Ocean to Outback Safari

Eyre Peninsula - Shared Tour

Day 1: Coffin Bay. Upon arrival in Port Lincoln, take a scenic drive through Sugar Gums and agricultural lands to Big Swamp Wetland. This area is home to endangered bird species and is a haven for birdwatchers. The culinary journey begins in Coffin Bay, renowned for its world-famous oysters. Embark on an hour-long tour with a local oyster farmer, learning about Pacific and Native Angasi oysters. Following the oyster experience, a gourmet seafood platter lunch is enjoyed in the heart of picturesque Coffin Bay.

The day continues with a visit to Coffin Bay National Park, where you will explore the park's rich biodiversity. In addition to its culinary highlights, the tour offers opportunities to spot a variety of birds, including White-bellied Sea Eagles and Ospreys, as well as marine mammals like Australian Sea-lions and Bottlenose Dolphins, making it a perfect blend of nature and gourmet delights.

Accommodation: Port Lincoln Hotel (Oceanview Balcony Room) | Meals: BL

Day 2: Lincoln National Park. The day begins at Tulka, a coastal hamlet where guests can observe waders, Black Swans, and seabirds from a bird hide. The area, once explored by Captain Matthew Flinders in 1802, is also known for sightings of Southern Emu Wrens. Next, guests explore the diverse Port Lincoln National Park, where rugged cliffs offer views of Ospreys, White-bellied Sea Eagles, and Swamp Harriers. At Memory Cove, bird enthusiasts can spot species like Purple-gaped Honeyeaters and Striated Pardalotes or choose to hike to Stamford Hill Lookout for stunning views of Boston Bay and the park.

The park's wildlife includes Australian Sea-lions, Long-nosed Fur Seals, dolphins, kangaroos, and even migrating Southern Right Whales from May to August. In the afternoon, the journey continues to Mikkira Station to visit a wild koala colony. Surrounded by old Eucalyptus trees, guests can also observe kangaroos, emus, and rare native birds while enjoying a platter of local produce and wine as the sun sets. In the evening, fly to Adelaide.

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

Optional Extension: Baird Bay (March - late May, October - November). Depart Port Lincoln for the enchanting destination of Baird Bay, located in the northwest region of the Eyre Peninsula. Along the way, your guide will stop at secret spots offering stunning coastal views, including Elliston and Venus Bay.

The day's highlight is a short boat ride aboard the 14-seater 'Neo-phocus' to Jones Island, where you will swim with Australian Sea-lions. The island hosts over 120 sea lions and various native birds, including White-faced Herons and Australian Pelicans. You'll experience the playful and agile sea lions up close, an encounter often rated among the top 10 things to do in Australia. Afterwards, the boat ventures into deeper waters for a swim with resident Bottlenose dolphins, where you can hear their high-pitched chatter. After lunch on the Baird Bay beach, you visit the Talia caves, with their etched limestone roof and stunning ocean views. Finally, you enjoy breathtaking, uninterrupted views of the rugged cliffs of the Great Australian Bight from Cummings Monument.

Arkaba Safari - Shared

Day 3-5: Arkaba Conservancy. Following a transfer from Adelaide, arrival is at the 60,000-acre Arkaba Conservancy, set amidst ancient mountain ranges. A three-night stay is centered on wildlife conservation and biodiversity, with a core focus on supporting the mission to restore the property's natural heritage through immersive activities.

Thrilling expeditions, like the Ridge-top Safari Drive and Dundee Track, are conducted in open-top 4WD vehicles. These drives provide crucial wildlife viewing across diverse habitats, specifically aiming to spot species of conservation interest. Highlights include viewing Common Wallaroos on rocky outcrops and the chance to encounter colonies of the endangered Yellow-footed Rock Wallaby on the Elder Range.

Arkaba is a renowned haven for bird enthusiasts. Riparian vegetation along creek-beds is alive with parrots, corellas, and honeyeaters, while open spinifex grasslands host grasswrens and Black-shouldered Kites. The seasonal Arkaba Hide offers a subtle vantage point for viewing species like Elegant and Mulga Parrots.

Complementing the drives, short guided walks with expert field guides enhance the conservation focus, offering tailored insights into local species and seasonal opportunities across the stunning landscape.

Accommodation: Arkaba Homestead | Meals: BLD

Murray River Safari or Walk

Day 6: Arkaba to Renmark. Take a transfer from Arkaba to Renmark in South Australia's Riverland region, with the rest of the day at leisure.

