Self-Guided Tours in Australia
4.5 stars on(7,862 reviews)- Choose from 50+ Australia tours
- 3 verified reviews from TourRadar travelers
- 24/7 customer support
10 best Self-Guided Australia tour packages
Compiled by

SteffAustralia travel expert at TourRadar
- Larapinta 7 Day Self Guided Trek
- Tour de Barossa & Clare Valley - Self Guided 3N/4D
- Independent Journey Down Under
- Independent Great Barrier Reef & Sydney
- Essential New Zealand & Australia with Flights
- Brisbane Valley Rail Trail Self Guided
- Tour de Great Victorian Rail Trail Self Guided
- Tour de NSW South Coast Ebike Tour
- Queensland Cairns, Reef & Rainforest
- Western Australia Wildflowers Road Trip
The raw beauty of Australia's iconic trail awaits with full equipment backing. The path leads from Alice Springs through Serpentine Gorge and Ormiston Gorge to Mount Sonder, supported by emergency communications and detailed maps.
Duration 7 days Destinations Alice Springs, Ormiston Gorge, Mount Sonder Age Range up to 80 year olds Operator World Expeditions From
- US$1,190
The Barossa and Clare Valleys welcome wine enthusiasts with marked routes to Maggie Beer's Farm Shop and premium wineries. Your self-guided tour includes arranged tastings, 4-star stays at the Mayfair Adelaide, and luggage support.
Duration 3 days Destinations Barossa Valley, Auburn, Clare Age Range up to 100 year olds Operator Tour de Vines From
- US$732
Your Australian adventure unfolds between Cairns, Uluru, and Sydney with pre-arranged accommodations and transportation. Wander freely through Bondi Beach, Hunter Valley wineries, and the Blue Mountains, backed by expert Local Hosts.
Duration 9 days Destinations Cairns, Great Barrier Reef, Uluru, Sydney Age Range up to 80 year olds Operator Globus From
- US$3,439
Australia's wonders await with pre-arranged hotels and flexible activities. Roam Cairns' Esplanade, join reef excursions, and visit Sydney landmarks freely, with Local Host support on standby.
Duration 9 days Destinations Cairns, Great Barrier Reef, Sydney Age Range up to 80 year olds Operator Globus From
- US$2,599
Duration 16 days Destinations Auckland, Christchurch, Melbourne, Cairns, Sydney Age Range 2 to 85 year olds Operator Australia and New Zealand Travel Company From
- US$3,505
Queensland's outback stretches from Yarraman to Fernvale with detailed maps. Rest at Wivenhoe Motor Inn in Esk, visit restored railway stations, and savor pre-arranged meals while spotting local wildlife.
Duration 3 days Destinations Esk, Yarraman, Fernvale Age Range up to 100 year olds Operator Tour de Vines From
- US$445
Victoria's rail trail opens up with comprehensive support. Detailed maps guide you from Mansfield through Bonnie Doon, Alexandra, and Yea to Tallarook, with luggage transfers included.
Duration 4 days Destinations Mansfield Age Range up to 99 year olds Operator Tour de Vines From
- US$611
The coastal path from Thirroul to Kiama reveals local treasures. Visit Wollongong's Boat Harbour, wander Nan Tien Temple's gardens, and cycle around Lake Illawarra, with quality bikes and stays at Windang Beach Tourist Park and Kiama Shores.
Duration 4 days Destinations Thirroul, Wollongong, Windang, Kiama Age Range up to 100 year olds Operator Tour de Vines From
- US$733
Queensland Cairns, Reef & Rainforest
3 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Snorkeling at Saxon reef and Hastings reef was like swimming through an aquarium filled with colorful tropical fish.”
Eric, traveled in November
Your base at Abbott Boutique Hotel puts you minutes from Cairns' restaurants and shops. Mix guided tours with independent time to snorkel Saxon reef's coral gardens, wander Daintree's ancient rainforest, and sail to Green Island.
Duration 7 days Destinations Cairns, Great Barrier Reef, Daintree National Park, Green Island National Park, Kuranda Age Range 7 to 85 year olds Operator Australia and New Zealand Travel Company From
- US$1,019
The trails of Dongara and Port Denison unfold across 12 distinct walking routes. The majestic gorges and skywalk of Kalbarri National Park beckon, while Coalseam Conservation Park and Lesueur National Park showcase stunning wildflowers.
