Australia
Wine, Wildlife & Outback
17 nights from £6,640pp
Includes: flights, accommodation, car hire
Overview & Highlights
Enjoy three nights at Sea Dragon Kangaroo Island including tours to Seal Bay and Flinders Chase National Park
Sample some of Australia’s premier wines in the Barossa, Adelaide Hills and Clare Valley wine regions
Explore the remote Eyre Peninsula, Coffin Bay and Lincoln National Park renowned for its abundance of native wildlife
Experience the rugged outback at South Australia’s Flinders Ranges, formed 800 million years ago
Best time to travel October – May
- Sea Dragon Kangaroo island & Seal Bay
- Flinders range and outback adventure, mountain trails & gorges
- Aboriginal experiences, bush walks, bike trails.
- Swim with sea lions and bottlenose dolphins
- Wine tasting & farms including Barossa & Adelaide Hills
“There is so much to explore in Australia – this self drive holiday combines the best of indigenous wildlife, outback culture & adventure with the stunning South Australian coastline and it’s vineyards, all in one region.”
This is a suggested itinerary featuring favourite tours and excursions, your holiday will be tailored to suit your personal preferences.
- Day 1: Fly into Adelaide, collect your rental vehicle and make your way to your hotel in the heart of Adelaide. Explore the city or take the tram to Glenelg, a favourite seaside destination.
- Day 2: Spend the day exploring Adelaide’s city centre, museums and galleries, or take a guided foodie tour through Adelaide’s Central Market, choose from an early morning breakfast tour or a delicious lunch tour. After a day exploring the city’s attractions, sample Adelaide’s buzzing bars and eateries in Adelaide’s Laneways and East End.
- Day 3: Embark on a 3-hour kayak through a 10,000-year-old mangrove forest among migrating and native dolphins. Encounter wildlife, and shipwrecks, and delve into local Aboriginal stories. This extraordinary experience offers unparalleled sightings and unrivalled dolphin feeding grounds with abundant seagrass, salt marsh, tidal flats, and creeks. You will be kayaking through a wildlife sanctuary where the animals are free to come and go as they please.
- Days 4: A short flight from Adelaide is Kangaroo Island, Australia’s third largest Island after Tasmania and Melville Island. Over a third of the island is protected in nature reserves and is home to native wildlife like the rare Australian sea lion, Kangaroo Island kangaroos, koala, echidna, tammar wallaby and long-nosed fur seal. Transfer to Sea Dragon Kangaroo Island for your three night adventure.
- Day 5: Explore Seal Bay Conservation Park, home to endangered Australian sea lions. Your certified guide will lead you on an hour-long beach walk amid the dunes. Indulge in Vivonne Bay’s famous whiting burgers before heading to Flinders Chase National Park. Here, you can marvel at rejuvenated bushlands, Remarkable Rocks’ striking formations, and the wildlife-rich landscapes of Cape Du Couedic, Weirs Cove, and Admirals Arch. Encounter native species such as seals, echidnas, and Kangaroo Island’s distinct kangaroos.
- Day 6: Kangaroo Island is known not only for its wildlife but also for its organic and artisan products. Today tour some of the island’s premium offerings beginning at Kangaroo Island Olives, discovering the rich history of Ligurian Olive Trees. Visit Emu Ridge Eucalyptus Oil Distillery for tea and insights into their pure Australian products. Delve into the world of Ligurian Honey production before culminating at Kangaroo Island Spirits, Australia’s oldest Gin Distillery. Enjoy guided tours, tastings, and lunch amidst native botanicals. Return to Sea Dragon Kangaroo Island to enjoy the views and secluded beach.
- Day 7: Fly to Port Lincoln on the Eyre Peninsula via Adelaide. On arrival you are met by your Australian Coastal Safaris guide to embark on our Exceptional Port Lincoln,Seafood and Wildlife Tour. Discover why Port Lincoln is the ‘Seafood Capital of Australia’ and taste some of the freshest seafood. 4WD through massive sand dunes and hike along untouched pristine beaches. Overnight at Port Lincoln Hotel.
- Day 8: Experience Coffin Bay explore, taste and see this stunning region. Enjoy Coffin bay’s famous oysters and learn more about these gourmet delights from the pristine waters. Lookout for kangaroos, emus, sea-life, reptiles and birdlife. End your day visiting the region of Big Swamp – a ‘listed Wetlands of Australian Significance’ site.
