DESTINATIONS tours-19

TRAVEL TIPS

Tours

Aboriginal Art

Aboriginal Travel. This agency has several Aboriginal art tours, including a five-day collectors tour and shorter rock-art tours. 08/8234–8324; www.aboriginaltravel.com. From A$69.

Adventure Tours Australia. This company runs a host of both long and short trips, many of which are Aboriginal-culture centric, particularly the three-day Rock the Centre tour of Uluru and surroundings. 1300/654604; 03/8102–7800; www.adventuretours.com.au. From A$110.

Palya Art Tours. Pilot and art lover Helen Read flies you and guides you on Palya Art Tours' small-group trips through remote indigenous communities in northwestern Australia. www.palya.com.au. From $8800.

Biking

AllTrails. Discover Australia's hidden gems and untouched terrain with AllTrails' small-group and self-guided cycling tours throughout the country. 03/9645--3355; www.alltrails.com.au. From A$450.

Remote Outback Cycling Tours. Catering to those with a thirst for adventure, ROC runs cycling, bus, and 4WD tours through the Australian Outback, with camping and hiking along the way. 0418/633–106; www.remoteoutbackcycletours.com.au. From A$800 .

Bird-Watching

Birdwatch Australia. Led by expert birders, this company tailors individual and small-group guided birdwatching and nature tours throughout Australia. 02/4422--0616; www.birdwatch-australia.com.au. From A$125.

Follow That Bird. This Sydney-based company runs a variety of short birding trips, private included, in southeastern Australia. 3/59 Central Rd., Sydney, New South Wales, 2107. 02/9973–1865; www.followthatbird.com.au. From A$135.

Kimberley Birdwatching. Join leading Australian ornithologists for intimate birdwatching tours in the Kimberley and Northern Australia, with camping, boating, and farm-stay options. Broome, Western Australia. 08/9192–1246; 0429/706--800; www.kimberleybirdwatching.com.au. From A$90.

Culture

National Geographic Expeditions. Local experts lead National Geographic's extensive Australia expeditions, which take in the Great Barrier Reef and Uluru, but that knowledge doesn't come cheap, nor does the private air transport they use. 888/966–8687; www.nationalgeographicexpeditions.com. From $7,990.

SEIT Outback Australia . Join SEIT to experience small-group tours and workshops in Central Australia, working in partnership with Aboriginal communities and operators. 08/8956--3156; www.seitoutbackaustralia.com.au. From A$92.

Smithsonian Journeys. Learning is the focus of Smithsonian Journeys' small-group tours, led by university professors. Their 22-day Splendors of Australia and New Zealand tour covers the best of Australia—and much of New Zealand, too. 855/338–8687; www.smithsonianjourneys.org. From $9057.

Diving

Daintree Air Services. Local flightseeing company Daintree Air Services' Ultimate Dive package includes 18 dives in nine days. The Great Barrier Reef, Coral Sea, and a wreck dive are included. 1800/246206; 07/4034–9300; www.daintreeair.com.au. From A$160.

Diversion Dive Travel. Working with dive operators around Australia, Diversion connects you with Australia's diving hotspots including the Great Barrier Reef, Christmas Island, and the south and west Australian coasts. Queensland. 1800/607913; 07/4039–0200; www.diversiondivetravel.com.au. From A$630.

Eco-Tours and Safaris

Northern Experience Eco Tours. Experience the beauty of North Queensland's World Heritage-listed Wet Tropics Rain forests and the Atherton Tablelands with this family-owned, eco-tour operator. Trips include swimming in waterfalls, a lake cruise, visiting national parks, Aboriginal Dreamtime education and stories, as well as plentiful encounters with local flora and fauna. 07/4058--0268; www.northernexperience.com.au. From A$125.

Sacred Earth Safaris. This family-operated tour company specializes in 4WD tours through remote and Top End Australia, including the Kakadu and Kimberley frontiers, the Nullabor Plain, the Flinders Ranges, Kangaroo Island, and Pilbara. 0415/692–855; www.sacredearthsafaris.com.au. From A$645.

Tread Lightly Eco Tours. This Advanced Ecotourism-certified operator runs guided bushwalking, 4WD, nighttime, and glowworm tours, among others, through the Blue Mountains National Park, west of Sydney. 0414/976–752; www.treadlightly.com.au. From A$65.

Wayoutback Australian Safaris. This tour company employs certified eco-tour operators who run camping and accommodated safaris, as well as Desert Walks, throughout Australia, with a strong focus on Aboriginal culture. 1300/551510; 08/8952–4324; www.wayoutback.com.au. From A$375.

Food and Wine

Adelaide's Top Food and Wine Tours. Eat and drink your way around the famous vineyards and providores of The Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale, Clare Valley, and Adelaide Hills on these personalized, small-group tours. 08/8386–0888; www.topfoodandwinetours.com.au. From A$55.

Artisans of Leisure. This company's indulgent nine-day Food and Wine Australia tour divides time between vineyards, markets, and luxurious hotels. 800/214–8144; www.artisansofleisure.com. From A$12,710.

Two Fat Blokes. Experience full- and half-day tours showcasing local wines and gourmet produce in the Hunter Valley region. 0414/316–859; 2/4998–6699; www.twofatblokes.com.au. From A$25.

Hiking

Australian Walking Holidays. Mix hiking with other adventure activities with one of Australian Walking Holidays' guided trips. 1300/720000; www.australianwalkingholidays.com.au. From A$105.

Auswalk. This company has a huge range of hiking expeditions all over Australia. There are group departures and customized self-guided tours, with accommodation and sightseeing included. 03/9530--8800; www.auswalk.com.au. From A$1225.

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