Top Australia Outdoor Activities - page 14

Get a more in-depth experience of Magnetic Island than most visitors do on this tour, tailored to day trippers or anyone staying on Magnetic Island. See the island's top sights as well as some off-the-beaten-path spots, and learn about local wildlife, history, geology, and folklore. Spend a leisurely hour at Horseshoe Bay for a lunch stop (own cost) and make it back to the ferry for an afternoon departure.

Add a boating adventure to your Kangaroo Island itinerary with a wildlife tour that departs daily from Christmas Cove. In addition to providing live commentary about the area’s wildlife and conservation efforts, your guide ensures you spot sea creatures that are easy to miss without a trained eye. Look out for bottlenose dolphins, sea lions, various birds, and humpback and southern right whales (in the winter migration season).

Escape crowded reef sites on this small-group snorkeling tour to the outer Great Barrier Reef, perfect for travelers who want a more personal, wildlife-focused experience. With a capped number of participants and one instructor for every six guests, you receive attentive guidance and support in the water. Spend the day exploring remote reef locations, where fewer visitors mean clearer views of vibrant coral and diverse marine life.

Travelers short on time can still experience one of Melbourne’s best day trips with this afternoon tour to Phillip Island. After a free morning, travel in the early afternoon to Phillip Island, with time for some sightseeing before watching the famous penguin parade at sunset. For people not sure what to do in the morning, you can choose to include a morning trip to ride the Puffing Billy steam train.

Spot majestic humpback whales swimming and diving in the waves of Hervey Bay on this 4-hour cruise. Set sail across past Fraser Island, as you search for the gentle giants, who migrate to Australia’s warm waters between July and October. Make the most of your boat’s four viewing decks to get up close to the whales, then enjoy a delicious morning or afternoon tea served on deck as you cruise back to shore.

Set sail aboard a sailing yacht for a memorable small-group sunset cruise around the waters of Magnetic Island. Sip a complimentary glass of wine or beer, accompanied by a selection of local cheeses. Admire the colors of the sunset and enjoy the fresh ocean breeze during this sunset sailing cruise, which is limited to 12 people for a more intimate experience.

Get up close to the wildlife of Phillip Island and discover Australia’s largest colony of Australian fur seals on this catamaran cruise. Watch seals lounging on the rocks and swimming in the bays; spot seabirds swooping overhead and look out for dolphins, whales, and penguins as you float around the island. Finally, tuck into afternoon tea on board as you listen to the live commentary and learn more about the island’s varied wildlife.

Explore some of the most inaccessible places in north-western Australia the easy way on this half-day tour. From Broome, you and your small group will be flown to the incredible Buccaneer Archipelago. Be impressed by the natural wonder of the Horizontal Falls (tide dependent) and the aerial views of the islands and the Dampier Peninsula coast. Stop at the Ardyaloon Hatchery for lunch and learn more about Aboriginal culture.

Combine two sightseeing tours in one day. Gain easy access to Hobart via a Mt. Wellington (Kunanyi) explorer bus and a hop-on hop-off city loop by open-top, double-decker bus. First, a 2-hour return trip includes 30 minutes at the summit, with views over Tasmania and walking tracks to explore. Then enjoy a 90-minute narrated tour with 20 convenient stops around the city.

Zip along dirt tracks, splash through muddy trails and venture off-road on this exhilarating quad bike tour of Kangaroo Island. See the rugged Aussie bushlands from your easy-to-drive ATV as you follow your guide on one of four different itineraries that showcase everything from pristine beaches and spectacular viewpoints to challenging gravel tracks.

This fascinating tour will introduce you to the ancestral lands of the Koolin nation and teach you about Aboriginal traditions. You won’t have to worry about getting lost, as an Aboriginal guide will accompany you around Melbourne’s Royal Botanic Garden. Enjoy learning about indigenous plants and trees, and their uses for food and medicine.

Discover the beauty and culture of Sydney on this small-group e-bike tour with all navigation taken care of by your local guide. Enjoy insider commentary and directions via your Bluetooth-connected helmet, which helps you hear with ease. Explore Sydney’s attractions in just a few hours by bike, seeing Darling Harbour, Barangaroo Reserve, Sydney Harbour Bridge, Sydney Opera House, Chinatown, and more.

