Lord Howe Island and the Snowy Mountains
12 day tour | Feb 17 – Feb 28 (approx) 2023
With Australians restricted to travel within their own country and now the arrival of the Trans-Tasman bubble Lord Howe Island is already almost totally booked up for the next year. I expressed interest very early so have been very fortunate to have been able to reschedule my tour to February 2022. With limited flights to and from this island and limited accommodation there, my tour offers a rare chance to get to Lord Howe for the foreseeable future!
We’re going to have five nights on this island, all of which is a Unesco-listed site with a visitor cap of 400 people. Lord Howe has been described by Sir David Attenborough as “so extraordinary, it’s almost unbelievable”.
The island’s combination of spectacular volcanic geography, rare endemic species, the world’s most southernmost coral reef, a huge lagoon and an amazing mix of marine life sustained by a mix of warm tropical and cool temperature ocean currents, is unique.. It has more species diversity than the Galapagos and is truly an island ark with unique flora and fauna. Feral cats, goats, pigs and even rats were completely eradicated by 2019 and even introduced weeds have nearly been wiped out.
To add to the highlights of this tour and to make the journey across the Tasman extra worthwhile, the last five days of our tour are going to be a complete contrast as we head back to the Australian mainland up into Snowy Mountains, and ending our tour in the nation’s capital Canberra, which often gets missed off New Zealanders’ Aussie itineraries!
Cherry Blossom Time in Japan
April, 2023
We have had a lot of inquiries about Japan and what better way to launch a tour than in spring – cherry blossom time (Hanami). The Japanese have revered cherry blossom for centuries and Hanami is the time for parties and picnics under these beautiful trees. We will get to experience this but also to enjoy the delights of other Japanese gardens, such as the Kyoto bamboo forest. We’ll also spend time in quirky, dynamic Tokyo, see Mt Fuji, take a ride on the world-famous bullet train, enjoy the tranquillity of Zen temples, visit Hiroshima, try Japan’s delicious cuisine and stay in a traditional Japanese guesthouse or ryokan.
This will be a two-week (approx.) tour – ideal for those wanting a shorter holiday.
Cruising the Croatian Coast aboard Luna
Mid May, 2023
I’m offering this tour again partly due to inquiries from travellers who have already experienced this idyllic cruise or people who have simply heard how great it is! This holiday starts in Croatia’s capital Zagreb and ends in in the wondrous walled town of Dubrovnik. But, in between we spend two weeks aboard the motor cruiser Luna with her onboard chef and open bar. The Luna has only seven cabins available so it is an exclusive JWT- only cruise. During our two weeks we will explore many Adriatic islands, including Hvar, Korcula, Brac, Lastovo and Vis. A day trip to neighbouring country Montenegro is also included.
Walking the Pilgrim Paths of Ireland
June, 2023
This two-week small group tour scheduled for early June features leisurely day walks along some of Ireland’s historic pilgrim paths in Wicklow, Kerry and Donegal, plus walks on one of the Aran Islands, Inishbofin, and a boat trip out to one of my top five places on the planet, Great Skellig Island. This being Ireland I’ve definitely included some classic Irish pubs with great entertainment and we’ll be accompanied by my very knowledgeable and highly entertaining local guide, Frank.
Ecuador and Galapagos
July, 2023
Run in conjunction with Xavier Munoz, who many of you have travelled with in Brazil and Colombia, this tour will include cultural and wildlife highlights in Ecuador, including Quito, Cuenca, Cotopaxi volcano and cloud forests plus five nights in the Galapagos where we will be based on land (rather than on a cruise ship) with daily boat trips. This is a more economic option, thus opening up the amazing Galapagos Islands to more of my travellers) There will also be the option for a Ecuadorian Amazon jungle extension.
Spain and Portugal with Jill and Zlatko
September, 2023
This tour will feature some of the best sights and experiences in both Spain and Portugal, including the Andalusian cities of Seville, Granada and Cordoba, the capital Madrid and Barcelona and then into Portugal to the beautiful capital of Lisbon and the northern city of Porto. The tour will feature great accommodation, excellent food and wine and quality local guides.
