Australia's Big 5

Sydney & Southern Highlands - Shared Tour

Day 1: Sydney. On arrival in Sydney, you will be transferred by private vehicle to your downtown accommodation. 

Accommodation: Intercontinental Sydney (Harbour Bridge Room)

Day 2: Southern Highlands. After departing Sydney late morning or early afternoon, you'll journey to the tranquil Southern Highlands to encounter Australia's iconic wildlife, including Eastern Grey Kangaroos, Red-necked and Swamp Wallabies, Common Wombats, Emus, and Platypuses, along with vibrant bird species like Eastern Rosellas, Crimson Rosellas, King Parrots and Sulphur-crested Cockatoos. You'll explore private farmland and pristine bushland, learning about the Great Western Wildlife Corridor's importance in connecting native species between the southern Blue Mountains and Morton National Park.

A visit to Fitzroy Falls will provide you with spectacular views and birdwatching, with a chance to spot the Superb Lyrebird, renowned for its incredible mimicry and fascinating mating display. At dusk, you will have the chance to search for the elusive Platypus, contributing to local conservation efforts. After dinner at Australia's oldest licensed inn, you will embark on a nocturnal spotlighting adventure to see Brush-tailed Possums, Wombats, and with some luck Tawny Frogmouths, before returning to Sydney in the late evening.

Accommodation: Intercontinental Sydney (Harbour Bridge Room) | Meals: BLD

East Gippsland Private Tour

Day 3: Melbourne. After taking a flight from Sydney, explore the history and attractions of the city. The many attractions of the city vary from the spectacular parklands and gardens that surround the city to the museums and festivals that are a continuing part of city life. Excellent restaurants are on every corner and cater to every taste.

Accommodation: Park Hyatt Melbourne (King Deluxe Room) | Meals: B

Day 4: Gippsland Lakes. After departing Melbourne, you will head east to Gippsland's Lakes District, a RAMSAR-protected region vital for waterbirds like Black Swans, Chestnut Teals, and Fairy Terns. Upon arrival, take a ferry to Raymond Island, which is a natural sanctuary for native animals, and where you will help set up a wild koala research project. This involves tracking tree preferences, and behaviours, and identifying individual koalas, with the data aiding local conservation efforts. In the afternoon, you will explore the island's forests, spotting koalas, echidnas, kangaroos, and various birds including parrots, honeyeaters and seabirds. The journey continues through eucalypt forests, estuaries, and beaches, with opportunities to assist in species recording and monitoring of endangered Little Tern nesting sites.

Accommodation: Snowy River Homestead | Meals: BLD

Day 5: Mountain Forests. After a relaxing breakfast, you will travel into the rugged mountain forests of East Gippsland. This is one of the few regions in the world that has a large unbroken chain of forest stretching from the Alps to the sea. The abundance of wildlife is due to the diversity of these forests; from giant Alpine Ash forests, native cypress pines, Mountain Plum Pines to Shining Gum and Cut-tail Gums, many of the trees are hundreds of years old. You will visit both dry and wet mountain forests, visit the famous Snowy River, and walk beside a wilderness creek where the landscape changes dramatically from dry slopes to fern-filled rainforest. Your Wildlife Guide will help you search for animals such as wallabies, Satin Bowerbirds, Superb Lyrebirds, cockatoos, parrots, goannas and abundant honeyeaters. Finish the day with a classic Aussie dinner at the Homestead.

Accommodation: Snowy River Homestead | Meals: BLD

East Gippsland Wilderness Coast & Snowy River - Private Tour

Day 6: Wilderness Coast. Today you will start with a walk into a large lowland (warm temperate) rainforest in search of birds, Platypus and Swamp Wallabies. Then walk through a heathland and along a forest-lined river – this area abuts a burnt area, so wildlife surveys here are particularly important. Search for White-bellied Sea Eagles, Hooded Plovers, Gang-gang cockatoos, Turquoise Parrots, Azure Kingfishers and Jacky Lizards.

Visit a quiet beach with a complex dune system and frequently see beach and ocean-going birds, and Australian fur seals. After lunch, take a walk on the nearby rocky headland, peering into rock pools, walking past wind-sculpted coastal shrubs looking at the expanse of the 90-mile beach. Spend a little time on a beautiful beach removing old fishing nets or rubbish – they wash up from the sea, and sometimes wash back out, where they trap and kill sea creatures. Dinner tonight is a picnic in the bush overlooking the beach (weather permitting). On the way back to the Homestead, search the plains for Red-necked Wallabies, Eastern Grey Kangaroos and Bare-nosed (Common) Wombats.

Accommodation: Snowy River Homestead | Meals: BLD

Day 7: Snowy River. You will depart East Gippsland after one last visit to the beach at the Mouth of the Snowy River. On the way back to Melbourne, a visit to Krowathunkoolong Keeping Place, an informative Aboriginal Cultural Centre in Bairnsdale, provides an opportunity to learn about how the Aboriginal people have lived amongst these captivating landscapes for thousands of years. Following this, guests will venture to a river in Bairnsdale to spot Grey-headed Flying-foxes in their daytime roosts, before arriving in Melbourne. 

Accommodation: Park Hyatt Melbourne (King Deluxe Room) | Meals: BL

Kangaroo Island - Shared Tour

Day 8: Adelaide. Fly to Adelaide and then onto Kingscote on Kangaroo Island.

