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A Unique and luxurious Australian Outback Safari
by Safari Experts

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Days 1-2     Park Hyatt - Sydney 2 nights

Arrive Sydney International Airport from New Zealand in the morning. Met and transfer to the Park Hyatt Sydney, located right on the waterfront in this beautiful city. After an early check in, you have these two days to spend at lyour eisure. Explore the nearby exclusive shopping precinct of Double Bay or stroll the cosmopolitan streets of Potts Point. From Circular Quay take a ferry trip to Darling Harbour or Balmain and discover many specialty stores, cafes, restaurants, museums and art galleries. Visit the zoo, take in a performance at the opera house…there are many options - stay as busy as you'd like. It is also possible to schedule tours such as Wild Escapes full day private guided tour of the harbour, Opera House, and Botanical gardens.

Days 3-6     Haggerstone Island - Great Barrier Reef

Transfer to Sydney Airport for your Qantas flight to Cairns. Meet and transfer to your charter flight to the stunning Haggerstone Island, arriving mid afternoon. Haggerstone Island is covered by lush jungle, with white sandy beaches and blue lagoons. Time for a late lunch, meet your hosts, Roy and Anna Turner, and settle in for your 4-night stay.

This evening enjoy an unforgettable sunset over the surrounding reef from the sundeck. Sip fine wines in the true wilderness, and then savour Anna's cooking in the 'dining room' - a sand cay at the end of the island. Most of the food is gathered and grown on the island. Retire to your own guesthouse - Robinson Crusoe style.

The island is yours to explore - its beauty will overcome you. For those who enjoy fishing it is fantastic at all levels - rod, reel or fly fishing, reef, ocean or river. As there is no human habitation anywhere nearby, the fishing grounds around are rarely disturbed. Bait is caught off the island beach.

Spear fishing is a popular method of food gathering. Reef fish and tropical crayfish are easily caught on nearby reefs. Bring your catch back to be cooked on the sundeck fireplace, accompanied by fine Australian Wines - sit back and relax.

After a tropical breakfast, there is snorkeling. Two incredibly clear lagoons display their beautiful coral gardens right at your doorstep, and the marine life is prolific. Adjacent to Haggerstone Island on the Barrier Reef is one of the largest Green Turtle rookeries in the world, and turtles are abundant in the waters off of Haggerstone Island. Anna and Roy have a 7-metre catamaran and 7-metre and 6-metre fiberglass boats available for all of your diving, fishing and exploring.

Go beachcombing on the adjacent mainland beaches; many miles of uninhabited virgin coastline are waiting to be explored or relax under a palm tree and read a book from the well-stocked library and listen to some classical music. Life is to be enjoyed!

Days 7-9     Davidson's Arnhemland Safaris Camp

Depart Haggerstone on your charter flight to Cairns, transfer for the flight to Darwin, to connect again to a 60-minute charter flight to Mount Borradaile. Flying over the spectacular scenery of the Top End World Heritage Wetlands of Kakadu National Park, monsoonal rainforests and paperbark stands act as a buffer to the adjacent alluvial floodplains and lily-covered waterways. This unique wilderness expedition is strictly limited to a small number of visitors into the region each week. You will be met and driven to camp. Davidson's Arnhemland Safaris Camp is an exclusive, remote and very comfortable safari camp in the Top End of Australia, nestled in a landscape of rugged ranges fringed by lily-covered billabongs.

The Aboriginal people are the traditional owners of the sacred Mount Borradaile and their world-renowned rock art is over 50,000 years old.

Your host at Davidson's Arnhemland Safaris Camp is Max Davidson who will reveal to you the legacy of Aboriginal Dreamtime Mythology. This is one of the most powerful cultural sites in Australia. The custodians have entrusted Max to share some of their treasures.

Davidson's base camp at Mt Borradaile is a haven for wildlife. The surrounds are some of the richest nature reserves Australia has to offer. Many diverse eco systems mean an abundance of flora and fauna for the keen observer. From the bird life and crocodiles of the waterways to the creatures of the bush this surely is one of the best places to see Australia's wildlife. You can also battle with the Barramundi in the billabongs, swim in a crystal clear rock pool high up in the escarpments and take a sunset billabong cruise complete with evening drinks and canapes-the choice is yours to do as little or as much as you wish.

