East Coast Australia Family Adventure

With its sub-tropical climate and sunny disposition, Brisbane is often considered one of world’s most liveable cities. The city straddles the Brisbane River, and is connected by landmark bridges and free city-hopper ferries. An innovative start-up culture thrives in the riverside skyscrapers, while 2,000 green parks, a heritage-listed harbor, a rainforest boardwalk, the serene Botanic Gardens and white-sand Streets Beach offer up portals into nature even in the city center. An impressive year-round roster of exhibitions and events, plus Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin’s iconic Australia Zoo, makes it a must-visit. 

Home to the world’s oldest living rainforest and Four Mile Beach, the small town of Port Douglas is a laidback base for dipping beneath the surface of the Coral Sea with a snorkel or scuba tank. The tropical turquoise water gives way to world-famous visibility – spot colorful corals, coy clownfish, shimmering parrotfish and striped sweetlips. Back on land, A&K’s guides offer the chance to see endangered cassowary, tree-kangaroos and platypus, making the descent to Mossman Gorge all the more exciting. 

Sydney revels in its vibrant stereotypes, and yes, this is a city of morning runs and yoga sessions on the beach, but there is so much more besides: the food, the live music, the effervescent social scene, the dueling architectural styles, plus the world’s most beautiful natural harbor to boot. A&K’s expert guides tap into their network to deliver an action-packed urban adventure with an exhilarating jet boat tour, surf lessons on Bondi Beach and the chance to climb 400ft to the summit of Sydney Harbour Bridge. Sydney’s loveliest landmarks are well worth touring, too: Parliament House, the Botanical Gardens and the historic neighborhood known as The Rocks.