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SOUTHERN WILDLIFE & ISLAND ESCAPE
Day 1 - Park Hyatt / SYDNEY
Arrive Sydney - Welcome to Australia!
On clearing customs and collecting your luggage, you will be met and transferred to the Park Hyatt by private vehicle.
Park Hyatt Sydney is uniquely positioned on the very edge of Sydney Harbour, with spectacular views of the Harbour Bridge above and the Opera House. It is situated in the Rocks, an area of historic importance and natural beauty and offers uncompromising Australian hospitality with international flair. Your stay at the Park Hyatt will be spent in a Opera Deluxe Room.
The remainder of the day is at your leisure – commence your exploration of Australia’s largest city or simply relax in the comfort of your hotel room.
Park Hyatt Sydney (Accommodation only)
Day 2 – Park Hyatt / SYDNEY
Today, decide between a City Highlights or a Blue Mountains Private tour:
Delight yourself with an exciting city tour, which takes in the best features of this fantastic city: the harbour, the gardens, the coast, and the rivers. Beginning amongst the historical Rocks area of old Sydney you will learn of the early settlers and convicts of over 200 years ago. Walk through the gorgeous Botanical Gardens, taking in the history of the Opera House and other famous buildings around the harbour foreshore.
At Circular Quay board one of the majestic ferries, which travels along the harbour to the beautiful beach of Manly. Here, join a luxury air-conditioned vehicle for a tour along the beautiful northern beaches and into the scenic Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park.
Enjoy a delicious buffet picnic lunch in the bush before discovering some of the outstanding lookouts in the park. The fantastic views of Palm Beach, Woy Woy, and Lion Island, are simply breath taking. Taking a short bushwalk, trace the history of the Garingai Aboriginal people whom once inhabited this area, and examine their incredible rock art. Return to the city over the imposing Sydney Harbour Bridge.
Alternatively, take an exhilarating Blue Mountains tour! You will be collected from your hotel this morning for a full day of private 4WD touring through the magnificent Blue Mountains Range. You head westwards across the coastal plain, making your way to the Great Dividing Range of Australia. It is here that you leave the ‘average’ Blue Mountains’ tourist behind and enter the national park to unlock a piece of Australia you would never have known to exist.
Visit ancient aboriginal sites and outstanding lookouts; examine rock formations and the unusual plants and wildlife that abound the area. From the quaint little village of Leura, skirt around the cliff and drive to Katoomba where you will find yourself looking out over the magnificent Jamieson valley and the incredible rock formations of the ‘Three Sisters’.
We enjoy a delicious barbecue lunch including a selection of fine Australian wines and cheeses under the canopy of the Australian bush. Before returning to Sydney we drop into a hidden valley where we roam the area, seeking out the many kangaroos that graze in the wild (conditions permitting). Reluctantly we leave the National Park passing by the Olympic 2000 site, arriving at your hotel around 5.30pm.
Park Hyatt Sydney (Accommodation Only) Australian Wild Escapes (L)
Day 3 – Angorichina Station / FLINDERS RANGES
This morning you are met and transferred to the airport for your flight to Adelaide. On arrival into Adelaide, you will be met and transported to meet your waiting charter.
Enjoy a wonderful scenic flight to Blinman in the impressive Flinders Ranges, where you will be transferred to Angorichina Station in the heart of this ancient mountain range. The station is a pastoral lease covering 554 square kilometres.
Your hosts are Ian and Di Fargher whose family has owned the property for four generations and today this working sheep station produces premium Australian wool.
This afternoon take a guided walk or a four wheel drive tour and learn about the day-to-day activities and life on Angorichina.
This evening enjoy outback cuisine at its best accompanied by fine Australian wines. Then lay your weary body in one of the beautifully appointed rooms within the original turn of the century Homestead.
Angorichina Station (L,D)
Day 4 – Angorichina Station / FLINDERS RANGES
Following a leisurely breakfast on the Outback veranda you may tour the nearby Oratunga Track with your hosts. You will enjoy some of the most spectacular views in the Flinders Ranges. Marvel at the diversity of land formations; take note of the different vegetation that occurs on the original seabed and search for ancient fossils. Minerals colour the sedimentary hills with purple, reds and yellows, inspiring such great Australian artists such as Sir Hans Heysen.
Have your lunch in a creek bed en-route amongst the towering river Red gums. Wildlife in the area includes the western grey and red kangaroos, euros, emus and the endangered yellow-footed rock wallabies. Later, climb Patawarta Hill, some 1015 metres, for one of the most rewarding panoramas of the Flinders ranges and explore the old copper mining ruins of Artimore.
Angorichina Station (B,L,D)
Day 5 – Angorichina Station / FLINDERS RANGES
Today we suggest taking an optional scenic flight over the station and Ranges and help out with the various activities on the station such as checking the stock waters. You must see the old native pine woolshed, which was built in the 1860’s, and last used for shearing in 1973.
You may choose instead to take a flight over Wilpena Pound to understand the prehistoric saga that took place, to produce South Australia's natural wonder - the massive earth movements and cataclysmic erosion known as the Adelaide Geosyncline. Once airborne, you realise what a geological wonder Wilpena Pound is. This is all that remains of a huge dome of rock that was pushed up from the ocean bed 650 million years ago - a collection of cracked, split and weathered peaks whose colours change chameleon-like with the sun.
An Aboriginal perspective on this landscape is essential. Arthur, a member of the local Adnyamathanha people and a ranger at the National Park, will take you out on a private tour this afternoon, deciphering the local Aboriginal rock art, introducing you to some of the local fauna and encouraging you to try some of the steps of a traditional Aboriginal dance – often to hilarious effect! Please note due to cultural commitments this tour cannot always be guaranteed.
