Uniquely Australia National Parks Tour
Choose a unique holiday experience, immersed in the natural wonders of 12 Australia National Parks
Experience this diverse offering of natural wonders on an Australian National Parks holiday featuring short and half-day walks in ever changing, iconic landscapes and island environments.
Immerse yourself in World Heritage Islands and ancient Gondwana Rainforests, evolutionary granite landscapes, iconic beaches and the legendary outback. Visit World Heritage Great Barrier Reef, Lady Musgrave and Fraser Islands, Outback Queensland and Carnarvon Gorge, the New England Wilderness, Girraween and Bald Rock National Parks, iconic Sunshine Coast beaches and Cape Byron – ideal for international visitors and also “Aussies” seeking a broad appreciation and connection with their home, Australia.
HOW OUR GUESTS FELT
You provided more than just a good local guide, which all tours do, but an all encompassing presentation of the evolution of Australia and what you see today, including land management, history, legends, Aboriginal culture etc. You have a world class program and must continue on this way”
Maile USA
Tour Highlights
Why you’ll like this holiday
Now you can gain a richer understanding of Australia’s natural wonders and world heritage legacy, in one experiential journey.
- Enjoy a 4WD safari along glorious beaches, by massive multi-coloured sand dunes, pristine lakes and towering forests, all on the largest sand island in the world
- Join a day cruise to a tropical island, complete with coral gardens and marine creatures of the Great Barrier Reef
- Experience the places, people and character of the Queensland Outback
- Walk the towering gorges and canyons of the Carnarvon Gorge National Park
- Study galleries of Aboriginal Rock Art, story telling of our First Nations people
- Explore the expansive granite belt, home to Girraween and Bald Rock National Parks, spring wildflowers and the largest granite monolith in the Southern Hemisphere
- Visit ancient Gondwana Rainforests, tortuous escarpments and wild river gorges dating back 150 million years
- Journey through big rivers and picturesque “rainbow country” to Byron Bay, for a new day dawning over the Pacific Ocean
Itinerary
Day 1 From volcanic plugs to sublime beaches and Hell's Gate, a perfect holiday begins
Departing from Brisbane head north for the delightful beaches of the Sunshine Coast and holiday mecca of Noosa Village; time for a late afternoon walk along hidden beaches and coves to a striking headland gorge, Hell’s Gate, returning with sunset retreating behind distant ranges
Features
- Climb Mt Ngungun (253m) one of the striking Glass House Mountains named by English seafaring explorer Captain James Cook.
- Enjoy the sand between your toes on a short beach roam before lunch.
- Inspect the unique and swampy Wallum Country with its abundant birdlife and characteristic Australian flora
- Take a popular headland walk in Noosa National Park with its secluded beaches and coves, viewing the marine life (migrating Humpback Whales in season), bronzed Aussie surfers riding the iconic waves, abundant birdlife and occasional Koalas.
Accommodation
- Noosa Village motel with ensuite rooms for 2 nights
Travel
- Driving: 113 kms in 3 relaxed stages over the day
Day 2 How can so much natural beauty and life exist on an island of drifting sand?
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 in your room to facilitate an early departure on a special 4WD beach safari to the iconic world heritage K'Gari - 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
Travel
- Driving: 140 kms local 4WD Beach and Island Safari
Day 3 Revealing tropical farmlands and serene seaside pleasures few realise exist
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, your 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
Travel
- Driving: 400 kms in 3 relaxed travel stages
Day 4 Paradise does exist but it takes a boat trip and passion for nature to discover it
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
Travel
- Driving: 0 kms - Special boat cruise to Lady Musgrave Island
Day 5 Back to the seaside later but for now, the character and calling of the outback
From the reef to the outback, the theme of your holiday 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
Travel
- Driving: 490 kms relaxed outback travel day
Day 6 Beneath the towering walls lies an abundant oasis of natural and cultural history
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, 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
Travel
- Driving: 0 kms Local access only
Day 7 Get physical, or chill out in an intimate gorge peacefully in touch with yourself
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
Travel
- Driving: 0 kms Local access only
Day 8 A day journey through history and events which shaped the spirit of the bush
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, 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
- Arrive 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
Travel
- Driving: 431 kms relaxed travel day in 4 stages
Day 9 First Nation people once walked long distances across this land to festive reunions
Today, after a genuine Australiana experience at the Nindigully Pub by the Moonie River, 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
Travel
- Driving: 483 kms relaxed travel day in 4 stages
Day 10 Immersive walks in an iconic granite boulder strewn landscape
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
- 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
Travel
- Driving: 60 kms local access only
Day 11 Find inspiration on the summit of a big bald rock and later the village legends and folklore beyond
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
Travel
- Driving: 50 kms Local access only
Day 12 Discover a tableland being torn apart by deep gorges and wild rivers
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 led to the establishment of Nature Bound Australia
Accommodation
- Quality regional motel with ensuite rooms - 2 nights
Travel
- Driving: 207 kms highway and local travel day in 4 stages
Day 13 Immerse yourself in the ancient world heritage wonders
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 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
Travel
- Driving: 80 kms local access only
Day 14Places of the heart - mountain ranges, retreat valleys and iconic seascapes
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 a celebration dinner
- Early to bed for a 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
Travel
- Driving: 367 kms travel day in 4 relaxed stages
Day 15 Awesome moments wandering the iconic beaches, headlands and “The Cape”
Today your holiday 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 return for a Ballina breakfast
- Conclude the holiday 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
Accommodation
- End of holiday accommodation pre-arranged at your discretion or plan for a flight home.
Travel
- Driving: 187 kms in 5 stages
The Journal
Explore positive, interactive reflections on life and how we respond to change.
Symbol of the Australian Spirit - the Ghost Gum
Human-nature connection at the deepest spiritual level
7 min read
Navigate your life with an understanding of Ecology
Study of our house – Planet Earth
7 min read
Find your place in the WEBB OF LIFE
Cutting through the hidden dilemma of Psychology
7 min read
Overcome "Future Shock" with assistance from Nature
Now is the best time to learn, unlearn and relearn
6 min read
If your brain is misbehaving, call on Nature
Dementia – the cause you better not forget. Here’s why and what to do.
7 min read