Top Australia & the Pacific Outdoor Activities - page 16

Take in a slice of rustic Marlborough living on this mail boat cruise of Tōtaranui / Queen Charlotte Sound. Life in the sounds is remote, and this tour offers the chance to share in the excitement of mail day. Enjoy a free morning in Picton before spending your afternoon cruising past isolated bays, with a unique route on offer each day. Ask your skipper about the history of the Queen Charlotte Sound, and benefit from their help spotting the wildlife that frequent these waterways.

Maximize your chances of spotting whales on this half-day cruise from Hervey Bay. Hop aboard a purpose-built vessel designed for comfort, visibility, and responsible eco-tourism, and listen as the crew guides you through close-up whale encounters and shares insights into their behavior. Listen to whales sing via an onboard hydrophone, and watch for other marine life as you cruise the bay.

Embark on a cruise of Fiordland’s Doubtful Sound, starting from an easy-to-find location in Te Anau village. Travel by coach to Manapouri Lake for a short boat ride, followed by a bus trip over Wilmot Pass. En route, stop for alpine views of Fiordland National Park, park of a UNESCO-listed landscape, before taking in the dramatic landscapes, soaring peaks, and wildlife of Doubtful Sound on a cruise.

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!

Hop in a kayak and paddle from Palm Cove to Double Island, where mangroves and coral reefs await. Along the way, you’ll meet turtles, fish, and small rays, and, if you’re lucky, even dolphins and whales. No previous kayaking experience is needed, and the tour is suitable for all. All kayaking equipment and light snacks are provided.

Frankland Islands Reef Cruises are the only commercial operator allowed to land on stunning Normanby Island, offering ample space and time for relaxation and exploration. Customise your day trip with a variety of optional activities on our all-inclusive tour. The islands are also home to several endangered species like the green turtle, hawksbill turtle, spectacled flying-fox, and beach stone-curlews. Explore the vibrant underwater world with 200 coral species around Normanby and Mabel islands, part of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park's total of 600 species. On Frankland Islands, stars aren't just in the sky—they're beneath your feet! Baclogypsina sphirulata, known as Sand Stars found on Normanby Island, are typically rare and found on beaches across the Indo-Pacific. They're often considered unique to Okinawa, Japan, but it's our hidden delight that you can also discover them in a secluded spot on Normanby Island.

Go skydiving during your visit to the Gold Coast for an incredible thrill and spectacular views of the city, coast, and Pacific Ocean. Jump in tandem with your expert instructor, enjoying a short freefall before your instructor releases the parachute. Float gently down to Kirra Beach, one of the beautiful beaches that makes the Gold Coast justifiably famous.

Discover some of Australia’s most photographed landscapes on this full-day tour of the Great Ocean Road from Melbourne. Let someone else handle the driving and make plenty of view and rest stops, spot wild koalas along the way, and browse the shops in seaside towns like Apollo Bay. Enjoy a walk through Great Otway National Park, learn how the Shipwreck Coast earned its name, and marvel at the 12 Apostles and the pristine Loch Ard Gorge.

Ride to the Low Isles on this Great Barrier Reef sailing and snorkeling cruise from Port Douglas. You'll enjoy a full day relaxing on white-sand beaches, snorkeling and sailing the reef in a glass-bottom boat. With an expert marine biologist as your guide, explore pristine tropical waters filled with marine life. You're served a buffet lunch by an attentive crew aboard a luxury catamaran, limited to 33 passengers.

Get the most out of limited time in Rarotonga by swapping beach time for an exciting water adventure. Enjoy the thrill of heading out using a sea scooter—a special electric underwater device that helps you get around effortlessly. During this private tour, a guide accompanies you, and best of all—you can go to a place known for abundant sea life—including turtles and eagle rays.

Step beyond the public pathways and discover Taronga Zoo Sydney from a unique, behind-the-scenes perspective. This premium, small-group experience offers an intimate and immersive connection with Australia’s extraordinary wildlife, guided by one of our passionate keepers. With a maximum of just six guests, this personalised tour invites you to slow down, connect deeply, and gain a richer understanding of the animals in our care—and how, together, we can help protect them into the future.

Escape the tropical heat for a day of splashing, sliding, and swimming through the Behana Gorge waterfalls on this eco-tour from Cairns. Get set for an adventure as you rappel down the gorge, leap over rocks, and walk along rainforest trails, then cool off with a swim beneath the falls. Full instructions and safety harnesses are provided, making this suitable for all abilities. Hotel pickup is included for added convenience.

