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Day One: Arrive Melbourne where you are met and transferred to your city accommodation; for 3N (incl; last night)
Day Two: 8am start today for a very special tour of our unforgettable Great Ocean Road – powerful, dramatic and majestic ! Visit coastal cliff lookouts, rugged surf beaches, river inlets and fern gullies, scenic Apollo Bay, beachfront town of Lorne, Port Campbell and Otway National Parks plus delicious two course Hotel lunch. Returns 7:30pm.
Day Three: Another action packed day of Island coach touring to see our little fairy Penguins as they come ashore at dusk. Observe these cute little flightless birds from your elevated viewing platform as they clamber over rocks to their burrows (nests) to feed their waiting chicks. Visit San Remo fishing village, a Koala Conservation Centre, Seal Rocks to see our fur seals at play plus chance to handfeed wallabies and kangaroos. Return approx 10 - 11 pm. Same accommodation based on t/s room only.
Day Four: Melbourne, Essendon – Parafield – Ceduna – Eucla Depart Melbourne, 0800 with a scenic flight over the Grampian Mountains and Western Wimmera region stopping for morning tea in Adelaide. We continue over St Vincents Gulf and the Eyre Peninsula wheat country to Ceduna. Lunch is reserved and awaiting your arrival. Departing Ceduna your flight path will grant a perspective of the Nullarbor Plain and Great Australian Bight that most rarely ever see. An exhilarating low level scenic flight takes you over the enormous cliff faces in excess of 500 feet; spot migrating whales and calves, mothers selecting the Great Australian Bight as their maternity ward. Touch down at tiny Eucla. It is rare to be so isolated, offering guests an opportunity to enjoy a night stroll under a star-studded sky, listening to the sounds of silence. Flight time 4.5 hrs total.
Day Five: Eucla – Forrest – Kalgoorlie Leaving Eucla, your pilot tracks north-west to the centre of Western Australia’s gold country. Soar over the absolutely enormous ‘super pit’ open cut man-made mine. Once on the ground you will be escorted on a tour of Kalgoorlie’s marvellous architecture and the Hannan Miners Hall of Fame. Flight time 2.5 hrs.
Day Six: Kalgoorlie – Meekatharra – Exmouth (Ningaloo Reef) Departing Kalgoorlie, we fly over pastoral country arriving into Meekatharra for fuel before continuing to Exmouth. Private transfer to our magnificent Eco retreat for welcome orientation and a refreshing lunch. Time to relax and enjoy the superb wild bush luxury at the camp, exclusively ours for the next two days. As the sun sets, enjoy a cool drink on board. Time to rest; accommodation is at our luxurious Beach camp. Flight time 4.5 hrs total.
Day Seven: Ningaloo Reef/Cape Range NP, Sal Salis The pristine and remote Ningaloo Reef is right on your doorstep, with the option to enjoy drift snorkelling, in shallow waters. Just behind the camp is the Cape Range National Park and with the expertise of your guides enjoy a stroll through the gorge with fossil bearing limestone and plenty of wildlife. Another day in your private paradise on the world’s finest stretch of coastal fringing coral reef. The ‘tents’ are more than comfortable with uninterrupted views out to sea, it is highly likely you will spot humpback whales breaching just beyond the reef.
Day Eight: Exmouth – Shark Bay – Kalbarri This morning fly southwards with spectacular views over Ningaloo Reef before landing at Shark Bay. Cruise to a floating black pearl farm for a lesson in pearl seeding or remain on the beach at Monkey Mia to enjoy the dolphins. Lunch is followed by an overland tour including Eagle Bluff, Project Eden and Shell Beach. Pilots complete this day with a truly spectacular flight along the Zuytdorpf Cliffs arriving in Kalbarri on sunset. Flight time 2 hrs total.
Day Nine: Kalbarri Picturesque Kalbarri is a beachside town rapidly gaining interest both nationally and internationally, as it is one of the best places to witness the Western Australia wildflower event. Guests are treated to a private tour of the coastal country as well as the Murchison Gorge and Nature’s Window, allowing plenty of time to photograph and identify the vast array of wildflower species. Afternoon features a guided tour of a vast 60,000 acre broad acre farm to admire many indigenous wildflower species of this scenic region. Beach Resort Accommodation.
