Step on board for a chance in a lifetime 4WD beach and bush safari on an island made purely of drifting sand, earning it declaration as a unique world heritage site.

Features

• A continental style breakfast available in your room will facilitate an early departure on a special 4WD beach safari to the iconic world heritage Fraser Island
• A day full of unique features on this the world’s largest sand island
• A scenic adventure taking in part of 140 kms of remote beaches washed by timeless rolling waves
• View beach cliff faces of multi-coloured sands
• Bump along sandy forest tracks for intimate encounters with flowering scrub and towering forests
• Relax and swim in a pristine freshwater lake “perched” in talc white sand
• View the massive creeping sand blows,
• Chance sighting of Australia’s pure bred Dingoes

Accommodation

Noosa Village motel with ensuite rooms

Meals

Continental breakfast in room

Tailgate M/Tea, A/Tea and BBQ Lunch on safari

Evening village restaurant dinner

Travel

Driving: 140 kms local 4WD Beach and Island Safari

Walking: Casual roaming at various feature island stops

A day of reflection passing through lush tropical farming scenery. View beautiful historic village buildings and nurture your expectations of the world heritage wonder ahead - The Great Barrier Reef.

Features

• Today a scenic country drive north into the fertile tropical farmlands of avocado and macadamia plantations and the sugar cane belt of Queensland
• Site of historic South Sea Islander slavery, men, women and children forced or persuaded to leave their island homes to clear the rainforest, plant and harvest the sugar cane
• Homeland of the Bundaberg Distillery and best rum making facility in Australia
• Pause and roam in Childers, adopted as a National Trust Town and memorial to 15 young backpackers who lost their lives in a murderous, horrific hotel fire
• Destination Agnes Water and Town of 1770, the claimed birthplace of Queensland, The second mainland Australia landing site of explorer Captain James Cook
• The coastal township of Agnes Water, our home for two nights, is a serene seaside retreat surrounded by natural wonders and centre of the Discovery Coast
• 1770 the stepping off point for an experiential sea cruise and day on the southern end of the world heritage Great Barrier Reef
• Luxury apartments await and a late afternoon stroll in solitude on the beach beckons.

Accommodation

Agnes Water apartment ensuite rooms - 2 nights

Meals

Village cafe breakfast,

Tailgate M/Tea, A/Tea

Cafe Lunch

Village Tavern dinner

Travel

Driving:  400 kms in 3 relaxed travel stages

Walking: Casual roaming at travel breaks, feature stops and serendipity moments

The adventure and romance of relaxing on a tropical island paradise just 14 hectares in size and 45 min cruising out to sea is nothing short of inspirational. Here the island of smashed coral, borders an azure lagoon, creating a sanctuary for seabirds, Green and Loggerhead Sea Turtles

Features

• An early in house breakfast before you head to the ocean going catamaran departing from the historic village of 1770
• A spectacular day on Lady Musgrave Island,  a true coral cay located on the southern extremity of the Great Barrier Reef
• Here is a pristine island hideaway of coral sands, remote from mainstream tourist invasion
• View wonderful coral gardens, colourful marine life, an azure lagoon protected by a horseshoe reef located some distance out in the Pacific Ocean
• Take an island walk under the Pisonia Forest and nesting place of the Noddy Terns
• Swim and snorkel to your hearts content with resident schools of fish and sea turtles in an idyllic tropical marine setting, fit for a movie or picture post card

Accommodation

Agnes Water apartment ensuite rooms

Meals

Continental breakfast to room

M/Tea, A/Tea, Lunch on cruise vessel

Village restaurant dinner

Travel

Driving:  0 kms - Special boat cruise to Lady Musgrave Island

Walking: Casual stroll on the island plus swim or scuba the reef and marine viewing

From the reef to the outback, the theme of your tour becomes clearly apparent, “Uniquely Australia - National Parks Tour”. Chance too, you might see our nation’s “Coat of Arms” on the move, the Emu, Kangaroo and even some sprigs of wattle from the winter bloom.

