Wine and Wildlife Discovery
Romance and relaxation are in store for you on this fifteen night adventure. Arrive in Sydney and enjoy a harbor cruise, taking in the gorgeous views and sights from Sydney Harbour. Drive yourself from Sydney to Hunter Valley where quaint farming country and wine tasting await. Once you head down to Adelaide it’s time for adventure. Full day tours of Kangaroo Island and the Barossa Valley are on the itinerary. Enjoy the iconic animal of Australia and more wine sampling as you absorb the culture of southern Australia. Wine and Wildlife Discovery combines the great outdoors with Australian culture, the perfect mix of relaxation, fun and sightseeing to give you a real taste of Aussie life.
Trip Type: Cosmopolitan, Food & Wine, Romance & Honeymoon, Wildlife
Day By Day
Day 1 – Welcome to Sydney
Welcome to Sydney. Australia’s most visited state, New South Wales partly owes its popularity with tourists to the glamorous city of Sydney. With its harbor beaches and intoxicating blend of bushland and bustling city, Sydney is a perfect snapshot of Australia. Beyond the glow of Sydney, New South Wales becomes a sweeping landscape of quaint, beachside hamlets, inland opal-mining towns, and alpine hideaways. Visitors can take a surfing lesson on one of the world’s most renowned beaches or get intimate with Sydney – whether by a walking tour of the Rocks area, a visit to Sydney’s fish market or dinner at one of the city’s famed restaurants.
Starting Accommodation: Shangri-La, Sydney
Day 2 – Southern Highlands - Farm, Bush and Wildlife
Depart Sydney early morning for the 90-minute drive to the historic town of Berrima, and a stop for a coffee at a quaint local café. Take time to stretch your legs and enjoy the tranquillity of this colonial township before heading to Fitzroy Falls to visit a local farm who supply their produce to restauranteurs and local businesses. Red leaf Farm is true Australian farming at a grass roots level complete with chicken caravan, Highland Cattle, horses, Wolfhounds and their stunning Railway Carriage accommodation conversions that include a sunken bush bath. The Red leaf Farm experience encompasses it all. See waterfalls, flying foxes or swim in billabongs if it’s warm enough. Enjoy a true Australian farm adventure with country style morning tea by the farms private billabong with billy tea, damper or homemade muffins.
From Red Leaf farm, transfer to Nature Experience where you will do some bushwalking and enjoy some magnificent views over the valley and waterfall. Have lunch at the Burrawang General Store which prepares and serves a high quality and innovative menu with an emphasis on local produce. After lunch, visit Tertini Wines. The region is known for its cold climate wines and Tertini have some fine wines to taste. A great way to end the day over a cheese platter before heading back to Sydney.
Starting Accommodation: Shangri-La, Sydney
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 3 – Sydney At Leisure
It is no surprise that when the British first arrived in Sydney they named the area Botany Bay. Even today, with a population of over 4 million people and a reputation for fun rather than flora, one is still surrounded by bush land in this bustling city. Native Waratah wind their way through the historic Rocks area, palm trees frame long stretches of pristine beach, and Eucalyptus embrace the endless and beckoning bays of Sydney Harbour.
It is Sydney's man-made wonders, however, that draw most visitors. The Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge are the most photographed icons on the continent. Choose a Seaplane Safari experience and enjoy a bird's eye view of the Opera House's signature sails. See the Harbour Bridge up close and personal by climbing the metal monolith to enjoy stunning 360-degree views of the glittering vista below with BridgeClimb as you climb to the top. Whether it is an early morning visit to the largest fish market in the southern hemisphere, or your very first surfing lesson on Bondi Beach, in this vibrant metropolis you will find no lack of energetic escapes and dynamic distractions.
There are many ways to enjoy the harbor: on a small luxury motor cruiser or sailing yacht, or ferries that take you to Taronga Park Zoo or Manly and the harbor suburbs. Take the Darling Harbour Rocket that connects Circular Quay to Darling Harbour where there are many restaurants and attractions such as The Sydney Aquarium, Wildlife World, The IMAX Theater and the Naval Museum. For a more leisurely afternoon, take a walk through the Royal Botanical Gardens and Hyde Park, or learn about Australia's National Gemstone, the Opal, at Altmann; Cherny or The National Opal Collection, right in the heart of the city on Pitt Street.
Starting Accommodation: Shangri-La, Sydney
Meals: Breakfast
Day 4 – Travel to Adelaide
Takeoff to Adelaide and continue on the next stage of your adventure.
Starting Accommodation: Mount Lofty House
Meals: Breakfast
Day 5 – Kangaroo Island One Day Adventure
This full-day tour starts with a flight from Adelaide to Kangaroo Island. Meet your host on arrival who will be on-hand through the day to introduce you to the lifestyle, culture and wildlife of this large and diverse Island. Today you will get an introduction to Island life - where things take time. Where drivers wave as they go by - or even stop you for a chat. Have a 'cuppa' with home-made refreshments and perhaps walk down a country track through tall Eucalyptus trees where koalas snooze overhead.
