Active Downunder

02/06/2026

🌏 3 Epic Day Trips from Melbourne (in 3 Different Directions)

Melbourne is one of those rare cities where you can wake up in the CBD… and be sipping wine, spotting penguins, or standing in front of world-famous coastal cliffs by dinner.

If you’ve got a free day (or three), here are my top picks in three directions.

🐧 EAST: Phillip Island + The Penguin Parade

Phillip Island is home to 32,000 breeding pairs of Little Penguins — the largest penguin colony in Australia.

Each evening, around 2,000 penguins waddle up onto Summerland Beach after a day of fishing, creating the famous Penguin Parade. It’s one of those experiences that’s genuinely unforgettable.

✨ Tip: Go mid-week if you can — it’s calmer and feels more magical.

🌊 SOUTHWEST: Great Ocean Road + The 12 Apostles

The Great Ocean Road isn’t just scenic — it’s historic.

It was built by hand by Australian soldiers returning from WWI who needed work during the Great Depression. It took 14 years to complete and is now considered one of the world’s largest war memorials.

And then there’s the main event: the 12 Apostles. These towering limestone stacks rise dramatically out of the Southern Ocean, shaped by wind and waves over millions of years. Even though not all 12 remain today, the viewpoint is still one of Australia’s most jaw-dropping coastal landscapes.

✨ Tip: If you can time it for late afternoon, the light on the cliffs is unreal.

🍷 NORTH: Yarra Valley Wine + Healesville Sanctuary

If your ideal day involves wine, scenery, and wildlife, the Yarra Valley is the one.

Spend the day visiting cellar doors and local produce spots, then finish at Healesville Sanctuary, where you can see kangaroos, koalas, wombats, and more — all focused on Australian native wildlife and conservation.

✨ Tip: This is one of the easiest day trips from Melbourne (and one of the most rewarding).

If you’re planning a trip to Melbourne and want help choosing the best day trip based on your travel style, message me — I love building these into itineraries. 😊

01/10/2026

Grab some friends or family and make 2026 the year you sail in Australia.
On 3-day (or longer) private charters, you can explore the outer Great Barrier Reef — imagine having it all to yourselves. 🌊⛵

Welcome aboard Havanna, a 65-foot luxury sailing catamaran cruising the Whitsundays and beyond. Think turquoise water, secluded beaches, vibrant reefs, Whitehaven Beach, and total freedom — no crowds, just your private group and the sea.

✨ Fully crewed
✨ Custom itineraries
✨ Snorkeling, paddleboards & more
✨ True off-the-grid reef access

🎥 Watch the video to see what sailing the Great Barrier Reef can really look like.
https://youtu.be/OXK6w8w87ic
📩 Message me to start planning.

01/09/2026

Where in the world can you stay overnight on a glacier?
Only in New Zealand.

This extraordinary experience takes you deep into the heart of Franz Josef Glacier, combining adventure, luxury, and raw natural beauty. Your journey begins with a scenic helicopter flight onto the glacier, where expert guides lead you across shimmering blue ice, towering formations, and dramatic crevasses.

As evening falls, relax back at your alpine camp with drinks and nibbles while your guide prepares dinner. Then, enjoy stargazing beneath some of the clearest night skies in the world — an unforgettable moment few ever experience.

The next morning starts with coffee and pastries before flying off the glacier, where rainforest surrounds and a gourmet breakfast awaits.

This is a truly bespoke experience — and one you’ll remember forever.
Let us know if you’d like details or availability.

12/19/2025

Explore the hidden gems of Adelaide, Australia! From breathtaking wildlife encounters to world-class wineries, this city has it all. Discover more about this magnificent destination and plan your next adventure: https://wix.to/kE7ykmX

12/03/2025

🌿 Discover Tasmania: Australia’s Wild Paradise 🌊

Did you know that one-third of Tasmania is protected National Park and includes multiple UNESCO World Heritage Areas?