Features

• Enjoy a comfortable country drive west into the outback, through cattle fattening and major coal mining regions taking in the villages of Biloela, Banana, Moura, Bauhinia and Rolleston
• Each of these towns has a place in history and the odd quirky story to reveal, true or not so true
• The colourful character of the Australian bush and its people unfolds
• You’ll pass through local government areas, the size of Belgium
• Observe massive coal mining operations, now the focus of passionate and concerned debate in the face of global warming and climate change
• Late afternoon pass through rolling plains and cattle stations with the dramatic Central Highlands, Carnarvon Ranges looming on the horizon
• Excitable chance viewing of large plains roaming birds unique to Australia, the Emu, Brolga and Bustard as well as Kangaroos and Wallabies.
• Settle in to your upmarket wilderness cabin for the following three nights amidst ancient Macrozamia Palms with grazing wildlife on your doorstep and hooting owls at night.

Accommodation

Private wilderness lodge ensuite cabins for 3 nights

Meals

Village cafe breakfast

Tailgate M/Tea, A/Tea and town cafe lunch

Lodge restaurant dinner

Travel

Driving:  490 kms relaxed outback travel day

Walking:  Casual roaming at travel breaks, feature stops and serendipity moments

A day of immersion in nature’s pristine oasis, protected by towering sandstone walls. Understandably an historic gathering place for our First Nation’s people seeking an abundance of food and water supply to assist in their rock art story telling

Features

• After a hearty lodge breakfast, you’ll embark on a full / long day walk on easy terrain along one of Australia’s most dramatic and scenic outback destinations, Carnarvon Gorge
• Complete all or part of the walk as you desire
• Carnarvon Creek has eroded a canyon 35 kms long through the expansive Central Queensland sandstone high country 1200m above sea level
• Discover the most dissected sandstone gorge system in Australia
• Here is 200 million years of geological history
• 3,500 years of Aboriginal culture and rock art to be viewed at two main sites, Cathedral Cave and the Art Gallery
• Massive white sandstone walls towering up to 200m high
• Side canyons and an amphitheatre provide a cooling environment protecting delightful moss gardens and the King Fern a “living fossil” unchanged in form for over 200 million years
• Birdlife is prolific and kangaroos graze happily as you pass by
• The personal adventure extends to the art of rock-hopping across many creek crossing, with the stones conveniently placed by National Park Rangers

Accommodation

Private wilderness lodge ensuite cabins

Meals

Lodge restaurant breakfast and dinner

Hikers pack lunch and M/tea, A/Tea sustenance

Travel

Driving:  0 kms Local access only

Walking:  Optional 18.2 kms / 6 hr return (or part) gorge walk on sandy trail with formed rock hopping creek crossings

Time to explore some of the least visited side reaches of the great gorge and connect with country through peacefully sitting and listening to the inner self, “Dadirri” more commonly termed contemplation.

Features

• Boolimba Bluff is the initial objective for the day, a trail taking you to the top and head of the gorge
• Expansive views extend across surrounding ranges and vast valleys
• The original inhabitants of the gorge left a rich history leading up to their removal by white man to "disconnecting" reserves . Stories of cave dwelling, secret men’s and women’s business are all but lost or forgotten, but worth contemplating in the cause of truth telling
• Enjoy a selection of short walks into secondary gorges for some delightful, naturally air-conditioned exploration
• The sculptured side-gorge walls are sometimes only an arms span apart, ensuring sunlight only sparingly reaches the floor of the canyon setting up a micro climate all of its own.
• You can choose your walks or otherwise spend time relaxing in the serenity of the lodge.

Accommodation

Private wilderness lodge ensuite cabins

Meals

Lodge restaurant breakfast and dinner

Hikers pack lunch and M/tea, A/Tea sustenance

Travel

Driving:  0 kms Local access only

Walking:  Optional early climb to the head of gorge for the fit and keen 6.4 kms / 3 hr return. Casual strolls to other gorge features

Enjoy the story telling and character of inland Australia, from exploration to pioneering endeavour, the people and places. A day road trip through cattle country to cotton fields and the town of  St George, discovered by a feisty colonial surveyor / explorer, the last character known to have fought and survived a pistol duel in Australia.

