Private Tour of Australia & Tasmania

Set along Australia's southeastern coast, Sydney is one of Australia's largest cities and serves as the capital of New South Wales. No matter what you fancy – shopping, the arts, the outdoors – you’re likely to be bewildered by the scope of choice available here. First up, there are the must-sees – iconic Sydney Opera House; Harbour Bridge, where visitors can climb while hearing about Sydney history; and the Sydney Tower which provides spectacular 360-degree views of the city. Explore the photogenic waterside hubs of Darling Harbour, Circular Quay, and the Rocks district; or delve into the larger-than-life music and food scenes of the metropolis after dark. For more laid-back diversions, head down to the beach or hop on a ferry for an extensive tour of Sydney Harbour and the gorgeous Parramatta River.

This national treasure is part of the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area – listed for its remarkable geographic and botanic features, and rich Aboriginal culture. It’s an easy day trip from Sydney but there are camping areas (Euroka or Blue Gum Forest) if you wish to spend a night or two. The park boasts 140km of scenic hiking tracks, with hundreds of lookout points from which to view hazy blue forests, waterfalls and rock formations – the most famous of which is the Three Sisters. There are opportunities for canyoning, rock climbing, cycling and horse riding. Get your fill of wild flowers and birds on the popular Cliff Top walking track, before settling down for a picnic complemented by beautiful views.

Australia's ‘heart of culture’, Melbourne, is the capital of Victoria and lies on the banks of the Yarra River. Famous for its gorgeous gardens, exciting culinary scene, and wealth of arts and culture attractions, the city is alluring to travellers with a variety of interests. Melbourne’s Royal Botanic Gardens offer a spectacular display of indigenous plants and flowers, an Aboriginal Heritage Walk, and live concerts; the impressive Melbourne Star provides a 30-minute, 120-meter-high experience over the city; and the uber-modern Federation Square includes the magnificent NVG International Gallery, housing ancient works as well as contemporary masterpieces. Other highlights include the abundance of Queen Victoria Market, the hidden lanes and alleyways around Bourke, Collins, and Flinders streets for food and nightlife, and the mighty Melbourne Cricket Ground, arguably one of the best in the world.

First settled in the early 1900s, Tasmania’s capital city has seen a healthy boom in tourism in recent years. Today Hobart combines the charm of old with a trendy, modern edge, and attractions like Salamanca Place – an old waterfront warehouse district that now hosts swanky restaurants, galleries and cafes – define its contemporary status. Art, culture and fine dining are plentiful in town, while nature and wildlife abound in the outlying areas. Venture out to nearby Mount Wellington for hiking and mountain biking trails with spectacular views.

Russell is a charming, elegant township located in New Zealand’s picturesque Bay of Islands. As one of the earliest European settlements in New Zealand, this small town is jam-packed with historical sites including the Catholic Mission ‘Pompallier’, New Zealand’s oldest surviving Roman Catholic building and the Christ Church, the walls of which still exhibit bullet holes from the Maori Wars. In the whaling days, this calm haven was dubbed the ‘hellhole of the Pacific’ due to it’s wild and lawless inhabitants consisting of mainly drunken sailors and debaucherous whalers. While the town is still a favoured spot for boaties seeking refuge in its sheltered waters, today’s Russell is a world away from its former uncivilised self. The village now exudes a genteel colonial charm with its excellent restaurants, superb galleries and quaint boutiques lining the now calm and tranquil waterfront.

Once serving as the remote outpost where convicts were exiled, the island state of Tasmania is a strange and mesmerising mix of dark and gritty history, trendy arts and foodie cultures, and exquisite scenery with over 70 percent of the island comprising reserves, national parks and natural UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Don’t miss Bicheno, the ‘Jewel of the East Coast’, for sublime seafood, wine-tasting and deep-sea fishing and diving; visit the quaint towns of Wynyard, Burnie or Devonport, with their galleries, art and craft centres, and charming cafes serving top-notch cuisine; and travel to the ‘Edge of the World’ on the northwestern shoreline; and explore the spectacular Tarkine Wilderness Area, with its temperate forests inhabited by diverse wildlife.

New South Wales (NSW) lies in southeastern Australia and is home to Australia’s capital, Canberra, as well as the world-famous city of Sydney, with its glamorous harbour, museums, galleries and restaurants. Sydney draws visitors from around the globe to view its iconic Opera House and visit the popular east coastal strip of golden beaches. Further afield, one of New South Wales’ top attractions is the Blue Mountain National Park, where nature lovers spend time rock climbing, mountain biking, hiking and abseiling. The Snowy Mountains are also located in this region and include Australia’s highest peak, Mount Kosciuszko, which is a popular base for year-round recreation.

Australia’s second largest state, Victoria is also one of the country’s most diverse regions, with its attractions ranging from spectacular beaches and quaint seaside towns, to the cosmopolitan city of Melbourne – the state capital, and Australia’s unofficial cultural capital. Voted one of the world’s most liveable cities, Melbourne is also a fantastic place to visit, offering a cornucopia of galleries, live music venues, markets and fine dining establishments to keep visitors entertained. Beyond the city limits, highlights of the state include the Great Ocean Road, which stretches for nearly 250km along the coast, taking in incredible scenery along the way; the winelands of Yarra Valley and the Mornington Peninsula; the pristine Wilderness Coast of Gippsland; and the misty mountain peaks and countless Aboriginal rock art sites of the Grampians National Park.