Accommodation: Kangaroo Island Lodge (Waterview Superior) | Meals: B

Day 9: Cygnet Valley & Seal Bay. Your day begins in the Cygnet Valley, exploring redgum forests, narrow-leaved mallee, and mixed farmland, home to Koalas, parrots, and bush birds. Enjoy a delicious home-baked morning tea along the way. Next, visit Stokes Bay, one of the island's most famous beaches, where you can spot shorebirds and seabirds along its beautiful white stretches. The area also offers regular wildlife sightings, including Tammar Wallabies, Kangaroo Island Kangaroos, Short-beaked Echidnas, and Rosenberg's Goanna. Travel inland through productive farmland before enjoying an elegant seafood barbecue lunch on a private property in a redgum forest. The meal features King George whiting, halloumi, potatoes, fresh garden salad, and local wine. After lunch, head south to Seal Bay, where you'll witness the transition of coastal mallee through heath into dunes. Here, you'll encounter Australia's third-largest colony of Sea-lions on a privately guided tour, learning about their feeding and breeding behavior.

Accommodation: Kangaroo Island Lodge (Waterview Superior) | Meals: BLD

Day 10: Flinders Chase National Park. Venture to the west end of the Island where Flinders Chase National Park covers nearly 75,000 hectares (almost 200,000 acres), where the landscape is dominated by coastal mallee and the "bonsai Eucalyptus". Sustained winds over millennia have carved out a natural sculpture park from solid granite tors, with the highlight being the aptly named Remarkable Rocks. The high vantage point provides an opportunity to look for oceanic bird species (Pacific Gulls, Australasian Gannets and Short-tailed Shearwaters during the warmer months) as the low heath often reveals Tawny-crowned Honeyeaters, Southern Emu-wrens and seasonally, the incessant call of the Western Whipbird. Break for a delectable picnic lunch in the bush, featuring a range of locally sourced items and local wines. Fly to Adelaide late afternoon.

Accommodation: Mayfair Adelaide (Deluxe King Room) | Meals: BL

Tasmanian West Coast Wilderness - Shared Tour (Departs Thursdays)

Day 11: Launceston. After your morning flight from Adelaide to Launceston be met at 11.00 am at the Launceston Transit Centre by your local guide and start your journey to with a visit at the Tasmanian Arboretum near Devonport. You may have a chance to spot the elusive platypus and up to 80 bird species. The journey continues to UNESCO Word Heritage-listed Cradle Mountain National Park continues. En route, stop in Sheffield to see the famous murals. Travel through lush rolling farm pasture before reaching the alpine bush of the Cradle Valley. If time permits, we will get into the National Park this afternoon for a good chance to spot some Wombats at Ronny Creek.

Accommodation: Cradle Mountain Hotel  | Meals: B

Day 12: Cradle Mountain. Today you will be mesmerised by the beautiful alpine landscapes of Cradle Mountain, where in many places, dolerite cracked into vertical columns has resulted in spectacular sculpted mountains and cliffs. On a clear day the rugged grandeur of Cradle Mountain is reflected in the tranquil waters of Dove Lake, or you may experience the drama of its craggy peaks through swirling mist. Your guide will introduce you to the many endemic fauna and flora species of the region, including magical forests of Pandani, Sassafras, King Billy Pines and species such as echidnas, Pademelons and wombats. 

Accommodation: Cradle Mountain Hotel  | Meals: B

Tasmanian West Coast Wilderness - Shared Tour

Day 13: Cradle Mountain to Strahan. After a leisurely morning, travel towards the rugged west coast. Along the way, stop at the fascinating West Coast Heritage Museum in Zeehan, where you'll delve into the rich mining and railway history of the region. Explore the museum's extensive exhibits, which showcase the area's heritage through artifacts, photographs, and stories from the past. Afterward, continue your journey to the quaint fishermen's town of Strahan. Nestled on the edge of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area, Strahan offers charming streets, cozy cafes, and stunning waterfront views. Take some time to explore the town, perhaps enjoying a walk along the picturesque harbor. Strahan's unique blend of natural beauty and historic charm makes it a perfect spot to unwind and soak in the west coast's serene atmosphere.

Accommodation: Strahan Village | Meals: B

Day 14: West Coast Wilderness Railway to Mt Field. This morning, be transferred to Queenstown, where you board the nostalgic West Coast Wilderness railway. Join 2-hour Lynchford Express tour and take a heritage steam train journey through remote rainforest before returning to Queenstown. (West Coast Wilderness Railway may be substituted with the Gordon River Cruise if availability is not given). Then continue the scenic journey on the road and visit a mining pit outlook and stunning waterfalls. Arrive at your accommodation in the Mount Field NP in the early hours of this evening. After settling into your accommodation, be invited to a farewell dinner at a nearby local pub.

Accommodation: Mt Field Retreat | Meals: B

Day 15: Mt Field National Park. After a hearty breakfast your guide will take you into Mount Field National Park, the oldest in the state. Be mesmerised by the lush forest landscapes, from eucalyptus temperate rainforest to alpine moorland. Explore the green forest canopy where you can crane your neck to see some of the tallest flowering trees in the world. This cool temperate rainforest allows you the opportunity to search for some of Tasmania's 12 endemic bird species including Scrub Tit, Black Currawong and Tasmanian Thornbill along with the Platypus. After lunch, return to Hobart in the late afternoon where the tour concludes at around 4 pm.

Meals: B

Please note that this Tasmanian itinerary can be extended with a 5-day tour of the Tasmanian East Coast, to experience a mix of beautiful eucalypt forests, spectacular coastlines, and tranquil bays, including Maria Island, Freycinet Peninsula, Bay of Fires and Cataract Gorge. This will provide opportunities to encounter unique and endemic wildlife including pademelons, kangaroos, wallabies, quolls, wombats and the most famous resident, the Tasmanian Devil.