Top Australia How to Get Around - page 2

Reaching the Puffing Billy railway in the Dandenong Ranges takes some sorting from central Melbourne, especially without a car. Ride out with transport arranged, then board the heritage steam train through the ranges, with the open-sided carriages that the line is known for. At the Lakeside Visitor Centre, walk around Emerald Lake Park and stop for food (own expense) before returning.

Getting out of Melbourne and down to Philip Island takes a couple of hours at the wheel, and doesn’t leave much opportunity to take in the sights en route. Leave the driving to a guide and check off two wildlife encounters in just one day as you travel there by coach. Watch the “penguin parade”—fairy penguins making their way to their burrows—from an exclusive viewing platform, and visit the Phillip Island Koala Reserve to see the Australian marsupial up close.

Take a day trip from Cairns to Kuranda on the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway, and return via the Kuranda Scenic Railway. Alternatively, make the 1-way journey by railway and return by skyrail. Enjoy a tranquil ride as you soar above the rainforest canopy, with views from Cairns all the way to the Great Barrier Reef, and spend free time in Kuranda Village. If you wish, upgrade your transport with admission to the Rainforestation Nature Park — the latter option with or without lunch.

Getting from Sydney to the Blue Mountains can be time-consuming if you’re relying on trains and local transport. This day tour connects the region’s highlights without wasting a second of your vacation time. Take in sweeping views of the Three Sisters and Jamison Valley, experience the rides at Scenic World, and see native wildlife at either Featherdale Wildlife Park or Sydney Zoo before returning with a relaxing cruise along the Parramatta River.

Wildlife enthusiasts will love this one-hour crocodile-spotting cruise on the Daintree River. Unlike many other tour boats, this one is solar powered so it's very quiet, doesn't disturb the wildlife (or you), and is free of fumes. Look out for crocs as well as other wildlife like snakes, frogs, and many kinds of birds.

Explore the Blue Mountains the easy way on a full-day group tour from Sydney. It’s an action-packed trip with spectacular views, railway and cable car rides, forest walks, and wildlife encounters at Sydney Zoo. See much more than you could touring independently. This thorough tour appeals to travelers with many interests. Return to Sydney’s Circular Quay by ferry in time for dinner in the city.

Discover the vibrant underwater world of the outer Great Barrier Reef with a Quicksilver snorkeling cruise from Port Douglas. Board a luxurious catamaran to Agincourt Reef, where you can tailor your day with activities like snorkeling, fish feeding, semi-submersible tours, or the unique Ocean Walker helmet dive. Complete the adventure with a tasty buffet lunch and options to take your exploration deeper with scuba dives for beginners or certified divers alike.

Experience one of the wonders of the natural world up close and personal on this snorkeling and diving cruise on the Great Barrier Reef. Climb aboard a superyacht in Cairns and set sail to two different outer reef locations. Explore the colorful world underneath the water, and snorkel or dive for a closer look. A delicious barbecue lunch and light refreshments are included.

Set sail for a day of swimming, snorkeling, and sunbathing in the Whitsundays on this full-day tour. Cruise around the islands on a high-speed catamaran and discover the colorful underwater world of the UNESCO-listed Great Barrier Reef as you stop at two snorkeling hotspots. Explore the world-famous Whitehaven Beach, admire dramatic coastal views on a hike to the Hill Inlet Lookout, then tuck into a delicious buffet lunch on-board (included).

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.

See Sydney Harbour the way it's meant to be seen: From the water. This lunch cruise passes by such world-famous sites as the Sydney Opera House as well as such hidden gems as secluded beaches and sandstone cliffs. On board, enjoy a delicious buffet lunch plus dessert with tea and coffee.

Leave the hectic city crowds in the dust and immerse yourself in the scenic Blue Mountains, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Navigate this sprawling landscape seamlessly with the help of your guide, and let a driver whisk you away from the city—leaving you relaxed and ready to enjoy your pass for the Scenic World attractions.

Discover the natural delights of Phillip Island with an eco-tour from Melbourne. See the iconic Brighton Beach bathing boxes, visit the beach and take some time to admire these historic landmarks. Head to the Moonlit Sanctuary Conservation Park for an up-close encounter with kangaroos, wallabies, koalas, and other native Australian wildlife. Finish the day at a local beach where you can watch hundreds of some of the world's tiniest penguins waddle out of the ocean and across the sand to their burrows.

