Australian Outback Safari
Day 1: Sydney
Upon arrival at Sydney airport from Auckland, you will be met and transported
to your accommodation, The Marriott Hotel. The Marriott is one of Sydney's
top city hotels with rooms overlooking either Hyde Park or the ritzy Eastern
suburbs. After checking in you have a day at leisure. Explore the close
by exclusive shopping precinct of Double Bay or stroll the cosmopolitan
streets of Potts Point. From Circular Quay take a ferry trip to Darling
Harbour or Balmain and discover many specialty stores, cafes, restaurants,
museums and art galleries.
Marriott Hotel
Day 2: Sydney
This morning your personal guide from 'Wild Escapes' will meet you at your
Hotel. You will be taken on your full day excursion of Sydney's most famous
sites and best kept secrets. Lunch may be fish and chips on the beach from
the renowned 'Doyles' restaurant, followed by a walk along colorful Bondi
Beach. You may choose to fly over the famous Harbour Bridge and Opera House,
or to escape Sydney altogether and experience the Blue Mountains. Here you'll
see kangaroos in the wild, visit ancient aboriginal sites and walk deep
within the bush. Enjoy a wonderful gourmet lunch, with superb Australian
Wines in a stunning setting. Whatever you choose to do, your friendly and
knowledgeable host will take you on an unforgettable trip of Sydney and
its surrounds. Evening at your leisure. A perfect night for the Opera.
Marriott Hotel
Day 3: Stranraer Homestead
 After breakfast, we will transfer you to the airport and you will fly first
to Adelaide, South Australia, and then connect by small scheduled
flight to Kangaroo Island. Here your hosts Lyn and Graham Wheaton
will meet you. Their historic homestead, Stranraer, is set on 1290 hectares
of working property in the centre of the Island. The property has two large
bird filled lagoons surrounded by hummocks, mallee scrub bush and
wildlife.
This afternoon the Wheatons will provide lunch and then take you
on a 1/2 day tour of the property and surrounding area. You may
even meet some of the locals - wallabies, goannas, koalas, kangaroos
and echidnas - to name a few!
This evening, after your gourmet
meal in their elegant dining room, the Wheatons will take you
on a nocturnal tour - many of the elusive Australian mammals are nocturnal.
Your accommodation is in the beautifully restored homestead; each room has
tasteful and individual decor with a cozy fireplace.
Stranraer (L,D) Day 4: Stranraer Homestead
 Today explore the unique island with your professional naturalist guide.
Travel in four wheel drive comfort while visiting traditional destinations
and remote places that only a local can show you. Drive down endless red
dirt roads, while your personal guide 'spins yarns' about shipwrecks, lighthouses
and fridges being turned into mailboxes. At Sandy Bay watch adult sea lions
snooze only meters away and pups play in the surf. Walk through a Redgum
forest at Cygnet River, smell the Eucalyptus and seek out koalas sleeping
- and feeding if you are lucky!- 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 the rocks - the first
land they have encountered since Antarctica. This evening return to the
peaceful Stranraer Homestead for another delicious home-cooked meal.
Stranraer (B,D) Adventure Charters (L)
Day 5: Stranraer Homestead
Continue exploring Kangaroo Island with your guide today. Visit Flinders
Chase National Park, a 74,000 hectare wilderness, home to kangaroos, possums,
wallabies, goannas, echidnas koalas, platypus and many birds including rare
Cape Barren geese. Lunch is a picnic in the bush before visiting Cape du
Couedic. See the Cape du Couedic lighthouse, Admirals Arch and Remarkable
Rocks. At the end of the day you will be returned to your accommodation
and the hospitality of the Wheatons.
Stranraer (B,D) Adventure Charters (L)
Day 6: Clare Valley
This morning we will fly you from Kangaroo Island to Adelaide. Clare Valley
winemaker Leigh Eldredge will meet and greet you and drive you North into
the Clare Valley. This area has been described as "the most unblemished
wine region in Australia". Here you will enjoy private tastings at
local vineyards. Leigh offers guests the opportunity to be privy to many
of the Valley's finest winemakers and their secrets. This evening your accommodation
is at Thorn Park. Thorn Park is set amid gently rolling hills and stately
gum trees in the heart of the valley. Your hosts are David Hay and Michael
Speers and they offer guests an opportunity to relax and be pampered with
warm hospitality and fine food and wines. Relax, unwind and admire the peaceful
gardens.
