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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Brisbane Whale Watching Cruise Moreton Bay & LunchYou board a catamaran in Moreton Bay and spend hours watching humpback whales breach and play within meters of the boat. You get a gourmet lunch, live commentary from a professional guide, and a guaranteed sighting—if whales don't appear, you return free. Optional pickup from Brisbane or the Sunshine Coast means you don't arrange transport yourself. The whole day runs June through November, when humpbacks migrate through the bay.Is it for me?Book this if you want to see humpback whales without arranging your own transport or worrying whether you'll actually spot them—the guarantee and optional pickup mean you show up and the logistics are handled.
Cairns: Great Barrier Reef & Michaelmas Cay Snorkel TourYou board at Cairns Marlin Marina and travel 40km to Michaelmas Cay, the largest uninhabited coral island in the region, where you snorkel the surrounding reef and explore via glass-bottom boat. After lunch on board, the boat moves to Hastings Reef, 30 nautical miles out, for a second guided snorkel in deeper outer-reef conditions. Mask, fins, buoyancy vest, wet-suit, and all meals are included; the crew posts daily photos to Facebook. Return is mid-afternoon to the Esplanade.Is it for me?Book this if you want to see two different outer-reef environments in one day without arranging your own permits or timing — Michaelmas Cay's restricted access and Hastings Reef's deeper structure are only possible because the boat handles the logistics and holds the permits.
Darwin Sunset Cruise: 3-Hour Dinner & Sparkling WineYou board at 4:45pm, settle into a seat on the 50-foot catamaran, and spend three hours watching the sunset over Darwin Harbour while a crew brings you seven courses of tapas and keeps your glass of sparkling wine full. No planning required once you arrive — the boat departs at 5pm, the food comes continuously, and you leave when the sun has finished setting. Bring a light layer if the evening cools down.Is it for me?Book this if you want a complete evening sorted without arranging a restaurant reservation or worrying about timing — the boat leaves at 5pm, the food and wine are built into the price, and you're back on shore by 8pm.
Daintree River wildlife cruise: Crocodiles and birds on the waterA one-hour Daintree River wildlife cruise operates from a private jetty on the banks of the river, where a local guide takes small groups out to spot crocodiles, tree snakes and native birds in their habitat. The operator is a family business based on the river itself, and the cruise includes complimentary local tea, coffee or slushies; guests walk 200–250 metres through a conservation park to reach the boat on a gravel path with slight inclines and steps.Is it for me?This is a shared cruise with a small group and a local guide, so you watch and listen rather than steer or navigate—it suits anyone who wants to see crocodiles and river wildlife without the setup of a private boat or the commitment of a full-day trip. The one-hour length fits a morning or afternoon slot around other plans in the region.
Wineglass Bay Cruise from Coles Bay: 4.5-hour coastal tourA 4.5-hour cruise from Coles Bay along the Freycinet Peninsula coastline aboard the Schouten Passage II, with live commentary from a local guide. The boat passes granite cliffs, white sand beaches and Wineglass Bay itself, with chances to spot dolphins, seals, birdlife and migrating whales. Lunch is available on select options; restroom facilities are on board.Is it for me?Book this cruise if you want to see Wineglass Bay from the water—the angle most hikers miss—without arranging your own boat or navigating the peninsula on foot. The fixed schedule and guide handle the route, so you arrive at the bay and the granite coastline without planning the details.
Freycinet: Sea Kayak Tour with Beach Stop & Local GuideYou’ll glide across Freycinet’s calm waters in a stable double kayak with a local guide leading the way. Expect hands-on help getting started, real stories about the landscape, and a pause for hot drinks and cookies on a quiet beach — all gear included. The feeling of salt air and pink granite stays with you long after you leave.
Mary Valley Rattler: Heritage Steam Train Journey GympieYou’ll ride Queensland’s Mary Valley Rattler steam train from Gympie with local guides sharing stories along the way. Watch the engine turn at Amamoor, explore a small village green, and soak up slow travel through farmland and forest — all with your ticket included. It’s not just scenery; it’s feeling part of something older.
Brisbane River Cruise: Story Bridge & Kangaroo Point 90minYou board at the dock, settle in with morning tea, and spend 90 minutes gliding past the Story Bridge, Customs House, Kangaroo Point Cliffs, and Southbank while a live guide explains the history. The boat includes a licensed bar, restrooms, and a souvenir map. Morning departure only includes tea and scones; afternoon departure is the same route without the food.Is it for me?Book this if you're in Brisbane for a morning or afternoon and want to see the Story Bridge, Kangaroo Point Cliffs, and the city center from the water without arranging your own boat or timing the stops yourself — the fixed 90-minute window and included commentary handle both.
Cairns Waterfalls & Rainforest Day Trip: Swim & SlideYou swim at five different waterfalls and crater lakes across the Atherton Tablelands, including the famous Millaa Millaa Falls and a natural rockslide at Josephine Falls. The day includes hot lunch, morning tea, all park entry fees, and transport in an air-conditioned coach from Cairns. Platypus spotting is possible in the right season, and the tour wraps at Lake Eacham, a volcanic crater surrounded by rainforest. Book with any dietary requirements noted in advance.Is it for me?Pick this if you want to swim and explore multiple waterfalls in one day without arranging your own transport, park tickets, or timing — the fixed schedule and included lunch mean you show up and spend the day in the water instead of figuring out logistics.
