Highlights of Australia

Get up close and personal with some of Australia’s iconic wildlife on this full day adventure. Your guide will collect you from your hotel in Melbourne and take you to Phillip Island in a luxurious vehicle. The island is home to native species such as koalas and little penguins. Enter the Koala Conservation Centre and come face-to-face with these animals while strolling along the tree-top boardwalks. Explore the trails that lead through Australian bushland and keep an eye out for animals such as wallabies, echidnas, and bats. You might also explore Cape Woolamai’s coastline, where you can enjoy a wine tasting, visit ocean lookouts, and go bird watching. Head to the coastal boardwalks at The Nobbies to see the fur seal colony that lives on Seal Rocks. In the evening, watch the famous Penguin Parade from an exclusive raised platform located away from the crowds. Spot the little penguins as they emerge from the sea and return to their nests in the sand of Summerland Beach. Along the way your knowledgeable guide will tell you all about these animals. Enjoy a delicious dinner before the tour wraps up.(Duration: full day; Private activity & transfers)

Taste the best of Melbourne on a food walk covering both famous gastronomic hubs and gems hidden behind doors or in laneways. Meet your guide at Bourke St Mall and stroll along the bustling Degrave Street and Hardware Lane snacking al fresco at some of the cafes. Visit eateries in malls such as Block Arcade and Royal Arcade. Sample the city’s world famous coffee, Chinese dumplings, indulgent pastries and other sweet treats, which you might miss if not for the insider recommendations from your guide! Drop into several restaurants, street food stalls and hole-in-the-wall cafes. End your walk with a drink in a rooftop bar frequented by the local people. Along with the culinary experience, this walk through historic arcades, Victorian architecture, street art, and lively markets will give you a cultural flavor of the city as well. (Half Day; Shared Activity; Please note that the meeting point for departure is the steps of GPO Building Bourke St Mall.)

When staying at Sea Dragon Lodge guests will benefit from included ‘Signature Experiences’ on an intimate shared basis with fellow guests at scheduled times. Experience times are seasonal and subject to change weather permitting.

Get acquainted with the region’s wildlife, food, and wines in this fascinating guided exploration. Meet up with your guide and enjoy a basic introduction to the day’s adventure. Settle into the cool comfort of an air conditioned 4WD vehicle as you embark on the journey to Cygnet River Valley. Explore a red gum forest and scan the treetops for glimpses of adorable koalas napping in the foliage. Drive past scenic farms as you head to Lathami Conservation Park on the North Coast. Stroll across the park to get up close with kangaroos, Tammar wallabies, and endangered glossy black cockatoos. Head to a private bush location for lunch where you will feast on fresh salads, delicious seafood, and excellent local wines. After lunch, make your way to Seal Bay Conservation Park, home to colonies of Australian sea lions. Accompany your guide on to the picturesque beach where you can watch seal pups frolic in the surf and cuddle up with their mother. See the old bull seals with scars from territorial fights and learn interesting facts about their breeding process. Spend the rest of the afternoon exploring seasonal attractions of the region. (Full Day; Shared Activity & Transfers; Morning Tea, Lunch With Beverages Included; Fitness Level: Easy).

Discover the best of Sydney on this private guided tour. After a hearty breakfast, drive through the historic Rocks precinct and learn about the origins of this great city. Explore old cottages and pubs, as well as Australia’s very first church, all built by convicts ages ago. Drive past Macquarie Street, named after the fifth Governor of New South Wales, Lachlan Macquarie, before reaching the Botanical Gardens in the heart of the city. Visit the country’s first Parliament House, the mint, the Hyde Park Barracks and St Mary’s Cathedral. Stop at Mrs Macquarie’s Chair on the waterfront area and take a walking tour around the scenic harbor with its great views of the Harbour Bridge and the Opera House. Make a pit stop for lunch at the posh Cruising Yacht Club of Australia and afterward, drive through the tony neighborhood of Darling Point. You’ll pass by scenic bays before reaching the famous Bondi Beach, where you can enjoy ice creams and stroll down the esplanade like locals do. Return to the city past Oxford Street and Paddington, admiring the charming Georgian and Victorian architecture of the neighborhoods. (Private Activity & Transfer).

Watch the sunset over magnificent Uluru or Ayers Rock, on this enjoyable tour. Take in unobstructed views of the outback’s world famous landmark, bathed in the golden light of the sunset. Gain insights into local culture as well as the history and geology of the region from your knowledgeable guide. Capture stunning images of the many moods of the iconic monolith, from different viewpoints. Before you head back, enjoy light snacks and a glass of sparkling wine as you continue to enjoy gorgeous views of this UNESCO-listed site. (Duration: 2 hrs; Evening activity; Shared activity & transfers; Group size: 2 – 11 guests; Meals included: snacks and refreshments; Fitness level: easy; Tour not available on Dec 25)

Unravel the mysteries of an ancient culture with an aboriginal guide and interpreter on this fascinating tour. Understand how the indigenous people of the region have managed to live in this inhospitable environment over generations. Stop by sacred sites around Uluru or Ayers Rock and watch your expert guide interpret the rock art for you. Explore the cave where the Mala people set up home when they first arrived at Uluru and wander around the kitchen where they prepared their meals. Join the local aboriginal artists and have fun mastering the techniques of dot painting. Learn all about the various symbols and styles used to create exquisite pieces of art that tell a story of their own to create a masterpiece as a souvenir of your unique experience! (Duration: Half Day; Shared Activity & Transfers; Group Size: Small, 1-16 guests; Fitness Level: Easy.)

Get ready for a day full of underwater and seaside adventures! Visit Port Douglas and hop onto the luxury sailing catamaran to set off for snorkeling in the blue waters of the island paradise. Savor morning tea and coffee before jumping into the water accompanied by a snorkeling instructor. Be rest assured of in-water assistance as you discover the region’s natural beauty. Enjoy a tropical buffet lunch with fresh prawns on the menu. If you wish to stay on board, you can enjoy the glass-bottomed boat, and engage in reef viewing and interpretation while relishing some fresh cut fruit and homemade cakes. Explore the scenic Low Isles, an untouched coral cay on Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, with a heritage walk. Enjoy access to limited areas, as well as ample personal attention from the crew during your trip. (Full Day; Group Tour Activity & Transfer; Snorkeling equipment, optical masks, seasonal lycra snorkelling suits, wetsuits & floatation devices are also included.)

Explore the 160 million-year-old habitat of Daintree Rainforest, a UNESCO World Heritage-listed site in Queensland. Set off on rainforest walks to witness an ancient and wondrous ecosystem that spans coastal lowlands from the Daintree to Bloomfield Rivers, sandy beaches, a reef and mountains till Cape Tribulation. Learn from your experienced, local guide all about the indigenous flora and fauna – indeed you may even spot crocodiles basking in the sun or a cassowary pecking at the ground! Take in panoramic views of the spectacular verdant landscape from the Alexandra Lookout and get to know the organic culture of the Kuku Yalanji people, the natural custodians of the rainforest. Take a break with exotic ice creams made of fresh tropical fruits and as the tour comes to a close, look back in wonder at the natural wealth of the oldest living rainforest in the world. (Full Day; Private Activity & Transfer).