Top Australia & the Pacific Spring Break - page 4

As well as its stunning countryside, Central Otago in New Zealand is known for its world-class wine and adventure tourism. This ‘hop on, hop off’ bus tour lets you experience some of the best wineries and attractions at your own pace without the hassle of driving. Come away knowing a bit more about this slice of paradise, with commentary along the way to educate and entertain you.

Cruise Caves Road, the artery that connects Margaret River’s vineyards, on this cool and casual adventure tailored to dudes and dudettes. Get hands-on with a wine blending experience and enjoy your bin with lunch; savor tastings at three award-winning boutique wineries; and discover the flavors of gourmet chocolate. Your package includes hotel pickup and drop-off from your Margaret River accommodation and all food and drink except your beverage in the last brewery.

Planning tastings and transport in the Margaret River region can be time-consuming, especially if you want to sample its wines without worrying about driving. This small-group tour takes care of the logistics, visiting three handpicked wineries for guided tastings, with lunch included at one of the venues. Along the way, enjoy a bonus stop to sample locally made chocolates, then finish the day at a regional brewery, where you can purchase beers to try if you choose.

Planning a wine country visit from Sydney can mean renting a car and choosing a designated driver. However, this round-trip tour makes it easy to explore the Hunter Valley. Travel with a local guide, take in scenic countryside views, and sample wines at some of the region’s best-known wineries. It’s a relaxed way to experience Australian wine country—with the bonus of possible wildlife sightings along the way.

Get out of Sydney for the day on an indulgent winery tour of the Hunter Valley. Head north of the city in a comfortable mini-coach without the hassle of driving yourself (or having to designate a driver who can’t drink). Visit three cellar doors, where you’ll sample some top local wine. Also get the chance to sample locally made chocolates and cheese, for a full culinary experience.

Experience the best boutique wineries in Perth on this exclusive small-group Swan Valley tasting tour. Enjoy a guided full-day trip around Australia’s second-oldest wine-making region, with personalized tastings at four award-winning cellar doors, a delicious gourmet lunch, and an artisan cheeseboard. You’ll also end the day on a sweet note with a visit a local chocolate making factory, before returning to the city.

Savor an unforgettable dining experience aboard a glass boat cruise on Sydney Harbour. As you glide across the water, enjoy magnificent views of iconic landmarks like the Opera House and Harbour Bridge from every seat. Delight in a carefully crafted 4-course dinner made from top-quality Australian produce, with the option to select a curated wine pairing to elevate your meal. Combining exceptional cuisine with stunning scenery, this exclusive cruise is a must-do Sydney experience. - Exclusive glass boat cruise offering 360-degree panoramic views of Sydney Harbour - Indulge in a gourmet 4-course dinner featuring the finest local ingredients - Optional Wine Pairing: Multi-course wine pairing with entrée, main, and dessert (must be selected at booking) - Fully licensed bar on board for additional beverage purchases - Ideal for couples, celebrations, and anyone seeking a unique dining experience

Learn the art of creating one of the nation's oldest beers with a visit to Cascade, Australia's oldest continuously operating brewery. Learn how the company first started and how it makes its famed beer, and walk through a working brewery. Finish your guided tour with a refreshing tasting paddle of four Cascade beers.

Fine-tune your appreciation of Australian wines and cuisine on this full-day tasting tour of the Hunter Valley from Sydney. Discover Australia's oldest wine region at premium wineries, including a behind-the-scenes look at wine production at Sobel's Winery, with tastings included. Allow yourself to indulge while your guide navigates the roads between the city and the Valley.

Sip your way around Martinborough — a once sleepy colonial town that’s now a prominent wine village at the heart of the Classic New Zealand Wine Trail — on this private day trip from Wellington. Following hotel or port pickup and a scenic drive through the Wairarapa, you’ll visit three of Martinborough’s renowned wineries. Enjoy a guided wine tasting at each and a lunch platter with wine at Poppies Martinborough. Then, choose to continue hopping around Martinborough’s wineries or travel to nearby Greytown, whose pretty streets are thronged with cafes and antique stores.

