Eastern grey kangaroo, near Emerald beach, Australia

Australian Safari – Outback to Ocean

  • TAILOR-MADE HOLIDAY IDEA

Duration

15 Days

Prices Start from

$14,829pp(ex. flights)

This holiday to South Australia and Western Australia showcases the country’s distinctive wildlife and spectacular landscapes, journeying from outback to ocean, meeting passionate locals, with explorations on foot, by boat and train.

Begin amidst the cinematic expanse of a 60,000 acre private wildlife conservancy in South Australia’s Flinders Ranges before joining wildlife experts on the rugged shores of Kangaroo Island. Cross vast limestone plains of the Nullarbor on board the iconic Indian Pacific train to reach Western Australia, where vineyards and whale encounters await. Luxury accommodation throughout showcases Australia’s extraordinary diversity of place and experience, from a traditional homestead to a cliffside lodge, a cabin in motion and a vineyard retreat.

Key Highlights of this Itinerary

Echidna, Australia 1

Australian Wildlife

Step beyond the traditional ‘Big Five’ and discover macropods, monotremes, marsupials and cetaceans.

Indian Pacific Train, Nullarbor Plains, Western Australia 2

The Indian Pacific

Experience Australia’s spectacular interior landscapes on an epic 3 day train journey from Adelaide to Perth.

Whale Breach off coast of Western Australia 3

Whales and Wine

World class wines and extraordinary humpback interactions in Margaret River.

Australia, Flinders Range, Arkaba 4

The Flinders Ranges

Explore dramatic outback and ancient Aboriginal rock art in the Flinders Ranges.

Explore our suggested itinerary

  • Day 1

    Adelaide

    Arrive into Adelaide.

  • Day 2

    Adelaide - Flinders Ranges

    Drive to the Flinders Ranges.

  • Days 3-4

    Flinders Ranges

    Outback Explorations.

  • Day 5

    Flinders Ranges - Adelaide - Kangaroo Island

    Travel south to Kangaroo Island.

  • Days 6-7

    Kangaroo Island

    Kangaroo Island Explorations.

  • Day 8

    Kangaroo Island - Adelaide

    Board the Indian Pacific train in Adelaide.

  • Day 9

    Crossing the Nullarbor Plain

    Train travel across the Nullarbor Plains.

  • Day 10

    Arrive Perth

    Disembark the Indian Pacific train in Perth.

  • Day 11

    Perth (Rottnest Island)

    Visit Rottnest Island.

  • Day 12

    Perth - Margaret River

    Drive south to the Margaret River.

  • Day 13

    Margaret River

    Day at leisure.

  • Day 14

    Margaret River

    Whale watching expedition.

  • Day 15

    Margaret River - Perth

    Return to Perth.

Day 1

Adelaide

Arrive Adelaide and transfer to your hotel.

Day 2

Adelaide - Flinders Ranges

Pick up your hire car and drive approximately 5 hours to the Flinders Ranges and your accommodation for the next 3 nights.

Days 3-4

Flinders Ranges

Spend two days exploring this outback landscape on foot and by 4×4, learning about its flora and fauna and the incredible conservation projects in place. Enjoy a morning in one of Arkaba’s wildlife hides, on a birding safari or exploring ancient Aboriginal rock art or fossil sites.

Day 5

Flinders Ranges - Adelaide - Kangaroo Island

Drive to Adelaide via the Barossa Valley vineyards and take a short flight to Kangaroo Island and your clifftop accommodation.

Days 6-7

Kangaroo Island

Spend two days exploring the island and its resident wildlife, from sea lions and long nose fur seals to echidnas, koalas and kangaroos. Take an e-bike tour along the Cygnet River, get involved with echidna research and witness Kangaroo Island’s natural regeneration following the devastating fires.

Day 8

Kangaroo Island - Adelaide

Return to Adelaide and board the Indian Pacific train to begin your overland journey to Perth. Celebrate the start of the journey with a ‘Flavours of South Australia’ welcome dinner, showcasing its fabulous food and world-class wine.

Day 9

Crossing the Nullarbor Plain

After a breakfast with desert views, stop to visit the outback ghost town of Cook. Dine under the stars at Rawlinna, the Nullarbor outpost that borders a ‘little’ sheep station of a mere 8,000 square kilometres.

Day 10

Arrive Perth

Breakfast as the rolling hills of the Avon Valley pass by. Arrive into Perth in the afternoon.

Day 11

Perth (Rottnest Island)

Get the ferry to car-free Rottnest Island for a guided walk to meet the island’s endemic resident, the quokka. Learn about the rich eco-diversity and environmental conservation happening on the island.

Day 12

Perth - Margaret River

Collect your hire car and drive around 3 hours south towards the vineyards and beaches of Margaret River.

Day 13

Margaret River

Spend a day at leisure sampling local wines and relaxing.

Day 14

Margaret River

Join whale experts onboard a comfortable catamaran and spend a morning in search of humpback whales as they make their epic migration north.

Day 15

Margaret River - Perth

Drive to Perth for onward travel.

Our travel experts can tailor this itinerary to suit you.

More Details

Flinders Ranges, South Australia
Flinders Ranges, Australia

Outback experience at Arkaba

Arkaba is a small, intimate homestead in South Australia, with a history dating back to the 1850s. Located on a protected wildlife conservancy of 24,300 hectares in the Flinders Ranges, it provides a sanctuary to over 1,200 species of plants and 300 different species of birds. Cut off from the rest of the world for around 30 million years, Australia’s wildlife has adapted into distinctive species and Arkaba’s dynamic conservation initiatives have resulted in the return of myriad native species.

