Southern Wildlife Air Safari

Departing Moorabbin airport at 9.00am, a short flight will have you in Bairnsdale, gateway to the beautiful Lakes District in Gippsland. This region is protected by the International Ramsar Convention and is a key habitat for waterbirds such as black swans, chestnut teals, Australian shelducks, musk ducks, as well as several species of tern.

Travel by ferry from Paynesville to Raymond Island, sanctuary to a host of native animals and a thriving koala population. Embark on a guided walk through local forest looking for koalas, echidnas, wallabies, kangaroos and the rich birdlife of parrots, robins, whistlers and honeyeaters.

Further east, visit Lakes Entrance for stunning views over the lakes and Bass Strait. Look out for Burrunan dolphins, Australian fur seals and abundant waterbirds.

After dinner overlooking an estuary, travel to Orbost, in Snowy River country.

2 nights: Orbost Motel

Explore the diverse habitats of the East Gippsland wilderness. Visit warm temperate rainforests in search of king parrots, superb lyrebirds, eastern whipbirds, satin bowerbirds, robins and whistlers. Dry forests and grasslands may produce kangaroos and wallabies.

Walk through coastal heathland and along a forest-lined river in Cape Conran coastal park. Keep an eye peeled for white-bellied sea eagles, various parrots, kingfishers and also goannas, bluetongues and other skinks.

You’ll have a unique opportunity to spend a little time on a beautiful and remote beach removing an invasive species, Sea Splurge. This improves dune stability, coastal forests and seabird habitats. Gloves will be provided.

Visit a lookout where the mighty Snowy River meets the sea, and dine at the Marlo Pub. After dinner, weather permitting, a spotlight drive and walk might produce wombats, possums, gliders, bandicoots and owls. 

Travel back to Bairnsdale and walk along a river to look for grey-headed flying-foxes in their daytime roosts - a large colony is usually here in the summer months. Visit Krowathunkooloong Keeping Place cultural centre, to learn about how the original inhabitants have lived amongst these captivating landscapes for thousands of years.

After lunch, rejoin your aircraft for a flight to The Vale in central Tasmania, then drive to the iconic Cradle Mountain Lodge. In the Cradle Mountain National Park, you may spot Tasmanian devils, quolls, platypus, echidna, wombats, and the highly inquisitive black currawong, and a three night stay allows you to relax in this stunning region.

After an early dinner, head to Devils@Cradle for a private sunset experience—a Tasmanian devil feeding session, a behind-the-scenes look at the animal nursery, and some close encounters with some of their youngest residents. Finish with drinks around the campfire serenaded by alpine devils’ calls.

3 nights: Cradle Mountain Lodge, contemporary spa cabin

Head up to the stunning Dove Lake for a stroll on the boardwalk. Then explore the historic Waldheim Chalet and the ancient rainforests that surround it. After a picnic lunch, a gentle walk will take you to Pencil Pines Falls and Knyvet Falls.

Next, visit the Cradle Mountain Wilderness Gallery and finally, the Cradle Mountain Visitor Centre offers an interpretive display, a ranger station, and a park history.

Back to the hotel, settle into the Highland Restaurant for a Whisky Masterclass before a delicious dinner. 

This morning is at leisure – relax on your balcony, indulge at the Waldheim Spa or stroll the walking tracks around the hotel. The Enchanted Walk, near the hotel, starts near the bridge crossing Pencil Pine Creek and meanders through magical, mossy forest, along a cascading creek. If you’re lucky, you might see pademelons and wombats on the edges of the forest.

Then travel to Mole Creek. After a café lunch, visit Mole Creek Caves in the Mole Creek Kast National Park, for a tour of the magnificent Marakoopa Cave. The Underground Rivers and Glow Worms Tour highlights the sparkling crystals, reflective pools, stalactites and stalagmites of the lower chamber. Take time to listen to the music of underground creeks and soak up the silence of abandoned river passages.

Dinner this evening is a special five course tasting menu in Highland Restaurant.

Leave Cradle Mountain early this morning, enroute to Kangaroo Island. Fly along the coast of Victoria and South Australia, with unique views over the 12 Apostles on the way.

The best way to see 'KI' is by 4WD, and Exceptional KI Tours will show you the best of this stunning island. After a seafood BBQ lunch, travel east and take in the views of Pelican Lagoon and Pennington Bay. Late afternoon, enjoy canapes and a glass of sparkling wine before transferring to your hotel in American River.

River Suites is a boutique hotel with only eight rooms, recently completely renovated, offering gorgeous bush and water views plus a magnificent restaurant. Finish off the day with a delicious dinner in this tranquil location.

