Australia is a vast, diverse continent, yours to discover on a range of thrilling and creative shore excursions. Snorkel over the Great Barrier Reef among shoals of shimmering tropical fish, or fly in a light aircraft from Airlie Beach over the famous Heart Reef. Soar over the tumbling waterfalls and dramatic sandstone outcrops of Litchfield National Park on a helicopter ride from Darwin, or embark on an action-packed day combining a seaplane, high-speed airboat ride, and a boat cruise through shaded creeks to spot crocodiles lurking on the banks.
In Sydney, join an adrenaline-packed excursion to climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Stay closer to the ground in Melbourne with a small-group tour to discover the city’s coffee culture, laneways, and street art, or head into the lush Yarra Valley to taste fine wines.
After your cruise, immerse yourself in Aboriginal culture with a four-day visit to the Ulu-Ring Red Centre, where you’ll see Uluru in all its magnificence, both at sunset and sunrise. Try Aboriginal dot painting and learn about rock art and bush tucker from the Anangu, the Indigenous people who own this land.
The adventure continues with a range of exciting shore excursions In New Zealand. Here, Lord of the Rings fans can visit magical Hobbiton, the set where the epic trilogy was filmed. From Napier, join a safari to Cape Kidnappers to see the world’s largest nesting site for thousands of gannets. While you’re in Auckland, take a trip to the Waitomo Glowworm Grotto, an ancient cave illuminated only by the eerie light emitted by thousands of glow worms. In Dunedin, you could join an excursion to see the Moeraki Boulders, giant spherical stones strewn across a beautiful beach, and to visit a penguin colony.
In the islands of the South Pacific, discover ancient cultures and pristine nature. From Lautoka, Fiji, you can spend time in a traditional village, wallow in a thermal mud pool, and zipline over the jungle canopy. Vila, Vanuatu offers the chance to visit a turtle sanctuary, ride a dune buggy across island landscapes, or enjoy a traditional warrior dance performance and a Melanesian banquet.