Top 9 Shore Excursions Tours in Australia

1.Shore Excursion: Hobart Highlights Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 107 reviews · from $107Our pick

See Hobart’s best-known sights in 5 to 7 hours with a local driver-guide such as Jodi, Peter, Andrew, or Tammie. Ride from the cruise terminal to Mt Wellington, Richmond, Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary, and the Coal River Valley, with Salamanca Market included on Saturdays.

“The tour was not satisfactory, there weren't many places to visit like the ones advertised and the car air conditioning didn't work well”

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2.Penneshaw: Shore Excursion Kangaroo Island Scenic Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 103 reviews · 7 hours · from $162

Spend seven hours touring Kangaroo Island from the cruise terminal, with Seal Bay, Remarkable Rocks, Admirals Arch, Cape du Couedic, and Pennington Bay. A small English-speaking team, packed lunch, air-conditioned transport, and cruise-timing awareness make this a practical island overview.

“Excellent tour to have all the key points visited in one day time. Nikki was an awesome tour guide. Highly recommended.”

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3.Shore Excursion-Hobart Wanderer

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 87 reviews · from $114Top rated

Spend 5 to 6 hours exploring Hobart, Mount Wellington, Richmond, and Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary with a local guide. Paul, Brett, Gary, Peter, and Jarred have led recent departures. Cruise pickup, transport, sanctuary entry, and a flexible small-group plan are included.

“It was a very small group which allowed us flexibility in where we went and how long we stayed at each place. Our driver could not have been nicer and went out of his way to ensure we had a great rcperienve”

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4.Darwin Shore Excursion: Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 61 reviews · from $35Best value

Board an open-top Big Bus at Darwin’s Fort Hill Wharf or the Top End Visitor Information Centre. Choose a 24 or 48-hour pass, hear recorded commentary, and visit 11 stops including Crocosaurus Cove, Cullen Bay, the Botanic Gardens, East Point Reserve, and the Military Museum.

“Clear commentary. Darwin has lots of interesting places to visit, might have been better to get a 2 day pass. Great sitting up top undercover with the breeze.”

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5.Shore Excursion – Cradle Mountain Shuttle Bus from Burnie

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 47 reviews · from $157

Travel from Burnie to Cradle Mountain in a small group of up to 20. Guides such as Peter, Shannon, Richard, Mark, and Jeremy lead walks near Dove Lake, help spot wombats and echidnas, and adjust the day to your ship’s schedule. Expect changing weather and about 1.5 hours each way.

“Awesome tour of cradle mountain. The tour guides ensure we make it back to the cruise on time. And it was a long drive. The guides were knowledgeable and knows their way around the mountain to ensure we can see what we can and have photos taken. Great day”

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6.Wings Wildlife Park Shuttle, Burnie Shore Excursion

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 34 reviews · from $89

Ride inland from Burnie with a guide and driver, then spend about two hours exploring Wings Wildlife Park on your own. Feed kangaroos, see Tasmanian devils and koalas, add paid animal encounters, and return via Penguin and the Leven River.

“The drive out to the animal sanctuary was worth the tour by itself. The countryside is beautiful. Seeing and interacting with the wildlife was icing on the cake. Greet your and I would not miss it on a return trip.”

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7.Cairns Shore Excursion: Cairns City Sights & Surrounds Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 25 reviews · from $78

Tour Cairns by air-conditioned 20-seat coach with a local guide, stopping at the museum, St Monica’s Cathedral, Flecker Botanical Gardens, Surprise Creek Falls, Palm Cove, and NOA Eat Drink Share for scones, tea, coffee, or hot chocolate. Guides may include Chris, Eric, or Matt.

“Our3rd cruise to Cairns. We truly got to know Carins from a different perspective. Great for people that have done the Great Barrier Reef several times. Phyllis and Michael”

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8.From Penneshaw: Kangaroo Island Shore Excursion Tasting Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 23 reviews · 7 hours · from $162

Spend seven hours tasting Kangaroo Island specialties, from Ligurian bee honey and lavender scones to Bay of Shoals wine and Kangaroo Island Spirits. Cruise passengers meet Kangaroo Island Trails at Penneshaw, with guides such as Caitlin and Joel leading the day. Lunch is not included, so bring one from the ship.

“Friendly atmosphere. Would have liked another 10 minutes added to lunch break”

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9.Hobart Shore Excursion: Hobart Attractions Bus

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 21 reviews · from $57

Ride a comfortable coach through Hobart with a guide, stopping at Mount Nelson Lookout for broad city views. The route also passes Battery Point, Cascade Brewery, the Penitentiary Chapel, and the Royal Tasmanian Botanic Gardens. It is a planned sightseeing loop, not a hop-on hop-off bus.

“This tour was a very informative history lesson about the beginnings of Tasmania (Van Diemans Land). I was travelling with my two youngest grandchildren aged 7 & 9 and my nine year old grandaughter could certainly empathise with the yRead more”

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