Things to do in Australia
Great Ocean Road Tours20 optionsCruise Sydney40 optionsYarra Valley Wine Tour from Melbourne20 optionsMelbourne Hot Air Balloon7 optionsDay Trips from Sydney22 optionsWhale Watching Sydney10 optionsCruise Sydney Harbour33 optionsBoat Cruises Melbourne8 optionsDay Trips from Melbourne12 optionsHunter Valley Wine Tour16 optionsMelbourne City Tourist Attractions7 optionsMelbourne Airport Taxi11 options
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Bruny Island: Wilderness Cruise Day Trip & Lunch from HobartYou’ll ride from Hobart to Bruny Island with a local guide, cruise beneath towering sea cliffs and into deep caves, spot seals or dolphins (if you’re lucky), then warm up with lunch at Adventure Bay. Expect cold winds, real stories, and views that stick with you long after you leave.
Yarra Valley: Sunrise Balloon Flight & Breakfast at BalgownieYou’ll start in darkness but end floating above Yarra Valley’s vineyards as sunrise creeps in. Help set up your own hot air balloon with your local pilot, drift for an hour with ever-changing views, then share laughs (and breakfast) back at Balgownie Estate. Includes pickup options, digital photos, and a keepsake magnet — plus those little moments that stay with you long after landing.
Sydney: Taronga Zoo Behind-the-Scenes & Koala EncounterYou meet a keeper at the main plaza and spend time behind the public areas learning how the animals are cared for, including a close encounter with koalas and insight into the zoo's conservation work. After the guided portion, you're free to explore the full zoo for the rest of the day using your all-day pass, catching keeper talks and other exhibits at your own pace.Is it for me?This works well if you want a deeper understanding of how the zoo operates and the animals are cared for without the crowds of a general admission visit — the small group size and keeper expertise are what make the behind-the-scenes access feel personal rather than rushed.
Brisbane River Cruise & Lunch at Breakfast Creek HotelYou’ll float down Brisbane River with locals sharing stories, enjoy morning tea with scones on board, then taste fresh beer and classic pub lunch at Breakfast Creek Hotel. Expect laughter, riverside views, and small moments that linger long after you’ve returned to Southbank.
Sydney The Rocks: True Crime Walking Tour Stories & HistoryYou’ll wander through The Rocks with a local guide who knows every shadowy alley and strange tale. Expect cobblestone streets underfoot, stories that linger long after you leave, and glimpses of old Sydney most people miss. If you like your history with a side of grit — and don’t mind getting caught up in it — this is for you.
Hot Air Balloon Flight Perth: Sunrise over Avon ValleyA hot air balloon flight in Perth's Avon Valley at dawn, where you watch the sunrise light the river and farming landscape below and can help crew the balloon if you want. The experience lasts around four hours with breakfast included; guides speak English and Spanish, and children from age 6 are welcome.Is it for me?The hands-on option makes this worth choosing if you want to be part of how the balloon works rather than just a passenger; book the transfer option if you need pickup from Perth instead of driving to the launch site yourself.
Phillip Island: Penguin Parade Day Trip & Koala ReserveYou’ll watch tiny penguins return from sea at sunset on Phillip Island’s Penguin Parade day trip from Melbourne, walk through eucalyptus groves with a local ranger at the Koala Reserve, and have time to wander Cowes township by Westernport Bay. Includes entry fees and comfortable coach transport—you’ll come back feeling like you saw something quietly special.
Cairns Great Barrier Reef snorkeling: 1.5 hours on the reefA half-day snorkeling trip from Cairns to the Great Barrier Reef with a maximum of 27 guests, English-speaking guide, and 1.5 hours exploring the reef. The tour departs from Cairns Marlin Marina on Finger B, includes snorkeling equipment and stinger suits in season, and keeps groups small enough that you're not jostling for space at the coral. Drinks are available for purchase on board; snacks are provided.Is it for me?Book this for a morning or afternoon when you want to see the reef without spending a full day on the water—the 1.5 hours in the water and small group size mean you get the experience without the crowds or the exhaustion of a longer trip.
Corroboree Billabong wetland cruise: 2.5-hour boat tourA full-day wetland tour from Darwin visits Fogg Dam Conservation Reserve and the Window on the Wetlands Visitor Centre before a 2.5-hour boat cruise through Corroboree Billabong, where you watch saltwater crocodiles and dozens of bird species in their natural habitat. The tour includes round-trip hotel pickup, an experienced guide, lunch and cold water throughout the day; children from age 4 are welcome.Is it for me?Book this for a first or last full day in Darwin when you want to see the wetlands' wildlife without arranging transport or a guide yourself—the eight-hour structure means you move through three different vantage points (the reserve, the visitor centre, the boat) instead of staying in one spot, and the open-air vessel gets you close enough to photograph crocodiles and birds without missing what the guide is explaining.
Hervey Bay Whale Watching Cruise: Multiple Viewing DecksA whale watching cruise from Hervey Bay operates aboard a fast catamaran with multiple viewing decks and underwater windows for close encounters with humpback whales. You choose between a morning or afternoon departure, each lasting around four and a half hours and including tea. Hotel pickup or free parking at the marina is available, and a live guide provides commentary throughout the cruise.Is it for me?Choose the morning departure if you want to start early and spend the afternoon exploring Hervey Bay or Fraser Island; the afternoon cruise suits a later start or if you prefer to spend your morning elsewhere. Both options give you the same boat, decks and underwater windows—the difference is just the time of day and whether you're served morning or afternoon tea.
