Day 01
Today you will arrive at Grafton which is best reached by aeroplane from Sydney. Your travel agent will advise you on this and book it for you. Peter will pick you up at the Airport and take you to his small Hobby Farm called "Maneaba". Maneaba is situated approx. 12 km outside of town. You will feel at home straight away, enjoy the view from the hill, in no time make friends with Peter's horses and ponies who love to be spoilt and most likely spot your first kangaroos. This will be our base for the next few days from which we will explore the magnificent Northern Rivers area. We discuss our tour ahead and at dinner you will for the first time, enjoy Peter's cooking skills.

 

Accommodation Maneaba Farmstay      L/D

 

Day 02
After a sumptuous breakfast on the veranda we head out for our first day of exploring. Along the Gwydir Highway we travel up into the mountains. You will enjoy the ride through the picturesque Mann River Valley before the road climbs and we reach the World Heritage listed Washpool and Gibraltar National Parks. You will be simply amazed by the sudden changes from dry eucalypt forests into lush rainforests. We explore the parks along some of the many tracks available and enjoy our lunch in this unique environment. Later in the day we return to Grafton

 

Accommodation Maneaba Farmstay      B/L/D

 

Day 03
The calls of the many early birds will wake you up today. Peter has so far identified over 100 different bird species on his small property alone, some live here permanently, others turn up seasonal. Again we first enjoy our breakfast before driving off to the Northern Rivers coast which is regarded as one of the most beautiful and unspoilt coastal areas of NSW, mostly protected within the Yuraygir National Park. We stroll along the beaches and coastal tracks and enjoy a swim. Late afternoon we again return to Grafton

 

Accommodation Maneaba Farmstay      B/L/D

 

Day 04
Today we spend all day at Maneaba. Time to relax, explore the property and the wildlife present or have some fun with the ponies.

 

Accommodation Maneaba Farmstay      B/L/D
 

Day 05

Today we get up early as our journey into the Hinterland begins. We follow the road into the mountains up to Armidale. Along the way we stop at the Wollombi Falls lookout. Wollombi Falls is one of Australia's highest Waterfalls. How spectacular the falls will be depends however on the amount of rainfall received. Nevertheless the Gorge itself is spectacular. From Armidale we follow the Highway to Tamworth, Australia's Country Music capital. Here we leave the Highway and follow less travelled routes through rich farmland towards Coonabarabran. Late afternoon we arrive at Terrawinda, a 13 Km2 farming and grazing property owned and operated by my dear friends Herbert and Beatrice Wuersch.

 

Accommodation Terrawinda Farmstay      B/D

 

Day 06

Today we head into the nearby Wurrumbungle National Park. Mountains formed by volcanic activity a long time ago. Beautiful scenery and an abundance of wildlife are the highlights of this park. We have time for some exploration along the many walking trails At the entrance to the park, on top of the mountains also lies one of the largest astronomy observatories in the southern hemisphere. Late afternoon we return to Terrawinda and again enjoy the great hospitality of our hosts.
 

Accommodation Terrawinda Farmstay      B/L/D

 

Day 07
Today we spend all day at Terrawinda and receive an insight into the daily life of a farmer. Terrawinda approx 1300 hectares (3250 acres) in size is beautifully situated. The homestead is built right on top of a hill, overlooking the entire property. Up to 1400 cattle graze in the paddocks whereas part of the property is used to grow crops. Our hosts are very proud of what they have achieved through hard work over the years and are very pleased to give visitors an insight into their operation. Today's experiences and the genuine, warm hospitality are truly a highlight of this tour.

 

Accommodation Terrawinda Farmstay      B/L/D

 

Day 08
Today we enjoy our breakfast a little earlier than so far. Our longest day on the road is ahead of us. We continue our journey West. Via Gilgandra, Warren, Nyngen and Cobar we reach the famous Darling River at Tilpa. From there it is a short drive to Trilby Station, today's destination. Note: Trilby Station is only accessible during dry weather condition as rain turns the roads out here quickly into impassable mudslides. However it hardly ever rains out here anyway.

 

Accommodation Trilby Station Cottages      B/D

 

Day 09
Along the Darling River we follow remote tracks through this semi arid region. The sheep and cattle stations out here are huge and life stock share the land with the large Red Kangaroos and Emus of which we should see plenty today. We reach White Cliffs, the oldest opal mining town in Australia. We explore the old and new mine fields and get a true insight into the life of the "old timers" and the modern day miners. We stay at the magnificent PJ's Underground B&B. Peter will take a break from cooking today and we will all enjoy dinner underground, prepared by our host Joanne Pedler. (Dinner not included)

 

Accommodation PJ's Underground B&B    B/L

Day 10
After breakfast in our "Dougout" we visit Ron Foord and his family at Top Level Opal. Ron is one of a few professional miners in White Cliffs, chasing Opal for over 35 years. After that we depart from White Cliffs and again follow remote tracks towards today's destination, Broken Hill or the "Silver City" as it is called out here. Broken Hill is a mining town where Silver has been mined for over a Century. We check in at our motel and have time to enjoy and relax by the swimming pool. Dinner tonight is at a restaurant. (not included)

 

Accommodation Broken Hill, Motel    B/L

 

Day 11
Soon after leaving Broken Hill we cross the border into South Australia. We leave the Barrier Highway near Peterborough and drive through undulating hills to Quorn, a historic steam railway town at the foot of the Southern Flinders Ranges. Our accommodation for the next 2 days is only a short drive out of town. You will enjoy staying at Endiloe Lodge. The spacious lodge is built on the banks of a mainly dry creek bed which is lined with huge River Red Gums. These trees attract a lot of birds, cockatoos and parrots alike. Cockatoos often turn up in huge flocks at dawn and dusk. A magnificent spectacle to watch.