Some call Hervey Bay the Whale Watch Capital of the World for the migrating humpbacks which glide through between July and late October. Marvel at these playful 44-ton (40-tonne) mammals from the comfortable MV Amaroo catamaran with guaranteed sightings (conditions apply). While packages include morning or afternoon tea on board.

Experience the beautiful Daintree River on this sunset cruise. Enjoy a small-group tour with ample wildlife viewing—crocodiles, snakes, kingfishers, flycatchers, herons and other animals are often spotted—that’s perfect for capturing memorable photos. Learn about the the river’s ecosystem from an informative local guide and take advantage of access to otherwise inaccessible corners of the Daintree in a small but comfortable vessel.

Stockton Beach in Port Stephens is part of the Worimi National Park and renowned for its towering white sand dunes. On this tour, enjoy round-trip transport to the dunes by 4WD and spend as long as you like sandboarding with an unlimited pass. Shuttle buses leave regularly so you can arrive and leave at a time that suits you.

Ending a day out means deciding between a sunset drink and sorting dinner, then getting between the two. This cruise combines them, gliding along the Thomson River with stories of local wildlife and Indigenous culture as you settle in on the top deck. As night falls, dock at Smithy's Outback Dinner and Show for a two-course camp-oven dinner and live entertainment.

Travel one of the world’s most iconic coastal roads without having to drive yourself on this full-day tour. Dodge the crowds by driving the famous Great Ocean Road in reverse, stopping to view landmarks like Loch Ard Gorge and the 12 Apostles in the less-busy morning. After a light picnic lunch, hike through the Otway rainforest, look for koalas along the Kennett River, and enjoy dramatic views over Apollo Bay.

They say the rainforest meets the reef at Cape Tribulation, and you’ll see why on this day tour from Cairns. Hop on board the Daintree River ferry to get to the Cape. Tour the rainforests and beaches safely with a guide, looking out for saltwater crocs, cassowaries, and other tropical wildlife. Cool off with a swim in a freshwater creek and relax on pristine beaches. This is a fun-filled day and an easy way to visit this wild area.

Enjoy both the sunrise and sunset on this full day tour of Cradle Mountain from Hobart. This is one of Australia’s most beautiful national parks, and you will have up to five hours to explore it by hiking, walking, climbing, taking photographs, or just sitting and relaxing. On the way there, you’ll pass through villages, farmland, forests, grass plains, forests, and so much more. Your guide will take care of all the logistics so you can enjoy it.

Purnululu's Bungle Bungle range is remote and best seen from more than one angle, which is hard to arrange by yourself from Kununurra. Cover it in a single day by air and on the ground: a small-plane flight over the beehive domes, with aerial views of Lake Argyle and the Argyle Diamond Mine, then a 4WD trip into the park. Hike through Piccaninny Creek to Cathedral Gorge, with the option to add a helicopter flight.

Reaching Ningaloo's best snorkeling spots means having a boat, gear, and a sense of where the marine life gathers. This small-group day tour supplies all three, setting off from Exmouth to paddle the clear waters of Ningaloo Marine Park. Snorkel over the coral to spot turtles, rays, reef sharks, and reef fish, with the chance of a dolphin or dugong. Morning tea, lunch, gear, and transport are included.

Get a taste of Melbourne on a foodie walking tour of the 19th-century Queen Victoria Market. Enjoy a personalized experience with a guide and small group as you browse the myriad stalls and mingle with locals and vendors. Enjoy tastings of delicious seasonal delicacies, such as fresh seafood, grilled peppered kangaroo, local goat-milk cheese, fresh dips, and gelato. Bring your own drink bottle to refill at stations in the market.

Spotting whales in the wild can be tricky if you are unfamiliar with the best places to look. Skip the guesswork by meeting at The Deck Busselton to board the vessel Whalesong for a guided cruise through Geographe Bay. Encounter migrating humpbacks, blue whales, or southern right whales while listening to live commentary from a marine biologist onboard. Choose a morning or afternoon tour to suit your schedule.

If you’re trying to choose between taking a bus tour or a boat tour of the Sunshine Coast you don’t have to with an amphibious Aquaduck tour. The one-hour tour starts with a land tour around Mooloolaba and then the duck becomes a boat and tours around the canals, and waterways. Learn more about the history and culture of the Sunshine Coast from the commentary and enjoy the excitement of riding in this special vehicle.