Features

• Leaving Carnarvon Gorge, you’ll travel directly south through the outback where pioneering legends abound and Australia’s last bush rangers reigned
• Arrive in the prosperous regional town of Roma, its streets lined with the unique Australian Bottle Trees
• On the edge of town, the largest livestock sale yards in Australia. Million dollar road trains loaded with stock wind their way into town
• The notorious cattle stealer Harry Redford was put to trial in Roma with a verdict that stirred the nation, the presiding judge and caused the closure of the Court House
• Your travel day continues to the village of Surat on the banks of the Balonne River a feeder to Australia’s greatest 3,300kms inland river system - the Darling River
• This is sheep and cattle country where horse drawn Cobb and Co stage coaches once operated
• The world learnt from Australia’s Prickly Pear invasion which crippled the farming communities and eventually the means of its eradication
• Settle in for some story telling around the Brigalow Scrub and Bottle Trees, displacement of Aborigines and Great Artesian Basin
• Fascination surrounds the life of a self-educated Greek migrant who lived off his wits and enterprise to become a celebrated boxer, barber, roo-shooter, store owner and engraver of emu eggs. His artful exhibits are extraordinary
• You have arrived in the outback town of St George on the banks of the Balonne River in Australia’s premier cotton growing belt - the river trail is a must for your late afternoon stroll

Accommodation

Quality regional motel with ensuite rooms

Meals

Lodge restaurant breakfast

Town cafe M/Tea, A/Tea, Lunch

Motel restaurant dinner

Travel

Driving:  431 kms relaxed travel day in 4 stages

Walking: Casual roaming at travel breaks, feature stops and serendipity moments

Today, after a genuine Australiana experience at the Nindigully Pub by the Moonie River, you’ll explore back roads to the Granite Belt renowned for its iconic boulder strewn national parks sitting astride the Queensland / New South Wales border.

Features

• Travel the Barwon Highway and back rural roads to Girraween National Park reflecting on the European efforts to tame and develop a vast and wild country
• Enjoy a morning tea break at a legendary Aussie outback pub, literally in the “never never”
• Old water wells are evidence of our First Nation people’s arduous but informed journeys
• Lunch in the prosperous town of Goondiwindi perched on the river bank which defines the Queensland / New South Wales state border
• The back roads are “avenued” by grand old Eucalypt Trees and remote sheep properties
• The high tableland country is developed in cold climate stone fruit orchards and wineries, mainly hard working family enterprises
• A warm welcome awaits your arrival at Girraween Environmental Lodge from mobs of Kangaroos and Wallabies grazing nearby

Accommodation

Environmental lodges with shared bathroom or country motel with ensuite rooms - 3 nights

Meals

Motel room service breakfast

M/Tea country hotel, Town cafe lunch, Tailgate A/Tea

Motel restaurant or Tavern dinner

Travel

Driving:  483 kms relaxed travel day in 4 stages

Walking:  Casual roaming at travel breaks and feature stops

Enjoy a day of guided trail walks through an extraordinary world of granite, wildflowers, bird and wildlife known as the Granite Belt, part of Australia’s spine, the Great Dividing Range

Features

• 225 million years ago large volumes of molten lava penetrated the older sedimentary layer of the earth, cooling at depth and solidifying into granite
• Subsequent erosion over 25 million years has sculptured the landforms into steep sided monoliths, large angular tors, precariously balanced boulders and expansive inselberg outcrops
• The story unfolds of the interdependent connection between rock, soil, flora, fauna and  humans
• Prolific wildflowers are a feature of Girraween National Park, the “place of flowers”
• Enjoy the spring showcase along with the foraging birdlife consuming the nectar
• The park is the meeting point for ranging wildlife from all points of the compass and habitats
• Your walking options for the day cover a cluster of imposing features, Castle Rock, The Sphinx, Turtle Rock, The Junction. Walks will range from 2 to 3 hours each

Accommodation

Environmental lodges with shared bathroom or a country motel with spacious ensuite rooms

Meals

Motel restaurant breakfast and dinner

Packed Hikers lunch

Tailgate M/Tea, A/Tea

Travel

Driving: 60 kms local access only

Walking:  Optional 2 walks on formed National Park trails each of 2 to 3 hrs, the first over undulating terrain and a short moderate climb, the other flat and easy

There is no greater satisfaction than to summit an imposing mountain and know you achieved it, or on this day a bigger than big rock. It’s a smooth easy trail and you have the choice of the same way down or an exhilarating quick descent.

