Australian Walks & Wildlife

Melbourne & Surrounds

Day 1: On arrival at Melbourne Airport, you will be met and transferred to your accommodation for a three-night stay. This afternoon is free to relax and enjoy the hotel facilities or explore the city at your leisure. Renowned as the sporting and cultural capital of Australia, Melbourne pretty much has it all. Rooftop bars and designer boutiques give a cosmopolitan feel. Immerse yourself in the city’s rich Victoria heritage, from the Royal Exhibition Building, the Melbourne Goal or the historical buildings and landmarks around the city.

Day 2: Learn about Melbourne’s laneways and arcades today on an indulgent morning walk through Melbourne's beautiful back streets. Discover artisan and specialty retailers, and see quirky cafes, independent designers, street art, architecture and learn of historic tales in these walkways. Soak in the city via all your senses and engage with passionate creatives. Morning tea and a bistro lunch is included. 

Day 3: For a memorable Australian experience join a Wildlife Guide and Koala Researcher and help collect important data, remove Boneseed (a weed) and make a difference to koala habitat. Walk through natural bushland to meet wild koalas, then learn about each one's history and social. Join wild mobs of Kangaroos on the plains and in open forests. The natural environments that's visited are also home to parrots, fairy-wrens, emus, honeyeaters, possums, wallabies and lizards. Your Guide will help you find and understand them, and teach you survey techniques that will be useful wherever you go. At the end of your day, receive a certificate of thanks for helping wildlife, and an opportunity to stay in touch with each of the Koalas seen on the day.

Tasmania & Maria Island

Day 4: Transfer to Melbourne Airport for your flight to Hobart (not included). On arrival, transfer to your hotel for a two-night stay. The remainder of your day is free to explore the city at your leisure.

Day 5: Experience the Tasman Peninsula and Port Arthur Historic Site, two of Tasmania's most historic destinations. Explore the famous convict settlement site, Port Arthur, and listen as your guide brings the history of the settlement to life. Visit the famous geological features of the peninsula as you explore the rugged coastline before traveling to the historic village of Richmond, where you can see well preserved colonial architecture.

Day 6: Transfer to the departure point for your walk, where you will meet the rest of the group and collect your backpacks and undertake a briefing before departing on the award-winning The Maria Island Walk. You will board for a 40-minute private catamaran crossing to the remote southern end of Maria Island. Enjoy lunch overlooking the crystal azure waters of Shoal Bay before taking a walk to Casuarina Beach camp. There is time for an afternoon stroll through the tall eucalypt forest to visit a penguin colony at Haunted Bay. This evening after a candlelit dinner, stroll along the beach with a glass of wine delighting in the day you have had.

Day 7: After breakfast, start your journey along five beautiful beaches to White Gums camp. Keep an eye out for dolphins in the surf and wedgetail and sea eagles soaring overhead. Explore world heritage convict era cells and visit a rare Tasmanian Aborigine ochre site at Bloodstone Point. Enjoy lunch at a secluded location along the way. Enjoy a refreshing swim before retiring for another evening of gourmet dining.

Day 8: You will have several options available today to choose from: Travel through magnificent "cloud forest" to the breathtaking summit of Mt Maria. Alternatively, choose a gentler option and head inland to the heart of the island through the ancient forests full of bird life to visit Hopgrounds Beach and the Painted Cliffs, or, you may wish to climb the summit of Bishop and Clerk. Lunch is served along the way. Tonight, stay in historic colonial Bernacchi House in Darlington.

Day 9: There is a chance to relax and after breakfast and explore the convict settlement and industrial ruins of Darlington, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Continue to the dramatic sea cliffs of Fossil Bay and then head down to the remarkable fossils at Fossil Cliffs before returning to Darlington for lunch. Board the boat back to the mainland and Hobart for an overnight stay.

Sydney & Southern Highlands

Day 10: Transfer to Hobart Airport for your flight to Sydney (not included). On arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel for a three-night stay. The remainder of your day is free to explore the city at your leisure.

Day 11: Today, board the ultimate three-hour Sydney harbour sightseeing cruise to discover and experience Sydney Harbour and its secluded beaches. With a full commentary and morning tea included, you will also can disembark at one of Sydney harbour's secluded National park beaches where they can go for a walk or enjoy a swim with views of Sydney Opera House and the Harbour Bridge. Later, take an incredible journey through the Sydney Opera House. Enjoy a guided tour of the building, see inside theaters and stunning glassed harbour foyers which are otherwise of limits. After the tour indulge in a tasting plate with the chef favorite picks for two at Opera Kitchen located on the lower concourse level.

Day 12: An afternoon and evening of exceptional wildlife viewing is in store today as you go in search of Australia's iconic animals and birds in a noon till evening day and night-spotting tour in the Southern Highlands. Located only 90 minutes from Sydney, this is a unique encounter with Australian wildlife in its natural environment. Walk through towering forests of Grey Gums in search of koalas and follow riverbanks in search of platypus.

Day 13: Transfer to Sydney Airport for your onward flight arrangements.

Inclusions