Australia is a country that is as diverse as it is vast. From north to south and east to west, you can discover ever-changing landscapes but always spectacular scenery. The scale of Australia is hard to comprehend and every destination has its own unique sights to see and attractions to experience. You can rest assured that wherever you decide to travel, you will have an experience like nowhere else in the world.
There are some incredible tours available across Australia, taking in the best of the natural scenery and wonderful attractions the nation has to offer; from the colorful, sandy islands of the Whitsundays to the humid rainforests and crashing waterfalls of the Northern Territory’s untouched national parks. Snorkel the Great Barrier Reef, cruise along the Brisbane River or take on the Great Ocean Road from Melbourne.
There’s a lot do in Australia, and here are the top tours to help you to see the best of it.
1. Whitsundays Full Day Catamaran Sailing Adventure From Airlie
Source: getyourguide.comThe Whitsundays are one of the most scenically beautiful archipelagos in Australia. Found on the east coast in the state of Queensland, you can enjoy some of the most colorful stretches of water fringed by some of the purest, whitest sands in the country. From Airlie Beach on the mainland, this tour takes you on a fast, comfortable Catamaran journey out into the islands.
This full day adventure will see you visiting the best spots – including the famous Whitehaven Beach – with plenty of opportunities for snorkeling in secluded bays, hiking through the rainforest, and a buffet lunch complete with drinks on board the Catamaran.
2. Rottnest Island Bike and Ferry Combo From Perth
Source: getyourguide.comRottnest Island is Perth’s most famous holiday getaway. This beautiful island is located just a short ferry ride away from Fremantle Harbor, just to the south of the city of Perth. It is popular in summer for its untouched beaches and wonderful snorkeling opportunities.
Take the ferry from Perth, then jump on a bicycle to traverse the wild coastline of Rottnest Island. Explore beaches and bays, take a refreshing dip in the ocean, but make sure to watch out for the island’s most famous residents – the Quokkas. These furry little creatures are only found on Rottnest Island. They are so incredibly tame that they will come right on up to visitors for selfies. Part kangaroo, part giant hamster, a Quokka is like no other animal, and the place to see them is Rottnest Island.
3. Explore Fraser Island: 2 Day Grand 4WD Tour
Source: getyourguide.comOn the east coast of Australia, just north of Brisbane, Fraser Island is the world’s largest sand island. Composed almost entirely of sand, it supports one of the most unique ecosystems in the world, with dense rainforest somehow growing from the sandy ground beneath it. There are clear, freshwater lakes to explore and this is the best location in Australia to see wild dingoes in their natural habitat.
This two-day tour will show you the best of Fraser Island, with a 4WD bus that allows you to traverse the long beaches and rough, off-road tracks in comfort, with enough time on the island to reach the most remote and untouched areas.
4. Day Trip to Kangaroo Island by Boat from Adelaide
Source: Andrea Izzotti / shutterstockAustralia’s third largest island is waiting off the southern coastline, just a short journey from Adelaide. There’s a small resident population on Kangaroo Island, but most of the area is taken up by national parks and protected land that helps preserve the island’s wild nature and a huge array of wildlife.
There is some excellent hiking, wonderful windswept scenery, and every Australian animal from kangaroos to koalas to be found here.
5. From Cairns: Luxury Great Barrier Reef Snorkeling Tour
Source: getyourguide.comThe Great Barrier Reef is the largest living organism in the world and stretches for hundreds of miles along the east coast of Australia. It’s one of the most incredible natural sights on the planet; an underwater world that’s teeming with colorful coral and an abundance of marine life.
From Cairns, join this vessel to the outer islands, where you can snorkel, dive and marvel at this incredible marine world from the comfort of a boat.
6. Litchfield National Park Full Day Safari From Darwin
Source: Ashley Whitworth / shutterstockThe Northern Territory – affectionately known by Australians as the Top End – is a remote and sparsely populated region of the country that few tourists ever make it to. It’s far off, but it’s worth the journey to Darwin, the capital, to take a tour to Litchfield National Park.