Features

• If you are up and about early, observe the character and antics of the Kangaroo families, the melodious dawn chorus of colourful birds going about their day
• Later, cross the state border into New South Wales to walk to the summit of Bald Rock the largest granite monolith in the southern hemisphere and second in size only to Uluru (Ayers Rock) in Central Australia
• The formed trail provides an easy steady climb passing through the Grand Titans cluster of rocks, spotting wildlife and flora as you go, then out onto the striped faces of Bald Rock itself
• Later explore one of Captain Thunderbolt’s bush hideouts, and recall the tales and legends of one of Australia’s larrikin but gentleman bushrangers
• The historic township of Tenterfield, is famous for an Englishman’s passionate speech which gave birth to our nation.
• A number of the town's famous sons are etched in Australian folklore and international show-stopper entertainment

Accommodation

Environmental lodges with shared bathroom or country motel with spacious ensuite rooms

Meals

Motel restaurant breakfast and dinner

Cafe lunch

Tailgate M/Tea, A/Tea

Travel

Driving:  50 kms Local access only

Walking: 3.2 kms / 2 hrs return climb to summit of monolith on formed National Park trail. Roaming town features

A short highway drive takes you to the cold country tableland town of Armidale and then a walk for your first encounter with the gorges of the Oxley Wild Rivers National Park.

Features

• Pass through the acclaimed Celtic hub of Australia, complete with its own “standing stones”, small towns lined with the autumn displays of willows and elms
• Contemplate the conflict and terror between European settlers and First Nation’s peoples where cultural differences led to tragic local massacres
• Enter historic Armidale with its cold climate gardens and parks and institutions of higher regional education
• Take an afternoon walk to the rim of a dramatic gorge and falls in the Oxley Wild Rivers National Park where we’ll search for the endangered and shy Brush-tailed Rock Wallabies
• Follow the haunting cries and powerful flight of Peregrine Falcons nesting seasonally on the precipice of the 120m ravine
• Gaze over the Dangars Falls and gorge where in 1866 a dare devil Italian tight-rope walker strutted his way up an inclined rope with a wheelbarrow, shunning the 120m “gulf” below - “and a good time was had by all”
• Visit one of Australia’s wealthiest Merino wool growing regions where dynasties once hosted royalty and pioneering settler families were so moved to build a chapel and extraordinary memorials to their fallen family war heroes
• Pause in the tiny town of Uralla and reflect on a childhood of connective experiences which has led to the establishment of your tour host, Nature Bound Australia

Accommodation

Quality regional motel with ensuite rooms - 2 nights

Meals

Motel restaurant breakfast and dinner

Cafe M/Tea and Lunch

Tailgate A/Tea

Travel

Driving: 207 kms highway and local travel day in 4 stages

Walking: Casual roaming at travel breaks and feature stops. 2 kms return walk easy grade on formed trail to rim of gorge

Tread deep into an ancient and wondrous world of rainforests and twisted snow gums, then gaze across ridges of untracked wilderness, the protector of habitats, wild creatures and mystery of life.

Features

• Discover tortuous gorges carving their way into the Great Divide escarpment and plummeting waterfalls
• Search for our largest bird of prey, the Wedge-tailed Eagle, soaring up to 2000 metres on the thermals or detect the shuffle in the bush of an Echidna, one of our unique living fossils
• Enjoy a 2 hr walk along undulating trails to view two of Australia’s most dramatic ravines and gorges
• Find yourself on the wilderness edge of the world heritage New England National Park, a reserve of high geological significance, diversity of habitats, plants and animal species
• Impenetrable ridges of volcanic origin dating back 500 million years protect dense sub-tropical rainforest through to high country snow gums and a windswept plateau of stunted heath. 1000 plant species are protected here
• Be on the alert for a chance meeting with a Superb Lyrebird or a Spotted-tailed Quoll
• Enjoy the high-point panorama stretching over 75 kms of trackless wilderness to the rolling waves of the Pacific Ocean
• Deep in the cool temperate rainforest you will discover remnant examples of the ancient Antarctic Beech Trees, thousands of years old, having direct link to the super-continent of Gondwanaland, 125 million years ago
• All around hanging from mist moistened trees are curtains of epiphytes or “air-plants”

