Australia - Escape to Luxury

Arrive in Australia from your Qantas flight from Los Angeles.

Welcome to Melbourne. Collect your luggage and clear Customs & Immigration and then proceed outside the Customs hall where you will find your driver who will take you directly to your accommodation.

Have you ever been to a city and wondered what all the fuss was about? Or wasted time trying to find that cool local café you were told of, then ended up missing everything? Melbourne's arcades and laneways hide many of these answers. Join this indulgent morning walk through Melbourne's beautiful back streets, and become orientated in the life of the city that locals love. Discover local designers and specialty retailers that often are only found in the city. Some of the quirkiest cafes, independent designers, street art, architecture, and historical tales are found in these walkways, there is something for everyone, locals and visitors alike.

Today is a relaxed Paddock-to-Plate tour of the Mornington Peninsula. Embrace the day with a stunning coastal drive south of Melbourne and prepare to be inspired and delighted by the diverse, boot‐shaped region known as the Mornington Peninsula. You will be greeted by the owner of one of the longest continuously running small produce farms on the peninsula. Hear her family’s stories and learn about their unique organic growing techniques. Sample honey straight from the bee hive, learn about the native plants and how they have been used by the indigenous populations for centuries and develop a new found appreciation for food and the Mornington.

Your hosts for lunch own a 27 acre farm and are known for producing some of the best olives, coffee and assorted produce. Enjoy a cozy picnic on their property and be surrounded by nature while sampling an assortment of local delicacies (upon request). Alternatively you can enjoy a two course lunch at one of the local wineries over looking the region. After lunch take a drive down the road to sample cool climate wines with some of the regions favorite wine makers, freshly made goats cheese from a local dairy or succulent strawberries and cherries from the fruit farms in the area. What more could a foodie want?

Takeoff to Hobart and continue on the next stage of your adventure. Transfer from Hobart to the Coles Bay/Freycinet area by private vehicle.

Step aboard the Saffire vessel to enjoy a portion of the Schouten Island Signature Experience - exclusive to guests of Saffire. Schouten Island's vast and abundant eco-system has played a part in early Aboriginal settlement and the farming, mining and fishing in the area. Now, it is part of the Freycinet National Park, a rarely explored, wild, unpredictable, delicate and unforgettable place both above and below the sea. Be engaged by close-up interactions with soaring sea birds, playful marine mammals and a diversity of life on Tasmania's temperate reefs. The adventure also includes a visit to culturally significant sites of past and present inhabitants. Behold the beauty of Freycinet Peninsula and discover Schouten Island on this memorable 3-hour adventure. Morning tea is included and prepared by the team of chefs at Saffire.

Included in your Saffire accommodation is a broad range of activities that will offer innovative options for all styles of travelers and moods. These activities last from one to three hours and are your opportunity to engage and connect with this stunning location. From adventure to romance, rejuvenation to exploration, Saffire's activities add greater depth and dimension to your stay.

Takeoff to Kangaroo Island and continue on the next stage of your adventure. Your driver will take you directly to your accommodations on Kangaroo Island.

Southern Ocean Lodge offers guests a complete Kangaroo Island experience. With selected guided island experiences included in the tariff, all guests enjoy a personalized experiential touring itinerary of the island's unique natural attractions. A range of signature activities are offered daily allowing guests to encounter rich and varied wildlife, indulge in world-class food and wine and discover the island's unique natural attractions, often with exclusive access and always with a touch of luxe. 

A menu of bespoke experiences provides further opportunity for exploration. These are some of the options offered by the lodge (not all options are offered every day, information will be available at time of stay):

Wonders of Kangaroo Island is a half day experience, and a spectacular introduction to the island's wildlife, maritime heritage and stunning coastal landscapes. Cape du Couedic Lighthouse, Remarkable Rocks, Admirals Arch and a fur seal colony are just some of the trip highlights. Wander amongst the rare Cape Barren Geese and search the leafy eucalypts for a sleepy koala.

Seal Bay is home to Australia's third largest colony of Australian sea lions. Join a naturalist guide for an exclusive tour on the beach with these wild animals. Learn about their unique breeding cycle and the ongoing research programs implemented on site. After your up close and personal experience relax with morning tea at the picturesque Vivonne Bay.

The Coastal Clifftop Walk is a scenic walk starting on the Lodge's doorstep atop the limestone cliffs of Hanson Bay. This easy walk affords a bird's eye view of thundering waves crashing along the coastline. Stand on top of the cliff with the wind blowing, look out to sea and realize there is nothing but ocean between here and Antarctica. Experience and learn about local flora, fauna and coastline ecosystems. This is a photographer's dream.

Kangaroos; Kanapés. Soak up the history of the early island settlers at Grassdale, a historic island property reached by a short drive from the Lodge and where local wildlife including kangaroos and wallabies congregate to graze. Observe these creatures in their natural environment, sip premium South Australian beverages and nibble on a 'Kanapé' whilst the sun goes down on another magical day.

Discover the intriguing Natural Heritage of this wild island in the Baudin Lounge. This informative visual presentation hosted by resident naturalist staff provides insight into the island's discovery and natural history as well as giving an overview of its many spectacular attractions. Refresh with a sunset drink at the convivial Lodge Bar.

Takeoff to Adelaide for the next stage of your adventure. On arrival you will be transferred to your accommodation in Adelaide by private vehicle. 

Takeoff to Hamilton Island and continue on the next stage of your adventure.

Arrive at Hamilton Island Airport and make your way through the terminal. The luxury launch will take around one hour to transfer from Hamilton to Hayman Island.

