FLINDERS RANGES & HEYSEN TRAIL WALKING

Stretching northwards from Adelaide is an ancient mountain range, the Flinders Ranges; a fractured, furrowed landscape where deep valleys covered with twisted cyprus pines drop away into sheltered creeks lined with majestic river gums. With the vibrant red and purple colours of the outback and some of the oldest rocks on earth, this sculpted landscape will take your breath away again and again.

Wildlife abounds in this special place, and the yellow-footed Rock-wallaby, once near extinction, is now thriving in the Flinders Ranges National Park. Kangaroos, euros, wallabies, emus, colourful parrots, kites and eagles all call the Flinders Ranges home. The traditional landowners of the Flinders Ranges have a rich cultural heritage and their connection with this place is passed from generation to generation through mythological tracks and songlines, which give spiritual meaning to the Flinders' physical landforms. This timeless land is very much alive.

HIGHLIGHTS:
Experience the Central & Southern Flinders Ranges • Stunning walks • Historical & cultural experience • Rich tapestry of flora & fauna

START:  Adelaide to Flinders Ranges,  SA
FINISH: Adelaide

DEPARTURE DATES:
09-14 May;
06-11 June;
04-09 Jul;
15-20 Aug 2009

DURATION:
6 days, 5 nights

COST:
AUD$1895

DEPARTURE POINT:
CBD hotel pick-ups,  08:00

ACCOMMODATION:
Twin share with shared facilities

MEALS:
5 x Breakfasts, 4 x Lunches, 3 x Dinners

INCLUDED:
Tour guide, transport ex Adelaide, full vehicle support, park entry fees, meals as indicated.

ADDITIONAL COSTS:
A fuel levy fee may apply to this tour – please refer to booking form for details.

Day 1
We depart Adelaide on our seven-hour journey to the Flinders Ranges via the townships of Port Wakefield, Port Augusta, Quorn and Hawker. We have our first introduction to the Flinders Ranges and the outback when we visit the Wadlata Outback Interpretive Centre en-route. We arrive at our accommodation at Rawnsley Park, a large outback pastoral property near Wilpena Pound, in time to settle in and enjoy our first outback sunset over a glass of wine. (D)

Day 2
Approx 9.2 km (5 hours return walking) Our first venture by foot into the Flinders Ranges. We walk through one of the most peaceful and scenic gorges in the Flinders Ranges, the Bunyeroo Gorge. With its permanent water supply, the gorge provides great opportunities for observing wildlife and interesting rock formations. Bullock teams and coaches transporting copper, mail and produce used the gorge in the 19th century to access the western plains. From Bunyeroo Gorge we make our way to the Wilcolo Valley, giving us stunning views of Wilpena Pound’s Eastern Wall. (B, L, D)

Day 3
Approx 9 km (4 hours return walking) We drive to Aroona Ruins, where the famous Australian artist Sir Hans Heysen, after whom the Heysen Trail is named, stayed on painting trips. We follow the Heysen Trail as it heads east over the Red Hill lookout and then turns south towards Brachina Creek. The views towards Wilpena Pound are superb! We follow beautiful Yuluna Creek back to Aroona. (B, L, D)

Day 4
Approx 10 km (5 hours return walking) Today we visit the historic copper mining town of Blinman, where its namesake, Robert Blinman, discovered copper in 1859. The copper mine was the largest in the Flinders and was operational until 1908. Many of the early settler cottages and buildings remain in the town. We continue our journey, through the Glass Gorge and in the afternoon we have the choice of following the creek to Blinman Pools or exploring Wilpena Pound. Tonight we enjoy local hospitality and a restaurant dinner at a Flinders Ranges favourite, the Woolshed at Rawnsley Park. (B, L)

