Luxury gateway between South Australia and Tasmania

DAY: ARRIVAL IN ADELAIDE

Welcome to Australia!

Upon arrival at the airport in Adelaide, pick up your hybrid rental car and arrive at the hotel.

The story begins in 1836, when the lady who was baptised in homage to the wife of William IV of England welcomed his first settlers, religious dissidents, free men, and idealists. Long nicknamed the “City of Churches” before becoming the metropolis of arts and letters, Adelaide has greatly enhanced its architectural heritage and preserved its gentle lifestyle.

Overnight stay at CABN – Adelaide Hills. CABN invites its guests to recharge their batteries and retire in style, disconnecting from the tyranny of online life with digital detoxification. By staying in one of their beautiful little houses in the middle of nature, guests can reconnect with the simple things that make them happier.            

DAY 2: ADELAIDE

Departure for a three-hour walking tour of Adelaide with your local guide.

There is always something to discover in Adelaide, you will have time to feel the atmosphere of this beautiful city. Along North Terrace Boulevard your guide will introduce you to the history of the city and the state.

Behind every building, every statue, every monument is a piece of Adelaide’s culture. Discovering them will help you understand them better. You will arrive at the city’s main shopping street, the Rundle Mall, which is always crowded with street performers, shows, and lined with cafes and sculptures. The historic arcades are to be discovered with curiosity.

You will appreciate the architecture of Victoria Square on your way to Central Market. There, the scents and colours will make you travel and discover local produce. From one booth to another, you change country and continent for the pleasure of your eyes and always with the same warm welcome.

The rest of the day is free.

Overnight stay at CABN – Adelaide Hills.

DAY 3: ADELAIDE

Day at leisure to enjoy Adelaide and its surroundings such as the Belair National Park to observe the local wildlife, the Barossa Valley to taste the best wines of the region, McLaren Vale, or the Fleurieu peninsula.

Overnight stay at CABN – Adelaide Hills.

DAY 4: KANGAROO ISLAND

Morning departure to Kangaroo Island.

Kangaroo Island is the natural island par excellence, probably the best place to observe the largest variety of animal species native to Australia in their natural habitat.

Its cliffs torn by the onslaught of the ocean have long made it a feared obstacle for sailors. This is undoubtedly the reason why the island has always preserved an exceptional fauna and flora. You can find kangaroos, sea lions, wallabies, emus, pelicans, koalas, and many other species… but it is its rugged rock formations, underground caves, and national parks that contribute to making it an unforgettable island.

Discover the island on your own.

Overnight stay at Sea Dragon Lodge: Eco-friendly luxury accommodation built with a 6-star environmental rating that minimises the impact on local wildlife and vegetation.

DAY 5: KANGAROO ISLAND

A day dedicated to the discovery of the island.

During the day, you will leave with your guide to observe a colony of Australian seals up close. The colony is on private property, so you will not encounter any other tourists. Most of our travellers who have participated in this tour consider it one of the best nature experiences they have ever had. You must be in good shape to get up and down a steep path.

Snacks will be served on the cliffs near the colony, with breathtaking views.

Overnight stay at Sea Dragon Lodge.

DAY 6: MELBOURNE

After breakfast, drive to Penneshaw and board the ferry back to the mainland. Drive to the airport where you will drop off your rental car.

Arrival in Melbourne and transfer to your hotel.

Melbourne offers a more European atmosphere than rival Sydney, thanks to its stronger cultural approach, its architecture with a more present historical heritage, and its distinct taste for food and wine. The city has preserved the charm of antiquity by juxtaposing here and their skyscrapers with sometimes exuberant architecture alongside preserved period buildings. In this way the different architectures, by contrast, enhance each other.

Overnight stay at the Alto Hotel on Bourke: it is one of the best green hotels in Australia. These guys are serious about the environment, while providing a 4-star boutique hotel with a lot of Melbourne atmosphere.

DAY 7: GREAT OCEAN ROAD

Depart with your local nature guide for the Great Ocean Road.

Known as one of the most spectacular coastal roads in the world, the Great Ocean Road runs along Victoria’s south-west coast and stretches about 240km from Allansford to Torquay. This busy and winding road follows the “Shipwrecked Coast”, famous for the many ships lost on its cliffs.

During this exceptional day, you can admire the spectacular views of the Bass Strait and observe wildlife (koalas, wild kangaroos, etc.).

You will be housed in a 4.5-star property located in the small town of Little River. Dinner will be served at the local pub – a true Australian experience!

Note: Little River B&B has no rooms with twin beds – all rooms have a King or Queen size bed.

DAY 8: GREAT OCEAN ROAD

Today, follow the Great Ocean Road to the surf coast and wander through the beautiful rainforests of Otway National Park.

Your nature guide will explain the formation of these impressive forests and help you find parrots, kookaburras, koalas, and wallabies.

Then travel through Port Campbell National Park in search of echidnas, wallabies, lizards, and colourful birds that call the coastal barricades home. See the works of nature at the Twelve Apostles and in the Loch Ard Gorge before hearing stories of the terrible shipwrecks of the past.

Dinner and accommodation are in a 4.5-star B&B near Port Campbell.

DAY 9: MELBOURNE

This morning you will take one last look at the coast at dawn before returning to Melbourne across the vast plains of the west.

