Sydney- Hervey Bay- Fraser Island
Our adventure begins with an early morning departure from Bankstown Airport- destination: the coastal town of Hervey Bay, gateway to the Great Barrier Reef. On arrival we are met by our guide and transfer by barge across to Fraser Island, the world's largest sand island.
Our island tour takes us into the lush central rainforest, past many freshwater lakes that abound on this island paradise, to the coast. At the conclusion of the day we arrive at our accommodation, the Kondari Resort, with its 25-acre fauna and flora sanctuary.
Hervey Bay- Mackay- Charters Towers
Today's flight is along the coast, passing such regional centres as Gladstone and Rockhampton, stopping in Mackay to refuel. We then head over the Leichardt Ranges to Charters Towers. Founded with the discovery of gold, the town retains its original 1800's character with such buildings as the Stock Exchange. The remainder of the day is spent exploring the colonial history of this unique town.
Charters Towers- Mareeba- Cooktown
We head further North, crossing the Lumholtz National Park and the Atherton Tablelands to Mareeba, home of the tobacco industry in Australia. After refueling the aircraft heads to the coast and descends to around 1 000 feet as we fly past the Daintree and Cape Tribulation into Cooktown.
The remainder of the day is spent exploring this historic town. It was in 1770 that Captain James Cook nearly came to grief when his ship, the Endeavour, ran aground and subsequently was beached for repairs.
Cooktown- Horn Island- Thursday Island
The flight today is probably one of the highlights of the tour, flying along the coast to the very top of Australia. From an altitude of 1 000 feet we see the ever changing colour of the water as coral reefs replace deeper water. Of particular interest is Lizard Island below us and Cook's Passage.
Upon landing at Horn Island we transfer by ferry across to Thursday Island, famed for its pearling industry. After lunch we tour around the island, including a visit to Fort Victoria on Green Hill; the Japanese Memorial and the many unique churches and buildings typical to the Torres Strait.
Horn Island- Gove- Darwin
The first part of the flight is across the very roof of Australia, the Gulf of Carpentaria, to our lunch stop of Gove (Nhulunbuy).
Afer take off below us is the coastal fringes of Arnhem Land, and then Kakadu National Park. Of particular interest is Jim Jim Falls, easily recognised as a natural icon.
Finally the aircraft arrives in Darwin, quasi-capital of Northern Australia. The afternoon is free to explore this wonderful city and to mingle with the locals
Darwin
Today we travel by road South to Adelaide River where the American and Australian military relocated after the bombing of Darwin. A potent reminder of these times is the Adelaide River War Cemetery and Snake Gully Ammunition Depot. Next we head into Litchfield National Park. Of particular interest are the Magnetic Termite Moulds; Florence; Tolmer and Wangi Falls and the "Lost City".
Darwin- Melville Island
Today we cross the Clarence & Beagle Straits to what is the second largest island off the Australian coast after Tasmania- Melville Island, part of the Tiwi group. The day is spent exploring the island, meeting the Tiwi people and experiencing their unique culture, including a "bush tucker" lunch for the more adventurous.
Melville Island- Wyndham- El Questro
Our journey now begins heading South-West along the coastline past such well-known settlements as Daly River and the spectacular Bonaparte Gulf. We stop at Wyndham to refuel the aircraft before flying on to El Questro Station set in the Durack Ranges.
El Questro- Broome
After take-off the aircraft heads across the Kimberley Plateau to Cape Bougainville and then skirting around the coast at 1 000 feet into Derby to refuel before flying on to Broome. The remainder of the day is free to experience this unique town.
Broome- Port Headland- Newman
This morning the aircraft skirts Eighty Mile beach passing Cape Brossult and into Port Headland. Here we spend time exploring the town and its surrounds, lunch is naturally by the water with the giant ore loader working consistently.
This afternoon the flight follows the rail line, where below you can see the mile long ore trains snake across the landscape. At Newman we join our guide for the tour of the town and the giant open cut iron ore mines that make Newman so famous.
