Top Australia & the Pacific Tours, Sightseeing & Cruises - page 9

Manta rays, stingrays, and black-tip reef sharks are just some of the creatures found around the gorgeous lagoons of Bora Bora. On this full-day lagoon cruise, enjoy many snorkeling opportunities plus a delicious barbecue lunch on a private island. Enjoy French Polynesian hospitality and entertainment. This ultimate day in paradise with a guide includes hotel or port pickup and drop-off, to simplify the experience.

Journey to the majestic chasm of Kings Canyon on this full-day adventure from Ayers Rock. Travel across the rugged landscape of Central Australia, stopping at the Kings Creek cattle and camel station for a taste of Outback ranch life for breakfast. Choose from a strenuous walk to the canyon rim for unbeatable views, or an easier route along the canyon creek bed. Stop for lunch (own expense) at the Kings Canyon Resort.

Explore Fiordland National Park's Doubtful Sound on this full-day cruise from Manapouri. Enjoy a scenic cruise across Lake Manapouri, then a short coach journey over Wilmot Pass, with stunning views. Cruise the 25-mile (40-kilometer) stretch of Doubtful Sound, looking out for fur seals, bottlenose dolphins, and Fiordland crested penguins while listening to your naturalist guide’s commentary. A highlight is when the engines are cut so you can appreciate the silence.

Travelers in Rotorua don’t need to travel all the way to Waitomo to see twinkling glow-worms: there are groves in forests near the city, but you have to know where to look. Take an evening bush walk to see these increasingly rare creatures, and avoid getting lost as your guide leads the way. The evening timing means you can easily fit the tour into other daytime activities in and around Rotorua.

Experience the Tasman Peninsula by both land and sea on this day trip from Hobart that includes a cruise along the coast of Tasman National Park. Gaze up at towering sea cliffs, look for wildlife like falcons and seals, and learn about the peninsula’s ecosystem. Then visit the UNESCO–listed Port Arthur Historic Site for an in-depth look at Australia’s penal history at this former penal colony.

Enjoy a full-day cruise around Fiji's Mamanuca Islands aboard a catamaran. Admire the views as you sail and stop at deserted sand cays and reefs to swim, relax, and snorkel. With snorkeling gear provided and gourmet buffet lunch with beer and wine, this is the best way to see these islands and take home memories to last a lifetime. Open to kids aged five and up.

The Grampians sit a few hours west of Melbourne, with waterfalls, lookouts, and wildlife spread across the park—hard to link by self-driving. Ride out in a small group with the route handled, stopping at the gold-rush town of Ballarat before a bushwalk to Silverband Falls. Watch for kangaroos at Halls Gap, hike to the Grand Canyon rock formation, and take in MacKenzie Falls before the return.

Whether it’s your first time in Wellington or you just want to see as much as possible during your time in port, this half-day sightseeing tour offers a great introduction to the city and a diverse range of sights. Visit the iconic special-effects Wētā Cave and the historic Old St. Paul’s Cathedral, ride the Wellington Cable Car to the top of the city, and enjoy panoramic views from Mount Victoria.

Spotting dolphins from land is exciting, but kayaking alongside them is a truly special experience. From Byron Bay, journey along the waters of Cape Byron Marine Park as your local guide leads you to locations that maximize your chances of seeing bottlenose dolphins in their natural habitat—you might even catch a glimpse of whales and sea turtles, too.

Enjoy a hassle-free way to experience the best of Rottnest Island on this full-day trip. Travel to Rottnest by ferry from either Perth or Fremantle, then embark on a sightseeing tour of the island by coach. While listening to your guide’s narration, check out landmarks including the West End and Wadjemup Lighthouse. Then, have free time to explore the car-free island at your leisure, and see the sights that interest you most.

Discover Australia’s Great Ocean Road on this day trip from Melbourne. Admire the natural beauty of Victoria’s coastline, from surfing beaches to the Twelve Apostles rock formations. You’ll make stops at seaside villages, watch for wildlife like parrots and koalas, and travel through the Otway Ranges as you make your way to Cape Otway to climb the country’s oldest mainland lighthouse.

