East Coast Family Adventures

Sydney & Southern Highlands - Private Tour

Day 1: Southern Highlands. After a pickup from Sydney late morning, head south towards the Southern Highlands, known for it's mix of private farmland and pristine bushland locations. Learn about the importance of the Great Western Wildlife Corridor; a critical parcel of woodland vegetation providing migration routes for native species between the southern Blue Mountains World Heritage area and Morton National Park further south. Enjoy the afternoon spotting wildlife at several locations. The area hosts an abundance of birds - from the universally-loved Kookaburra to a host of colourful parrots, including Crimson Rosella, Eastern Rosella, Galah, Yellow-tailed and Glossy Black Cockatoo, and even Emu - as well as some of Australia's most iconic animals, such as Echidna.

Explore some of the rivers flowing through the region at dusk, providing the opportunity to see one of Australia's most curious creatures, the Platypus. Contribute to current projects underway to map the location and movement of Platypus in the area and provide more complete data to assist decision-makers supporting the local Platypus population in the future. After dinner at Australia's oldest continuously licensed Inn, go spotlighting with special flashlights, looking for the nocturnal species in the region including Brush-tailed Possums and Common Wombats, before returning to Sydney mid-late evening.

Accommodation: Grace Hotel (Signature Superior Room) | Meals: LD

Kangaroo Island for Young Families - Private Tour

Day 2: Spend the day at lesiure before your afternoon flight to Kangaroo Island via Adelaide.

Accommodation: Kangaroo Island Lodge | Meals: B

Day 3: Cygnet Valley and North Coast. Start the day at Clifford's Honey Farm, exploring honey production and sampling honey ice cream. Continue to the Cygnet River Valley to search for koalas and cockatoos, listen for kookaburras, and observe wetland birds.

Meet Dr. Peggy Rismiller, a leading expert on the Short-beaked Echidna, who will share insights from over 30 years of research on this unique egg-laying mammal. Enjoy a beach picnic before embarking on an ocean rafting adventure with Kangaroo Island Marine Adventures. Participate in the dolphin watch program, learning about the visual recognition system used to track dolphins, and depending on conditions, there may be an opportunity to snorkel with dolphins in the open ocean.

Accommodation: Kangaroo Island Lodge | Meals: BLD

Day 4: Seal Bay. The adventures begin at Little Sahara, exploring the expansive dune fields—a perfect spot for stretching legs and enjoying the open landscape. Continue to Seal Bay for a private tour of the Australian Sea-lion colony, observing pups nursing, young males wrestling, and dominant bulls asserting their territory on the sandy beach.

Enjoy a barbecue lunch at a private bush site, followed by a guided bushwalk to learn about the local wildlife. Identify tracks and droppings while spotting wallabies, a unique kangaroo species nearly extinct on the mainland, and a variety of Australian birds, plants, and animals. Conclude the day at Stokes Bay, accessing a hidden beach through a natural tunnel and, if conditions allow, take a refreshing swim in the rock pool.

Accommodation: Kangaroo Island Lodge | Meals: BLD

Day 5: Flinders Chase National Park. Begin the day in the northwest at Kangaroo Island Land for Wildlife, engaging in hands-on conservation with Pat, Heidi, and their team, focusing on lesser-known, often nocturnal native animals. Pause for 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, whose abstract shapes evoke the works of Henry Moore and Salvador Dali. Perched on cliffs, the rocks provide excellent photo opportunities and panoramic views. Nearby, a boardwalk leads to Admirals Arch, a coastal grotto home to a large colony of long-nosed fur seals, observed swimming through the waves and resting on rock ledges. Conclude the day with insights into the island's earliest human inhabitants and their survival strategies, including foraging, hunting, and fishing.

Meals: BL

Daintree Exclusive - Private Tour

Day 6: Cairns. On arrival into Cairns, transfer by private vehicle to Cairns accommodation for a day at leisure.

Accommodation: Pullman Cairns (Deluxe Harbour View Room) | Meals: B

Day 7: Daintree National Park. Depart Cairns in the morning and head north to the Daintree Rainforest, a 120,000-hectare World Heritage site estimated to be 180 million years old. This rainforest is renowned for having Australia's highest diversity of rainforest mammals and offers a rich experience of ancient flora and fauna.

A 2.5-kilometer walk through a private section of the National Park provides an opportunity to explore 3,000 plant species, including ferns, orchids, and early flowering plants. Watch for the endemic Boyd's Forest Dragon, White-lipped Tree Frog, and Ulysses Butterfly.

