Top Australia Cruises & Sailing - page 8

If you’re into dinosaurs, beautiful views, and good food and drink, this eclectic tour is for you. Your small group will be taken to where you can see 120 million-year-old dinosaur footprints within a dramatic landscape. Take a boat ride up Dampier Creek and keep an eye out for wildlife (the modern, not the prehistoric, kind). Finish off the tour with refreshing cocktails and a tasty meal at a waterfront restaurant.

Explore the Swan Valley's offerings, including wineries, a brewery, and a chocolate factory, on this full-day tour from Perth. Enjoy a filling lunch with a cheese board and more wine, followed by chocolate tasting. Then hop aboard a boat to cruise back to Perth on the Swan River, indulging in a selection of cakes and listening to live music while you admire the views.

Many whale-watching tours only allow you to see the majestic creatures from a distance, but on this Fraser Island tour you’ll get the chance to swim with them. Visit the more remote parts of the island that many visitors skip, and have fun bushwalking, snorkeling, kayaking, and swimming. On board the boat, look out for humpback whales and, if the conditions are right, take a dip in the sea beside them.

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.

Spend an adventurous, nature-filled day in Daintree Forest and leave all the logistics to someone else. You and a small guided group will swim in the sparkling-clear waters of Cassowary Falls, go on an ATV riding adventure, and embark on river cruise—look out for crocodiles!—as you learn about this ancient forest. Stop for lunch (included in the price) in Daintree Village.

Take in the highlights of the Blue Mountains with a private driver-guide on this full-day tour from Sydney. See Australian animals at Featherdale Wildlife Park, visit Scenic World with optional rides on the railway, skyway, or cableway (own expense), and enjoy stops for scenic views and photo opportunities. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included for a hassle-free experience.

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.

Experience the magic of a sunset in the Aussie outback, set against the dramatic backdrop of the Katherine Gorge. Travel along the Katherine River on a sunset boat tour, tuck into a delicious 3-course dinner onboard, and sip sparkling wine as you watch the sunset over the rugged landscapes of the Nitmiluk National Park.

Enjoy a quick sail off Australia’s southwest coast on this pirate ship adventure from Mandurah. Board this classic vessel at the island’s port and explore gorgeous canals, watch for bottlenose dolphins and enjoy marvelous views with on-board telescopes. Dress up with your favorite pirate costume, ring the ship’s bell and take a turn behind the wheel.

Swap your cruise ship for a hop-on hop-off bus tour of Darwin on this sightseeing shore excursion. Select a 24- or 48-hour pass and explore the city in the Top End at your own pace. Board the open-top double-decker bus from the cruise terminal at Fort Hill Wharf and disembark at any of the 11 stops around Darwin, or simply stay on the bus for a 60- or 90-minute narrated tour. Visit the Military Museum, Botanic Gardens, Doctors Gully, Crocosaurus Cove and more!

Ideal for first-time visitors to Melbourne, let a private guide help you get your bearings in the city on this sightseeing tour. From must-see attractions, such as Federation Square and Queen Victoria Market, to hidden gems that are all too easy to miss, your guide has the itinerary all planned out so all you have to do is enjoy the tour.

Between May and November, take to the water to see migrating humpback whales off the coast of Port Stephens. Find a comfortable spot on board your cruise vessel, grab a drink (own expense), listen to the live commentary, and look out for breaching, slapping, or rolling humpbacks. Also, keep an eye out for dolphins, which can often be seen in the same area.

Tackle the grade II and III rapids of the Barron River on this adrenaline-pumping half-day tour from Cairns or Port Douglas. Prepare to get wet and wild as you hurtle over the rapids, then float downstream past the jagged cliffs, plunging ravines, and lush rainforest of the Barron Gorge National Park. Best of all: With full instruction provided, this tour is suitable for all levels, including complete beginners.

Enjoy a private full-day tour from Sydney to the Blue Mountains, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Admire the scenic Jamison Valley, Three Sisters rock formations, and have lunch in the quaint village of Leura (not included). Explore the rain forest at Scenic World, which features the Scenic Skyway and Scenic Railway rides (own expense). Admire towering waterfalls, forest-clad mountains, and sculptural rocks, and see native Australian animals at Featherdale Wildlife Park.

Go in search of orcas off the south coast of Western Australia on a whale-watching tour from Bremer Bay. You'll cruise out to the edge of the continental shelf for the chance to spot orcas and other marine life of the Great Southern Range, such as pilot whales, sperm whales, and beaked whales. Lunch and snacks are included on board.

Hop aboard the high-speed catamaran and enjoy more time to spend scuba diving and snorkeling the outer Great Barrier Reef. This dive cruise from Port Douglas provides beginning and certified divers access to three different dive sites along the Agincourt Ribbon Reef. Bonus: you might swim in the natural habitat of seasonal dwarf minke whales. Lunch is provided.

Swap the crowds of the busy city center for a peaceful day sightseeing from a river cruise. You’ll sail along Brisbane River with live commentary to entertain you and make sure you don’t miss any highlights. Save time and get access to multiple incredible photo opportunities on one tour. You’ll see Kangaroo Point Cliffs, Story Bridge, and Brisbane City Center. Conveniently, the boat also has a coffee shop/bar if you’d like to purchase a drink.

This comprehensive tour of Sydney is perfect for first-time visitors or those short on time. Spend half a day immersed in the city’s history and culture, learning through stops at landmarks including Chinatown, Darling Harbour, Bondi Beach, and Paddington. Your guide follows a curated itinerary centered on the history of Sydney, from 1788 to modern day, adding commentary to illuminate the details.

Experience Hobart from the water on a 3-hour sailing tour by ocean-racing yacht. As you glide along the River Derwent, admire the city’s coastal scenery, look for wildlife and help the crew with tasks like trimming the sails or grinding the winch. Or, simply relax and enjoy the fresh air. Gourmet snacks will be served while you listen to tales about sailing on the high seas.

Sail through the Whitsundays aboard a luxury adults-only sunset tour from Airlie Beach. Enjoy personalized service with a smaller group and ample space to relax as you sail. Your crew will share insights into the region's history and wildlife, while you indulge in drinks from the onboard bar. Capture sunset views and the twinkling lights of Airlie Beach before returning to port.

Hop aboard a catamaran to cruise the coast around Airlie Beach and Pioneer Bay at sunset—when it’s at its most atmospheric and romantic. Instead of trying to find a viewing spot on land, enjoy a vantage point only achievable by boat, right out on the water. Along the way, enjoy an included glass of sparkling wine, soak up the scenery, and snap photos of the beautiful Whitsunday coastline.

Experience the beauty of Brisbane on this full-day wildlife and wilderness coastal tour. Offering visitors the chance to come face to face with kangaroos, birds, and even a shipwreck, this private tour is a great way to get out of the city and discover the beauty of Brisbane’s northern coastline. You’ll also visit the Osprey House Environmental Centre and swing by Scarborough boat harbor for lunch (at own cost).

Enjoy a full-day whale-watching tour from Hervey Bay that visits Platypus Bay, a prime location for whale-watching near K'Gari. Have plenty of time to witness the majestic humpback whales at play as they pass Australia during their annual migration to Antarctica. Your tour includes morning and afternoon tea and a delicious lunch buffet. Learn about the whales and the marine environment from your crew’s informative commentary.

Explore the South Coast of New South Wales, including the Southern Highlands and the Grand Pacific Drive, on this full-day private tour from Sydney. Enjoy personalized attention from your guide and a flexible itinerary with stops at the beautiful Fitzroy Falls, the Kiama Blowhole, and the Sea Cliff Bridge. Round-trip private transportation and national park fees are included.