Day 5
This morning we will enjoy a short walk around the Rawnsley Park surrounding area, before traveling to the Southern Flinders Ranges. Alligator Gorge is in the aptly named Beautiful Valley area, and we take a delightful walk through the Gorge. Tonight we stay overnight in Melrose, a picturesque town nestled at the base of Mount Remarkable. Our accommodation is at the North Star Hotel, the oldest licensed hotel in the Flinders Ranges. (B, L)

Day 6
Approx 10 km (5 hours walking) An early start this morning to hike to the summit of Mount Remarkable, where you’ll experience the sweeping views over the Willochra Plain and Spencer Gulf. We depart for Adelaide this afternoon, along the way passing through quaint and historical towns, along with the Clare Valley, where we’ll stop at Sevenhill Cellars, the oldest winery in the Clare Valley founded by Jesuits in 1851, with the purpose of producing sacramental wines. It has since expanded to produce red, white and fortified wines, as well as wines for religious use. We will arrive in Adelaide at approximately 6.30pm after a wonderful taste of the Flinders Ranges. (B)

THE GREAT OCEAN WALK

One of the world's great walks awaits you... The Great Ocean Road is a diverse landscape where nature's drama unfolds at every turn. With exquisite coastal scenery, mountains and farmland, thriving country towns, rainforests and historic relics, the Great Ocean Road reveals a little more of its vast beauty around each turn of the rugged coast.

Our walking tour takes advantage of the aptly named Great Ocean Walk, which sees almost 100 km of walking trails meandering through the National Parks and overlooking the Marine National Park and Sanctuary. The walk has been designed so that walkers 'can step on and step off the trail,' and we have selected walks that best highlight the drama and beauty of the landscape.

Deep in the Great Otway National Park is an oasis of fern gullies, giant rainforest trees and abundant native wildlife. Wallabies, koalas and echidnas live in the Otway Ranges and if you are lucky, you may even spot an exclusive platypus in a forest stream. Dotted along the coastline are lighthouses, reminders of the trecherous coastline scattered with shipwrecks. The Twelve Apostles rise dramatically from the sea, colossal limestone stacks more than 20 million years old.

This is a landscape that captivates, inspires and invigorates.

START:  Melbourne to Great Ocean Road, VIC
FINISH: Melbourne

DEPARTURE:
08-12 Feb;    14-18 Mar;
03-07 Oct;    22-26 Nov;
12-16 Dec 2009

DURATION:
5 days, 4 nights

COST:
AUD$2360

DEPARTURE POINT:
CBD hotel pick-ups,  13:00

ACCOMMODATION:
Twin share with shared facilities

MEALS:
4 Breakfasts, 5 Lunches, 4 Dinners

INCLUDED:
Tour guide, transport ex Melbourne, full vehicle support,
meals as indicated.

ADDITIONAL COSTS:
A fuel levy fee may apply to this tour – please refer to booking form for details.

Day 1
From Melbourne we will travel to the Otways, a natural haven for wildlife. Frequently sighted animals and birds include koalas, eastern grey kangaroos, swamp wallabies, possums, blue-winged parrots, sulphur-crested cockatoos, galahs and kookaburras. Many other species are seen on occasion and require more discreet observation. There are also a number of rare and threatened species surviving in the area.

Day 2
Our walking takes us from Cape Otway to Castle Cove. The wind sculpted slopes and cliff tops above Station Beach are traversed by a sandy track. Rainbow Falls is spring fed and cascades to rocky platforms below. Part of this walk features the Aire River estuary, rocky escarpments and stunning coastal views.

Day 3
Experience heathland, wildflowers, grasstrees and cliff top views as we walk from Castle Cove before arriving at the spectacular Johanna Beach. Lush valley views, country roads through farmland and forest, concluding at the unforgettable Milanesia Beach.

Day 4
The route starts on Milanesia Beach and climbs steeply to the cliff tops with sensational views, continuing through steep hills and coastal forests passing high sea cliffs. This track heads inland along country roads, through Blue Gums and farmland. It ends amongst the heath at the breathtaking Gables lookout.

