Australia Tours in January 2026
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10 best Australia trips in January 2026
Compiled by
SteffAustralia travel expert at TourRadar
- 6-Day Esperance & Margaret River Adventure Tour
- 15-Day Great Australian Adventure - Private
- Best of Perth, Margaret River & Rottnest Island (from Perth to Fremantle)
- Sydney to Brisbane – 8 Day Boutique Tour
- Best of Tasmania (including Port Huon)
- Best of Tasmania's Tarkine & Cradle Mountain (12 destinations)
- Best Of The East Coast – 16 Day Boutique Tour
- Indian Pacific Train with Sydney & Perth
- Brisbane to Cairns Adventure
- Oz East Coast + Work 28 days
6-Day Esperance & Margaret River Adventure Tour
52 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Had a swim everyday great wildlife which includes a kangaroo trying to steal our lunch. Great beaches.”
Emma, traveled in February
Duration 6 days Destinations Perth, Busselton, Margaret River, Walpole, Albany, Cape Le Grand National Park, Esperance Age Range Ages 12+ Operator Untamed Escapes January departure dates
See All Departure Dates5 Jan, 2026 10+ spaces left 12 Jan, 2026 10+ spaces left From
- NZ$1,478
15-Day Great Australian Adventure - Private
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“We had a great time & it went very smoothly. I appreciate also that she would contact us to see how things were going.”
Stanley, traveled in March
Duration 15 days Destinations Melbourne, Uluru, Sydney, Gold Coast, Cairns Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Vio Travel January departure dates
See All Departure Dates16 Jan, 2026 10 spaces left 17 Jan, 2026 10 spaces left From
- NZ$4,000
Best of Perth, Margaret River & Rottnest Island (from Perth to Fremantle)
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“It was great opportunity to meet people from different parts of Australia and from overseas in the group on the tour.”
Tatyana, traveled in April
Duration 5 days Destinations Perth, Busselton, Margaret River, Yallingup, Fremantle, Rottnest Island Age Range Ages 15+ Operator Intrepid Travel January departure dates
See All Departure Dates6 Jan, 2026 9 spaces left 20 Jan, 2026 9 spaces left From $2,820
25% Off- NZ$2,115You save $705
Duration 8 days Destinations Sydney, Hunter Valley, Newcastle, Port Macquarie, Byron Bay, Noosa, Rainbow Beach, Fraser Island, Brisbane Age Range Ages 30+ Operator Via Travel Australia January departure dates
See All Departure Dates11 Jan, 2026 9 spaces left 25 Jan, 2026 9 spaces left From $5,002
30% Off- NZ$3,502You save $1,501
Duration 9 days Destinations Launceston, Stanley, Waratah, Corinna, Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park, Hobart, Port Arthur, Tasman Island, Hartz Mountains National Park, Port HuonSee all destinations Age Range Ages 15+ Operator Intrepid Travel January departure dates
See All Departure Dates4 Jan, 2026 10+ spaces left 11 Jan, 2026 7 spaces left From $5,475
15% Off- NZ$4,654You save $821
Duration 6 days Destinations Launceston, Stanley, Waratah, Corinna, Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park Age Range Ages 15+ Operator Intrepid Travel January departure dates
See All Departure Dates4 Jan, 2026 10+ spaces left 11 Jan, 2026 7 spaces left From $3,360
25% Off- NZ$2,520You save $840
Best Of The East Coast – 16 Day Boutique Tour
3 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“It was a small group of like-minded people. We loved it!!”
Lorene, traveled in October
Duration 16 days Destinations Sydney, Hunter Valley, Newcastle, Port Macquarie, Byron Bay, Noosa, Rainbow Beach, Fraser Island, Brisbane, Airlie BeachSee all destinations Age Range Ages 18+ Operator Via Travel Australia January departure dates
See All Departure Dates11 Jan, 2026 9 spaces left 25 Jan, 2026 9 spaces left From
25% Off- NZ$11,728
Duration 13 days Destinations Sydney, Blue Mountains, Broken Hill, Adelaide, Nullarbor National Park, Perth, Rottnest Island, Margaret River Age Range Ages 10+ Operator Australia and New Zealand Travel Company January departure dates
See All Departure Dates18 Jan, 2026 10+ spaces left 25 Jan, 2026 10+ spaces left From
25% Off- NZ$9,272
Duration 8 days Destinations Brisbane, Noosa, Hervey Bay, Fraser Island, Airlie Beach, Whitsunday Islands, Townsville, Lucinda, Mission Beach, AthertonSee all destinations Age Range Ages 15+ Operator Intrepid Travel January departure dates
See All Departure Dates10 Jan, 2026 9 spaces left 17 Jan, 2026 10+ spaces left From $4,225
5% Off- NZ$4,014You save $211
Oz East Coast + Work 28 days
8 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Fast paced and exciting, always on the move. Good lively accommodation.”
