Itinerary

Day 1: Adelaide to Kangaroo Island

We make our way out of Adelaide through the scenic hills of the Fleurieu Peninsula. When we arrive at Cape Jervis, we board the Sealink ferry across Backstairs Passage (45 minute trip) to Penneshaw, where we meet your local island guide. It’s not far to our first stop at Pennington Bay; one of the Island’s stunning surf beaches. Get amongst sea lions in their natural habitat on our guided walk at Seal Bay – an experience you won’t forget! Scramble up the white sand hills at Little Sahara and get up close to more wildlife (including koalas) at the Hanson Bay Koala Sanctuary. We arrive at our farm-stay accommodation late in the afternoon. After dinner, get ready to spot kangaroos, wallabies and possums on a guided nocturnal walk. (LD)

Day 2: Kangaroo Island to Adelaide

We spend the morning in Flinders Chase National Park. Clamber on the huge granite outcrops of Remarkable Rocks, sculpted by nature over hundreds of years. A colony of New Zealand fur seals resides at Admirals Arch on Cape du Couedic, watch while they frolic in the ocean or lap up the sunshine! We’ll have lunch at Rocky River Headquarters, where there’s time to check out the Information Centre; start point for the Snake Lagoon and Platypus Walks (seasonal choice). After lunch, we travel through the central farming region to the North Coast, visiting Stokes Bay, where a rock runnel leads to an idyllic beach (seasonal). We then return to Penneshaw, with time to purchase dinner (own expense) before returning to the mainland and Adelaide. (BL) Overnight accommodation included.

Day 3: Adelaide to Grampians

National Park Travelling through the picturesque Adelaide Hills, we cross Australia’s king of rivers, the mighty Murray, and pass through some little South Australian country towns on our way to the Grampians National Park. Get your legs working this afternoon with hikes at Hollow Mountain and the amazing MacKenzie Falls. We’ll be rewarded with breathtaking sunset views from The Balconies and Reeds Lookout before we settle in at our overnight Grampians accommodation. (D)

Day 4: Grampians National Park via the Great Ocean Rd to Princetown

Hiking to the Pinnacle is a challenge, but on the way you’ll experience breathtaking views of the national park. Next we head south to the coast and Warrnambool, where you’ll have the chance to spot whales (seasonal). There’s a lot to explore along the famous Great Ocean Road, renowned for its beauty. Discover the Bay of Islands, Bay of Martyrs, London Bridge and Lock Ard Gorge before sunset over the Twelve Apostles – gorgeous! Stay overnight in the coastal township of Princetown. (BD)

Day 5: Princetown to Melbourne

Climb down the Gibson Steps to the beach to get a different angle of the Twelve Apostles, and then we’ll spend some time at the Otway Fly, a 25 metre high elevated tree top walk. Continuing on, we pass through the magnificent cool temperate rainforests of the Otway National Park. We’ll stop for lunch (own expense) at the coastal town of Apollo Bay. Hugging the coastline, we pass through Lorne, before our next stop where we’ll search for koalas. We’ll check out the world famous Bells Beach before taking a shopping break at the surfing town Torquay, home of surf labels Quiksilver and Rip Curl. With some bargains in your bags, we make our way into Melbourne and arrive in the early evening. (B)