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Australia At Its Finest

King George River Gorge

27 NIGHTS

PLEASE NOTE: We can help you add, adjust and tailor the itinerary to suit your requirements.  Each clients itinerary is different. We work to your budget and take advantage of current specials in the marketplace for your time of travel.

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS:

  • 3 nights Perth

  • 2 nights Broome

  • 7 nights True North Cruise – Kimberley Wilderness Cruise

  • 2 nights Darwin

  • 3 nights Bamurru Plains – luxury safari camp

  • 2 nights Uluru – Longitude 131 luxury desert basecamp

  • 2 nights Adelaide

  • 2 nights Kangaroo Island – Sea Dragon Lodge & Villas

  • 3 nights Melbourne

  • Margaret River food and wine tour

  • Perth and Fremantle experience with Swan River cruise

  • Broome sights tour with sunset camel ride on Cable Beach

  • Private Barossa Valley experience

  • Melbourne food walking tour

  • Yarra Valley cider and ale tour

  • All transfers

  • Breakfast Daily

ITINERARY OVERVIEW:

Destinations:     Perth, Broome, Darwin, Bamurru, Uluru, Adelaide, Kangaroo Island, Melbourne

Experiences:     Culture, Scenery, Wildlife, Food and Wine, Relaxation, Adventure

No. of days:      28 days

This trip is all about luxury accommodation and fantastic experiences that showcase the best of Australia.  Begin your adventure in Perth known for stunning beaches bars, restaurants and street art.  Enjoy a day in Margaret River, Australia’s premium wine region.  Explore Broome before departing on your luxury 7 night Kimberley Wilderness Cruise in North Western Australia where you will spend your time hiking, fishing, mud crabbing, enjoying picnics, seeing the ancient rock art of the Australian Aborigines and exhilarating helicopter rides. Next, you’re off to Bamurru Plains a luxury safari lodge set in 300 km² of floodplains and savanna woodland on the Mary River for a wildlife immersion.  Visit Uluru and stay at Longitude 131 the luxury desert basecamp at Lurur- Kata Tjuta, the perfect location to enjoy a visit to The Red Center. Head to Adelaide and the nearby Barossa Valley, Australia’s most prestigious wine region.  Another luxury wilderness experience awaits you at Kangaroo Island’s Sea Dragon Lodge & Villas.  Finish your epic Australian tour in Melbourne before heading home in love with Australia.

DAY BY DAY:

Day 1:    Fly to Australia.  Transfer for your flight to Perth.

 

Day 2:    Arrive in Perth.  Transfer to your accommodation.  Spend the rest of the day at leisure. (3 nights Perth - Hyatt Regency Perth)

 

Day 3:    Today you get to explore Perth and Fremantle on a full day small group tour.  Tour Perth city limits and visit highlights including Kings Park and Cottesloe Beach one of the most popular beaches in the area.  Travel to Fremantle which oozes heritage and cosmopolitan culture. Head to Victoria Quay to visit the Western Australian Maritime Museum. To finish the day board a cruise to take you back to Perth on the beautiful Swan River. The cruise includes tea/coffee and wine tastings of WA premium wines. One final stop at Kings Park allows time to enjoy or photograph the outstanding panorama of Perth and the Swan River before arriving back into the city late afternoon.

              

Day 4:    You’re off to enjoy the delights of Margaret River on a full day food and wine tour.  Visit four wineries, including private wine tasting at the renowned Vasse Felix, the region's founding wine estate. At Leeuwin Estate savor their 'Wine and Food Flight' an intimate and informal fine matching experience. Enjoy a selection of five iconic Leeuwin Estate Art Series wine flights, each served with a canapé of seasonal fresh produce. Lunch at Watershed Premium Wines; one of the most stunning wineries of the region. The restaurant has expansive views over the vineyard, and the sumptuous food is all sourced locally. We visit one other winery of your choice.

 

Day 5:    You leave Perth today.  Transfer to the airport and board your flight to Broome.  (2 nights Broome).

