Every year, our editorial team evaluates hundreds of Australian tour packages across dozens of operators to produce this definitive ranking. We assess itinerary design, guide quality, accommodation standards, value for money, guest feedback, and overall experience. For 2026, we've identified a clear shift toward smaller groups, deeper cultural engagement, and more flexible, slow-travel itineraries. The tours that made our top ten this year represent the very best of what Australian travel has to offer.
This year's list reflects an industry in exciting transition. The post-pandemic travel recovery is now fully mature, and operators are competing not just on destinations visited but on the quality and depth of each experience. We've seen a meaningful move away from the "tick-the-box" approach toward more thoughtful, immersive itineraries that give travellers time to truly connect with each place. The best 2026 tours spend fewer nights on a coach and more time in meaningful encounters — with communities, landscapes, and local cultures.
Our assessment process is rigorous. We send anonymous reviewers on shortlisted tours, survey past guests, interview guides and operators, inspect accommodation, and evaluate sustainability and community impact. The result is a ranking you can trust — backed by genuine, firsthand experience rather than sponsored partnerships. No tour operator pays for placement on this list.
The gap between a good Australian tour and a great one is widening. In 2026, the best operators are delivering experiences that feel genuinely personal, deeply connected to place, and impossible to replicate independently. That's the benchmark now.
— Australian Travelling Editorial Board