⭐ 4.8/5 · 50,000+ Travellers
🌏 Asia Tours from Australia

Explore Asia
With Expert Guides

Japan, Vietnam, Thailand, Bali, India & Cambodia — small group guided tours and custom itineraries designed for Australian travellers. From $2,999 per person.

20+
Asian Countries
10–18 Days
Typical Duration
Max 14
Per Group
From $2,999
Per Person
20+
Asian Destinations
10–18 Days
Typical Duration
Max 14
Guests Per Group
4.8/5
Guest Rating
From $2,999
Per Person

Asia is Australia's closest and most spectacular travel playground — and for good reason. From the neon-lit streets of Tokyo and the ancient temples of Angkor Wat to the pristine beaches of Thailand, the terraced rice fields of Bali, and the majestic Taj Mahal in India, no region on earth offers such extraordinary variety within such comfortable reach of Brisbane. Cooee Tours has been guiding Australians through Asia for over 35 years — we know this continent intimately.

Whether you're dreaming of Japan's cherry blossom season, a street food odyssey through Vietnam, a spiritual journey through India's sacred cities, a luxury cruise through Ha Long Bay, or a fully custom adventure pieced together exactly the way you want — our Brisbane-based Asia specialists make it happen, seamlessly.

EXPLORE BY COUNTRY

Asia's Most Extraordinary Destinations

Handpicked countries where Australian travellers consistently have their most unforgettable experiences.

🇯🇵 Most Popular

Japan

Cherry blossoms, temples, bullet trains and ramen

Marvel at Mount Fuji, walk the neon corridors of Tokyo's Shibuya, bow at ancient Kyoto temples, soak in an onsen, taste the world's best ramen, and ride the shinkansen at 320km/h. Japan is unlike anywhere else on earth.

🌸 Cherry Blossoms ⛰ Kyoto Temples 🏭 Shibuya Crossing 🏔 Mount Fuji ♨ Onsen
🌬🇳 Best Value

Vietnam

Street food, Ha Long Bay, ancient towns and coffee

Cruise the legendary Ha Long Bay, explore the lantern-lit streets of Hoi An, devour pho in Hanoi's Old Quarter, ride a motorbike through the Mekong Delta, and watch the sun rise over misty Sapa rice terraces.

🚢 Ha Long Bay 🏭 Hoi An Lanterns 🍽 Street Food 🌍 Mekong Delta ⛰ Sapa Terraces
🇹🇭 Classic Asia

Thailand

Temples, elephants, islands and Thai cuisine

Explore Bangkok's grand temples, trek with elephants in Chiang Mai's ethical sanctuaries, island-hop between Koh Samui and the Andaman Sea, and feast your way through a cuisine that's become beloved worldwide for good reason.

⛰ Bangkok Temples 🐘 Elephant Sanctuaries 🏈 Island Hopping 🍽 Thai Cuisine 🌿 Chiang Mai
🇮🇩 Trending 2026

Bali & Indonesia

Temples, rice terraces, surf and spiritual retreats

Sunrise above the clouds at Mount Batur, yoga retreats in Ubud's jungle, temple ceremonies at Tanah Lot, snorkelling the vivid reefs of the Gili Islands, and watching Komodo dragons on their namesake island.

🏔 Mount Batur ⛰ Tanah Lot Temple 🌿 Ubud Jungle 🏈 Gili Islands 🏭 Rice Terraces
🇮🇳 Epic Journey

India

Taj Mahal, Rajasthan, Ganges and spice markets

Stand before the Taj Mahal at dawn, ride a camel across Rajasthan's golden sand dunes, take a sunrise boat ride on the sacred Ganges in Varanasi, cruise the tranquil backwaters of Kerala, and explore ancient Delhi's Mughal architecture.

