Australian Wildlife Safari - Kangaroos, Koalas, Emus to Sealions from $5,849 including international flights

This two-week itinerary commences in the South Australian capital of Adelaide and takes you into the Outback for a wildlife safari of Australia's native animals to see kangaroos, wallabies, koalas, and emus up close. Swim with the Sealions and see dolphins before continuing to the stunning harbor city of Sydney. Experiences abound with incredible cities, wildlife encounters, natural wonders, and spectacular architecture delivered by Australia's best guides. Itinerary customization and Air Upgrade options for Premium & business class are available. 

 

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Inclusions

  • Roundtrip International Class Flights from Los Angeles (domestic US flights can be added at an additional cost)
  • Internal Australia flights
  • 2 nights’ accommodation Adelaide at 4.5* Majestic Roof Garden Hotel
  • Full day small group tour to Maclaren Vale & the Iconic D’Arenberg Cube
  • 4 Days/3 Night Gawler Ranges & Eyre Peninsula Safari
  • 1 Night 4* The Port Lincoln Hotel
  • All meals & beverages on Gawler Ranges Safari
  • Four nights in Sydney at the 4.5* Amora Hotel Jamison Sydney
  • Half-day small group city sights of Sydney
  • Sydney Harbour cruise
  • Sydney Opera House tour
  • Private car service transfers in Adelaide & Sydney
  • All airport taxes & fuel surcharges

Itinerary

Day 1 - Depart Los Angeles non-stop to Melbourne
Qantas is the number one way to travel to Australia, and your vacation begins the second you step onboard a Qantas flight with Australia, just a movie, meal, sleep away. With over 100 years of experience in long-haul travel, Qantas strives to ensure every passenger in every cabin has the most comfortable and authentic experience. Qantas offers direct service from Los Angeles and Dallas Fort Worth - addon fares with American Airlines available from other cities.

The Qantas onboard experience has a class for every passenger from First suites, Business, Premium Economy, and Economy cabins offering the best comfort, Australian food and wine, amenities, and exceptional service. In addition, all cabins experience the latest in-flight entertainment and technology, including premium content from HBO, new movie releases, TV programs, and an extensive music library with over 1500 entertainment choices.

Day 2 - Cross International Date Line

Day 3 - Arrive Adelaide
Upon arrival in Adelaide, a private car transfer to accommodation. South Australia's capital city, Adelaide, is a vibrant hub buzzing with life, boasting great food and wine at more than 700 restaurants, cafes, and pubs, great retail therapy in Rundle Mall, and the "cultural boulevard" of North Terrace. It is home to some of Australia's best museums and the South Australian Art Gallery. Everything is so close in Adelaide, with the beach just 20 minutes by tram from the city center and many of the state's regions within two hours drive away. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure and take in everything that Adelaide has to offer.

ACCOMMODATION - The award-winning 4.5-star Majestic Roof Garden Hotel is only a short distance from the bars, restaurants, and shopping of Rundle Street. Guests have access to the rooftop garden with panoramic city views.

Day 4 - Adelaide highlights with Hahndorf & Mclaren Vale
Join this full-day small-group tour featuring some of Adelaide's finest experiences, including a visit to the German settlement town of Hahndorf and two wine tastings. Learn about Adelaide's history and gain some insider secrets from your tour guide; traveling out of the city, the tour takes you to the iconic Adelaide Oval (events permitting). Then, head through picturesque North Adelaide, scattered with stunning Federation architecture and lavish homes.

The next stop is a spectacular view of Adelaide from the summit of Mount Lofty and then on to Hahndorf. The German settlement of Hahndorf is an absolute delight. With its abundance of boutique shops and eateries, there's plenty to explore as you enjoy your free time. Then enjoy the short but scenic drive through the heart of the beautiful Adelaide Hills en route to the iconic wine-tasting region of McLaren Vale. Have your taste buds primed and your camera poised as your host at Chapel Hill entices you with a beautiful wine-tasting experience at their picturesque cellar door. From Chapel Hill, you'll wind through the stunning countryside, with grapevines and sea views, as you head to the quaint Shingleback Winery's next winery. As the tour heads back towards Adelaide, gaze out at the coastline as you journey towards the final destination of the day, Adelaide's beautiful seaside suburb of Glenelg.

