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Visit Western Australia and South Australia on this luxurious holiday, with stays in iconic lodges and some unique wildlife experiences. Start in Perth, where you can visit the quokkas on Rottnest Island and explore the indigenous culture of the city before flying north to the Ningaloo Reef. Here, you’ll stay at Sal Salis, a luxury tented camp on the beaches of the Ningaloo, where stars twinkle above and whale sharks and humpbacks swim in the turquoise waters. Next, you’ll fly to Adelaide, the entry point of beautiful South Australia. Spend a few days wine tasting in the lush Barossa Valley before heading to the Murray River, where serene birdlife and world-class cuisine awaits. Finish your trip at Southern Ocean Lodge, the most iconic lodge in Australia on beautiful Kangaroo Island. Look for koalas lounging in the treetops, soak up the sun on your private deck and enjoy sundowners on the cliffside as you watch the sun sink into the ocean. Your time here is the perfect end to your time in Western Australia and South Australia.
This itinerary can be tailored to suit your requirements; please contact one of our consultants to start planning your dream trip.
Depart the UK from your chosen airport.
On arrival in Perth, you will be met at the airport and driven to your hotel in the city, checking in for three nights. Set within state buildings dating back to the mid-19th century in the heart of historic Perth, the 48-room COMO The Treasury has been rated as the best hotel in Australia. You’ll understand why from the moment you arrive. All the spacious rooms are different, with elegant, neutral décor and excellent facilities. The acclaimed rooftop restaurant, Wildflower, offers a menu inspired by the six seasons of the indigenous Noongar calendar, while The Cape Arid Rooms serves up a sumptuous afternoon tea. You’ll also find a spa offering world-renowned COMO Shambhala wellness therapies, with a heated indoor pool and fully equipped gym. It’s the perfect base to start your luxury trip through Australia.
Start your holiday with a couple of days to enjoy Perth – on your first day we’ve included a 90 minute walking tour of Karrgatup (Kings Park) where you’ll learn about the area’s intriguing past and spiritual significance to Noongar People. Start your experience with the Noongar welcome and ochre ceremony before hearing a Dreamtime story, traditional songs and Noongar language against the backdrop of modern day Perth.
The rest of your time in Perth is yours to do as you please – we’d always recommend a visit to Rottnest Island, just an hour away from the city by ferry. Head over on the ferry and hire a bike before heading off to discover the island! Our favourite beaches are Little Parakeet Bay, Ricey Beach and Little Salmon Bay. You can also kayak along Pinky’s Beach and relax in the warm shallow waters of Porpoise Bay. Be sure to keep your eyes peeled for quokkas, the tiny local marsupials that have made Rottnest their home. You won’t need to go out of your way to meet the little animals – you’ll find them munching on berries in the shade of the trees or lurking behind fishermen in search of a snack. They are very friendly and cheeky, but you mustn’t feed them – hard to resist as they are so cute!
After breakfast, you’ll be driven back to the airport for the flight north to Exmouth, the gateway to the Ningaloo Reef. On arrival you’ll be met and driven to your lodge, Sal Salis, on the edge of Cape Range National Park, checking in for three nights.
Nestled between the coastal white dunes of Cape Range National Park, Sal Salis is a simply extraordinary place to stay. This luxury eco-resort takes glamping to a whole new level, with wilderness safari tents set just 50 metres from the Indian Ocean. By day, you can discover one of the most beautiful coral reefs in the world and, by night, you can gaze up at a bright blanket of stars.
Sal Salis is the perfect base for exploring both the wonderful wildlife of Ningaloo Reef and the untouched bush of Cape Range National Park. Between mid-March and August, you can swim with gentle whale sharks, while from July to October, you can swim with migrating humpback whales. These are bucket-list experiences that you won’t find in a handful of places on the planet. If you’re looking for the wow factor, you’ve found it.
We’ve included a whale shark swimming tour in your trip. Snorkelling with the largest fish in the sea is an incredible experience! You’ll start the day on your large and stable boat watching the spotter plane up above looking for the whale sharks. The animals are completely wild and nothing is done to attract them, including feeding. On board, you’ll learn about the whale sharks and the ecology of the reef, before jumping in with your experienced guide. Coming face to face with these gentle giants is an awe-inspiring experience – if you want to hear from someone who has done it, then just ask. Several of us at Travel Nation have been lucky enough to experience this very special moment. Hopefully you’ll have several opportunities to go into the water with the whale sharks, as well as the possibility of seeing humpbacks, mantas, dugongs and dolphins. Enjoy lunch with morning and afternoon tea onboard before being dropped off back at Sal Salis at the end of the day.
After breakfast, you’ll be driven back to the airport for your flight to Adelaide via Perth. On arrival, you’ll be taken to Sequoia Lodge in the Adelaide Hills. Settle in for a two night stay in this beautiful spot. Sequoia Lodge is a 14-suite, adults-only luxury lodge ensconced in nature and sitting atop of Adelaide’s Mount Lofty, affectionately known as Koala Mountain. Sequoia Lodge’s 30 acre nature setting blends into the Adelaide Hills Botanic Gardens on one side of the peak and thousands of acres of national park on the other, all only 20 minutes from the Adelaide CBD.