Taupō’s Mine Bay Māori rock carvings are a striking attraction but they’re impossible to access on foot. Hop on board a charming replica steamboat and take a scenic cruise out to the carvings. Learn all about the history and the myths behind the 1970s carvings from your crew, and along the way enjoy pristine views of Lake Taupō and beyond, including the nearby volcanoes Tongariro, Ruapehu and Ngauruhoe.

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.

Trade the bustle of Sydney for the picturesque Blue Mountains—and make your travel logistics easy and hassle-free—on this full-day tour. Catering to active adult travelers, this tour includes scenic views, waterfall hikes, and more. You can look forward to visiting Wentworth Falls, stopping at the Three Sisters, and spotting wildlife. All national park fees, lunch, and transportation from central Sydney are included.

Escape the crowds on land and admire Sydney’s top landmarks—including Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House—on an evening dinner cruise that includes a 3-course meal with food and wine sourced from New South Wales. Sailing at sunset means that you can admire Sydney Harbour when it's at its most photogenic, while a top deck provides you with panoramic views of the scenery.

Cradle Mountain National Park is part of the UNESCO World Heritage–listed Tasmanian Wilderness and home to the famous Overland Track. This day tour is ideal for anyone who want to explore the natural landscapes without committing to a long-distance hike. Admire views of Cradle Mountain from various vantage points, enjoy guided walks, and see the acclaimed Sheffield Murals. A picnic lunch is also included, to keep you energized.

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.

Discover the beauty of the Great Ocean Road on this full-day adventure tour from Melbourne. As you cruise along the coast in search of the best lookout spots—like the 12 Apostles—keep your eyes peeled for koalas in the wild. You’ll also go on a guided walk through a forest with some of the tallest trees in the world, stop for a swim at Apollo Bay, and visit Loch Ard Gorge.

Discover the flavors of the Yarra Valley on this full-day wine tour from Melbourne. With all the logistics taken care of, it's a hassle-free way to explore beyond the city while also sampling some of the area's best produce. Enjoy guided tastings at four boutique and highly acclaimed wineries, and dine on a delicious two-course shared lunch with a glass of wine included. Round-off the day with a visit to an artisanal chocolate factory, with the option to purchase some sweet treats at the end. On select days, you also have the option to swap one winery experience for a craft gin distillery or local brewery tasting.

Pair the fine wines of Central Otago with a gourmet lunch platter on this small-group wine-tasting tour of Gibbston, Bannockburn, and Cromwell from Queenstown. Drive through valleys and vine-clad foothills rich in gold mining history, and stop at four boutique wineries for tastings along the way. Numbers are limited to ensure an intimate experience with other wine lovers and personalized attention from your guide.

Maximize your chances of spotting native Australian wildlife on this full-day tour from Darwin to Corroboree Billabong, where saltwater crocodiles and native birdlife are abundant. Step aboard a shaded, open-sided boat designed for optimal viewing, with live commentary helping you spot and understand the wildlife around you. The day also includes a stop at the Window on the Wetlands Visitor Centre, lunch, and round-trip hotel transport—so you can experience the Top End’s wildlife without the planning, driving, or guesswork.

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.

Experience one of the wonders of New Zealand’s natural world on this glowworm caving adventure in Waitomo. Pull on your boots and helmet before heading through the private farmland and native forest to the Mangarongapu Cave system with a local guide and small group. With your headlamp to light the way, hike around huge boulders and through shallow streams, and marvel at the millions of bright green glowworms illuminating the rocky limestone.

Experience the majesty of volcanic Mt. Tarawera and gain insight into New Zealand’s rich geology on this half-day guided hike from Rotorua. Travel off-road into the central North Island wilderness and follow winding hiking trails from the base of Mt. Tarawera up to the crater’s edge. Learn about its destructive 1886 eruption. Admire panoramic views over the geothermal Waimangu Valley. Enjoy free hotel pickup and drop-off for added convenience.