Top Australia Day Trips - page 8

Visit the wineries in the Yarra Valley without having to drive yourself on this hop-on hop-off bus service from Melbourne. The valley is rich in wineries, and it’s up to you to choose which ones to visit—up to four—without having to worry about driving. Have as many tastings as you want (at your own expense), knowing you have a driver to take you to the next one, and to get you back to Melbourne safely. Note: buses loop around every hour and some venues might require bookings.

Get an early start to make the most of your time at the UNESCO World-heritage listed Port Arthur Historic Site. This package includes early-morning pickup from Hobart, which gives you a full day to explore the site at your leisure. It also includes a guided introductory walking tour, entry into the site's historic buildings and heritage gardens, and a harbor cruise.

Go wine tasting in the Adelaide Hills and Hahndorf on a full-day hop-on hop-off winery tour from Adelaide. Ride into the scenic hills on a looping circuit that stops at 10–15 venues and takes about an hour to complete: most travelers have time to explore about four stops over the course of the day. Return to the city in the late afternoon with arrival in Adelaide CBD at approximately 5pm.

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.

Dive into the spectacular underwater realm of the Great Barrier Reef on this full-day snorkel and scuba cruise from Cairns. Travel aboard a luxurious catamaran to three renowned dive sites to swim among coral gardens and tropical marine life. All experience levels are welcome, and guides are on hand to assist with your choice of snorkeling, introductory scuba diving, or certified diving. A buffet lunch plus morning and afternoon tea on the catamaran are included.

Sample some of the region’s finest products without having to worry about logistics or driving on this full-day tasting tour of the Yarra Valley. Visit several local producers, including wineries and a gin distillery, to try wines, gin, chocolates, cheeses, and fresh fruits. Enjoy a lunch break with time to explore the cellar door, wine shop, and indigenous art gallery.

Explore the natural wonders of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains on this half-day tour from Sydney. Discover breathtaking views at Echo Point, home of the famous Three Sisters rock formation, and delve into the rich Aboriginal heritage of the area. Experience the thrills of Scenic World with an Unlimited Discovery Pass, granting access to the world's steepest railway, the Scenic Skyway, and the Scenic Cableway. Enjoy a stop at Cahill’s Lookout for stunning views and conclude your adventure in the charming village of Leura, where you can shop and dine at your leisure before returning to Sydney. - Duration: 7 hours, departing daily from Sydney CBD - Scenic World Unlimited Discovery Pass included with three rides - Visit Echo Point and Cahill’s Lookout for panoramic views - Free time in Leura Village for lunch and exploration

Escape the city lights and experience the Pinnacles at their most magical on this sunset-to-stars adventure along Western Australia’s Coral Coast. Designed to avoid the crowds, this tour blends epic coastal scenery, ancient landscapes, and unforgettable stargazing. Travel north from Perth to scenic coastal lookouts like Guilderton Beach Lookout, where white sand dunes meet the turquoise Indian Ocean. Depending on conditions, explore Nilgen Nature Reserve’s native bushland or enjoy a relaxed walk at Hangover Bay, with chances to spot marine life offshore. Arrive at Nambung National Park as the afternoon light fades and the crowds disperse. Wander among the otherworldly limestone pillars of the Pinnacles Desert at sunset, when shifting colours transform the landscape. As night falls, enjoy a locally sourced picnic dinner before stargazing under some of WA’s darkest skies using a telescope, learning about planets and constellations.

This tour has a maximum capacity of 11 passengers in order to make your experience more comfortable, & inclusive with relaxed timeframes to allow for the park to be truly appreciated. Pick-ups are from 8 am in Darwin’s CBD (select your accommodation when booking) and will be back in Darwin around 5:30 pm.

Take a full-day detour from Darwin to explore the beautiful natural playground of Katherine Gorge. Cruise between ancient sandstone cliffs for an up-close perspective of Aboriginal rock art and crocodiles lounging on the riverbanks. Take a dip in a natural swimming hole at the base of Edith Falls (conditions permitting), and recharge with a delicious lunch.

To truly immerse yourself in the marine biodiversity of Moreton Island, join this all-inclusive day tour departing from Brisbane with hotel pickup. The island paradise is just a short journey away. Take a guided snorkel tour of the Tangalooma Wrecks, enjoy a buffet lunch, and relax on the beach. Cruise on the Spirit of Mulgumpin, keeping an eye out for dugongs, turtles, and dolphins, which are commonly seen around here.

Begin your visit to Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures with breakfast in the company of a koala and its keeper. After morning hotel pickup in Cairns or Palm Cove, transfer to Hartley's in time for your hot Aussie breakfast and conversation with the keeper about the koalas. Then you can explore at your leisure: take a boat cruise on Hartley’s Lagoon to watch crocodiles feeding. Enjoy informative and entertaining wildlife presentations throughout the day, and see Australian wildlife up close, including kangaroos, wallabies, snakes, cassowaries, quolls and more.