Accommodation: Hotel Renmark (Riverview Balcony) | Meals: B

Day 7: Murray River Safari (March, April, October, November). After a morning transfer from Adelaide, meet your Murray River Safari guides at Hotel Renmark. Following a brief introduction to the Murray River, board a pontoon cruiser for a scenic 25km cruise upstream, passing old-growth redgum forests and ochre-coloured cliffs. Keep an eye out for Koalas and various birds like Australian Pelicans, Black Swans, Australian Darters and Yellow-billed Spoonbills. Settle into luxurious houseboat accommodations, enjoy lunch, and embark on a cultural walk through river country. 

Accommodation: Luxury Houseboat | Meals: BLD

The houseboat is floating accommodation for three nights, moored in spectacular locations. Bedroom windows offer stunning views of the river and watch waterbirds as they fly by. In the evenings, relax in the houseboat lounge and share stories with fellow travellers as guides prepare evening meals paired with local wines.

Day 8: RAMSAR Wetlands. Rise early to experience birdsong and a sunrise over the incredible Murray River valley, enjoying the vibrant river views and likely spotting Rainbow Bee-eaters catching insects. After breakfast, join a canoe guide for a serene paddle through the Riverland Ramsar Wetland, offering opportunities to quietly observe wildlife like Western Grey Kangaroos, cormorants, darters, ducks, rosellas and Mallee Ringnecks. Keep a careful eye out for goannas and Sacred Kingfishers. In the afternoon, explore the surrounding forests and wetlands on foot, searching for the endangered Regent Parrot, before retiring early after a fulfilling day. 

Accommodation: Luxury Houseboat | Meals: BLD

Day 9: Outback Lakes. After an early breakfast, set off on a driving tour of the great ephemeral lake system on the outer floodplain where spectacular birdwatching includes migratory waders that have travelled from the northern hemisphere, thousands of ducks, pied stilts, red-necked avocets, spoonbills and musk ducks. Expect to see blue-bonnet parrots, emus and their chicks, and magnificent red kangaroos as you drive across the country between the lakes. Return to find the houseboat in a new location opposite the spectacular Bunyip Reach Cliffs above lock 6.

Accommodation: Luxury Houseboat | Meals: BLD

Day 10: Renmark. After breakfast and an optional stroll on the riverbank, cruise leisurely downriver and transfer through lock 6 on the way to your final mooring and departure point. Celebrate the experience over a BBQ lunch on the top deck, before farewelling the river and returning to the Hotel Renmark at 2 pm, before a transfer to Mildura.

Accommodation: Quest Mildura (One Bedroom Apartment) | Meals: BL

Please note that from May through to late September, the four-day Murray River Walk can be booked as an alternative featuring easy days of hiking along Australia's greatest river. 

Mungo Outback Journey - Private Tour

Day 11: Mildura. After pickup, explore Mildura, near the junction of the Murray and Darling rivers, with its abundant water in a semi-arid region. Before heading into the outback, explore the Murray River and its billabongs, where parrots, cockatoos, and other birds often gather from the desert for food and water. In the afternoon, travel into the arid lands towards Lake Mungo, entering the vast Willandra Lakes World Heritage Area. Walk along the ancient, fossilized Willandra Creek and watch the sunset over Lake Mungo, learning about the region's history and spotting desert wildlife like kangaroos and parrots before settling for dinner at Mungo Lodge. 

Accommodation: Mungo Lodge | Meals: LD

Day 12 - 13: Mungo National Park. Over the next two days, explore Mungo National Park, a region of immense significance to human and wildlife history. Spanning over 1,110 km², the park surrounds the ancient, now dry, Lake Mungo, which has been inhabited by Aboriginal people for at least 50,000 years. The eroded dunes beside the lake reveal the oldest human living site on earth and megafauna skeletal remains, marking the area as a World Heritage Site.

Exploration will include walks and drives through diverse habitats, from mallee woodlands to saltbush expanses. See abundant Emus and often see Pink Cockatoos and occasional Cockatiels in this region along with chats and arid land fairy wrens. The Crested Bellbird is often heard and sometimes seen. Raptors including the Spotted Harrier, Black Falcon, Grey Falcon and Wedge-tailed Eagle are known to nest in the area. The journey culminates with a drive across the dry lake bed to the lunettes, where you'll trace 50,000 years of Aboriginal history through the landscape. After an optional early morning bird walk on Day 14, enjoy a final breakfast at Mungo Lodge before driving out of the desert to Mildura.

Accommodation: Mungo Lodge | Meals: BLD

Day 14. Mildura. After an optional early morning bird walk, enjoy a final breakfast at Mungo Lodge before driving out of the desert to Mildura for your airport dropoff to take your departing flights.

Meals: B