 

Day 6:    Enjoy a half day Broome sights tour with a sunset camel ride today. Learn about the ancient art of pearling from one of the local pearl producers, Cygnet Bay, and enjoy a historical sound show at the famous Sun Pictures, the world's oldest operating open air picture garden. Pass typical Broome architecture and old Pearling Masters homes en route to the aqua waters of Roebuck Bay at Town Beach. At Matsos Broome Brewery, sample their hand made ales and famous ginger beer. Visit the tranquil Japanese Cemetery and take an easy paced walk at Gantheaume Point known for dinosaur footprints and the story of Anastasia's Pool. Complete the day with an iconic sunset camel ride on Cable Beach.

 

Day 7:     You depart Broome today on your luxury Kimberley Wilderness Cruise with True North.  Your ‘Welcome Aboard’ the magnificent TRUE NORTH is in the pearling port of Broome. Embarkation is at 1700 – time for a cocktail with your fellow adventurers before departing at approximately 1830. Dinner is served shortly after leaving port for the overnight cruise to Yampi Sound.

 

Day 8:     Awake to the majestic Kimberley and savor an irresistible True North breakfast as we glide past Cockatoo and Koolan Islands – our attentive crew will be happy to introduce the colorful histories of both! Then it’s time to ‘personally’ introduce you to a Kimberley icon – The Horizontal Falls. Experience the awesome power of the region’s huge tidal range in an exhilarating tender ride and then climb aboard your air conditioned helicopter for a view of the falls that very few experience! Then – you will have hardly had a chance to catch your breath when, for those who can’t wait one minute longer, Leadline Creek will be the first opportunity to ‘land a barra’! Before you know it, your first day onboard will be coming to an end – but there’s still time to select a fine wine and to enjoy a leisurely evening meal as we cruise to Doubtful Bay.

 

Day 9:     This morning is devoted to exploring the Sale River. Fish the mouth for barra and then join naturalists and adventurers alike as we ‘ride the tide’ on a classic river expedition! Enjoy a swim in your very own billabong before returning to the ultimate comfort of the True North. Then, you’ll probably be enjoying lunch as we weigh anchor and cruise for another Kimberley icon – Montgomery Reef! Montgomery is a unique eco-system that must be seen to be believed – and see it you will – as 140 square miles of coral reef rises out of the ocean right before your very eyes! Water cascades from the reef as the tide falls exposing a privileged glimpse of another world! Turtles, dugong, manta rays and every imaginable sea creature abound and the helicopter puts all in perspective!

 

Day 10:    The scenery will astound and there are some not to be missed fishing spots as the True North graces the majestic Prince Regent River. At Kings Cascades we maneuver the True North right under the falls. Then it’s time for more ‘adventure in the tender’ – a chance to stretch the laces on your hiking boots and an opportunity to swim in yet another picture perfect billabong. The helicopter will be popular again when the first group of intrepid explorers returns from Jurassic Park!              

 

Day 11:    If you think the Regent was good – wait till you see the Hunter! With stunning red cliffs set behind rainforest and mangroves – the Hunter River is yet another awesome setting for fishing, mud crabbing, bird watching and just simply exploring! Enjoy an exhilarating hike to the hidden Jackson Falls and there’s even more splendor from the helicopter! Hopefully we’ll have time for a sunset drink on Naturaliste Island and then it’s an overnight cruise to Vansittart Bay.

 

Day 12:    Today there will be an opportunity to see the “Bradshaws” – possibly the oldest art known to man. The heli-picnic at Eagle Falls is always a ‘big hit’- enjoy a sumptuous picnic lunch amidst breathtaking scenery. The tenders will also be busy exploring local beaches and creeks. Overnight we cruise to Koolama Bay.

 

Day 13:    Yet another mighty Kimberley river – The King George! As soon as the tide is high enough, we’ll cross the sand bars at the mouth to reveal even more breathtaking river vista. Then our journey upstream will take us to the very ‘jewel in the crown’ – The King George Falls. Here we anchor at the base of the Twin Falls and you will find endless places to explore. Climb, or take the helicopter, to the top of the falls for a cruise highlight. Just the thought of leaving this magnificence will inspire mutiny! Learn about the bombing of a state-ship during WWII, then take a stroll at Tranquil Bay before we continue onto the frontier port of Wyndham.

