Australia Trips & Tour Packages

Sunrise with Uluru glowing red, with pink fluffy clouds and bushes in the foreground, Australia

With bright blue skies, immense red deserts, sun-bronzed beaches and vast green wetlands, Australia is big, bold and full of contrasts.

Come and experience this extraordinary country that bursts with kaleidoscopic cultures and constantly changing colors. From snorkeling with jewel-toned fish on the Great Barrier Reef and discovering the wildlife and wilderness of the west coast to walking through the World Heritage-listed Daintree Rainforest with an Aboriginal guide and exploring Uluru and nearby Kata Tjuta , an (Intrepid) in-depth Australia tour offers a little something for everyone. Whether you’re traveling as a family or a solo adventurer, a nature-lover or a sun worshipper, a food fanatic or a wine connoisseur, Australia can’t wait to welcome you. 

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Highlights of Tasmania

Kangaroo Island Adventure

Great Ocean Road & Grampians Adventure

10 must-visit beaches in South Australia

22 new ways we’re creating positive change through the joy of travel 

Australia or New Zealand? Where to go on your next trip

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Reasons to visit the Grampians

The top 10 destinations to travel in May 2024

So much more than a rock: Spoonful of Sarah’s Uluru adventure

Australia departures by month

Browse australia by region, tours & vacations by state, australia at a glance, capital city.

Canberra (population approximately 467,000)

Approximately 25.69 million

(GMT+10:00) Canberra, Melbourne, Sydney

CALLING CODE

Electricity.

Type I (Australian/New Zealand & Chinese/Argentine 2/3-pin)

Learn more about Australia

Best time to visit australia.

Being such a large place, Australia has a wide range of climates, so all year round, there is somewhere great to visit. 

Summer (December to February) can get very hot but is perfect for beach-going and other outdoor activities. In the far north, it is also the wet season, which can get quite humid, and some beaches may be closed due to jellyfish or 'stingers'.

Winter (June to August) is pleasant and dry in the north but can get quite cold in the south, especially in Tasmania and Victoria, where snowfall is common.

Spring and autumn are great times to visit Australia as the weather is milder but still warm enough for swimming in northern areas. 

Regardless of daytime temperatures, nights can get very cold in the desert areas of Central and Western Australia, so prepare accordingly.

The main school holiday period is from Christmas to late January and is considered the peak travel time within Australia; expect popular tourist spots to be crowded during this time.

Read more about the best time to visit Australia

From large malls and boutique shopping strips to weekend arts and crafts markets and vintage shops, Australia is a top place to shop. Shopping in Australia may not be cheap, but there are plenty of unique finds and original souvenirs to bring home. Before heading home, check with your local customs officials to ensure that you are able to import certain items back into your home country. New Zealand, for example, has strict quarantine laws.

Things to buy in Australia

1. First Nation art

The quality of Aboriginal art is excellent in the Top End and Central and Western Australia. Be sure to buy from reputable galleries and organizations to ensure authenticity and fair prices for artists. Community-run organizations are typically the better choice.

If you’re looking for one, Coober Pedy has the best quality and variety on offer.

These precious gems are plentiful in Broome due to the booming pearling industry.

4. Modern art

Melbourne and Hobart are modern art and craft hot spots, making them great places to pick up one-of-a-kind mementos.

Top 10 places to see in Australia

Nothing will prepare you for seeing Australia's most famous landmark for the first time. An important part of Aboriginal Dreamtime stories, this ancient monolith is a photographer's dream as it changes colors with the sun; from dazzling orange to dusty purple.

Combine First Nations' culture and the magnificence of Australia's desert wonders on a 6 day Red Centre & Uluru Explorer tour.

2. Great Barrier Reef

See the world's largest reef system - so big it can be seen from outer space! This World Heritage site, just off the coast of Queensland, is home to whales, dolphins, turtles, sharks, colorful coral and more than 1,500 species of fish. Go scuba diving or snorkeling to explore this incredible underwater world.

See the beauty of the reef and its residents on our 5 day Best of Cairns, Great Barrier Reef & Daintree tour.

3. Twelve Apostles

Although there are actually only eight 'Apostles', these spectacular limestone rock stacks are a popular tourist spot along Victoria's Great Ocean Road. Formed by erosion that began 10-20 million years ago, the stacks rise majestically from the churning Southern Ocean. Hit the boardwalks, tracks and viewing areas for spectacular views.

Set off on a Twelve Apostles journey when you 7 day Hike the Great Ocean Walk.

4. Kakadu National Park

This region is a place of breathtaking beauty and incredible biodiversity. Steeped in Dreamtime history, Kakadu nurtures a staggering variety of landscapes and wildlife. Venture deep into the wilderness and discover gushing waterfalls, deep gorges, shimmering waterholes and rocky outcrops adorned with 20,000-year-old art.

Combine the best of history, wildlife, culture and beauty while venturing through a 6 day Top End & Kakadu Explorer tour.

5. Sydney Opera House

Set against a backdrop of that famous bridge that spans the sparkling harbor, the Opera House is one of Australia's most iconic sights. Those familiar sails, adorned with more than a million white tiles, host thousands of events and performances each year. Catch a show to admire the ornate interior, or take in the spectacular view from a ferry.

Climb the Opera House steps or tour the harbour as you start an exciting 18 day East Coast Encompassed tour.

6. Kimberley

From deep gorges and dusty Outback roads and lush rainforests to idyllic billabongs, the landscape of this beautiful region is truly enchanting. A trip to the Kimberly can be as active or relaxing as you wish - hike past the strange 'beehive' domes of the Bungle Bungle Ranges, explore underground caves at Tunnel Creek or simply relax on white sand beaches.

Be swept away by the beauty of the Kimberley on a 11 day Wild Kimberley Overland tour.

7. Daintree

With verdant tropical rainforest stretching to white, sandy beaches, the Daintree is nothing short of spectacular. This complex ecosystem in Far North Queensland is home to a prolific amount of wildlife, including frogs, reptiles, bats and butterflies, as well as the highest concentration of primitive plant species in the world. Australia's largest rainforest is a true natural wonder just waiting to be explored.

Walk among the diverse ecosystems of the Daintree Rainforests while on our 5 day Queensland Daintree Explorer tour.

8. Wineglass Bay

With its white sand, crystal-clear water and distinct crescent shape, Wineglass Bay on Tasmania's gorgeous Freycinet Peninsula is a pristine paradise. It's easy to see why it's often voted as one of the top 10 beaches in the world! Hike a trail to the summit overlooking the bay for breathtaking views, or descend to the beach and set up camp. Go snorkeling to discover colorful fish and perhaps some playful dolphins.

Stroll by the waters of Wineglass Bay on a nature-lovers 6 day Tasmania Adventure tour.

9. Clare Valley

This beautiful wine-producing region is famed for its delicious local produce, picturesque scenery, friendly people and, of course, its fabulous wine. Explore back roads lined with vines and go wine tasting to sample the very best drops this region has to offer.

Cycle and sample your way through one of Australia's oldest wine regions on our 6 day Cycle South Australia's Wine Regions tour.

10. Blue Mountains

Covering over one million hectares, the World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains is rich in verdant rainforest, dramatic waterfalls, looming forests and an abundance of wildlife. Greet the iconic Three Sisters and wander the boardwalks to soak up this breathtaking area of Australian bush.

Walk, trek, and discover the beauty of the rugged New South Wales region home to the Blue Mountains on a 4 day Walk the Blue Mountains trek.

Top destinations to visit in Australia

1. ikara-flinders ranges national park.

Discover Ikara with an Adnyamathanha guide on a tour that shines a light on Adnyamathanha history, uncovers the park’s more recent past, and looks towards the future.

Wander through Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park on our 7 day Flinders Ranges Explorer tour or on our 7 day Walk South Australia's Flinders Ranges tour.

2. Arnhem Land

Explore the rugged wilderness of Arnhem Land , where Australia’s First Nations people have lived for thousands of years. Share Dreamtime stories, learn how to gather local food and create traditional paintings.

Experience Arnhem Land for yourself on our 8 day Walk Kakadu National Park tour.

3. The West Coast

The West Coast of Australia certainly feels like the Final Frontier. Perhaps visit the red rock gorges of Karijini National Park, take in a camel ride on Cable Beach, or unwind among the vineyards of  Margaret River. 

Marvel at the beauty of the West Coast on our 8 day Hike Western Australia's Cape to Cape Track.

4. Tropical North Queensland

Join an Aboriginal painting class at Janbal Gallery and hear East Coast Kuku Yalanji Dreamtime stories about the animals, environment and language of the Indigenous rainforest people from Mossman and the Daintree rainforest.

Dive into Tropical North Queensland on our 7 day Queensland Coast Adventure or on our 8 day Brisbane to Cairns Adventure.

5. The Kimberley

While Broome could keep you occupied for days, it’s really the Kimberley’s natural beauty that lures you in. Away from the stretches of Cable Beach, you find a region that rapidly unrolls into a world of dense rainforest, underground caves and boab-dotted horizons straight out of Africa. 

Discover the beauty of the Kimberley's on our 14 day Kimberley Trail or on our 5 day Kimberley Family Holiday.

Kakadu National Park is packed with billabongs, waterfalls, strange rock formations and all types of native wildlife. ‘Roos bounce through the bushland, dingoes are spotted along rocky outcrops, dugongs wallow off the coast, and, despite the name, crocs patrol the waters of Alligator River. 

Explore Kakadu National Park on our 8 day Walk Kakadu National Park tour or on our 4 day Kakadu, Katherine & Litchfield Adventure.

7. The Red Centre

Also known as Central Australia, the Red Centre is where Uluru rises from the landscape in all its beauty. But there’s far more to this region than the iconic rock of the Outback. Discover Kata Tjuta (The Olgas) and its 36 stunning red domes; Kings Canyon , with its natural amphitheater and the East and West MacDonnell Ranges.

Uncover the magic of the Red Centre on our 6 day Premium Red Centre & Uluru tour or on our 4 day Uluru & Kings Canyon Family Adventure.

8. The Outback

Experience the untamed beauty of Outback Australia, hear tales of the Aboriginal Dreaming with a First Nations guide, cross incredible scenery in a 4WD, and walk among a carpet of wildflowers in the Flinders Ranges. 

Explore the Outback on our 5 day Best of Uluru & Kings Canyon tour or on our 10 day West Coast & Karijini Overland Adventure.

9. K'gari (Fraser Island)

K'gari (Fraser Island) isn’t just the largest sand island in Queensland, it’s the largest one in the world. Explore the rugged headlands, silica sand beaches, lush rainforests hugging the shore and freshwater lakes that lay hidden throughout this World Heritage-listed island.  

Experience K'gari for yourself on our 14 day Sydney to Cairns Adventure.

10. Great Ocean Road

The Great Ocean Road is a winding coastal route of sandstone cliffs and dense rainforest hinterland that stretches all the way from Torquay in the East to Allansford in the West. While the region is famous for its Twelve Apostles, there are plenty of local secrets to be discovered if you’re willing to take the time.

Drive along the Great Ocean Road on our 6 day Great Ocean Road & Grampians Adventure.

11. Tasmania

This island state turns heads thanks to its thriving gallery and gastronomy scene, plus its bounty of natural wonders. Boasting some of Australia’s finest beaches, mistiest mountaintops, loneliest patches of wilderness and most elusive animals, Tasmania is a nature lover’s wonderland.

Discover Tasmania on our 6 day Highlights of Tasmania tour, on our 4 day Hobert & Southern Tasmania Explorer tour or on our 6 day Trek the Cradle Mountain Overland Track.

See the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House, take a dip at Bondi Beach, explore the historic Rocks area and discover everything this cosmopolitan city has to offer.

Marvel at Sydney's iconic sights on our 7 day Sydney to Brisbane Adventure.

13. South Australian outback

Explore the South Australian outback at Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary on a 4WD tour that takes in science, education and conservation and showcases this incredible and unique wilderness area.

Delve into the South Australian wilderness on our 10 day South Australia Outback Adventure or on our Outback South Australia & Eyre Peninsula tour.

14. The Great Barrier Reef

Be inspired by the beauty of the world’s largest coral reef – The Great Barrier Reef. Go snorkeling in the warm waters with exotic sea creatures and colorful coral.

Go swimming on our 12 day Brisbane to the Daintree Discovery.

15. The Daintree Rainforest

Explore the world's most ancient rainforest, the Daintree in Far North Queensland , with a local family who lives in a privately owned part of it.

Experience the serenity of the Daintree Rainforest on our 5 day Daintree Family Holiday or on our 8 day Daintree & Cape Tribulation Adventure.

Geography and environment

The continent of Australia is known for being one of the flattest, hottest, and driest places on earth, but despite this, there is an astounding variety of terrains and environments on this island nation. While large areas of Australia are covered in desert, there are also tropical rainforests, alpine snowfields, dense bushland, beaches, gorges, lakes, and rivers to be found.

Australia’s national parks are home to many species of birds and mammals not found in the wild anywhere else in the world, including kangaroos, koalas, wallabies, and wombats.

Boasting many stunning white sand beaches, Australia has a coastline like none other. From busy Bondi to surfing icons like Bell’s Beach and Tasmania’s stunning Wineglass Bay , there are endless places to swim, surf, snorkel and paddle. 

Despite Australia’s large landmass, most people tend to live in urban, coastal cities. Faster-paced cities like Sydney, Brisbane, Perth and Melbourne hold much of the population, as do regional satellite cities such as Albury, Dubbo, Bunbury, Townsville, Newcastle and Geelong.

Outback towns have a unique flavor and a distinct way of life; things are slower here, and due to smaller populations, space is plentiful, with most locals relying on agriculture for a living. Venturing away from the city to visit the Outback and rural areas of Australia is highly recommended, as it gives travelers the chance to see a different side of Australia. Traverse the northern regions of Australia's iconic outback landscape on a 11 day Darwin to Broome Outback tour.

Culture and customs

With a strong history of immigration, modern Australia is made up of people from many different cultural backgrounds. This mix makes Australia an endlessly fascinating place to visit, as travelers will be exposed to a variety of different customs and cultures during their stay. From the ancient, spiritual ways of the First Nations population to the wide array of faiths, foods, and festivals on display in the big cities, Australia is a cultural melting pot. 

Despite the differences, there are many things that unify the people of Australia. Sports, in particular cricket, soccer, and football (Australian Rules), are played and watched by the masses, irrespective of age, race, gender, or income. Large sporting events like the AFL Grand Final, Melbourne Cup Day, and the Boxing Day Cricket Test have universal appeal for Australians. 

Australians relish public holidays, with national and state holidays offering locals time to relax with friends and family over a barbecue or picnic. Making use of Australia’s natural environment is also paramount during this time, with outdoor activities like bushwalking, swimming at the beach, or lazing in the park popular with locals.

Eating and drinking

Intrepid believes that one of the best ways of experiencing a country is by eating! Whether you're sampling street food, savoring a cheap eat, or indulging in a banquet, there are endless options to choose from wherever you are in the world. 

Australia is a land that has been built by immigrants, and these multicultural influences are evident in the wide array of food available. In the cities, it’s possible to find world-class Vietnamese, Turkish, Italian, Greek, Chinese, Thai, Japanese, and Indian restaurants, as well as excellent gastro-pub fare. Head to the Outback, and you’ll find authentic ' bush tucker ', simple campfire meals, and sizzling barbecues.

Food to try in Australia

1. Fresh seafood

With such an impressive coastline, it’s no wonder fresh oysters, prawns, mussels, and ‘balmain bugs’ are devoured by locals and savored by visitors. For those on a budget, there’s nothing wrong with eating fish and chips on the beach.

Australia creates some of the best wines in the world at South Australia’s Barossa Valley , Western Australia’s Margaret River , and New South Wales’s Hunter Valley .

Whether you’re downing a can of VB in Victoria or sipping micro-brewed ale in Sydney, sharing a beer with mates is a social experience not to be missed when in Australia

4. Hot pies

An Australian classic – savory meat pies (or vegetable pies for vegetarians) are best eaten with tomato sauce and are easily found and served in city cafes, country bakeries, and football matches around Australia.

Read more about Australia's must-try foods

Festivals and events in Australia

Anxiously anticipated by many – the Australian Rules Football Grand Final is a great time to be in Melbourne. Tickets are notoriously scarce but pubs, clubs and backyards overflow with people watching the ‘Big Game’ and celebrating (or commiserating) afterwards.

Tasting Australia 

Feeling hungry? Tasting Australia is a food festival that takes place once a year throughout South Australia and showcases the culture, producers, and regions that make this state such a delicious destination to explore. 

Vivid Sydney

Vivid Sydney lights up the harbor city with a Festival of Ideas featuring inspirational speakers, performances by local and international artists, and light installations that transform buildings and cultural icons into colorful works of art. 

Margaret River Pro

See your favorite professional surfers at work against the backdrop of the beautiful Margaret River region in South Australia at the Margaret River Pro.

State of Origin

Turn your Brisbane, Perth or Sydney adventure up a notch by experiencing a State of Origin game. 

Cairns Ecofiesta

Switch your Cairns holiday to sustainable mode at Cairns Ecofiesta: an eco-conscious festival that celebrates and supports the environment through eco workshops, live music, local produce markets, and vegetarian food options. Suitable for the whole family, this festival aims to both encourage a sustainable lifestyle and leave you with plenty of eco-inspo so you can start your very own planet-protecting journey. 

Alice Springs Beanie Festival 

Celebrate the very best of Aboriginal talent, creativity, and skill at the Alice Springs Beanie Festival. Bursting with silly and colorful handmade beanies, this festival aims to encourage and appreciate the work of both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people with various textile workshops and demonstrations on sight to help you understand and learn how to make local arts and crafts. 