Accommodation

Quality regional motel with ensuite rooms

Meals

Motel restaurant breakfast and dinner

Hikers pack lunch

Tailgate M/Tea, A/tea

Travel

• Driving:  80 kms local access only
• Walking:  2.5 kms return / 1.5 hr walk on undulating formed National Park trail
• Optional 2.5 kms / 3 hr National Park rainforest trail with a few challenging scrambles over boulders - ok for moderately fit
• Optional 3.00 kms / 2 hrs National Park fire trail walk with slight grade variations

From the eclectic village of Bellingen you’ll arrive at the Pacific coastline and follow scenic back country roads and a faster highway run to the sea and riverside holiday town of Ballina

Features

• Follow the “Waterfall Way” to the twin drops of Ebor Falls, showpiece of the Guy Fawkes River National Park taking a short roam along the ridge line between the upper and lower falls.
• Take a winding descent over the edge of the Great Dividing Range toward the sleepy and fertile rural valleys of the big coastal rivers
• Pause awhile in the eclectic town of Bellingen where the alternative life-stylers and famous hide away
• Arrival on the Sawtell headland to view the South Pacific Ocean for the first time presents an extraordinary change in emotion from the world heritage seclusion 24 hours earlier - time to celebrate the beauty and contrast of Australia
• Enjoy the scenic country way from Coffs Harbour to Grafton (home of the Jacaranda Festival) and lunch at the tiny historic port of Ulmarra on the mighty Clarence River
• Wander along the foreshores of coastal Ballina enjoying some late afternoon free time before our tour ending celebration dinner
• Early to bed for our traditional pre-dawn rise to witness sunrise over the Pacific, beneath one of the oldest lighthouses (1866) on this spectacular coastline.

Accommodation

Quality seaside hotel with ensuite rooms

Meals

Motel Restaurant breakfast

Cafe M/Tea

Pub counter lunch

Tailgate A/Tea

Village restaurant dinner

Travel

Driving:  367 kms travel day in 4 relaxed stages

Walking:  Casual roaming at travel breaks, feature stops and serendipity moments

Today your tour concludes with wonderful moments of inspiration on iconic headlands and in the peaceful review of a regional art gallery celebrating the life of one of Australia’s most adored artists

Features

• After the mindfulness moments of a spectacular sunrise you’ll return for a Ballina breakfast
• Conclude the tour with some iconic headlands including a short stroll onto Lennox Head and chance sighting of hang-gliding enthusiasts who gather, taking a leap into the thermals
• On to Cape Byron the eastern most landfall of the Australian mainland, at Byron Bay. The “Byron”, as it is affectionately known, is also a retreat for alternative life-stylers and hide-away celebrities
• Time for a relaxed stroll along the iconic beaches and over the headlands on constructed pathways to the Cape Lighthouse
• Here you will overlook the extraordinary seascape and precipitous slopes down to rolling azure waves, a chance viewing of sea turtles or rays, dolphins at play and (in season) migrating whales
• The nearest landfall north is Siberia, south the Antarctic ice mass and east, Chile
• Finally, enjoy a drive through the lush “rainbow country” of artisans for a sedate visit to a regional art gallery with compelling images both inside and out. Where friends of highly acclaimed artist, the late Margaret Olley, have left her indelible mark on Australia with a complete presentation, in comprehensive detail, of her home and creative retreat
• Tour conclusion

Accommodation

End of tour accommodation pre-arranged with tour guests - not included in tour

Meals

Village cafe breakfast

Tailgate M/Tea and A/Tea

Seaside cafe lunch

Tour concluded - dinner at parting guest’s discretion and cost

Travel

Driving:  187 kms in 5 stages

Walking: Casual roaming at travel breaks and feature stops, plus 4 kms return beach and headland walk, ascent/descent on formed path with steps