Itinerary Highlights
- Journey through pristine wildernesses on three great walks of Australia: Murray River, Arkaba, and Cape to Cape
- Discover remote landscapes in South Australia and Western Australia, including Kangaroo Island
- Travel by rail across the Nullarbor from Adelaide to Perth on the iconic Indian Pacific
- Spot native Australian wildlife in its natural habitat, including kangaroos, emus, koalas and echidnas
- Best time to travel April - October
What's Included
- Accommodation Throughout
- Domestic Flights
- International Flights
22 nights from £14,669 per person
Nicola
Travel Specialist
Begin your adventure in South Australia’s coastal capital of Adelaide, before travelling into the remote outback to take in the scorched peaks and lazy creeks of Flinders Ranges by foot.
Then, hop over to Kangaroo Island, otherwise known as ‘Australia’s Galapagos’, where you’ll encounter colonies of endangered Australian sea lions on beautiful white sand beaches, before heading inland to the iconic Murray River region.
Stroll along the banks of this great ecological marvel, through ancient red gum forests and past red ochre-coloured cliffs, in addition to exploring the region’s wildlife-rich wetlands by boat.
Spend two nights onboard the iconic Indian Pacific while you glide across the Nullarbor through endless desert landscapes to Perth before heading south for the iconic four day three night Cape-to-Cape Walk in Margaret River where you will navigate a section of the 125km trail, admiring panoramic ocean views from the rugged clifftops. Return to the Cosmopolitan city of Perth to enjoy some retail therapy, dining scene or visit of Rottnest Island, which you’ll cycle around at your leisure.
Itinerary
Day 1 Adelaide
Arriving at Adelaide airport, you’ll be whisked away to the luxurious Eos at SkyCity hotel. Located on Festival Drive, you’ll find Performing Arts of South Australia, Festival Theatre, Dunstan Playhouse and SkyCity Casino all on your doorstep.
Overnight at Eos by Sky City Adelaide.
Day 2 Arkaba Homestead – Flinders Ranges
Flinders Ranges
This morning, you’ll be collected from your hotel for the five-hour road journey to the Flinders Ranges – an ancient landscape moulded by millions of years of geological activity. Stop for a packed lunch, before passing through Hawker – ‘The Hub of the Flinders Ranges’ – and into the Australian Outback. Keep an eye out for kangaroos, wallabies and emus along the road. On arrival at Arkaba Homestead, you’ll enjoy a lay-of-the-land safari by 4WD.
Day 3 The Arkaba Walk
In the morning, a brief drive from Arkaba leads to the start of the walk at Wilpena Pound. You'll traverse the basin of Wilpena Pound, cross into Arkaba's private wildlife conservancy and descend to Black's Gap Signature Swag Camp, experiencing diverse landscapes under vast outback skies. Tonight, you’ll stay in one of Arkaba’s signature ‘star beds’, offering you the chance to sleep out under millions of stars. Today’s walk is 13km. Overnight: Black's Gap Signature Swag Camp
Day 4 The Arkaba Walk
A challenging yet rewarding 15km hike takes you from Black’s Gap to Elder Camp; hike through creeks and broken country as you approach the Elder Range. Learn about the 600-million years of geological history and soak in the spectacular backdrops as you hike through this ancient land. Keep an eye out for wildlife, like the ground-foraging Apostlebirds that nest in creek beds, short-beaked echidnas and brush-tailed possums. Sleepy lizards bask in the sun on rocky outcrops, while bearded dragons and Masked Rock Skinks (endemic to Central Australia) can be seen in the open grassland. Overnight: Elder Signature Swag Camp
Day 5 The Arkaba Walk
Today, you hike 15km across varying terrain through Mallee and cypress forests. Ascend the Red Range for mesmerising views over neighbouring ranges, before crossing Arkaba Creek on your return to Arkaba Homestead. The region is home to a remarkable variety of flora and fauna, including the Western grey kangaroo, the common wallaroo, wedge-tailed eagles, grey-fronted honeyeaters – and keep a close eye out for the desert treefrog! On arrival at Arkaba Homestead, enjoy an optional massage before a hearty dinner.
Staying at
Arkaba Homestead
Day 6 Adelaide
After breakfast at Arkaba Homestead, enjoy the scenic road journey through charming outback towns, including lunch and wine-tasting in Clare Valley wine country. Arrive in Adelaide late afternoon; enjoy dinner at your hotel or a venture out to Leigh Street, which is dotted with a variety of restaurants and bars.
