Our team has been pulling together the best small-group tours, day trips and multi-day adventures around Australia for years. Mick reads the traveller reviews before any tour earns a spot on this page — if a tour's a dud, it doesn't get listed.
Paddle the Bermagui River on a guided three-hour kayak adventure along the New South Wales south coast. You'll glide through local waterways whilst taking in the surrounding landscape, with a proper morning break featuring coffee, tea, juice and pastries from nearby cafes, plus fresh dairy products from the region. Ideal for paddlers with moderate fitness and no spinal or cardiovascular concerns.
A one-hour trike tour for two riders through Mount Canobolas and the surrounding lake district in Orange, NSW. You'll cruise past vineyards and volcanic landscapes on a three-wheeled motorcycle, with protective gear supplied. The ride suits most fitness levels and offers a different perspective on Australia's cool-climate wine country—part sightseeing, part adrenaline.
Walk the headland at Byron Bay with an Arakwal Bundjalung guide who shares Country knowledge spanning coastal rainforest, wave-carved cliffs, and sheltered inlets. The 90-minute circuit pairs landscape with cultural storytelling, finishing with native bush tucker and tea. You'll move at a steady pace across natural terrain, learning how the land sustained people for thousands of years before the town existed.
Snorkel Cabbage Tree Bay's protected waters with a private guide who tailors the experience to your comfort level. This two-hour Manly outing takes you into Sydney's shifting marine seasons, where Blue Gropers and other natives thrive in the no-take reserve. Your guide handles safety briefings, spotting tips, and local ecology while you explore at your own pace. Hotel pick-up available.
Launch yourself across 14 ziplines suspended up to 25 metres above the forest floor at Coffs Harbour's treetops course. Over two and a half hours, you'll navigate more than 90 obstacles—from wobbling rope bridges to balance beams—threading through the canopy. The course demands nerve and fitness, but rewards you with sweeping views across the surrounding bushland. All safety kit and instruction included.
Step into one of 19 immersive virtual worlds at this Sydney venue and tackle puzzle-based challenges within 60 minutes. You'll navigate fantastical environments—from Wonderland to Dragon Tower to pirate ships—using logic and teamwork to find your way out. The headsets put you directly into the action: fly through space, conjure impossible potions, dodge dinosaurs, fire arrows at monsters, or defuse ticking devices. Groups of up to four work together in a private pod, with photos captured throughout. Wheelchair accessible throughout, and welcoming for ages 8+.
A three-hour private walking tour of [Melbourne](/places/melbourne) that pairs the city's layered past with its thriving bar culture. Your local guide will steer you through the stories of the characters and events that shaped the city, taking you to three distinctive establishments along the way. You'll navigate Naarm's neighbourhood laneways and discover watering holes favoured by locals, piecing together how Melbourne's bar scene became what it is today. Drinks are yours to purchase as you go, keeping the tour price accessible.
Explore [Melbourne](/places/melbourne)'s sporting legacy and present-day facilities on a guided 3.5-hour tour led by locals who know the game. You'll visit iconic venues across the city, take a break for coffee and a bite at a stadium café, then spend time in the Australian Sports Museum—a one-of-a-kind collection that reopened in 2020. It's a chance to understand how deeply sport runs through this city's veins.
A 9km morning run through Sydney's most recognised landmarks, departing Hyde Park at 7:00 am and looping past Mrs Macquarie's Chair, the Opera House, The Rocks, and across the Harbour Bridge to Kirribilli. This two-hour tour pairs steady jogging with frequent pauses to absorb each location's history and snap photos. You'll finish with coffee and a ferry ride back to Circular Quay, experiencing the city's best vistas before the crowds arrive.
Taste six wines blind at Tulloch, a Hunter Valley institution spanning 125 years of winemaking. This seated tasting pairs each pour with a spread of local cheese, cured meats, olives and crackers, guided by the family's accumulated knowledge. You'll take home tasting notes to decode what you've drunk. The hour works equally well for serious drinkers and non-drinkers—teens and abstainers get kombucha and the same charcuterie board instead.
A 2.5-hour cruise across the Gold Coast Broadwater aboard the Kokomo that centres First Nations perspectives on this waterway. You'll hear stories from an Aboriginal guide about cultural ties to the land and sea, begin with a formal Acknowledgement of Country, and join a Yarring Circle at Wavebreak Island where conversation flows freely. The boat moves through striking coastal scenery while you learn how this region has been understood and inhabited for thousands of years.
Roll through Kalgoorlie-Boulder in an open-air heritage tram, exploring the town's gold-rush roots across two and a half hours. Your guide unpacks stories of the 1893 strike and the characters who built this Outback mining hub, stopping at the colossal Superpit, grand Victorian buildings along Hannan and Burt Streets, and the Museum of the Goldfields to see Western Australia's heaviest nugget. Designed for those wanting genuine local insight rather than rushed sightseeing.