🏛 Taj Mahal 🏭 Rajasthan 🚢 Kerala Backwaters 🌿 Varanasi 🐘 Tiger Safari
🇰🇭 Ancient Wonders

Cambodia & Laos

Angkor Wat, Mekong villages and Buddhist culture

Explore the world's largest religious monument at Angkor Wat, visit the floating villages of Tonle Sap Lake, journey by slow boat along the Mekong to Luang Prabang's golden temples, and experience the warmth of Khmer and Lao culture.

⛰ Angkor Wat 🚢 Mekong Cruise 🏭 Luang Prabang 🌱 Buddhist Temples 🌍 Tonle Sap
🇱🇰 Hidden Gem

Sri Lanka

Tea country, ancient ruins, wildlife and beaches

Ride the iconic blue train through misty tea plantations, spot leopards on safari in Yala National Park, climb the ancient rock fortress of Sigiriya at sunrise, and unwind on the pristine southern beaches of Mirissa and Unawatuna.

🌿 Tea Plantations 🐘 Yala Safari ⛰ Sigiriya Rock 🏈 South Coast Beaches 🚊 Scenic Train
🇨🇳 Grand Scale

China

Great Wall, Forbidden City, karst mountains, silk road

Walk the Great Wall at sunrise, stand in the vast Tiananmen Square, cruise the Li River past Guilin's otherworldly karst peaks, visit the Terracotta Army in Xi'an, and experience Shanghai's electric blend of old lanes and future skylines.

🏛 Great Wall ⛰ Forbidden City 🏔 Guilin Karsts 🏭 Terracotta Army 🏘 Shanghai
WHAT TO EXPERIENCE

Asia's Greatest Experiences

We build these extraordinary moments into every Asia tour we design.

Ancient Temples & Ruins

Angkor Wat before the crowds at sunrise, Kyoto's 10,000 torii gates, Bagan's 2,000 pagodas glowing in mist, the Prambanan temple complex — Asia's sacred architecture stops time.

Street Food Journeys

Hanoi's pho at 5am, Tokyo ramen in a tiny 8-seat shop, Bangkok pad thai from a wok-scarred cart, Penang's hawker stalls — Asia feeds you brilliantly at every turn if you know where to look. We do.

Wildlife & Safari

Bengal tigers in India's Ranthambore, elephants at Pinnawala in Sri Lanka, orangutans in Borneo's canopy, Komodo dragons on their island — Asia's wildlife encounters are utterly wild and completely unforgettable.

Enquire About Wildlife Tours →

Spiritual Retreats

A meditation dawn in a Kyoto Zen garden, a yoga retreat in Ubud's rice terrace valley, a boat puja on the Varanasi Ganges, a silent walk through Luang Prabang's alms-giving ceremony — moments of genuine stillness.

Plan a Spiritual Journey →

Islands & Beaches

Phi Phi's emerald lagoons, Halong Bay's limestone karsts, the Gili Islands' turquoise reefs, the Andaman's powder-white sand, Bali's surf breaks — Asia's coastlines are the world's most spectacular.

Cherry Blossom Season

Japan's sakura season (late March to early April) is one of earth's great natural spectacles — Ueno Park carpeted pink, petals drifting into temple ponds, hanami picnics with sake under the blossoms. Book early — it sells out every year.

Book Japan Cherry Blossom →

Asia by Water — Cruises, Junks & River Journeys

Some of Asia's most breathtaking scenery is best experienced from the water. Sleep aboard a traditional wooden junk as it glides between Ha Long Bay's limestone towers. Drift upstream on the Mekong as life on the riverbanks carries on as it has for centuries. Sail between Thailand's emerald islands at your own unhurried pace.

All Cooee Tours water experiences include expert guides, all meals on board, and carefully selected vessels that prioritise comfort, sustainability, and authentic access over mass tourism.

🚢 Ha Long Bay — Overnight Junk
🚢 Mekong River — Slow Boat
🚢 Kerala Backwaters — Houseboat
🚢 Thailand Islands — Sailing
🚢 Komodo — Liveaboard
🚢 Irrawaddy — Myanmar River
Enquire About Water Experiences
SAMPLE ITINERARIES

How Your Asia Tour Might Look

These are examples — every tour is fully customisable to your dates, pace, and interests.