Barunga Festival

Barunga is a closed community in the Northern Territory that you usually need a permit to enter, but for three days they open up to the world to celebrate life in Katherine's remote Indigenous communities. With a jam-packed program featuring storytelling circles, art and bush medicine workshops, and some of Australia's best First Nations musicians, Barunga Festival is a wonderful opportunity to connect with the vibrant community.

Darwin Festival 

Promising to give you a real taste of the Northern Territory, the Darwin Festival brings together a myriad of performances, shows, concerts, and exhibitions for you to enjoy. From comedy shows to art galleries, this bubbling festival will have you wanting to come back again and again and again. 

Similar destinations

Inspired by Australia but still browsing? Why not check out these incredible destinations:

New Zealand

  • New Zealand tours
  • Should I travel to Australia or New Zealand?
  • Canada tours
  • The United Kingdom

Further reading

Australia travel faqs, do i need a covid-19 vaccine to join an intrepid trip.

Trips from 1 January 2023 onwards

From 1 January 2023, Intrepid will no longer require travelers to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19 (excluding all Polar trips and select adventure cruises).

However, we continue to strongly recommend that all Intrepid travelers and leaders get vaccinated to protect themselves and others.

Specific proof of testing or vaccination may still be required by your destination or airline. Please ensure you check travel and entry requirements carefully.

What's the weather like in Australia?

The weather in Australia varies depending on where in the country you are. For example, winter in Victoria and Tasmania tends to be very cold (around the 32 °F -59 °F mark), whereas, if you head further north to the Northern Territory and Queensland, temperatures in the winter months are much nicer (usually around 64 °F -77 °F ).

This pattern also applies to summer, where the southern states tend to experience lower temperatures (but still warm), while the northern and western states are warmer, with temperatures reaching as high as 104 °F +.

Do I need a visa to travel to Australia?

AUSTRALIA: Belgium: Yes - required in advance Canada: Yes - required in advance Germany: Yes - required in advance Ireland: Yes - required in advance Netherlands: Yes - required in advance New Zealand: Not required South Africa: Yes - required in advance Switzerland: Yes - required in advance United Kingdom: Yes - required in advance USA: Yes - required in advance

All travellers, except New Zealand citizens, must obtain a visa or travel authority before travelling to Australia. Failure to do so means you may not be allowed to board your flight to Australia. Most nationalities can obtain an Electronic Travel Authority via the internet before arrival. Please check with Australian Immigration or with your relevant Australian visa issuing office for your nationalities requirements.

Is tipping customary in Australia?

Tipping isn’t mandatory in Australia; however, rounding up the bill or leaving spare change is common practice. Restaurant staff, taxi drivers and other service workers welcome tips for good service.

What is the internet access like in Australia?

Internet access is widely available in most parts of Australia, with internet cafes and Wi-Fi hot spots commonly found in urban areas. Please note that internet access won’t be available in Outback and remote areas.

Can I use my cell phone while in Australia?

Cell phone coverage is excellent in most parts of Australia, especially in large cities and urban areas. Remote, rural and mountainous places may have limited to no coverage, so be aware of this before venturing away from the city. Ensure global roaming is activated before leaving your home country if you want to use your cell phone, or you can purchase a sim card when you arrive. The provider that will have coverage in the majority of Australia is Telstra, secondly Optus and then Vodafone. A hot tip – when you are in remote areas and don’t have cell phone signal, turn your phone to flight mode which will conserve battery and prevent your phone from using data trying to search for internet signal.

What are the toilets like in Australia?

Western-style flushable toilets are the norm in Australia, and many of our campsites have proper facilities with flushing toilets. In remote areas such as the Kimberley, there is no established plumbing and therefore we have installed ‘drop toilets’. Some campsites we use are managed by the National Parks and have either eco-toilets or drop toilets, most of which are maintained regularly.

What will it cost for a…?

Newspaper = AU$2.50-$4.00 Cup of coffee = AU$4.00-$7.00 Pint of beer in a pub = AU$11.00 Basic lunch at a mid-range cafe = AU$20.00

Can I drink the water in Australia?

Drinking water from taps in Australia is considered safe, unless otherwise marked. For environmental reasons, try to use a refillable water bottle rather than buying bottled water.

Are credit cards accepted widely in Australia?

Credit cards are widely accepted by shops, restaurants and cafes in Australia. Smaller establishments may only accept cash or require a minimum purchase for credit card use, so be sure to carry enough cash for smaller purchases.

What is ATM access like in Australia?

ATMs are commonly found in large cities and regional towns in Australia. ATM access will be very limited in remote areas so be aware of this before heading into national parks or the Outback.

What public holidays are celebrated in Australia?

  • 1 Jan: New Year's Day
  • 26 Jan: Australia Day
  • Good Friday*
  • Easter Monday*
  • 25 Apr: Anzac Day
  • 25 Dec: Christmas Day
  • 26 Dec: Boxing Day

*Please note, Australia public holidays may vary.

This list does not include State governed public holidays.

Do I need to purchase travel insurance before traveling?

Absolutely. All passengers traveling with Intrepid are required to purchase travel insurance before the start of their trip. Your travel insurance details will be recorded by your leader on the first day of the trip. Due to the varying nature, availability and cost of health care around the world, travel insurance is very much an essential and necessary part of every journey.

For more information on insurance, please go to: Travel Insurance

Who are the First Nations people of Australia?

There are two distinct groups of First Nations peoples in Australia - Aboriginal Australians and Torres Strait Islander people - both of which have lived on this land for centuries. While there are only two Indigenous groups, there's actually a wide range of language and location communities that are made up of Aboriginal Australians and Torres Strait Islander people including the Adnyamathanha people of the Flinders Ranges (Aboriginal Australians) and the Badu people from the Near Western Group (Torres Strait Islander people). 

Is Australia LGBTQIA+ friendly?

Australia is an extremely friendly country for travelers of the LGBTQIA+ community because of its strong anti-discrimination laws, social acceptance, and a wide variety of cultural events organized throughout the year including pride festivals and celebrations. 

What's the transport like in Australia?

Intrepid believes half the fun of experiencing a new country is getting there, and getting around once there! Where possible, Intrepid uses local transport options and traditional modes of transport - which usually carry less of an environmental impact, support small local operators and are heaps more fun. Depending on which trip you're on while in Australia, you may even find yourself traveling overland. 

Overland tours

Australia is a big place – like, huge.   Overland tours   involve a lot of time on the road covering long distances, and sometimes the landscape can be pretty barren, so bring a book or some tunes to keep you company.

What's the accommodation like in Australia?

Traveling with Intrepid is a little bit different. We endeavor to provide travelers with an authentic experience to remember, so we try to keep accommodation as unique and traditional as possible.

When traveling with us in Australia you may find yourself staying in a:

Our lodge accommodation is located outside major cities, such as near the entrance to a National Park, and has its own amenities such as a restaurant or dining room. Lodges are comfortable places to stay and offer a good night's rest after a day spent exploring the natural beauty of Australia. 

Permanent Tented Campsite

There's no need to put up your tent when you spend the night in a Permanent Tented Campsite. You'll have a roof over your head and will bunk down on sleeper mats on the ground or stretcher (camp) beds, with access to a toilet/shower block. Tent sizes can vary depending on the trip you're on and the location you're visiting. Some of our permanent tented campsites are a little bit fancy, others are very simple. Sometimes you'll be sharing a tent with others in your group. 

Our bush camping experiences are as diverse as Australia itself. Some offer swag camping under cover or under the twinkling stars. You could be sleeping in a tent with access to simple toilet or shower amenities or you might not have access to a shower at all. However, the scenery at these magical spots makes it worth going without a bath for a day or so. Sometimes a trip has participatory camping where everyone pitches in to help. Other times, a staff member is on hand to look after things like cooking. 

We provide accommodation at a wide variety of hotels around Australia. Some are quite upmarket, others less so, but all of them offer a comfortable stay and ensuite facilities. 

We use hostels on some trips which means your bed could be in a twin room or a shared dorm room. Some of these rooms come with their own facilities while others have share facilities. 

How do I stay safe and healthy while traveling?

From Australia?

Go to: Smart Traveller

From Canada?

Go to:  Canada Travel Information

From the UK?

Go to:  UK Foreign Travel Advice

From New Zealand?

Go to:  Safe Travel

From the US?

Go to:  US Department of State

The World Health Organisation also provides useful health information.

What is it like traveling on a small group tour?

Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or you’re about to embark on your first trip, traveling can be as intimidating as it is exciting. That's the beauty of a small group tour. From handling the logistics and organizing amazing cultural activities to local leaders who know each destination like the back of their hand (like which street has the best markets and where to get the most authentic food), traveling on a small group tour with Intrepid will give you unforgettable travel experiences without the hassle that comes with exploring a new place. Plus, you'll have ready-made friends to share the journey with. All you have to do is turn up with a healthy sense of adventure and we’ll take care of the rest.

Does my trip to Australia support The Intrepid Foundation?

Yes, all Intrepid trips support the Intrepid Foundation. In fact, we make a donation on behalf of every traveler. Trips to Australia directly support our foundation partners, Blue Carbon Lab, Greening Australia and WWF-Australia.  Intrepid will double the impact by dollar-matching all post-trip donations made to The Intrepid Foundation.

Blue Carbon Lab

Blue Carbon Lab is helping to mitigate climate change by restoring and protecting blue carbon in coastal wetlands. We've already lost 65% of wetlands globally, and multiple impacts, including urban development, agriculture, industry, and more, threaten these crucial blue-carbon ecosystems. Donations from our trips help Blue Carbon Lab to restore the natural coastal wetland areas in Victoria, Australia. 

Find out more or make a donation   

Greening Australia

Greening Australia is taking action to rebuild resilient ecosystems across Australia, from the warm waters of the Great Barrier Reef to the cool island ark of Tasmania. Donations from our trips help them tackle Australia's complex environmental challenges through large on-ground restoration projects and innovative research initiatives that help scale their impact.  

Find out more or make a donation

Country Needs People

Country Needs People support Indigenous land and sea management in Australia. Donations help them empower Indigenous communities to rehabilitate and protect places of significance on land and sea using traditional knowledge paired with modern technology.

Intrepid will double the impact by dollar-matching all post-trip donations made to The Intrepid Foundation.

Does my Intrepid trip include airfare?

While our Intrepid trips include many modes of transport, from tuk-tuks to overland vehicles, bullet trains and feluccas, airfare to and from your home country is not included in your tour package.

Nomadic Matt's Travel Site

Travel Better, Cheaper, Longer

The Best Tour Companies in Australia

A wide open beach in Australia with a 4x4 vehicle driving in the sand

Few countries capture the imagination quite like Australia . With world-class beaches, unusual wildlife, stunning natural landscapes, a unique history, and a fun and vibrant culture, Australia has something to offer every traveler who makes the journey to the Land Down Under.

While the country is easy to navigate as a solo traveler, there are also plenty of amazing tour options for those who prefer traveling in groups or who might not have the time or energy to plan their own getaway.

I’ve been visiting Australia since 2006 and have used many tour companies over the years (in addition to getting around on my own). In this post, I share my list of the best travel companies in Australia to help you make the most out of your next trip.

From simple walking tours to in-depth, multi-day excursions, there’s something on the list for every interest — and every budget !

Quick Overview

  • Best Bike Tour: Bonza Bike Tours
  • Best Walking Tour: I’m Free
  • Best Party Tour: The Magic Bus
  • Best Multi-Day Tour: Intrepid Travel

1. Best Bike Tour Company: Bonza Bike Tours

Bonza is a bike tour company in Sydney that offers a number of options, depending on what you’re interested in. The Highlights tour lasts 2.5 hours and will show you all the major points of interest in Sydney. It’s suitable for families and kids, costing 99 AUD for adults and 79 AUD for children.

For a more in-depth experience, the Classic tour (129 AUD) lasts 4 hours and provides a much more thorough introduction to this world-class city. They also offer bike rentals so you can just explore the city on your own in case you don’t have the time for a full tour (bike rentals cost 30 AUD for 4 hours and 40 AUD for 24 hours).

2. Best Walking Tour Company: I’m Free

A vivid sunset photo of the Sydney Opera in Australia

If you haven’t done much research before your arrival, this is a good company to start with. Be sure to tip your guide at the end!

3. Runner Up Walking Tour Company: iCity Tours

The city of Perth, Australia lit up at night

There are six different free tours on offer, each lasting around 90 minutes. The Orientation tour offers a quick introduction to the city and its past. If you have more time, be sure to check out the Convicts and Colonials tour as well. It will give you a sense of what life was like as a convict in Western Australia.

4. Best Party Tour Company: The Magic Bus

The Magic Bus Tour Company

Trips go from Perth north to Broome or east to Melbourne so you have to time your trip accordingly to line up with the set departure. The itineraries are always flexible, as they let riders vote on where to go and what to do, so every trip is unique. They try to keep a balance of 50% men and 50% women, as well as a balance of different nationalities, so there is always a diverse group.

Prices vary per trip but expect to pay around 250 AUD per 1,000 kilometers.

5. Our Top Tour Pick: Intrepid Travel

The famous Uluru rock in Australia, as seen from the nearby road

Unlike some of the companies above, this is not a party tour. They are small groups led by expert local guides with a focus on culture, history, and food, as well as ethical travel and leaving a small environmental impact. You’re guaranteed to return home with a much deeper and more nuanced appreciation of your destination.

And you’ll get a much broader range of ages and travel styles with Intrepid tours too (it’s not just for backpackers). With such a wide range of travelers choosing Intrepid tours, you always end up with an awesome group of people to travel with.

I’ve been on a handful of their tours over the years and have never been disappointed. I always learn a ton and meet amazing people. They make sure you have enough things to do without planning out every minute of the day, so it’s a good balance of downtime and tours. I can’t recommend them enough!

Australia is a massive country, offering beautiful landscapes, fun outdoor activities, a wild nightlife, and incredible history.

Whether you’re looking for a quick walking tour or a month-long cross-country adventure — or something in-between — there are plenty of amazing tour companies in Australia to help you make the most out of your time Down Under, no matter your budget.

Book Your Trip to Australia: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Book Your Flight Use Skyscanner to find a cheap flight. They are my favorite search engine because they search websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is left unturned.

Book Your Accommodation You can book your hostel with Hostelworld as they have the biggest inventory and best deals. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels.

If you’re looking for places to stay on your trip, here are my favorite hostels in Australia!

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:

  • Safety Wing (best for everyone)
  • Insure My Trip (for those over 70)
  • Medjet (for additional evacuation coverage)

Looking for the Best Companies to Save Money With? Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel. I list all the ones I use to save money when I’m on the road. They will save you money when you travel too.

Want More Information on Australia? Be sure to visit our robust destination guide on Australia for even more planning tips!

Got a comment on this article? Join the conversation on Facebook , Instagram , or Twitter and share your thoughts!

Disclosure: Please note that some of the links above may be affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, I earn a commission if you make a purchase. I recommend only products and companies I use and the income goes to keeping the site community supported and ad free.

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From cosmopolitan Sydney to the Great Barrier Reef, explore the culture and natural beauty with our Australia tours. Whether soaking up the sunshine on Whitsunday Islands’ beaches or seeing the famous Uluru rock formation, an Australia tour offers endless adventure. Experience local cultures or escape to the outback with our tours of Australia for all types of travelers. Find featured tours for your Australia trip, or tailor them to your preferences with our expert travel specialists.

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Sydney skyline at sunset in Australia

14  Day Custom Tour

Dynamic pricing from  $5,455

See the colorful underwater scenes of the Great Barrier Reef, explore the ruby desert of Uluru, and discover the state capitals of Melbourne and Sydney on this 14-day essential tour of Australia. From the charming Mediterranean-style scenes of Port Douglas to the Mars-like desert around Kata Tjuta National Park, the glamorous neighborhoods of Melbourne, and the stunning harbor of Sydney, there is something for everyone to discover in the country.

Wine glass bay from Mt Amos in Freycinet National Park

20  Day Custom Tour

Dynamic pricing from  $8,315

Australia remains a landscape of unadulterated beauty and charming locals, and this 20-day tour of New South Wales, Victoria, the Northern Territory, and South Australia has been handcrafted to afford you the perfect balance of leisure and guided recreation. By blending these two essentials, Australia will come to life like never before, and you can bask in the urban and rural charms of these unique destinations.

Four Mile Beach in Port Douglas, Queensland, Australia

15  Day Custom Tour

Dynamic pricing from  $6,235

This 15-day Australia tour combines the famous cities of the Land Down Under with its natural wonders and unique culture. This itinerary also allows time for attending Australian Open matches. The bustling metropolises of Melbourne and Sydney give way to the unique natural splendors of the Great Barrier Reef, Daintree Rainforest, and Uluru. Encounter Australia’s animals and experience the local Aboriginal culture during this immersive vacation down under.

Melbourne, Australia

Dynamic pricing from  $6,040

See the best of Australia on this exquisite 15-day city and wilderness vacation beginning in Melbourne and ending in Sydney. Along the way, you will marvel at the Australian outback as well as its illustrious rainforests before witnessing the Great Barrier Reef in all its natural glory. The best destinations in the country await your arrival and discovery during these moments of magic in the land down under.

Tali Wiru Dining Experience with Uluru in the background

Dynamic pricing from  $6,183

Explore the Oceanic continent on a 14-day senior tour of Australia. Discover biodiversity on a four-wheel-drive excursion to the Outback, board a luxurious catamaran to explore the Great Barrier Reef, and join a local guide to immerse yourself in the rich heritage of the Aboriginal people. Get lost in the hustle and bustle of city life and delve into classic adventures at your pace.