Hayman Island is a private island resort in the heart of the Whitsundays. The nearest island to the Great Barrier Reef, Hayman Island is ideal for nature based activities and exceptional guest experiences. Featuring 182 guest rooms, suites, villas and penthouses across three main accommodation wings, Hayman Island provides guests the ultimate in barefoot luxury. Restaurants and bars offer an array of local and international cuisine, while the spa and water-sports facilities complete the island experience. Perfect for families, couples and honeymooners, the resort also provides an idyllic setting for a wide range of celebrations and events.

Hayman Island Water Activities
Hayman Island offers a range of activities and excursions for you to do as much, or as little, as you want during your stay.

Island Escapes: An excursion not to be missed - take advantage of the many surrounding beaches and allow our staff to recommend a beach that suits your desires for an hour, or a day. Order a picnic lunch through In Room Dining, pick up snorkeling gear or just a towel, spend the day snorkeling or sun tanning and return feeling totally refreshed.

Sunset Escapes: The Whitsundays are blessed with some of the most spectacular sunsets in the world. Relax and sip champagne, nibble on your cheese platter and reminisce about your special holiday on Hayman. The watersports crew will advise the best beach options available on the day and then pick you up just after sunset.

Whitehaven Beach Experience: Cruise on one of Hayman's Luxury Vessels to the beautiful silica sands of Whitehaven Beach. Swim, sunbathe or stroll along the 6 kilometers of pure white silica beach on uninhabited Whitsunday Island. A tantalizing buffet lunch, with beverages, will be served onboard.

Dive and Snorkel Day Tours: The Whitsunday Islands unlock easy access to the Great Barrier Reef’s stunning, colorful underwater world of coral and marine-life. With ideal water temperatures all year round, you can explore the huge biodiversity of species and habitats that make it one of the most complex natural systems on Earth.

Guided Jet Ski Adventures: Join your qualified and experienced jet ski guide on an epic 1 hour jet ski adventure, where you will drive your own jet ski around the waters of Hayman Island, seeing sea turtles and other marine life up close. This adrenaline-packed adventure combines jet skiing with a spectacular scenic tour of the north Queensland islands. With small group sizes and highly trained and qualified guides, you will receive a comprehensive safety briefing before heading out on the water.

Fishing: The charter fishing boat features an array of rods, reels and tackle.  Our experienced crew are available to take you game fishing or bottom fishing for half or full day charters.

Kayaking: Join a tropical expedition among island fringing reefs. Paddle at a leisurely pace to any one of the local islands, snorkel over coral gardens teeming with fish, wander along pristine beaches, or simply relax and take it all in. This eco tour gives you the opportunity to enjoy the unspoiled beauty of this unique world heritage Marine Park.

Takeoff to Sydney and continue on the next stage of your adventure.

Depart from your Sydney hotel to discover the fabulous city of Sydney on a half day tour by private vehicle. You will travel through the business district and shopping areas, see Darling Harbour and the vibrant China Town and drive along Oxford Street with its trendy terrace houses and boutique fashion shops. See Centennial Park, a 220-hectare urban parkland in Eastern Sydney. Reaching the coastline, see Bronte and Tamarama, then go on to explore the famous Bondi Beach. Spend 30 minutes walking the promenade or enjoying a coffee overlooking the beach. Continue along the coastal drive past Macquarie Lighthouse to the Southern Headland of Sydney Harbour. Visit Watsons Bay before following the harbor foreshore towards Sydney City. Pass some of Australia's most exclusive waterfront suburbs where harbor mansions may be seen. Drive through Vaucluse, Double Bay before reaching the colorful Kings Cross. Head through Woolloomooloo and see the famous Harry's Cafe De Wheels. Visit Sydney's Botanical Gardens and enjoy some spectacular Harbour Bridge and Opera House views. Return to Sydney's CBD via Saint Mary's Cathedral, historic convict buildings, State Parliament House and the historical quarter of the 'Rocks'.

Your long lunch experience will begin with a welcome from your crew as you board the luxury cruiser, Ocean Blue, and depart out on Sydney Harbour. As you cruise past the world-famous landmarks including the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House the crew will be on hand to tell you about the past and modern-day history of the harbor. See Woolloomoolloo Bay, home of the Australian Navy’s Sydney Base Garden Island, then venture further down the harbor cruising past Double Bay and Point Piper which are the locations of the most expensive homes in Sydney. Cruise past Clarke and Shark Islands which are two national parks in the middle of the harbor, with Rose Bay to the right. Pass by Vaucluse for your appetizer and stop at the renowned Doyles on the Beach at Watsons Bay. Disembark and head down the wharf to the restaurant where you will have a choice of appetizers and a selection of beverages to choose from. The crew will welcome you back on board to then cruise past the opening of Sydney Heads with Manly off to the right and then go around Middle Head to enter Middle Harbour. Stop at the Balmoral Jetty where you will disembark again for your main course at the Balmoral Public Dining Room. After lunch, the boat will then head up to Spit Bridge and beyond to see some amazing landscapes and homes perched on the cliffs of Sydney’s upper-class North Shore district. Whilst onboard one of the best lunch cruises in Sydney Harbour, you will be able to enjoy delicious desserts and a cheese platter. Your return will be back through Middle Harbour, then re-enter the main harbor where you will see the Northern shores of Sydney Harbour. Cruise past Taronga Zoo and the prime minister’s house.

Ahead of your flight you will be transferred to Sydney Airport by private vehicle.