sydney Harbour Bridge en route to the Pacific Ocean, in search of migrating humpback and southern right whales. A naturalist guide provides live commentary along the way, and helps you spot marine life.

Travel from Melbourne to Phillip Island to see the penguin parade and other wildlife highlights of Victoria. Your full-day tour stops at Moonlit Sanctuary wildlife conservation park to see Australian natives such as koalas and wallabies. Explore the dramatic Cape Woolamai surf beach and the Nobbies boardwalk where you can enjoy views of the rugged south coast and often seals as well.

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.

Avoid the risk of driving to Milford Sound yourself and being distracted by the views. This group tour from Queenstown makes it easy—and safe—to visit the must-see natural attraction for a day. After a handy hotel pickup, embark on a dramatic journey through mountains, gorges, and the incredible Homer Tunnel. Make scenic stops along the way. Cruise Milford Sound in a catamaran, looking out for wildlife along the way.

Many Melbourne highlights, such as Puffing Billy and the penguins of Phillip Island, are far from the city and tricky to visit on your own. But this seamless full-day tour makes it easy for you to go. Relax as the bus takes you out to the Dandenong Ranges and down to the coast while your guide arranges your steam train tickets and the timing to see the adorable penguin parade.

Exploring the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Kuranda Rainforest independently can be time-consuming and complex, with transport, tickets, and timing to manage. This full-day tour from Cairns simplifies the experience by combining the region’s highlights into one seamless itinerary. Journey to Kuranda aboard the historic Scenic Railway, visit the Australian Butterfly Sanctuary, tour Rainforestation Nature Park in an amphibious Army Duck, and see koalas, dingoes, and native wildlife at the Koala and Wildlife Park. An immersive Dreamtime walk with a Pamagirri guide, and an Australian barbecue buffet lunch are included, before returning to Cairns via the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway.

Cruise Lake Wakatipu on a vintage Edwardian steamship with tickets for a cruise aboard TSS Earnslaw from Queenstown. Watch the stokers feed the TSS Earnslaw’s coal fires and enjoy views of the mountains and the lake. This scenic cruise departs from a central location in Queenstown, with multiple sailings throughout the day.

Experience the Great Ocean Road’s top attractions on this guided excursion that follows the iconic road in reverse. Embark on your journey and beat the crowds while learning about the region’s scenic landscapes and pretty coastal towns from an informative guide. Visit sites including the 12 Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge, Apollo Bay, and Gibson Steps.

Venture beyond the resorts on this half-day tour of Moorea, which guarantees a first-hand look at all the island’s top sights and fuss-free transport between them. Get off the beaten path and venture to viewpoints such as Magic Mountain and Belvedere Lookout, see marae (Polynesian temples) and pineapple fields, and visit an island distillery. Expert narration is offered throughout.