Top Australia & the Pacific Private and Luxury - page 4

Uncover the secrets of Sydney’s heritage as you explore The Rocks on this guided walking tour of the historic precinct. Offering amazing views over the Sydney Harbour and the Campbells Cove Wharves, your guide will lead you along shady laneways and cobbled courtyards where you’ll discover some of Sydney’s earliest buildings, including Cadman’s Cottage, built in 1816 and the Garrison Church, which dates back to the 1840s.

Exploring K’gari’s vast landscapes in a single day can be challenging without the right transport and local knowledge, but this full-day guided tour makes it easy to see the island’s highlights. Depart early in a custom 4WD and spend the day visiting key sites such as Lake McKenzie, Eli Creek, Central Station, Wanggoolba Creek, Seventy-Five Mile Beach, and the Maheno shipwreck. With a local leading the way, learn about the island’s unique plant and animal life while enjoying time at its freshwater lakes, rainforest, and coastline.

Driving the Great Ocean Road yourself means long hours at the wheel and missing the stops you can't spot from the road. Ride it in a small group from Melbourne instead, with a guide handling the route to the Twelve Apostles, Gibson Steps, and Loch Ard Gorge. Walk among the tall ash trees in Great Otway National Park, and watch for koalas at one of the area's larger colonies along the way.

Enjoy a full-day tour of the stunning Whitsunday Islands, traveling on a sturdy motorized raft to Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet Beach. Choose from two tours that offer either more snorkeling or more beach time. Gain exclusive access to secluded spots where you can snorkel around pristine coral reefs, and take a walk with your guide in the national park to a lookout point with spectacular views.

Take in the spectacular Phillip Island Penguin Parade as you watch the colony of Little Penguins crosses the shoreline from the ocean. Heading out to Penguin Parade, we begin our day at a Koala Reserve to meet some furry Australian favourites. Take a tour and get up close and personal with our native Australian wildlife. Travel to Phillip Island Nature Parks, known for its natural beauty, sandy beaches, rugged cliffs and unique wildlife experiences. The island is home to a colony of around 32,000 little penguins. Phillip Island Tour is one of the popular and must-watch tourist attractions in Victoria.

Take in the highlights of New Zealand’s largest city on this half-day tour of Auckland and benefit from your guide’s commentary. Admire views of Auckland Harbour and drive over the Harbour Bridge; gaze out over the city from the top of Mt. Eden; and see spectacular views of the Mission Bay beaches—all in just half a day, with plenty of photo stops along the way.

See the best of Phillip Island on this group tour from Melbourne, where all the details are taken care of so you just need to relax and take in the sites. Keep your eyes peeled for kangaroos, koalas, and the adorable tiny penguins who populate the island. Make sure your cameras are charged for photos at beautiful viewpoints, like at Cowes, and more.

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.

Make the most of your time in Fiji with a full-day boat excursion. Sail in a tall ship to beautiful Kadavu Lailai in the Mamanuca Islands. Enjoy a traditional kava welcome ceremony, then spend free time sunbathing, snorkeling, or exploring the tropical waters by kayak, paddleboard, or on a glass-bottom boat tour. A barbecue buffet lunch with drinks keeps you going all day long.

Sydney's harborfront landmarks are best seen from the water, but working out vantage points and timing takes local know-how. Board a cruise past the city's historic sights, tucked-away beaches, and sandstone cliffs, with the route handled for you. Listen to commentary on the harbor's history as the views roll by, and pick the morning or afternoon departure that suits your day.

If you want to enjoy a tropical island beach paradise from Cairns but don’t have a lot of time, this half or full-day trip to Green Island is ideal. Be transported by fast catamaran from Cairns to save time. Choose between a glass-bottomed boat tour or the use of snorkeling equipment. Get access to the island’s pool or take a self-guided walk of the island if you want to be more active.

One of the Northern Territory's key attractions is its isolation, but an increasing number of visitors means that the Territory's most popular attractions are becoming very busy. Cruise the Adelaide River without bumping into lots of other groups on this early-morning tour, with the chance to swim in picturesque—and croc-free—locales and meet a crocodile without a horde of onlookers spoiling the experience.

Discover the scenic coastline, beaches, national parks, flora, and fauna of Bruny Island on an easy full-day tour from Hobart. Travel via ferry to the island (tickets included), and walk through the temperate rainforest. Stop at a viewing platform at the Neck, and sample locally made products, such as chocolate and honey. Explore the beautiful Tasmanian landscape without having to drive yourself and return to Hobart in time for dinner.

