What is the best way to see the Great Barrier Reef in Cairns?

Floating tours or snorkeling excursions allow you to witness the vivid coral formations and diverse fish species in person, an experience photographs cannot fully capture.

Are multi-country tours like Australia-New Zealand-Fiji good for busy travelers?

Yes, group tours handle all logistics including transfers, inter-country flights, hotels, and local guides, so travelers only need to show up at the airport.

Who is the ideal traveler for a multi-country group tour?

Travelers aged mid-fifties and older who are physically active and want to visit multiple destinations without managing complex logistics benefit most from this style of tour.

How long does a typical Australia-New Zealand-Fiji group tour take?

A comprehensive three-week itinerary covers all three countries and includes time for iconic sites, reef experiences, and inter-country travel.

Is the Great Barrier Reef worth the travel time to Cairns?

Yes, the reef's living ecosystem—with its vibrant coral and abundant marine life—is a transformative experience that justifies the journey.

Are group tours suitable for families with young children?

Multi-country group tours typically involve significant walking and physical engagement, making them less ideal for families with small children.

Lesley Bogardis Discovered Magic Beneath the Waves in Cairns

When I set off on a three-week journey across Australia, New Zealand, and Fiji with Globus, I knew I was going to see some of the most iconic landscapes in the world. What I didn't expect was how profoundly one single experience would reshape how I approach travel advising. That moment came in Cairns, Australia, when I slipped beneath the surface of the water and found myself face to face with the Great Barrier Reef.

I had seen the photos, of course. Everyone has. But nothing, and I mean nothing, prepares you for actually being there. The reef is absolutely stunning and beautiful in a way that photographs simply cannot capture. What struck me most was how alive it all was. The coral wasn't just a backdrop; it was thriving, vibrant, a living ecosystem pulsing with color and movement.

A World of Wonder Below the Surface

Australia — Lesley Bogardis's travel story

Swimming through that underwater world, I was surrounded by more types of fish than I could count. Schools of them darted through the coral formations, each species more colorful than the last. The beautiful coral stretched out in every direction, creating an underwater garden that felt almost otherworldly. This is something you can only understand by being there yourself, by feeling the water around you and watching this ecosystem unfold in real time. No documentary, no travel brochure can replicate that sensation of floating through such abundance of life.

The entire trip was a masterclass in how guided touring can work beautifully for travelers who want to experience multiple countries without the stress of logistics. With Globus handling everything, I didn't have to think about a single detail. I showed up at the airport, and from that moment forward, every transfer, every flight between destinations, every hotel, and every local tour guide was already arranged. The freedom this provided was remarkable. Instead of worrying about connections and reservations, I could simply be present in each moment.

What Three Weeks Taught Me

Traveling through three countries in three weeks might sound exhausting, but the structure of the tour made it manageable and deeply rewarding. I learned the rhythms of each destination, understood how to navigate from one famous site to the next via bus, train, and airplane. This practical knowledge now lives in me as an advisor. When clients ask me about timing, about logistics, about whether they can really see Australia and New Zealand and Fiji in a single trip, I can answer with complete confidence because I've done it myself.

There is a lot of walking involved in a journey like this, which is something travelers should know upfront. This trip is perfectly suited for people in their mid-fifties and up through their senior years who are active and curious but perhaps don't want the burden of planning every detail themselves. It's ideal for those who want to experience the world's wonders with expert guidance at every turn. Families with small children, on the other hand, would find the pace and physical demands challenging.

Why I Can't Wait to Send Clients

Having snorkeled the Great Barrier Reef myself, I understand what it means to be in that water, to witness the reef's living beauty with my own eyes. This is the kind of firsthand knowledge that transforms how I advise my clients. I can tell them not just what to expect, but what to feel for, what to watch for, what will take their breath away. For travelers dreaming of Australia, New Zealand, or Fiji, I bring something more valuable than brochures and websites. I bring the lived experience of floating through one of the planet's most extraordinary natural wonders. And I cannot wait to help you plan your own unforgettable journey.