Australia & Tasmania : Adventure Tour

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 – Sydney Opera House, Harbour Bridge, the Sydney Tower for its 360-degree views of the city, the waterside hubs of Darling Harbour and Circular Quay, and the Rocks district for shopping. After dark, the glitzy city comes alive with a larger-than-life food and music scene that extends into the early hours. For more laid-back diversions, head down to the beach or hop on a ferry for an extensive tour of the Sydney Harbour, the Parramatta River and numerous locations lying waterside.

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.

Melbourne is a modern metropolis located on the banks of the Yarra River and known for its many gardens, parks and open spaces, which together occupy almost one-third of the city. There are more than 50 000 plant species in Melbourne’s Royal Botanic Gardens and this collection gives insight into the rich indigenous flora found in the city and its surrounds. The town is also becoming an increasingly popular culinary destination, with the Southbank and Arts Centre buzzing with restaurants, bars and live entertainment. 'Doing the block' is a well-known phrase for an exploration of the hidden lanes and alleyways around Bourke, Collins and Flinders streets, while Queen Victoria Market is a popular shopping spot that has been selling clothing, art, toys, crafts and vegetables for over a century.

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.