Iconic Islands of Australia

Kangaroo Island - Shared Tour

Day 1: Adelaide, Cygnet Valley & Seal Bay. Upon your morning arrival at Kingscote on Kangaroo Island, the 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

Day 2: 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: Flexible Options Available.*

Day 3: Adelaide. Connect with your flight to the capital of Tasmania, Hobart.

Accommodation: Flexible Options Available*

The Maria Island Walk - Shared Tour

Day 4: Casuarina. After a morning pickup in Hobart, you will be transferred to Triabunna, where you will take a cruise across Mercury Passage to Maria Island, reaching its pristine sandy isthmus. These untouched beaches are home to various bird species, including Pied and Sooty Oystercatchers, Crested Terns, and Hooded Dotterels. After a delicious lunch overlooking Shoal Bay's azure waters, you'll walk to the tranquil Casuarina Beach camp. The afternoon offers a trail through tall eucalypt forests to the stunning Haunted Bay, known for its vivid lichen-covered granite rocks. On the return, watch for Short-beaked Echidnas, Pademelons, wallabies, and Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoos. In the evening, after a gourmet Tasmanian dinner, enjoy a sunset beach stroll with a glass of wine, reflecting on the day's adventures.

Accommodation: Wilderness Glamping at Casuarina Beach Camp | Walk length: approximately 8km

Day 5: Casuarina. Waking to the chatter of Yellow Wattlebirds, you'll enjoy breakfast and then embark on a scenic walk along five stunning beaches. Watch Bottlenose Dolphins surf and White-bellied Sea Eagles soar while strolling past exotic shells. Traverse grassy tussocks, sand dunes, and reach Bloodstone Beach, retracing the steps of French explorer Nicholas Baudin from 1802. Visit the historical Point Lesueur probation outpost before heading to White Gums Camp. Enjoy a swim or spot numerous bird species, including the rare Forty-spotted Pardalote and various honeyeaters, as well as Common Wombats, Bennett's Wallabies, and Forester Kangaroos. In Spring, look for cuckoos nesting in other birds' nests. Relax with fellow walkers and savour a candlelit dinner featuring fine Tasmanian food and wine, concluding your perfect day.

Accommodation: Wilderness Glamping at White Gums Camp | Walk length: approximately 13km

The Maria Island Walk - Shared Tour

Day 6: Mt Maria or Bishops and Clerk. Today, your local guides will lead you inland to explore the lush, majestic forests and the world's largest stand of giant Tasmanian Blue Gums. You might spot Common Wombats and the endangered Swift Parrot, which nests in tree hollows along the east coast of Tasmania in August. For a breathtaking experience, choose to climb Mt Maria or Bishop and Clerk for panoramic views of Tasman Island, Freycinet, Schouten Island, and the Ile Des Phoques. At the peaks, you'll see remnants of the last glaciation, including dolerite boulders. In the evening, arrive at Darlington's World Heritage-listed settlement and stay at the colonial Bernacchi House. Enjoy a final night banquet with fine wine, while observing Bennett's Wallabies and Tasmanian Pademelons in the garden.

Accommodation: Bernacchi House | Walk length: approximately 9-17km

Day 7: Darlington. The final day commences with a delicious breakfast followed by a walk around the northern tip of Maria Island. This trail covers a variety of spectacular woodlands and forests, before arriving at the dramatic sea cliffs of Fossil Bay. These massive limestone cliffs store a prolific volume of fossils from a 280 million-year-old sea bed including fully formed shell fossils. Arriving back at Darlington, it is common to see grazing Common Wombats, Forester Kangaroos, Bennett's Wallabies, Cape Barren Geese, and Tasmanian Native Hens, with a keen eye spotting pairs of beautiful Flame Robins darting around. Before boarding the boat to go back to mainland Tasmania and Hobart, walkers will enjoy a celebratory farewell lunch to reminisce about the amazing four days of walking across this beautiful Island. 

Accommodation: Flexible Options Available*

Bruny Island - Private Tour

Day 8: Bruny Island. At 8:30 am, your private tour guide will meet you at your Hobart accommodation. You'll travel south along the shores of the River Derwent to the coastal town of Kettering. Just a short ferry ride from the mainland, Bruny Island offers a serene escape where time seems to stand still. Spend the day surrounded by breathtaking scenery, savouring local delights like artisan cheese, beer, freshly shucked oysters, chocolate, and honey. Enjoy a gourmet lunch at an award-winning winery, then explore Adventure Bay, where Captain Cook once landed. Marvel at the dramatic coastal views and tranquil bays, and keep an eye out for the area's abundant wildlife, including the elusive White Wallabies, which may be spotted near the tree line.

Day 9: Cairns. Take a flight from Hobart to Cairns in Far North Queensland.

Accommodation: Flexible Options Available*

Frankland Islands National Park - Shared Tour

Day 10: 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*

Daintree National Park

Day 11: Daintree National Park. Depart Cairns around midday, heading north to the ancient Daintree Rainforest, a 180-million-year-old ecosystem spanning 120,000 hectares and home to Australia's highest diversity of rainforest mammals. The journey offers breathtaking views along the Great Barrier Reef Drive, one of Australia's most scenic coastal highways. Upon arriving at Daintree National Park, you'll enjoy afternoon tea before embarking on a serene Daintree River Wildlife Cruise aboard a solar-powered vessel. This eco-friendly cruise provides opportunities to spot Saltwater Crocodiles and many of the region's 420 bird species, including kingfishers, cormorants, and Brahminy Kites.

Continuing to Cape Tribulation, you'll explore a rare location where the rainforest meets the sea, guided by an expert wildlife guide. The evening includes a memorable dining experience in the rainforest, followed by a night walk to observe nocturnal wildlife. Your guide will share insights on the 3,000 plant species and various crepuscular and nocturnal animals, such as the Daintree River Ringtail Possum and Northern Long-nosed Bandicoot, enhancing your unique experience of the Wet Tropics. Arrive back in Cairns at 10:30 pm.

Accommodation: Flexible Options Available*

Optional Extension: K'gari and Hervey Bay - Shared Tour

Day 12: 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 13: Ultimate Hervey Bay Whale Watching (Jul-late Oct). 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. Onboard, Marine Naturalists will lead educational activities to inspire future environmental stewards. 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.

Accommodation: Flexible Options Available*

Hervey Bay Nature Cruise (December - 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 14: 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*