Return to the main homestead later today and continue to experience excellent Outback hospitality.
Angorichina Station (B,L,D)
Day 6 – Southern Ocean Lodge / KANGAROO ISLAND
This morning from Angorichina Station you will be taken to Blinman airstrip for your flight back to Adelaide, on arrival you will be transferred to Regional Express for your flight to Kingscote, Kangaroo Island. You are met on arrival at the relatively small but significant Kingscote airport and then transported via the scenic route to Southern Ocean Lodge.
Southern Ocean Lodge, Kangaroo Island’s first luxury lodge. Located at Hanson Bay on the Island’s south west coast, the lodge is easy reach of all of Kangaroo Island's major attractions. Set in natural bush land overlooking a dramatic section of coastline. Sensitive to the environment, the Lodge allows guests to experience the coastal wilderness and plentiful wildlife - for which Kangaroo Island is renowned - in impeccable style.
Twenty-one luxurious suites create the ultimate fusion between nature and luxury. All suites feature lavish king sleeping areas, sunken lounge, dramatic glass walled bathroom with designer fixtures and outdoor terrace with occasional seating and daybed. Other features include; walk-in robe, complimentary room bar, twice daily housekeeping, optional climate control, heated floors, internet, music system (with MP3 input), premium amenities, safe and telephone (television in selected suites only).
All meals and selected beverages are included in your stay. The lodge’s contemporary menus showcase the freshest Island and local seasonal produce with a convivial open bar and walk in cellar.
Angorichina Station (B) Southern Ocean Lodge (D)
Day 7 – Southern Ocean Lodge / KANGAROO ISLAND
After breakfast you depart Southern Ocean Lodge with your professional naturalist guide to explore the unique island. Travel in four-wheel drive comfort while visiting traditional destinations and remote places only a local can show you. Drive down endless red dirt roads, as your guide ‘spins yarns’ about shipwrecks, lighthouses and fridges being turned into mailboxes. Watch adult sea lions snooze only metres away and pups play in the surf. Walk through a Red gum forest at Cygnet River, smell the Eucalyptus and seek out koalas sleeping in the forks of trees.
Break for lunch and enjoy a crisp South Australian wine as your Guide cooks lunch. Visit D’Estrees Bay where ospreys’ nest and kangaroos come out to graze. Stand on a cliff top watching waves crashing onto rocks - the first land they have encountered all the way from the Antarctica.
This evening return to Southern Ocean Lodge for another delicious meal!
Southern Ocean Lodge (B,D) Exceptional Kangaroo Island (L)
Day 8 – Southern Ocean Lodge / KANGAROO ISLAND
Today you have the day at leisure to enjoy your surrounds at Southern Ocean Lodge.
Continue to explore with the Southern Ocean Lodge naturalist staff, or perhaps experience the Spa.
Situated high on a dramatic cliff top, Southern Ocean Lodge Spa Retreat is a private oasis of calm. A signature spa menu offers a range of traditional and cutting edge treatments. A steam room, chill out lounge and spa cuisine program complement an international spa design showcase. Combined with the cleanest air from Antarctica highly oxygenised from the pounding surf, the spa provides a pure natural environment in which to rejuvenate and relax.
Southern Ocean Lodge (B,L,D)
Day 9 – Lizard Island / GREAT BARRIER REEF
This morning after breakfast, check-out of Southern Ocean Lodge.
You will be transferred to Kingscote Airport for your flight to Adelaide. Connect with your scheduled flight to Cairns. On arrival at Cairns Airport transfer from the Domestic Terminal to the General Aviation Terminal on the complimentary shuttle and check in with Hinterland Aviation.
Depart on scheduled flight to Lizard Island, via Cairns.
Lizard Island Resort is Australia’s northernmost island resort. It is an exclusive island of soft, powdery white beaches nestled right on the Great Barrier Reef. Imagine an Island so pristine, so untouched; that when you walk on the beach, yours are often the only footprints you will see - you could easily be forgiven for believing the island is yours alone. Lizard is the perfect escape. This afternoon relax on one of the island’s 24 beaches.
Your accommodation is set in a broad sweeping arc along Anchor Bay, with easy access to the main Lodge, Anchor Bay Suites offer captivating sea views and each has a pathway leading directly to the beach. Seamlessly blending indoors and out in an elegant and spacious open plan design, a large veranda with daybed is one of the many designer comforts.
Tonight will be perfect for dinner by candlelight on the beach.
Southern Ocean Lodge (B) Lizard Island (D)
Day 11&12 – Lizard Island / GREAT BARRIER REEF
This morning after breakfast, check-out of Southern Ocean Lodge.
Spend your final days on Lizard Island any way you please. Do as much or as little as you like!
This evening dine at ‘Ospreys Restaurant”. Superb food graces the table at every meal. The theme is “Cuisine Moderne” and the accent is on fresh local seafood, garden produce, tropical fruits and the most succulent, tender meats.
Lizard Island (B,L,D)
Day 13 – Park Hyatt Sydney / SYDNEY
Leave Lizard Island feeling relaxed and rejuvenated. Enjoy another scenic flight back to Cairns. On arrival take the complimentary shuttle to the main terminal for your flight to Sydney.
On arrival you will be met and privately transferred to Park Hyatt Sydney for your final night in Australia. Accommodation tonight is in an Opera Deluxe Room.
Lizard Island (B), Park Hyatt Sydney (Accommodation Only)
Day 14 – Homeward Bound
This morning you will be met at the Park Hyatt Sydney and privately transferred to Sydney Airport for your onward arrangements.
Lizard Island (B), Park Hyatt Sydney (Accommodation Only)
PRICE ON APPLICATION
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