Egypt and Jordan
November, 2023
I’ve run numerous tours to Jordan and am delighted to be going back there. In Jordan we’ll visit the Roman ruins of Jerash, have the chance of a dip in both the Red and Dead seas, stay overnight in the legendary desert scenery of Wadi Rum and spend time in wonderful Petra where I have many friends, including our Jordanian guide, Harbi. Then it’s on to Egypt and the spectacular new Grand Egyptian Museum (and the nearby pyramids and Sphinx) along with a cruise on the River Nile including Aswan and Luxor (and optional extension to Abu Simbel).
What clients who have travelled with Jill before have had to say:

“You dream up great journeys and make them real for us.” DS, The Deep South, 2020
“Wonderful as always” B&SA, The Deep South, 2020
“Superb as always,” A&AR, The Deep South, 2020
“I’ve loved this wonderful journey with you,” LW, The Deep South, 2020
“A big thank you for another wonderful adventure.” B&KW, Chatham Islands, 2020
“I really liked having a thorough look at the island, going on all of the roads and seeing things that one would normally miss…thanks again, you did a super job.” MG, Chatham Islands, 2020
“Another Jill Worrall triumph….thanks for another great trip.” JS, Chatham Islands, 2020
"It was a fabulous tour...it was a delight" K and A, Mongolia, 2019.
"What a great trip. Croatia exceeded expectations on all fronts. An awesome country. We both had a blast." KW and DW, Croatia, 2019
"A big thank you again for taking us on yet another exquisite adventure." MC, Croatia, 2019
“Jill is an exceptional leader and we felt very comfortable and happy being taken care of by her, knowing that the tour would happen as expected and any problems dealt with. We had a wonderful trip and the attention to detail was excellent. The local people were friendly, cheerful, happy to answer questions and sort things out with grace. What more could you wish for?” Graham Ingram-Monk, Zambia and the Zambezi, August 2017.
“An absolutely wonderful, amazing, thought-provoking tour. Jill is an amazing tour leader and her ability to take control to sort/fix in a crisis is breathtaking.” Liz – North Korea, July 2017.
I had a fabulous trip to Cuba in April with Jill….Jill made it such fun – Philippa Sargent
“I don’t do group tours!” Well, that has been the case until now. Friends and previous travellers with Jill recommended if I was to travel then this was the woman I should travel with and I was not disappointed – Marg Palmer, Cuba 2017.
Jill is passionate about what she does and her enthusiasm is contagious. I am booked in a tour for next year already – Lisa Gullen, Central America 2017.
If it’s time for a new adventure I recommend packing your bags and travelling with Jill Worrall Tours. You will not be disappointed – Gaylene Marinkovic, Croatia Cruise and Walk 2017.
“I have travelled with Jill on four tours and enjoy the way she manages them . She is meticulous about all the details of touring , and great fun as well. She gets to know all her travellers well and is very supportive in every situation.” JJ Vintage Europe 2016
“Great Trip! Great Tour! Great Group! And Exceptional Tour Leaders!” Jay, Adriatic Explorer 2016
"THANK YOU so very much for an awesome tour. Had one of the very best times ever. LD Jordan Odyssey 2015".
"Loved every minute of it" Tina, Adriatic Explorer, May-June 2016
We have thoroughly enjoyed it. Thank you for all the treats and surprises. The cruise was superlative" Steve and Rosie, Adriatic Explorer, 2016
"Amazing value. Thoroughly enjoyable" Anita, Adriatic Explorer, 2016
"Great tour, great company" Nola, Adriatic Explorer, 2016
"Marvellous, I thoroughly enjoyed it. A lovely mixture of nature and historical interest. Our last night was superb" Maureen, Adriatic Explorer, 2016
"Jill and Zlatko provided a great tour with their care and attention to detail. Thoroughly enjoyable" Janette, Adriatic Explorer, 2016
"Loved it" Adrienne, Adriatic Explorer,, 2016
"Amazing tour overall and a great value, stress-free holiday and such a fun, relaxed group to tour with" Jill and Barry, Adriatic Explorer, 2016.
"Every minute was fantastic. The cruise in particular was a stand-out for me" Tracey, Adriatic Explorer, 2016.
"I had an awesome time" Kim, Adriatic Explorer, 2016
THANK YOU so very much for an awesome and interesting tour. I had one of the very best times ever on Tour.
LD Jordan March 2015