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Image: Tourism Australia

Day 5 - Adelaide to Port Lincoln & Gawler Ranges
This morning you will be transferred to Adelaide Airport for your flight to Port Lincoln. You will be met on arrival by your tour leader and commence your 4-day tour. First, visit a colony of wild koalas at Mikkira Station near Port Lincoln before traveling through farming land to Wudinna, population 600, stopping for lunch along the way. Pass Wudinna Rock as you travel into the Outback to Kangaluna Camp.

After a rest at Kangaluna, there is an afternoon tour to begin your wildlife experience; the outback animals thrive in this environment. Expect to see three species of kangaroos, emus, and many birds. Return to Kangaluna after sunset drinks at Kolay Mirica Rocks (organ pipe formations). Overnight at Kangaluna Camp with a bush dinner.

Day 6 – Gawler Ranges Safari
Visit an ochre pit on the morning drive to spectacular Lake Gairdner, like a piece of Antarctica, with its glistening white salt pan set in the red landscape. Here you can walk on the lake's surface and look north to see the endless white plain, striking red surroundings, and islands. The river's red dunes yield many animal tracks, flowers in spring, fascinating vegetation, and birds. Photo opportunities are endless. Afternoon you drive through a changing landscape, cigar-shaped volcanic rock formations, and lots of wildlife. You may see emus, red, western grey, and euro kangaroos as we drive through the ancient outback range to Kangaluna Camp. Enjoy the stars with a computerized telescope after dinner. Overnight at Kangaluna Camp.

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Image: Tourism Australia

Day 7 – Gawler Ranges Safari
This morning is leisurely and allows plenty of time to walk through the bush near the camp. Later, walk on Lake Sturt in the Corrobinnie Depression and see the old lake bed's array of colors and patterns - a geological marvel with many interesting subjects. Continuing around the lake to Mt Sturt, taking short walks in nature, you observe a diversity of plants and trees. Visit the unique Pildappa wave rock en route to an early arrival back to Kangaluna, which gives an extra chance to spot some of the 110 species of birds often observed here and the visiting animals or relax in the stunning surroundings. Sunset drinks will finish the day at Sturt's Lake. Overnight at Kangaluna Camp.

Day 8 – Eyre Peninsula
An early morning drive to Baird Bay to board your boat for an unforgettable wildlife experience. On the 5-kilometer journey to a lagoon at Jones Island near Cape Radstock (at 160 meters, it is one of the highest sheer points on the southern coast of Australia), you can watch Bottlenose dolphins ride the bow wave of the boat and join these magnificent mammals in shallow water. Cross the bay to visit a resident colony of rare Australian sea lions and experience playing face-to-face with these agile and friendly mammals as we wade in protected shallow lagoons. These animals may very well smooch you! After lunch on the beach, depart Baird Bay and visit Venus Bay, Elliston and enjoy magnificent coastal scenery on the journey to Port Lincoln. Overnight at the Port Lincoln Hotel.

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Image: Tourism Australia

Day 9 – Port Lincoln to Sydney
Board your flight to Sydney. On arrival, meet your driver for a car service transfer to the Amora Hotel Jamison Sydney

Blessed with a temperate climate, Sydney is Australia's favorite city with the World's most beautiful harbor. The harbor provides a playground for jet boating, sailing, swimming, harbor scenic flights, dining, fishing, climbing the harbor bridge, and sightseeing at the Opera House.

Stay four nights in the Heart of Sydney; The Amora Hotel Jamison Sydney features stylish accommodations, along with a contemporary restaurant & bar, day spa, indoor heated swimming pool, sauna, Wi-Fi, and 24-hour room service. An easy walk to Harbour Bridge, Opera House, Circular Quay, The Rocks, and Queen Victoria Building, and only a few minutes from Wynyard train station make Amora one of Sydney's most desired locations.

Day 10 - Sydney - Half Day City Sights tour
This morning you will be picked up from your hotel for your small group Panoramic Sydney tour.

Visit the historic Rocks area and hear about early convict history. Enjoy magnificent views of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge. See the city's shopping heart, Queen Victoria Building, and Sydney Tower. Visit Sydney's trendy Oxford Street district and travel through Paddington with its terrace houses before arriving at the Pacific Ocean. See the magnificent coast cliff walk around Tamarama and Bronte. Travel on to famous Bondi Beach and visit the beachfront promenade with time to enjoy a coffee or cool drink (at your own cost). See Aussie lifesavers and Sydney's best panoramic view at Dover Heights. Return to Sydney via Double Bay, Kings Cross, and Mrs. Macquarie's Point for a final magical viewpoint over the harbour before returning to the city center. Tour concludes at Darling Harbour or Circular Quay.