Japan Discovery — 14 Days

Japan only · Tokyo to Osaka · Max 12 guests

Days 1–3: Tokyo — Shibuya crossing, Shinjuku, teamLab, sushi market
Day 4: Nikko — ornate Toshogu Shrine, waterfall hike
Day 5: Hakone — Mount Fuji views, ryokan check-in, onsen
Days 6–8: Kyoto — Arashiyama bamboo, Fushimi Inari, Gion at dusk
Day 9: Nara — giant Buddha, free-roaming deer, Kasuga Shrine
Days 10–11: Hiroshima & Miyajima — Peace Memorial, floating torii
Days 12–14: Osaka — street food (takoyaki, okonomiyaki), Dotonbori, farewell dinner

Vietnam & Cambodia — 14 Days

2 countries · Hanoi to Siem Reap · Max 14 guests

Days 1–2: Hanoi — Old Quarter walking tour, street food crawl
Days 3–4: Ha Long Bay — overnight junk cruise, kayaking, cave exploration
Days 5–6: Hoi An — lantern-lit streets, cooking class, tailors' quarter
Day 7: My Son Sanctuary — ancient Cham temples in the jungle
Days 8–9: Ho Chi Minh City — War Museum, Reunification Palace, Cu Chi Tunnels
Day 10: Mekong Delta — river markets, floating villages, coconut workshops
Days 11–14: Siem Reap — Angkor Wat sunrise, Bayon, Ta Prohm, Tonle Sap Lake

India Grand Tour — 16 Days

India only · Delhi to Udaipur · Max 12 guests

Days 1–2: Delhi — Red Fort, Qutub Minar, Humayun's Tomb, spice markets
Days 3–4: Agra — Taj Mahal at sunrise, Agra Fort, Fatehpur Sikri
Days 5–6: Jaipur — Amber Fort, City Palace, Hawa Mahal, pink bazaars
Days 7–8: Jodhpur — Mehrangarh Fort, blue city rooftops, bazaars
Day 9: Ranthambore — dawn tiger safari jeep drive
Days 10–11: Varanasi — Ganges sunrise boat, ghats, evening aarti ceremony
Days 12–13: Pushkar — sacred lake, camel fair (seasonal), temples
Days 14–16: Udaipur — Lake Palace views, City Palace, farewell gala dinner
Request a Custom Itinerary
TRAVEL PLANNING

Best Time to Visit Asia from Australia

Asia is a year-round destination — but each country has a sweet spot. Here's how to time it right.

🌸

Japan — March to April

Cherry Blossom Season

Late March to early April is Japan's legendary sakura season — parks carpeted pink, petals falling into temple ponds, hanami picnics under the blossoms. October to November is equally beautiful for autumn foliage. Book 10–12 months ahead for cherry blossom departures.

☀️

SE Asia — November to April

Dry Season — Best Conditions

Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia and Bali are best November to April when dry weather, lower humidity and clear skies make temples, beaches and outdoor activities perfect. This period aligns with Australia's summer — many travellers use their end-of-year leave wisely.

❄️

India — October to March

Cool Season — Perfect Conditions

India's cool season is October to March — temperatures are comfortable (20–28°C), skies are clear, and iconic sites like the Taj Mahal are at their most photogenic. India's summer monsoon (June–September) makes travel uncomfortable. Australia's winter school holidays (July) fall right in India's shoulder season — still very pleasant.

🇦🇺

Australian School Holidays

When Families Travel

Queensland school holidays align perfectly with Asia's best travel windows. July school holidays suit Japan (summer), Sri Lanka (east coast dry season) and Bali. October school holidays are ideal for Vietnam, Thailand and Cambodia. Our Asia tours are designed to work around Australian school terms.

VISA & ENTRY

Entry Requirements for Australian Travellers

Australian passports open most of Asia easily. Here's a quick guide — we handle the details for every guest.

