East Coast Family Adventures

Sydney & Southern Highlands - Private Tour

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

Accommodation: Flexible Options Available*

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: Flexible Options Available*

Daintree Exclusive - Private Tour

Day 3: Cairns. On arrival into Cairns, you will be transferred by private vehicle to your Cairns accommodation for a day at leisure.

Accommodation: Flexible Options Available*

Day 4: Daintree National Park. After departing Cairns around 7:30 am, you'll head north to the renowned Daintree Rainforest, a 120,000-hectare area estimated to be 180 million years old and recognized as a World Heritage site in 1988. Known for having Australia's highest diversity of rainforest mammals, this region offers a rich experience of ancient flora and fauna.

Accompanied by your expert guide, enjoy a 2.5-kilometer walk through a private section of the National Park. Learn about its 3,000 plant species, including a vast range of ferns, orchids, and early flowering plants. Look for the endemic Boyd's Forest Dragon, White-lipped Tree Frog, and Ulysses Butterfly.

You'll then visit the stunning Mossman Gorge, where you can swim and take in the beautiful views. Lunch at the Daintree Tea House includes sampling local fruits and berries amidst the sounds of the rainforest. Finally, embark on a wildlife cruise along the Daintree River on a solar-powered vessel, where you can spot Saltwater Crocodiles and various bird species, including kingfishers, herons, and eagles.

Accommodation: Flexible Options Available*

Atherton Tablelands - Private Tour

Day 5: Atherton Tablelands. Departing early from Cairns, you will journey to the Atherton Tablelands' highlands to enjoy stunning panoramic views of this World Heritage-listed area. Upon arriving at Danbulla State Forest, you'll visit the Cathedral Fig Tree, a massive 500-year-old strangler tree standing 50 meters tall with a 39-meter trunk circumference.

Guided by an expert, you'll explore prime birdwatching spots to see a variety of songbirds, including the Red-backed Fairy-wren, Golden Bowerbird, and Victoria's Riflebird. The next stop is Lake Barrine, a crater lake formed by ancient volcanic activity. After a delicious morning tea, your guide will share insights into the lakeside rainforest's flora and fauna. Enjoy a one-hour lake cruise for wildlife and photo opportunities, where you might spot Red-legged Pademelons, Musky Rat Kangaroos, and various birds. Following a seafood lunch, you'll search for the elusive Platypus. The day concludes with breathtaking views at Milla Milla Lookout and an option to swim at Lake Eacham or search for the iconic Lumholtz Tree-Kangaroo.

Accommodation: Flexible Options Available*

Frankland Islands National Park - Shared Tour

Day 6: Frankland Islands National Park & Great Barrier Reef. Your tropical island adventure begins with an air-conditioned coach pickup from Cairns, heading south through the stunning UNESCO World Heritage-listed rainforest and vast sugar cane fields. You'll pass Walsh's Pyramid, the tallest natural freestanding pyramid in the world, before arriving at Deeral, just 45 minutes from Cairns.

From Deeral, board the Turtle Islander vessel for a peaceful 30-minute cruise along the Mulgrave River, surrounded by lush rainforest and mangroves teeming with birdlife, including kingfishers, ibis, and spoonbills, as well as Saltwater Crocodiles. The boat then ventures into the traditional sea country of the Mandingalby Yidinji and Gungandji peoples, reaching Normanby Island, just 10 kilometres offshore.

Here, you'll explore sandy beaches, crystal-clear waters, and vibrant fringing reefs, perfect for snorkelling to see colourful corals, tropical fish and turtles, with an expert crew and marine biologist on hand. With limited tour numbers, you can enjoy a range of activities, including guided snorkel experiences, kayaking, a semi-submersible ride, paddle boarding, and a guided island walk with a marine biologist.

Accommodation: Flexible Options Available*

Hervey Bay Whale Watching or Nature Cruise - Shared Tour

Day 7: Hervey Bay. Fly from Cairns to the beautiful coastal town of Hervey Bay, the World's first Whale Heritage site. This region is known for having some of the most active and inquisitive whales found anywhere across the globe, with breaches, whale songs and muggings common practice.

Accommodation: Flexible Options Available*

Day 8: Ultimate Hervey Bay Whale Watching (July - October). Beginning at Great Sandy Straits Marina, you'll board the custom-built Ocean Defender, a low-profile rigid inflatable boat designed for unobstructed 360-degree views of the whales. With a capacity for 38 passengers, the boat offers forward-facing seats and ample shade. The boat's speed ensures swift access to Platypus Bay, a popular area where whales come to rest, play, and interact. Between July and October, over 30% of Australia's migrating Humpback Whales rest in Hervey Bay, including breeding pairs and mothers with calves. The crew, trained in marine sciences, will guide you through the fascinating behaviours of Humpback Whales, such as breaches, tail slaps, and spy hopping. You'll also have the chance to listen to the whales' songs using underwater hydrophones.