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Image: Tourism Australia

Day 11 - Sydney - Explore Sydney Harbour
Explore Sydney harbor onboard the Hop on Hop Off Sydney Harbour Explorer. Travel aboard a 25-meter motorized Rocket Ferry vessel and enjoy a fun and easy way to explore Sydney, including commentary on selected routes. Then, sit back and relax as your vessel cruises around Sydney Harbour and stops at six harbourside attractions, including Circular Quay, Manly, Taronga Zoo, Watsons Bay, Shark Island, and Darling Harbour. Then, hop off and reboard as many times as you wish as you explore the best of Sydney!

This afternoon enjoy a one-hour guided tour of the Sydney Opera House. The Sydney Opera House is one of the World's most recognizable landmarks, and this is your chance to truly get up close. Run your hands over the world-famous shell tiles, take a seat in the elegant custom-made white birch timber chairs, and marvel at the vaulted ceilings. Next, visit areas off-limits to the public and capture photographs from rare vantage points. Finally, explore theatres and foyers where more than 1600 concerts, operas, dramas, and ballets occur each year.

Day 12 - Optional tour: Sydney – Visit the World Heritage Listed Blue Mountains
Today consider adding an optional small group full day tour to the Blue Mountains, costing $190 per person.

This boutique tour provides an intimate touch, traveling in the luxury of minivan. Explore the Blue Mountains and see hidden locations and beautiful views of the region. From Echo Point, the closest and best view of the Three Sisters. You will be able to witness the blue haze and the vast expanse of the Jamison Valley and experience for yourself the raw magic the Blue Mountains create. This will be our first stop in the Blue Mountains, and you will have the option of ordering morning tea (At your own expense) while enjoying the amazing views. Visit Scenic World and dare yourself to ride the steepest Railway in the World. The Scenic Cableway and Skyway offer spectacular views of the Three Sisters and the Valley. Scenic World is included in the price of our tour. The Tour Guide will take you down to the valley floor whilst explaining the area. See breathtaking views of either the Jamison Valley or Megalong Valley away from the crowds in a secluded location. Visit Leura and enjoy the quaint village with multiple lunch venues (at your own expense). The last stop on the tour is Featherdale Wildlife Park, Sydney's ultimate wildlife experience. See the Koalas and feed the baby wallabies before returning to Sydney.

Day 13 Depart Sydney
This morning you will be transferred by private car service to Sydney International airport. Bid farewell to Australia as you depart Sydney for your flight to the US, arriving the same day.

 

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Note: Daily departures, this package is an independent itinerary with flexible departures (not a group tour)

 

Australian Entry Requirements

Before committing to a trip, please ensure you have a valid passport. Australia welcomes US travelers with an approved Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) to enter Australia.

Read More about the Australian entry requirements

Additional departure gateways & pricing

Add on airfares are available from most major airports – please ask an Aspire consultant for a quote

Upgrade Options

  • Upgrade to premium economy from $1,100 per person each way*
  • Upgrade to business class from $4,000 per person each way*
  • Can take the upgrade one way or round trip and combine premium/business classes on same ticket

* Upgrade from pricing based on Sunday through Wednesday departures from Los Angeles - ask an Aspire consultant for the upgrade fee from other departure points and travel Thursday through Saturday.

 

 

Terms & Conditions:

The package from pricing is based on double occupancy (2 people sharing a room) for low-season stays for travel Sundays through Wednesdays from Los Angeles. A $50 air supplement applies each way for international travel from Thursday to Saturday. Add-on fares are available from other cities. Specific blackout dates apply to the accommodation and tour value add offers. Seats are limited and may not be available on every flight. Hotels are subject to availability. All prices reflect a discount for purchases made by check/wire; please see terms and conditions for credit card payments. Cancellation penalties and other restrictions apply.

To guarantee the package price & purchase the airline tickets, full payment is due at the time of booking. The purchase of travel Insurance is highly recommended for travel to Australia. Aspire Down Under partners with CSA Travel Protection. Travel insurance covers cancellation penalties under the cancellation benefit should you test positive for COVID-19 immediately before traveling to Australia. In the unlikely event your scheduled travel date is impacted by Australian government entry restrictions, Aspire Down Under will permit a change of travel dates within 12 months from your original booking date without any fees or penalties (the applicable price of the new trip itinerary will apply).

 

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