Day Trips in Australia

Spend a day exploring the waterfalls, monsoon forest and rock formations of Litchfield National Park on a small-group tour from Darwin. Swim in natural rock pools such as Buley Rockhole, admire massive termite pillars, take a guided walk in the forest, hear Aboriginal stories, and learn about Australian plants and animals. Take a dip at waterfalls that cascade from the Tabletop Range, relax over a barbecue lunch and travel by air-conditioned minivan with a knowledgeable guide.

Leave busy Brisbane for a full-day tour that showcases the natural beauty of North Stradbroke Island. Swim in the surf or freshwater lakes, take a short guided hike, view whales and other marine animals from the beach and coastal lookouts, visit small towns including historic Dunwich and Amity, and go in search of the island's population of wild kangaroos and koalas. Your small-group tour has numbers limited to 13 people, which ensures a more personalized experience with your knowledgeable guide.

Enjoy a full-day small-group tour from Cairns that visits two attractions located to the south of the city: Paronella Park and Mamu Tropical Skywalk. Stroll around the elegant grounds of Paronella Park and see the beautiful gardens and the ruins of the Spanish Castle. Stop in Mena Creek for lunch, then experience the rain forest of Australia up close at Mamu Tropical Skywalk. Your small-group tour has numbers limited to 10 people for a more personalized experience, with round-trip transport from Cairns or the Northern Beaches.

Explore the highlights of the Blue Mountains and Jenolan Caves on a full-day tour with a knowledgeable guide. Travel from Sydney to the World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains National Park to take in the Three Sisters, Jamison Valley, Govetts Leap and Grose Valley. Then go underground on a fascinating tour of Jenolan Caves, one of the most extensive cave systems in the world. You'll also enjoy photo ops of wild kangaroos and wallabies on this memorable tour of Australia's natural treasures.

Take a full-day tour that includes all the highlights of the Great Ocean Road with the addition of the Eureka Skydeck and Edge Experience. See gorgeous Southern Australian beaches, koalas in Kennett River, the Southern Ocean, Great Otway National Park and Port Campbell National Park. Stop at the Twelve Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge, London Bridge, Gibson Steps and other landmarks on the Shipwreck Coast. Return to Melbourne and use your Eureka Skydeck and Edge Experience pass to take in views from the highest vantage point in the Southern Hemisphere.

Travel with a small-group tour from Melbourne to Phillip Island to see the penguin parade and other wildlife highlights of Victoria. Your full-day tour stops at Moonlit Sanctuary Wildlife Conservation Park to meet Australian natives such as koalas and wallabies. Head to Churchill Island to visit a historic farm and the Koala Conservation Centre, then go to see the dramatic Cape Woolamai surf beach and the Nobbies boardwalk where you can enjoy the views of the rugged South Coast.

Embark on a thrilling journey along Australia's most famous coastal drive - the Great Ocean Road. Set out from Melbourne for an 11-hour tour by air-conditioned minivan, stopping along the way at the coastal towns of Lorne and Apollo Bay. Keep your camera to hand as you spot kangaroos and koalas on a rainforest stroll and admire the dreamy landscapes of Port Campbell National Park, including the iconic 12 Apostles and Loch Ard Gorge. This small-group tour is limited to 12 people for a personalized experience and includes hotel pick-up.

Depart from Sydney for a full day of nature in the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains. Visit Featherdale Wildlife Park to see Australian wildlife, and choose from optional attractions (own expense) such as Scenic World, the Blackheath wilderness, or Waradah Aboriginal Centre near the Three Sisters. Cap off the day by stopping at Leura Cascades before taking a RiverCat cruise back to Sydney Harbour on a small-group tour that is limited to 11 people.

Enjoy an active full-day tour from Hobart that includes views of the natural world from up high and down low. Start with a walk through the treetops at the Tahune Airwalk - a suspended walkway that reaches heights of up to 131 feet (40 meters). Gaze across the forest canopy and Huon River, or opt for an easier walk on the ground. Continue to Hastings Cave Reserve where you take a guided cave tour that goes into amazing caverns deep underground, then take a dip in the natural hot springs.

Head out of Melbourne for a full-day small-group tour of the Great Ocean Road. See some of Southern Australia's most beautiful beaches as you travel to Kennett River, where you can spot wild koalas. Stop in Apollo Bay for lunch, then take a dip in the Southern Ocean. Stroll in the rainforest at Great Otway National Park and travel to Port Campbell National Park and the Twelve Apostles. You'll also cruise down the Shipwreck Coast to Loch Ard Gorge, London Bridge and the fishing village of Port Campbell.