Newman- Shark Bay- Monkey Mia
The change of scenery today goes from the rich reds of the desert to the bright blue of Shark Bay. For the first part of the flight we cross the fabled Pilbra and Mt Augusta National Park, finally arriving in Denham. This region has had a long history of European activity, and it was here in 1616 that Dirk Hartog nailed his famous pewter plate to a post. This afternoon we explore Shark Bay, including the world famous Hamelin Pool. Overnight is at Monkey Mia, opposite where the renowned dolphins come inshore.
Denham- Geraldton- Rottnest Island
After leaving the Shark Bay region we follow the coast passing the sheer Zuytdorp cliffs, named after the Dutch ship that sank here in 1712, and on to Geraldton. Before landing. The aircraft overflies the Abrolhos Group where the Batavia sank in 1629. After landing we spend the rest of the day exploring this town. Late afternoon we head further coastal to Rottnest Island just off Perth.
Rottnest Island- Bunbury
The day is free to explore this island paradise. We expect to depart the island around 4:00pm and head for our overnight accommodation in Bunbury.
Bunbury- Margaret River- Cape Leeuwin
For the next two days we exchange the aircraft for a comfortable mini coach to enable us to fully appreciate this wonderful corner of Australia. Our first stop is the Margaret River, famed as one of Australia's finest grape and wine regions. The journey continues down to the very edge of Australia, Cape Leeuwin. Here you can see the merging of the Great Southern Ocean with the Indian and the remarkable riptide between them. Overnight is at Augusta set on the edge of Flinders Bay.
Augusta- Albany
The road journey continues with a visit to the Valley of the Giants, where we get to experience the grandeur of the magnificent Kauri trees. Further on we pass through towns such as Pemberton and Denmark concluding in Albany overnight.
Albany- Esperance
This morning we explore Western Australia's oldest settlement made famous for its once thriving whaling industry. Afternoon sees us return to the aircraft for the flight along the coast passing Fitzgerald River National Park into Esperance, founded in 1860 and renowned for its picture postcard blue waters.
Esperance- Eucla- Port Lincoln
We need to depart early this morning so we can appreciate the wonderful rugged coastline where the Nullabor Plain meets the Great Southern Ocean.
Here you will see cliffs that tower up to 400 feet above the pounding ocean. In addition the Southern Ocean is famous for its whale population- so whale sightings should be common. All of this can be seen at altitudes of between 500 and 1 500 feet, just off the coast.
The flight continues along the coast passing Ceduna and Coffin Bay, finally arriving at Port Lincoln on the Eyre Peninsular.
Port Lincoln- Kangaroo Island
This morning we spend time exploring South Australia's second largest city and Lincoln National Park. Mid afternoon we board the aircraft for the short flight across the southern end of Spencers Gulf to Kangaroo Island. The overnight accommodation is at Ellson's Seaview Hotel overlooking Backstairs Passage.
Kangaroo Island
The morning commences with a journey along the North coast covering Western River Cove, Snellings Beach, Stokes Bay, Wisanger and Emu Bay.
Around lunchtime we are in the Flinders National Park. After a BBQ we continue our sightseeing with the magnificent Admiralty Arch and the Remarkable Rocks. Of special interest is Seal Bay and, if we are lucky, the seal colony will be basking in the afternoon sun.
Kingscote- Strahan- Flinders Island
Today we fly South-East passing Mt Gambier and onwards to King Island to refuel prior to landing at Strahan. The scenery along the Tasmanian coast is absolutely spectacular with wild cliffs being pounded by the Southern Ocean.
At Strahan we transfer to our boat for the tour along Macquarie Harbour and the Gordon River. From the boat you will see why this world heritage region was fought over by various conservation groups.
Upon returning to the aircraft we fly across Cradle Mountain- Lake St Clair National Park to out destination Flinders Island. Our overnight accommodation is in the unique Flinders Tavern overlooking Franklin Sound.
Flinders Island- Sydney
This morning we join our guide Jimmy to explore this natural paradise. We commence with a visit to Wybalenna, the final home of the last of the Tasmanian native Australians. Lunch is at Trouser Point, a small headland overlooking a remote and beautiful beach hardly touched by humans.
Our final flight is across Bass Strait and along the NSW Southern coast and back to Bankstown.
Cost: $9 399
Single supplement: $899
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