You will stop at the top of an extinct volcano with spectacular views of the plain. From here you will see some of the hundreds of volcanic lakes scattered around. It is a great place to watch birds of prey – including white-tailed eagles, Nankeen kestrels, and brown hawks.

Further on you will pass Lake Corangamite, Australia’s largest permanent lake, often covered with prolific birdlife.

Return to Melbourne in the late afternoon.

Overnight stay at Alto Hotel on Bourke.

DAY 10: HOBART

Private transfer to Melbourne Airport and flight to Tasmania.

Arrival in Hobart and pick up your hybrid rental car.

Day dedicated to the visit of Hobart and its agglomeration, which form an exciting mix of heritage and lifestyles, landscapes, and intense cultural life.

Take a cruise in the port or drive to the top of Mount Nelson or Mount Wellington and understand the maritime charm of this place.

At Battery Point, polished glass windows sparkle in former settlers’ cottages and copper door handles shimmer under the stately arcades of colonial buildings. The Parliament house keeps an eye on its lawns, once the vegetable garden of Hobart’s old town.

Overnight at Hobart Hideaway Pods. The owners strive to incorporate as many ecological decisions as possible. These include: reed bed absorption trenches for on-site greywater processing, composting toilets (the luxury type!) for water-saving, passive solar design to reduce electricity use, self-sufficient water supply, VOC-free paints and building materials from sustainable sources.

DAY 11: BRUNY ISLAND

Join the full day tour from Hobart for a fantastic eco-friendly experience of Bruny Island.

Your day includes a return bus tour, a three-hour cruise, morning tea and lunch.

Robert Pennicott’s award-winning wilderness cruise will take you along Bruny Island’s rugged coastline beneath some of Australia’s highest cliffs. You will enter deep-sea caves and join the search for wildlife such as seals, dolphins, and seabirds.

Overnight stay at Hobart Hideaway Pods.

DAY 12: HOBART

This morning you will take the ferry to MONA, Australia’s largest private museum housing the extensive personal collection of multimillionaire David Walsh. Discover the museum.

Lunch at MONA restaurant accompanied by Moorilla wine. Then visit the Moorilla winery for a wine tasting.

Return to Hobart by ferry.

Overnight stay at Hobart Hideaway Pods.

DAY 13: LAKE ST CLAIR

DAY 14: STRAHAN

DAY 15: CRADLE MOUNTAIN-LAKE ST CLAIR NATIONAL PARK

This morning, set sail aboard the Gordon River Cruise for a peaceful experience in the relaxing setting of the Gordon River. Starting the cruise in the early hours of the morning, you will be guaranteed to see wonderful reflections on the water.

English speaking guides will take you through points of interest, through the majestic Port Macquarie to Hells Gates and finally to the Gordon River.

Then proceed to Cradle Mountain.

This park is part of Tasmania’s World Heritage Natural Area. Near the Overland Track, the park is home to Mount Ossa, Tasmania’s highest mountain, at 1,617 metres, bordered to the east by another magnificent national park, the Walls of Jerusalem.

Stay overnight at Cradle Mountains Lodge, a luxury lodge widely regarded as one of Australia’s most iconic wilderness experiences.

DAY 16: CRADLE MOUNTAIN-LAKE ST CLAIR NATIONAL PARK

Day at leisure to enjoy Cradle Mountain.

Take a walk and in just 20 minutes you can go from rushing streams to the primary rainforest or spend most of the day climbing the summit. At Chalet Weindorfer’s you will learn about Weindorfer’s history, its dedication to Cradle Mountain, and its conservation awards as a national park.

If you have set up the Overland Track, you don’t have to do it alone. Guided tours are available on site. Here are some ideas for short hikes in Cradle Mountain National Park: Cradle Lake Loop (one hour to two hours), Cradle Mountain Summit (six to eight hours), Crater Lake Circuit (two hours) or Enchanted Walk.

Overnight stay at Cradle Mountains Lodge.

DAY 17: FREYCINET NATIONAL PARK

Head to the superb Freycinet National Park.

The Coles Bay area is one of the most popular holiday destinations on the island for visitors and locals alike. It overlooks the clear waters of Oyster Bay, the perfect place for swimming, snorkelling, kayaking, boating, and fishing.

After the creation of Freycinet National Park in 1916, the area gained popularity as a holiday resort. Many excursions are accessible from your hotel to admire this exceptional place from a little higher up.

Overnight stay at Freycinet Lodge. Freycinet Lodge is accredited by the Tasmanian Tourism Industry Council as part of the Australian Tourism Accreditation program.  We are also proud to have an EchoStar Tourism Accreditation for our environmentally friendly business.

DAY 18: FREYCINET NATIONAL PARK

Take advantage of this day to continue your exploration of Freycinet Park.

This afternoon put on a pair of boots and head into the clear waters of Freycinet Marine Farm. Learn how local oysters are grown and participate in the harvest. Learn how to peel an oyster the Australian way. Open a bottle of the award-winning Freycinet Radenti Sparkling 2011 and enjoy spectacular views of the Hazard Mountains from the waterfront, while sampling a dozen natural Pacific oysters and steamed mussels.

Overnight at Freycinet Lodge.

DAY 19: END OF THE ITINERARY

Back to Hobart and the rest of the day off to enjoy these last moments in Tasmania.

Return your vehicle to Hobart Airport and fly back to Europe.

End of our services, see you soon!