OUR PICKS · AUSTRALIA
Sydney Harbour from the water, whales off the Fraser coast, and the small-boat trips that get closer than the ferries. The 15 below are priced per head with the seasons the wildlife trips depend on.
Cruise Sydney Harbour from Circular Quay for 90 minutes, with live English commentary from skippers such as Ron or Bruce. You’ll pass the Opera House, Harbour Bridge, Royal Botanic Gardens, and other landmarks while enjoying tea, coffee, water, fruit, and biscuits.
“Very informative guide and a really nice way to look round the harbour”
Spend nine active hours with Tasman Venture exploring K’gari’s remote western shore. You’ll ride an amphibious boat, kayak, snorkel, tube, hike sand dunes, and watch for wildlife. Guides including Taylor, Reece, BJ, and Carolena bring local insight, while lunch and hotel pickup keep the day simple.
“Wow! We had a great time! Such a beautiful island and the crew will show you the best spots! Would really recommend this trip!”
Set out from Coles Bay at 9:45 am for a 4-hour-30-minute cruise along Freycinet National Park. Expect local commentary, white beaches, granite cliffs, wildlife sightings, onboard restrooms, and an optional lunch. Crew members such as Josh, Ewen, and Robert have been praised for their care and skill.
“This was a simple boat ride. We got parked at WineGlass bay for 1 hour and came back. Too costly and not worth the money.”
Join Freedom Whale Watch at 9:30 am for a six-hour catamaran cruise from Urangan. Toni and the crew search Platypus Bay for humpback whales, with time for dolphins, turtles, sea birds, whale calls, buffet lunch, morning and afternoon tea, and Fraser Island views.
“1. We spent a solid 6 hours out on the water, and we had the privilege of seeing so many whales. Some of them even came right up to the boat, and one even gave us a spectacular spout! 2. The meals were simply delicious. They served us morning tea, lunch, and afternoon tea, and every bite was fantastic! 3. The captain was a wealth of information, sharing so many interesting facts with us. Plus, all the crew members were super friendly. This trip was absolutely worth it! 🐳🌊😄”
Cruise Sydney Harbour from Circular Quay for 135 minutes with a 13-option buffet, tea, coffee, live English commentary, and views of the Opera House, Harbour Bridge, Botanical Gardens, and Darling Harbour. Guides such as Ron and Ellen add local stories and humor.
“The guide was really good, he knew his stuff and he was entertaining as well. The staff were very helpful and friendly. The food was yummy and there was a good selection to choose from. The boat was very clean and well maintained. I highly recommend this cruise!”
From Circular Quay Wharf 6, you take a one-hour Fantasea cruise past the Opera House, Mrs Macquarie’s Chair, Fort Denison, Taronga Zoo, Kirribilli House, and Harbour Bridge. English commentary, open views, an onboard bar, and four daily departures make it an easy first look at Sydney.
“Excellent and informative guide. Learnt so much. The crew were really so mindful and fun. Great value for money and a wonderful experience. Highly recommended A++”
Cruise Sydney Harbour for 90 minutes from the Eastern Pontoon at Circular Quay. You’ll pass the Opera House, Harbour Bridge, Royal Botanic Gardens, Luna Park, sandstone cliffs, and small bays while a live guide, often Ron, explains Sydney’s story. Tea, coffee, indoor seating, outdoor decks, and a restroom are included.
“Great cruise around the harbor. The guide gave us a lot of great info about Sydney. It was a beautiful cruise and a beautiful day.”
Take Pennicott Wilderness Journeys’ open-air cruise from Adventure Bay, or choose the Hobart option with ferry, bus transport, and island time. Expect sea cliffs, Breathing Rock, caves, seals, seabirds, and possible dolphins or whales. Guides such as Ari, Nat, Jamie, and Josh are known for lively, careful commentary.
