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Friday – Kangaroo Island, Stranraer Homestead, 2 nights

Depart Adelaide on the 30 minute scheduled flight via light aircraft to Kingscote Airport, Kangaroo Island. Your hosts Graham & Lyn Wheaton will meet you on arrival and transfer you to their home, Stranraer for your two night stay.

Graham and Lyn have lived on Kangaroo Island their whole lives. Graham is a third generation islander - his grandfather settled on the island and established their farm. The property is also home to two lagoons with excellent bird and wildlife viewing around it and Graham’s knowledge as a wildlife guide is with you during your stay.

Saturday – Kangaroo Island Touring

After breakfast, join a small group (six maximum) for a full day tour of the island. The touring will focus on the eastern half of the island including a visit to Seal Bay to see a breeding colony of sea lions, a walk through a eucalyptus forest to look for koalas and D'Estrees Bay, a popular late afternoon stop to see kangaroos and wallabies. Lunch is a gourmet seafood barbeque (including some fine local wines) in a secluded spot of bush. Return to the Homestead for dinner and overnight.

Sunday - The Ghan, 1 night

After breakfast, Lyn will drive you to Kingscote Airport for your scheduled flight to Adelaide. On arrival a private car and driver will be waiting to transfer you to the Railway Station to board The Ghan, departing at 17.00 / 5pm.

Your cabin steward will show you to your compartment and then you can get acquainted with fellow travellers in the lounge car. Dinner is a superb a la carte menu accompanied by fine Australian wines. Your “Gold Kangaroo” compartment is comprised of a three seater lounge which converts to upper and lower berths plus an ensuite toilet and shower, a wardrobe, full-length mirror, reading lamp and a foldaway table. During dinner your steward will make up your berths complete with crisp linens and comfy doonas.

Monday – Alice Springs, Ooraminna Station, 2 nights

After breakfast – again an a la carte feast of fresh ingredients – the train arrives in Alice Springs at 12noon.

Jan Hayes, the owner of Ooraminna Cattle Station and your host for the next two days, will collect you from the rail and drive you to Ooraminna - a half million acres of cattle country set amidst the craggy sandstone outcrops of the MacDonnell ranges.

Three individual ‘cottages’ are designed with wooden and corrugated iron exteriors in Australian outback style and with simple but stylish furnishings, each has a private bathroom and a verandah with views of the bush. Join Bill and Jan for sundowner drinks and dinner in the homestead.

Tuesday – Exploring Ooraminna Station

An early start, if you wish, with the dawn light to accompany Bill or one of the station hands to check the boreholes on the property and the cattle in their paddocks – an Australian paddock is a large entity, far larger than most farms in Europe. The property is fabulous for walking, following creek beds, climbing the rocky outcrops, or exploring by 4-wheel drive. Animals you might see in addition to cattle are wallabies, kangaroos, dingoes and wild camels.

Wednesday – Uluru, Longitude 131º , 2 nights

Enjoy breakfast with the family before leaving for Alice Springs airport and your scheduled flight to Uluru (Ayers Rock). Met on arrival and transferred to your luxury camp.

The best way to experience the iconic spiritual heart of Australia is from the peaceful surrounds of this 5-star intimate tented camp in the central Australian desert. Each of the 15 individual tents is elevated and lavishly decorated.
All touring will be with professional, qualified guides and you will be part of a small group. Your hosts will discuss the touring options with you on arrival but the two highlights of any stay at Uluru are a very early morning start in order to view Ayers Rock as the sun’s first rays of light break on its sides with their rich red colours. The rest of the morning will be spent exploring some of the features of the rock and learning of the aboriginal history that lies behind it.

Thursday – Uluru & Kata Tjuta

Animals you might see in the desert are red kangaroos (the largest of the species), emus, wallabies, dingoes, dragons and goannas. Birds in this area include the wedge-tailed eagle (Australia’s largest bird of prey), brown and peregrine falcons, Australian kestrel, black-breasted kite and the colourful (and noisy!) parrots and cockatoos.
When not touring the area, spend the heat of the day relaxing in camp. Take a snooze in your air-conditioned tent or a refreshing dip in the swimming pool. After dark the sky is crystal clear with millions of stars – a view never seen in the Northern Hemisphere.

Friday - Queensland Coast, Thala Beach Lodge, 2 nights

Today you fly to Cairns, on the sunny Queensland coast for a complete contrast to the arid Red Centre. Transferred on arrival to Thala Beach Lodge.

Where the rainforests of the Daintree National Park meet the coral reefs of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, Thala Beach Lodge is located on the spectacular coastal road from Cairns to the Cape Tribulation. The views from the lodge of this magnificent stretch of World Heritage coastline are second to none. Set in 145 acres and designed with the aesthetics of its beautiful natural surroundings in mind, Thala’s deluxe bungalows blend into the vegetation on the rocky ridge and provide visitors with a luxurious sense of privacy.

This afternoon you can relax by the pool or take a stroll along the 2 kilometres of spectacular sandy beach and secluded coves.

Saturday – Queensland Rainforest touring

Today’s full day Rainforest Tour is hosted by David Armbrust, a local expert on the flora and fauna of the rainforest and savannah. This is a small, personal group tour with only 4 guests maximum travelling in comfortable 4 WD.

David will introduce you to some of the wildlife and plant life of the rainforest. He has lived his whole life in the area and has been instrumental in the conservation of its remaining natural treasures – your time with him is an inspirational and hugely educational experience.

After a rainforest picnic lunch, David will take you down the western side of the ranges to a cattle property in the dry savannah country beyond, for an exposure to the sharp natural contrasts in this region of Australia. After tea on the banks of the Mitchell River, it is time to head back to the coast for dinner and overnight at Thala Lodge

Sunday - Reef or Relaxation?

A day to relax and enjoy the beach. Alternatively we can arrange a day trip to the Great Barrier Reef for snorkelling or diving. There are a variety of boats from private yachts to large power boats.

Monday – Departure

Transfer to Cairns airport for your departure flight.

• Have us arrange a day out on the Great Barrier Reef, from large boats to private charters, powerboats to sail boats, from nearby Port Douglas there is a wide range of options.
   
• If time permits, rather than go boating out on the Reef, extend your stay and enjoy a few nights at a luxury island resort – our Consultants will help you choose one to suit your style.
   
• Rather than join small group tours, let us arrange a private guide & plan your day to suit you.
   
• In South Australia you may like to begin the journey with a couple of days exploring the Wine Country, the Murray River, Gawler Ranges, Southern Coast or the Flinders Ranges.

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The price is inclusive of

• 2 nights at Stranraer Homestead with dinner & breakfast
• 1 night on The Ghan in a “Gold Kangaroo” deluxe compartment with all meals
• 2 nights at Ooraminna with all meals and activities on the property
• 2 nights at Longitude 131º with all meals, drinks and touring
• 3 nights at Thala Beach Lodge with breakfast
  Return airfare from Adelaide to Kangaroo Island
• Flights Alice Springs to Ayers Rock to Cairns with applicable taxes
• All arrival and departure transfers
• Full day touring on Kangaroo Island including park fees and lunch
• Full day rainforest tour from Thala Beach Lodge including lunch

• Bar or laundry service (except at Longitude 131º )
• Visas, comprehensive travel insurance & flights to Adelaide / from Cairns