Day 5
From the Gables, the track heads through the heath to Wreck Beach, passing the anchors and climbing above Devil’s Kitchen. Follow the Old Coach Road joining the walking track along cliff tops with impressive views of the Twelve Apostles. Soak in this amazing natural wonder before returning back to Melbourne.

KANGAROO ISLAND WALKING

It is a nature-lover's dream. Kangaroo Island is a microcosm of landscapes and environments: dramatic coastlines, sheltered beaches, pristine bushland, rolling farmland, dense forests, sweeping sand dunes, solitary lighthouses...

Here, you will see wildlife in its natural environment. Tammar wallabies, koalas, goannas, kangaroos, sea lions, fur seals and abundant birdlife all calling the island 'home.'

A thriving island community committed to eco-tourism and environmental sustainability will welcome you with its produce: honey, sheep's milk cheese, eucalyptus oil and wine are just some of the tempting gourmet delights found here.

From sunrise to sunset, you will be enthralled by nature at its very best here in the island paradise.

START: Adelaide to Kangaroo Island, SA
FINISH: Adelaide

DATES:
25 Feb-01 Mar;        20-24   Mar;      29 Apr-03 May;
16-20  May;              05-09 June;           09-13 Aug;
12-16 Sept;                 10-14   Oct;            07-11 Nov;
05-09 Dec 2009

DURATION:
5 days, 4 nights

COST:
AUD$1995

DEPARTURE POINT:
CBD hotel pick-ups, 07:30

ACCOMMODATION:
Twin share with shared facilities

MEALS:
4 x Breakfasts, 4 x Lunches, 4 x Dinners

INCLUDED:
Tour guide, return ferry, transport ex Adelaide, full vehicle support, park entry fees, meals as indicated.

ADDITIONAL COSTS:
A fuel levy fee may apply to this tour – please refer to booking form for details.

Day 1
Depart Adelaide, drive to Cape Jervis to catch the SeaLink ferry across to Penneshaw where we begin our island exploration. Get a view of the Island from Prospect Hill, before visiting a eucalyptus distillery to find out about the resourcefulness and enterprising spirit so common amongst the Island’s inhabitants. As we drive down to the Island’s southern coast, you’ll be able to take in the scenery as it changes from farmland to bushland and coastal scrub. A bird of prey display at Vivonne Bay allows you to get close to these amazing and graceful birds. (LD)

Day 2
A visit to Seal Bay this morning gets you right up close to an intriguing colony of Sea Lions as they laze and frolic on the beach. Kelly Hill Caves give an interesting insight into the geographical history of the Island. From here we set off on the Hanson Bay Hike, a 9 km walk through blue gum forest, mallee scrub, sand dunes and wetlands before reaching the river mouth at gorgeous Hanson Bay. (BLD)

Day 3
Spend today exploring Flinders Chase National Park, with great walking as well as visits to some of the icons of the island, including Remarkable Rocks and Cape du Couedic and a Fur Seal colony at Admiral’s Arch. Tonight is capped off with a nocturnal walk amongst some of the island’s furry inhabitants – koalas, wallabies and possums just to name a few! (BLD)

Day 4
Time for another walk this morning and a visit to the Little Sahara sand dune complex, before we make our way back to Penneshaw. We take an afternoon ferry across to the mainland. Tonight we stay nestled in the bushland of Deep Creek Conservation Park, at the base of the Fleurieu Peninsula. This afternoon is yours to explore the surrounding bushland. (BLD)

Day 5
Our final walk takes in the spectacular views of Deep Creek, from the hundred-year-old yaccas to the view across to Cape Willoughby on Kangaroo Island. Yellow-tailed black cockatoos are often seen (and heard!) as are rosellas and other birdlife. After you’ve enjoyed this final walk, we pass through the wine-growing McLaren Vale region before reaching Adelaide. (B)