Phillip Island: Penguin Parade & Wildlife Day Trip from MelbourneYou’ll get close to wallabies and koalas at Moonlit Sanctuary before feeling the wind at Cape Woolamai’s surf beach. Watch seals laze at The Nobbies, then settle in for Phillip Island’s famous penguin parade as dusk falls—all with local guides and easy pickup. It’s a day full of small surprises and real wildlife moments.
Margaret River: Wine Tasting, Emu Feeding & Italian LunchYou start the morning hand-feeding emus and alpacas at a private property, then move through three rotating boutique wineries where you often meet the winemakers themselves. Lunch is Italian-inspired food eaten among olive groves, with tastings of their oils and local products. The day includes a coastal stop where dolphins are common, and ends with insider tips for Margaret River town. Hotel pickup and drop-off are built in.Is it for me?Right for wine lovers who want to taste from small producers and actually meet the people behind the bottles, plus families drawn to the animal interactions and scenic drives. The day is full — you're moving between five different stops — which is what lets you see both the wine side and the broader character of the region.
Green Island Day Trip from Cairns: Snorkel & Glass-Bottom BoatYou board a catamaran in Cairns and cruise 45 minutes to Green Island, where you choose between snorkeling, a glass-bottom boat tour, or a semi-submersible submarine to see turtles, sharks and coral gardens. A rainforest walk and buffet lunch fill the rest of your four to five hours on the island before the return cruise. Everything — transfers, reef tax, and your choice of reef tour — is included in the price.Is it for me?Pick this if you want to see the Great Barrier Reef without arranging separate transport, reef access fees, or timing — the catamaran schedule and all-in pricing take the logistics off your hands, leaving you to decide whether you'd rather snorkel, sit in a glass-bottom boat, or go semi-submersible.
Mooloolaba Seafood Lunch Cruise & River CanalsYou board at The Wharf Mooloolaba, choose your seafood (fish, calamari, prawns, or burger), and eat at your table while the boat winds through the river and canals for 90 minutes. Table service, a licensed bar, and entertaining commentary are included; the crew handles everything so you don't have to think about logistics during lunch.Is it for me?Book this if you want lunch without arranging a restaurant reservation or leaving the water—the fixed departure times and included meal mean you show up, sit down, and eat while the boat does the moving.
Cape Tribulation: Great Barrier Reef Snorkel Safari & Turtle SwimYou’ll feel the thrill of speeding across open water from Cape Tribulation before snorkeling two different Great Barrier Reef sites with turtles and tropical fish swirling around you. Local guides keep things fun and real—with stories about the reef and rainforest—and all your gear plus pickup is sorted. Expect laughter, salt spray, and moments that stick with you long after.
Hervey Bay: Whale Watch Cruise with Lunch & 3 Viewing DecksYou board at 9:10am and spend the full day in Platypus Bay with humpback whales, dolphins and turtles. Meals and tea are served throughout, three viewing decks give you 360-degree sightlines, and the small group size (max 49) means you're never jostling for space. Courtesy transfers to the marina are included, so you arrive ready to watch.Is it for me?Book this if you want to spend a full day with the whales rather than a rushed few hours — the all-day format is what lets you see natural behaviours and approach patterns that shorter tours miss, and the included meals mean you're never thinking about where to eat.
Phillip Island: Penguin Parade & Koala Reserve Day Trip MelbourneYou travel from Melbourne by air-conditioned coach with a local guide, spend 45 minutes walking through the Koala Conservation Centre, stop at the Nobbies Rocks to spot penguins in their burrows, and finish at the Penguin Parade at sunset where you watch thousands of Little Penguins return to shore. The full day takes around 10 hours including the coach drive both ways.Is it for me?Book this if you want to see both koalas and the Penguin Parade in one day without arranging your own transport or timing the sunset yourself — the fixed itinerary and coach pickup handle both, leaving you to focus on the animals.
Cape Tribulation, Daintree & Mossman Gorge Day Trip with LunchYou’ll walk rainforest trails in Mossman Gorge, taste local lunch at Daintree Tea House, spot crocodiles on a river cruise and stand where Cape Tribulation’s forest meets the sea. Expect moments of quiet awe — and maybe even a laugh or two with your guide.
Sydney Whale Watching Cruise with Lunch: Harbour Sights & Open OceanYou’ll board in Sydney Harbour for a whale watching cruise with live commentary and city views before heading out past the Heads to search for humpbacks. Enjoy a hot BBQ lunch or breakfast served on deck as you spot whales surfacing nearby. Expect salt air, local stories from your crew, and that little jolt when you finally see a tail break the surface.
Gold Coast Whale Watching Tour: Humpback Migration May–OctoberA 2.5-hour whale watching tour on the Gold Coast operates May through October, when Humpback Whales migrate past Australia's east coast. You board a 24-meter catamaran with 360-degree viewing from both decks, guided by a marine biologist with live commentary; the operator guarantees whale sightings or offers a free return cruise. Complementary tea and coffee are included; food and drinks are available to purchase on board.Is it for me?Book this if you want live marine biology commentary while watching from a vessel designed for whale sightings, rather than joining a general sightseeing boat where whales are incidental.
Sydney Harbour: Jet Boat Ride with Spins & LandmarksYou’ll race across Sydney Harbour with salty wind in your hair and city icons flashing by—jet boat spins, pounding music, laughter, and splashes everywhere. Includes ponchos for the ride and secure lockers for your gear. The thrill sticks with you long after you’ve dried off.
