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Day 1 – Margaret River Wine Country, Hidden Valley Retreat, 2 nights

Collect your rental car at Perth Airport and take a leisurely drive south through coastal towns such as Mandurah, Busselton & Dunsborough.

Your 2 night stay is at Hidden Valley Retreat, surrounded by 70 acres of bush land, the retreat is a short distance from the vineyards and restaurants of Margaret River. Anne Marie Harris has created a truly luxurious private hideaway, with sensitivity to the local ecology. Timber boardwalks lead to three retreats hidden in the forest and a fourth on the edge of the lake. The contemporary Australian design incorporates open fires, spa cabanas and forest pavilions that are the ideal spot for indulgent massage
or gourmet platters.


Day 2 – A day of pleasures in the South West

Spend a full day enjoying simple pleasures - peace and quiet in rural, bush and beach landscapes; award-winning wines and fine food and an easy relaxed pace.

The Margaret River region produces a large percentage of Australia’s premium wines and possesses some of the country’s finest coastline. Here the Indian Ocean meets the Southern Ocean and the result is some of the best surfing conditions in the world. Visit the wineries and gourmet food producers; browse the galleries & weekend markets of small towns such as of Margaret River, Dunsborough and Yallingup offer galleries and weekend markets. Enjoy some of Western Australia’s best restaurants and ‘walk it off’ with bush and beach walks along the spectacular coast of the Cape Leeuwin National Park.

Day 3 – Broome, McAlpine House, 2 nights

Drop off your rental car at Perth Airport in time for your scheduled flight to Broome. On arrival in Broome you will be transferred to McAlpine House for your 2 night stay.

McAlpine House was built in 1910, in the traditional and unique architectural style of Broome. Faithfully refurbished by Lord Alistair McAlpine it is one of the best-preserved residences of its era. The house now belongs to the Paspaley families, who have been successful pearlers in Broome and the Kimberley since the 1930’s. They have retained the home's magical charm and nurtured its evolution into an exclusive boutique hotel.
 

Day 4 – A day to discover Broome

McAlpine House is a reflection of the diversity that is Broome. A walk through the Japanese cemetery is testimony to the town’s strong Asian links. Take a meal in China Town, see a movie at the outdoor picture garden, browse the local markets and buy a pearl memento. Your host will provide a gourmet hamper for a Cable Beach picnic or, on a full moon, celebrate with champagne as the moonrise reflects a golden staircase on the mudflats.

A day spent with a private guide in the Pindan country and on Roebuck Bay will reveal wildlife and Australia’s greatest bird spectacle. From as far away as the Arctic Tundra 800,000 migratory birds arrive annually and along with the residents 310 species have been recorded here.

Day 5 – Kimberley Coast, Faraway Bay Bush Camp, 4 nights

After breakfast, depart Broome via scheduled flight to Kununurra in the East Kimberley, where board your private charter flight to the wild and remote Kimberley Coast. You will be staying with Bruce and Robyn Ellison at their private Bush Camp at Faraway Bay.

After lunch, let Bruce take you out in the boat for a sneak preview of his local area. Perhaps a swim in a waterhole at the foot of the escarpment, which comes right to the edge of the coast here, or looking for one of the pairs of Ospreys, that live nearby. Dinner will be served after watching the sun’s rays disappearing behind the sandstone cliffs of the bay.

Each of the 8 bush-style cabins enjoys a 180-degree view of the ocean. Facilities, while not en suite, are nearby and hot water for showers is always available. There is also a freshwater swimming pool perched on the edge of the cliff looking across the bay.


Day 6,7 & 8 – Kimberley Coast, Faraway Bay

The Bush Camp lives up to its location, nestled in secluded Faraway Bay, Bruce and Robyn Ellison have made their home in one of the world’s most deserted and spectacular coastlines.

Cruise along the Kimberley coast in Bruce’s 13 metre Diamond Lass, head for the King George River where the falls cascade over a hundred foot cliff into the gorge below. Enjoy pristine beaches and picnics at Monitor Pool, a magnificent plunge pool at the foot of imposing basalt and sandstone cliffs, and a refreshingly cool and safe place for swimming. There is time for fishing, discovering aboriginal rock art, impressive bird watching, beachcombing and time for doing nothing at all.
 

Day 9 - Bullo River Station, 3 nights

After breakfast, your charter aircraft will arrive to fly you over the East Kimberley coast and into the Northern Territory for a stay at Bullo River Homestead.

Named after the Bullo River, this station homestead is located on a half million acres of Australian wilderness. It is best reached by light aircraft from which you can admire the escarpments and gorges that dot the vast emptiness of the Kimberley. So remote is this region that there are waterholes and aboriginal art galleries that have remained unseen and untouched for hundreds of years.

Your hostess, Marlee Ranacher, grew up on the station and she and her husband, Franz, now manage the property and its 8,000 head of cattle. Accommodation will be in one of the 12 purpose built guest rooms, each with en suite. Meals are enjoyed in the homestead dining room or you are welcome to join the station hands and family in the kitchen.


Day 10 & 11 – Bullo River Station

After breakfast, you will be transferred to Darwin Airport for your 45 minute scheduled charter flight to Seven Spirit Bay on the Cobourg Peninsula.

Perched on the very northern tip of the Northern Territory, the Cobourg Peninsula looks out across the glassy tropical waters of the Arafura Sea, lying closer to the islands of Indonesia than any of Australia’s major cities. This coast encountered foreign influence long before Europeans reached Australia’s eastern shores. The wildlife reflects Asia’s proximity and there are buffalo, banteng, Timorese ponies and wild pigs.

Accommodation at Seven Spirit Bay is in unique eco-friendly “Habitats”. Each has two double beds, ceiling fans and louvered shutters that open into the surrounding wilderness. Behind each Habitat, along a short pathway is a private bathroom. Wide decks surround the living areas and the dining area overlooks the swimming pool.

Day 12 – Departure

Enjoy a last morning of activity on the Station before you fly via charter plane to Kununurra. From here you can continue on to Darwin or Perth.


Australia Wildlife Tour

• If you prefer not to drive we can arrange a flight to the Margaret River wine region. A local expert guide can personalise a Margaret River wine region tour to suit your interests.
   
• If you have time, extend a night in Margaret River – the longer you stay the more you will discover.
   
• Pre-arrange a charter flights to Port Keats where aboriginal guides take a bush tucker walk, catch mud-crabs in the tidal flats and offer locally produced artwork.
   
• Take a scenic flight over the Bungle Bungle Massif
   
• Keen birders may like to spend a day on Roebuck Bay and in the Pindan country, escorted by a local expert

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The price is inclusive of

• 2 nights Hidden Valley Retreat Eco-Lodge or Moondance Lodge with breakfast
• 3 days car hire, Toyota Camry or similar with unlimited kilometers
  Scheduled flights Perth / Broome / Kununurra with taxes
• Arrival & departure transfers in Broome
• 2 nights McAlpine House with tropical breakfast
  Charter flights Kununurra / Faraway Bay / Kununurra / Bullo River / Kununurra
• 4 nights at the Bush Camp, Faraway Bay with all meals, beer, wine and activities
• 3 nights at Bullo River inclusive of all meals, beer & wine with meals, station activities, fishing, touring of the gorges, horse riding, bull catching and daily guiding
• 10% G.S.T

Not included

• Flights to Broome and from Kununurra
• Petrol and excess insurance on hire car
• Helicopter excursions at Bullo River
• Australian visas, comprehensive travel insurance & international flights as required