Davidson's Camp has airy tents but due to environmental concerns, bathroom amenities are nearby in a block. All have power and external lighting. The tents are spaced in a wide semi circle around the social hub, a complex that incorporates briefing room, library, kitchen and dining area. Here you will discover the cultural history of the Australian Aboriginal people of Arnhemland, including renowned rock art and interpretation. You will cruise the waterways and wetlands by boat, viewing the areas plentiful birdlife and wildlife. Fishing in this isolated part of the world is fantastic for both novice and serious angler.

Days 10-12     Bullo River Station

Depart Mount Borridale on your two-hour charter flight to Bullo River Station. Situated in the top western corner of the Northern Territory, Bullo River Station is a 1/2 million-acre commercial cattle property, become friends with your hosts - Marlee (nee Henderson) and Franz Ranacher. Bullo has been in the Henderson family since the late 50s when Charles Henderson - a pioneering American - purchased the 1 million acre, undeveloped cattle property. On Bullo you will experience cattle station life in a very remote part of Australia. Marlee and Franz will be your guides throughout your stay - Bullo can be as daring or tranquil as you choose, they will find the perfect activity for you.

Here you rise early and breathe in the Outback air! Take a one-hour helicopter ride for an overview of this spectacular property. Overfly the Bullo River, which meanders for over 50 miles through a spectacular valley on the property. The river runs from the lush fresh water of the Bullo Gorge to the mighty salt-water tidal Victoria River.

Depending on seasonal work, you may get the chance to participate in a helicopter muster - experience "the real thing". Perhaps you will become a 'ringer, riding out in the trucks bull catching the wild scrubbers. This is a high adrenalin activity, flushing a wild bull from the undergrowth and then guiding it with the chopper toward the ground crew to capture in a cut down Land Rover.

Here you may choose to go fishing. The property has some of the best Barramundi fishing in the area. (Barramundi is Northern Australia's premier angling and eating fish). It is also abundant in bird life and native fauna because of the natural permanent waters. Go bird watching or search for salt-water crocodiles from your own boat guided by Franz. Go hiking into the escarpments and to the many secluded private billabongs and waterfalls that dot the landscape, or perhaps grab a picnic and cruise down the Gorge in the boat while taking in the landscape that is northern Australia.

It is the Australian Outback, sit back, relax and enjoy the unforgettable Southern hemisphere stars, while enjoying a classic barbecue.

Days 13-15     Longitude 131 - Uluru - Ayers Rock

After night in Darwin, depart on Qantas flights Alice Springs and Ayers Rock. Met and transfer to Longitude 131°, Australia's newest and most innovative camp in the Red Centre of Australia. 19th Century Western explorers who ventured into Australia's interior made camp every night by pitching their tents where they could. The canvas offered some protection from the elements, but for those adventurers by necessity were intimately aware of their environment, sleeping on red earth, and looking marveling - at the vast terrain and the dazzling desert sky. You can now share some of that pioneer sense of wonder without enduring any of the hardship! This is -a travel experience!

Everything about Longitude 131° in Australia's Red Centre is out of the ordinary. Not only will you fall asleep under the sweeping canopy of your luxury tent but you awaken to you own private view of the sun rising over Uluru. Should you feel like being more sociable, the Dun House at Longitude 131° is a superb setting in which to enjoy a quiet drink, a fine dining experience ,or to delve into their intriguing collection of books, maps and other artifacts of this rich area.

Catering to just 30 guests and set atop an isolated sand dune close the border of Uluru-Kata Tjunta National Park, Longitude 131° offers tented accommodation of the utmost luxury. Each tent at Longitude 131° backs up to the slope of the dune with the raw bush underneath the floor, and around the stilts.

Each tent has an island king-size bed with the tent ceiling, a canopy of gathered hopsack, which gives the tent an airy, large feel. The bathroom has ingenious features, like the long shallow sink suggesting a rock ledge.