Family at a cattle station in Queensland, Australia

10  Day Custom Tour

Dynamic pricing from  $5,195

Australia is a land of adventure and discovery, where the family can share the marvels of the Mars-like landscape of the Red Centre and the rainbow colors of the Great Barrier Reef. Ride a camel across the desert landscape at sunrise, as the colors of Uluru change. Search the clear waters of the Coral Sea for sea turtles and dolphins. Listen to the thrilling sound of the didgeridoo and learn how to properly throw a boomerang from the native Aborigines. Your customizable tour immerses the family in culture and exploration for unforgettable experiences bound to bring you closer to one another.

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Hamilton Island in Queensland, Australia

17  Day Custom Tour

Dynamic pricing from  $17,675

Contrary to other global tourist designations, Australia remains a world apart and offer visitors an exclusive glimpse at one of Oceania's most vibrant regions. On this 17-day tour of two Australian states, enjoy an up-close and personal look at the robust outdoor attractions that have earned the attention of UNESCO as well as the hospitality that keeps visitors returning year after year.

Barossa Valley Estate vineyards in South Australia

You have never seen the land down under quite like the best of Victoria, Southern Australia, New South Wales, and Tasmania on this 17-day tour. From the wine-growing magnificence of the Barossa Valley and Launceston to the raw natural beauty that teems with life on Kangaroo Island, this luxurious getaway provides the perfect balance of adventure and comfort that Australia has to offer.

Diving with sharks in Australia.

Dynamic pricing from  $5,845

Magnificent marine encounters and phenomenal landscape scenes abound on this carefully curated 15-day tour of Australia’s astonishing shores. Whether marveling at surreal encounters of Great White Sharks while safely cage diving or admiring the sea creatures of the Great Barrier Reef, every experience of this adventure will showcase the unbridled beauty of Australia's famous locales, from Melbourne and Port Lincoln to Port Douglas and Sydney.

Sailing on Sydney Harbour, NSW, Australia.  Photo © Tourism Australia

Dynamic pricing from  $12,670

Australia comes to life during this 15-day tour of Sydney, the Mary River Floodplains, the Daintree Rainforest, and the scenic city of Melbourne. Largely dominated by immaculate coastlines and the legendary bush, your visit will blend both the thrills of city life and the mystical charm of the world's oldest rainforest. Fall in love with each destination and the unique experiences available. By the time your journey concludes, it will be no surprise why Australia is a top tourist destination of the world.

Whitsunday Islands in Australia

Dynamic pricing from  $10,915

From scenic outback villas that overlook vineyards to aquatic amusement parks, this 14-day tour through South Australia, Queensland, and New South Wales introduces visitors to what is best of this remarkable region. Focusing on regional specialities, the abundance of geologic beauty, and ecological diversity, witness a side of Australia that is missed by many. Book your tour today to develop an intimate understand of what makes these regions so special.

Mount Wellington, Hobart, Tasmania

Dynamic pricing from  $15,283

From Tasmania’s wildlife-riddled landscapes to New South Wales pristine golden coastline, the majesty of Australia is set to be unveiled on this indulgent 14-day luxury tour from Hobart to Pretty Beach. Whether its cultural experiences unraveling Australian history or decadent tasting tours of the country’s finest cuisine, every moment will be elevated and every scene backdropped by breathtaking land and seascapes.

Dynamic pricing from  $23,395

Live in the lap of Australian farm-to-table luxury for 20 days on this exclusive tailored tour from Tasmania to New South Wales. Treat yourself to top-tier accommodation and exceptional experiences as you witness the mesmerizing wilderness and sip on a selection of prestigious wines during this lavish handpicked wildlife and wine excursion in the country’s coveted destinations. Leave no adventure unmissed as you explore Australia’s culture, cuisine, and scenery.

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18  Day Custom Tour

Dynamic pricing from  $17,545

Discover the Australian coastline, explore the flourishing rainforests, and experience the sparse beauty of the outback on this 18-day adventure. Meander from bustling Sydney Harbour to breathtaking Hamilton Island, snorkel around the Great Barrier Reef’s dazzling coral formations, stroll through the breathtaking forests of Mossman, and admire the astonishing majesty of Uluru Rock on a trip that ends in the modern city of Melbourne.

Dynamic pricing from  $3,895

Blending city sites with beach time and wildlife enchantment, this 10-day Australia kangaroo safari has been expertly handcrafted for families. Spend three days in Melbourne with koalas and Aboriginal art, three days on a Kangaroo Island wilderness safari, and four days of discovering the best of urban and natural Sydney. Expect sublime family experiences with authentic Australia.

12  Day Custom Tour

Dynamic pricing from  $4,675

The allure of Australia’s landscape spans millions of years, and the magnetism of the culture encompasses 40,000 millennia uncovered during your customizable family-friendly tour of Australia. From the Great Barrier Reef to the otherworldly rock formations of Flinders Chase, the white-sand beaches of Sydney to the wildlife living on the plains of Kangaroo Island, immerse your family in the marvels along the coastline and the captivating stories of Dreamtime. Stroll among rocks carved by wind, bask in a panorama from a hot air balloon and explore eucalyptus forest for the family-friendly adventure of a lifetime in Australia.

9  Day Custom Tour

Dynamic pricing from  $10,057

This 9-day adventure perfectly pairs luxury in the cosmopolitan city and active excursions, creating the ideal balance of a comfortable setting and mother nature. Australia is known for being a wild and vast nation. It is also known for being the perfect destination for outdoor lovers, making it the ideal choice for a luxurious vacation, especially in Sydney. From flying over the Sydney Harbour in a helicopter to hiking through the Blue Mountains, this getaway is one that you will never forget.

Dynamic pricing from  $9,459

Culture, wildlife, and wilderness immerse you in splendor during your 14-day Australia highlights tour for seniors. Koalas will cling to eucalyptus trees and kangaroos will bounce past your view. The Red Centre will glow at sunrise while the alleys of Melbourne brim with lively cafes. Your customizable tour will travel at your preferred pace as you discover the diverse and unparalleled highlights of Australia.

Dynamic pricing from  $19,664

Plunge into the crystal-clear sea, kayak around secluded waters, and bask in remarkable luxury during your 17-day Australia adventure tour. Discover the majestic outdoors with snorkeling excursions at the Great Barrier Reef and explore ancient legends in Daintree Rainforest. Specialist guides will take you through meandering landscapes in Cradle Mountain National Park while a private picnic on a secluded tropical island will reveal the depth of Australia’s natural diversity.

Dynamic pricing from  $8,445

This 10-day adventure provides you with the perfect immersion into this gorgeous nation, beginning in Sydney. As this amazing country is so vast, it can be quite overwhelming to decide what to do and where to go. From flying over Sydney Harbour in a hot air balloon to canyoning in the nearby Blue Mountains and even spending a day visiting wineries in the Hunter Valley, come and discover why Australia is so revered by the world.

13  Day Custom Tour

Dynamic pricing from  $15,205

You will transcend cityscapes to connect with surreal landscapes during your 13-day Australia adventure tour of the untamed Outback. As the full moon shines over the northern sea, you will witness the natural phenomenon of the Staircase to the Moon and explore the dramatic scenery with local Aboriginal guides. Wander through waterways on a billabong cruise, ride a camel along Cable Beach, and experience the remote treasures of Australia.

Dynamic pricing from  $5,572

The hum of the didgeridoo fills the air and shakes your bones. Waves lap on the shore as drums begin to beat. Listen to the Aboriginal story of Dreamtime and let the image of Australia open before you. Bold and beautiful are the natural wonders of Australia from the heights of the Blue Mountains to the life beneath the sea. This is the world of the Land Down Under. Immerse yourself in this trip that's been designed to awaken your senses and experience it all in this once-in-a-lifetime honeymoon vacation.

19  Day Custom Tour

Dynamic pricing from  $16,050

Discover the waterfalls of Kakadu National Park and the sails of the Sydney Opera House as your experience culture and wilderness during your 19-day Australia highlights tour. Snorkel along the Great Barrier Reef and watch the colors change across the facade of Uluru. You will bask in the drama of the natural landscape and enjoy the diversity of culture from Melbourne to the Blue Mountains, Darwin to Cairns.

25  Day Custom Tour

Dynamic pricing from  $24,370

Experience New Zealand, Australia, and Fiji on the ultimate 25-day adventure that highlights the cities, natural sanctuaries, and breathtaking coasts of each stunning destination. Discover the magnificent cities of Auckland, Christchurch, and Melbourne. Explore the remote regions of Rotorua, Mount Cook, and Queenstown. And live like a local as you explore Wanaka, Kangaroo Island, and Nadi. This itinerary spotlights the best of the South Pacific.

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Tours of Australia by Travel Style

Aerial view of Sydney Harbor with the Opera House and Bridge in Australia

The best time to visit Australia is during spring and fall in the Southern Hemisphere, which is the opposite of the seasons in North America. The warm weather, clear skies, and fewer crowds make March and April or September and October ideal months for tours to Australia.

Across March and April or September and October, the weather conditions are perfect for city tours, sightseeing, and visiting Australia’s famous beaches. It is still warm enough to explore popular cities like Sydney, though not too hot in places like the Great Barrier Reef or the Winelands .

While these months are ideal, Australia is a year-round destination and a great place to travel, regardless of the season. While Australia’s summer (December-February) is crowded with tourists and locals, it’s still a marvelously festive time for Christmas and New Years. Australia’s winter (June-August) is also an appealing option for escaping the crowds, snow sports, and more.

Our guide on the best time to visit Australia has more information to help you decide the right time for your trip.

The number of things to do and see in Australia can feel limitless, which is why we recommend that you spend at least two weeks to experience the highlights.

Two-week Australia tours reveal the highlights of the country, from Sydney’s iconic coastline to Melbourne’s artistic culture and Uluru’s fascinating folklore. In addition, they provide enough time to appreciate the natural beauty and heritage of the Great Barrier Reef, Northern Queensland, and more.

Should you have more time available, you can stay for longer and explore more or visit multiple South Pacific destinations on Australia, New Zealand, and Fiji tours . Shorter trips of 10 days , or even 7 days , are not only possible but also excellent options for tours focused on the highlights and what interests you most. How many days you stay is ultimately up to you and your availability, though we can help you decide.

Whether visiting Bondi Beach, snorkeling the Great Barrier Reef, or searching for wildlife in the Red Desert, where you go depends on the experiences you value most. That said, we recommend putting several top places on your radar, and these are some of our favorites:

  • Sydney : The Harbour City is not only one of the best cities to visit , but it’s also one of Australia’s largest. Known for its beautiful coastlines and fantastic beaches, including  Manly and Bondi beaches, Sydney offers everything from excellent cycling routes to access to national parks and much more.
  • Uluru: The famous monolith at the center of the Australian continent and Red Desert has an exceptional natural and cultural history. The local indigenous community has rich ties to the standing stone visible in preserved rock art and among the exhibits in the visitor center. From shifting natural colors to incredible stories, Uluru and the surrounding national park have an undeniably majestic allure.

Great Barrier Reef : The Great Barrier Reef is the largest coral reef system on Earth, one of the world's most magnificent natural wonders, and a top place to visit in Australia. Known for its breathtaking coral formations and diverse marine life, the reef offers unparalleled opportunities for diving, snorkeling, and exploring underwater wonders.

Whether seeing the Sydney Opera House or immersing yourself in Aboriginal culture, there is a long list of things to do in Australia , and here are some of our favorites:

  • Learn about Aboriginal culture on trips to heritage sites in the Outback
  • Enjoy a wide variety of Australian wildlife safaris, including Kangaroo safaris and Great Eight marine safaris
  • Cruise between idyllic islands and spend time on sun-kissed beaches or snorkeling at coral reefs
  • Tour scenic cities and embrace local culture

From secluded and romantic paradise shores to family-friendly coastlines with modern amenities, there are many stunning beaches to visit in Australia . Here are some of our favorites to consider for your trip:

  • Whitehaven Beach
  • Wineglass Bay
  • Vivonne Bay
  • Bondi Beach
  • Seventy-Five Mile Beach

Australia produces a variety of world-famous wines, and you can visit the breathtaking wine regions to taste their award-winning selections. Here are some of our top wine regions to explore on your trip to Australia:

  • Hunter Valley
  • Yarra Valley
  • The Barossa Valley
  • Margaret River

Australian wildlife is unique and fantastical, with different states and climates supporting different populations of animals on land and sea. Whether looking for unusual animals or visiting the best places to see wildlife , here’s our list of top animals to see on Australia tours:

  • Cassowaries
  • Tasmanian devils

The Australian dollar ($).

Explore more information in our frequently asked questions about planning a trip to Australia and inspiration in our Australia travel guide .

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Australia Tours and Trips 2024/2025

Australia is as diverse as it is large. Tour the outback and explore the country’s vast remote interior (don't miss the iconic Uluru Rock formation) before heading to the Gold Coast for some of the world’s best surfing. Finish your trip with an incredible diving experience at the Great Barrier Reef, or head to Sydney to see the famous Opera House and Bondi Beach.

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213 Trips in Australia with 67 Reviews

Best Of Australia Tour

  • Starts Cairns, Australia
  • Ends Sydney And NSW, Australia

Best of Australia

  • Best price guaranteed
  • No booking fees
  • Tour Type Small Group Tour
  • Activities Chill out & Cultural, religious and historic sites Chill out , Cultural, religious and historic sites & Explorer 'data-more-tripid='5085'>+1 more
  • Accommodation Hotel & Resort
  • Transport Flight, Private Vehicle, Boat & Ferry
  • Age Range 12-95 yrs
  • Operated in English
  • Brochure Price: US$ 4,799
  • Special Deal (20%): - US$ 960
  • Total Price from: US$ 3,839
  • Apr 11 Only 1 seat left
  • Apr 25 Only 7 seats left
  • View More Jan 1, 2019 Jan 2, 2019 Jan 3, 2019

Brisbane To Cairns Experience: Sand Dunes & The Whitsundays Tour

  • Starts Brisbane, Australia
  • Ends Cairns, Australia

Brisbane to Cairns Experience: Sand Dunes & the Whitsundays

  • Tour Type Group Tour
  • Activities Photography tours & Chill out Photography tours , Chill out & Explorer 'data-more-tripid='5084'>+1 more
  • Accommodation Hostel, Hotel & Resort
  • Transport Train, Boat, Ferry, Private Vehicle, Yacht, 4WD Jeep & Bus
  • Age Range 18-39 yrs
  • Brochure Price: US$ 2,399
  • Special Deal (25%): - US$ 600
  • Total Price from: US$ 1,799
  • Mar 30 10+ seats left
  • Apr 06 Only 3 seats left

Australia Highlights Adventure Tour

  • Starts Sydney And NSW, Australia
  • Ends Melbourne, Australia

Australia Highlights Adventure Tour

  • Trip customizable
  • Tour Type Independent Tour
  • Activities Adventure & National parks Adventure , National parks & Active and outdoor 'data-more-tripid='38284'>+1 more
  • Accommodation Hotel
  • Transport Coach & Flight
  • Age Range 18-99 yrs
  • Brochure Price: US$ 3,714
  • Special Deal (15%): - US$ 557
  • Total Price from: US$ 3,157
  • May 17 Only 10 seats left
  • May 24 Only 10 seats left

North Queensland Adventure Tour

  • Starts Airlie Beach, Australia

North Queensland Adventure

  • Activities Marine wildlife & Active and outdoor Marine wildlife , Active and outdoor & Beach 'data-more-tripid='32164'>+1 more
  • Transport Ferry, Train, Coach & Yacht
  • Age Range 18-35 yrs
  • Brochure Price: US$ 1,555
  • Special Deal (15%): - US$ 233
  • Total Price from: US$ 1,322
  • Apr 20 Only 10 seats left
  • May 18 Only 5 seats left

Australian Highlights Tour

  • Starts Melbourne, Australia

Australian Highlights

  • Activities Natural landmarks sightseeing & Rainforest and jungle visits Natural landmarks sightseeing , Rainforest and jungle visits & City sightseeing 'data-more-tripid='23155'>+1 more
  • Transport Flight & Private Vehicle
  • Age Range 1-95 yrs
  • Brochure Price: US$ 7,782
  • Special Deal (15%): - US$ 1,152
  • Total Price from: US$ 6,630

Sydney To Melbourne Tour

Sydney To Melbourne Tour

  • Activities City sightseeing & Cultural, religious and historic sites
  • Transport Flight, Train & Coach
  • Brochure Price: US$ 4,370
  • Special Deal (15%): - US$ 656
  • Total Price from: US$ 3,714
  • May 15 Only 10 seats left
  • May 16 Only 10 seats left

Beaches And Reefs Tour

Beaches and Reefs

  • Activities Beach & Marine wildlife
  • Accommodation Lodge, Eco Lodge & Hotel
  • Transport Ferry, Flight, Train & Coach
  • Brochure Price: US$ 3,255
  • Special Deal (14%): - US$ 449
  • Total Price from: US$ 2,806

Trending Destinations in Australia

Sydney

  • Starts Uluru Kata-Tjuta National Park, Australia
  • Ends Darwin, Australia

Outback Safari

  • Activities Safari & Windsurfing Safari , Windsurfing , Wine , Wildbeest migration & Wildlife 'data-more-tripid='21337'>+3 more
  • Transport Coach & Boat
  • Age Range 5-99 yrs
  • Brochure Price: US$ 5,450
  • Special Deal (10%): - US$ 545
  • Total Price from: US$ 4,905

Sydney To Cairns Tour

Sydney To Cairns Tour

  • Activities City sightseeing
  • Transport Coach, Flight & Bus
  • Brochure Price: US$ 2,403
  • Special Deal (15%): - US$ 360
  • Total Price from: US$ 2,043

Hobart & Southern Tasmania Explorer Tour

  • Starts Hobart, Australia
  • Ends Hobart, Australia

Hobart & Southern Tasmania Explorer

  • Activities Active and outdoor & Natural landmarks sightseeing
  • Transport Ferry & Private Vehicle
  • Age Range 15-99 yrs
  • Brochure Price: US$ 1,660
  • Special Deal (10%): - US$ 166
  • Total Price from: US$ 1,494
  • Mar 29 Only 4 seats left
  • Apr 12 Only 1 seat left

Tasmanian Explorer Tour

  • Starts Launceston, Australia

Tasmanian Explorer

  • Activities Natural landmarks sightseeing & Active and outdoor
  • Transport Boat, Ferry & Private Vehicle
  • Apr 07 Only 1 seat left
  • Jun 16 Only 5 seats left

Kakadu's Ancient Secrets Tour

  • Starts Darwin, Australia

Kakadu's Ancient Secrets

  • Activities National parks & Wildlife
  • Accommodation Lodge, Hotel & Eco Lodge
  • Transport Flight & Boat
  • Brochure Price: US$ 3,805
  • Special Deal (15%): - US$ 571
  • Total Price from: US$ 3,234
  • May 09 Only 10 seats left
  • Jun 06 Only 5 seats left

Highlights Of Tasmania Tour

Highlights of Tasmania

  • Transport Private Vehicle
  • Brochure Price: US$ 1,550
  • Special Deal (10%): - US$ 155
  • Total Price from: US$ 1,395
  • Mar 23 Only 4 seats left
  • Mar 30 Only 4 seats left

Highlights Of Australia Tour

Highlights of Australia

  • Activities Natural landmarks sightseeing & City sightseeing
  • Transport Flight, Train, Bus, Coach & Boat
  • Age Range 8-95 yrs
  • Mar 29 10+ seats left
  • Apr 12 10+ seats left

Traveling to Australia? Chat with a local travel specialist in Australia who can help organize your trip.