Take guided walks and 4×4 safaris amidst huge river red gum trees, wide gorges and extensive bushland, viewing iconic wildlife including kangaroos, emus, kookaburras and yellow-footed rock wallabies.

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Group of four seals on the sea shore.
Seal Bay, Kangaroo Island, Australia

Kangaroo Island

Australia’s third largest island and just off the coast of South Australia, Kangaroo Island is encompassed by rugged cliffs, hidden coves and beautiful sandy beaches. A haven for wildlife including rare sea lions, echidnas, koalas, kangaroos, koalas and birdlife, the island guides are incredible, often native and always passionate. Take an e-bike tour along the Cygnet River or get involved with echidna research and citizen science programs with expert Peggy Rismiller. Following the devastating fires, meeting conservationists and witnessing first-hand, Kangaroo Island’s natural regeneration is an uplifting experience.

The chance to stay at the luxurious Southern Ocean Lodge, with its far-reaching ocean views, is pretty special.

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Dawn at the vineyards, Margaret River, Western Australia, Australia
Margaret River vineyards
Humpback whale jumping out of the water in Australia
Humpback whale, Australia

Western Australia

The Margaret River region is a realm of wine and whales. Hosting around 40,000 humpback whales annually, this locale stands as a premier destination for extraordinary whale and dolphin interactions. Between September and November, humpback, southern right and even blue whale can be seen off the coast of Dunsborough as they nurse and rest with their calves enroute to Antarctica. Between May and August the seaside town of Augusta is one of the best locations to view Humpbacks as they make their epic migration north, filling the beautiful Flinders Bay area. This region also produces less than 5% of Australia’s wine but over 20% of its premium wine!

With more time, venture further south to Albany, where nearby Bremer Bay sees the largest congregations of orcas in the southern hemisphere.

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How does this holiday make a positive impact?

Our partner in Kangaroo Island, Echidna Walkabout Nature Tours has 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 to reduce human behaviours that may negatively impact koalas.

Arkaba’s biodiversity is still in a state of recovery following the ecological damage done by over a century of sheep farming and the clearance of vegetation for agriculture. Working with the Australian Wildlife Conservancy, Arkaba’s conservation efforts have been the catalyst for this recovery, eradicating feral herbivores and predators to allow native species to thrive. Tourism provides essential funds towards financing many of Arkaba’s conservation initiatives.

Whale watching experts Naturaliste Charters are globally-recognised innovators in the industry and support numerous projects, as well as facilitating independent research onboard their expeditions throughout the year. The team has been collaborating with Geographe Marine Research (GMR) for over a decade and among other projects, submit images daily, especially of endangered Blue Whales and Southern Right Whales.

Accommodation

Below you can see some of the wonderful places we have recommended for this journey.

Arkaba Station £££££

  • Australia
  • Farmstead and Ranches

Arkaba Homestead sits on a 60,000-acre private conservancy amidst the Flinders Ranges; an ancient landscape moulded by millions of years of geological activity and home to some of Australia’s most spectacular outback scenery and wildlife.

View Property

Southern Ocean Lodge £££££

  • Australia

Above the crashing surf of the Southern Ocean on Kangaroo Island, this stunning lodge boasts beautiful panoramic views and adjoins two National Parks.

View Property

COMO The Treasury £££££

  • Australia
  • City

COMO The Treasury is a 48 room boutique hotel housed in a group of late Victorian buildings. Beautifully renovated, these important historical buildings once served as a post office, treasury as well as being home to the cities original seat of government.

View Property

Cape Lodge £££££

  • Australia
  • Boutique

Cape Lodge is a small luxury hotel located in the heart of the Margaret River wine region. The 22 classically elegant rooms and suites are romantic and airy in style with either a patio or balcony offering lake or garden views.

View Property

Australia: The Murray River

Travel from Adelaide to the shores of the Murray River to join passionate local guides and naturalists and explore the meandering creeks and tranquil backwaters of Australia’s greatest river. Spot red kangaroos, koalas, echidnas, goannas and possums as well as a wealth of birdlife. Depending on time of travel board the 12-berth solar-powered houseboat High River, for a 3 day safari along the river, or explore on foot with 4 days of easy hiking and nights in comfort on board.

4 days - Price on request

A group of walkers silhoutted on a ridge at sunrise, on Heading Cliffs overlooking a hazy Murray River below.
Walkers on the Murray River

Australia: Ningaloo Reef

Fly north from Perth to the Ningaloo reef and escape the world at the wonderful Sal Salis tented camp, where the outback meets the reef. A range of activities are included during a stay here, including kayaking, walking and snorkelling, with the chance to swim with whale sharks (March to August) or humpback whales (July to October) as an optional add on. The Cape Range National Park is also on the doorstep and is home to the iconic red kangaroo plus a host of wonderful birdlife.

4 days - Price on request

Aerial View of Sal Salis, Exmouth, Ningaloo Reef, Western Australia
Sal Salis

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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 $14,829 Per person

When to travel

South Australia can be visited for most of the year but the best time is from September to May. Kangaroo Island has a Mediterranean climate so is a good destination year round, with the exception of June to September when it could be cold and wet – that said the wildlife in the winter is great and accommodation such as Southern Ocean Lodge have beautiful open fires. Be aware that the Flinders ranges outback can get extremely hot during these months and temperatures can reach freezing at night and in the early mornings. Perth and Margaret River in Western Australia are at their sunny best between October and March.

Holiday Inspiration

Our experts have created and curated these tailor-made holiday ideas to get you started. Take the time to search through them and find something that is the spark for your unique adventure.

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