 

Day 14:    Your courtesy coach will arrive at approximately 0800 hours for transfer to Kununurra.  Transfer to the airport for your flight to Darwin.  (1 night Darwin – Hilton Darwin)

 

Day 15:    Today you leave Darwin for Bamurru. Your accommodation is at Bamurru Plains a luxury safari lodge set in 300 km² of floodplains and savanna woodland on the Mary River, on the edge of Kakadu National Park. A profusion of bird and wildlife are at the doorstep of this unique bush experience that exudes ‘Wild Bush Luxury’ and brings a touch of style to the discovery of a remote and beautiful wilderness.  You will see saltwater crocodiles, brumbies, buffalo, dingos, wallabies, birds and reptiles among other wildlife.  With only 10 safari-style bungalows, the focus of your stay at Bamurru Plains is on the environment and the creatures for whom it is home. Each suite overlooks the floodplain and with mesh walls on three sides you can hear, see and almost touch the wildlife and wilderness around you, waking to the call of the magpie geese as the orange light of dawn spreads across the floodplains. (3 nights - Bamurru Plains)

 

Day 16:    The wildlife is the focus at Bamurru Plains and guests have the opportunity to experience the four distinct habitats with expert field guides.  Explore the property via airboart, open top safari drive, walks, quad bikes and more. 

 

Day 17:    It’s another day to explore the amazing property and the wildlife that lives there.  Go birding, or take a river cruise, enjoy a guided walk, or simply do nothing at all and watch the wildlife come to you.  Chill out in the infinity pool while you watch buffalo roam and wallabies hop past.  Bamurru is the perfect place to chill out and get away from the business of everyday life. 

 

Day 18:    You leave Bamurru today for Darwin.  The rest of the day is at your leisure. (1 night Darwin – Hilton Darwin).

 

Day 19:    You’re off to Uluru today.  Transfer from your Darwin accommodation to the airport for your flight to Uluru. You will be staying at Longitude 131, the luxury desert basecamp at Lurur- Kata Tjuta.  The focus on this property is the discovery of the World Heritage listed wilderness and then, there is privacy, tranquility and luxurious spaces in which to relax in exclusive style. Treasured as Australia’s spiritual heart, the dual World Heritage-listed Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park is an ancient desert landscape widely known as the ‘Red Centre’. Domed by a deep blue sky and spanning a vast expanse of the Northern Territory, the outback’s rugged beauty is heightened by the living presence of one of the world’s largest monoliths, Uluru (Ayers Rock) and the sacred red domes of Kata Tjuta (The Olgas) which stand nearby.  With Longitude 131° as luxury basecamp, guests are guided on an itinerary of signature excursions allowing an intimate encounter with the region’s iconic natural attractions. Stories of the land’s traditional custodians shared along each of the tours add a personal education of the local landscape and culture to the experience. Expeditions are shared with fellow guests and operate on a rotating basis dependent on day of arrival and weather permitting.  (2 nights Uluru – Longitude 131).

 

Day 20:    Signature experiences included in your stay at Longitude 131 include watching a stunning Uluru sunset will a chilled glass and canape in hand.  Experiencing Bruce Munro’s internationally acclaimed art phenomenon, Field of Light which is 50,000 bud-like stems crowned with radiant frosted-glass spheres that glow as darkness descends.  Dining at Table 131 under the stars at an exclusive venue among the dunes.  Exploring the impressive formation of Kata Tjuta on a walk through Walpa Gorge.  Enjoying a guided walk along a portion of Uluru’s base and learn about the history of the Mala people, viewing cave paintings and other relevant sites important to both Anangu and the early explorers. Enter Kantju Gorge at dusk to witness the rock walls ablaze with the light of the setting sun. Revel in the silence and solitude with sunset drinks and canapés. Discovering peaceful Mutitjulu Waterhole and the sacred site of Kuniya Piti as the sun lights up the ancient monolith.

 

Day 21:    Today you leave Uluru. Transfer to the airport for your flight to Adelaide. (2 nights Adelaide – Pullman Adelaide).  Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.

 

Day 22:    Enjoy a day in the beautiful Barossa Valley Australia’s premium wine growing region situated just an hour’s drive through rolling hills to the North of Adelaide.  Arriving in the historic township of Tanunda, visit the local bakery for morning tea. Next arrive at Menglers Hill Lookout, which offers fantastic panoramic views and photo opportunities of the Barossa Valley. Moving into the Eden Valley, one of the highlights is a visit to Yalumba, which is Australia’s oldest family owned winery. Lunch will be at award winning Harvest Kitchen and consists of a beautiful tasting plates of local regional foods. The afternoon will then be spent amongst the vineyards and wineries that make this area so popular and famous around the world.