Step back in time and get a taste of 19th-century life in outback Australia on this full-day tour from Melbourne. Start with a visit to one of Victoria's oldest sheep stations, where you can tour the heritage farm, watch a sheep shearing demonstration and indulge in morning tea with the farmers. Then, relive the excitement of the 1850's gold rush with a visit to the gold mining town of Sovereign Hill, an open-air museum where you can pan for gold, tour a mineshaft and explore the historic streets in a horse-drawn carriage.

Discover Australia's dark past and learn the truths of its fascinating convict history on this full-day tour to Port Arthur from Hobart. Get a glimpse into 19th-century Tasmania at Port Arthur, with a guided walking tour and a harbor cruise around the UNESCO-listed penal settlement. Next, follow the notorious Tasmania Convict Trail, stopping at historic towns like Doo Town and Richmond, home to Australia's first convict-built bridge. This small-group tour is limited to 14 people for a personalized experience.

This tour is ideal for travelers who want to see a lot of the Sunshine Coast Hinterland in one day. Get out of the city and travel with a small-group to see a ton of highlights including iconic beaches, markets, one of the world's largest Ginger Factories, and artisan villages.

Discover one of South Australia's wildlife hotspots on this full-day 4WD tour of Kangaroo Island, including round-trip transport from Adelaide by ferry or plane. Spot playful Australian sea lions at the Seal Bay Conservation Park; see echidnas, wallabies and koalas in their natural habitats; and get up close to cockatoos, Tamar wallabies and kangaroos on a guided bushwalk. This small-group tour has a maximum of 8 participants and includes a gourmet picnic lunch.

Travel with a knowledgeable local guide to the charming fishing village of Stanley, which sits next to the large rocky plateau known as The Nut. The Nut rises 500 feet (152 meters) above the ocean and offers sweeping views over the Bass Straits and Tasmanian coast. Take a chairlift up to the top, or hike up if you enjoy the challenge. You'll also see Stanley's many historic buildings and learn about the region from your informative guide on this full-day tour from Devonport, Ulverstone or Burnie. Group size is limited to seven, ensuring an intimate experience.

Explore the wineries of the Adelaide Hills and visit the historic town of Hahndorf on a full-day wine tour from Adelaide. Stop at four wineries for tastings and have time to purchase lunch in Hahndorf, Australia's oldest surviving German settlement. Your guide shares commentary about the wine industry and history of the region throughout your tour. Your small-group tour is limited to six people, and includes guide, tastings at four wineries, a seasonal platter for morning tea, and hotel pickup and drop-off from Glenelg or Adelaide CBD.

The Blue Mountains, located outside of Sydney, are home to some of New South Wales' most scenic landscapes. Enhance your experience of the region's natural splendor on this 11-hour tour from Sydney, which includes a return river cruise. Delve into the Aboriginal history of Wentworth Falls, explore the manicured gardens of Leura Village, and capture stunning views of the historic Blue Gum Forest and Grose Valley, known as the Australian Grand Canyon. Round-trip transport from your Sydney hotel, a river cruise, and refreshments are included.

Escape the city for an action-packed tour of the Blue Mountains, including round-trip coach transport from Sydney. Pay a visit to the Sydney Olympic Park;observe kangaroos and koalas at the Featherdale Wildlife Park; and see landmarks like the Three Sisters, Boars Head Rock and Wentworth Falls. After lunch at a local restaurant (own expense), ride the skyrail at Scenic World (extra cost), then enjoy a scenic cruise down the Parramatta River to Sydney Harbour. This small-group tour is limited to 21 people and includes hotel pick-up.

Located near the tip of the UNESCO-listed Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area, Cradle Mountain is a popular hiking location with impressive scenic views. Instead of joining a large and loud tour group, explore the Cradle Mountain National Park in a small group, preserving the peace and tranquility of this alpine landscape. Walk along rugged hills and through dense Tasmanian forest, stopping for a rest at the glassy Dove Lake, nestled among the mountains.

Discover Australia's Great Ocean Road on this day trip from Melbourne. Admire the natural beauty of Victoria's coastline, from surfing beaches to the Twelve Apostles rock formations. You'll make stops at seaside villages, watch for wildlife like parrots and koalas, and travel through the Otway Ranges as you make your way to Cape Otway to climb the country's oldest mainland lighthouse. Upgrade your trip to include a 15-minute helicopter flight and experience incredible aerial views of the 12 Apostles.