 

Accommodation Endiloe Lodge    B/L/D

 

Day 12

No need to pack up today. We will stay another night at the lodge. We depart as early as possible for our excursion to the Flinders Ranges National Park. Via Hawker we reach this magnificent mountain range. We follow the western slopes to the Brachina Gorge where the many different rock formations reveal the ancient geological past of this area. The drive through Bunyeroo Gorge and the views from the various lookouts are simply breathtaking. A short stroll into Sacred Canyon brings us to some ancient aboriginal rock carvings. Later in the afternoon we return to Quorn and once more enjoy our accommodation at Endiloe Lodge.

Accommodation Endiloe Lodge     B//LD

 

Day 13

We continue our journey and travel further South. We soon leave the semi arid area and travel through South Australia's wheat belt before reaching the Clare Valley wine region. Near Clare we visit the historic Seven Hills winery before travelling on to the famous Barossa Valley, Australia's oldest wine producing region. Depending on our time of arrival we may visit another winery this afternoon.

 

Accommodation  Cottage Barossa Valley     B/D

 

Day 14
We leave the Barossa Valley and follow less travelled roads through the picturesque Adelaide Hills. By lunch time we reach Victor Harbour where your guide will  take on fresh supplies for the last few days while you enjoy a walk out to Granite Island. Later in the afternoon we drive along this magnificent coastline and then reach the Deep Creek Conservation Park. We stay at a beautiful homestead right at the edge of the park. The natural surrounding is home to lots of kangaroos and many colourful birds.

Accommodation Deep Creek Homestead     B/D

Day 15
Waking up in this beautiful valley, the luxury homestead to enjoy, a wonderful way to start the day. After breakfast we set out to explore the Deep Creek Conservation Park by car and on some of the walks. Wild coastal scenery, lush green forests and plenty of wildlife are the highlights of the day.

Accommodation Deep Creek Homestead      B/L/D

Day 16
An early start is necessary today. We do not want to miss the ferry to Kangaroo Island. We depart the homestead at around 8.00 am for the ferry which departs from nearby Cape Jervis. It takes about 50 minutes to reach the island. We have time for a coffee before our exploration of this natural wonder begins. We first drive to seal bay for another highlight. We visit the Australian Sea-lion colony where we are able to walk amongst them right on their own beach. After that we climb some white sand dunes at the nearby Little Sahara before continuing on to the Flinders Chase National Park. We drive right to the south-western tip of the Island and spend the following 2 nights at one of the historic lighthouse keeper's cottage.

Cottage  Accommodation Cape de Couedic     B/L/D

Day 17
We spend our last few days on this magnificent Island. We explore the Flinders Chase National Park by car and on walks. There is so much to see. Wild coast lines, the Remarkable Rocks formation, forests, seal colonies, koalas and an abundance of other wildlife. Surely an appropriate finale for this remarkable tour.
 

Cottage  Accommodation Cape de Couedic     B/L/D

 

Day 18

Another day to further explore the natural wonders of Kangaroo Island. We cross the Island back to Penneshaw for our last overnight stay. Time to reflect on our wonderful journey together.

Cottage Accommodation      B/D

Day 19
Our last day on the tour has arrived. After breakfast we catch the ferry at 10.30 am and sail back to the mainland. We stop for lunch on the way back to Adelaide where the tour ends with the transfer to your hotel.

 

Clients who wish to travel to their next destination on the day of arrival in Adelaide should seek advise from Terra Australis Safaris or their Travel Agent. Terra Australis Safaris cannot guarantee exact departure/arrival times and cannot be held responsible for missed connections etc.

I HOPE THAT WITH THIS TOUR I WILL BE ABLE TO SHOW YOU THE UNIQUE BEAUTY OF THE AUSTRALIAN CONTINENT, ITS FAUNA AND FLORA AND THAT YOU WILL DEPART WITH MANY UNFORGETTABLE MEMORIES - Peter Hasler
 

Touring and sightseeing in small groups, travelling in modern, air-conditioned 4WD vehicle. All entry fees and activities according to the itinerary.

Competent expert guiding by Peter Hasler
 

All accommodation in selected, Lodges, Cottages, Motels, B&B etc. Daily sumptuous and healthy breakfast and delicious dinner, except 2 dinners as per Itinerary.
Cold lunches are provided in remote areas or where daily activities such as walks are undertaken during the day. In more populated areas, where possible, we stop for lunch at roadhouses, cafes etc. for a light lunch (not included). Snacks in-between, soft drinks and alcoholic beverages are NOT included.

 

On request, single accommodation is available (additional cost). However in 1-2 of the selected cottages single rooms may not be guaranteed, depending on the number of passengers travelling and rooms available. All cottages/lodges are used exclusively by the entire group. Bedrooms may be of variable size and differently furnished. Allocation of bedrooms depends on group composition (couples, singles) and may be rotated from cottage to cottage.