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Australia Tour Reviews

Australia - tour highlights and travel tips.

The sun sets over Sydney, the most popular holiday destination in Australia.

Unlike many countries that promise a larger-than-life holiday but don't deliver, Australia keeps its promises of a unique holiday. Melbourne , Sydney,  Brisbane , Perth , Hobart , Canberra, and Darwin . Each is a superstar in its own right, each presenting something entirely unique to the traveler. From the hippy student-oriented life of Brisbane to the iconic architecture of Melbourne, from the frontier attractions of Darwin to the sandstone beauties of Hobart, each city of Australia feels incredibly exciting.

If you are up for a trip to Australia don't miss its wine valleys. Since most of the country’s population lives along the coast, seafood is very popular here. And of course, with a beer or a glass of wine in hand, you can easily wash down those lamb, chicken, and beef dishes frying on the BBQ as well. 

Tour Highlights

  • Discover the underwater life of the Great Barrier Reef
  • Be mesmerized by the magnificence of the Sydney Opera House
  • See Wave Rock in Hyden, Western Australia
  • Swim with the Great White Sharks and dive with crocodiles
  • Hike the Uluru Rock for a stunning sunrise
  • Soak in the sun in one of Australia's beautiful beaches

Travel Tips

  • A holiday to Australia cannot be cut short if you want to see all the country has to offer. Australia is a very, very big country, so plan for a long holiday (and save your money). Be prepared for long trips as even flying from coast to coast can take several hours.
  • Head inland if you want to see the country's famous wildlife. That's where you're most likely to find kangaroos, koalas, and wombats in the wild.
  • UV rays are particularly high in Australia as there is a large hole in the ozone right above the country. Pack (and be sure to wear) high-SPF sunscreen.
  • Australia is perfect for swimming or surfing, but always pay attention to warning signs at the beach. Swim between the flags and beware of dangerous sea life.
  • If you're looking to interact with locals (and meet fellow travelers), stick to the coast. Most Australians live within 50km of the coast, while the center of the country is quite remote.

Australia has seasonal weather. Check out our guide on the  best time to visit Australia  before planning your tour to the continent.

Popular Tour Types in Australia

  • Australia Budget Tours :  Exploring Australia does not have to cost an arm and a leg. Join one of our Australia Budget Tours to experience this amazing country and all that it has to offer. Discover the best of Sydney or cruise the Whitsundays and surf Byron Bay. Our budget tours offer the best way to see Australia without having to mortgage your house.
  • Australia Luxury Tours :  If you like to travel in style, then look no further than our Australia Luxury Tours. Discover Australia in the lap of luxury with five-star accommodations and award-winning cuisines. Explore the oldest tropical rainforest on Earth, interact with the Kuku Yalanji people, and scuba-dive on the Great Barrier Reef without compromising on luxury. 
  • Australia Guided Tours :  Learn the ins and outs of Australia and experience all her best aspects under the expert guidance of a local guide. Join one of our Australia Guided Tours to discover the best of Oz from the majestic Blue Mountains to Great Outback. Learn how to surf in Byron Bay and try sandboarding on the largest dunes in the Southern Hemisphere.
  • Australia Solo Trips : If you prefer to go solo on your adventures, our Australia Solo Trips are just for you. Visit the historic Telegraph Station, watch the sunrise over Uluru, and soak in the Mataranka Thermal Springs. Head to the coast and relax on the beautiful beaches of the Gold Coast or discover the vibrant nightlife of Sydney.
  • Australia Group Tours : Our Australia Group Tours are an ideal way to experience all that the Land Down Under has to offer in the company of fellow travelers. Group tours are a fun way to meet like-minded people and share fantastic experiences like a 4WD adventure on Fraser Island or a wine-tasting adventure in New South Wales.
  • Australia Customized Tours : Prefer to design your itinerary and explore on your own steam? Then our Australia Customized Tours are ideal. Decide what you would like to see and do and how long you would like to stay, and we will do the rest. Whether you want to venture into Kimberley to see ancient First Nations rock art, hike through the King Leopold Ranges to Manning Gorge, or visit the beach destinations, we will design a perfect itinerary to suit your needs.

Activity-based Australia Tours

  • Australia Adventure Tours : Australia is one of the top adventure destinations in the world. From exploring the underwater paradise of the Great Barrier Reef to hiking the spectacular landscapes of the Tasmanian Peninsula to sandboarding on the dunes of Byron Bay, you will find plenty of outdoor activities on our Australia Adventure Tours.
  • Australia City Sightseeing Tours : If you love wandering around cities and touring famous landmarks, then join one of our Australia City Sightseeing Tours. From the bustling cities of Melbourne, Sydney, and Cairns to the tranquil wine country of New South Wales, our tours offer plenty of sightseeing opportunities across the country.
  • Australia National Park Tours : Australia is home to an incredible array of national parks that protect both beautiful landscapes and wildlife endemic to the country. Join one of our Australia National Park Tours to explore these parks and the spectacular scenery that abounds throughout the country.
  • Australia Beaches Tours : Love spending time on the beach? Australia has some of the best beaches in the world and you can enjoy them on one of our Australia Beaches Tours. From the famous Bondi Beach to the spectacular Airlie Beach in the Whitsunday Islands, there are plenty of golden sandy beaches to laze away your day on.
  • Australia Explorer Tours : The vast expanses of Australia beg to be explored and there is no better way to do this than on one of our Australia Explorer Tours. Discover the Kimberleys on an overland adventure from Broome to Lake Argyle. Experience the cosmopolitan vibes of Sydney and the incredible gastronomic culture of Melbourne.
  • Australia Natural Landmark Sightseeing Tours : From the imposing Uluru Rock to the vast Great Barrier Reef, Australia is known for some of the most striking natural landmarks in the world. Hop on one of our Australia Natural Landmark Sightseeing Tours to explore these iconic symbols and marvel at nature’s genius.

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Australia — Top Destinations to Visit

  • Discover the true wilderness in Broome : Located in the vast wilderness of Western Australia’s Kimberley region, Broome is a beach resort town with a laid-back vibe. Take a relaxing camelback ride along Cable Beach at sunset, meet rare snubfin dolphins on a boat cruise, and marvel at the red pindan soils set against the striking turquoise ocean at Gantheaume Point’s red cliffs.
  • Relish the top attractions of Melbourne : Multicultural Melbourne, the coastal capital of Victoria at the head of Port Phillip Bay, is a vibrant city that exudes a distinctly European feel. Here, wide tree-lined boulevards and Victorian buildings mingle with labyrinthine laneways hiding cozy cafés and world-class restaurants. Head to the Southbank area and the Melbourne Arts Precinct, where you will find the Arts Center Melbourne and the National Gallery of Victoria.
  • Urban experience in Sydney :  The capital of New South Wales, Sydney is best known for its distinctive harbourfront opera house with its sail-like design. But there is so much more to see and do in the city. Meander along the Skywalk for spectacular 360-degree views of the city and suburbs and enjoy a harbor cruise in the Circular Quay port. Shop until you drop at the beautiful Queen Victoria Building and have a refreshing swim at Bondi Beach.
  • Visit city markets in Brisbane :  Brisbane has a bustling market scene and you will be hard-pressed to decide which markets to hit on a sunny weekend. For delicious farm-fresh produce, delicious delicacies, and handcrafted goods, head to the iconic Jan Powers Markets or the famous Saturday Fresh Markets in Rocklea. You will find vintage clothing, handcrafted goods, collectibles, and gifts at the Collective Markets. For and the best locally grown fresh produce, check out Davies Park Markets.
  • Explore the Great Barrier Reef in Cairns :  Cairns is the gateway to one of the Seven Wonders of the Natural World and one of Australia’s top attractions: the Great Barrier Reef. Home to the world’s largest coral reef, the Great Barrier Reef is made up of over 3,000 individual reef systems, colorful coral cays, postcard-perfect tropical islands, and footprint-free golden beaches. Join a snorkeling or scuba diving tour from Cairns and Port Douglas and enjoy an experience of a lifetime.
  • Take in the scenic wonders of New South Wales: From rugged mountain ranges and golden sandy beaches to endless star-studded skies of the outback, New South Wales is home to some of the most spectacular landscapes in the country. Hike through the forested valleys of the Unesco World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains Range and their famous blue haze, marvel at the credible coastal rock formations and sapphire-hued ocean of the South Coast, and swim at one of the many rock-hewn natural swimming pools along the coast.

Peak Season and Low Season Tours in Australia

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Popular Australia Trip Travel Guides

If you are planning a trip to Australia , you will want to know about the best time to visit Australia as well as check out all the available Australia tours. You may also wish to learn more about the top things to do in Australia . Once you are sure about some of the activities you wish to experience in Australia, along with the destinations you want to visit, you may want to consider how many days to stay in Australia . We generally recommend staying at least 7 days in Australia , but recommend 10 days in Australia or more, to get the most out of your trip to Australia.

Next, we recommend you start thinking about the money you can allocate to the trip to know whether you should be looking for a budget tour, a luxury tour , or perhaps a completely customized tour to Australia . If you are in doubt, check all our Australia tours at the top of this page.

Australia is an amazing country to visit, and there may be other key factors that you wish to consider before traveling there. Please check our “Australia travel guide” which will give you a lot of relevant information about traveling to Australia.

See all Australia travel guides .

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"Australia & New Zealand are two of the world's most beloved destinations. I love showing our guests all the iconic sights from the red desert to the dreamy beaches."

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Admire the Sydney Opera House

We’ll take you on a guided tour around the sails of the Sydney Opera House, one of the most iconic sights in Australia. Enjoy an evening performance inside the grand Concert Hall, or board a helicopter for a panoramic view of the Opera House, along with other Sydney stars like the Harbour Bridge and Manly Cove.

Visit the Franz Josef Glacier

See the icy fingers of the Franz Josef Glacier with a guided ice walk or a thrilling scenic flight. When you take to the skies on our New Zealand trips, you’ll get a breathtaking view of the 12 kilometer glacier, along with Mount Cook and the soaring Southern Alps of the World Heritage Site park.

Cruise to the Great Barrier Reef

Board a high-speed catamaran and cruise the Coral Sea to the Great Barrier Reef, the world’s largest living structure and one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. This remarkable coral reef can be seen from outer space, and we’ll sink beneath the waters to snorkel with a dazzling array of marine life.

Get lost in the gorgeous streets of Wellington

When you travel New Zealand with Trafalgar, we’ll take you along the Kapiti Coast to Wellington, New Zealand’s beautiful capital city. You’ll enjoy an exclusive guided tour of Te Papa Museum where you’ll learn about Maori culture, then spend time exploring Welly’s gems, like the Parliament buildings or the city’s coffee culture.

Enjoy a traditional Australian barbecue with a view on Uluru

Experience one of the world’s most unique dining experiences, with Uluru as your striking backdrop. You’ll enjoy a classic barbecue of steaks, lamb sausages and garlic prawns, while gazing at the ancient monolith as it’s dusty red walls change colors during sunset. As the sun disappears, turn your eyes to the skies for spectacular stargazing.

Our top 5 things to do in Australia & New Zealand

Our tours of Australia and New Zealand will reveal the wonders of Down Under, from the sunny Great Barrier Reef in Australia, to the icy Franz Josef Glacier in New Zealand.

The International Antarctic Centre

Located in Christchurch, the International Antarctic Centre is one of the best attractions in New Zealand. There are scores of interactive experiences to show you what life is like in Antarctica, including a thrilling all-terrain vehicle tour and a wild Antarctic storm room. Immerse yourself in the 4D theater and meet the cheeky penguins.

Australian National Maritime Museum

Set in Sydney’s vibrant Darling Harbour, the Australian National Maritime Museum shares the country’s stories of the sea. You can explore three open vessels including a ship and a submarine, and various exhibitions that document the charting of Australia’s coastline and the sacred meaning of the sea to the Aboriginal Australians.

Museum of Sydney

The Museum of Sydney showcases the colonial and contemporary history of Sydney, though pictures, objects and digital media exhibitions. It was built on the ruins of Australia's first Government House dating back to 1788, and today houses a large display of convict artefacts recovered from over 25 archaeological digs.

Best museums in Australia & New Zealand

Our trips to Australia and New Zealand showcase the region’s top museums, from the interactive Antarctic Centre in New Zealand, to the open ships of the Australian National Maritime Museum.

Pavlova is made from chewy meringue shell with a soft marshmallow center, and topped with whipped cream and fresh fruits like strawberries, kiwifruit and passionfruit. There’s a rivalry between Australia and New Zealand over the true national origins of the dish, but both countries agree it’s a truly delicious dessert.

Seafood is a national specialty throughout New Zealand, but the best place to enjoy a meal of crayfish is Kaikoura, a seaside town on the South Island. Here, you’ll enjoy the freshest catch of the day, and the crayfish is boiled and served with a tangy dipping sauce.

Found in restaurants all over Australia, the parmigiana is one of the most beloved dishes in the country. It’s made from a breaded chicken breast slathered in tomato sauce and mozzarella cheese, served with french fries and salad. It originated in Italy and was brought to Australia with a wave of Italian migrants.

Best food in Australia & New Zealand

Our tours of New Zealand and Australia will reveal their most beloved dishes, from fresh crayfish and chicken parmigiana, to the sweet meringue of pavlova.

What to pack for Australia & New Zealand

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All climate clothing

The climates in the region range from the sweltering desert to the snowy alps, so you’ll need to pack some versatile layers to be prepared for all seasons.

Australia is the world’s largest island, while New Zealand is famed for its scenic roads. Bring some headphones to accompany your long journeys through the panoramic landscapes.

Versatile shoes

You’ll need a range of shoes for your journey, from flip-flops for the beaches, to hiking boots for the mountains, and even a formal pair for a night at the Sydney Opera House.

You’ll see some of the world’s most extraordinary sites in Australia and New Zealand, and you’ll need a camera to capture all the action.

Reef-safe sunscreen

Australia and New Zealand are known for their harsh sun, and you’ll need to bring a strong, reef-safe sunscreen to protect your skin on your Pacific Island holiday.

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From Deserts to Reefs

G’day, every day, Australia! Beaches to “barbies,” koalas to wallabies, Outback to ocean…where to begin your Australia tour on this island-country-continent? Travel in Australia and you'll find unique wildlife and dramatic landscapes, no doubt. Or perhaps the sun-kissed Harbour City of Sydney, Melbourne’s art scene or Barossa Valley’s world-class wineries. Go as far back as Aboriginal life in places like Ayers Rock and Alice Springs to discover how to survive in the bush, throw boomerangs and play a didgeridoo. Whatever your fancy, Australia welcomes you.

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Destination must-see's.

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Ayers Rock (Uluru):

You will find this towering sandstone rock formation rising from the desert floor in the southern part of the Northern Territory of central Australia. It sits in a remote part of the Outback 208 miles southwest of the nearest large town, Alice Springs. The rock is one of Australia’s most recognizable natural landmarks and rises 1,142 feet… making it 2,381 feet above sea level.

Australia ms2

The most populous city in Australia is located on Australia’s east coast. This lively metropolis is surrounded by one of the world’s largest natural harbors. The first British settlers founded the city of Sydney in 1788, but it is said that the area had been inhabited for many years. Millions of tourists visit Sydney each year to see its natural features such as Sydney Harbour and Bondi Beach, as well as its man-made marvels like the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Australia ms3

The city was founded on August 30, 1835 and is located on a large natural bay – Port Phillip. Today it is often referred to as Australia’s cultural capital because of its renowned performing and visual arts scenes. Melbourne is known as the birthplace of Australian dance styles, the Australian film industry, Australian impressionist art and the Australian television industry.