Wetlands made Kakadu National Park a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and Yellow Water Billabong is one of the most beautiful. Join Indigenous-owned Yellow Water Cruises on a guided journey of discovery among crocodiles, eagles, and reflecting waters. The wildlife, like the light, changes throughout the day.

Take a leisurely river cruise from Brisbane to the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary on this two-in-one, time-saving tour. This half-day tour departs from bustling Southbank and cruises along the Brisbane River with views of iconic landmarks on the way to Lone Pine. Upon arrival, enjoy ample time to view the animals, from koalas and platypus to kangaroos and more.

Sydney's busy roads can make sightseeing tricky. Skip city traffic and combine a ferry ride with admission to Taronga Zoo. Depart from Circular Quay and sail across Sydney Harbour, taking in panoramic views of the skyline along the way. At the zoo, spot koalas and kangaroos, along with wildlife from around the world. Your package includes round-trip ferry transfers, so getting back to the city center couldn't be easier.

The Great Ocean Road's main stops draw crowds by midday, so timing your visit to the Twelve Apostles and Loch Ard Gorge around the buses takes local know-how. Ride it in reverse in a small group instead, reaching the headline sights ahead of the crowds with more time at each. Hotel pickup from Melbourne's CBD and Southbank sorts the start, so you spend the day looking rather than driving.

Experience the Great Ocean Road in a relaxed small group, with an expert local guide bringing the journey to life through stories, local knowledge and insights along the way. Travel from Melbourne in comfort and discover some of Victoria’s most spectacular coastal scenery, from the Twelve Apostles and Loch Ard Gorge to the rainforest of Great Otway National Park, with opportunities to spot wild koalas along the route.

Many whale-watching tours head straight into open water, but this cruise begins in Sydney Harbour, where you can enjoy breakfast or a barbecue lunch (depending on the option selected). After your meal, sail past sights such as the Sydney Harbour Bridge en route to the Pacific Ocean, in search of migrating humpback and southern right whales. A naturalist guide provides live commentary along the way, and helps you spot marine life.

Admire Bruny Island by both land and sea on this full-day trip from Hobart that includes a 3-hour eco-cruise around the island. See remote beaches, rugged coastlines, and native wildlife such as dolphins and fur seals as you cruise past steep cliffs and deep sea caves. Ferry transport to the island is included, plus hot drinks and lunch.

Enjoy the beautiful scenery and delicious wines of the Yarra Valley on this small-group, half-day tour from Melbourne. Leave the organizing to someone else and relax as you visit three of the area's best boutique wineries—Helen & Joey Estate, Payten and Jones, and Soumah—for tours and tastings. Round-trip transfers are included for a seamless experience, and you can even upgrade your day with an optional gin tasting experience.

Explore the powdery white sand and turquoise waters of the gorgeous Whitsunday Islands on this full-day speed boat cruise around the islands. You’ll have plenty of time on the famous Whitehaven Beach for a buffet lunch picnic, swimming, and snorkeling, with a lesson if necessary, and also stop at Hill Inlet. The crew will also share stories and facts about marine life, aboriginal culture, and local history along the way.

Get out of the city and into the wild on this small-group tour with guaranteed sightings of wildlife. Visit viewing platforms, national parks with waterfalls, and other areas to get up close to charming wombats and kangaroos in their natural habitat. You also enjoy several Australian snacks throughout the day including meat pies and a delicious dinner at a historic pub.

Travel by air-conditioned catamaran from Cairns Marina to our Moore Reef Pontoon located on the Outer Great Barrier Reef, perfectly positioned and equipped for you to explore this reef that is teeming with colourful coral and fascinating fish. Spend 4 hours exploring the reef by taking advantage of the free inclusions such as glass bottom boat tours, all snorkelling equipment, underwater observatory, fish feeding presentation, an enclosed ocean pool for kids and buffet lunch. The pontoon also features an upper sundeck to relax in the sun and look out over the turquoise waters in between activities. This is where you'll find the waterslide - the only theme park waterslide on the reef! Dial up the adventure and add on optional extras like include Introductory or Certified diving, Seawalker Helmet dive, Guided Snorkel Tour or even a Scenic helicopter flight.