South Eastern Highlights

Hobart & Mt Field

Day 1: Arrive Hobart, transfer to your accommodation for the next three nights.

Day 2: At your leisure to explore Hobart, capital of Australia's island state of Tasmania. Fashionable Salamanca Place has old sandstone warehouses that host galleries and cafes. Nearby is Battery Point, an historic district with narrow lanes and colonial-era cottages. The city's backdrop is 1,270m-high Mount Wellington, with sweeping views, plus hiking and cycling trails.

Day 3: Today, meet your guide who will take you first to Mount Field National Park, the oldest National Park in the state. Be mesmerized by the lush forest landscapes from temperate eucalyptus rainforest to alpine moorland. Guides provide interpretation along the rainforest walk to Russell Falls, Horseshoe Falls and the Tall Trees, some of the tallest trees in the world. With a bit of luck, you may have an opportunity to observe the unique duck bill and webbed feet of Platypus in the wild.

Day 4: Board an award-winning cruise and explore waterfalls, sea cliffs, archways and deep-sea caves that host an abundance of marine wildlife including Australian Fur Seals and migrating Humpback Whales (seasonal) as well as Common and Bottlenose Dolphins. As the cruise ventures into the Southern Ocean, taking in the historic and famous Tasman Island, pelagic species of sea birds can be spotted. After lunch, check into your accommodation for the night nestled between a beautiful beach and forest. This also provides the opportunity to further explore the Tasman Peninsula in search of wallabies, possums, White-bellied Sea Eagles and Black-faced Cormorants.

Freycinet Peninsula

Day 5: Upon leaving the Tasman Peninsula, be captivated by a scenic drive passing coastal fishing villages along the stunning east coast, before arriving at the renowned Freycinet Peninsula, with its exceptional beauty, pristine white sandy beaches and granite coastline. An expert guide will lead an interpreted walk to the world-famous Wineglass Bay. In the evening, a night tour offers guests the rare chance to observe Little Penguins, as they make their way from the ocean to their burrows and rookery.

Day 6: After a relaxed morning, continue back to Hobart, stopping en route at Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary for an opportunity to experience Tasmanian Devils, Wombats, Quolls and other Australian animals. The Tasmanian kangaroos at Bonorong are incredibly gentle, so take the delightful opportunity to hand feed them. This dedicated team of wildlife carers provides an invaluable service to the research and protection of native wildlife in Tasmania. After lunch, your guide will bid you farewell at the airport for your flight to Adelaide.

Adelaide, McLaren Vale & Kangaroo Island

Day 7: Today's tour departs Adelaide and first heads south to the picturesque McLaren Vale Wine Region with over 50 small to medium wineries. It is situated near the coast hence the area has a distinctly Mediterranean feel. Tours of the McLaren Vale wine region feature some of the most beautiful scenery in the state. Wineries include Wirra Wirra, d'Arenberg, Coriole and the historic Hardy's winery. Other attractions include the Olive Grove and Medlow Fine Gels. Then, head south to the coastal town of Goolwa, once a thriving paddle steamer port. Enjoy lunch at a local cafe, then travel alongside the beach up to the mouth of the River and travel to scenic lookouts in search of the Southern Right Whales that visit these shores with their newborn calves (seasonal - May to October). Call into Victor Harbor and take a ride on Australia's only horse-drawn tram along the causeway, which links the mainland to Granite Island. Return to Adelaide late afternoon.

Day 8: This morning you will fly to Kingscote, Kangaroo Island to begin your 2 day/1 night package with Exceptional Kangaroo Island. You will be met by the tour guide on arrival and taken on a full day tour that gives an introduction to Island life. Have a ‘cuppa’ with some home-made Australian biscuits before taking a walk with the guide down a country track through tall Eucalyptus trees where koalas snooze overhead. Look for wallabies almost extinct on the mainland, and a variety of birds, plants and animals.

After a BBQ lunch, head to Seal Bay Conservation Park to walk with your guide among Australian sea-lions on a beautiful sandy beach. Watch pups nursing, or playing in the surf, see old bulls bearing the scars of territorial disputes and learn about their unique breeding biology. You will be dropped at your overnight accommodation.

Flinders Chase National Park

Day 9: Your second day of touring will focus on the wilderness of Flinders Chase National Park. Experience a series of wildlife encounters, an elegant picnic lunch and explore some of the most iconic coastal scenery of Kangaroo Island. Explore the massive natural shapes of Remarkable Rocks and Admirals Arch – a coastal grotto which provides a haul out for a large colony of long-nosed fur-seals who swim effortlessly through the crashing waves.

Lunch is a cliff top picnic before heading off the beaten path to explore lesser known places. On conclusion of the tour, transfer to Kingscote airport for your flight to Adelaide and an overnight stay.

Port Lincoln & Eyre Peninsula

Day 10: This morning, fly to Port Lincoln, where you will join the 2 day/2 night Wildlife Encounter with Australian Coastal Safaris. The guide will greet you at the airport and take you on a short drive to Big Swamp Wetland. This is three seasonal fresh water lakes, that form a water dependent eco system, with a large and ancient Red Gum forest creating a unique habitat for many documented rare wildlife, bird species, threatened plant species, fresh water tortoise, native fish and invertebrates. Also visit Coffin Bay, an area of outstanding beauty, world famous Oysters and home to a variety of important species of flora and fauna. At the end of the touring today, you will be transferred to your accommodation.

Day 11: Today continue your Wildlife Encounter, visiting the diverse Port Lincoln National Park. From the naturally rugged and wild Sleaford Bay to the tranquility of the Spalding Cove area and other beautiful beaches. In the National Park, you can walk or beachcomb along Surfleet Cove, take a 45-minute hike to see spectacular views or even walk along the rocks underneath the Cape Donnington Lighthouse. Perhaps view Australian Sealions and New Zealand fur seals off the rocks of Donnington Point. There are 130 species of birds listed in the National Park as well as many Western Grey kangaroos, Emus, and lizards. Return for your final night in Port Lincoln.

An optional Great White Shark cage dive is available, or you can add an extra day to 'swim with Australian Sea-lions & Bottlenose Dolphins.'

Day 12: This morning, transfer to Port Lincoln airport for your flight to Adelaide, connecting with your onward arrangements.

Terms & Conditions

_{*Prices are quoted in USD and are ‘from’, per person, based on double occupancy. Price excludes all airfares.Add domestic flights HBA-ADL-KGC-ADL-PLO-ADL from US$955pp. Travel may be limited to certain days of the week. Hotels and tours remain subject to availability and only available on certain days of the week. Please note blackout dates may apply to Christmas, New Year and local special event periods. CST #2012413-20. See our full Terms and Conditions.} 

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