Overnight at EOS at Sky City
Day 7 Kangaroo Island
Today, transfer to Adelaide Airport for the 30-minute flight to Kingscote, Kangaroo Island. Known as ‘Australia’s Galapagos’, over a third of Kangaroo Island comprises protected nature reserves and is home to an incredible array of native wildlife, such as koalas, echidnas, sea lions and kangaroos. Your charming boutique accommodation resides in a rural setting on the north coast of the island. Enjoy dinner at Providence Guesthouse.
Overnight at Providence Guesthouse
Day 8 Kangaroo Island
This morning, you’ll learn about Island Life on a small group tour, starting at Kangaroo Island’s most productive region on the north coast. Take a guided walk through strangely-shaped trees and learn about what makes ‘that noise’, what left ‘those tracks’ and ‘THAT little pile’! Spot small wallabies, kangaroos, as well as a variety of birdlife, plants and animals. Lunch is served at a private bush camp, before continuing your tour to Seal Bay Conservation Park, where you’ll enjoy a guided walk among a colony of rare Australian sea-lions on a beautiful sandy beach.
Overnight at Providence Guesthouse
Day 9 Kangaroo Island
Today you head west across the island to Flinders Chase National Park. On the drive there, you’ll travel through some of the fire-affected landscapes of 2020. The region has made a remarkable recovery, and you’ll learn more about fire ecology and how nature responds to it. At Flinders Chase National Park, you can explore the massive shapes of Remarkable Rocks, perched on top of a granite dome. Plus, descend the wooden staircase at Admiral’s Arch – a natural grotto that is home to a large colony of Long-nosed fur seals. Your driver and guide will always be on the lookout for wildlife – such as kangaroos, koalas and echidnas – throughout the tour.
Overnight at Providence Guesthouse
Day 10 Adelaide Hills
Adelaide Hills
Return to Adelaide by air, where you’ll be met and transferred to Mount Lofty House in Adelaide Hills. This historic boutique hotel enjoys panoramic views over the Adelaide Hills and its surroundings. Enjoy walks through the extensive estate and English Gardens, take a house history tour, lounge by the outdoor pool or enjoy a wine-tasting experience in the 175-year-old cellar. Dine in-house or take a taxi to Adelaide which is only 15-minutes drive to explore the city’s dining scene.
Overnight at Mount Lofty House
Day 11 Adelaide Hills
A day at leisure to enjoy Mount Lofty House & Estate, a spa treatment at Gatekeeper’s Day Spa, or join a tour of the surrounding vineyards in Adelaide Hills, Barossa, Clare Valley, or McLaren Vale. Nearby Hahndorf is a charming village proud of its German heritage. Back at the hotel, we recommend booking a table at Hardy’s Verandah Restaurant for dinner, the property’s 3 Hat Restaurant.
Overnight at Mount Lofty House
Day 12 Murray River Walk
Renmark, South Australia
Transfer to Renmark in South Australia’s Murray Riverland where you join one of the Great Walks of Australia. Explore Australia’s greatest river, The Murray, on the easy 40km Murray River Walk. Along this guided walk, you’ll encounter diverse wildlife and waterbirds, old oxbow lagoons, ancient red gum forests and spectacular red ochre-coloured cliffs. Today, you start with a cruise through the Ral Ral and Bulyong Creeks to a morning tea location, before starting the day’s walk. Your day ends when you reach your houseboat accommodation, which is moored on the Murray River.
Overnight on the Houseboat
Day 13 Murray River Walk
An early morning, gentle climb up Headings Cliffs rewards you with a magnificent sunrise over the Murray River. Return to your houseboat for breakfast, before departing on your 14km walk. Follow an ancient river oxbow, explore dense red gum forests and enjoy lunch on the riverbank. At the end of today’s walk, you’re met by the Creek Cruiser, which takes you back to the houseboat. Red gum forests are home to four nationally threatened species, including the Regent parrot and the southern bell frog.