Black sands, native wildlife, and award-winning wine awaits you on this tour of Auckland’s wild west coast. Travel to Muriwai, a coastal enclave whose windswept beach and waves draw surfers and visitors from miles around. Stroll the beach and visit the cliff-top gannet colony, then continue to a nearby wine estate, where you’ll taste a selection of local varietals and blends.

Sample great wine, cheese, and other gourmet treats on a full-day tour to the Hunter Valley from Sydney. Known for its great climate and fine wines, the Hunter Valley also boasts fantastic food producers who make the most of local ingredients. Your guide takes your small group to boutique wineries and cheese producers to sample the goods. Learn more about the winemakers who have given the Hunter Valley its reputation.

Volcanic beaches, native rainforest, and vineyards abound on this full-day small-group tour of West Auckland. Journey through the Waitakere Ranges to the black sand and pounding surf of Piha Beach and the powerful Karekare Falls. Then, head to a couple of the region’s top wineries in Kumeu and Waimauku to sample local West Auckland wines and relax over a lunch.

Delve behind the scenes at one of Queensland's best-loved breweries on this insider tour of Brisbane's XXXX Brewery. Walk through the production area, discover how the beers are created, observe the brewing process up close, then pour the perfect pint after learning from the pros. This tour includes tastings of three XXXX beers, with the option to upgrade to add burger and fries for lunch.

Relax and admire the sights of Sydney Harbour on a leisurely two-hour cruise. Sit out on the deck or inside in the comfy lounge or at a reserved table as you sip cocktails and snack on a charcuterie board with Australian cheeses. Take great photos of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, the Opera House, and other landmarks as you sail past. On the weekends listen to live music on board.

Get a taste of the Atherton Tablelands during this 10-hour food tour and tasting experience from Cairns. Learn about how the volcanic soil allows cultivation of diverse range of produce and taste the spoils of this region. All tastings and meals are provided, as well as hotel pickup and drop-off.

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.

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.

It’s impossible to see both Hahndorf and the Barossa Valley in a day on public transportation. Indulge without worrying about a designated driver on this convenient tour that includes two wine tastings, a delicious lunch, a chocolate factory tour, and seasonal strawberry picking (berries at your own expense, available November to April). For ease, your package offers round-trip transfers from Adelaide cruise ships, central Adelaide hotels, and Glenelg Beach hotels.

Discover the best food and wine of the Barossa Valley on a full-day tour from Adelaide or Glenelg. Have time for wine tastings at three or four wineries throughout the day as you pass through villages such as Lyndoch, Tanunda, and Angaston. Your guide discusses the options with the group and tailors the day to your interests. You'll also stop at Maggie Beer's Farm Shop in Nuriootpa, and end the day with sweeping views from Mengler Hill.

Take a premium wine tour of Waiheke Island and sip fine wines at this famed North Island destination, just a ferry ride away from Auckland. An informative local guide accompanies you to award-winning boutique vineyards and shares knowledge of the island and its viticulture along the way. Includes wine tasting fees and round-trip island transport from the ferry terminal by minibus.

Sample local wine and produce on a Waiheke Island wineries tour. Ferry tickets are included for easy access from downtown Auckland. Visit three vineyards to taste artisan wines and enjoy a 2-course lunch at one winery restaurant. Stop at an olive grove for local olive-oil tastings. This tour offers a relaxed pace on Waiheke Island's renowned wine route.

Discover the flavors of Yarra Valley without having to designate a driver on this full-day gourmet food and wine tour. Enjoy private wine and cheese tastings with your small group, and learn about regional wines from your knowledgeable guide and through discussions with local vintners. Savor a gourmet meal followed by cellar door tastings surrounded by the natural beauty of Yarra Valley.

Get the most out of your day in the Hunter Valley by combining two of its features—wine and native Australian wildlife—in a single itinerary. With a guide in the lead and transportation all arranged in advance, learn about the famous wine-producing region and its animal inhabitants through stops at a local wildlife park and several boutique wineries. You can also sample cheese and indulge in a winery lunch (extra cost).