What Are The Best Tours In Australia?

Gabby Boucher

August 22nd, 2024

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7 minute read

From Great Barrier Reef snorkel trips to Outback camping adventures, here are some of the best tours in Australia! Whether you're travelling Australia for 2 weeks or you're here for a few years on a Working Holiday, try to include at least a few guided tours during your stay.

Guided tours really enhance your experience because you have optimised itineraries with local experts. You'll gain a better understanding of an area and its history, plus get to enjoy the best activities with fun groups of people. Plus, guided tours usually include transport, admission fees and sometimes meals, which removes lots of planning and hassle on your part. We've compiled a list of Australia's top tours so you can get excited about your trip!

The Top Tours In Australia To Add To Your Itinerary

These top Australia tours combine the best natural and cultural sites around the country with epic activities like hiking, camping, sailing, snorkelling, paddleboarding, 4WDing, and more. No matter which parts of Australia you plan to visit, there is surely an amazing guided tour that suits your schedule and travel style. 

Great Barrier Reef Boat Tours

The Great Barrier Reef has to be at the very top of our list of the best Australia tours! As the world's largest coral reef system, the famous Great Barrier Reef attracts countless visitors to Australia. Many travellers head Down Under just to snorkel or dive with the diverse corals and marine life of the reef. So don't miss a chance to get underwater on a Great Barrier Reef Tour! Cairns is considered the Gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, so this is where you'll find the greatest variety of reef day tours and liveaboards. 

Great Barrier Reef Scenic Flights

Another one of the best ways to experience the Great Barrier Reef is from the sky! Join a scenic flight or helicopter ride over the Great Barrier Reef to admire the seemingly never-ending network of corals stretching as far as the eye can see. You can add on scenic flights to a reef boat tour from Cairns, or book a scenic flight from Airlie Beach and see the famous Heart Reef!

K'gari (Fraser Island) Tag Along Tours

K'gari, formerly known as Fraser Island, is the world's largest sand island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and one of Australia's coolest destinations! Guided tours to K'gari allow you to swim in gorgeous lakes, explore majestic rainforests, and stroll across ancient sand dunes. Tag along tours are a favourite among backpackers because they allow you to drive your own 4WD across K'gari's beaches and sandy tracks. They often include camping as well, which is perfect for connecting with the wilderness on K'gari!

Whitsunday Islands Sailing Tours

Some of the best tours in Australia are sailing tours that whisk you through the Whitsunday Islands in style. From huge mega yachts filled with fun-loving backpackers, to classy catamarans perfect for small groups and couples, you can find a range of overnight boat tours that depart Airlie Beach for the Whitsundays daily. Sail to Whitehaven Beach, snorkel in the Great Barrier Reef, and watch the sunrise over the ocean during a few days of absolute bliss. 

Uluru, Kata Tjuta, and Red Centre Tours

Uluru has to be on any list of the best tours in Australia! The iconic monolith in the heart of the Red Centre is a world-famous natural landmark that is also a sacred Indigenous site. Anyone wishing to learn about culture, history, and unique flora and fauna should consider a trip to Uluru and other nearby landmarks such as the breathtaking mountains of Kata Tjuta! Guided tours are the best way to experience Uluru, Kata Tjuta, and the Red Centre because of its secluded Outback location. 

Interactive Wildlife Tours

For animal lovers, there are lots of amazing interactive wildlife tours you can book around Australia. There is always a chance of spotting native animals out in the wild, but a tour of a wildlife sanctuary or park gives you up-close encounters with some of Australia's most beloved creatures. Visit the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary or Australia Zoo from Brisbane. See penguins on Phillip Island or have breakfast with koalas on Magnetic Island. There are lots of options!

Blue Mountains Day Tours

While visiting Sydney, the iconic capital of NSW, treat yourself to a day out in the Blue Mountains! This World Heritage-listed wilderness area encompasses majestic valleys, lush forests, tumbling waterfalls, and a range of incredible hikes. Blue Mountains day tours from Sydney are the perfect way to escape the hustle and bustle and breathe in that crisp mountain air!

Multiday Tasmania Adventure Tours

Tasmania is a mecca for outdoorsy travellers! This little island off the southeast coast of Australia is filled with ambitious hikes, magnificent forests, historic landmarks, amazing beaches, and a whole range of unique natural wonders. For the ultimate Tasmania experience, join a multiday guided adventure and let a local show you the best of the island!

Rainbow Beach 4WD and Water Sport Tours

Some of the best Australia tours can showcase the most incredible natural scenery while including fun activities. Guided 4WD and water sport tours in Rainbow Beach do just that! Drive along the Queensland coast in a 4WD, with towering, naturally striped cliffs towering over the route. Then paddle through turquoise waters with marine life frolicking alongside your board. Rainbow Beach is full of beauty and excitement!

Multiday West Coast Tours

An epic adventure along Australia's West Coast is a must for any traveller hoping to escape the tourist traps. With endless stretches of remote beaches, rugged national parks, and scenic Outback roads, West Coast tours take travellers away from the expected and into some of Australia's most beautiful and secluded landscapes. Guided West Coast tours may include breathtaking destinations like the Kimberley, Broome, and Exmouth. 

Daintree Rainforest Day Tours

Australia is home to the oldest tropical rainforest on Earth! The Daintree Rainforest, located just north of Cairns, has fascinating wildlife, dense jungles, and untouched beaches. The wilderness here is so grand and awe-inspiring, and you can see it for yourself on guided day tours from Cairns! Cruise the Daintree River and spot crocodiles, taste exotic fruit ice cream, and marvel at the endless greenery. 

Outback Australia Train Journeys

One of the most incredible and upscale Australia tours to consider is a rail journey! Various luxury trains traverse the continent of Australia, travelling between destinations like Darwin and Alice Springs or Adelaide and Perth. Booking an experience on an Australian train such as the Ghan promises sweeping views of the remote Outback landscapes paired with fine dining and plush onboard cabins for relaxing and socialising. 

Moreton Island Day Tours

Another one of the best tours in Australia are day trips to Moreton Island. Departing from Brisbane or Gold Coast, guided tours to Moreton Island include thrilling adventures like sandboarding down golden dunes or kayaking next to historic shipwrecks. Combine fun outdoor activities with fabulous natural beauty on one of these amazing tours. 

Atherton Tablelands Waterfall Tours

Escape to the lush wilderness outside Cairns for a guided tour through the Atherton Tablelands! Full of volcanic lakes, tumbling waterfalls, charming jungle towns, and thrilling hikes, the Atherton Tablelands are a nature-lovers paradise. Day trips run daily from Cairns so travellers can immerse themselves in the magic of this enchanting place. 

Great Ocean Road Tours

As one of Australia's most scenic drives, a tour along the Great Ocean Road promises breathtaking coastal views. If you don't have a car or you're not up for self-driving, you can book Great Ocean Road day tours from Melbourne. Or extend your exploration of Victoria's natural beauty by combining the Great Ocean Road with Otway National Park or the Grampians Mountain Range. 

Wine Tasting Day Tours

Australia is home to several world-famous wine regions such as the Hunter Valley, Barossa Valley, and Noosa Hinterland. These lush areas beckon travellers with their rolling green hills, rustic vineyards, and delectable wines. Whether you're a wine lover or not, a day tour out to the countryside where you can chat with local winemakers and tour vineyards is always a fabulous experience. Throw in some fresh local wines and farm-to-table cuisine and you've got one delicious day tour!

Combine the best tours in Australia into one epic itinerary! Feel free to live chat with our team for any tour advice, discounts, or recommendations in Australia.