Australia's Big Five

After enjoying complimentary airport lounge access, depart the UK on your overnight flights to Sydney.

On arrival into Sydney, transfer to your city accommodation. If time permits, take a short orientation walk around Circular Quay to enjoy views of the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge. Perhaps stroll through the historic Rocks district, home to sandstone buildings, boutique shops and local galleries.

Stay: TBA

After breakfast, travel to the Southern Highlands, a region celebrated for its rolling hills, waterfalls and abundant native wildlife. Visit Fitzroy Falls, a dramatic 81-metre waterfall surrounded by forest walking trails. Spend the afternoon encountering kangaroos, wallabies, wombats and emus in their natural habitats. As dusk approaches, search for platypuses in quiet waterways, before heading out on a nocturnal spotlighting adventure to discover possums, gliders and other nocturnal wildlife. The day offers a rich mix of scenery, wildlife encounters and conservation-focused exploration.

Stay: TBA

Today you will fly to Melbourne for a chance to explore the city’s blend of heritage and modernity. Visit Federation Square, home to cultural institutions and outdoor art installations. Wander through the city’s laneways to discover street art, boutique shops and a bustling café culture. For museum lovers, the National Gallery of Victoria offers Australian and international works, while the Royal Botanic Gardens provide a peaceful escape right in the city centre. Be sure to visit the Yarra River for scenic riverside walking trails with city skyline views.

Stay: TBA

Travel east to the Gippsland Lakes, a RAMSAR-listed wetland of international importance. Explore the waterways and estuaries by foot or boat, observing waterbirds such as swans, herons and pelicans. Then, you'll pay a visit to Raymond Island, a small island renowned for its koala population, and participate in conservation activities while spotting native birds and marsupials. Forest walks and coastal trails offer views of kangaroos, echidnas, and a variety of seabirds along the shoreline.

Stay: Snowy River Homestead

Over the next two days, immerse yourself in diverse landscapes, from dry forests to lush temperate rainforests, hiking alongside the Snowy River and through verdant gullies where you may encounter parrots, goannas, wallabies, and honeyeaters. In the warm temperate rainforests, keep an eye out for topknot pigeons, superb lyrebirds, gang-gang cockatoos, turquoise parrots, and azure kingfishers, and contribute to wildlife surveys in recently burnt areas to support local conservation. Explore a secluded beach with dune systems, watching for ocean-going birds and Australian fur seals, and enjoy evenings of nocturnal spotlighting to spot possums, bandicoots, and gliders. Meals are served in a classic Aussie pub or homestead dining room, offering hearty regional fare.

Stay: Snowy River Homestead

Begin the day at the mouth of the Snowy River, taking in the coastal scenery and observing birdlife along the estuary. Continue to Bairnsdale’s Krowathunkoolong Keeping Place, which showcases the culture, history and traditions of the local Gunaikurnai people. Along the river, spot grey-headed flying foxes and learn about the interconnection of wildlife and Aboriginal culture in the region.

Stay: TBA

Depart the Snowy River and fly to Adelaide, connecting onward to Kangaroo Island. Settle into your lodge and enjoy a brief orientation of the island’s environment, known for its wildlife and diverse habitats. Depending on timing, take a short walk to observe the surrounding landscapes and local birdlife, preparing for the next day’s wildlife adventures.

Stay: Kangaroo Island Lodge

Begin the day exploring Cygnet Valley’s eucalyptus forests and surrounding farmland, home to koalas, wallabies, and a variety of parrots. Enjoy a freshly prepared seafood barbecue in a natural setting before visiting Seal Bay Conservation Park. Here, observe a large sea-lion colony in its natural habitat and learn about their behaviour, conservation, and the coastal ecosystem they rely on. Optional short walks along sandy beaches provide further opportunities for spotting shorebirds and learning about coastal habitats.

Stay: Kangaroo Island Lodge

Travel to Flinders Chase National Park, located in the south-west of Kangaroo Island and renowned for its rugged wilderness and dramatic coastal scenery. Visit Remarkable Rocks, granite formations sculpted by wind and sea over thousands of years. Spot native bird species such as gang-gang cockatoos and honeyeaters, and enjoy a picnic lunch amid the park’s pristine environment. Coastal and forest walks offer opportunities to see wallabies and echidnas today.

Stay: TBA

Leave Kangaroo Island and fly to Launceston in northern Tasmania, where you can visit the Tasmanian Arboretum to observe platypuses in their natural habitat alongside a wide variety of native birds. Travel through scenic farmland to Cradle Mountain National Park, stopping in Sheffield to admire its famous murals celebrating Tasmanian life and culture, before arriving at Cradle Mountain to take in the stunning alpine landscape as evening falls.

The following day, explore the iconic landscapes of Cradle Mountain, including Dove Lake and its surrounding trails, encountering endemic wildlife such as wombats, echidnas, and pademelons along forested paths. Expert guides share insights into the unique ecology of this alpine region, from ancient forests to glacial lakes, while walks range from easy lakeside strolls to more rugged forest tracks, offering both gentle exploration and immersive wilderness experiences.

Stay: Cradle Mountain Hotel

Travel across Tasmania’s rugged west coast to the historic town of Strahan, stopping in Zeehan to explore the West Coast Heritage Museum and discover the region’s mining and industrial history. Continue through scenic landscapes to Strahan, where the harbour front and surrounding rainforest offer a tranquil introduction to the area, followed by an evening at leisure to stroll the waterfront or relax in your accommodation.

Stay: Strahan Village

Board the West Coast Wilderness Railway for a heritage steam train journey through rainforest or, if preferred, take a scenic cruise along the Gordon River. Stop at waterfalls and lookouts along the way, before arriving at Mount Field National Park. Take short walks in the park to see waterfalls and temperate rainforest species, before enjoying a farewell dinner nearby.

Stay: Mount Field Retreat

The following day, explore Mount Field’s temperate rainforest and alpine moorlands, home to towering flowering trees, platypuses and endemic bird species. Take one last walk through moss-covered forests or along quiet streams before concluding your journey in Hobart, reflecting on the diversity of landscapes, wildlife, and cultural experiences encountered throughout Australia.