Laura, traveled in January
Duration 28 days Destinations Sydney, Byron Bay, Surfers Paradise, Brisbane, Rainbow Beach, Fraser Island, Airlie Beach, Whitsundays, Magnetic Island, Mission BeachSee all destinations Age Range Ages 18-35 Operator INTRO Travel January departure dates
See All Departure Dates7 Jan, 2026 10+ spaces left 9 Jan, 2026 10+ spaces left From
5% Off- NZ$5,699
What people love about Australia Tours in January
- 6-Day Esperance & Margaret River Adventure Tour
I was lucky to attend the "Secrets of Esperance" tour with our lovely tour guide An! The tour was perfect, our guide was very easy going and impressed us with her knowledge. We had a fantastic group, too! Over all the experience was well worth and I never felt in a rush or such. Highly recommended!
- Oz Intro
Perfect and fun week to start of my OZ journey. Good opportunity to meet new people especially if solo travelling and made future plans travelling less stressful. Phoebe made the week really fun even when weather wasn't on our side.
- Oz Intro + Work
Absolutely loved my week doing the oz intro! So many amazing activities, great value for money! I saw so much of Sydney that I probably wouldn't of been able to if I was doing this alone. Gregg was great, hilarious banter and made sure that any nerves I had about onwards travel were settled. I would 100% recommend doing this group tour!
What our customers ask about Australia Tours in January 2026
What's the weather like in Australia during January tours?
January brings summer temperatures across Australia with distinct regional variations. The northern cities of Cairns and Gold Coast experience temperatures of 30-35°C (86-95°F). The Great Barrier Reef area offers clear warm waters ideal for water activities. Sydney and other southern destinations maintain milder temperatures around 26°C (79°F). Recent travelers on TourRadar note: "The weather was perfect for outdoor activities and swimming at locations like Whitehaven Beach and the Great Barrier Reef."
What are the most popular destinations to visit in Australia during January?
The summer season draws visitors to Australia's coastal and tropical destinations. The Great Barrier Reef Whitsunday Islands Cairns Gold Coast and Sydney top the list. North Queensland's mix of rainforest and reef experiences attracts visitors to Port Douglas and the Daintree region. Properties like Flynn Hotel Cairns and Paradise Links Resort Port Douglas serve as popular bases. A TourRadar traveler reports: "Having traveled to 50+ countries now this tour was one of the most epic trips I've ever done."
Are there any special events or festivals in Australia during January?
January's calendar features nationwide Australia Day celebrations on the 26th alongside city-specific events. Sydney comes alive with its Festival offering free outdoor concerts art installations and performances. Melbourne hosts the Australian Open tennis tournament drawing international crowds. Premium hotels like Crown Towers Melbourne fill quickly during these events making early bookings essential.
What wildlife experiences are best in Australia during January?
The summer month presents prime opportunities for wildlife observation. Visitors can watch whales in Hervey Bay spot kangaroos during early morning national park visits and observe koalas in their natural environment. A TourRadar participant notes: "We saw incredible marine life while snorkeling the Great Barrier Reef in January - the water visibility was perfect and we spotted sea turtles reef sharks and colorful fish."
Is January peak season for tourism in Australia?
As Australia's high season accommodation and activity bookings require 3-6 months advance planning. This applies especially to sought-after experiences like Great Barrier Reef tours and Sydney harbor cruises. Morning activities prove popular for avoiding peak heat particularly in tropical areas. One reviewer advises: "Book early morning reef tours for better conditions and fewer crowds especially during the summer peak season."
What are the best beach destinations in Australia for January?
Summer beach destinations range from Sydney's Bondi Beach to the Whitsundays' Whitehaven Beach and Byron Bay. Luxury coastal stays at The Byron at Byron or Intercontinental Hayman Island offer premium beachfront experiences. According to a TourRadar visitor: "The beaches were absolutely perfect in January - we loved staying right on Bondi Beach and exploring the different coastal spots."