Start the morning at Emu bay, looking for kangaroos before enjoying morning tea at the jetty. Heading inland, stop at Duck Lagoon, seeking out koalas and birds, then joining the Historic Eucalyptus distillery interpretive walk. Lunch is at Cygnet Park, before heading to Seal Bay, where you may walk with your guide among Australian sea lions on the sandy beach. Watch pups nursing, or playing in the surf, see old bulls bearing the scars of territorial disputes and learn about their unique breeding biology. The remainder of the afternoon is spent exploring more of the southeast region of D’Estrees Bay before returning to Kingscote for your flight back to Adelaide.
Starting Accommodation: Mount Lofty House
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 6 – A Taste Of Adelaide Hills
Departing Adelaide, travel through the scenic Adelaide Hills to Mount Lofty Summit for an unsurpassed view over the City. From here, begin to taste the fine wines tucked away in the Hills. Wander through the small villages of the Hills, Crafers and Stirling, with a short visit to the Organic Market before visiting Hahndorf. Stroll through the German village of Hahndorf then do a tasting of the excellent Hahndorf Hill wines. Perhaps also visit the stylish Shaw and Smith winery to taste their exceptional white wines and new reds. Visit the Bridgewater Mill, home of the renowned Petaluma Wines, then tour through the Methode Champenoise Cellars followed by tasting. Lunch is at a restaurant in the region. If time permits, travel further into the heart of the Hills to Chain of Ponds wines owned by the Amadio family. They produce a range of awarding winning white and red wines in their little piece of land reminiscent of Tuscany.
Starting Accommodation: Mount Lofty House
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 7 – Travel to Hobart
Takeoff to Hobart and continue on the next stage of your adventure.
Starting Accommodation: MACq 01 Hotel
Meals: Breakfast
Day 8 – Bonorong Feeding Frenzy
Bonorong Park was established in 1981 as a sanctuary for injured and orphaned wildlife. Owner, Greg Irons, has had a lifetime passion for animal rehabilitation and releasing animals back into the wild, and he has turned Bonorong into a sanctuary that focuses on education, rehabilitation and the release of native wildlife. The staff at Bonorong is very experienced in interpretation and wildlife husbandry. Enjoy an exclusive, guided feeding tour of the park where visitors engage with the animals in a very special and individual way. During this unforgettable excursion, experiences may include feeding the wombats their breakfast, giving the cockies (cockatoos) their wattle treats, feeding the echidnas as they snuffle around your feet, having a tug of war with a Tassie devil, feeding Bonorong's two special species of quoll (can you spot their differences?), putting in some fresh leaves for the koalas and watching them while they snack, hand-feeding the tawny frogmouth to watch him swallow his food whole, throwing lunch to the kookaburra and seeing how well he can catch and getting up the courage to hold a blue-tongued lizard.
Starting Accommodation: MACq 01 Hotel
Meals: Breakfast
Day 9 – Travel to Freycinet National Park
Transfer from Hobart to the Coles Bay/Freycinet area by private vehicle. The drive will take approximately 2.5 to 3 hours.
Starting Accommodation: Freycinet Lodge
Meals: Breakfast
Day 10 – Day at Leisure in Freycinet
Freycinet National Park is loaded with natural assets, including the pink granite peaks of the Hazards Range that dominate the Peninsula and the iconic Wineglass Bay. The short trek to Wineglass Bay lookout is a bit of a scramble, but it's well worth it for one of Tasmania's most photographed views.There are many more short walks across the park that are suitable for all abilities and that lead to secluded bays, clean beaches and bird-filled lagoons. For an excellent half day trek, continue on from the Wineglass Bay lookout down to the beautiful, perfectly curved beach and back to the park entrance via the Hazards Range for amazing views of Great Oyster Bay and the coastline surrounding the sleepy seaside village of Swansea. The Hazards look their best at sunrise and sunset when the pink granite glows bright and brilliant. For a longer trek, take on the whole length of the Freycinet Peninsula on a minimum two day walk, taking in more remote places like Cooks Beach and Bryans Beach. Be prepared with water and supplies and take your time for an even longer stay in this beautiful part of Tasmania.
Starting Accommodation: Freycinet Lodge
Meals: Breakfast
Day 11 – Travel to Cradle Mountain
Enjoy a leisurely transfer from Freycinet to Cradle Mountain.
Starting Accommodation: Cradle Mountain Hotel
Meals: Breakfast
Day 12 – Cradle Mountain National Park At Leisure
Carved by glacial ice more than 20,000 years ago, Cradle Mountain National Park is Tasmania's most beloved wilderness area. Its deep gorges, wild moorlands and glacial lakes are enjoyed by hikers of all abilities. Day walks to Lake St. Clair, Australia's deepest freshwater lake, are popular, but it is the spectacular trek from there to Cradle Mountain that has earned its reputation as a bush-walker's Mecca.