Duration 8 days Destinations Perth, Cervantes, Kalbarri, Geraldton Age Range 3 to 74 year olds Operator Australia and New Zealand Travel Company From
- US$1,274
What people love about Self-Guided Tours in Australia
- Queensland Cairns, Reef & Rainforest
The reef was very disappointed, not pretty, not too many marine life, otherwise the tour is good, hotel very good, the instructions are clear
What our customers ask about Self-Guided Tours in Australia
What are the best regions in Australia for self-guided tours and how do they differ?
Each region of Australia presents distinct opportunities for independent exploration. North Queensland beckons with the Great Barrier Reef and ancient Daintree Rainforest while Western Australia's coastline features raw natural beauty and emerging wine districts. Along the east coast travelers find excellent bases like Cairns for reef adventures and rainforest walks. The west delivers dramatic scenery on routes like Perth to Broome passing natural wonders such as the Pinnacles Desert. Down south wine enthusiasts can pedal between cellar doors in the Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale regions while resting at characterful spots like the Peppercorn Hotel in Yea.
How much flexibility do I have with accommodation choices on self-guided tours in Australia?
Accommodation options span the full spectrum from city luxury to remote eco-stays. Urban hubs like Cairns feature boutique properties such as the Abbott Hotel while coastal regions offer unique options like the RAC Monkey Mia Dolphin Resort on Shark Bay. A recent TourRadar guest noted: "The Abbott Hotel was within 5 minutes of all pick-up points for every tour day and had great access to restaurants." Most itineraries allow travelers to create their own blend of stays from Perth's riverside Riverview on Mount Street to wilderness lodges and beachfront rentals in shore towns.
What's the best time of year for a self-guided tour in different parts of Australia?
The ideal travel season shifts dramatically across Australia's regions. The northern tropics around Cairns shine from April through November when dry conditions create perfect reef exploration weather. Western Australia bursts with wildflowers from August to November especially near Perth and along the Coral Coast. One traveler's March experience revealed that "the reef was very accessible and weather was perfect for snorkeling at Saxon reef and Hastings reef." The southern states of Tasmania and Victoria welcome visitors from October to April with mild temperatures ideal for walks through places like Cradle Mountain.
What's typically included in the cost of a self-guided tour in Australia?
Standard inclusions cover lodging some meals (usually breakfast) and basic transport needs. A week-long Queensland self-guided experience around USD 995 typically provides stays at properties like The Abbott Boutique Hotel four guided excursions and local transfers. Most packages include key activities such as reef cruises and park entry fees while keeping meals and optional experiences separate. Transport arrangements vary with some tours including rental cars and fuel others offering these as supplements. As one guest shared: "The initial price covered all the essentials making it easy to budget for extras like special dinners and optional activities."
What are the best self-guided routes for exploring Australia's east coast?
The classic east coast journey begins in Sydney heading north through celebrated stops. The route takes in Hunter Valley's vineyards with stays at Hunter Valley Resort continues to Port Stephens for ocean vistas and marine life then reaches Byron Bay for beach culture. An alternate path runs Brisbane to Cairns linking Fraser Island the Whitsundays and coastal gems like Airlie Beach where the Whitsundays Vista Resort provides ocean-view accommodation. Travelers consistently praise the independent format with one noting "the self-guided format allowed us to spend extra time at spots we loved especially the wineries and coastal viewpoints."
What are the essential stops on a self-guided Australian wildlife tour?
Australia's wildlife viewing opportunities create natural stopping points for independent travelers. Key destinations include Monkey Mia for wild dolphin encounters Kalbarri National Park for kangaroo and bird watching and Rottnest Island's famous quokkas. Ningaloo Reef offers seasonal whale shark swimming (March-August) while K'gari (Fraser Island) provides dingo observation opportunities. A recent visitor shared "watching wild dolphins at Monkey Mia and spotting whale sharks at Ningaloo Reef were absolute highlights of our self-guided adventure." Strategic bases include the RAC Monkey Mia Dolphin Resort and Fraser Island's Kingfisher Bay Resort.