Part of Sequoia Lodge’s philosophy is to connect you with the land and its people through a range of intimate and curated on-site experiences that are included in your stay. As part of these daily and seasonally changing experiences, you can listen to ancient dreamtime stories, savour and learn from artisan winemakers and enjoy a sunrise yoga session. Spend your time on a guided nature walk of the Mount Lofty Botanic Garden, or simply sit back and relax in one of our artesian spring-fed hot pools overlooking the breathtaking Piccadilly Valley.
Today you’ll also have a private tour of the Southern Adelaide Hills and McLaren Vale, tasting wine and visiting the iconic d’Arenburg Cube. This gorgeous region is full of tiny vineyards, spectacular restaurants and wonderful scenery – perfect for a day of exploring.
After breakfast, you’ll travel to the Barossa Valley for a private wine tasting at Langmeil (the world’s oldest shiraz vineyard) and relish a gourmet lunch at The Eatery at Maggie Beers Farm. After lunch in the Barossa, you will travel to the Riverland in a private vehicle and arrive at The Frames. Settle into your luxury private retreat before boarding a 100-year-old Gondola for a sunset cruise along the Murray River.
During your stay at The Frames, you’ll be staying in one of the three retreats, each with it’s own pool and sauna. Set right on the banks of the Murray River, you can enjoy a relaxed glass of wine on your private balcony, listen to the birds in the quiet air and revel in the luxurious privacy of this unique location. In-villa dining is part of the experience – you can choose from two or three course meals from the seasonal menu and have your meals delivered or the head chef will make them for you at your retreat. Alternatively you can utilise the outdoor kitchen and you will be provided with gourmet BBQ provisions ready to cook and serve.
During your time at The Frames, you’ll enjoy two of their special experiences. On your first day, you’ll head out on a Wildlife & Wetlands Cruise, soaking in the quiet beauty of the Murray River region.
Cruise along the river in an area that many people will never get to see. Being third generation Riverland people, your hosts know the area like the back of their hand. This exclusive guided river cruise in a comfortable and customised dinghy takes you through the creeks and wetlands of the Murray River, encountering diverse wildlife and birds of the region. It includes morning tea, a gourmet lunch, refreshments and an optional visit to the Wilkadene Woolshed Brewery.
On your second day, you’ll head off on their Flavour Safari, a food and wine tour of the local area. You air-conditioned chauffeur driven car will take you to mee the growers, brewers, winemakers and producers in this behind the scenes tour of South Australian hospitality at it’s best. You’ll tuck into a sensational lunch at a local restaurant and sip delicious wines grown in the Renmark region.
After breakfast, you’ll be driven back to Adelaide Airport, in time for your flight to Kangaroo Island. On arrival, you’ll be met and taken to Southern Ocean Lodge, on the southern coast of the island, checking in for three nights.
This luxury lodge is the most iconic in Australia, made even more famous when the entire property burnt to the ground during the 2020 bushfires on Kangaroo Island. After three years of building, it has just reopened in 2023, better than ever. With unreal views over the Southern Ocean, this lodge is perfectly situated, with each suite having separate areas to relax, with a big deck to watch the scarlet sunsets. Head to the main pavilion to relax with a drink by the pool and enjoy sumptuous dinners from produce-driven menus and the best of South Australian wine.
Various signature experiences are included in your stay here including a half day tour to Seal Bay, a half day tour to Flinders Chase and a guided coastal walk near the property. There are lots of other bespoke experiences that we can arrange, whether you want to explore enjoy private guiding in Flinders Chase National Park or explore the vineyards, distilleries and farms of the island to find where your delicious food comes from.
After breakfast, you’ll be driven back to the airport for the short flight to Adelaide. On arrival, you’ll be met and driven to the hotel, checking in for your final night in Australia.
After breakfast, you’ll be driven back to the airport for your flight back home.
Perth is officially the sunniest capital city in Australia enjoying 131 days of perfect sunny weather every year, the average temperature in summer (November - February) is around 29c and around 12c in winter (Jun to Aug). The South West enjoys temperatures between 25c & 35c in summer and the cooler winter months are perfect for forest walks. South Australia gets most of its rainfall during the winter months of June, July & August. It rains more around the city than in the outback, temperature averages at around 15 degrees. Autumn (March to May) & spring (Sept – Nov) are great times to visit, with lots of sunshine and temperatures staying in the low 20s. Prices will also be more reasonable and availability better during this time. Summer season is peak time for Adelaide with hot sunny, days and temperatures reaching up to 30 degrees.
This itinerary is purely a suggestion and can be tailor-made to your requirements, so please contact us with your dates and requests, and we’ll put together a bespoke quotation for you.