Been on a bunch of Rick Steve tours and thinking about going to Australia next. What is a tour company that has similar itenaries to Australia? Mainly thinking about the east cost of Australia Cairns to Sydney. However, if their is anyone that goes to Melbourne or Uluru I would be down too.
Posted by
Colorado Mountains, USA
7327 posts
Overseas Adventure Travel (OAT) has a 2-week Australia tour that might be of interest - https://www.oattravel.com/trips/land-adventures/south-pacific/ultimate-australia/2021/itineraries .
We used them for Africa this year, but I’ve not yet been to Australia. They also offer ore-trip and post-trip extensions, if you’re interested in adding to the destinations.
Appears Cairns is just a transfer stopover, though.
Posted by
Minnesota
474 posts
Odysseys Unlimited has a good reputation, although I have not traveled with them.
https://odysseys-unlimited.com/
I traveled to India on one of Gate One’s tours and it was excellent. You might want to stick with their “small group” tours since their other categories of tours can have 40+ people in the group, too many for me, although many people are loyal fans!
https://www.gate1travel.com/asia-pacific/australia
I have also heard of Mondumo Small Group Tours which specializes in Australia and New Zealand. It is run by one of Rick Steves former guides.
https://mondumo.com/
Posted by
Colorado Springs
2813 posts
If it has to be an organized tour then either of the previous suggestions would be good choices.
If you're amenable to doing a little of the planning and scheduling yourself then you can probably save money and allow yourself more freedom of movement by booking your own flights to and from Sydney and then using the Qantas low-cost airline Jetstar to travel around the country. There are excellent day trip and tour providers at all of the destinations you mention.
Note that whether you elect to book thru an agent or on your own, you can save time and generally ease your logistics somewhat by specifying an open jaw (or multi-destination) itinerary. There are flights to/from the US from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane FYI.
Posted by
7640 posts
We have been to Australia twice and did not do one tour for the country. The first time we took a cruise from Perth to Sydney over the top of the country and did excursions from the ship. The second time we visited Melbourne and Sydney and did day tours or multi day tours.
From Sydney, do the Blue Mountains as well as the Hunter Valley wine country north of the city. While in Sydney, there are some great museums to visit, also, do a harbor cruise, climb the tower of the famous bridge and visit the zoo; Bondi Beach and the Botanical Gardens.
From Melbourne, visit the nearby wine country, tour the city, also take the multi day tour to The Great Ocean Highway and see the penguins at Philip Island.
Posted by
OP
9 posts
Thanks all for the recommendations.
Looking at the 4 different tours. Plus G-Adventures. Though it looks like Mondumo is not active anymore. Also as solo travel I usually enjoy having a group tour. I know they are more expensive, but its easier to meet people then without one. Also I dislike cruises.