Here you will watch the dawn light dance across the majestic domes of Kata Tjuta (the Olgas) before embarking on a spectacular walk through the Valley of the Winds, and learn about the role of Songlines in ancient cultures, while gaining a deeper understanding of your surroundings - from the awe-inspiring landscape to the constellations in the vast desert night sky.

Taking a botanical walk just after sunrise to learn about the dynamic ecology that exists in this harsh and beautiful environment, everyone is encouraged to identify the many different plants, tracks and wildlife as they smell, touch and taste their bush surrounds. Relax by the swimming pool in the daytime, and the open fire-pit in the cool desert evenings.

Days 16-17     Thorn Park - Clare Valley wine district

Depart on your flights through to Adelaide in South Australia. Drive two hours North into the Clare Valley. This area has been described as "the most unblemished wine region in Australia". Here you will enjoy private tastings at several of the spectacular local vineyards. Leigh offers guests the opportunity to be privy to many of the Valley's finest winemakers and their secrets.

You will arrive at Thorn Park in the evening. Thorn Park is set amid gently rolling hills and stately gum trees in the heart of the valley. Your hosts are David Hay and Michael Speers and they offer their guests an opportunity to relax and be pampered with warm hospitality and fine food and wines. Relax, unwind and admire the peaceful gardens.

Your tours will take you through the whole Clare Valley area. Visit the tiny Polish Township of Sevenhills, and the oldest winery in the Clare Valley, the historic Sevenhills Cellars. Meet the people behind the wine production and see the vineyards where the fruit ripens to produce such an inspiring taste. Lunch will be at Eldredge Vineyards whose restaurant is in a restored 1920's stone cottage set amongst huge gums and a lovely dam.

Day 18     Adelaide - North Adelaide Heritage Apartments

Drive into Adelaide (approx 1.5 hour drive) and your accommodations at North Adelaide Heritage Apartment.

Spend the night in your suite at the Fire Station Inn, a remarkable two story Victorian building built in 1866, converted to a fire station in 1904. It remained a fire station until its conversion by the Twiss family to luxury accommodations. It is a short walk to exceptional restaurants and the famous Perryman's bakery. Spend the afternoon and evening at your leisure to explore the area.

Days 19-21     Cliff House/Lifetime Retreats - Kangaroo Island

Transfer to Adelaide General Aviation for your short flight to Kangaroo Island's Kingscote airport. Here your hosts, Nick and Rachel Hannaford, will meet you. Their famous properties are known all over Australia for their unique charm and style. This afternoon you will relax and enjoy these spectacular surroundings.

Enjoy two days private touring with Adventure Charters for your "Island Life" and "Flinders Chase Focus" tours to explore this unique island with your professional naturalist guide. Travel in four-wheel drive comfort while visiting traditional destinations and remote places that only a local can show you. You will drive down endless red dirt roads, while your personal guide 'spins yarns' about shipwrecks, lighthouses and fridges being turned into mailboxes. At Sandy Bay watch adult sea lions snooze only meters away while their pups play in the surf. Walk through a Redgum forest at Cygnet River, smell the Eucalyptus and seek out koalas sleeping - and active feeding if you are lucky - in the forks of trees! Break for lunch and enjoy a crisp South Australian wine as your Guide cooks a gourmet lunch.

Visit remote D'Estrees Bay where ospreys' nest and kangaroos hop out to graze. Stand on a cliff top watching waves crashing onto the rocks - the first land they have encountered since Antarctica. In the evenings return to Lifetime Retreats for dinner. The Flinders Chase National Park, a 74,000-hectare wilderness, is home to kangaroos, possums, wallabies, goannas, echidnas koalas, platypus and many birds including rare Cape Barren geese. Lunch is always a luxurious picnic in the bush before visiting Cape du Couedic. You will also visit the historic lighthouse, Admirals Arch and Remarkable Rocks.

Days 22- 24     Park Hyatt Hotel - Sydney

You will be transferred this afternoon to Kingscote airport for departure to Adelaide. Met and transfer to the Qantas domestic airport to depart on Qantas to Sydney. Met by your driver and transfer back to the Park Hyatt Hotel.

Day 25     Return Home

Collected from the Park Hyatt and transfer to Sydney airport for your international flight home.


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