Australia & Tasmania wildlife & wilderness discovery

After enjoying complimentary airport lounge access, depart the UK on your overnight flights to Sydney.

On arrival in Sydney, enjoy a private transfer to your city accommodation and take some time to settle in. If time allows, wander down to Circular Quay for sweeping views of the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge, or explore the historic Rocks district with its sandstone lanes, boutique stores, and local galleries. The following day, venture on a shared wildlife safari to the Southern Highlands, a region of rolling green hills, forested trails and cascading waterfalls. Visit the striking Fitzroy Falls before spending the afternoon spotting kangaroos, wallabies, wombats and emus in their natural habitats. As dusk falls, search for elusive platypuses along tranquil creeks, then embark on a nocturnal spotlighting tour on the look out for possums, gliders and other creatures of the night.

On your final day in the city, discover Sydney from a new perspective with a panoramic half-day tour, taking in the city’s most iconic sights. Later, enjoy a lunch cruise aboard the Sydney Princess, gliding past landmarks such as the Harbour Bridge, Opera House and Royal Botanic Gardens – an unforgettable way to experience this famous city's sparkling harbourfront.

Bookended by private transfers, your journey today takes you to Melbourne. After settling into your centrally located hotel, set out to experience the best of the city. Begin at Federation Square, a vibrant hub of culture and contemporary art, then meander through Melbourne’s iconic laneways, alive with street art, boutique stores and a thriving café scene. For a memorable experience, take an evening trip to Phillip Island, located about 90 minutes from Melbourne, to watch the famous Penguin Parade, where penguins waddle ashore at sunset after a day of fishing.

Stay: QT Melbourne

Journey east to the Gippsland Lakes, a RAMSAR-listed wetland of international significance. Over the next three days, there will be plenty of opportunity to experience Gippsland’s remarkable diversity, from dry eucalypt forests to lush temperate rainforests. Explore tranquil waterways and estuaries on foot or by boat, watching swans, herons and pelicans glide across the surface. Continue to Raymond Island, a renowned koala haven, where you’ll join conservation efforts and spot native birds and marsupials in the wild. Forest walks and coastal trails may reveal kangaroos, echidnas and seabirds along the shore.

Follow trails beside the Snowy River and through fern-filled gullies alive with parrots, goannas, wallabies and honeyeaters, while in the rainforest, look out for topknot pigeons, superb lyrebirds, gang-gang cockatoos, turquoise parrots and azure kingfishers. You may also assist with wildlife surveys supporting local conservation in recently regenerated areas. Finally, you will discover a secluded beach fringed by rolling dunes, where ocean-going birds and Australian fur seals are often seen offshore. Evenings end with hearty regional fare served in a classic Aussie pub or welcoming homestead dining room.

Stay: Snowy River Homestead

Head back to Melbourne today for another night in the city. Art enthusiasts can explore the National Gallery of Victoria, home to both Australian and international masterpieces, while nature lovers may prefer the tranquil beauty of the Royal Botanic Gardens. As the day winds down, stroll along the Yarra River and enjoy the scenic views of Melbourne’s skyline reflected in its waters.

Stay: QT Melbourne

Take a private transfer from your hotel to Melbourne airport before flying via Adelaide to Kangaroo Island. On arrival, travel to Providence Guest House in the island’s serene north, your base for two unforgettable days exploring one of Australia’s wildest and most beautiful regions. Start by strolling along a country track beneath towering Eucalyptus trees, where koalas snooze overhead and colourful honeyeaters and parrots flit through the canopy. Cross the island’s fertile countryside to the north coast with your guide in search of rare wallabies, Kangaroo Island kangaroos and a rich array of native wildlife. Pause for a relaxed bush lunch featuring King George whiting, fresh salads and fine South Australian wines, then visit Seal Bay Conservation Park for a private encounter with Australian sea-lions on a pristine sandy beach.

Continue your adventure with a glimpse into local conservation efforts and wildlife surveys before exploring Flinders Chase National Park, where the sculpted forms of Remarkable Rocks and the dramatic Admirals Arch showcase nature’s artistry, home to long-nosed fur seals basking in the surf. Spend the remainder of your stay at leisure, soaking in Kangaroo Island’s peaceful beauty.

Stay: Providence Guest House

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight from Kangaroo Island to Adelaide. On arrival, spend the day discovering the charm of South Australia’s capital. Stroll through the historic Adelaide Central Market, sampling artisanal produce and boutique wines, or explore the cultural boulevard of North Terrace, home to world-class galleries and museums. Enjoy a leisurely lunch at one of Adelaide’s acclaimed fine-dining restaurants, or venture into the picturesque Adelaide Hills for a private tasting at an exclusive vineyard.

Fly to Launceston in northern Tasmania. Visit the Tasmanian Arboretum to observe platypuses in their natural habitat alongside a wide variety of native birds before travelling through scenic farmland to Cradle Mountain National Park, stopping in Sheffield to admire its famous murals celebrating Tasmanian life and culture. Settle into your hotel amongst alpine woodland in the north-west highlands of the island. 

The following day, explore the iconic landscapes of Cradle Mountain, including Dove Lake and its surrounding trails, encountering endemic wildlife such as wombats, echidnas, and pademelons along forested paths. Expert guides share insights into the unique ecology of this alpine region, from ancient forests to glacial lakes, while walks range from easy lakeside strolls to more rugged forest tracks, offering both gentle exploration and immersive wilderness experiences.

Stay: Cradle Mountain Hotel

Travel across Tasmania’s rugged west coast to the historic town of Strahan, stopping in Zeehan to explore the West Coast Heritage Museum and discover the region’s mining and industrial history. Continue through scenic landscapes to Strahan, where the harbour front and surrounding rainforest offer a tranquil introduction to the area, followed by an evening at leisure to stroll the waterfront or relax in your accommodation.

Stay: Strahan Village

Board the West Coast Wilderness Railway for a heritage steam train journey through rainforest or, if preferred, take a scenic cruise along the Gordon River. Stop at waterfalls and lookouts along the way, before arriving at Mount Field National Park. Take short walks in the park to see waterfalls and temperate rainforest species, before enjoying a farewell dinner nearby.

Stay: Mount Field Retreat

The following day, explore Mount Field’s temperate rainforest and alpine moorlands, home to towering flowering trees, platypuses and endemic bird species. Take one last walk through moss-covered forests or along quiet streams before concluding your journey in Hobart later this afternoon, reflecting on the diversity of landscapes, wildlife and cultural experiences encountered throughout Australia.

Hobart offers a blend of colonial architecture, vibrant arts and culture, and a thriving food and wine scene. Stroll along the waterfront, explore boutique galleries, or simply soak in the relaxed pace and stunning views that define this southernmost city.

Private transfers will take you to the airport today in time for your flights back to the UK. Arrive in the UK on day 20.