Australia · GUIDED
Every trip has one free day too few. These 15 guided tours justify the slot, priced and timed so you can decide in minutes and get back to the fun part.
Spend one hour inside Sydney Opera House with a live English, French, Spanish, or German guide. Walk through foyers, theaters, and unusual viewpoints while hearing the building’s dramatic design story. You might see a rehearsal or stage crew at work. Expect about 300 stairs.
“A very good tour of the opera house. Very informative.”
Spend one hour inside the Sydney Opera House with a guide such as Peter, Michael, Katharina, or Sheila. Walk through elegant foyers, see two performance spaces, study the famous shell tiles, and hear how Danish architect Jørn Utzon solved the building’s huge design challenges. Allow for about 300 stairs.
“Ask for Peter as your Guide. A retired Architect who actually worked on some of The Opera House projects. Very very knowledgeable!”
Travel from central Cairns to Kuranda by historic railway, enjoy free time for markets, cafés, walking trails, and optional wildlife parks, then glide back over the rainforest on Skyrail. Drivers such as Viktor and Dean add local tips, while pickup and drop-off keep the day simple.
“We had a great day out. The pick up, tour explanation and collection at the end of the day were all very efficient and timely. The Kuranda train was amazing and the Sky-rail with stops was brilliant. We highly recommend this to any visitors to Cairns.”
Ride a Sea-Doo from Coral Sea Marina into the Whitsunday Islands Marine Park with guides such as Josh, Phoebe, Sami, and Brodie. Choose a beginner-friendly Airlie Adventure, a longer two-island ride, or a solo trek to Palm Bay Resort with lunch and pool time.
“We did the Airlie Adventure tour and couldn’t recommend it enough! It was a bit choppy out on the water but we still had the absolute best time!! Josh (aka Bradley Cooper) was a fantastic guide! Would 10/10 do it again next time we are in Airlie!”
Travel from Hobart to Bruny Island by ferry and minivan with guides such as Jimmy, Dave, Andy and Rick. Taste oysters, warm bread, cheese, honey, fudge and chocolate, enjoy a local lunch, and climb Cape Bruny Lighthouse for wide ocean views.
“This full day experience was well done. Rick, our guide, is also a resident of Bruny Island and very knowledgeable about the area. We were picked up and dropped off near where we were staying. We were blessed with good weather and got to sample award winning local oysters, cheese, chocolate and honey. We also got a wonderful lunch at the Bruny Hotel. The lighthouse and other scenery were lovely. A great day was had by all. I recommend this tour.”
Spend 13 hours with Go West Tours following Victoria’s Great Ocean Road in a minibus for up to 24 people. Your English-speaking guide, such as Lucy, Mark, or Jools, leads coastal stops, koala spotting, a Maits Rest rainforest walk, the Twelve Apostles, and Loch Ard Gorge. Multilingual audio commentary is available in 16 languages.
“Had a great day yesterday with Sharif our tour guide and fellow travellers. Was so much fun and Sharif was such a lovely tour guide and had a great sense of humour and we all loved his professional happy and informative commentary :) Was very well organised (without being too rigid) and really well run. Thanks again Sharif, Louise Jack from Glasgow :)”
Walk The Rocks with a trained local guide such as Judith, Paul, Vickie, Michael, or George. Expect roughly 2 kilometers of cobbled lanes, old sandstone steps, early colonial buildings, convict stories, Cadman’s Cottage, Garrison Church, and fine views of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge.
“If you have a spare couple of hours and want to know the history of the Rocks this is for you. Very relaxing walk with the guide only to happy to answer any questions along the way. A great way to find out more about the history of Sydney and how the circular quay came about.”
Spend about 10 hours exploring Bruny Island with Tassie Tours Tasmania. Guides such as Mark, Bryony, Jodie, Nathan, and Pascal lead small-group trips from Hobart, combining the Neck lookout, Adventure Bay, rainforest, lighthouse, honey, chocolate, and local oysters.
“Perfectly timed day with a great group & activities. Bryony was a super fun & informative guide. Hotel pick ups & drop off were also so helpful!”
Spend three hours climbing Sydney Harbour Bridge with a Climb Leader and up to 13 others. You move slowly along the upper arch, stopping for city stories and views of the Opera House, Darling Harbour, and skyline. The climb includes safety gear, a cap, and a printed group photo.
“I heard about this and decided I needed to do it. I was solo but that didn’t stop me. Our guide, Cooper, was great! It’s a very slow climb with several stops on the way with a few drinking fountains (bubblers). It was rainy day but that was just fine vs. doing it in the heat. The views were spectacular! If you are on the fence about doing it, DO IT!”
Spend 75 minutes inside Melbourne’s famous MCG with an English-speaking MCC member. See the Long Room, library, player changing rooms, media centre, viewing room, and city skyline, then walk onto the arena itself. Guides such as John, Peter, Malcolm, and Ian bring the ground’s sporting stories to life.
“Very interesting and informative. Our guide Greg was great, passionate and knowledgeable and made our tour a very memorable experience. I would highly recommend visiting the MCG.”
Spend 90 minutes touring Adelaide Oval with an English-speaking guide. Explore restricted areas, learn how the historic manual scoreboard works, and visit the Bradman Collection. Guides such as Rob, Richard, Marg, Trevor, and Ian are known for mixing sporting facts with local stories and humor.
“An improved merchandise shop. It was brilliant and the best was the scoreboard part. We are from UK”
Spend 10 hours exploring Bruny Island with a local English-speaking guide such as Mark, Jodi, Andrew, or Bryony. Expect easy to moderate walks, beaches, lagoons, wildlife spotting, the Neck lookout, and optional tastings of oysters, honey, chocolate, and drinks. Lunch and tastings cost extra.
“Mark our local born Kingston, Hobart guide was awesome. He was well informed and had a warm heart /personality. He went at a good pace. Not too rushed and we got to see, experience and taste the wares of local producers in Bruny Island. We would highly recommend this tour as the island has its own tranquil character and if you happen to get Mark you’ll be in fantastic hands! All the best in your chosen career paths Mark and may you and your family enjoy your som’s Dec wedding and celebrations. Congratulations, good health and blessings to your family. Arie and Viv”
Travel from Melbourne with an English-speaking guide along the Great Ocean Road. Expect beach morning tea, koala spotting at Kennett River, Maits Rest rainforest, Apollo Bay, the 12 Apostles, Gibson Steps, and Loch Ard Gorge, with audio information in 16 languages.
“It was an amazing day trip of the Great Ocean Road. Our guide was quite knowledgeable. The only disappointing part was not getting to spot any Koalas.”
Spend about six hours cruising Maria Island’s coast with guides such as Michael, Ruby, Milly, or Tamsyn, then take a two-hour guided walk through Darlington’s convict settlement. Expect wildlife, sea caves, geology, lunch, drinks, and a small group of up to 28 people.
“Mike and Tamsin were wonderful and friendly, as well as sharing their knowledge passionately. The boat ride was a lot of fun and getting to spend time learning about the history of the island while seeing the wildlife was fascinating. A great day, highly recommend 👌”
Travel from Hobart to Richmond, the Tasman Peninsula and Port Arthur with a driver-guide such as Colin, Vic, Mark or Rod. Explore the convict site, join a 30-minute harbour cruise, see Tasman Arch and Remarkable Cave, and return via a chocolate stop.
“Very comfortable coach. Very thoughtful and kind driver, Vic. We saw some beautiful sights. The only improvement would have been more time in Port Arthur penitentiary.”
Pick a coast, a rock or a cellar door.