There’s no doubt that South Australia’s Barossa Valley is a world-class wine region, with its Syrah and Shiraz gracing sommeliers’ lists throughout the world. On this single-day tour, discover the valley’s oenological heritage without having to check out of your Adelaide accommodation, and without having to carefully count every taster to stay under the drink-drive limit. Stops to sample local produce and enjoy a local lunch round out this fulsome experience of the Barossa Valley.

The best way to get from Perth city to Rottnest Island, these return-trip ferry tickets also include hotel transfers for extra convenience. Departing from Elizabeth Quay’s Barrack Street Jetty, enjoy great views of the city as you cruise down the Swan River to the ocean and over to Rottnest’s Thomson Bay, where you’ll be greeted by friendly quokkas. In the afternoon, hop back on the ferry for your journey home.

Explore the bush and estuaries of ‘wild Whitsunday’ on this full-day crocodile safari! Go croc-spotting on a Proserpine River cruise, and look for other wetlands wildlife on a tractor-pulled wagon tour. Get a taste of bush life with traditional billy tea and damper and feast on a fresh Aussie barbecue midday. Enjoy convenient hotel pickup and drop-off from Airlie Beach, Cannonvale, or Proserpine.

Visit Tasmania’s Southwest National Park by air on this full-day tour from Hobart. Part of the Tasmania Wilderness World Heritage Area, the park is known for its untouched, remote wilderness setting and is mostly accessible only by plane or boat. Admire views of Hobart and southern Tasmania during the flight, and land in the park for a boat cruise on Bathurst Harbour.

Discover some of Tasmania's most beautiful landscapes on this small-group tour from Hobart. Head north out of the capital to the Derwent Valley, where you will walk underneath some of the tallest trees in the world and admire the tiered-cascade Russell Falls in Mount Field National Park. You'll also visit Salmon Ponds Heritage Hatchery and Gardens, the oldest trout hatchery in the Southern Hemisphere.

Explore one of Australia’s most distinctive natural features—Uluru—on this fun Segway tour. Your guide will take you to some hidden Aboriginal rock art sites, and tell you about the local history and culture. Travel along the base of the enormous monolith on a Segway. These fun vehicles are also environmentally friendly and make little noise, so they’re the ideal way to explore a sacred natural wonder.

Soak up the serene beauty of western Tasmania on a morning cruise on the Gordon River from Strahan. Pass by natural landmarks such as Hells Gates, which marks the entrance to Macquarie Harbour from the Southern Ocean. Explore a former penal colony on Sarah Island as you journey through the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. Includes a delicious chef-prepared lunch onboard. Select a seating category when booking.

Visit Rottnest Island's top destinations on an easy full-day tour from Perth. After hotel pickup, transfer to the high-speed ferry, then take a historic train ride up to the WWII Oliver Hill Battery. After, hop on a bus for the Grand Island tour to see the Wadjemup Lighthouse, Henrietta Rocks, and other island landmarks. Learn more about the island via live commentary and have free time to explore before heading back to Perth.

Explore all the highlights of Rottnest Island on this full-day adventure, which includes hotel transfers, return ferry tickets from Perth and a Bayseeker Bus tour. One of the few vehicles allowed on the island, this guided bus tour is the best way to see all the island’s sights, including Wadjemup Lighthouse, the seal colony at Cathedral Rocks, a shipwreck, the old WWII barracks, and even migrating humpback whales (in season).

Walking around Uluru’s base takes a long time and you’ll get hot and tired in the process. See more of Uluru while touring on a fun Segway. After a thorough briefing on how to ride the vehicles safely, you’ll be taken in a small group around the base of the amazing rock. Learn about the history and culture of the red center along the way.

Whether you want to immerse yourself in the Great Barrier Reef or view it from a bit of a distance, this day trip to the outer reef has you covered. The activity platform at the reef provides opportunities to snorkel, dive, and swim, and to view it from the comfort of a semi-submersible and an underwater observatory. An ideal day trip for the whole family.

Venture into the rainforest of the Atherton Tablelands with an expert guide to observe Australian native animals in the wild. From Cairns, travel into the World Heritage-listed Wet Tropics of Queensland to observe kangaroos, lizards, and possums by daylight, then continue after sundown to look for nocturnal critters like the elusive platypus and Lumholtz tree kangaroo. Enjoy afternoon tea at Lake Barrine and dinner at a country restaurant. This small-group tour is limited to 11 people, which ensures a more personalized experience with your guide.