 

Day 23:    You’re off to Kangaroo Island today. Transfer to the ferry for your 45 minute cruise to Kangaroo Island.  Your accommodation is at Sea Dragon Lodge & Villas, a boutique, adults only, eco-friendly retreat where you can enjoy romantic sunsets with spectacular ocean views, farm-fresh local produce, your very own secluded beach and an abundance of wildlife. (2 nights Kangaroo Island – Sea Dragon Lodge & Villas).

 

Day 24:    Enjoy a full day Kangaroo Island tour tailored just for you.  Sea Dragon Lodge & Villas specialize in private tours focusing on wildlife, coastal scenery, bush land, local produce and products.  Local experienced guides talk to you about your interests and the options available.  Spend a day exploring the best of Kangaroo Island.

 

Day 25:    Transfer to the ferry for your cruise back to Adelaide airport and your onward flight to Melbourne.  Enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure. (3 nights Melbourne – Sofitel on Collins)

 

Day 26:    Discover Melbourne today on a foodie indulgence city walk. Melbourne is a mecca for food with an eating culture bordering on the obsessive. This 3 hour walking tour lets you experience the best examples of what Melbourne offers. Drink coffee, eat dumplings, sneak in a sweet treat and finish it off with a drink on a rooftop. You'll explore Melbourne's famed laneways and arcades with everything from grand 19th century arcades to 21st century street art. Your local foodie guide will fill you in on all our secrets and best places to spend the rest of your stay as well.

 

Day 27:    Explore the Yarra Valley today on a cider and ale trail tour.  Join Aussie Brewery Tours on a trip to the picturesque Yarra Valley, only an hour from Melbourne, where a tasting extravaganza awaits. Sniff, swirl, sip and skol an incredible range of ales and lagers along with dry and sweet ciders, strawberry and blueberry wines, ports, sparkling and kombuchas in a range of venues as diverse as the products they create. This is the Yarra Valley like you have never tasted it before.

 

Day 28:    Transfer to the airport for your flight back home! 

TOP ACTIVITIES:  Perth   |   Broome   |   Darwin   |   Bamurru   |   Uluru  |   Adelaide   |   Kangaroo Island   |   Melbourne  

Customized Itinerary

  • All aspects of this itinerary can be changed to suit your requirements.

  • The itineraries provided are great introductions to your chosen destination.  You can create a travel plan using the itinerary provided or make modifications to destinations, activities and accommodation and create the dream trip you want.

  • Not every traveler is the same, we get that and so that’s why we recommend making changes to suit your needs. In fact, we insist - we want you to have the best trip.

  • If you would like any recommendations for dinner or shopping areas please let us know we are happy to help and make bookings for you where necessary.

Visa requirements:

To travel to Australia you will need a US passport valid for at least 6 months and we can process an ETA Visa for free for US Citizens.  We will need a copy of your Photo Page of your Passport.  Nationalities of any other countries please enquire with your agent to see if you are eligible for a free ETA Visa or if you need to apply for a Visitor Visa.

To travel to New Zealand you will need a US passport valid for at least 6 months and an NZeTA (New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority. More information on the NZeTA application requirements and process can be found on our FAQ page here.

Travel Insurance:

We highly recommend purchasing travel insurance to protect your investment. We will provide a travel insurance quote at the time of booking, and you are free to use our recommended insurance with Travelguard, find your own, or book without insurance.

A product that we can offer is a Cancel For Any Reason policy that will provide you with 80% back in refunds.  If the cancellation is for medical reasons there is a 100% refund..

Additional information:

Downunder Journeys services travel requests from the United States and Canada for travel to Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Cook Islands and Tahiti.  All pricing on this website is in US Dollars.

 

All of the sample itineraries on this website do not include airfares as the airfare price changes daily and to ensure you get the best possible price we will work with the best airfares at the time.  If you happen to buy your airfare first and then need a package to fit it, we can certainly help with that as well, just let us know.

 

As an idea for a 2-week vacation to Australia or New Zealand we recommend a budget of around $8,000-10,000 (including economy airfare), this would be for a 4 star and above itinerary, a little cheaper if we did more moderate accommodations.

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