Top Australia On the Water - page 11

Start your morning off with a paddle through Sydney Harbor and see some of the city’s iconic landmarks from a different, crowd-free perspective. Join a small group and gear up for your paddle under the iconic Sydney Harbor Bridge and past the Opera House. End your excursion with a delicious breakfast at a local cafe in Neutral Bay.

Get up close and personal with the crystal clear waters, beautiful beaches, and amazing sea life in Booderee National Park on this guided Jervis Bay sea kayaking tour from Huskisson. Leaving in the morning, you’ll cruise through the glassy waters along the coastline to Bowen Island and Murrays Beach, before swinging by a secluded beach fringed with lush rainforest and feasting on freshly baked cakes, tropical fruit, and hot drinks.

Sail through the Whitsunday Islands on a classic yacht from Airlie Beach. Sit back and relax or lend a hand with the sailing of the Lady Enid on the way to stops such as Whitehaven Beach, Betty's Beach, and Hill Inlet. Snorkel around the Island Reefs and enjoy lunch and afternoon tea between activities. During the sunset sail back to port, sip sparkling wine and munch on appetizers.

Enjoy an evening on the Sunshine Coast with a sunset cruise in Mooloolaba. You'll glide along the Mooloolaba River and its canals, enjoying the twilight views and relaxing atmosphere. Food and drinks are available to purchase from the seafood menu and full bar on board.

Keep not only your eyes peeled for whale breaching, but also your ears tuned in to hear whale song picked up by the boat’s hydrophone on this private whale-watching tour in Mooloolaba. Along the tour you also see some beautiful beaches and coastline, like Point Cartwright, Alexandra Headland, Mudjimba Island–aka Old Woman Island– and much more.

Swimming with wild dolphins is a must for many travelers when visiting Perth or wider Western Australia. However, knowing the right places to visit can be confusing. This full-day tour takes you to the best spots in Rockingham—around 40 minutes from the city—to see pods of dolphins thrive in their natural habitat. Snorkel alongside them, always from a respectful distance, or hop back onto the boat to watch them from the deck.

Most Great Barrier Reef trips are day tours, so seeing the reef after the crowds leave means finding somewhere to stay out on the water. Spend the night in an underwater suite at Hardy Reef, reached by cruise through the Whitsunday Islands. Snorkel, dive, or add a helicopter flight by day, then enjoy a sunset dinner before taking in reef views through the windows.

Built around a complicated system of winding canals and waterways, the Gold Coast can be difficult to navigate alone. This short sightseeing tour around the region focuses on the city’s attractions and landmarks in the unique Quack’rDuck duck bus. Drive around Surfers Paradise, Southport and Main Beach, then plunge into the waterways and tour them too in this amphibian bus.

Sail around the sheltered waters of Oyster Harbour and the Kalgan River on this half-day scenic cruise aboard a glass-bottom vessel. Learn about the area’s history and wildlife and find out why Albany is home to the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC). Spot wildlife such as hawks, eagles, pelicans, and kangaroos.

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.

Get into a kayak for an amazing guided trip from Rainbow beach, but first get into a 4WD zipping up the sand to the Great Sandy National Park where you get to the kayak starting point, Double Island Point. Your experience is all planned out for you, so you just need to enjoy the ride, and keep an eye out for Bottlenose dolphins, Humpback whales, turtles and rays!

Embark on a full-day adventure to the pristine coral cay of Low Isles on this Great Barrier Reef sailing and snorkeling cruise from Palm Cove. Travel aboard a luxury catamaran with marine biologist guides, and snorkel straight from the white sandy beach among famous coral gardens teeming with tropical fish, giant clams and green sea turtles Experience the reef another way on a glass-bottom boat tour, and explore the island on a guided nature walk. Your full-day tour includes a delicious buffet lunch, morning and afternoon tea and round-trip hotel transport from Palm Cove.