This remarkable island blends lush rainforests, dramatic coastlines, alpine and sub-alpine landscapes, lakes, and serene estuaries — all in one compact destination.

It’s also a wildlife lover’s dream. Keep an eye out for pademelons, bandicoots, wallabies, platypus, wombats, and of course the iconic Tasmanian Devil.

Offshore, Tasmania’s marine world is just as magical, home to Australian fur seals, little penguins, cormorants, albatross, and more.

If you’re dreaming of a destination rich in nature, wildlife, and adventure… Tasmania is calling. 🌏💚 Call us to plan a custom itinerary to Tasmania & beyond. Australia for 2026!

11/21/2025

Discover Three of New Zealand’s Most Stunning Luxury Lodges in this video.
https://youtu.be/leLXieRazBA?si=5IhAZWMHrK7UkQOW

08/21/2025

Welcome to Martins Bay, Fiordland.
Hidden deep within the UNESCO World Heritage–listed Fiordland National Park, Martins Bay is one of New Zealand’s most remote and spectacular wilderness locations. Until now, the only way to reach it was by completing the famous 4-day Hollyford Track.

With this new overnight package, you can now experience this extraordinary place in comfort—flying in by helicopter. On your way, soar over the rugged Southwest Fiordland mountains and the world-renowned Milford Sound, a breathtaking experience in itself.

Once you arrive, Waitai Lodge offers a warm welcome and modern comforts in the heart of the wild. Spend the night in this pristine setting, where rare wildlife thrives—keep your eyes out for penguins at certain times of the year!

Your Fiordland escape continues with a luxury small-group cruise aboard the Jewel in Milford Sound, rounding out an adventure filled with iconic landscapes, untamed nature, and unforgettable memories.

08/20/2025

✨ Check out our Overwater Bungalow Specials ✨

Dreaming of turquoise lagoons, breathtaking sunsets, and the ultimate escape? 🌺 Imagine waking up in an overwater bungalow in Bora Bora, Taha’a, or Tahiti — where you can slip straight into the crystal-clear water from your deck, spot tropical fish below, and enjoy world-class luxury in paradise. 🌊✨

Let us help you plan your once-in-a-lifetime getaway and secure the best resorts, villas, and special offers. See website for more info🏝️

06/24/2025

🔥 Escaping the heat? ❄️ Try winter in New Zealand!

While the Northern Hemisphere sweats it out, down south it's the perfect time to explore the otherworldly glaciers of Aotearoa — and without the crowds.

Take to the skies and land on ice with a heli-hike on Franz Josef, Fox, or Tasman Glacier — where rare temperate rainforest meets ancient ice. 🌿🧊

Strap on crampons, walk through sapphire-blue crevasses, and step into frozen caves and ice arches. It’s nature’s AC — and an adventure you’ll never forget.

📍 Winter in New Zealand = fewer people, more magic.
📅 Ready to trade sweat for snow? Let’s us plan a last minute adventure!

06/24/2025

Uncover rare experiences, travel specials and more in our June 2025 newsletter
https://conta.cc/40k5ACc

Email from Active Downunder Uncover rare experiences, exclusive offers, and new itineraries to inspire your next adventure. Designing New Zealand, Australia & Island Vacations, One Trip at a time Kia

12/31/2024

Attention nature lovers! Discover New Zealand's premier eco-lodges that offer an immersive experience like no other. 🌍✨ Perfect for those who value sustainability. Click to explore more: https://wix.to/2V91Z5a

For eco-conscious travelers seeking an immersive experience, these New Zealand eco-lodges offer unparalleled opportunities to connect with nature while supporting conservation and sustainability efforts.

12/27/2024

Have you heard about MONA? Situated on Hobart’s River Derwent in Tasmania, Mona is Australia's largest privately owned museum and art gallery and the brainchild of gambler and maths nerd David Walsh’s private museum – allegedly curated on themes of s*x and death. Mona features five restaurants, nine bars, two wineries, a brewery, eight luxury pavilions, and $300 million in art - some requiring a medical waiver.