The 14 Best Nature Reserve Tours in Australia

1.From Port Arthur: Tasman Island Wilderness Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 704 reviews · 3 hours · from $127Our pick

Join Pennicott Wilderness Journeys for a three-hour, fast-moving cruise from Port Arthur along the Tasman Peninsula. Expect open-air tiered seating, waterproof coats, lively English commentary, sea caves, Cape Pillar cliffs, and possible encounters with seals, dolphins, albatross, and migrating whales.

“This was a refreshing, spectacular experience. Everything I had hoped for. Thanks so much for a fantastic experience.”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.From Hobart/Adventure Bay: Bruny Island Wilderness Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 601 reviews · 3 - 10 hours · from $127

Take a fast, open-air wilderness boat from Adventure Bay along Bruny Island’s southern coast. Hear Breathing Rock, pass sea caves and The Monument, watch for seals, dolphins, whales and seabirds, then explore Bruny Island before returning to Hobart if selected.

“This was such a fun experience! Amazing sea bird sightings and very knowledgeable guides.”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.Hobart: Bruny Island Wilderness Coast Eco Cruise with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 498 reviews · 10 hours · from $194

Spend 10 hours exploring Bruny Island by coach, ferry, and custom-built coastal boat. Cruise past sea caves, cliffs, Breathing Rock, and Friar Rocks, where fur seals gather. Guides such as Zoe, Jamie, Liam, and Murray add lively commentary, while morning tea, lunch, jackets, and hotel drop-off are included.

“Absolutely brilliant. Zoe was an amazing guide. A little ray of sunshine and was so knowledgeable. Loved everything about the tour. Bonus we saw a humpback whale.”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.Wilsons Promontory Wilderness Cruise from Tidal River

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 449 reviews · from $118Top rated

Set out from Norman Beach with guides such as Damo, Ella, or Jazzie for a 2.5-hour cruise along Wilsons Promontory. Expect Bass Strait views, Skull Rock, Australian fur seals, seabirds, and possible whales or dolphins. Jackets and ginger tablets are available, but rough water can make the ride lively.

“Great boat trip with an informative crew and amazing scenery - skull rock was the clear highlight 🤟”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.From Darwin: Kakadu Wilderness Escape & Rock Art Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 403 reviews · 12 hours · from $180

Spend 12 hours travelling from Darwin into Kakadu with an English-speaking guide such as Becs, Daryl, Dani, Leigh, or Tim. See ancient rock art at Ubirr or Nourlangie, watch crocodiles, visit wetlands, and learn about Country. Expect 620 km of driving, heat, walking, and memorable scenery.

“Was a wonderful tour. We saw the countryside in a way that would not be possible without Rachel as a guide and the great itinerary from this tour. Definitely gave us a taste for more, we want to come back to see even more of this wonderful park.”

Check availability →Read our full review

6.Bruny Island Wilderness Cruise from Adventure Bay, Bruny Island

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 293 reviews · from $129

Join Pennicott Wilderness Journeys at Adventure Bay for a 3-hour cruise along south Bruny Island. Your local crew takes you past sea caves, blowholes and towering cliffs while searching for dolphins, seals, sea eagles and other coastal wildlife. Waterproof jackets are provided.

“Absolutely beautiful and a fun experienced crew. Saw seals, dolphins etc. A must if you are going to Bruny island.”

Check availability →Read our full review

7.Daintree Wilderness & Cape Tribulation Bus Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 259 reviews · 13 hours - 1 day · from $180

Spend about 13 hours exploring Far North Queensland by coach, from Wildlife Habitat and the Daintree River ferry to Cape Tribulation Beach. Expect a full day of driving, guided rainforest walks, lunch, ice cream, and a crocodile cruise led by an English-speaking guide such as Lisa, George, Jeff, or Dom.

“George, our tour guide is excellent. Very knowledgeable and funny too. A very good driver too.”

Check availability →Read our full review

8.Southwest Tasmania Wilderness Experience: Fly Cruise and Walk Including Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 233 reviews · from $537

From Hobart, Par Avion flies you along Tasmania’s southern coast to Melaleuca. You’ll cruise Bathurst Harbour, walk in Southwest National Park, and eat lunch in a remote setting. Pilots such as James, Callum, Dave, and Liam also guide the day, with live commentary throughout.