This private, half-day Yarra River rafting experience is an exciting way to get out of Melbourne—perfect if you need to take a break from the hustle and bustle of the city. Take a guided paddle through Level 2 rapids and see the sights of mini-gorges, valleys, and diverse wildlife along the river’s shore. With lunch provided and time to truly take in the scenery, experience the natural beauty of the Yarra River with no need to organize a thing yourself.

Experience the magic of a tropical Northern Queensland sunset from Townsville, set against the dramatic backdrop of the Great Barrier Reef. Set sail from the Townsville Yacht Club and Marina and watch the sky change to hues of pink, yellow, and orange as the sun sets over the azure waters. Toast your romantic evening with a glass of sparkling wine—two drinks per person are included.

Most harbor cruises focus on modern vessels, making it easy to miss Sydney’s maritime heritage. This afternoon sailing experience offers a different perspective aboard a historic tall ship on Sydney Harbour. Learn about traditional sailing and the ship’s history as you cruise past landmarks such as the Sydney Harbour Bridge, the Sydney Opera House, and Fort Denison. Enjoy open-deck views for photography, and choose whether to climb the mast for an added thrill (own expense).

Experience the beautiful Daintree River on a cruise at dawn. Enjoy a small-group tour with ample wildlife viewing—crocodiles, snakes, kingfishers, flycatchers, herons and other animals are often observed. Learn about the the river’s ecosystem from an informative local guide and visit otherwise inaccessible corners of the Daintree in a small but comfortable vessel.

The Gordon River winds through the wilderness, so its rainforest and the ruins of Sarah Island can only be reached from the water. Cruise out from Strahan by catamaran instead, stepping ashore for a walk through the rainforest of the South West Wilderness. Stop at Sarah Island to see its former convict settlement, with a buffet dinner featuring local specialties served on board.

Sample the natural beauty of the Gold Coast, without having to buy or rent equipment, with this outdoor adventure. Hop on a sea kayak and paddle your way over to Wave Break Island for a guided snorkel over a rocky reef and a short bushwalk. Spot dolphins and stingrays, then enjoy tasty, locally sourced snacks before returning to shore.

View the Ningaloo Reef’s underwater inhabitants through the floor of a glass-bottom boat as well as up-close during two snorkel stops. Traveling with a guide and group means you’ll listen to in-depth commentary on the local marine life, as well as easy transportation to the best snorkel spots.

Discover the basic steps of surfing during a 2-hour group surfing lesson from an expert surf instructor in Margaret River. Margaret River has waves that are excellent for beginning surfers, and your group lesson gets you prepared to dive in and learn to surf. Your instructor teaches how to paddle out, catch waves and stand on the board, along with offering a primer on the etiquette of surf culture. Enjoy a fun workout at one of Western Australia’s great surfing spots as you practice your new skills.

Take to the waves at one of Sydney’s top surf spots with a surf class at the beautiful Maroubra Beach. In a small-group lesson with a qualified instructor and a maximum of 6 people, learn about water safety, master the basic skills, and enjoy a fun time on the water.

Explore the tranquil waterways of the Canning Regional Park with a 3-hour kayaking tour in the heart of central Perth. Escape the bustling city for the serene waterways as you glide down the Canning River and get up close to the park’s wildlife. Best of all, with full instruction and all equipment included, this guided tour is suitable for all ages and abilities, including complete beginners.

While in Australia, learn the art of surfing during a full-day excursion from Sydney. Head out of the city center to a private beach for an informative and exciting introduction to surfing. Your fully qualified surf instructor teaches you the basics of standing up on the board and catching waves at a beach that has perfect waves for beginners. Not only will you enjoy a great workout and tons of fun, you also get a barbecue lunch buffet and the chance to see wildlife in Royal National Park.

Enjoy the thrills, splashes, and spins of a jet boat ride on the Gold Coast Broadwater from Surfers Paradise. Zip through the scenic waterway, passing landmarks such as Southport Yacht Club, the Versace Hotel, and SeaWorld. Hang on as your expert captain takes your high-speed vessel through a series of high-octane tricks that are tons of fun. Includes the use of lifejackets, to keep you safe.