Australia ms4

Kakadu National Park:

This protected area in the Northern Territory of Australia is about 100 miles east of Darwin. It is the largest national park in Australia covering 7,646 square miles, and measuring nearly 125 miles from north to south and 62 miles from east to west. The park is roughly half the size of Switzerland. Kakadu features many diverse landscapes perfect for outback adventure travel, nature activities and most of all, experiencing aboriginal culture.

Destination Must-Do's

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Great Barrier Reef:

Experience one of the seven wonders of the natural world when you set off by boat for the Great Barrier Reef. As the world’s largest living organism, you’ll find over 2,800 individual coral reef systems which are home to amazingly diverse marine life. Their bright colors look remarkable against the turquoise waters. Jump in the water to snorkel and really experience the Reef in an immersive way! Stroll along the shore, relax on the beach, or just watch the fish and sea turtles swim past from the pier. It’s a truly good day at the Reef, mate.

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Barossa Valley:

The valley located in South Australia is known as a major wine-producing region. In fact, it is renowned as one of the finest wine producing regions in the world. Located about 37 miles northeast of Adelaide, the valley is formed by the North Pala River, is home to more than 550 growers, and is famous for its Shiraz.

Australia md3

This island state that includes the island of Tasmania and the surrounding 334 islands is 150 miles south of the Australian mainland, separated by the Bass Strait. It may be famous for its Tasmanian Devil but it is also very eco-conscious with 45% of its land being reserves, national parks and World Heritage sites.

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Phillip Island Penguin Parade

The little penguin is the smallest species of penguin. They are found on the coastlines of southern Australia and New Zealand. In Australia they are often called fairy penguins and in New Zealand they are known as little blue penguins or blue penguins. These penguins emerge from the shore at Phillip Island nearly every evening and make their way to their evening resting spots.

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Inspired By Maps

The 6 Best Australia Tours For Unforgettable Adventures That Are Achievable & Affordable!

Posted on Last updated: October 13, 2023

Categories Tours , Australia

The 6 Best Australia Tours For Unforgettable Adventures That Are Achievable & Affordable!

Expert travel storyteller Jordan Adkins, founder of InspiredByMaps.com, brings a decade of adventures across 101 countries and 450+ UNESCO sites into rich, off-the-beaten-path narratives, melding ecological expertise with genuine, seasoned travel insights.

The down under is a fascinating place with some of the most unique energy in the world. From the unique ecosystem that flourishes on the island to the laid-back culture and variety of things to do & see, Australia can be the ultimate paradise for most and a perfect place to visit. 

Australia has had an intense but interesting history throughout the centuries. Historians speculate that travelers from Asia may have traveled over to Australia due to the wind, current, or change. This is believed as many ancient civilizations in china and Arabia have sources both describing land in the very south however this cannot be proved with 100% certainty.

It wasn’t until 1688 that the British arrived in Australia. William Dampier an English explorer came across Australia and traveled 1,000 miles up the west coast between 1699 and 1700. 70 years later, James cook left the U.K. in 1768 and two years later, he set eyes on Australia. Landing in Botany Bay in the north, cook then traveled to what is now known as New South Wales and claimed the area.

European settlement began in 1786 when Britain started sending prisoners over to the island to elevate the prison population in the UK. Australia then became completely independent from Britain in 1901 and the country celebrates its independence day on January 26th of each year. 

The 6 Best Australia Tours For Unforgettable Adventures That Are Achievable & Affordable!

Beyond its history, the country of Australia is an adventure-seeking paradise full of things to do and see. Almost everything in Australia is unique to the country itself (as anyone who has even watched one film set in Australia will attest to), so the whole experience of the country is exceptional and interesting each time you visit.

That’s why it’s always recommended to take an organized or even a group tour. This helps gives you an idea of not only the cost of things in the country but gives you an idea of what the best things to do and see are and provides you with a knowledgeable and more often than not, a local guide that will be there to help you get around and take you to some of the best places to see in the country.

So, much as we have done for the best Nepal tours , the best New Zealand tours , or the best Sri Lanka tours , here we are going to be talking about one of the best Australian tours (and their operators), so you can be inspired – and then choose with confidence.

Let’s take a look at some of the best places to tour in Australia.

Picking a city or destination in Australia to tour is tough considering how large the country is and how diverse each region is. Come along! Let’s take a look at three of the most popular places to tour in Australia. 

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  • The Gold Coast

The gold coast is located on the east coast of Australia and is well known for long stretches of crystal clear beaches and an intense but thriving restaurant & nightlife scene. Although not a city itself, the Gold Coast is comprised of 81 suburbs and takes up roughly 66km of the state of Queensland. With a huge area to explore, it can take days to fully see everything within the region.

The most popular place to visit within the gold coast is a surfer’s paradise. Hence the name, the city is known for its intense surf culture, unbelievable beaches, and perfect weather all year around. So if you’re a beachy person or perhaps looking for an adrenaline rush at some of the best theme parks in the country, the gold coast can be perfect to tour within Australia. 

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Located on the east coast just south of Queensland, the capital of New South Wales is one of the top places to tour within Australia. Sydney can also be seen as a bucket list city for its beauty, iconic landmarks like the Sydney Harbour and the Opera House as well as its unique wildlife that you may spot if you’re lucky. Though Australia has many, many more landmarks.

The chic urban energy of Sydney is starting to bring the city alive with its many hipster restaurants, cafes, nightlife, and much more. So if you’re not sure if you want to stay within the city or perhaps enjoy the beach, this is truly the perfect spot for you.

Another thing to keep in mind is, When touring in Australia, Sydney can also be a perfect place to base yourself as the rest of the country is easily accessible from the city. So Sydney is a place in Australia you can’t leave without touring – and one you’ll likely have seen in many films .

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Considered Australia’s urban oasis and the largest city, located in the largest state of the country and on the west coast, Perth is a balance of pristine white sand beaches, stunning unique ecosystems, and large diverse cities and suburbs. With the best of both worlds, the city of Perth offers travelers a unique holiday with the opportunity to enjoy the city and the relaxing energy of the beach.

Perth is also not only just the inner city but the vast variety of coastal cities and small towns that will give you variety and you could visit a new beach in a new town every day and not get bored or perhaps see something completely new each day.

With that being said, if you’re also coming from South East Asia, Perth is a great place to start as it is the cheapest to fly into from Asia. Perth is a fantastic place to tour when visiting Australia and is a place you shouldn’t miss on your Australian tour. 

Now with all this information, it can be overwhelming, and believe me when I tell you there is more to see and do within the country. I’ve only scratched the surface of the country of Australia and that’s why it is super important to book an organized multi-day tour around Australia to enjoy the country to the fullest.

It’s always great to leave the planning to the experts especially if you’re traveling long distances. So choosing the right tour for you can also be hard as you may be left unable to decide which tour you would like to pick and with so many options out there, what can be considered the right option? It’s the time! Let’s take a look at the top 6 best tours in Australia.

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Brisbane to Cairns Experience: Sand Dunes & the Whitsundays

Trek the larapinta trail, learn to dive in australia (5 days), gems of the red center, famous 5 – 5 day tour of tasmania, perth to exmouth explorer (return) – 7 days, g adventures.

Enjoy the essence of Australia’s east coast. Take in the natural beauty you can’t see anywhere else and go ahead, and take your best Instagram shots on this 10-day tour through the east coast of Australia. Made for budget travelers, this tour is budget friendly and the itinerary is perfectly crafted for younger travelers. It’s now time to truly discover Australia.

You’ll spend the night 10 days trekking up the gold coast (Australia’s east coast). You’ll get a chance to visit K’gari, the Whitsundays, and Noosa, and take the chance to go snorkeling in some of the bluest waters you’ve probably ever seen. You’ll start your tour in Brisbane and end in Cairns. With the chance to visit 6 Australian cities on the gold coast, you’ll get a chance to completely experience everything.

You can also count on an expert guide, meals, excursions, lodging, transportation, and much more are completely included in your tour. However important to note, insurance is not covered in the cost of your tour but is highly recommended when traveling abroad. Let’s look at your 10-day itinerary and what exactly you would be doing on your 10-day Australian adventure.

Day One: Arrival in Brisbane at any time.

Day Two: Travel up north to Noosa for the day. 

Day Three: Noosa Everglades to K’gari (Fraser Island) – take a 4×4 tour and take an optional swim in lake McKenzie.

Day Four: Free day in Noosa

Day Five: Go hiking to see some of the best beach views within Noosa.

Day Six: hike to Whitehaven beach in the Whitsunday islands 

Day Seven: Airlie Beach/Whitsunday Islands – with your choice of snorkeling, swimming or lounging on the boat deck. 

Day Eight: Airlie Beach/Cairns

Day Nine: go snorkeling in the great barrier reef and explore the city. 

Day Ten: departure from cairns at any time. 

This 10-day explorer trip around the east coast of Australia will give you the chance to experience everything as well as see the hidden beauty of the coast too. Not only does this tour focus on some of the natural beauties of the country but this tour gives you a unique sense of freedom by giving you free days to relax, take your time, and also explore on your terms.

Operated by the world-famous “G Adventures” a sister company to national geographic. With some of the highest ratings in its industry, G Adventures is one of the best companies to book through.

You can guarantee that the tour will be organized well and the guide will be knowledgeable or perhaps local and has a deep understanding of the country to which you are traveling too. With an overall rating of 4.4 out of five stars, you can be very confident that you’ll have an amazing time and your tour will be very well put together. 

Brisbane to Cairns Experience Sand Dunes & the Whitsundays G-Tours - best tour operators in Australia

Intrepid Travel

Have you dreamed of visiting the outback? The Tjoritja – west MacDonnell national park is the perfect place to explore and enjoy the outback of Australia. On this 5-day tour, you’ll get a chance to walk the Larapinta trail which is one of the most famous and one of the best trails in the outback.

Get the opportunity to hike along the west MacDonnell rangers red rock cliffs to get an idea of the cultural significance and importance this area has to Australians. Spend some time hiking through dark gorges, the vast plains, riverbanks, and a unique variety of wildlife in the area as well. Start and end your tour in Alice Springs! You’ll get a chance to enjoy the outback over five days.

With things like transportation, meals, an expert guide, and lodging are completely included in the cost of the tour. You can book at ease knowing this tour is almost all-inclusive and you don’t need to stress about much either than flights and spending money. Let’s take a look at what you would be doing over five days. 

Day One: Alice Springs / Larapinta Trail

Day Two: Larapinta Trail / Ormiston Gorge

Day Three: Larapinta Trail (full day)

Day Four: Larapinta Trail / Redbank Gorge

Day Five: Larapinta Trail / Mount Sonder / Alice Springs

Although this 5-day tour through the outback sounds exciting and believe me, it is but you do require an exceptional fitness level to participate as the journey is tough. You’ll b hiking roughly 20km a day throughout this tour.

You will however get a chance to see some of the most beautiful landscapes as well as completely decompress to the sounds of nature as you hike through the rocky terrain. Offered Intrepid Travel, a tour operator with gold-standard status, is one of the leading operators around the world. With exception tours, activities, and guides, you know you’ll have an amazing time and it will be an experience you won’t forget. 

Trek the Larapinta Trail Intrepid Travel - best tour operators in Australia

Calling all divers out there! This is the bucket list tour for you! You’ll get a chance to dive into the world-famous, great barrier reef! With two days at sea and 3 in the classroom, you’ll get a chance to learn the skill of diving and maybe this could be a new hobby for you. You’ll get a chance to see some extraordinary and unique sealife that could be considered life-changing for some.

With this 5-day tour on learning to dive, you’ll learn the basics in the best possible place, the great barrier reef. You’ll start and end your tour in cairns with everything from transportation, meals, a professional guide, hostel stays, and more. Here’s a look at what you would be doing throughout your tour.

Day One: Start in Cairns.

Day Two: spend the day taking lessons at the pro dive cairns training center. 

Day Three: Cairns to Dive Boat

Day Four: Spend the day diving and exploring the great barrier reef. 

Day Five: Head back to cairns and end the tour. 

Learning to dive can be a bucket list experience for many. You’ll truly have a much deeper appreciation for the ocean and all the life within it. You can also take a deep breath knowing the tour is operated by a Gold Standard Tour Operator, Contiki Tours.

With an overall rating of 4.7 out of five stars, this is a tour that travelers recommend. If you’re looking to learn about the act of diving or want to experience diving in the great barrier reef this is one of the best tours in Australia for you!

Learn To Dive (5 Days) Contiki - best tour operators in Australia

It’s time to visit Australia’s outback and discover the local indigenous culture of the region. On this 6-day tour, you will learn all about the outback including taking part in one-of-a-kind desert activities as well as learning about the indigenous culture of Australia and the bright colors of the Ulrurus.

On this outback retreat, you’ll explore the west MacDonnell ranges, Alice springs, kings canyon, and canyon rim walk, or take a relaxing creep walk to admire the magnificent beauty of the Ulrurus. You’ll start your journey in Alice springs and end in Ulruru.

This explorers paradise tour will show you two cities in Australia over 6 days with transportation, meals, an expert guide, lodging, and lots of fun is completely included in this tour so you can truly book with ease. Here is a look at your day-to-day itinerary for this tour. 

Day One: Arrive in Alice springs.

Day Two: Sightseeing in Alice Springs.

Day Three: visit Alice springs and kings canyon with free time in the afternoon

Day Four: KINGS CANYON–ULURU (AYERS ROCK)

Day Five: Sightseeing in Uluru

Day Six: Departure from 

This jaw-dropping cultural tour through the outback will give you the ultimate guide and education on the region. Take the time to learn about the local geology, flora, fauna, Tukka weapons, and cultural history all while immersing yourself in the beauty right up and personal.

This tour is offered by Globus another international tour operator with tours all over the world. Globus is one of the highest-rated tour companies in the world. Known for their dedication to travelers and giving cheap but once-in-a-lifetime excursions this is a tour operator you can trust.

4.4 out of five stars can’t lie. Travelers are raving and are very confident in not only this tour operator but the tour itself. So you can book this tour with ease if you’re looking to discover the outback to the fullest. 

Under Down Under Tours

As you journey through the off-the-beaten-path island of Tasmania, you’ll get a chance to escape the noise and go go go from the city and achieve a state of true peace on the island. With so much undiscovered nature and wildlife, the island is ready to be discovered by tourists alike. Visit places like the rocky west coast where you’ll see waterfalls, jungles, and tons of unique wildlife.

Experience the white sand beaches of the Bay of Fires and Wineglass bay. See the whole island over five days including a look into the culture and exclusive traditions of the island. Start and end your tour in the capital of Tasmania, Hobart!

Spend the next 5 days sightseeing around the island with a chance to see a total of 15 Australian cities transportation a knowledgeable guide, lodging, and much more are completely included in the cost of the tour. Here is a look at what your 5-day jam-packed itinerary around Tasmania would look like. 

Day One: HOBART > STRAHAN

Day Two: visit the Tarkine Rainforest to hike to Tassie’s highest waterfall, Montezuma Falls, and Henty Sand Dunes. Or, take the optional Gordon River Cruise (own cost). 

Day Three: Cradle Mountain NP. Will you take on the climb to Marion’s Lookout or visit the glacially carved Dove Lake visit one of Australia’s oldest towns, Launceston

Day Four: Explore Launceston’sCataract Gorge, Bay of Fires, and Bicheno, 

Day Five: visit Wineglass Bay Lookout, and visit the lighthouse at Cape Tourville before following the Great Eastern Drive to Hobart.

Getting a once in a lifetime chance to explore the outback can be a bucket list adventure for many and is the ultimate backpacking experience that you’ll talk about for the rest of your days. Best for solo travelers, group travelers, families with older kids, or holiday vacations.

Offered by Down Under Tours, a local company focused on showing travelers and foreigners the best of Australia while accurately displaying the cultures and traditions of the country. The tour operator has an overall rating of 4.5 out of five stars and is one of the best tours in Australia. 

Famous 5 - 5 day Tour of Tasmania Under Down Under Tours - best tour operators in Australia

Autotopia Tours

Become a true explorer and explore some of the most treasured spots in Western Australia. See the coral coast region as well as take part in the many outdoor activities available within Perth. Hike through the deep red gorge, dive into the Ningaloo reef, encounter dolphins, turtle or see emus or kangaroos in their natural habitat.

Exploring the nature of Australia is almost therapeutic and is a must when choosing to explore the country of Australia. Perfect for nature and animal lovers alike, you were completely serenaded by the beauty of the wildlife, landscapes, and perfect views from almost every aspect of Western Australia.

You end your journey in Perth with a chance to visit a total of 10 cities within Western Australia. You’ll spend 7 days touring around the region with things like transportation, meals, hotel stays, a knowledgeable guide, and more. Here’s a look at what you would be doing over one week! 

Day One: visit Nambung National Park, the Pinnacles Desert, and take a swim in the ocean.

Day Two: Visit The Murchison Gorge, Nature’s Window, and Z-Bend in Kalbarri National Park 

Day Three: visit the Monkey Mia Dolphins and relax at the resort

Day Four: explore the reef at your leisure.

Day Five: explore Cape Range National Park, Relax on the beach or choose to go snorkeling at the stunning Turquoise Bay 

Day Six: Visit the town of Carnarvon and one of the local banana or mango plantations (seasonal) and stay overnight at our accommodation on an Australian wheat farm

Day Seven: visit the dunes of Lancelin, and make your way back to Perth for departure.

On the 7-day tour to Perth, you’ll see the top sites and attractions within the city as well as enjoy some of the natural wonders outside the city including opportunities to get up and close to the wildlife of the city.

Offered by Autotopia Tours this tour operator is world-renowned for its authentic well-organized tours. The operator has even earned a silver status for its well-crafted excursions and exceptional reviews from travelers. With a rating of 4.6 out of five stars, this tour operator is one of your best and you can be confident booking with them. 

