Iconic Cities and Wildlife

Sydney & Southern Highlands - Shared Tour

Day 1: Sydney. On arrival in Sydney, transfer by private vehicle to city accommodation for a day at leisure.

Accommodation: Grace Hotel (Signature Superior Room) 

Day 2: Southern Highlands. Upon boarding the comfortable vehicle in Sydney late morning, 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

Melbourne & East Gippsland - Shared 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: Savoy Hotel on Little Collins (King Deluxe Room Hotel) | Meals: B 

Day 4: Melbourne to East Gippsland (Mondays). After departing Melbourne in the morning, venture east to the beautiful Lakes District in Gippsland. This region is protected by the International Ramsar Convention and is a key habitat for waterbirds such as Black Swans, Chestnut Teals, Australian Shelducks, Musk Ducks, as well as Fairy Terns.

Shortly after, board a ferry to Raymond Island that provides sanctuary to a host of native animals. Assist in helping a wild koala research project on the island. Data collated will include tree species preference, behaviour, identification of individuals and evidence of koalas drinking stemflow.  Take walks through local forest, with Koalas, echidnas, Swamp Wallabies and Eastern Grey Kangaroos, parrots, honeyeaters and seabirds all sighting opportunities. Driving through lush eucalypt forests, pristine estuaries and white sandy beaches, assist in helping the wildlife guide in recording species for conservation purposes. Dinner tonight is at a local restaurant with lunch also included. 

Accommodation: Snowy River Homestead | Meals: BLD

East Gippsland - Shared Tour

Day 5 & 6: Platypus, Rainforest Birds & Wilderness Coast. The diverse forests and wilderness coast of East Gippsland are the reason that wildlife is so abundant. Over these two days, visit both dry and wet forests, visit the famous Snowy River, and walk beside a wilderness creek where the landscape changes dramatically from the sunny, dry slopes to the near-rainforest of the gully. Learn about the formation of these mighty forests, searching for Lyrebirds, parrots, goannas, wallabies and honeyeaters. Birds and reptiles are abundant, but other human visitors are few.

Walk into a large lowland (warm temperate) rainforest in search of birds including Topknot Pigeons, Superb Lyrebirds, Brown Gerygones, Black-faced Monarchs and Platypus and Swamp Wallabies. Then walk through a heathland and along a forest-lined river – this area abuts a previously burnt area, so wildlife surveys here are particularly important. You will search for White-bellied Sea Eagles, Hooded Plovers, Gang-gang cockatoos, Turquoise Parrots, Azure Kingfishers and Jacky Lizards, before visiting a quiet beach with a complex dune system, where beach and ocean-going birds are frequently seen along with Australian Fur-seals.

Nearby rocky headlands along the coast provide the opportunity to peer into rock pools, walk past wind-sculpted coastal shrubs and view the expanse of the 90 mile beach. Spend a little time on a beautiful beach removing Sea Spurge, an invasive introduced plant, and remove fishing "ghost" nets that have washed in from the sea. The idea is to stop them washing back out, where they trap and kill sea creatures. On one night, go spotlighting searching for night creatures including Greater and Yellow-bellied gliders, possums, bandicoots and other nocturnal creatures. Dine both days at classic Aussie pub over looking the mouth of the Snowy River

Accommodation: Snowy River Homestead | Meals: BLD

Day 7: East Gippsland to Melbourne. 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, venture to a river in Bairnsdale to spot Grey-headed Flying-foxes in their daytime roosts, before arriving in Melbourne.

Accommodation: Savoy Hotel on Little Collins (King Deluxe Room Hotel) | Meals: B 

Perth & Shoalwater Islands Marine Park

Day 8: Perth. On arrival into Perth from Melbourne, transfer by vehicle to your downtown accommodation. 