Perth Walking Tour: History, Street Art & Local StoriesYou walk 3 kilometers through Perth's central streets, laneways and heritage precincts with a local guide who knows the stories behind the street art, old buildings and new developments. The pace is leisurely, the group stays small, and you get practical recommendations for what to do next. Wheelchair and pram accessible, operates in all weather.Is it for me?Book this if you're new to Perth and want to understand the city's layout, history and character before you explore on your own—a local guide and small group mean you get oriented without the feeling of being herded, and the leisurely pace lets you actually absorb what you're seeing.
Hervey Bay Whale Watch: Platypus Bay with Underwater HydrophoneThis full-day whale watching tour from Hervey Bay takes you aboard the Blue Dolphin, a 38-foot eco-friendly catamaran, to Platypus Bay at K'gari (Fraser Island) during the winter humpback migration. You board at Great Sandy Straits Marina after hotel pickup, observe whales from an immersive platform, and listen to their calls through a hydrophone on deck. The tour holds 24 passengers maximum, includes morning and afternoon tea, a buffet lunch with beverages, and runs 8 hours with a professional guide who brings over 30 years of marine mammal experience. Minimum passenger numbers apply; the operator may cancel after confirmation if the group does not meet requirements, offering an alternative date or full refund.Is it for me?Book this tour if you want to watch humpback whales from an underwater vantage point and hear them sing through a hydrophone — the 24-passenger limit and immersive platform are what make that encounter possible instead of a distant viewing from the deck.
Whitsundays: Matador Yacht Sailing & Snorkel with MealsYou’ll sail through Whitsundays’ turquoise waters aboard Matador, help raise sails or just lounge on deck, snorkel vibrant reefs near Hook Island, and walk barefoot along Whitehaven Beach’s famous sands. With meals prepared fresh onboard and an overnight under starlit skies, this trip leaves you feeling both sun-tired and quietly amazed.
Daintree River Cruise: Wildlife Watching & Flexible Explorer PassYou’ll drift through rainforest and mangroves on a flexible Daintree River cruise, listening for birds and maybe spotting a crocodile if you’re lucky. With unlimited rides for 30 days from either Daintree Village or near the ferry crossing, you can return when the mood strikes. It’s slow travel at its best — sometimes quiet, sometimes surprising.
North Stradbroke Island: Wildlife Day Tour & Koala WalkYou’ll cross by ferry from Brisbane to North Stradbroke Island for a day full of wildlife moments—swimming in Brown Lake, walking coastal cliffs on the Gorge Walk, searching for wild koalas with your guide, and relaxing at Amity Point Beach. Expect small group energy and space to linger in each place—plus that sunset ride back across Moreton Bay stays with you.
Uluru: Segway Base Tour & Sunrise BreakfastYou start before sunrise with breakfast, learn to ride a Segway, then glide around Uluru's complete base while your guide explains the geology, nature, and Anangu culture. A guided walk to Mutitjulu waterhole and Aboriginal rock art follows. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, and the whole day wraps by early afternoon.Is it for me?Book this if you want to cover more of Uluru's base than a walking tour allows and prefer moving through the landscape rather than viewing it from a platform — the Segway does the distance work, which is what makes a full circuit possible in one morning.
Melbourne: Puffing Billy Train, Healesville Sanctuary & Yarra ChocolateYou’ll ride Melbourne’s iconic Puffing Billy steam train through lush Dandenong Ranges, stroll beside Emerald Lake, spot native wildlife at Healesville Sanctuary with plenty of time to wander, and finish your day sampling chocolate in Yarra Valley. It’s relaxed but full of moments you’ll remember — like eucalyptus in your nose or laughter over chocolate spoons.
Margaret River: Wine, Brewery & Distillery Tour with LunchYou get picked up from your hotel, driven to four or five carefully chosen venues across Margaret River, and guided through tastings of wine, beer and spirits with a knowledgeable local. Lunch is seated and included. The driver brings you home in the afternoon, so you taste freely without worrying about the drive back or arranging transport between stops.Is it for me?Book this if you want to taste the best of Margaret River without arranging transport, making reservations, or designating a driver—the small-group format and included lunch mean you can relax and enjoy the day instead of managing logistics.
Great Ocean Road: Reverse 12 Apostles Tour, Max 11 GuestsYou start where others finish, traveling the Great Ocean Road in reverse with a small group of 14 or fewer in a comfortable van. Pickup from Melbourne CBD, Southbank, or Docklands is included, along with all national park entry fees, a knowledgeable guide, and Wi-Fi for the drive. You'll see the Twelve Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge, Gibson Steps, and the Otway rainforest at quieter times, finishing at Bells Beach and returning to Southern Cross Station by late afternoon.Is it for me?Right for travelers who want the Great Ocean Road without the crowds and prefer a small group where you can actually hear the guide and get a clear photo. The reverse route and early start are what make the quieter experience possible, and the full day out — roughly 10 to 12 hours — is what fits all the major stops in one trip.
Wilsons Promontory: Wilderness Cruise & Skull Rock by Amphibious BoatYou’ll board an amphibious boat from Tidal River for a 2.5-hour Wilsons Promontory wilderness cruise along dramatic granite cliffs to Skull Rock. Watch fur seals play, breathe in wild ocean air, and listen as your local guide shares stories about this remote coastline. Expect moments of awe—and maybe some laughter—on this raw stretch of southern Australia.
