Cruise Sydney Harbour
Cruise Sydney Harbour with a local skipper and understand the city’s layout from the water.
Showcasing two of Australia’s cities, Sydney and Melbourne, a stay on the World Heritage listed island of Lord Howe plus a small group wildlife adventure into East Gippsland, home to a huge biodiversity of both bird and plant life.
Lord Howe Island is one of those special places, almost untouched by time and a stay here will surely be a highlight of this holiday. This is combined with two takes on city life; the glamour of Sydney combined with the bohemian feel of Melbourne, plus an incredible wildlife adventure through the less know landscapes of East Gippsland to walk with grey kangaroo and echidna and get hands on with koala research on an island refuge.
Key Highlights of this Itinerary
1
Wildlife & Conservation
Aid in koala conservation efforts and see kangaroo, echidna plus a wealth of birdlife in the wild.
3
Lord Howe Island
Stay on World Heritage-listed Lord Howe Island, on the world’s southern-most coral reef – experienced by few.
East Gippsland Landscapes
Explore giant eucalypt groves, rainforests, coastal heathlands and vast beaches.
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Day 1
Arrive Sydney
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Days 2 - 3
Sydney
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Day 4
Sydney - Lord Howe Island
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Days 5 - 6
Lord Howe Island
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Day 7
Lord Howe Island - Sydney - Melbourne
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Days 8 - 9
Melbourne
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Day 10
Melbourne - East Gippsland
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Day 11
East Gippsland
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Day 12
East Gippsland
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Day 13
East Gippsland
Day 1
Arrive Sydney
Arrive Sydney and transfer to your accommodation.
Days 2 - 3
Sydney
Spend two days exploring Sydney. Cruise Sydney Harbour with a local skipper and understand the cities layout from the water.
Day 4
Sydney - Lord Howe Island
Transfer to Sydney airport for your two hour flight east to Lord Howe Island. Transfer to your accommodation on arrival.
Days 5 - 6
Lord Howe Island
Spend two days exploring the island, above and below the water. With few motorised vehicles, land explorations will be on foot or by bike.
Day 7
Lord Howe Island - Sydney - Melbourne
Fly to Melbourne via Sydney. On arrival transfer to your accommodation.
Days 8 - 9
Melbourne
Spend two days exploring the city of Melbourne at leisure.
Day 10
Melbourne - East Gippsland
Meet with your wildlife guide to embark on a four day journey into East Gippsland. Travel east to the Lake District, a key habitat for many waterbirds. Board a ferry to Raymond Island and get hands-on with a wild koala research project, exploring the island while collecting vital conservation data.
Day 11
East Gippsland
Travel into the ancient mountain forests of East Gippsland; a critical sanctuary for many bird species including king parrots, lyrebirds and honeyeaters, it is also rich in wildlife including wallabies and reptiles.
Day 12
East Gippsland
Explore temperate rainforest and heathland in search of birdlife on Australia’s wild coast spotting white bellied sea eagles, kingfisher and huge goanna lizards. Continue to a sweeping beach to explore sand dunes and rock pools before a picnic dinner.
Day 13
East Gippsland
Return to Melbourne via Krowathunkoolong Keeping Place, a fascinating Aboriginal Cultural Centre. Spot grey headed flying foxes in their riverside roosts before returning to Melbourne for onward travel.
More Details
Be One of Few
Fly two hours east of Sydney to Lord Howe Island, a World Heritage-listed archipelago located 700 kilometres off the coast between Sydney and Brisbane. This pristine island accepts a maximum of 400 visitors at any given time. Birdlife abounds and the island is surrounded by a reef-fringed lagoon plus the world’s southern-most coral reef.
Do as little or as much as you wish during your stay, with plenty of activities on offer such as swimming, bushwalking, fishing and snorkelling directly from the beach. Fishing or diving excursions at Balls Pyramid, the remains of a once giant volcano, complete a stay at this amazing island.
Wildlife and Conservation
Located in the eastern corner of the state of Victoria, East Gippsland is a little visited region that packs a biodiverse punch. With landscapes ranging from giant eucalypt groves to rainforests, lakes and a wild 90 mile beach, it is also home to some equally impressive wildlife. During a small group trip over four days, you will be introduced to this region, through the experience and knowledge of a wildlife expert. Gain privileged insight to some of Australia’s most iconic wildlife residents including kangaroo, koala, echidna and a wealth of birdlife. Aid in the setting up of a wild koala research project on Raymond Island, collecting data including tree species preference, behaviour and identification of individuals.
How does this holiday make a positive impact?
- Relevant SDGs
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Lord Howe Island is committed to a ground-breaking solar energy project meaning 80% of the islands energy will eventually be produced from solar panels, replacing the current diesel fuel energy.
During your East Gippsland Wildlife Journey guests are offered the opportunity to remove Ghost Net – discarded fishing net – that has washed up on the beach from Bass Strait or the Southern Ocean. This project commenced in 2013 when copious amounts of the orange netting could be found across the rocky headland of Cape Conran.
Our partners at Echidna Walkabout Nature Tours have been at the forefront of policy development for responsible Koala viewing, based on over 27 years of research. In 2006, the organisation launched the Sustainable Koala Watching Code, implementing a welfare policy for guides, researchers and staff members in order to reduce human behaviours that cause Koalas to respond negatively, as much as possible.
Learn more about the UN's 17 sustainability goals
Suggested Extension
Australia: The Great Ocean Road
Self-drive in Australia is a lovely addition to any holiday and there are few more iconic drives than the Great Ocean Road. Spend a few days exploring the wild beaches and dramatic cliffs of this distinctive stretch of coast, stopping to overnight in Apollo Bay, beneath the slopes of the Otway Ranges, and at the charming fishing village of Port Fairy. Midway between these two towns are the famous Twelve Apostles, craggy limestone spires which rise from the Southern Ocean. Hidden inland are the eucalypt gum forests of the You Yangs, the forests and waterfalls of Great Otway National Park and the volcanoes and lakes of the Western Plains, all home to a wealth of wildlife.
3 days - Price on request
A note on price
Prices will vary depending on the time of year you are travelling. Prices do not include international flights. Please ask one of our Travel Experts for an accurate quote. Flights purchased through Steppes Travel departing from the UK are ATOL protected.
This Itinerary
Price
From £8,995 Per person
When to travel
The states of Victoria and New South Wales have a great climate for most of the year although the best time to visit is from October to March. Into April and May it should still be lovely although the nights will be cooler and it may be a little too chilly to swim. Between June and September, it can be cold and wet.
Holiday Inspiration
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Why Choose Steppes?
Our knowledge and expertise set us apart. So too our curiosity. It is this that drives us to create a journey that is really bespoke to you, all the while ensuring we travel and operate sustainably.
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