The guide team will also engage children with fun and educational activities as part of their Junior Naturalist Programme, aimed to inspire the next generation of environmental stewards as they learn about marine ecosystems and conservation. Your ticket includes free snacks, soft drinks, and a full-colour Whalewatch Guide from the Pacific Whale Foundation's Research Department. All proceeds from sales of the whale watching experiences support whale and dolphin research, marine education for children, and ocean conservation programs in Australia and around the world.

Hervey Bay Nature Cruise (March - late May). Explore the Great Sandy Marine Park, with your family in search of various marine species, including the vulnerable Australian Humpback Dolphin, Dugong, and other dolphins, rays, sharks, sea snakes, and turtles. Bird watchers can spot migratory waders like snipes and curlews, as well as local species such as Osprey, Brahminy Kites, and White-bellied Sea Eagles. You'll learn about the area's natural environment, history, conservation efforts, and ongoing research since 1984. They can also participate in citizen science, helping marine biologists with whale and dolphin research. 

Accommodation: Flexible Options Available*

Day 9: Hervey Bay or K'gari. Enjoy a day of leisure or take an optional tour to K'gari where you can explore the world's largest sand island. Experience guided 4WD tours across sandy tracks, visit pristine beaches like Lake McKenzie and Eli Creek, and admire ancient rainforests, towering sand dunes, freshwater lakes and wildlife.

Accommodation: Flexible Options Available*

Kangaroo Island for Young Families - Private Tour

Day 10: Adelaide. After flying from Hervey Bay, enjoy a day at leisure exploring the city.

Accommodation: Flexible Options Available*

Day 11: Cygnet Valley and North Coast. After arriving on Kangaroo Island on your morning flight, start your day at Clifford's Honey Farm, where you'll explore honey production and sample some honey ice cream—because it's never too early for ice cream! Next, head to the Cygnet River Valley to search for koalas and cockatoos, listen for the laughter of kookaburras, and learn about the wetland birds.

Meet Dr. Peggy Rismiller, a leading expert on the Short-beaked Echidna. With over 30 years of experience, Peggy will give insights into her daily work and share fascinating discoveries about this unique egg-laying mammal. Enjoy a beach picnic before embarking on an ocean rafting adventure with Kangaroo Island Marine Adventures. Be prepared for a swim as you join the dolphin watch program, where you'll learn about the visual recognition system used to track dolphins. Depending on the weather and dolphin activity, you might even get the chance to snorkel with dolphins in the open ocean.

Accommodation: Kangaroo Island Lodge

Day 12: Seal Bay. Start your day at Little Sahara, exploring the vast open dune fields—a great spot to expend some energy. Next, head to Seal Bay for a private tour of the Australian Sea-lion colony, where you'll observe pups nursing, young males wrestling, and dominant bulls asserting their territory on a picturesque sandy beach.

Enjoy a barbecue lunch at a private bush site before joining a guided bushwalk. Learn about the local wildlife by identifying tracks and droppings, and spot wallabies nearly extinct on the mainland, a unique kangaroo species, and various Australian birds, plants, and animals. The final stop for the day is at Stokes Bay, where you'll access a stunning hidden beach via a natural tunnel. If the weather permits, take a refreshing swim in the natural rock pool.

Accommodation: Kangaroo Island Lodge

Day 13: Flinders Chase National Park. Start your day in the island's northwest at Kangaroo Island Land for Wildlife, where you'll engage in hands-on conservation efforts with Pat, Heidi, and their team, focusing on lesser-known, often nocturnal native animals. Enjoy a picnic lunch in the bush featuring marinated poached chicken, fresh salads, cheeses, and a selection of South Australian wines, beer, soft drinks, and spring water.

After lunch, visit Flinders Chase National Park to explore the striking natural formations of Remarkable Rocks, with their abstract shapes resembling the works of Henry Moore and Salvador Dali. Perched on the cliffs, these rocks offer fantastic photo opportunities and panoramic views. A short drive away, a boardwalk leads to Admirals Arch, a coastal grotto home to a large colony of long-nosed fur seals, which you can watch swimming through the waves and lounging on rock ledges. Conclude the day by learning about the island's earliest human inhabitants and their survival strategies, including how they foraged, hunted, and fished items from the local environment.