“The reception lady is cheerful and informative. On the boattrip, the guys are very professional, caring and energetic! We seen lots of scenic places and lovely animals! It’s enough time for video & photo shooting.”
Spend about nine hours touring from Hobart to Richmond, Eaglehawk Neck, Port Arthur, Remarkable Cave, and a Tasmanian chocolate maker. Your guide, such as Colin, Vic, Rod, Mark, or Barry, provides local stories, while four and a half hours at Port Arthur includes the site talk, museum, ruins, restored buildings, and a 30-minute harbour cruise.
“Brody was great. Very informative and answered all our questions. He was patient with young and old. You could do this tour yourself as they just drop you off at the penitentiary which is mostly ruins but I was glad to get a break from driving plus appreciated the additional information Brody provided about the country, flora, animals, and culture. He made the tour worthwhile.”
Set out from Murray Street Pier for a one-hour Derwent River cruise, or choose a longer lunch or dinner sailing. Your captain points out Hobart sights, from Battery Point and Government House to Tasman Bridge, Rose Bay, and Bellerive Bluff.
“Lovely day out in the harbour. We had the fish and chips which was cooked to perfection, the cruise was very informative and the captain was very passionate about his comentry. Very enjoyable”
Join Tasman Venture for a four-hour Hervey Bay catamaran cruise with a whale-sighting guarantee. Watch humpback whales from the outdoor viewing platform or underwater windows, hear their calls through hydrophones, and enjoy commentary in six languages. Rachel and the crew add warmth, care, and useful marine insight.
“The sea was rough the day I went whale watching but the whales were amazing! They made a show for us! :) Perfect birthday present!”
Spend 270 minutes aboard Schouten Passage II, cruising from Coles Bay past Freycinet’s granite cliffs, caves, seals, dolphins, and whales. Skipper Noah is known for lively commentary, while the Vista Lounge, viewing decks, onboard bar, and Tasmanian-style Ploughman’s lunch keep the trip comfortable.
“Absolutely incredible cruise. All the staff were super friendly, helpful, excellent at spotting wildlife and were hilarious. The Skipper Noah was also hilarious and a wonderful guide that made even lichen interesting. He was also very respectful of the wildlife that we were able to see. What a wealth of knowledge that young man has and the way he shares it is incredible. The lunch was also a highlife in a day of highlights, and the time onboard absolutely flew by.”
Spend about four and a half hours aboard the Spirit of Hervey Bay, cruising Platypus Bay near Fraser Island. The crew shares whale behavior insights while you watch from open decks, a waterline platform, or underwater windows. Morning or afternoon tea is included, with hotel transfers or free marina parking.
“This is an amazing experience and one we throughly enjoyed. the crew was very attentive to all on board. we saw dozens of pods of whales and the captain gave some really good information about humpback whales and what they do. We think this is really good value Read more”
Depart Darling Harbour for a 150-minute sunset cruise with a three-course dinner, regional ingredients, and included wine, beer, soft drinks, tea, and coffee. You will pass the Harbour Bridge, Opera House, Taronga Zoo, and Luna Park from indoor and outdoor decks. Staff members named Romina, Jack, Ramania, and Beatrice have earned special praise.
“Highlight of our trip away. Food was delicious and we had a beautiful relaxed afternoon on the harbour! Highly recommend it.”
Leave Sydney Central at 7 am for a small-group Jervis Bay day tour with an English- or Portuguese-speaking guide. Cruise for dolphins, visit Huskisson, walk at Hyams and Greenfield beaches, and look for kangaroos at Cave Beach in Booderee National Park. Meals are extra.
“The bus needs some mechanical work. The bus ride was very boring. In other excursions, the drivers tell us significant history items during the ride, at points. The guys were great, the food was delicious. We enjoyed the beach, the dolphins were awesome, and the drive was blah. Talking to us some of the time about the history, would have been wonderful!”
An hour around a harbour, a full day with a swim stop, or a cabin and a sunrise.