🇯🇵

Japan

Visa-free for Australian passport holders — 90 days. No advance application required. Simply arrive and clear immigration.

✓ Visa Free
🇻🇳

Vietnam

E-visa required. Apply online at evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn. USD $25, 90-day single or multiple entry. Approved within 3 business days. Cooee Tours assists all guests.

E-Visa Online
🇹🇭

Thailand

Visa-free for Australian passport holders — 60 days (2024 extension). Simply arrive. No pre-application needed for standard tourist visits under 60 days.

✓ Visa Free — 60 Days
🇮🇩

Bali / Indonesia

Visa-free for 30 days for Australian passport holders. Extendable once for another 30 days. Arrive at Ngurah Rai International Airport (Denpasar) without prior visa.

✓ Visa Free — 30 Days
🇮🇳

India

e-Tourist Visa required. Apply at indianvisaonline.gov.in. Available as 30-day, 1-year or 5-year options. Processed within 72 hours. Cooee Tours assists all guests with applications.

e-Visa Required
🇰🇭

Cambodia

e-Visa available online (evisa.gov.kh) or visa on arrival at major airports. USD $30, 30-day tourist visa. Cambodia is very straightforward for Australian passport holders.

Visa on Arrival / e-Visa

Cooee Tours manages all visa requirements as part of your booking preparation. Entry requirements change — always verify with Smartraveller.gov.au before departure.

Speak to an Asia Specialist
WHY CHOOSE US

Why Australians Choose Cooee Tours for Asia

🧭

50+ Years of Experience

Operating since 1974, we have 50+ years of experience taking Australians to Asia safely and memorably. We know what works, what doesn't, and how to handle the unexpected.

🇦🇺

Brisbane-Based Specialists

Our Asia specialists are Brisbane-based and have lived, worked, or guided extensively in the countries they sell. When you call us, you speak to someone who has stood where you want to stand.

👥

Genuinely Small Groups

Maximum 12–14 guests per tour — not the industry standard of 40+. Small groups access restaurants, temples, and experiences that large coaches simply cannot.

✏️

Fully Custom Itineraries

Every custom tour is designed from scratch around your travel dates, interests, and pace — not a pre-set template with your name added. No two Cooee Tours custom trips are the same.

🛡️

ATAS Accredited & Insured

We're fully ATAS accredited, meaning your money is protected and you're booking with a verified, professional travel agency. We carry full professional indemnity and travel insurance options.

📞

24/7 On-Tour Support

Our support team is on call around the clock for every tour we operate. If something changes — flight, weather, health — we handle it. You travel; we manage the details.

GUEST STORIES

What Our Guests Say About Asia

★★★★★

"Japan cherry blossom with Cooee Tours was the single best travel experience of my life — and I've been to 40 countries. Max 12 guests made every moment feel personal. We were in Maruyama Park in Kyoto when the blossoms peaked. I cried. It was that beautiful."

Sandra M. — Toowoomba, QLD · Japan Cherry Blossom Tour 2025
★★★★★

"The Vietnam and Cambodia tour exceeded every expectation. Sleeping on the junk in Ha Long Bay under the stars, the cooking class in Hoi An, watching the sunrise over Angkor Wat in total silence — these are memories we will carry forever. Cooee Tours thought of everything."

Greg & Leanne T. — Gold Coast, QLD · Vietnam & Cambodia Tour 2025
★★★★★

"India is overwhelming if you're not prepared — but Cooee Tours had us completely sorted. Our guide Rajesh was extraordinary. The Taj Mahal at dawn was beyond words. The Ganges boat at sunrise in Varanasi moved me spiritually in a way nothing else ever has. Phenomenal trip."

Robyn & Peter H. — Brisbane, QLD · India Grand Tour 2024
✈️

Ready to Explore Asia?

Talk to a Brisbane-based Asia specialist who has been there. Free consultation, no obligation — just genuine expertise and honest advice.

Request Free Quote 📞 0409 661 342
GET IN TOUCH

Plan Your Asia Tour

Our Brisbane-based Asia team will be in touch within one business day.

