Australia Ultimate Wildlife Safari
Australia is rightly famed for its abundant and unique wildlife and we have designed this itinerary around some of the best places to see and experience it. From Ningaloo in Western Australia – the world’s largest fringing coral reef and home to spectacular marine species such as whale sharks and humpbacks – to Kangaroo Island in South Australia which is arguably the best wildlife spotting destination in Australia. See quokkas and the rest, and afterwards toast your wildlife-seeking successes in South Australia’s famous Barossa Valley.
Why you’ll love this itinerary
• Stay in eco-luxe responsible comfort at remote Sal Salis • Snorkel on the Ningaloo Reef • Meet the friendly quokkas on Rottnest Island • Explore wild and wonderful Kangaroo Island • Relax among the vines of the Barossa Valley
12 nights across Australia
Day 1: Perth Arrive into this beachside, nature city for a couple of days to orientate your body clock. Explore the botanical gardens and bushland in Kings Park at your leisure, and take the ferry across to Rottnest Island for a day exploring independently. Be sure to visit historic Fremantle on your way back. Stay 3 nights at QT Perth.
Day 4: Cape Range National Park Fly to Learmonth airport, Exmouth and upon arrival transfer to remote Sal Salis Ningaloo Reef. Spend a few days relaxing in this eco glamping paradise where you can spot emus, black-footed wallabies and eagles and snorkel with turtles and rays from the beach. Be sure to take the optional whale shark experience (extra cost). Stay 3 nights at Sal Salis Ningaloo Reef.
Day 7: Adelaide Fly from Learmonth to Adelaide (via Perth or Melbourne) and spend the next couple of days exploring this attractive and laid-back city. Stay 2 nights at The Playford Adelaide.
Day 9: Kangaroo Island Pick up a rental car and drive down the scenic Fleurieu Peninsula before crossing over to Kangaroo Island. Spend the next couple of days exploring this island haven independently. Stay 2 nights at Mercure Kangaroo Island Lodge.
Day 11: Barossa Valley Cross back to the mainland and head to the famous Barossa Valley for a relaxed finish among the grape vines of Australia’s most famed wine region. Stay 2 nights at Barossa Shiraz Estate.
Day 13: Depart Head back to Adelaide and return your hire car ahead of your onward or homeward flight.
Recommended highlights
Explore Perth – Australia’s sunniest city
Perth might seem a long way from everywhere, but it’s the closest gateway to the UK and so an ideal place to begin. It’s also a thoroughly lovely city to visit and one of our favourite destinations in Australia.
See the quokkas on Rottnest Island
Rottnest is a short and quick ferry ride from Perth across deep blue seas and so can be visited in a day. This sandy island has some exquisite beaches and is best explored by bicycle. Most people’s highlight is meeting the island’s famously friendly quokkas. Take the ferry back to Fremantle for sunset on the historic waterfront.
Cape Range National Park & Ningaloo Reef
Remote Sal Salis is perhaps Australia’s best glamping experience. Steps from your luxury tent, you can bask under Cape Range’s blue skies on beautiful beaches with the World Heritage Listed Ningaloo Reef paddling distance away. For the ultimate wildlife experience, swim with those gentle giants, the whale sharks. The area’s eco-minded operators have a 97% success rating.
Explore epicurean Adelaide
With several of Australia’s best wine regions on your doorstep, it’s no wonder that Adelaide is renowned as a gourmand’s hot spot.
It’s called Kangaroo Island for a reason!
Kangaroo Island has a lot of kangaroos, no surprise there. But there are also koalas, echidnas, sea lions and many more species that are very easily spotted on this rugged wildlife hangout.
Like Shiraz? Love Barossa!
Arguably Australia’s most iconic wine region, Barossa is synonymous with punch reds, and typically shiraz. A couple of days of oenophilia are a nice way to toast your wildlife success stories at the end of an epic trip.