Accommodation: Intercontinental Perth (King Premium Room) | Meals: B

Day 9: 3 Islands Snorkel. Embark on an unforgettable wildlife snorkelling expedition in the stunning Shoalwater Islands Marine Park, visiting top snorkelling spots around Penguin, Seal, and Bird Islands. The adventure begins aboard the Sealion Express, a multi-level cruise vessel designed for comfort with room for up to 24 passengers. The eco-friendly boat features low engine noise and minimal vibration for a serene experience.

Equipped with wetsuits, masks, snorkels, fins, and flotation devices, explore the Marine Park's rugged limestone coastlines, reefs, and seagrass meadows, home to Smooth Stingrays, Southern Eagle Rays, Western Rock Octopuses, Pink Snapper, and Banded Sweep. The highlight of your trip is interacting with the world's rarest sea lions, known for their playful and curious nature. In addition to swimming with these marine mammals, encounter wild Bottlenose Dolphins and seabirds like cormorants, Australian Pelicans, Terns, and Ospreys.

The adventure concludes with a VIP gourmet luncheon featuring a seafood grazing platter tailored to preferences, served upon returning to Mersey Point.

Accommodation: Intercontinental Perth (King Premium Room) | Meals: BL

Day 10: Dolphin Swim.  The journey begins in Rockingham aboard the luxury Apollo 3, where the crew will outfit guests with a wetsuit, mask, and snorkel. After an introductory briefing, cruise through Shoalwater Islands Marine Park, home to around 200 Bottlenose Dolphins that have developed trust with the Perth Wildlife Encounters team. It usually takes 20-60 minutes to locate the dolphins.

Once dolphins are spotted, head to the swim deck, don your gear, and enter the water in small groups of up to seven people, each led by a guide using an aqua scooter. The vessel features a large rear swimming platform with easy access.

Be surrounded by playful dolphins, with swim behaviour on their own terms, leading to an exceptional success rate. The experienced crew is adept at helping nervous swimmers, so no prior snorkelling experience is needed. For non-swimmers, a spectator option allows guests to enjoy the dolphins from the boat, sharing the experience with friends and family.

Accommodation: Intercontinental Perth (King Premium Room) | Meals: BL

Optional Extension: Bremer Bay (December - late April)

Day 11: Perth & Albany. Take a flight to the beautiful coastal city of Albany. Stroll through the historic maritime town of Albany, discovering convict jails, old taverns, whaling ships, settlers' cottages, and grand National Trust homes. Later, unwind at one of the area's beautiful beaches like Middleton Beach or Salmon Beach. In the afternoon, visit Torndirrup National Park to witness the Indian Ocean clashing with blowholes and rock formations, especially at 'The Gap.

Accommodation: Hilton Inn Albany (King Guest Room Harbour View) | Meals: B

12: Bremer Canyon. Today, you'll embark on a premier whale-watching expedition to the Bremer Canyon, renowned for its annual return of over 100 Killer Whales (Orcas) from December to April. This unique location is the only place in Australia where you can consistently encounter Killer Whales in the wild.

Following an early morning transfer from Albany, board the Naturaliste Charter's long-range vessel, designed for the Southern Ocean, for an 8:30 am departure. On departure from Bremer Bay, enjoy views of scenic bays, cliffs, and turquoise waters before reaching the deep blue Southern Ocean. Look out for dolphins, Australian Sea-lions, and seabirds along the way.

The expert crew will present an engaging multimedia overview of Killer Whale biology and marine life. After a 1.5-hour journey, you'll arrive at Bremer Canyon to search for Orcas. The canyon is a seabird hotspot, with species such as Flesh-footed Shearwaters, Wilson's Storm-Petrels, and Wandering Albatrosses. After returning to the marina, drive to Albany. Please note a three-day pass that entitles you to take three Bremer Canyon Killer Whale Expeditions is available for those wanting multiple days to observe this phenomenon.

Accommodation: Hilton Inn Albany (King Guest Room Harbour View) | Meals: BL

Day 13: Perth. Take a flight back to Perth with a day at leisure before the onward journey.

Meals: B