“Wonderful experience rugged south west of Tasmania, staff including Liam the pilot and Peter the guide were first class.”

Check availability →Read our full review

9.Cape Tribulation & Daintree Wilderness (TCT)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 136 reviews · from $187

Travel by air-conditioned coach from Cairns to Port Douglas, Cape Tribulation, and the UNESCO-listed Daintree Rainforest. You’ll visit Wildlife Habitat, cross the Daintree River by ferry, walk rainforest tracks, stop at Alexandra Lookout, and cruise for crocodiles with guides such as Lisa, Brad, Geoff, or Dan.

“Very good look at the rainforest and it's inhabitants. The animal sanctuary was excellent and the tour ended with a crocodile river cruise. Excellent tour leader in Brad.”

Check availability →Read our full review

10.Blue Mountains Kangaroos, Wilderness and Sunset Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 97 reviews · 10 hours · from $141

Join local guide Craig from FeelGood! Nature Tours for a 10-hour Blue Mountains trip from Sydney. Expect quiet lookouts, rainforest walks, sandstone canyons, a traditional Aussie picnic, wild kangaroos, and sunset views around the Three Sisters.

“This was amazing! We got to see many sights without the crowds of bus tours. Our favorite part was seeing the three sisters at sunset - absolutely stunning and would not have know to do this at that time. Craig knew so much about the Blue Mountains and his passion and love for the area made the tour so much better. I would recommend this to anyone coming to Sydney and wanting to take a day trip to the Blue Mountains.”

Check availability →Read our full review

11.Port Arthur: Cape Raoul Wilderness Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 80 reviews · 1h 30m · from $92

Take a 90-minute English-language cruise from Port Arthur Historic Site to Cape Raoul. Expect sea caves, white beaches, towering dolerite cliffs, fur seals, seabirds, and possible dolphins or whales. Guides including Drew and Hayden are known for adding local detail and humor.

“Very relaxed tour. Skipper and deckhand were very knowledgeable and instilled confidence in those that were concerned about the size of the swell. Fantastic experience.”

Check availability →Read our full review

12.Melbourne: Wilsons Promontory Morning Wilderness Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 71 reviews · 2h 30m · from $109

Spend 150 minutes cruising Wilsons Promontory’s wild coast aboard a custom-built amphibious boat. Guides such as Matt, Nash, Damo, and Gareth explain the wildlife and landmarks as you pass South Point, the Glennies, Skull Rock, and seal colonies. Bring warm clothes and expect wind, spray, and a lively ride.

“Great guides very accommodating always asking if we are okay. Well organised and professional. Trip was excellent value! I was so happy to have seen skull rock on my birthday. It wasn’t the best weather to be out there but the guides made sure we felt safe and we were! Thank you”

Check availability →Read our full review

13.Tasmania: Wilderness and Wildlife Guided 6-Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 60 reviews · 6 days · from $831

Travel Tasmania with a local English-speaking guide such as Phil, Brendan, or Keygan, choosing easy to moderate walks each day. Expect hostel or motel stays, national parks, wombats, devils, Bay of Fires beaches, Cradle Mountain, and a flexible route for visitors without a car.

“The agenda was great and the schedule was planned well. Our tour guide Brendan was amazing! It's a shame that they changed our guide for the last day as we had bonded so well as a group with Brendan. Garreth nonetheless was a good and knowledgable guide too. Tasmania is a great place and I highly recommend booking this tour to make most of your visit here!”

Check availability →Read our full review

14.Kalbarri: Murchison River Wilderness Wildlife Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 26 reviews · 2h 30m · from $49Best value

Spend 2.5 hours aboard Kalbarri Wilderness Cruises, traveling 6 km up the lower Murchison River and out to its ocean mouth. Expect friendly English commentary on local fishing, history, plants, and wildlife, with chances to see pelicans, ospreys, kangaroos, dolphins, and more.

“Brilliant river cruise! Very informative! Saw Whistling Kites, Pelicans, Cormorants, jumping fish, kangaroos and dolphins 🙌 and also hand fed the seagulls flying alongside the boat 😂 Stopped for a photo shoot with an amazing red rock face. Highly recommend! Tour guides were friendly, funny and knew there stuff. We were there a few days after the cyclone hit so the river was brown but it didn’t spoil the trip as it’s interesting to see nature at work. Thank you for a great time 🤩”

Check availability →Read our full review