On this tour, you will explore the wilderness of the rainforest, with walks through Litchfield National Park leading to refreshing, freshwater swimming holes and epic waterfalls.
7. Uluru and Kata Tjuta Tour with Base Walk and Sunset BBQ
Source: getyourguide.comFrom the Ayers Rock Resort close to Alice Springs in the heart of the Outback, get taken on an encompassing tour to Uluru – the world’s most iconic rock. Learn about the Aboriginal traditions and history associated with Uluru, taking a walk around the base of the rock, before enjoying an Aussie BBQ in the outdoors as the sun sets, with an incredible view of Uluru.
8. Kings Canyon: Full Day Tour From Ayers Rock Resort
Source: Andrew Paul Deer / shutterstockKings Canyon is one of the most spectacular natural sights found in the Outback of the Northern Territory. Located close to the famous Uluru, this is an attraction that sees fewer visitors than the iconic rock but is just as beautiful in its own way.
This guided tour will lead you around the walking trail that follows the top of the canyon, for excellent views over this landmark.
9. Kuranda Full Day Trip by Train and Skyrail
Source: Jimmy W / shutterstockFrom Cairns, get transported into the rainforest and to the charming tourist town of Kuranda, perched high in the hills above the city. Take the Scenic Railway up to Kuranda, stopping off on the way for incredible views over Barron Falls – one of Australia’s most powerful waterfalls.
In Kuranda, browse through the markets and enjoy the local food before taking the breathtaking Skyrail back down to Cairns, passing effortlessly over the forest canopy below you.
10. Fitzroy Island Full Day Adventure Tour From Cairns
Source: CoolR / shutterstockFitzroy Island is found just a 45-minute boat ride away Cairns. This verdant and pristine national park offers a fantastic day out. Fitzroy Island is part of the Great Barrier Reef, but rather than spending all day on a boat to explore the reef, you can relax on the island’s beaches, snorkel the surrounding coral and then grab a drink at the bar.
11. Great Ocean Road Day Tour From Melbourne
Source: Constantin Stanciu / shutterstockThe Great Ocean Road is one of the most iconic road trips anywhere in the world. The route takes travelers from Melbourne and along the coastline, taking in spectacular cliffs, crashing waves and beautiful sights.
Enjoy the Great Ocean Road in the comfort of a small group tour, stopping off to see the Twelve Apostles and the many national parks along the route.
12. Pinnacles Desert: Sunset and Star Gazing Tour
Source: getyourguide.comThis excellent tour will take you from Perth to the Pinnacles Desert after enjoying the charming delights of the Swan Valley. At Lancelin, sand board down some of the highest dunes in Western Australia, before heading to the Pinnacles National Park when the sun sets to experience the unique rock formations under the bright stars.
13. Blue Mountains Tour
Source: VarnaK / shutterstockThe Blue Mountains are an iconic feature of the beautiful landscapes that are found inland from Sydney. On this group tour, enjoy the scenic vistas over the wide valleys from the top of the plateaus, with far-reaching vistas over the iconic Three Sisters rock formation that has been slowly shaped over time into a unique natural sight. Take the Scenic Railway and Skyrail for a journey higher into the mountains, and for incredible views along the way.
14. The Barossa Valley: Premium Wine Tour
Source: kwest / shutterstockThe Barossa Valley is one of Australia’s most famous wine producing regions. On this small group tour, you can travel from Adelaide into the heart of the valley. Visit four separate wineries and learn firsthand how the Barossa Valley produces some of the best wine in the world, enjoying tastings and some excellent food platters to accompany the drinks.
15. Port Arthur Full Day Tour From Hobart
Source: getyourguide.comOn Tasmania, you can experience the island’s best natural and historic attractions on this day trip from Hobart to Port Arthur. First, take in the spectacular cliffs of the Tasman Peninsular – wild and windswept scenery that will quite literally blow you away. Next, head onto Port Arthur, where you can see the remnants of the prisons built by convicts transported here from across the British Empire.