Australia is considered a unique country that cannot be compared to a single place on the planet. The unique ecosystems are paired with the ultimate natural waterfalls, jungles, beaches, and huge cities. You can find almost anything in Australia and that’s what makes it so amazing and that’s what makes it Australia.

Visiting Australia is often a dream or a bucket list destination for many, so it’s always a good idea to go the extra mile and plan the tour of your dreams for your trip. Go ahead and book your trip. It’s time to explore the down under. Visit Australia – there’s nothing like Australia. 

Perth to Exmouth Explorer (Return) - 7 Days Autotopia Tours - best tour operators in Australia

If none of these tours work for you in Australia, please do not worry. There is a wide variety of tour options in the country, and we are confident that there will be something that fits your needs and interests.

Take a look at all the group tours in Australia now , which you can sort by private or group, maximum sizing, budget, dates, and much (much more). The team at TourRadar is also always more than happy to answer any questions, provide further information or assist in any way in finding the perfect tour for you.

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Tour Scoop

7 Best Australia Tours to Take in 2024

These australia tours make it easier to visit the land down under in 2024..

Megan duBois

The Scoop: What to Know About Trafalgar Tours

From the bustling streets of Sydney to the vast expanses of the Outback, adventure awaits in the Land Down Under. But with so much ground to cover, planning an Australia vacation can feel overwhelming. That’s where guided Australia tours come in. Many of the best Australian tours include a visit to the Outback, but some also offer winery tours, opportunities to dive at the Great Barrier Reef, and even the chance to get up close to koalas. These group tours make seeing the massive country easy and accessible for everyone. 

2024’s Best Small Group Tours of Australia

This year’s best Australia tours come in a variety of trip types and for different budgets, and with the help of expert guides you’ll have everything you need right at your fingertips. From large group coach tours to luxury private tours that cater to your every need, these are my picks for the best tours of Australia in 2024.

WORLD’S BEST:  15 Best Group Travel Companies for Guided Tours in 2024

1. Aboriginal Culture and Australian Highlights Tour

Australia tour guests particicpating in a Dot painting workshop, Uluru, NT, Australia

If you want to come away from your Australia vacation with a deeper sense of what the country’s Aboriginal culture is like, consider the Aboriginal Culture and Australian Highlights tour from Trafalgar . The 13-day Australia tour takes you from Melbourne to Cairns with a focus on indigenous people groups. Starting in Melbourne, the experience kicks off with a walking tour of the city with an Indigenous guide. The tour continues with a few days in Uluru, where you’ll see ancient rock art, learn about dot art, take a scenic helicopter flight, and sip local wine as the sun sets.

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Day seven is a full day in Sydney, where you can explore the Opera House and enjoy an Aboriginal cultural cruise through the harbor. The adventure ends with a day at the Great Barrier Reef and a day in Cairns where you can either hop on the scenic railway or take time to explore the city. On some days, there are different options to choose from. For instance, on the third day, choose between a coastal drive or seeing tiny penguins on Phillip Island. 

  • Length: 13 days
  • Starting price: $7,209
  • Average group size:   40 people
  • More tours: 10 Best Trafalgar Tours to Take in 2024

2. Brisbane to Cairns Experience: Sand Dunes and the Whitsundays Tour

G adventures.

Australia Fraser Island Beach Sunset Water Reflections

Younger travelers who are looking for a fun way to visit Australia without breaking the bank may enjoy the Brisbane to Cairns Experience: Sand Dunes and the Whitsundays tour from G Adventures . The 10-day tour is specifically designed for 18- to 39-year-olds. The itinerary starts in Brisbane, where you’ll kick off your Australia tour with a day exploring on your own before meeting the group leaders and fellow travelers. 

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The tour continues to Noosa, known for its beaches; and Fraser Island, where you’ll explore the only rainforest in the world that grows in sand. In Airlie Beach and Whitsunday Islands, the group will enjoy a day on a yacht and sailing along the edge of the Great Barrier Reef. The itinerary ends in Cairns for adventure sports like skydiving or white water rafting before a night out on the town. 

  • Length: 10 days 
  • Starting price: $1,724
  • Average group size: 20 people 
  • More tours: 10 Best G Adventures Tours to Take in 2024

3. Highlights of Australia: The Great Barrier Reef to Sydney Tour

Ef go ahead tours.

If you’re looking for a tour of Australia that hits both big cities and the beach towns, the Great Barrier Reef to Sydney tour from EF Go Ahead Tours hits all the highlights of Australia. The trip starts in Sydney, where you’ll take a guided tour of the Sydney Opera House, visit Bondi Beach, and have a free day in the city. Later in the trip you’ll fly to Cairns, which is the launch point to get to the Great Barrier Reef.

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En route to the ocean, you’ll stop at Mossman Gorge to see the overlooks and learn about life from an indigenous guide. While at the Great Barrier Reef, you can pick to see the reef from a glass-bottom boat or don a snorkel and see the colors underneath the water. The itinerary ends in Melbourne, where you’ll get a walking tour of the city and then have a day of free time before leaving Australia. 

  • Length: 12 days
  • Starting price: $3,449
  • Average group size: 15 to 35 people

4. Wings Over Australia Tour

Abercrombie & kent.

Australia; Victoria; Moonlight Head Lodge; Aerial view of cliffs and ocean

If the budget is no consideration, go big with Abercrombie & Kent’s 13-day Wings Over Australia private luxury tour. The deluxe itinerary, which features private charter flights between all of the major destinations, starts with two days in Melbourne, where you’ll explore the city and visit a few nearby wineries for tastings.

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Then the group flies to Tasmania for a visit to a bird sanctuary, an art museum, learning about local oysters, and more. Days six through eight are spent in Uluru, where you’ll dine among the dunes and see cave paintings. Then the group moves to Hayman Island to learn first-hand about the Great Barrier Reef before ending in Sydney, where everyone will enjoy a harbor cruise and a behind-the-scenes visit to the Sydney Opera House.

  • Starting price: $46,995
  • Average group size: 11 people

5. The Kimberley Coast by Sea: Northwest Australia and Indonesia Tour

National geographic expeditions.

Ship National Geographic Orion on the Hunter River, Kimberley Region, Northwest Australia

One of the most unusual and interesting Australia tours is an expedition cruise with National Geographic Expeditions. An epic 18-day trip with a price tag to match its ambitions, the Kimberley Coast by Sea: Northwest Australia and Indonesia starts in Perth, though the official sailing date isn’t until day four in Broome. Everyone in the group will board the National Geographic Orion before setting out to sea. 

TOURS FOR TWENTYSOMETHINGS:   7 Best Group Travel Companies for Young Adults in 2024

Day five is where the real adventure begins, with a day at Rowley Shoals, which is a popular diving spot to see coral reefs. Days six and seven are spent at sea navigating the Kimberly Coast. Groups then venture to Bigge Island to see the cave systems and artwork, and to search for Monkon rock wallabies. Day 14 is when the group makes landfall in Indonesia at Savu Sea Marine National Park to see whales and turtles. You’ll also get to see Komodo dragons and Pink Beach in Komodo. The trip ends with a traditional wedding ceremony and boxing match on the island of Sumbawa before heading to Denpasar to catch a flight home.

  • Length: 18 days
  • Starting price: $16,577
  • Average group size: 102 people 

6. Australia Family: Koalas, Reef, and Rainforest Tour

Kensington tours.

Lush green rainforest and flowing waterfall in sub-tropical rainforest Queensland, Australia

Families looking to take younger kids to Australia will want to dive into the Koalas, Reef, and Rainforest private family tour from Kensington Tours. The 12-day itinerary starts in Sydney, where you can enjoy free time on your own to see everything from the harbor and Opera House to animals at the Wild Life Sydney Zoo. For more animal fun, the second day in Sydney includes a trip to the Taronga Zoo along with a tour from a zookeeper. 

TAKE A HIKE:   9 Best Travel Companies for Walking Tours and Hiking Tours in 2024

Day four is when your family will pack up and move to Hamilton Island to explore on your own or take advantage of the hotel’s complimentary water sports just off the edge of the Great Barrier Reef. The trip ends in Port Douglas as you join a marine biologist for a snorkel tour and a trip to Daintree National Park. 

  • Starting price: $4,795
  • Group size: Just your family (private tour)

7. Gems of the Red Center Tour

The Gems of the Red Center tour from Globus takes you to the middle of the Australian Outback, allowing you to experience the desert and Indigenous culture up close. This Australia tour starts in Alice Springs with a visit the Standley Chasm with the help of an Indigenous guide. Day three brings the real adventure as the group moves through the Outback to Kings Canyon, where domes, gorges, and sandstone walls dot the landscape. Here, the group can enjoy a morning canyon rim walk before moving to Uluru to see the Mutitjulu Waterhole and Aboriginal rock paintings. Before leaving Uluru for your journey back home, you can enjoy optional excursions like a camel ride or helicopter tour.

  • Length: 6 days
  • Starting price: $3,339
  • Average group size: 20 people

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Questions About Australia? Expert Advice

Escorted Australia Tours

All inclusive escorted australia tours, group tours and all inclusive tours to australia.

Looking for all inclusive Australia tours? You’ve found the right place! Our escorted tours to Australia make it easy to explore the highlights of Australia with everything taken care of for you. Travel stress-free, see the local highlights & attractions and make new friends in your guided touring group. With our inclusive escorted tours, all of your hotels, travel arrangements, activities and most meals are included. All you need to do is enjoy the journey!

Discover the incredible marine life of the Great Barrier Reef, explore the arts and cultural delights in Melbourne, or take in the grandeur of the Sydney Opera House. Go on an Outback adventure and see the sacred icon, Uluru, or get up close to incredible wildlife in Tasmania. With our escorted Australia trips, you’ll create new memories that will last a lifetime.

Guided Australia Tour Packages

Our guided Australia trips pack the best of Australia in one vacation package so you can be sure your journey is well planned, hits the must-see’s of Australia, and includes one-of-a-kind experiences.

Who Can Go on an Australia Escorted Tour?

As fully escorted tours, these trips are great for seniors and the elderly who may need a little extra assistance but are ready to embark on a new adventure.

Solo travelers and singles may also consider a guided trip of Australia to join in the camaraderie of a group. Joining a group trip of Australia is the perfect way to meet new friends and new travel buddies for future trips!

Is an Escorted Tour Right for Me?

The great thing about escorted tours is you’ll always have an experienced guide at hand to provide local insight and travel recommendations throughout your journey. Many travelers prefer guided tours for their ease while visiting a foreign country. Australia is an English-speaking country and the currency works in a similar denomination to the U.S. dollar, so traveling throughout the country doesn’t have as many barriers as other foreign countries. However, a guided tour can help you orient yourself in each destination with a professional guide to lead the way. Every experience is contextualized with commentary and history, giving you profound insight into your destination. Travelers who like to travel with like-minded people may also enjoy escorted tours for the collective group experience in a new destination. If you’re curious about whether an escorted tour is right for you, our Destination Specialists are at hand to help you explore your options.

What Destinations Do Australia Escorted Tours Visit?

Most tours of australia visit four main destinations: sydney, cairns, melbourne and uluru (ayers rock).

These destinations are where you’ll find most of Australia’s top attractions.

Many of our Australia escorted tours begin in Cairns, the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef. Snorkeling cruises are usually included during your stay in Cairns so you can experience the underwater wonders of the reef. See colorful coral reefs, tropical fish and sea turtles as you snorkel the warm, crystal clear waters. Onboard guides make sure you’re comfortable snorkeling before taking to the waters, but glass bottom boats and underwater observatories are also available for non-swimmers.

Melbourne is a popular Australia destination for its unique art, music and food scene – some say even the coffee is the best in the world! It’s regarded as Australia’s most European city, with a network of hidden laneway bars, restaurants and shops that are often missed on first sight. A number of museums, galleries and music venues keep Melbourne’s love of fine arts strong, with something to do just about any day of the week. Further outside of Melbourne you’ll find the wildlife haven of Phillip Island, home to the world’s smallest penguins. Our guided tours include free days for you to explore on your own, perfect for joining a day trip from Melbourne to Phillip Island or perhaps a road trip journey on the Great Ocean Road.

Uluru is the cultural and spiritual heart of Australia, where its ancient Aboriginal culture thrives among the red desert landscapes of the outback. Out of the ground rises Uluru, the sacred rock formation important to the legends and creation stories of the local Aboriginal tribes. At Uluru, our tours visit this famous landmark to witness the sunrise and sunsets give the rock an otherworldly red glow, breathtaking to behold. Most trips fly into Alice Springs before continuing on to Uluru, with a day in Alice Springs to explore this outback town.

As one of the world’s top travel destinations, a visit to Sydney is a must on any Australian tour. Explore the sparkling harbor city on a harbor cruise tour, gliding past top Sydney landmarks. Learn what makes the Sydney Opera House Australia’s most famous destination on a guided tour. Visit Bondi Beach, arguably Australia’s most well-known beach around the world.

Other tours of Australia visit more unique destinations. The 5-day Australia Southern Capitals tour travels through Australia’s rural country and historic towns from Sydney to Melbourne, with a stop in Australia’s capital – Canberra.

One of Australia’s most stunning yet least visited destinations is Tasmania. Join the Wonders of Tasmania tour for a guided journey through the spectacular landscapes, rich convict history and gourmet artisan produce of this island state.

Most Australian tours focus on the east coast, however the Tastes of Southern Australia tour travels through Victoria and South Australia for a trip through Australia’s coast and country. The trip begins in Sydney, traveling through Canberra to Melbourne, journeying on the Great Ocean Road and meeting the wildlife of Kangaroo Island. Wine tours to Barossa Valley wine region from Adelaide are also included, for a taste of Australia’s famous wine.

What’s Included in an Australia Escorted Tour?

Our inclusive tours are designed to showcase the best of this incredible destination, without the stress of traveling somewhere new..

A knowledgeable and expert guide will meet you as soon as you land in Australia and transfer you to your hotel so you don’t have to worry about how to get there. Your tour director will guide your experience in Australia with their profound insight and local knowledge, leading you through every step of the way.

Meet your group of fellow travelers who will share your tour experience. Spend time together exploring Australia on included tours and excursions, with some free days to enjoy on your own.

Guided activities and excursions are included throughout your trip, depending on the trip you choose. Most trips include city tours, short walks to explore each destination, and wildlife tours. Many of our tours also include big bucket-list experiences such as snorkeling the Great Barrier Reef, touring the Sydney Opera House and a sunset viewing of Uluru’s changing colors.

Each tour includes daily breakfast as well as several lunch and dinner experiences. Highlight dinner experiences at top-rated restaurants, open-air degustations under the outback night sky, and receptions following Aboriginal dancing performances are also included in featured trips.

No need to worry about booking your hotels throughout the journey. Our tours take care of that for you by arranging your group stays comfortable hotels and resorts highlighting Australia’s local hospitality.

How Much Does an Australia Escorted Tour Cost?

An escorted tour includes the costs of a personal tour guide throughout the whole trip, all hotels, day tours and most meals. These tours are considered inclusive trips, and because of all the inclusions in one tour, the cost tends to run higher than non-escorted trips.

The cost of a tour also depends on how long you’re staying in Australia, how many destinations you’re visiting and the class of service you’re after (3-star, 4-star, 5-star).

Our tours of Australia begin as low as $1,425 and range to $13,370. Our low cost tours visit only a few destinations, yet still showcase unique wonders of Australia that you won’t see on any regular tour. Tours that travel to multiple destinations in Australia as well as across the Tasman Sea to New Zealand tend to price at a higher range. Traveling to two different countries in one trip will always incur a higher price tag, but it’s hard to put a price on such a once-in-a-lifetime trip!

Join an Australia Escorted Tour!

Our Australia group trips from the USA ensure your vacation goes without a hitch from the moment you book your trip to the last flight back home. Browse our all inclusive tours below or have us create a the perfect tour for you. We can also create custom Australia vacations that include everything you need for the ultimate trip to Australia from the US.

Best Escorted Tours to Australia

  • Australia Southern Capitals Tour – City Meets Bush – 5 Days
  • Contrasts of Australia Tour – 9 Days
  • Wonders of Tasmania Tour – 10 Days
  • Tastes of Southern Australia Tour – 11 Days
  • Escorted Australian Highlights Tour – 13 Days
  • Inspiring Australia Tour – 5-star – 13 Days

More Australia Vacations and Trip Packages

Australia Luxury Tours

Free and Independent Travel Tours

Fly & Drive Tours of Australia

Australia Wine Tours

Walking Tours of Australia

Train Tours of Australia

Australia Scuba Diving Tours

Australia Honeymoon Packages

Custom Tours of Australia

Australia Travel Tips

To help prepare for your trip, we’ve compiled a list of our most helpful tips and information..

Sales on Flights to Australia

Do I Need a Visa to Travel to Australia?

Weather in Australia

Best Time to Visit Australia

How to Plan a Trip to Australia

Do I Need Travel Insurance for an Australia Escorted Tour?

Things to Know Before You Travel to Australia

Australia Currency

How Big is Australia?

Mistakes to Avoid When Traveling to Australia

What to Pack for a Tour of Australia

What’s it Like to Fly to Australia?