Stranraer (B) Eldredges (L) Thorn Park (D)
Day 7: Clare Valley
This morning Leigh will continue guiding you through the Clare Valley.
Visit the tiny Polish Township of Sevenhills, and the oldest winery in the
Clare Valley, the historic Sevenhills Cellars. Meet the people behind the
wine production and see the vineyards where the fruit ripens to produce
such an inspiring taste. Lunch will be at Eldredge Vineyards. The Restaurant
is in a restored 1920's stone cottage set amongst huge gums and a lovely
dam. Enjoy superb food and wine with Leigh before continuing through the
valley. This evening return to Thorn Park.
Thorn Park (B,D) Eldredge Vineyards (L)
Day 8: Bruce Railway Station
You will take a leisurely 2 hour drive to Bruce - a unique restoration
and conversion of an old Railway Station which sleeps only 8 people, and
home hosted by the owners - Tony and Maggie Gwynn-Jones. Their cuisine is
superb, and nothing has been overlooked in their attention to detail. The
highlights for me during my visit were taking a run along the line in their
railway inspection car while kangaroos and sheep scattered ahead, and singing
along with their antique pianola!
Bruce (B,L,D)
Day 9: Angorichina Station
This morning take a 2 hour scenic drive North to the beautiful Flinders
Ranges and Angorichina Station. The station is a pastoral lease covering
554 square kilometers. Your hosts are Ian and Di Fargher; the property has
been in the Fargher family for four generations and today this working sheep
station produces premium Australian wool. This afternoon take a guided walk
or four wheel drive tour and learn about the day to day activities and life
on Angorichina. This evening enjoy outback cuisine at it's 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.
Bruce Railway Station (B) Angorichina (L,D)
Day 10: Angorichina Station
An early morning take off for a fascinating one hour flight to Andamooka
- a modern day example of man's thirst for precious stones! Your
host Pat Katnich will delight in sharing the culture and lifestyle
of this fascinating ramshackle opal mining town. Founded upon one economic
imperative - the desire to dig a fortune out of the unforgiving desert soils,
Andamooka is today one of the last frontier towns.
Opals were first found
in 1927 by station boundary riders and periodically since then
there have been great finds including the famous Andamooka Opal
which was given to Queen Elizabeth in 1954. Mining continues today
nourished by the dreams of the fortunes to be made - if not today, could
it be tomorrow?
You will have the chance to meet some of the delightful characters
who many years ago chose to make Andamooka their home, and
hear the stories about the many more who have moved on. You will
have the opportunity to experience opal mining in an underground
mine, and to share the feelings that accompany the anticipation of
a find.
Visit to the Historical Cottages, the first permanent homes
of the early dealers and miners, and today's homes which are
built underground in an effort to escape the summer heat. You will
delight in some of the towns 'home extensions' which are more
akin to mining activity than building. Pat will provide lunch
for you down in her own underground mine, before your flight home.
Angorichina (B,L,D)
Day 11: Angorichina Station
Following a leisurely breakfast on the Outback verandah 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 color 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 Redgums. Wildlife in the area includes the western gray and red
kangaroos, euros, emus and the endangered yellow-footed rock wallabies.
Later, climb Patawarta Hill, some 1015 meters, for one of the most rewarding
panoramas of the Flinders ranges and explore the old copper mining ruins
of Artimore. In the afternoon an Aboriginal guide from Igawarta will
be brought in by Ian and Di for an interpretation of petroglyphs, bush
tucker, cultural significance etc. on the station and in the local area.
Angorichina (B,L,D)
Day 12: Deep Well Station
After breakfast your private air charter will fly you from Angorichina
Station, stopping at Muloorina Station for "smoko" the traditional
Aussie shearers  break, and Dalhouise Springs for lunch, before
landing deeper in the Outback at Deep Well - a large Central Australian
cattle station. (Total flying 4 1/2 hrs**) -- Meet your hosts Bill
and Jan Hayes, who operate Deep Well Station.
The property has been in their
family for six generations. Covering 450 000 acres, it is situated
between the MacDonnell Ranges and the Simpson desert, boasting
magnificent red sand hills, weathered rocky outcrops and an abundance
of plant and wildlife.
This afternoon view and explore the ancient landscapes
and trace the endeavors of early gold mining and pastoral settlers.
Your hosts know all the best spots for adventure and sightseeing.