2 nights: The River Suites, waterview superior room

Begin with a guided walk of Seal Bay, one of the best places in the world to get up close to Australian sea lions in the wild.

On to the iconic Flinders Chase National Park at the island's western end, to see the impressive Admirals Arch and the sculptured granite Remarkable Rocks. Enjoy a picnic lunch before returning to American River in the late afternoon.

This evening, you’ll be treated to a seven course Degustation dinner with matching wines at your hotel.

Visit Emu Ridge Eucalyptus Oil Distillery, then have a look around the town of Kingscote before the award-winning KI Spirits gin distillery.

The afternoon will be spent flying to Esperance in WA, with a few refuelling/ leg-stretching stops along the way.

2 nights: Comfort Inn Bay of Isles, deluxe room

Cruise through eight islands in the Recherche Archipelago, experiencing the spectacular wildlife up-close in their natural environment. Regular sightings include New Zealand fur seals, Australian sea lions, Cape Barren geese, dolphins, sea eagles and whales.

Later, picnic lunch hampers in hand, visit Cape Le Grand National Park's ancient, rugged coastline with large granite outcrops and idyllic white beaches. On a visit to Australia's whitest beach, Lucky Bay, you may encounter inquisitive kangaroos roaming the shores. Hellfire Bay boasts incredible turquoise water, with the Recherche Archipelago providing a stunning backdrop.

After a very early start, fly on to Bremer Bay, the best place to spot orca in Australia. Cruise to the edge of the continental shelf on a purpose built vessel to discover the ocean’s apex predator, the Bremer Bay orca (killer whale). The Bremer Canyon Sub-Basin is host to the largest congregation of top-of-the-food-chain orcas in the Southern Hemisphere, with multiple family pods calling this stretch of coastline home - 200-300 individuals!

Back to the plane, continue west to Albany.

3 nights: Hilton Garden Inn Albany, king partial harbour view room

On an easy walk, explore the majestic landscape of Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve east of Albany. This reserve was created to protect the endangered noisy scrub bird and other animals, including the potoroo. Banksia, cowslip orchids, painted ladies and sticky tailflowers colour the landscape. Have a picnic lunch in the park, then some leisure time back at the hotel.

Oranje Tractor Wine is the venue for a special afternoon/evening. This organic, regenerative, carbon negative vineyard also produces vermouth with ingredients from the garden. First a tour to learn how, and why, they operate, then settle in with a few vermouth-based cocktails and tapas as the sun sets over this stunning property. Glorious!

Tour the native bushland of Torndirrup National Park, walking amongst peppermint trees, acacias and banksia in the rich coastal heathland. At the iconic Gap and Natural Bridge, feel the exhilarating force of crashing waves on rock.

Visit the National ANZAC Centre, an interactive museum commemorating the service people involved in the Great War.

Later, Noongar guides will take you on a leisurely walk on Corndarup (Mt Clarence) to learn about the Manang heritage and cultural traditions.

Travelling back east this morning, land at Forrest on the Nullarbor for a tour and lunch. Forrest is on the train line that services the Indian Pacific and freight trains; this tiny remote town is full of history.

On to Port Lincoln, known as the seafood capital of Australia. Stroll down to the foreshore for a delicious dinner at Fumo 28.

2 nights: Port Lincoln Hotel, ocean view balcony room

Drive to Coffin Bay for a wonderful day on a private, luxury, barefoot catamaran cruise to swim with dolphins. Sail out into the heart of stunning Coffin Bay to the home of the majestic and playful resident Burrunan Dolphins. Cruise through the most beautiful part of the sheltered waterways of the bays. Once at the dolphin swim area, you can hop into the swim net out the front of the boat or the mermaid tow lines at the back, with the chance to do both. You will be engaging with wild dolphins in their natural environment - they do not pursue, feed or train them. The nature of these interactions can differ based on the dolphins' interest and curiosity during each trip.

In the afternoon, visit Yarnbala. Take a guided walk-through nature and discover the untouched grassy sheoak woodland, a critically endangered ecological community. Forage for bushtucker and try your hand at water divining. Keep your eyes peeled for emu and a range of local and migratory birds. Relax at a central meeting place, surrounded by a fire while listening to the soothing sounds of the didgeridoo. You may have the chance to observe Australia’s cutest animal in the native pygmy possum breeding program.

Dine on local delicacies at chef Kris Bunder’s famous Del Giornio’s Café, overlooking Boston Bay.

Visit Mikkira Station Koala Sanctuary for morning tea with the wild koalas. Wander through the bushland for some bird watching and flower spotting.

Back into Port Lincoln, lunch at L'anse French restaurant, then it’s time to fly home to Melbourne, replete with photos and memories of the wildlife of Southern Australia.