Visit Mossman Gorge to swim and enjoy the scenic views. Lunch at the Daintree Tea House includes local fruits and berries amid the sounds of the rainforest. Conclude the day with a wildlife cruise along the Daintree River on a solar-powered vessel, where sightings may include Saltwater Crocodiles and bird species such as kingfishers, herons, and eagles.

Accommodation: Pullman Cairns (Deluxe Harbour View Room) | Meals: B

Atherton Tablelands - Private Tour

Day 8: Atherton Tablelands. Depart early from Cairns and journey to the highlands of the Atherton Tablelands, a World Heritage-listed area offering stunning panoramic views.

Begin at Danbulla State Forest to visit the Cathedral Fig Tree, a 500-year-old strangler fig standing 50 meters tall with a trunk circumference of 39 meters. Guided exploration of prime birdwatching spots provides opportunities to see songbirds such as Red-backed Fairy-wrens, Golden Bowerbirds, and Victoria's Riflebird.

Next, visit Lake Barrine, a crater lake formed by ancient volcanic activity. Following morning tea, enjoy a one-hour lake cruise to observe wildlife and photograph the surrounding rainforest, with potential sightings of Red-legged Pademelons, Musky Rat Kangaroos, and various bird species. After a seafood lunch, search for the elusive Platypus. Conclude the day with breathtaking views from Milla Milla Lookout and an optional swim at Lake Eacham or a search for the iconic Lumholtz Tree-Kangaroo.

Accommodation: Pullman Cairns (Deluxe Harbour View Room) | Meals: B

Frankland Islands National Park - Shared Tour

Day 9: Frankland Islands National Park & Great Barrier Reef. Begin this tropical island adventure with an air-conditioned coach transfer from Cairns, heading south through UNESCO World Heritage-listed rainforest and sugar cane fields. Pass Walsh's Pyramid, the tallest natural freestanding pyramid in the world, before arriving at Deeral, approximately 45 minutes from Cairns.

From Deeral, board the Turtle Islander vessel for a 30-minute cruise along the Mulgrave River, surrounded by rainforest and mangroves rich in birdlife such as kingfishers, ibis, and spoonbills, along with sightings of Saltwater Crocodiles. Continue into the traditional sea country of the Mandingalbay Yidinji and Gungandji peoples to reach Normanby Island, 10 kilometres offshore.

Explore sandy beaches, crystal-clear waters, and vibrant fringing reefs ideal for snorkelling among colourful corals, tropical fish, and turtles. Small group sizes allow participation in guided snorkel experiences, kayaking, semi-submersible rides, paddleboarding, and a marine biologist-led island walk.

Accommodation: Pullman Cairns (Deluxe Harbour View Room) | Meals: BL

Hervey Bay Whale Watching or Nature Cruise - Shared Tour

Day 10: 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: Ramada Hervey Bay (Deluxe Suite) | Meals: B

Day 11: Ultimate Hervey Bay Whale Watching (July - October). Boarding begins at Great Sandy Straits Marina on the custom-built Ocean Defender, a low-profile rigid inflatable boat designed for unobstructed 360-degree views of whales. The vessel accommodates 38 passengers, with forward-facing seats and ample shade, while its speed ensures quick access to Platypus Bay, a prime area where whales rest, play, and interact. Between July and October, over 30% of Australia's migrating Humpback Whales gather in Hervey Bay, including breeding pairs and mothers with calves. Trained marine science crew guide observations of fascinating whale behaviours such as breaches, tail slaps, and spy hopping, with the chance to listen to whale songs via underwater hydrophones.

Children can participate in the Junior Naturalist Programme, engaging in fun educational activities to inspire future environmental stewards. Tickets include complimentary snacks, soft drinks, and a full-colour Whalewatch Guide from the Pacific Whale Foundation Research Department. Proceeds from the experience support whale and dolphin research, marine education for children, and ocean conservation programs in Australia and worldwide.

Hervey Bay Nature Cruise (March - late May). Explore the Great Sandy Marine Park, searching for marine species such as the vulnerable Australian Humpback Dolphin, dugongs, other dolphins, rays, sharks, sea snakes, and turtles. Birdwatchers may spot migratory waders like snipes and curlews, alongside local species such as osprey, brahminy kites, and white-bellied sea eagles. Learn about the marine park's natural environment, history, conservation initiatives, and ongoing research since 1984. Opportunities also exist for citizen science participation, assisting marine biologists with whale and dolphin research.

Accommodation: Ramada Hervey Bay (Deluxe Suite) | Meals: B

Day 12: Hervey Bay or K'gari. Enjoy a day of leisure or take an optional tour to K'gari to 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: Ramada Hervey Bay (Deluxe Suite) | Meals: B