End the day with delights from the camp oven as millions of stars
light up the inky black sky.
Your accommodation is in comfortable bush "huts" - an authentic
place to rest after a day in the Outback. Many people like to drag their
swags ( Australian comfortable bedrolls) outside and sleep under the amazing
stars!
Angorichina (B) Deep Well (L,D)
(**alternative is to Fly to Port Augusta and take the luxury overnight
GHAN train - Mon and Thu)
Day 13: Deep Well Station
 Today we will explore this stunning area, heading south through shimmering
Ghost Gums in the dry riverbeds of Deep Well station into the Simpson
Desert where the blood red dunes are interspersed with twisted and gnarly
Desert Oaks. This will be a full day of adventure into the real 'never never'
of this timeless land, a photographer's paradise! Witness the colors of
the aptly named Rainbow Valley and travel further into the deep interior,
traversing towering sand dunes to arrive at the nature's pinnacle - Chambers
Pillar. See where the Hayes ancestors inscribed their names (in the late
1800's) as they passed by the pillar during construction of the overland
telegraph line. Lunch will be en-route.
Return to the homestead for a well
earned drinks and freshly baked damper under a symphony of stars.
Deep Well (B,L,D)
Day 14: Deep Well Station
After breakfast we will fly 1hr by charter to the famous Ayers Rock (Uluru),
enjoying vast scenery on the way. Your full day trip will keep you well
away from the coach loads of tourists that now overcrowd the place. You
will get a great insight and feeling of why this spiritual place has such
a meaningful place in the hearts of the Aborigine people. You will have
lunch and visit Kings Canyon before flying home for more Outback hospitality!
Deep Well (B,L,D)
Day 15: Deep Well Station
The day is yours to do as much or as little as you please. Take a casual
4WD tour and gain insight into the workings of a huge central Australian
cattle station. There are many activities for you to participate
in either by foot or even on horseback. Horseback riding through this rugged
beauty is an experience not to be missed, even for the novice. If you are
lucky you may be involved in the thrill of a cattle muster or watch the
helicopter pilots bring in the mob. Experience the adrenaline and skill
of the ringers and the chopper pilots as they orchestrate this massive operation.
This
evening take a nocturnal tour and have the magic of the outback
revealed to you, or listen in fascination to the countless tales these Outback
characters can recite.
Deep Well (B,L,D)
Day 16: Bullo River Station
Today Bill and Jan will bid farewell to you from Deep Well Station, and
you will be transferred to Alice Springs. If you have time you may visit
the Flying Doctor Base and the School of the Air, before your scheduled
2hr flight to Darwin. Here you will be met by your charter pilot and flown
on to Bullo River Station. Situated in the top western corner of the Northern
Territory, Bullo River Station is a ½ million-acre commercial cattle
property. Get acquainted with your hosts, Marlee and Franz.
On Bullo you will experience cattle station life in a very remote
part of Australia.
This evening enjoy Dinner in the original homestead. Marlee and
Franz will be your guides throughout your stay. Those who are
adventurous will need a good rest this evening for the following
days activities.
Deep Well (B) Bullo (D)
Day 17: Bullo River Station
Arise and breathe in the Outback air! After breakfast take a helicopter
ride and become familiar with this awesome property. Witness the Bullo River,
which meanders for over 50 miles through a spectacular valley on the property.
The river runs from the lush fresh water of the Bullo Gorge to the mighty
saltwater tidal Victoria River.
This afternoon you may choose to go Barramundi fishing. The property
has some of the best Barramundi fishing in the area. (Barramundi
is Northern Australia's premier angling and eating fish). It is also
abundant in bird life and native fauna because of the natural permanent
waters. Go bird watching or search for saltwater crocodiles from your
own boat guided by Franz.
This evening return to the homestead and enjoy the peace and
quiet of the Outback and great Aussie food and wine.
Bullo (B,L,D)
Day 18: Bullo River Station
Today (depending on seasonal work) you may get the chance to participate
in a helicopter muster. Experience what it is really like. Or become a 'ringer'
bull catching wild scrubbers. Bullo can be as daring or tranquil as you
choose. Marlee and Franz will find the perfect activity for you.
Bullo (B,L,D)
Day 19: Great Barrier Reef or Return home
Continue on to the Great Barrier Reef, (Lizard Island is depicted here),
or start your journey home either North to the Orient, or via Sydney.
|