Best Australia Vacation Spots

best tour companies in australia

Destinations: Australia – Sydney, Canberra, Wangaratta, Melbourne

Activities: Sightseeing Tours, Culture, Adventure, Historic Landmarks, Bush Country Retreats, Rest & Relaxation, Stunning Landscapes, Short Walks & Hikes, Wildlife, Wines

Tour Type: Escorted

Class: 3 - 4 stars

best tour companies in australia

Destinations: Australia – Darwin, Litchfield National Park, Kakadu, Nitmiluk National Park, Katherine

Activities: Hiking/Walking, Historical Landmarks, Outback Adventure, National Parks, Native Culture, Restaurants, Food & Wine, Short Walks, Sightseeing, Tours, Cruises, Waterfalls

best tour companies in australia

Destinations: Australia – Darwin, Katherine, Kakadu

Activities: Beaches, Culture & Art, Cruises, Hiking/Walking, Historical Landmarks, Local Markets, Outback Adventure, National Parks, Native Culture, Outback, Restaurants, Food & Wine, Rest & Relaxation, Stunning Landscapes, Shopping, Short Walks, Sightseeing, Tours

best tour companies in australia

Destinations: Australia – Alice Springs, Kings Canyon, Uluru (Ayers Rock)

Activities: Hiking/Walking, Historical Landmarks, Outback Adventure, National Parks, Native Culture, Outback, Restaurants, Food & Wine, Short Walks, Sightseeing, Tours

Class: 4 - 5 stars

best tour companies in australia

Destinations: Australia – Perth, Penguin Island, Busselton, Bunker Bay, Cape Naturaliste, Margaret River, Fremantle, Rottnest Island

Activities: Hiking/Walking, Historical Landmarks, Nature, National Parks, Native Culture, Restaurants, Food & Wine, Short Walks, Sightseeing, Tours, Cruises, Waterfalls, Beaches, Island Visit

best tour companies in australia

Destinations: Australia – Melbourne, Cairns, Great Barrier Reef, Sydney

Activities: Culture, Rest & Relaxation, Restaurants, Shopping & Local Markets, Stunning Landscapes, Day Cruises, Short Walks & Hikes, Snorkeling, Wildlife, Wine & Dine

best tour companies in australia

Destinations: Australia – Brisbane, Hamilton Island, Sydney

Activities: Beaches, Culture & Art, Cruises, Hiking/Walking, Islands, Native Culture, Outback, Restaurants, Food & Wine, Rest & Relaxation, Stunning Landscapes, Shopping, Short Walks, Sightseeing, Tours

best tour companies in australia

Destinations: Australia – Hobart, Strahan, Cradle Mountain, Smithton, Launceston, Bicheno, Hobart

Activities: Sightseeing Tours, Culture, Adventure, Historic Landmarks, Lunch Cruise, Bush Country Retreats, Rest & Relaxation, Stunning Landscapes, Short Walks & Hikes, Wildlife

best tour companies in australia

Destinations: Australia – Sydney, Canberra, Beechworth, Wangaratta, Glenrowan, Melbourne, Great Ocean Road, Warrnambool, Mt. Gambier, Naracoorte, Kangaroo Island, Barossa Valley, Adelaide

Activities: Sightseeing Tours, Culture, Adventure, Historic Landmarks, Island Stay, Bush Country Retreats, Rest & Relaxation, Stunning Landscapes, Short Walks & Hikes, Wildlife, Wines

best tour companies in australia

Destinations: Australia – Darwin, Nitmiluk National Park, Katherine, Kununurra, El Questro, Halls Creek, Fitzroy Crossing, Broome

Activities: Hiking/Walking, Historical Landmarks, Nature, National Parks, Native Culture, Restaurants, Food & Wine, Short Walks, Sightseeing, Tours, Cruises, Waterfalls, Swimming, Beaches

best tour companies in australia

Destinations: Australia – Broome, Fitzroy Crossing, Halls Creek, El Questro, Kununurra, Katherine, Nitmiluk National Park, Darwin

Activities: Hiking/Walking, Historical Landmarks, Nature, National Parks, Native Culture, Restaurants, Food & Wine, Short Walks, Sightseeing, Tours, Cruises, Waterfalls, Swimming

best tour companies in australia

Destinations: Australia – Melbourne, Alice Springs, Uluru (Ayers Rock), Cairns, Great Barrier Reef, Sydney

Activities: Sightseeing Tours, Aboriginal Culture, Art, Beaches, Historic Landmarks, Outback, Rainforest, Reef, Rest & Relaxation, Restaurants, Scuba Diving (Optional), Shopping & Local Markets, Snorkeling (Optional), Stunning Landscapes, Short Walks & Hikes, Wildlife, Wine & Dine

best tour companies in australia

Destinations: Australia – Broome, Port Hedland, Karijini National Park, Exmouth, Ningaloo Reef, Coral Bay, Carnarvon, Monkey Mia, Kalbarri National Park, Geraldton, Nambung National Park, Yanchep National Park, Perth

best tour companies in australia

Destinations: Australia – Perth, Yanchep National Park, The Pinnacles, Geraldton, Kalbarri National Park, Monkey Mia, Carnarvon, Coral Bay, Ningaloo Reef, Exmouth, Karijini National Park, Port Hedland, Broome

Activities: Hiking/Walking, Historical Landmarks, Nature, National Parks, Native Culture, Restaurants, Food & Wine, Short Walks, Sightseeing, Tours, Cruises, Waterfalls

best tour companies in australia

Destinations: Australia – Palm Cove, Uluru (Ayers Rock), Kings Canyon, Alice Springs, Sydney, Hunter Valley

Activities: Cruises, Great Barrier Reef, Hiking/Walking, Historical Landmarks, Outback Adventure, National Parks, Native Culture, Outback, Rainforest, Restaurants, Food & Wine, Sailing, Shopping, Short Walks, Sightseeing, Snorkeling, Swimming, Tours, Waterfalls

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The 10 Best Group Travel Tour Companies for 2023

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Caroline Morse Teel

Caroline Morse Teel is the Managing Editor for SmarterTravel Media. Follow her adventures around the world on Instagram @TravelWithCaroline.

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For those truly epic, once-in-a-lifetime destinations, you want to leave your itinerary to the experts. Whether your dream is to see the Big Five on an African Safari, trek tall mountains, explore European cities, or something even wilder, a group tour is the easiest way to do it.

However, picking the wrong group tour company is the quickest way to ruin your trip. Make sure you choose a tour company that aligns with your goals and travel styles. Do you want an intimate group tour or do you prefer to make lots of new friends in a big group? Does the price line up with what you like (luxury vs. budget)? Is the itinerary going to all the places you want to see? 

We’ve done the research and found the very best group travel tour companies for 2023 for every type of traveler.

Best Overall Group Travel: Exodus Travels

Images of nature around the mountains and lakes of Slovenia as seen on the Exodus Travels' Lakes and Mountains of Slovenia walking tour

With trips on every continent, Exodus Travels covers anywhere on this planet that you could possibly want to go, from popular destinations like the Amalfi Coast to well off-the-beaten path adventures like Tajikistan. This award-winning group travel company boasts thousands of repeat customers who sign up for trips year after year (97% of past participants would recommend Exodus Travels to a friend). 

These small group tours operate with only around 12-16 people, and always feature experienced local leaders who can give you a unique insight into your destination. Exodus Travels caters to any type of travel style, including trips broken down by type of activity (think walking, cycling, multi-adventure, winter, or cultural) as well as type of traveler (family, age group, etc.). There are curated collections (coastal, “away from it all”, European wilderness, and trips of a lifetime) to inspire you, as well as self-guided options for when you want all the benefits of a group tour planner without the actual group. Looking for that special safari? Exodus Travels just partners with the African Wildlife Foundation to create carefully curated luxury adventures that go above and beyond the standard safari. 

Exodus Travels tours work for almost any budget, with options that range from affordable to premium. 

Top Trip: Explore under-the-radar Europe by foot on Exodus Travels’ Lakes & Mountains of Slovenia walking tour .

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Best Adventure Group Travel: World Expeditions

Groups of hikers walking and camping around the mountains of Kilimanjaro with World Expeditions

World Expeditions has been taking adventurous travelers to remote locations all over the world ever since its first group trek through Nepal in 1975. Today, World Expeditions offers active itineraries on every continent. Intrepid travelers can opt for trips themed around mountaineering, rafting, cycling, hiking, and more. 

World Expeditions aims to leave communities and places where they operate tours better than they found them. Trips are created using the company’s Thoughtful Travel Charter as a guideline, which emphasizes respect for the environment, sustainability, having a positive impact on local communities, protecting wildlife, and more. 

World Expeditions’ trips are capped at just 16 people to provide a good experience for participants, and there are no single supplements for solo travelers willing to share a room with someone of the same gender. 

Top Trip: Summit Africa’s tallest mountain on a fully-supported trek up Kilimanjaro on World Expeditions’ eight day trip up the beautiful Lemosho Route . 

Best Budget Group Travel: G Adventures 

People visiting famous sites around China with the G Adventures' China Express group travel tour

For travelers on a budget, G Adventures offers cheap group tours that make dream destinations accessible to nearly anyone. (Think: sailing the Galapagos for just $1,124 , criss-crossing India’s Golden Triangle for $559 , or spending 8 days in Bali for less than $800.)

G Adventures is one of the best tour companies for solo travelers as well, as most trips don’t have a single-supplement. You can choose to share a room with another G Adventures solo traveler, or pay extra to have your own space.

G Adventures keeps costs down by opting for cheaper hotels and local meals, and making certain activities optional (for an additional cost). Pick your travel style—options range from “basic” to more luxe tours run in partnership with National Geographic. Family tours, local living tours (featuring homestays), and wellness-focused tours are also available. 

Top Trip: G Adventures’ China Express trip is a great way to see the highlights of China if you’re short on both time and budget. 

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Best Educational Group Tours: EF Go Ahead Tours

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When you really want to learn about a destination, consider a group trip with EF Go Ahead Tours . EF is the world’s largest private education company, and the Go Ahead Tours arm capitalizes on the company’s relationships with local educators, historians, and tour guides to create group trips that take you deep into a destination. 

These small group tours generally cap at 38 travelers, and feature unique educational experiences. For a bucket list trip, EF Go Ahead Tour’s special event tours are particularly enticing, as they offer behind-the-scenes access to tough-to-plan trips like Oktoberfest in Munich or Cherry Blossom season in Japan. 

Intimidated by solo travel? EF Go Ahead Tours is a great option for solo travelers, since it offers designated trips for solo travelers , where everyone is traveling alone, making it less intimidating.  

Top Trip: Bring the tastes of Italy home with you on EF Go Ahead Tours’ Food & Wine: Piedmont & Tuscany tour (operated in partnership with America’s Test Kitchen), where you’ll learn how to make local dishes. 

Best Responsible Group Travel: Intrepid Travel

Shots from around Uganda's Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and accommodations provided by Intrepid Travel's Premium Uganda & Rwanda trip

Looking for a responsible group travel operator that focuses on bettering the communities and destinations they visit? Intrepid Travel is the world’s largest travel B Corporation, a certification for companies doing good. 

Intrepid Travel’s tours focus on sustainability, diversity, inclusion, and sustaining communities. The company has its own charity, The Intrepid Foundation , which has donated over 7 million dollars to over 130 community organizations. 

Intrepid Travel’s small group tours attract a wide range of travelers, but they are especially great for younger travelers, as they have a large number of trips designed for people aged 18-29 . (Other trips, including family-focused trips, are geared toward any age.)

Top Trip: Experience unforgettable wildlife encounters on Intrepid Travel’s Premium Uganda & Rwanda trip which includes time with the mountain gorillas of Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. 

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Best Private Group Travel: Kensington Tours

Aerial shots of various islands and coastlines around the Croatia and Dalmation Islands and shot of sailboat belonging to Kensington Tours

Whether your group consists of just two people or involves taking the entire extended family, Kensington Tours will take all the hassle of planning out of the equation. This private group operator creates personalized trips and itineraries tailored to your preferences, while their experts handle all the logistics and bookings. 

Plans are entirely flexible, and can even be changed while on the trip on a whim. Need some inspiration? Browse Kensington Tours’ travel ideas , to get some ideas for your next adventure. 

Top Trip: Sail around the stunning shores of Croatia and the Dalmation Islands on a private luxury catamaran on Kensington Tours’ fully customizable tour . 

Best Polar Group Travel: Chimu Adventures

Shots of the interior and exterior of the Ocean Adventurer ship and shots of nature around Antarctica as seen on the Chimu Adventures' Antarctica Fly Cruise

Whether you’re headed north to the Artic or south to Antarctica, Chimu Adventures has the perfect polar group trip for you. Chimu Adventures has some of the most variety for polar trips, with options to fly, cruise, or a combination of both to get to your destination.

For an ultra-unique Antarctica trip, Chimu Adventures offers cruises departing from Australia or New Zealand (most Antarctica trips depart from Argentina). Can’t stay long? Book one of Chimu Adventures’ scenic flights to Antarctica , which fly as far as the south pole in one spectacular 16-hour day.

Chimu Adventures is one of the cheapest group trips to Antarctica, with rates starting under $5,000.

Top Trip: If you’re pressed for time (or simply don’t have the stomach for the Drake Passage), Chimu Adventures’ Antarctica Fly Cruise will get you to the ends of the earth quickly and smoothly.

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Best Group Tours for Solo Travelers: For the Love of Travel

Collage of images from the For the Love of Travel Lapland Tour

Group tours can be a great way to meet new people, but they can sometimes skew on the older age range. If you’re between 25-39 and a solo traveler looking to meet new people, you’ll love For the Love of Travel . All participants on the trips are between 25-39, and according to the company, 80 percent are solo travelers—so you’ll make friends fast. Hoping to meet someone who will be more than just a friend on your next trip? Trips include a balanced number of “gal and guy spots” to ensure an even balance of genders within groups (and of course, non-binary genders are always welcome). 

For the Love of Travel offers weeklong (or longer) international trips as well as shorter weekender trips to nearby destinations like Mexico or Denver—perfect for people without a lot of vacation time.

Top Trip: Sleep in a glass igloo under the Northern Lights, go sledding with huskies, and warm up in traditional saunas on For the Love of Travel’s Lapland tour , already booking dates for 2024.

Best Biking Tours Group Travel: DuVine Cycling

Collage of shots from DuVine's Holland Bike Tour

Biking through the rolling hills of Italy or across the mountain roads of Chile sounds like a dream, but the logistics seem daunting (especially if you don’t want to haul all your own stuff from point-to-point). Enter: DuVine Cycling , a luxury small group tour company that specializes in bike trips. 

With trips across Europe, Latin America, Africa, Asia, and the United States, DuVine Cycling is a cyclist’s dream. Choose from all-biking trips or mix things up with a cycle and sail bike tour or a multi-sport adventure —no matter what, everything is included, from luxury boutique accommodations to top-quality name brand bikes. 

Top Trip: DuVine’s Holland Bike Tour promises “tulips, windmills, beer, and cheese”—what more could you need?

Best Luxury Group Travel: Abercrombie & Kent

Collage of images from the different cities involved in the Abercrombie & Kent Wildlife Safari: Around the World by Private Jet trip

Abercrombie & Kent has been delighting discerning travelers since 1962. Today, they take travelers on unforgettable adventures across over 100 different countries and all seven continents. Although Abercrombie & Kent’s trips are pricey, they encompass once-in-a-lifetime experiences like private jet tours around the world or luxury chartered cruises .

There are trips designed for solo travelers and families , and the small group journeys max out at around 14-18 guests.

Top Trip: Swim with whale sharks in the Philippines, feed proboscis monkeys in Malaysia, and photograph wild tigers in India on Abercrombie & Kent’s Wildlife Safari: Around the World by Private Jet trip , already booking dates into 2024.

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Australia and New Zealand Reviews & Ratings

The trip was exceptional.

This was our 5th Smartours and my rating is "good". The trip was exceptional. New Zealand was a wonderful revelation and Australia was fantastic. The tour group was ...

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First I want to say I loved this trip it was 21 days of amazement. I loved our tour guide Elizabeth Moran who was one of the reasons why I loved this trip. This guid...

landscape is stunning

Certainly a whirlwind trip and happy memories. NZ landscape is stunning and people we met were so welcoming. The farm stay in Fairlie was a high point. Stays in Aust...

itinerary was such a great one

This itinerary was such a great one - and for the cost: outstanding and the local people all so very nice. The hotels were nice, all in good locations, always great ...

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I enjoyed the tour very much. Liz, our guide, was professional and gave excellent advice. New Zealand and Australia were new to me and it seemed that the itinerary t...

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Australia Adventure Tours

Discover the ultimate adventure tours through Australia! From outdoor activites to mountain playgrounds, there are private, group and tailor-made adventures to choose from. With some of our much-loved tour operators offering all-inclusive activity packages, you’re sure to find your perfect Australia adventure!

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250+ australia adventure tours with 2,721 reviews.

Oz Intro Tour

Couldn't recommend Intro Travel any more! I first used them when I went solo travelling to Oz 2 and a half years ago, and picked the company by pure chance, but it turned out to be the best decision. The daunting element of going away on your own was completely taken away the second we were picked up from the airport. They helped set us all up with absolutely everything we needed (visas, tax codes, bank accounts etc) and all the activities they had planned kept us super busy everyday. It was THE best way to see Sydney before moving onwards, which they also gave us loads of information and support on. I then used Intro Travel for my Bali trip as I loved it that much. Our tour guides were Tom and Colin and they absolutely smashed it!! Thanks for being our parents for the week.

7 Day Perth to Exmouth Explorer Loop Tour

  • Coach / Bus
  • Christmas & New Year

7 Day Perth to Exmouth Explorer Loop

Had the best time with great people, a trip everyone must see

Brisbane to Cairns Experience: Sand Dunes & the Whitsundays Tour

  • In-depth Cultural

Brisbane to Cairns Experience: Sand Dunes & the Whitsundays

Thoroughly recommend this tour. The Whitsundays are beautiful, and Fraser Island is a truly special place. Our guide Claire is a gem!