Catch Bangarra Dance Theatre's Sheltering at the [Sydney Opera House](/places/sydney-opera-house), a 1 hour 20 minute showcase of three contemporary works rooted in over 65,000 years of First Nations culture. The company, established in 1989, blends traditional knowledge with modern movement to explore themes of Country, identity, and belonging. This is dance that speaks to land, spirit, and the ongoing resilience of Indigenous Australia.
Ride pillion on a local's cherished motorcycle through Sydney's streets for an hour of sensory exploration. Your rider—genuinely knowledgeable, genuinely keen—navigates iconic routes whilst you absorb the city's texture, temperature shifts, and street-level character. It's transport as experience: wind, smell, light, and conversation replace the isolation of a tour bus. You'll snap photos mid-ride and hear insider takes on neighbourhoods few tourists properly see. Jackets and helmets provided.
Door-to-door drive from Brisbane Airport to Surfers Paradise with a dedicated vehicle and driver. This private transfer covers the 60–90 minute journey with air conditioning, onboard WiFi, and reliable arrival timing. Accommodates up to three passengers comfortably, with infant seats available if needed. Service animals welcome.
Spend three-and-a-half hours learning the craft of Sydney Rock Oysters from growers who know them intimately. You'll discover what makes these molluscs prized, track how flavour shifts through the year, and master the practical skills of selecting, storing and opening them like a pro. The session wraps with a paddle on the water to digest what you've learned.
Pedal through Brisbane's riverside precincts on a relaxed 2-hour guided ride with a local who knows the city's layered stories. Small groups of eight mean genuine conversation and breathing space—no megaphone commentary or breakneck pace. You'll clock the skyline, parklands and cultural pockets that make Brisbane tick, all from a bike seat that beats any tour coach. Helmet, bike and sunscreen provided.
Spend an hour learning how beekeepers work with hives on the grounds of a heritage property in Australia. You'll don protective gear, walk through the apiary, and taste several honey varieties whilst relaxing on the terrace with morning tea, taking in views across the lake and surrounding countryside. A hands-on introduction to beekeeping without the sting.
Walk through The Rocks with a Māori guide who'll reveal over two centuries of Māori presence in Sydney—trading posts, homes, meeting places woven into this historic precinct. You'll hear stories from people who know them firsthand, not from textbooks. This is the only Māori-led tour in Australia, a country where one in five Māori now call home. Two hours, ground level, no fitness barriers.
Sixty minutes surveying the [Great Barrier Reef](/places/great-barrier-reef) from the air, tracking two major reef systems in a single flight. You'll spot rays, turtles and sharks moving across the coral gardens below. The scale of the reef—its sprawl, colour and complexity—hits differently from above. Complimentary refreshments included.
Design your own wine region experience across Lower Hunter Valley with a private driver and guide. Choose your own pace—visit as many or few cellar doors as you fancy, stretch the tour from a few hours to a full day, or add an evening dinner run. You'll have exclusive use of an air-conditioned vehicle and skip the tourist crowds. Tasting fees and meals are separate, but water and snacks come along. Dogs welcome too.
A private SUV or MPV whisks you from Brisbane Airport straight to your Noosa accommodation in roughly two hours, handling up to three passengers and their checked luggage without fuss. The vehicle arrives at your terminal, loads your bags, and deposits you at your hotel or private address. Child seats and boosters are fitted free on request. It's a straightforward point-to-point service that beats the airport shuttle grind, especially if you're travelling as a small group or with little ones.
Learn to surf on one of the Gold Coast's most beginner-friendly breaks, just 10 minutes from Surfers Paradise. This two-hour group lesson keeps numbers small—maximum six per instructor—so you get proper attention. The school guarantees you'll be standing on your board by the end, or they'll teach you again free. You'll master wave selection, paddling technique, rip identification, and the pop-up using methods tailored to your body.
Skip the foreshore crowds and watch Sydney's Vivid light festival from Spectre, a sleek European sports cruiser built in 2017. This 90-minute private cruise limits numbers to nine guests, gliding through the harbour as installations illuminate the water around you. Sip French Champagne from your reserved seat while the city's annual light-and-sound spectacle unfolds at close range. Two seatings run nightly: early evening (6:15–7:45 pm) or later (8:00–9:30 pm), departing from Campbells Cove Sunday to Friday, or Barangaroo on weekends.
Experience genuine sailing with a small crew of eight aboard a proper sailing vessel departing Airlie Beach. Unlike crowded sunset tours that motor out with minimal canvas, this two-and-a-half-hour journey actually harnesses wind and sail. You'll help trim sails, feel the boat respond to your input, and watch the sky transform over the Whitsundays. Champagne and canapés included; bring your own other drinks if you prefer.
Charter a private boat on the Yarra River with your own skipper for 90 minutes of [Melbourne](/places/melbourne)'s riverside scenery. Depart from Docklands with a bottle of Australian wine and a curated cheese board, taking in the city's waterfront landmarks at your own pace. Perfect for couples, small groups, or anyone after an intimate waterside experience without the crowds.