Leave the bustle of Sydney behind during a full-day tour of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains National Park. Head off the usual tourist trail to visit hidden spots that most travelers don't know about, and gain valuable insight thanks to the local knowledge of your guide. Throughout the day, enjoy highlights such as spotting native Australian wildlife—such as koalas and kangaroos—and snap photos at multiple scenic stops, including the Three Sisters and Govetts Leap.

Take a window seat for a scenic round-trip flight from Queenstown to Milford Sound, and see the splendor of Fiordland National Park from the air and sea on this small-group excursion. Board a cruise and pass dramatic waterfalls and Mitre Peak as you travel to the Tasman Sea. Then soar over the Southern Alps on your return.

Discover the Outer Great Barrier Reef in comfort aboard our large, purpose-built stable catamaran. With just 60 guests onboard, enjoy a relaxed half-day snorkel experience featuring easy access to the water, hot freshwater showers, premium equipment, and expert marine guides to help you make the most of your time on the reef.

Save time spent waiting in line by pre-booking this SeaLink Rottnest Island round-trip ferry ticket from Fremantle. Choose from various morning and afternoon departure times to best organize your day on Rottnest Island, a protected nature reserve affectionately called “Rotto” by locals. Spend the day on the island lounging on white-sand beaches, hiking, quokka-spotting, and more.

Get away from the rowdy crowds on the Sunshine Coast and make some new feathered friends in the heart of Queensland with this unique hinterland experience. Enjoy interactive encounters with native and exotic birds in the walk-through aviaries at Maleny Botanic Gardens. Meet cockatoos, macaws and more and get one-of-a-kind photo opportunities with these friendly birds – on your hand, on your head, and against the backdrop of the scenic Glass House Mountains.

Learn more about Rotorua’s culture and natural history when you visit the Hell’s Gate geothermal park. Simplify your visit by pre-purchasing your entry ticket. Take advantage of the included guided tours, which includes a self-guided option if you’d prefer to go at your own pace. Try Maori carving in the carving house and soak in the geothermal waters, if you like.

Short on time but want to experience the best of the Top End? This fast-paced adventure packs multiple highlights into one seamless day. Combine helicopter flights, airboat rides, river cruising, and guided overland travel to see the region from every angle. Spot crocodiles and native birdlife across Litchfield National Park’s floodplains, then cool off with a swim in a designated crocodile-safe pool.

Enjoy swimming, snorkeling, and kayaking on UNESCO-listed K’gari on this full-day trip from Hervey Bay. Spot dolphins, swim with turtles, then discover the island’s wild side on a bush walk. After the included buffet lunch, spend the rest of the afternoon kayaking or snorkeling the island’s beaches and bays. Even look out for migrating humpback whales between mid-July and October.

Redwoods Altitude is designed to showcase even more of the spectacular Redwoods Forest. From 25 metres up, you will be guided on an exhilarating journey along 25 Indiana Jones style jungle bridges! Using a continuous safety system, our professional guides will lead you around the 650 metre loop, ensuring your safety and comfort. Join us as we share local knowledge and stories about the Redwood Forest history, native flora and fauna and Māori legends. Please allow 2-hours for the entire Altitude experience. Plus, entry to our new Redwoods Altitude eco-cave.

Take a magical flight over some amazing water and natural formations from Broome, including flying over the Horizontal Falls. You’ll also learn from your pilot all about pearling history of the area, making a quick stop, and then continue flying by King Sound and Buccaneer Archipelago, Cape Leveque, James Price Point and much more.

Spot majestic humpback whales swimming and diving in the waves of Hervey Bay on this 4-hour cruise. Set sail across past Fraser Island, as you search for the gentle giants, who migrate to Australia’s warm waters between July and October. Make the most of your boat’s four viewing decks to get up close to the whales, then enjoy a delicious morning or afternoon tea served on deck as you cruise back to shore.

Roam the South Island’s mountainous countryside by bicycle or e-bike with this bike hire package. Explore the Wanaka and Hawea trails while riding through grade one and two family-friendly trails. Take in the plateaus and mountains that make up the region’s striking geography. Ride along the Hawea and Clutha rivers and via Albert Town to Wanaka.