- Day 9: Start your tour digging your toes in the sand to collect cockles. 4WD through the dunes and try your hand at fishing – your guide will cook your fresh seafood lunch while you relax with a chilled white wine and breathe in the freshest sea air. Overnight at Port Lincoln Hotel.
- Day 10: On arrival back at Adelaide Airport, collect your rental vehicle and enjoy a scenic drive to Barossa Valley. One of Australia’s premier wine-growing regions, Barossa has many more attractions, including the Lyndoch Lavender Farm where you can purchase artisan products.
- Day 11: Soar over Lyndoch and the Barossa Valley’s western ridge on this spectacular 20-minute helicopter flight. Witness the sprawling plains, vineyard contours and Seppeltsfield Winery. Spot Maggie Beer’s farm, Penfold’s Winery, and Chateau Tanunda’s historic buildings from above. Admire Jacob’s Winery’s colossal wine tanks before gliding south to explore the Barossa’s scenic wonders, including the Goldfields and the Whispering Wall. Return to base after an unforgettable aerial journey.
- Day 12: Discover boutique wineries away from the crowds, savoring the region’s renowned Shiraz and red blends on this 6.5 hour small group tour. You will experience the Best of Barossa, visiting four unique wineries, led by passionate guides to enrich your wine expertise. Enjoy a scenic lunch amidst vineyards, relishing a chef-curated seasonal menu. transfer to your Barossa Valley accommodation.
- Day 13: We suggest travelling to Wilpena Pound via Clare Valley and Orroroo. The Clare Valley wine region is famed for its magnificent Rieslings. Orroroo is a typical outback town where you can take in panoramic views from Tank Hill lookout. Pass through the historic outback town of Hawker, and if it’s open, stop for lunch at the original Ghan Railway Station, now the Old Ghan Restaurant and Gallery. Arrive in time for Rawnsley Park Station’s Sunset on the Chase.
- Day 14: Soar beyond Wilpena Pound on a scenic flight to witness the expansive Western Plains, Parachilna township, Parachilna Gorge, Blinman township, Copper Mine, Bunkers Range, and the Skytrek 4WD track. Fly above the breathtaking Ikara-Flinders Ranges, showcasing a vivid tapestry of colors and textures in this ancient, stunning landscape.
- Day 15: Embark on the Full Day Central Flinders Explorer through time on this scenic tour. Witness stunning vistas of Wilpena Pound and Bunyeroo Valley en route to Bunyeroo Gorge. Discover ancient fossils in Brachina Gorge and spot elusive yellow-footed rock wallabies amidst impressive rock formations. Traverse Parachilna Gorge to Blinman for an Aboriginal culture stop at Wadna art shop.
- Day 16: Return to Adelaide Hills via South Australia’s ports. The first is Port Augusta, the crossroads of Australia where the roads from Adelaide, Flinders Ranges, Perth and Alice Springs intersect. Historic Port Pirie has several heritage-listed sites including the Victorian pavilion-style Port Pirie National Trust Museum
- Day 17: Enjoy a day of relaxation at the historic boutique Mount Lofty House. This romantic property is set on 30 acres of grounds, ideal for a lunchtime picnic. Laze by the outdoor pool, book a soothing massage at the Gatekeepers Day Spa or admire the artwork by Stephen Trebilcock & Steven Griguol on display throughout the property. Overnight at Mount Lofty House
- Day 18: Return your hire vehicle to the airport and fly home
This is just one example of a self drive adventure to Australia. Contact me to discuss your individual requirements.
A few impressions…
Koala
Flinders Range
Kangaroos in natural habitat
Kookaburras
Bush dining in the outback
Self-driving in Australia
Sealions on the beach
Wildlife crossing
“Thanks for all your support and meticulous planning – we had a wonderful holiday huge thanks again for putting it all together and getting everything just right.
The Indian Pacific was just magnificent, food and wines lovely… a great experience just trundling across the desert and talking to the other guests, playing ‘spot the Kanger! One of the highlights was stopping at a vast gold mine at Kalgoorlie”
Dave & Nicki, Anne & Allan
Let us begin the journey that will create memories to last a lifetime.