Oz Intro + Work Tour

Oz Intro + Work

When I came to Australia I’d already done a couple of intro tours in previous years and so had high hopes for the Australia tour. I’m so happy to say it met all my expectations and more! Loved the itinerary with my favourite part being sailing around the harbour on a beautiful catamaran and also spending the day at the beaches in Sydney having a bbq and the amazing coastal walk. I was taken care of from the second I landed and anything I needed the help was always available. Would definitely do it again next time I go to Australia!

Famous 5 - 5 day Tour of Tasmania Tour

  • Hiking & Trekking

Famous 5 - 5 day Tour of Tasmania

This tour was the best holiday that I have ever been on. I made the greatest of friends and experienced exploring Tasmania in the most memorable way. Natalie (our tour guide) was fantastic and full of enthusiasm, ensured everybody was involved. But the group came together so naturally. I would recommend this tour to anybody.
  • €65 deposit on some dates Some departure dates offer you the chance to book this tour with a lower deposit.

6 Day Perth to Exmouth Coral Coaster (One Way) Tour

6 Day Perth to Exmouth Coral Coaster (One Way)

A great tour with an excellent driver/guide, Carlos, full of information, well organized and sensitive to our needs. Lots of wonderful places to see and experience from sunrise to sunset. Long bus rides at times and a full bus so little room to stretch out. But worth traveling the distances. Highly recommend the one way tour and fly out from Exmouth

Explorer Six - 6 Day Tour of Tasmania Tour

Explorer Six - 6 Day Tour of Tasmania

Excellent Larry our guide took very good care of us. Did his best to ensure we all were ok and happy

6-Day Esperance & Margaret River Adventure Tour Tour

  • Coastal Walks

6-Day Esperance & Margaret River Adventure Tour

Nice tour with a nice group and a nice guide (Alex)! I really enjoyed the hikes, the swags and the landscapes. The food was good but the lunch could be improved. We ate wraps everyday. I would do it again without hesitation

Learn To Dive (5 Days) Tour

Learn To Dive (5 Days)

Absolutely amazing, best instructors!
  • €100 deposit on some dates Some departure dates offer you the chance to book this tour with a lower deposit.

Sydney to Brisbane Experience: Bushwalks & Surfing Tour

  • Walking Adventure

Sydney to Brisbane Experience: Bushwalks & Surfing

As far as tours go, it's great to have others to enjoy with. Wake Up was a nice hostel with a great breakfast included the first day. That day I chose to take the ferry to Manly where our tour guide Georgia showed us shopping, the beach, and this great acai bowl restaurant. From Sydney we took the 9 hour train ride to surf x camp in arrawara. The teepee I slept in was so cool. The surf lesson was great...but we only had less than 1 hour surfing in the water, if we wanted more we had to pay more, in the afternoon we went for a walk along the beach with some local indiginous people to learn about the plants of the area and try some, we stopped at the campground to find kangaroo. The food at surf X was good. surf x still hasn't sent us the link for the surfing photos though. Byron Bay is a great surf town, although I didn't surf Wake Up had free surfboards available...I had purchased the option to kayak with dolphins and didn't feel like surfing after that. the town had lots of little shops and restaurants and a walk to the lighthouse and furthest easterly point in Australia. The next day we went to Brisbane, after a koala bushwalk where we didn't see koala. In Brisbane check out Southbank and Queen street after dark.

The Great Ocean Road Melbourne - Adelaide 4 day 3 night Tour Tour

  • Wine tasting

The Great Ocean Road Melbourne - Adelaide 4 day 3 night Tour

We had a very good trip. Excellent driver/tour guides. Will highly recommended

8-Day Adelaide to Uluru Tour Tour

8-Day Adelaide to Uluru Tour

This tour is absolutely amazing. Our tour guide, Dan, was incredible. He was very knowledgeable and enthusiastic. I loved being able to camp in the outback and see such unique places in Australia. I met so many wonderful young people from all over the world. This tour was truly my favorite thing I did on my trip. I highly recommend this to anyone wanting to see these locations and do not want to do the long drives by themselves.

North Queensland Adventure (9 Days) Tour

North Queensland Adventure (9 Days)

Kakadu\'s Ancient Secrets (5 Days) Tour

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Kakadu's Ancient Secrets (5 Days)

We had a fantastic experience touring with our group. Wonderfully led by our guide Toni, and always feeling safe with Ollie behind the wheel. Accommodation was great and some delightful meals along the way. Unforgettable memories of a beautiful part of our country. Highly recommend this trip

East Coast Highlights - 3 Week  | ULTIMATE Tour

East Coast Highlights - 3 Week | ULTIMATE

The best tour guide you will ever have! Not only is she super knowledgable of the area but also will be your friend through the whole time you’re with her! Gave me the best memories whilst in Australia! Thankyou Hannah
  • €35 deposit on some dates Some departure dates offer you the chance to book this tour with a lower deposit.

Reviews of Active Tours in Australia

Amazing time, had an absolute blast! I will 100% be doing another tour. Val was a great tour guide, and helped me with every question I had.
Excellent tour ! Our guide Carlos was very organized, efficient and attentive to our individual needs. Highly recommended.! You can’t go wrong with Autopia.
The trip was great. However, I didn’t like the hostel in Airlie Beach. It was the worst one in this trip. Overall was great

Active Tours

  • Camping (17)
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Regions in Australia

  • Australian Outback (117)
  • Western Australia (116)
  • East Australia (72)
  • Queensland (42)
  • Kimberley (39)
  • Tasmania (38)
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  • Great Barrier Reef (36)
  • Australia East Coast (36)
  • South East Queensland (26)
  • Australia Northern Territory (22)
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  • Kakadu National Park (12)
  • Uluru / Ayers Rock (10)
  • New South Wales (10)

Travel Styles

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International Versions

  • Deutsch: Abenteuerreisen in Australien
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  • Nederlands: Actief avontuur Rondreizen in Australië
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The journalists on the editorial team at Forbes Advisor Australia base their research and opinions on objective, independent information-gathering.

When covering investment and personal finance stories, we aim to inform our readers rather than recommend specific financial product or asset classes. While we may highlight certain positives of a financial product or asset class, there is no guarantee that readers will benefit from the product or investment approach and may, in fact, make a loss if they acquire the product or adopt the approach.

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Readers of our stories should not act on any recommendation without first taking appropriate steps to verify the information in the stories consulting their independent financial adviser in order to ascertain whether the recommendation (if any) is appropriate, having regard to their investment objectives, financial situation and particular needs. Providing access to our stories should not be construed as investment advice or a solicitation to buy or sell any security or product, or to engage in or refrain from engaging in any transaction by Forbes Advisor Australia. In comparing various financial products and services, we are unable to compare every provider in the market so our rankings do not constitute a comprehensive review of a particular sector. While we do go to great lengths to ensure our ranking criteria matches the concerns of consumers, we cannot guarantee that every relevant feature of a financial product will be reviewed. We make every effort to provide accurate and up-to-date information. However, Forbes Advisor Australia cannot guarantee the accuracy, completeness or timeliness of this website. Forbes Advisor Australia accepts no responsibility to update any person regarding any inaccuracy, omission or change in information in our stories or any other information made available to a person, nor any obligation to furnish the person with any further information.

Our Pick Of The Best Website Builders For SEO (2024)

Published: Mar 8, 2024, 2:15pm

Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) can make or break a small business. Word-of-mouth recommendations and local leaflet dropping might be useful up to a point, but you risk missing out on a lot of custom if your company website doesn’t rank on Google.

And with just 1% of Google users bothering to look at the second page of search results, according to SEO trainer Backlinko, appearing as close to the top of page one as possible is also key.

Many major website builders offer SEO tools to help their Australian users’ sites rank well in search engine results pages.

But, which of them fare the best? We’ve taken a look at the top contenders to see how their offerings compare. All prices are in Australian dollars unless otherwise stated.

Note: The below list represents a selection of our top category picks, as chosen by Forbes Advisor Australia’s editors and journalists. The information provided is purely factual and is not intended to imply any recommendation, opinion, or advice about a financial product. Not every product or provider in the marketplace has been reviewed, and the list below is not intended to be exhaustive nor replace your own research or independent financial advice. For more information on how Forbes Advisor ranks and reviews products, including how we identified our top category picks, read the methodology selection below.

  • Featured Partner

Our top website builders for SEO

Ionos by 1&1, squarespace, methodology, what is a website builder, what is search engine optimisation, how important is seo, seo glossary of terms, frequently asked questions (faqs).

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$US1 or $1.50 AUD per month for the first six months, then $US18 per month or $27 AUD

Drag-and-drop editor

E-commerce in entry-level plan

Yes, as an add-on

Wix

SEO tools with basic plan

Built-in e-commerce.

While the starting price for Wix is $15 a month, you will need to pay for one of its higher tiers (Core at $30 a month, Business at $44 a month or Business Elite at $179 a month) to access its broad suite of SEO tools.

These include an SEO checklist, editable meta titles and descriptions, customisable permalinks, image optimisation, responsive design, 301 redirects, SSL certification, page-level SEO settings.

Users will also benefit from canonical tags, sitemaps, editable robots.txt file, integration for SEMrush, Google Search Console and access to Google Analytics plus structured data.

For more about what these SEO features do, refer to our SEO glossary of terms, below.

  • Broad selection of SEO tools
  • Strong selection of integrations
  • Cheapest package doesn’t include SEO tools
  • Might be too advanced for novices

IONOS By 1&1

$1.50 AUD per month for the first six months, then $27 AUD

IONOS 1&1’s rankingCoach tool offers step-by-step optimisation for each page.

The tool allows you to track and monitor search engine results performance, and suggests keywords to target based on the content of your site. Users can even generate meta titles and descriptions automatically using artificial intelligence (AI).

Meta titles and descriptions are fully editable, images can be optimised, and the My Website feature identifies areas where your site’s load times can be improved. It’s also possible to implement 301 redirects.

E-commerce functions come as an add-on.

  • Very competitively priced
  • Strong level of customisation
  • Advanced features only available on more expensive plans

Squarespace

$16 AUD per month

Squarespace’s ‘advanced’ SEO tools include an SEO checklist for best practice guidance, Google Search Console integration, and automatically generated but customisable titles and descriptions.

Other features include automatic sitemap generation, automatic schema markup for events and products, SSL certification, responsive design and Accelerated Mobile Pages (AMP), while 301 redirects can be implemented.

  • Strong customisation
  • Responsive design
  • Relatively expensive

GoDaddy

$13.95 AUD per month

Built-in ecommerce

Most GoDaddy users get its SEO Wizard which will attempt to optimise your website based on your answers to a series of questions.

GoDaddy’s basic, $13.95 per month plan does not, however, include the integrated search engine optimisation tools.

There’s little in the way of optimisation outside of the wizard, which only offers the ability to make surface level changes. For example, you can’t easily do things like edit the page title or meta description of a blog page.

GoDaddy offers a premium, bespoke SEO service which, for a fee, will provide expert support to help your website improve in search results.

Visit GoDaddy’s Australian pricing page for more information.

  • Competitively priced
  • SEO Wizard is basic
  • SEO tools unavailable on cheapest plan

Weebly

$7 AUD per month

Weebly says sites created on its website builder are automatically designed with SEO in mind, complete with sitemaps, responsive design for mobile, editable meta data, image optimisation and more.

Its free domains mean your site’s URL will start with a less-SEO friendly “weebly” prefix, meaning people will find your site at weebly.sitename.com. If you want a fully custom URL, which can help you in SEO, you’ll have to pay for your site.

Weebly also allows you to add schema, which means you’re able to add custom header and footer tags, and other structured data, to boost your standing in Google. Users can integrate free and premium third-party tools to help with SEO via the Weebly app centre.

On the downside, Weebly’s text editor doesn’t go beyond H2 headings, so you can’t make subordinate H3-H6 headings to break up a page.

  • Editable meta data
  • Limited text formatting

We took the top entries already listed in our best website builders for 2024 and considered the tools and features they offer to help users specifically with search engine optimisation.

These include:

  • the ability to directly edit meta titles and descriptions
  • URL/permalink settings
  • mobile responsiveness
  • whether or not the user can implement 301 redirects and canonical URLs
  • the ability to add alt text to images
  • Sitemaps and Robots.txt settings
  • Integrations with third-party services

We then selected the best five and awarded them each a Forbes Advisor star rating.

Platforms that provided the most tools, and that went beyond ‘surface-level’ optimisation ranked higher than those that didn’t.

Website builders allow people without any coding or design skills to create websites quickly, often with interfaces that allow them to simply type the information they want on the site into text fields, and to drag and drop other elements into pages.

This lowers the barrier to entry for smaller businesses who may not have the budget to pay a professional to build a website.

Modern website builders go beyond content and aesthetics to also cover things like search engine optimisation (SEO), ensuring that a site has the best possible chance of reaching its intended audience.

In essence, SEO is a marketing discipline that involves setting up websites so that they appear as often and as prominently as possible in search engine results pages.

The idea is to appear before as many potential customers as possible by making sure a website’s content is relevant, timely and technically arranged in such a way as to tell search engines it is the best fit for their users’ searches.

For example, a website for a business selling mountain bikes might want to create content around popular mountain bike brands in order to capture the attention of buyers still researching their options.

As well as creating content, they’ll make sure that pages of their website include relevant keywords in their headings, text, and so forth. This is called ‘on-page’ or ‘on-site’ SEO.

There’s also off-site SEO, which involves having other, relevant websites linking back to your website – effectively telling search engines that yours is an authority on whatever topic it concerns.

Finally there’s technical SEO, which involves the ‘behind-the-scenes’ optimisation of things that users don’t typically see, but which help with the way search engines index websites and their content in results pages.

Websites need good on-site, off-site and technical SEO to maximise their potential for attracting web users.

Having a website with good SEO is like having a physical bricks and mortar shop or attraction somewhere with heavy footfall, in the sense that a greater number of people are likely to come across you, and hopefully become customers.

What makes SEO so important is that, when carried out effectively, it can be a cheap or even free way of marketing your business to customers online.

Unlike paid advertising, whether on or offline, organic search results are a means to get your business in front of hundreds, thousands – or even millions – of potential customers without having to pay for it.

SEO tools platform Ahrefs says 68% of all online activity starts with a search engine, and more than 53% of all website traffic comes from search engines. But SEO only really benefits those who do it well enough to take prime position in search engine results pages.

Less than 1% (0.63%) of search engine users make it to the second page of results, which makes appearing on the first page of results vital. The result in the top spot, below the last paid result, gets more than a quarter (27.6%) of user clicks.

Here are the definitions of some key SEO terms you’re likely to encounter:

Meta title: The main title of a page as defined by its underlying HTML code. Search engines such as Google use these as written in their results pages. The meta title of this page for example, is: ‘Best Website Builders For SEO’.

Meta description: A brief synopsis of a webpage designed to explain to a user, within search engine results pages, what it contains. Meta descriptions can be used to demonstrate to a user that your site is what they are looking for. The meta description for this page for example, is: ‘Find the best website builder to help your business appear in Google searches and attract more customers’.

Permalink: A static, unchanging URL for a page that can tell search engines more about what it contains. Some website builders allow you to customise your permalinks to target them for certain keywords.

Responsive design: A responsive website will be as easily readable on a laptop as it will on a mobile device, adapting itself dynamically to fit its space and give the user the best experience.

301 redirect: A digital signpost that tells a search engine to automatically forward a user from the page they chose to visit to another page. Websites use 301 redirects when an old or defunct page is replaced with a new one and wants search engines to send users to the newer version.

SSL certificate: A third-party verified, digital certification that authenticates a website’s identity for search engines’ purposes.

Canonical tag: A small piece of HTML code that tells a search engine which page to index from a set of duplicated pages. For example, your website might have two versions of a page for two different geographies. Putting a canonical tag on one of the duplicates prevents search engines from having duplicate listings in their results pages.

Sitemap: A file listing all the pages on your website and how they relate to each other. Search engines use these files to more efficiently index websites.

Robots.txt: A file that helps to control web requests from web robots (‘bots’) to your website. For example, a robots.txt file can be used to determine which parts of your site a bot can ‘crawl’ and which it cannot. You might, for instance, want to prevent Googlebot from crawling your login page.

Scheme/structured data: Structured data is a standardised format for web content that search engines can use for categorisation. For example, if you were to search for ‘events in London’, you’ll see a list of upcoming events that Google has pulled from websites using structured data to tell it that they are events.

HTML: A basic computer language used to build web pages.

URL: A Uniform Resource Locator (URL) is basically a web page’s address on the internet, readable by humans.

Are all website builders the same?

When it comes to SEO, not all website builders are created equal. Some allow for much greater control over factors that can have a big impact on your website’s performance in search engine results. For example, some website builders don’t allow you to customise page URLs – an important way of telling a search engine what a page or site is about.

Which website builder is best for SEO in Australia?

All of the platforms in our list offer great SEO tools to make optimising your website easy. Of those in our list, we found that Wix offered the best range of tools.

Do I need an SEO professional?

It depends on your needs and your budget. For example, research from SEO tools platform Ahrefs found that, of those businesses that pay for an SEO professional, costs range from between $800 AUD and $2500 AUD per month.

If you have a business in a very competitive space and can afford this fee, you may benefit from their expertise. If, on the other hand, your business is smaller, independent or in a less competitive market, the SEO tools offered by many top website builders these days may suffice.

Do I need to learn SEO?

Not necessarily. Many website designers have built-in SEO tools that will walk you through the process of optimising your site, which means you don’t need any detailed knowledge of how SEO works in order to get your website performing well in search engines’ results pages.

Staff writer Mark Hooson has been a journalist within the personal finance, consumer affairs and fraud sectors for more than 10 years. He is also Forbes Advisor UK’s resident tech expert. Mark says he thrives on making ‘complicated and dry topics easier to digest’.

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