Starting Accommodation: Cradle Mountain Hotel
Meals: Breakfast
Day 13 – Travel to Melbourne
Takeoff to Melbourne and continue on the next stage of your adventure.
Starting Accommodation: Park Hyatt Melbourne
Meals: Breakfast
Day 14 – Private Wine Explorer Yarra Valley
Wine touring at its very best. Outstanding scenery with wines to match and only an hour from Melbourne CBD. Your driver/guide is friendly and a knowledgeable wine expert that helps guarantee a superb day in the Yarra Valley. The itinerary outlined can be adjusted to suit your special requirements (additional arrangements at additional cost). Head from the city to the Yarra Valley, and start the senses going at French Champagne company Moet & Chandon's Australian production house Domain Chandon. Your guide will take you for a fascinating walk through the winery explaining the nuance of Sparkling Wine Production, then enjoy a relaxing glass of Australia's best bubbly with a view that you will not wish to surrender. From there, head to Soumah, a location that delivers with spectacular undulating topography, ancient soils and well tendered vines. A hidden gem, enjoy wine tasting and then a one course lunch with a glass of wine and tea or coffee.
The afternoon offers flexible touring, with your driver able to make suggestions for some wonderful wineries to visit. Top of the list is Helen & Joey Estate, nested in the foothills of the Warramate Hills this cellar door offers a unique range of wines. Another option is Yering Station Winery and Gallery, offering rustic charm in the winery building, and a contemporary art gallery. You will then leave the Yarra Valley and head back to Melbourne.
Starting Accommodation: Park Hyatt Melbourne
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 15 – Melbourne at Leisure
Melbourne is Australia's second largest city (after Sydney), but it is second to none when it comes to fashion, festivals and sport. Set around the shores of Port Phillip Bay, the city itself is laid out in a large rectangle. She boasts a lively, cosmopolitan pulse, sitting on the northern banks of the Yarra River, about three miles from the bay. Visitors come for its shopping, restaurants and nightlife. Residents stay for its cultural diversity, passion for the arts and enviable sports calendar. Melbourne is renowned for playing host to a number of nationally- and internationally-recognized events each year, including the Australian Open Tennis Grand Slam, the Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix and the ever-impressive two-mile horse race, The Melbourne Cup. This is a major event that spreads an addictive buzz through the city streets. You can be sure that locals and visitors alike will embrace the energy surrounding it.
Explore the famous lane-ways and arcades of the city, catch a tram to trendy Southgate, rub shoulders with locals at the Queen Victoria Market or take in a show at the ornate Princess Theatre. For a break from the hustle and bustle, cruise along the Yarra River, or head out to one of the many beautiful beaches just outside of the city. Go in search of the unique Australian animals like Koalas, Kangaroos and the Little Penguins, and see them in the wild just an hour or two outside Melbourne. Explore one of the premier wine regions in Australia exporting wines to the U.S. to find your Yarra Valley blend. It is the closest wine region to any major Australian city, just an hour out of the city, but worlds away from the bustling streets of Melbourne.
Starting Accommodation: Park Hyatt Melbourne
Meals: Breakfast
Day 16 – Depart Melbourne
Ahead of your flight, you will be transferred from your accommodation to Melbourne Airport.
Meals: Breakfast
Pricing
Package Level: Deluxe |
Please note all prices listed are approximations and subject to current rate of exchange adjustments. Each itinerary can be fully customized to your interests and needs.
|
| Twin Share |
| 4/1/2024 - 4/30/2024 | $9,850 |
| 5/1/2024 - 9/30/2024 | $9,545 |
| 10/1/2024 - 10/31/2024 | $9,950 |
| 11/1/2024 - 11/30/2024 | $9,990 |
| 12/1/2024 - 12/31/2024 | $10,160 |
| 1/1/2025 - 1/31/2025 | $10,420 |
| 2/1/2025 - 3/31/2025 | $10,285 |
| Single Traveler |
| 4/1/2024 - 4/30/2024 | $18,165 |
| 5/1/2024 - 9/30/2024 | $17,555 |
| 10/1/2024 - 10/31/2024 | $18,365 |
| 11/1/2024 - 11/30/2024 | $18,445 |
| 12/1/2024 - 12/31/2024 | $18,785 |
| 1/1/2025 - 1/31/2025 | $19,305 |
| 2/1/2025 - 3/31/2025 | $19,035 |
Terms and Conditions
Prices are per person, twin/double share in USD. All highlighted savings are reflected in the price. Price does not include airfare unless otherwise stated. Travel may be limited to certain days of the week. Hotels and tours remain subject to availability. Cancellation penalties and other booking or alteration restrictions may exist. Please note blackout dates may apply to Christmas, New Year and local special event periods. Pricing may increase over Holiday and special event periods and may not be reflected in price grid. Prices indicated remain subject to change without notice. Prices are not guaranteed until full payment is received and processed. CST #2012413-20 See our full Terms and Conditions:
www.swaindestinations.com/terms