Spend three hours moving slowly through Kings Park's sprawling grounds, guided by a forest therapy practitioner who teaches you to notice what's actually happening around and within you. You'll start with gentle movement, then walk at a contemplative pace, pausing for sensory awareness exercises and stillness. The session wraps with a tea ceremony. It's less about exercise, more about how trees and quiet can shift your nervous system.
Walk [Melbourne](/places/melbourne)'s laneways and landmarks with a local guide who knows where the city ticks. Over 3–4 hours, you'll navigate hidden corners, grade-listed buildings, and the stories behind them—stopping for coffee at an independent café along the way. The Free Tram Zone gets you between pockets of the city cheaply, so you cover ground without rushing. Best for anyone wanting to read the place properly, not just tick boxes.
Spend three hours tracking Adelaide's food renaissance across ten carefully chosen stops. Your guide navigates you through the East End, West End and Central Markets, revealing neighbourhood gems and the stories behind them. Taste South Australian wines and produce, sample indigenous flavours and multicultural dishes, then finish with coffee at one of the city's oldest establishments. A portion of proceeds supports local charities.
Work through riddle-based challenges across St Kilda's best spots on this self-guided smartphone tour, taking roughly two hours at your own rhythm. You'll navigate between landmarks by solving clues and puzzles that reveal neighbourhood history and quirky details along the way. The Explorial app handles navigation and keeps score as you tick off each location, blending the puzzle-solving rush of a treasure hunt with genuine sightseeing.
Walk through Sydney's earliest streets with a guide who treats history like theatre. This 2.5-hour circuit of The Rocks uncovers the convict-era scheming, illegal pubs, and survival tactics that shaped the city, stopping for tastings of native Australian ingredients along the way. You'll hear stories anchored to the actual places where they unfolded, delivered with wit and without the usual tour-guide polish.
Trace [Melbourne](/places/melbourne)'s Chinatown through two centuries of underworld intrigue, from the 1850s gold rush onwards. Your guide draws directly from archival police records—15 years of research—to unpack the smuggling networks, illegal gambling dens, and protection rackets that shaped this neighbourhood. You'll walk streets where extortion and gang violence played out in plain sight, while authorities turned a blind eye. The included booklet features mugshots, confiscated artefacts, and hand-drawn crime maps that bring these stories into sharp focus.
This two-hour walking tour threads through [Melbourne](/places/melbourne)'s laneway network, stopping at six street-art installations whilst hearing historical anecdotes from your guide. You'll then settle into a heritage wine bar with dark timber and worn leather, where you'll taste three wines from both established and emerging regions, paired with Portuguese-style small plates. Small groups of up to six keep the pace intimate and the conversation flowing.
A two-hour high tea in Broome that showcases Kimberley ingredients and flavours with theatrically presented dishes set overlooking Roebuck Bay. You'll taste local staples like Boab nuts and native Myrtle alongside playful plates—think flambéed Camembert—paired with a curated flight of Chandon sparkling wines or non-alcoholic alternatives. Transfers from your Broome accommodation are included, making it a polished afternoon escape that reads as much about regional food culture as indulgence.
Paddle through Moreton Bay's marine park on a guided three-and-a-half-hour kayak tour departing from Raby Bay, just 30 minutes south of Brisbane. Navigate mangrove channels, weave past secluded islands, and scan the water for dolphins, turtles and dugongs. The route covers roughly six kilometres at a steady pace with a midway rest stop where hot drinks and snacks appear. Designed for paddlers with solid experience and moderate fitness.
Learn to shoot clay targets at this Brisbane range run by accomplished competitive shooters. You'll spend two and a half hours firing a shotgun at airborne targets under expert tuition. No licence, prior experience, or fitness requirements—the coaches break down the basics and get you hitting within the session. It's genuinely accessible, whether you're curious about the sport or after something different to do.
This 2.5-hour afternoon excursion takes you to the summit of kunanyi/Mt Wellington, where you'll traverse distinct alpine ecosystems and absorb views across Hobart and the Derwent River. Your experienced local guide leads you through the Observatory, Exhibition Gardens circuit, and Western Wilderness viewing deck—one of Australia's last untouched wilderness zones. On the way down, you'll pause at Cascade Gardens and the historic Female Factory convict site. Weather permitting, winter visits may include snow.
Taste wines at Cael's Gate in Hunter Valley with a knowledgeable cellar door specialist. Over two hours, you'll sample vintages from the vineyard whilst seated on the wrap-around balcony or patio, paired with a curated selection of local cheeses. The tasting room offers multiple settings—balcony views across vines and ranges, open patio for groups, or the modern cellar door—so you can choose your preferred backdrop.
Spend 90 minutes aboard a research vessel exploring Noosa National Park's waters with a marine scientist. You'll track resident dolphins as they interact with the boat, spot turtles and other creatures, and listen to live hydrophone feeds of whale and dolphin communications through onboard speakers. The boat moves slowly enough to wander freely and observe the coastal landscape, whilst a knowledgeable researcher contextualises what you're seeing and hearing in real time.