Overnight on the Houseboat
Day 14 Murray River Walk
This morning you board the Creek Cruiser to Bunyip Reach, where today’s walk starts. You’ll follow the meandering Murray River to the base of Lock 6, where you’ll enjoy morning tea and explore the rejuvenated wetlands. The Murray River region is home to 197 bird species and 19 species of mammal, including eight bat species. The afternoon follows the rim of the valley to the historic site of the proposed 1960s Chowilla Dam scheme. The final part of the Murray Walk winds along the cliffs to Queens Bend lookout, when your 40km three-day walk ends.
Overnight on the Houseboat
Day 15 Indian Pacific Rail Journey
After breakfast, enjoy a morning boat cruise exploring the mighty Murray River, followed by lunch at Wilkadene Woolshed Brewery. Then, you’ll be transferred to Adelaide for a ‘Flavours of South Australia Welcome Dinner’ at Adelaide Parklands Terminal before boarding the Indian Pacific for your two-night rail adventure across the Nullarbor to Perth, Western Australia. Overnight Indian Pacific
Day 16 Indian Pacific Rail Journey
Cook, Western Australia
Glide along the longest straight stretch of track in the world on the Trans-Australian Railway line at 1108 miles long between Port Pirie (South Australia and Kalgoorlie (Western Australia). Wake to expansive views of wild desert landscapes and enjoy breakfast in the dining car before stopping at the outback ghost town of Cook.
Overnight Indian Pacific
Day 17 Perth
After a restful sleep in your private cabin, enjoy breakfast while watching the picturesque rolling hills of the Avon Valley through the window. Arrive in Perth mid-afternoon, leaving you free time to explore the city centre and enjoy the city’s dining scene.
Day 18 Cape to Cape Walk
Margaret River
This morning, you’ll transfer by road to Margaret River with a late morning arrival – right on time for your first walk on the Cape-to-Cape Trail. The track is 125km from end to end through one of Australia's biodiversity hot spots; on your 4 day/3 night guided Cape-to-Cape walk, you’ll cover 41kms and be transferred back to the luxurious Injidup Spa Retreat each evening. Today’s short walk takes you from the beautiful Smith’s Beach to Injidup Beach, with lunch and a swim at a secluded bay. A casual dinner with local wines will be served in your villa.
Overnight at Injidup Spa Retreat
Day 19 Cape to Cape Walk
After a gourmet breakfast hamper in your villa, you’ll start on today’s 14km walk along the Cape-to-Cape Trail. Follow the limestone coastline to Yallingup, where you can watch surf breaks and see Sugarloaf Rock jutting out from the ocean. With most of the trail following the clifftop, you may spot dolphins playing in the surf, and from winter to spring, you may even spot humpback and southern right whales! Other wildlife you may come across include southern brown bandicoots, brush-tailed possums and western grey kangaroos.
Overnight at Injidup Spa Retreat
Day 20 Cape to Cape Walk
Today’s 14km walk is arguably the most stunning, taking you from Redgate Beach to Boranup Karri Forest. You’ll be dwarfed by karri trees, some towering 60 metres in height. While here, you may spot purple-crowned lorikeet, splendid fairywren, as well as many other birds. Enjoy jaw-dropping views of the pristine Contos Beach and lunch in the forest. In the afternoon, you can enjoy a private tasting at a Margaret River vineyard with the owner, before dinner at an acclaimed local restaurant.
Overnight at Injidup Spa Retreat
Day 21 Perth
A gentle three-hour walk from Moses Rock to Wilyabrup sea cliffs allows you to witness the powerful Indian Ocean crashing into the granite cliffs. Here, you’ll enjoy 180-degree views of the coastline. Your walk is now complete and is followed by a celebratory four-course lunch at Vasse Felix Winery accompanied by premium wines, before your transfer back to Perth.
Staying at
Pan Pacific Perth
Day 22 Perth
No trip to Perth is complete without a visit to Rottnest Island. We recommend taking a tour with Swan River Seaplanes for a unique experience and spectacular views of Perth’s skyline and beaches. Land at Rottnest Island, where bikes are waiting for you to explore the island – a protected nature reserve and home to the cute quokka, a small wallaby-like marsupial only found in Western Australia.
Day 23 Depart Australia
Transfer to Perth International Airport for your departure flight.
Nicola
Travel Specialist
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Christmas Eve: 9am - 3pm
New Years Eve: 9am - 3pm
25th Dec, 26th Dec & 1 Jan: CLOSED
Monday - Friday: 9am - 7:30pm
Saturday: 9am - 5pm
Sunday: 10am - 4pm
22 nights from £14,669 per person