We reply within 1 business day. No spam, ever.

COMMON QUESTIONS

Asia Tours FAQ

How long does an Asia tour from Australia take?

Most Asia tours from Australia run 10–18 days. Japan tours typically 12–14 days; multi-country tours like Vietnam and Cambodia run 14–16 days. Given how close Asia is — Tokyo is just 9 hours from Brisbane — even a 10-day tour delivers excellent value. We recommend at least 12 days to avoid feeling rushed.

Do Australians need a visa to visit Asia?

It varies by country. Japan and Thailand are visa-free (90 and 60 days respectively). Bali/Indonesia is visa-free for 30 days. Vietnam requires an e-visa (USD $25 online). India requires an e-Tourist Visa. Cambodia has visa on arrival or e-visa. Cooee Tours manages all visa requirements for every guest.

What is the best time to visit Asia from Australia?

Depends on the destination. Japan's cherry blossom (late March to early April) books 12 months ahead. Thailand, Vietnam & Cambodia are best November to April (dry season). Bali is year-round; May to September is driest. India is best October to March. Australia's school holidays (July, October) align perfectly with most Asia dry seasons.

How much does an Asia tour from Australia cost?

Our Asia tours start from $2,999 per person (land only). Japan tours start from $3,999. India tours from $3,499. With international flights from Brisbane, most Asia tours range from $4,500–$9,000 per person depending on destination, duration and accommodation standard. Custom private tours vary widely based on inclusions.

What is the best Asia destination for first-time travellers?

Thailand and Bali are ideal for first-time Asia visitors — English widely spoken, infrastructure excellent, cultural contrast significant but not overwhelming. Vietnam is also fantastic — incredible food, friendly people, and stunning scenery. Japan is extraordinary for first-timers who want efficiency and cleanliness alongside the cultural depth.

Can I combine multiple Asian countries in one tour?

Absolutely — multi-country tours are very popular. Classic combinations include Vietnam and Cambodia, Thailand and Bali, Japan and South Korea, and India with Sri Lanka. Our custom itinerary service designs any combination around your interests, budget and pace. We handle all inter-country transfers and logistics.

Is Asia safe for Australian travellers?

The destinations we operate in — Japan, Vietnam, Thailand, Bali, India and Cambodia — are all rated safe by DFAT (Smartraveller). Cooee Tours monitors advisories continuously. Our 24/7 support team is on call throughout every tour, and our local guides have deep regional expertise built over years of operations.

When should I book a Japan cherry blossom tour?

Japan cherry blossom tours (late March to early April) are our most popular Asia departures and sell out by August the previous year. If you're considering 2027, enquire now. Even 12 months in advance is not too early for prime sakura departures. We have a waitlist system for sold-out tours.

What is included in a Cooee Tours Asia package?

Most packages include accommodation (3–5 star), guided sightseeing with local expert guides, intercity transport (trains, coaches, domestic flights where required), selected meals, and entrance fees. International flights from Brisbane can be arranged. Water experiences (junk boats, river cruises) are included in relevant tours. Full inclusions vary by package.

Does Cooee Tours offer custom Asia itineraries?

Yes — custom Asia itineraries are our speciality. Our Brisbane-based Asia specialists design fully bespoke routes around your interests, travel dates, budget and pace. Whether you want a solo spiritual retreat in India or a family adventure across Japan and South Korea, we build it from scratch. No templates, no compromises.
EXPLORE MORE
🇪🇺

European Tours

Italy, Greece, France, Croatia & Scandinavia from $3,499

🦁

Africa & Safari

Kenya, Tanzania, Botswana & South Africa from $4,999

🏨

World Accommodation

Riads, ryokans, safari lodges & luxury hotels

International Golf Tours

Japan, Thailand & Bali golf tours with Cooee

👥

Small Group Tours

Maximum 14 guests — intimate, flexible, authentic

🌍

World Travel Guide

The complete guide to international travel with Cooee

Share this page: