Top Australia & the Pacific Outdoor Activities

Experience the majestic World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains on a small-group full-day tour from Sydney. Enjoy sweeping views of the Blue Mountains and sites including the Three Sisters and Jamison Valley. Hop onboard the Scenic Railway (or other rides) at Scenic World, enjoy a chef-prepared lunch (dietary requirements accommodated), and visit Featherdale Wildlife Park to see kangaroos and other native Australian critters. Then, cruise by boat back to Sydney Harbour on the Parramatta River.

Enjoy a whale-watching cruise that begins with a breakfast or barbecue lunch onboard the boat while in the calm waters of Sydney Harbour.  After breakfast or lunch, your boat glides past Sydney Head into the Pacific Ocean in search of the humpback and southern right whales that migrate along this coast from May to November. Keep an eye out for whales and dolphins as you learn about them from your naturalist guide, who provides fascinating commentary about Australian marine life during your tour.

Spotting whales in their natural habitat can be tricky if you don't know where to look. Skip the guesswork on this whale-watching cruise, which guarantees you will see humpback whales as they migrate past the Gold Coast from June to November or you receive a complimentary second cruise. The tour is led by a marine biologist guide who is passionate about conservation and offers insights into whale behavior that enrich the experience. Includes morning tea and a photo booklet souvenir.

Take a jet boat ride on the Shotover River during an extreme ride, and make use of transport from Queenstown. Experience adrenaline-fueled fun as the jet boat skims the water’s surface at high speed and fishtails into 360-degree spins. Hold on tight as the captain maneuvers the jet boat over rapids and through narrow canyons during one heart-pounding adventure you won’t soon forget.

There are few ways of getting close to 19-foot (6-meter) long saltwater crocodile safely, but the Jumping Croc Cruise is one. On a sturdy boat with well-trained staff you’ll cruise out onto the Adelaide River, looking for crocs. Staff will entice the animals with food, causing them to jump high in the air. This is an unmissable Northern Territory experience, and one that you’re sure to remember. Learn about the unique animals of the top end on a low-impact tour that respects the environment and its inhabitants.

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 35 meter superyacht in Cairns and set sail for the open sea. Reach the Barrier Reef and explore the colorful world underneath the water, and snorkel or dive for a closer look. Travel to 2 different locations on the reef to see more of this special place

Enjoy unobstructed views of the Remarkables and the Southern Alps during a catamaran cruise on Lake Wakatipu in Queenstown. Cruise accross the lake, stopping at Bob’s Cove to soak up the views from New Zealand's longest lake. Listen to the captain’s entertaining commentary about the natural landmarks and wildlife as you relax indoors or on the outdoor decks. You have a selection of morning and afternoon cruises to choose from.

Immerse yourself in the natural wonders and Aboriginal heritage of Australia’s tropical north on this full-day tour from Cairns. First, head to the Mossman Gorge to take part in a traditional smoke ceremony with the indigenous Kuku Yalanji people. Then, enjoy a close encounter with native wildlife on the Marrdja Botanical Boardwalk and visit Cape Tribulation, the meeting point of the UNESCO-listed Great Barrier Reef and Daintree rainforest. After lunch at Cape Trib Beach House, embark on a scenic cruise along the Daintree River (optional).

Come visit a New Zealand attraction that’s sure to have you ‘glowing’ during this 45-minute small-group guided boat ride through the famous Waitomo Glowworm Caves. Glide by boat through this underground complex, enjoying a light show put on by the millions of tiny bioluminescent insects hanging above. As an added bonus, many of the trip guides are of Maori descent, adding unique historical context to your visit.

Enjoy the natural delights of the Great Barrier Reef on an activity cruise from Cairns that gives you several ways to experience this renowned underwater world. After traveling by catamaran to a pontoon moored on the reef, you can observe marine life on a glass-bottom boat or semi-submersible vessel; go snorkeling to spot sea turtles; get your hands wet in the touch pool; upgrade to include a Seawalker Helmet dive; or upgrade to include an introductory or certified scuba dive. A buffet lunch is included, and the pontoon is equipped with showers.

Immerse yourself in Northern Queensland’s waterfalls, rainforests, and other natural wonders on this full-day tour from Cairns. Admire the untouched scenery and stop to swim in the famous Millaa Millaa, and Josephine Falls. In between, visit Babinda Boulders and Mount Hypipamee, watch for wildlife such as tree-kangaroos and platypus, and admire a tropical sunset at Lake Eacham. National Park admission, lunch, refreshments, and hotel pickup and drop-off included.

Discover Fraser Island's highlights on a full-day tour with an experienced guide that includes time to swim in pristine lakes, hit the beach, and explore the rainforest. Visit iconic spots including Lake McKenzie, Eli Creek, Seventy-Five Mile Beach, Central Station, Wanggoolba Creek, the Maheno shipwreck, and the Pinnacles. Learn about the animal and plant life both on land and in the ocean, where dolphins, dugongs, sharks, and humpback whales can be spotted. Depart early from Hervey Bay and travel by 4WD-vehicle on this comprehensive Fraser Island tour.

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.

Tackle the grade II and III rapids of the Barron River on this adrenaline-pumping half-day tour from Cairns or Port Douglas. Prepare to get wet and wild as you hurtle over the rapids, then float downstream past the jagged cliffs, plunging ravines, and lush rainforest of the Barron Gorge National Park. Best of all: with gentle rapids and full instruction provided, this tour is suitable for all levels, including complete beginners.

The Brisbane River, flowing directly through the city after which it’s named, is the longest river in South Queensland. Take a relaxing ruise along the river, seeing iconic sights including Kangaroo Point Cliffs, Brisbane City Center, and Story Bridge in a short amount of time. Fit a morning or afternoon departure into your vacation schedule.

If you’d like to experience the wonders of the Great Barrier Reef without getting wet, this 70-minute glass-bottomed boat tour is ideal. Suitable for kids, grandparents, and everyone in between, you’ll see tropical fish, amazing coral, turtles, and other sea life at the reefs near Airlie Beach. Learn about the marine ecosystem through live on-board commentary.

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. Admire dramatic coastal views on a hike to the Hill Inlet Lookout, then tuck into a delicious buffet lunch on-board (included).

Enjoy a visit to the Blue Mountains while in Sydney. Your full-day tour of the World Heritage-listed park visits highlights including the Three Sisters, Wentworth Falls, and Jamison Valley. En route, stop at Featherdale Wildlife Park, and have your photo taken with cuddly koalas. Travel with a small group, providing a more intimate experience.

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. Visit the Moonlit Sanctuary Conservation Park for an up-close encounter with koalas and other 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.

Discover Melbourne’s history and highlights on this guided Yarra River cruise. Float past the city’s towering skyscrapers and lovely urban gardens while learning about the transformation of this vibrant city from 19th-century port town to a modern cultural capital. Your sightseeing cruise takes you upriver and downriver for a scenic overview of attractions on both banks.

Journey to the heart of the Blue Mountains on this full-day tour from Sydney, including hotel pick-up. Kick-off your adventure seeing a koala or a kangaroo at Featherdale Wildlife Park, then enjoy a dramatic view of the Three Sisters rocks from Echo Point. After lunch (own expense), head to Scenic World to ride the Cableway, Skyway and Railway for unbeatable aerial views of the Jamison Valley and Katoomba Falls. Finish with a leisurely cruise along the Parramatta River to Sydney’s Darling Harbour or Circular Quay.

Get set for a wet and wild adventure as you hurtle down the Mulgrave River on a giant tube! Hang on tight as you navigate small rapids and then soak up the scenery as you drift through the rainforest. This fun-filled morning tour includes hotel pick-up and round-trip transport from Cairns, plus around 2 hours of tubing. Best of all: there’s no experience necessary, so everyone can give it a go!

Explore Moorea's lagoon in the traditional way—aboard a Polynesian outrigger canoe—during this full-day excursion. With a small group of 12 travelers or fewer, get plenty of room onboard and attention from the guides. Take in the scenery, go swimming and snorkeling, and arrive at a tiny islet for a cooking lesson (the local dish poisson cru) and a barbecue lunch.

Experience heart-racing fun on an exhilarating Queenstown jet-boat ride. The expert captain races across Lake Wakatipu, navigates tricky turns on the Kawarau River and speeds through the milky waters of the Shotover River. Grab hold of your seat as the jet boat makes 360-degree spins and fishtails on a rollercoaster ride over the water.