MELBOURNE TO MOUNT GAMBIER

Welcome to our tour to stunning Kangaroo Island. 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, MOUNT GAMBIER

SPIRIT OF THE COORONG CRUISE - FLEURIEU PENINSULA

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 through Port Elliot to lovely Victor Harbor and the McCracken Country Club for our overnight accommodation.

OVERNIGHT: McCracken Country Club, VICTOR HARBOR

KANGAROO ISLAND ENTERPRISES

This morning, we head down to Cape Jervis to board the SeaLink ferry for the 50 minute cruise across the Backstairs Passage to Penneshaw on the eastern end of Kangaroo Island. As we disembark the ferry, we visit some interesting attractions unique to the island. Our first visit is to Clifford’s Honey Farm – home to the island’s own population of Ligurian Bees (the only pure strain in the world). Next, we visit Emu Ridge Eucalyptus Distillery where we take an interesting tour of the equipment used to eucalyptus oil and products followed by a delicious lunch.  Making our way to Kingscote, we visit the Kangaroo Island Brewery, a new addition to the island’s food and drink culture. This rustic, yet neat and modern complex has an amazing story to tell and not just about the beer, which we will taste during our time here.  We now head to Kingscote, the island’s main town, home for the next four nights.

OVERNIGHT:  Aurora Ozone Hotel, Kingscote, KANGAROO ISLAND

CAPE WILLOUGHBY AND AMERICAN RIVER

This morning we head to the most eastern point of the island to visit the Cape Willoughby Lighthouse. Being the first lighthouse to be built in South Australia, it has a rich maritime history and spectacular panoramic views across the Backstairs Passage from the top of the lighthouse. There are 101 steps to navigate to the top if you wish, but the view from the ground is also pretty with excellent views of the remote island coastline. Our majestic views don’t end here as we visit Dudley Wines where we are spoilt with a wonderful outlook as we enjoy a wine tasting and local produce platter for lunch. Skirting Pelican Lagoon, we call in to American River where 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. On our way back to Kingscote, we stop to view unique artwork of a giant kangaroo and red tailed black cockatoos on the town’s silo.

OVERNIGHT: Aurora Ozone Hotel, Kingscote, KANGAROO ISLAND

KANGAROO ISLAND WILDLIFE

We start the day travelling to Seal Bay, Kangaroo Island's premier tourist attraction.  Here we’ll learn about the amazing lives of these endangered animals as our experienced guide takes us on a tour into the colony. Next stop is Raptor Domain for their In-Flight Birds of Prey demonstration followed by lunch. Offering an unique and entertaining experience while creating an understanding and appreciation for the bird’s role in the environment. On our way back to Kingscote, we stop to view unique artwork of a giant kangaroo and red tailed black cockatoos on the town’s silo.  We now have some free time to take a look at the shops to perhaps purchase a memento of our trip.

OVERNIGHT: Aurora Ozone Hotel, Kingscote, KANGAROO ISLAND

FLINDERS CHASE NATIONAL PARK

This morning, we visit the Old Wisanger School, officially opened in 1885. Walking through the building we view photos and textbooks in their original setting. We continue to the north coast where we enjoy a tour of the Emu Bay Lavender Farm. Their  humble story began in 2001 where a small lavender garden was first planted. 23 years later, the farm now runs over 51 acres of land and has an estimate of 7500 lavender plants including 12 different varieties of Lavandula Angustifolia & Lavandula Intermedia. We also enjoy morning tea here. We now head to the far western end of the island to the Flinders Chase National Park. Here we explore the iconic Remarkable Rocks, Cape du Couedic and Admirals Arch. Relax and enjoy the scenery on the way back to our hotel.

OVERNIGHT:  Aurora Ozone Hotel, Kingscote, KANGAROO ISLAND

VICTOR HARBOR

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. 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. Perhaps take the opportunity to visit the SA Whale Centre (own expense).

OVERNIGHT: McCracken Country Club, VICTOR HARBOR

VICTOR HARBOR TO NARACOORTE

We travel to the “Heritage Town” of Strathalbyn this morning. Settled more than 175 years ago by Scottish immigrants, today the quaint town is popular for its boutique shops and beautiful heritage buildings in the historic main streets. At Tailem Bend 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 Naracoorte for the next two nights.

OVERNIGHT:  William MacIntosh Motor Lodge, NARACOORTE

NATURAL WONDERS AND AUSTRALIA’S FIRST SAINT

This morning, we make our way to Naracoorte Caves National Park, where a visit to the Wonambi Fossil Centre awaits. Located within the park, the centre offers a fascinating glimpse into life over 200,000 years ago. Explore detailed fossil exhibits and walk through a life-sized diorama showcasing extinct animals in their prehistoric environments. Following our visit, we are joined by a guide to tour the stunning Alexandra Cave—one of the park’s most special treasures. Discovered in 1908, this cave is adorned with impressive speleothems, including stalactites, stalagmites, and towering columns. You'll be captivated by the striking contrast between the delicate, needle-like formations and the grand, twisting structures. As we explore, marvelling at how the structures seem to defy gravity, be sure to look out for the intricate helectites and beautiful flowstone that decorate the cave. Next, we travel to the picture-perfect country town of Penola, known for its rich heritage and picturesque setting. Here, a local expert will guide us through the town’s fascinating history. Much of Penola’s past has been carefully preserved and is showcased along historic Petticoat Lane and within the Saint Mary MacKillop Interpretive Centre. At the Interpretive Centre, friendly volunteers warmly welcome visitors and share the inspiring story of Saint Mary of the Cross MacKillop—Australia’s first saint. Adjacent to the centre is Petticoat Lane, a captivating heritage site that offers a glimpse into pioneer life during the 1890s. Be sure to explore the area behind the original slab hut cottage, where you’ll find the story of Christopher Sharam, his wife, and their 15 children brought to life. Before returning to Naracoorte, we take advantage of being in the Coonawarra district, where the cool climate adds to the recipe for good, often great, wines. Wynns Coonawarra Estate Winery is the oldest winery in the area, established in 1896 and still one of the best. The grapes grown here are Chardonnay, Riesling, Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. The red wines are consistent and have generally been outstanding. A wine tasting here will be proof of this!

OVERNIGHT:  William MacIntosh Motor Lodge, NARACOORTE

NARACOORTE TO MELBOURNE

We farewell Naracoorte this morning and head to Horsham where we look at their silo art. “Walking on Country” artwork celebrates the life of a Wotjobaluk warrior, Yanggendyinanyuk. World renowned street artist Sam Bates 'Smug' was commissioned to transform Horsham's silo with the image of Yanggendyinanyuk. His totem, the Black Cockatoo, has been painted on the adjacent flour mill. After a photo opportunity, we travel to Ararat to enjoy lunch before returning to Melbourne where, 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 superior service!