MELBOURNE TO MOUNT GAMBIER

Welcome to our tour to the stunning Coorong National Park, Kangaroo Island and the Monarto Safari Resort. With chauffeured pickup from home, we are transferred to meet our O’Shannessy’s Quality Tours coach and crew. Following our morning tea break, we travel to Wickliffe where we stop for lunch at Narrapumelap Mansion, an impressive French Gothic Mansion. This afternoon, our journey takes us across the border into South Australia to Mount Gambier for our first night’s accommodation.

OVERNIGHT:  The Barn Accommodation and Steakhouse, MOUNT GAMBIER

SPIRIT OF THE COORONG CRUISE

Following breakfast, we travel along the Coorong, glimpsing the Younghusband Peninsula enroute. At Meningie we board the “Spirit of the Coorong” for an informative and relaxing luncheon cruise. Our cruise takes us across the Coorong National Park. Derived from an Aboriginal word ‘karangk’ meaning narrow neck, it is one of the most breathtaking national parks in Australia. Our coach will be waiting for us in Goolwa for the drive to our accommodation in Normanville.

OVERNIGHT:  Lady Bay Hotel, NORMANVILLE

KANGAROO ISLAND ENTERPRISES

This morning, we take the scenic drive to Cape Jervis where we board the Sea Link ferry across Backstairs Passage to Penneshaw on the eastern end of the Island. It takes just 50 minutes to complete the crossing. As we disembark the ferry we board our coach and begin exploring the Dudley Peninsula. Our first stop is at Dudley Wines where we are spoilt with a wonderful outlook as we are lead in a tasting of their fabulous wines and enjoy a light lunch. Now we meet Rob and his Kelpie dogs, at Robs Shearing and Sheepdogs as they share this most Australian experience with us. Enjoy learning about the many aspects of farming in an educational and down to earth manner, including sheepdog mustering and yarding, sheep shearing, wool classing, hand spinning and history. We now head to Kingscote, the island’s main town, where we check into our next four nights accommodation.

OVERNIGHT: Kangaroo Island Seaside Inn, Kingscote, KANGAROO ISLAND

KINGSCOTE AND FLINDERS CHASE NATIONAL PARK

This morning we enjoy a tour of Kingscote, Australia’s first free settlement, with a local expert. Learn of its early history and how it was abandoned after only 4 years due to lack of water and suitable building timber only to be replaced in favour of Adelaide. Farewelling our guide, we drive to the Emu Bay Lavender Farm, a farm gate cafe set amongst rows of Lavender. Here they make and package an extensive range of lavender products on site. The cafe is famous for its oversized lavender scones and handmade ice cream and it’s here we’ll indulge in our morning tea!! We now head to the western end of the Island to visit the Flinders Chase National Park. Witness its natural rugged beauty and the spectacular Remarkable Rocks, Cape du Couedic Lighthouse and Admirals Arch where, via a spectacular board walk, we can see close up a colony of New Zealand Fur Seals who live in the sea and the rocks just below us.  It will be a day of remarkable experiences!

OVERNIGHT: Kangaroo Island Seaside Inn, Kingscote, KANGAROO ISLAND

MORE OF KANGAROO ISLAND

After breakfast we can look forward to another interesting day on tour. First we take a look at the unique artwork of a giant kangaroo and red tailed black cockatoos on the town’s silo. We then head to American River, which was named after American sealers that stayed on this part of the island for four months in 1803 and there is a memorial plaque in the main town to commemorate this. Here, we visit The Rebuild Independence Project where a volunteer group is recreating the 45ft United States Schooner "Independence", built by American sealers in 1803. This was the first vessel ever built in SA and an interpretive display details the adventures and fate of the boat. Venturing on, we will be introduced to some unique Kangaroo Island ventures - the first one is Emu Ridge Eucalyptus Oil Distillery where we’ll enjoy lunch before we take an interesting tour of the plant and equipment involved in producing eucalyptus oil and product. Our final stop for the day is Clifford’s Honey Farm for a honey ice cream and to learn about the unique Ligurian Bee.

OVERNIGHT: Kangaroo Island Seaside Inn, Kingscote, KANGAROO ISLAND

KANGAROO ISLAND WILDLIFE

We start the day travelling to Seal Bay for a chance to walk along the beach amongst the colony of Australian Sea Lions who live here all year round. It is an unforgettable experience to be guided by a National Parks Ranger, along the beach, within metres of the bulls, cows and seal pups as they rest on the beach. Next stop is Raptor Domain for their free flight birds of prey demonstration. The show is interactive and a very rewarding experience. Enjoy lunch here and then we return to Kingscote for some free time to peruse the shops.

OVERNIGHT:  Kangaroo Island Seaside Inn, Kingscote, KANGAROO ISLAND

VICTOR HARBOR TO MONARTO

This morning we say farewell to Kangaroo Island and board our ferry at Penneshaw for the journey back to the mainland and on to Victor Harbor. Nestled on a wide, sandy arc of Encounter Bay, Victor Harbor has been the summer holiday choice for generations of South Australians. A trip to Victor, as the locals affectionately call it, would not be complete without traversing the iconic Granite Island causeway atop the Clydesdale horse-drawn tram. We now have some free time to explore and have lunch. Victor Harbor was originally a whaling centre with three whaling stations in the mid-1900s. An estimated 400 southern right whales arrived into Encounter Bay each season. When all are ready, we depart Victor Harbor and head to Monarto. Nestled in the heart of pristine wilderness, the Monarto Safari Resort offers an unparalleled escape into nature’s embrace, and it is here we will spend the next two nights!

Lunch at own expense and arrangement

OVERNIGHT:  Monarto Safari Resort, MONARTO

EXPLORING THE SAVANNAH

Located next to the resort is Monarto Safari Park, the largest open air safari experience outside of Africa! Today we immerse ourselves in the sights, smells and sounds of the savannah as we travel across the open plains through herds of animals seemingly free to roam – safari style. With over 50 species of native and African animals, the park plays a major role, nationally and internationally, in breeding programs for rare and endangered species. After time for lunch, we’re in for a real treat when we embark on The Lions 360 Experience. It’s Australia’s only 360-degree lion encounter which gives you a prey’s eye view into the world of these incredible predators. Walking through the tunnel, we’ll emerge within clawing range of one of Australia’s largest lion prides. The safe but adventurous encounter will leave us amazed. Tonight, soak in the last rays of the sun on a guided tour of the Wild Africa precinct after hours from the Safari Truck; you’ll be immersed in parklands and watch free roaming herds of animals from the comfort of the Safari Truck while savouring sunset drinks and canapes.

Lunch at own expense and arrangement

OVERNIGHT: Monarto Safari Resort, MONARTO

MONARTO TO HORSHAM

After our very special stay at the Monarto Safari Park, we farewell our hosts and travel to Tailem Bend. Here, we join the Dukes Highway through Coonalpyn - with a brief stop to view the silo artwork. The murals depict a magnificent tribute to the local school children representing “hope for the future”.  Keith is our destination for lunch today and this afternoon, we make our way to Horsham for our final night on tour.

OVERNIGHT:  Best Westlander Motor Inn, HORSHAM

THE GRAMPIANS TO MELBOURNE

Our last day together begins with a scenic drive through the spectacular Grampians National Park, before arriving in Ararat for lunch. This afternoon, we re-join the highway and travel via Ballarat home to Melbourne. What a great time away it’s been! As always, our chauffeurs will be waiting to take us straight to our very door – a delightful way to finish our time away and all part of the great O’Shannessy’s Quality Tours service!