Journey to the rain forest village of Kuranda via two unique transit options on this memorable full-day tour from Cairns or Port Douglas. Skip the line and enjoy Gold Class service aboard the Kuranda Scenic Railway, winding through lush mountain passes and waterfall gorges along the way. In the opposite direction, glide above the treetops in a gondola and soak up spectacular views of the mountains and coastline on the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway. In Kuranda, enjoy leisure time to explore the heritage markets, learn about aboriginal culture or interact with native wildlife.

The Daintree's rainforest, coast, and the rugged Bloomfield Track are spread across a big stretch of Far North Queensland, hard to cover self-driving in a day. Join a 4WD tour that links them with a guided walk through the ancient rainforest and along the sand at Cape Tribulation. Watch for crocodiles on a river cruise, cool off with a freshwater swim in the forest, and finish with a tropical fruit ice cream.

Discover Australia's Great Ocean Road—where coastal views and lush rainforests meet—on this full-day adventure from Melbourne. Heading out from the urban landscape of the city, keep your eyes peeled for koalas, walk through rainforests, and visit local landmarks like the Memorial Arch. A local guide is on-hand to fill you in on the area's history—something many travelers miss out on. Once you've refueled with lunch (own expense) in the beautiful town of Apollo Bay, marvel at the Twelve Apostles (a set of giant limestone stacks), and explore other panoramic views, including the dramatic Loch Ard Gorge.

Visit some of the top attractions outside of Hobart on this day trip to Mount Wellington, Mount Field National Park, Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary, and the historical town of Richmond.

Venture off-the-beaten-track and explore the UNESCO-listed wilderness of Australia’s tropical north on this full-day tour from Cairns. Journey along the Captain Cook Highway; take a guided hike through the Mossman Gorge and cool off with a dip in the Mossman River. After lunch (included), look out for crocodiles on a scenic cruise down the Daintree River, then continue to Cape Tribulation to trek through the Daintree Rainforest and enjoy magnificent views over the Great Barrier Reef. This small-group tour is limited to 14 people for a personalized experience.

Visiting the Blue Mountains independently can be tiring to do independently, with long distances between viewpoints. This full-day tour from Sydney simplifies the journey, connecting the region’s highlights while a driver tackles the roads. Take in sweeping views from Kings Tableland, walk to scenic spots such as Wentworth Falls or Leura Cascades, and visit the towns of Leura and Katoomba to see the Three Sisters. The day ends with a relaxing cruise along the Parramatta River back to Circular Quay.

Embark on a full-day tour from Adelaide that includes a 3-hour Murray River cruise and time to explore the German town of Hahndorf. Start with views of Adelaide at Mount Lofty Summit then head to Bridgewater Mill to see its iconic static display waterwheel. Then board the "Captain Proud" paddle wheeler for your 3-hour Murray River cruise. Learn about the river’s history, culture, and ecosystem from the live commentary while feasting on a 2-course lunch. After, enjoy a short sightseeing tour and free time in the German village of Hahndorf.

Explore the lush beauty, amazing wildlife, and rich heritage of Tropical North Queensland on this customizable full-day trip to Kuranda from Cairns. Travel to this enchanting rainforest village aboard the historic Kuranda Scenic Railway, and choose from a variety of activities including visits to Birdworld and Rainforestation Nature Park. Hang out with koalas and exotic birds, browse local markets, and more. At the end of the day, glide through the treetops back to Cairns on the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway.

Immerse yourself in the natural wonders and Aboriginal heritage of Australia's Tropical North Queensland on this full-day tour from Cairns. First, head to the Mossman Gorge to take part in a traditional smoke ceremony with the indigenous Kuku Yalanji people. Then, enjoy lunch in the Daintree Village. After lunch, join a wildlife cruise on the Daintree River where you might see a crocodile, and learn about the fragile ecosystem of this impressive, serpent-like river system. Finally, head to Thornton’s Beach, where the rainforest meets the reef.

Sydney's busy roads can make sightseeing tricky. Skip city traffic and combine a ferry ride with admission to Taronga Zoo. Depart from Circular Quay and sail across Sydney Harbour, taking in panoramic views of the skyline along the way. At the zoo, spot koalas and kangaroos, along with wildlife from around the world. Your package includes round-trip ferry transfers, so getting back to the city center couldn't be easier.

Travelers short on time in Auckland will enjoy this small-group half-day tour that includes the city’s must-see highlights. Learn more about the City of Sails and enjoy views of the Auckland Harbour Bridge, North Head Historic Reserve, Mt. Eden, and other attractions. The tour includes free hotel pickup and drop-off in the CBD and from nearby wharfs.