Day Ten: Kalbarri – Abrolhos Group – Geraldton – Busselton This morning bid farewell to Kalbarri before you track South to make a spectacular orbit of the remote Abrolhos Islands en route to Geraldton. Continue southward to Busselton, where guests are welcomed aboard a comfortable air-conditioned private vehicle. Visit Cape Naturaliste and other secret locations. Continue through the vines to the famous Wine Centre town of Margaret River. Flight time 3 hrs total.
Day Eieven: Margaret River A day amidst the vines to experience the many treasures of this prominent wine producing region and delve beyond the vines and into the boutique breweries, coffee, cheese and chocolate! Lunch in a gourmet setting awaits, with a private wine tasting. Wineries visited include Vasse Felix, Sandalford, Moss Brothers and Cape Mentelle. Also the Margaret River Cheese and Chocolate Co., and Bootleg Brewery. No flight today.
Day Twelve: Margaret River – Walpole Depart Margaret River for your overland adventure into Tall Timber country - driving through the giant Karri and Tingle trees. Your visit to Pemberton includes a special wood gallery featuring exquisite works of art. For lunch, meet with local friends Kev and Hess Anderson at their delightful property for a stroll through their lush garden and insight into local life. This afternoon, venture into the Valley of the Giants and explore the forest canopy onboard the reetop Walk. Boutique Motel Accommodation tonight.
Day Thirteen: Walpole – Albany – Esperance his morning enjoy a cruise out on the Nornalup Inlet in this World Heritage area. After lunch, aircraft destination is Esperance, offering spectacular scenic opportunities. Overnight in Esperance or similar. Flight time 2 hrs.
Day Fourteen: Esperance Esperance was once the port for the goldfields of Kalgoorlie and Coolgardie, now after the addition of trace elements the area is rich pastoral land. Discover the natural beauty of Esperance, while touring Cape le Grand where turquoise seas beat to a rhythm onto the granite coastline. Visit another favourite place known as Hellfire Bay, protected from the open ocean and the ideal location for a revitalising swim. Adventurous guests will enjoy the climb to the Frenchman’s Peak, offering a terrific panoramic view over the entire park. No flight today.
Day Fifteen: Esperance – Kangaroo Island Mornings at dawn in Esperance are revitalising. We travel through a changing time zone, 1.5 hours, as your pilot No flight today navigates Eastward, scenic flying from Esperance. Continue with the spectacular low level flight alongside the Great Australian Bight’s towering cliff faces, before crossing the Investigator Strait landing on South Australia’s Kangaroo Island. Time to rest at your island beachside accommodation. Flight time 5 hrs total.
Day Sixteen: Kangaroo Island After an easy start to the morning, your two-day exploration is extensive and includes a private tour of Kangaroo Island’s wildlife, flora and historic light houses. Venture to Seal Bay to join sea lions on their beach; you are provided the best vantage points for this incredible up-close experience. Vivonne Bay and Flinders Chase National Park offer guests the opportunity to spy upon koalas. Lunch is served within the wonderful Flinders Chase Interpretive Centre. Guests will then be guided to the site of the Remarkable Rocks, Cape de Couedic Lighthouse and Admiral’s Arch as the sun begins to set. Celebrations begin as all guests return to Kingscote to enjoy a farewell dinner. No flight today.
Day Seventeen: Kangaroo Island – Essendon, Melbourne Continue your private exploration, to the eastern end of the island. Visit Cape Willoughby lighthouse, learn of the harsh existence of the light house keepers, finishing with lunch. This afternoon we are homeward bound for Melbourne, choosing to fly along the Great Ocean Road or over the Grampians to Melbourne, all pending best available visibility. Both are equally rewarding. Welcome home at Melbourne Flight time 2.5 hrs total. Return to same city centre Hotel accommodation as night 1 & 2 - t/s based on room only.
Day Eighteen: Prepare to depart Melbourne – return Airport transfers are included.
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