Signature Islands Tour

On this Signature Islands Tour, depart Archerfield and head to our first stop, Bathurst. Located in the Central Tablelands of New South Wales, Bathurst was the site of the first gold discovery, causing the first ‘gold rush’ in Australia.

During our stop in Bathurst, you will have the opportunity for a tour of the town including the famous Mount Panorama racing circuit, Wahluu cultural area, and Australia’s oldest inland church. After this tour, you will be driven to Abercrombie House, a ‘heritage treasure’ built back in the 1870’s by the Stewart family. High Tea will be served at Abercrombie House before returning to the airport.

Our next flight for today takes us to the incredible Flinders Island, the largest of 52 granite islands situated in the eastern Bass Strait, between Tasmania and Mainland Australia.

Overnight – Flinders Island Retreat

Your first full day on this incredible island is spent with a local tour guide who will take you through the amazing history of the island: starting at the beach at Trousers Point, then on to Whitemark, Walker’s Lookout, Mt Strzelecki and the town of Lady Barron, before arriving back at the hotel where you can wind down with your choice of refreshment with dinner.

Overnight – Flinders Island Retreat

After a nourishing breakfast, your exploration of the islands of the Bass Strait continues as we head to our next location – King Island. Upon our arrival, you will be greeted at the airport by your local King Island guide. This tour begins in the township of Currie with a visit to the King Island Gallery, where you will be immersed in the artwork of many local artists. You will visit the Kelp Industries and Burgess Bay, the Currie Lighthouse and the Museum, with its rich local history.

Your gourmet trail begins with lunch at the Great Southern, where you’ll be served a Ploughman’s lunch, King Island style. After lunch, you’ll be taken to the King Island Dairy where you will have the opportunity to sample a selection of your favourite cheeses made from 100% King Island milk. Ask the Head Cheese Maker the secret to the Island’s incredible but unusually rich milk, sourced from local farms which gives the cheese the subtle yet noticeable difference in taste. This is one island that is definitely ‘No Ordinary Island, No Ordinary Cheese’.

Dinner will be a two-course meal taking in the breathtaking views of the ocean.

Overnight – Boomerang by the Sea – Deluxe room

After Breakfast, it’s time to depart for the southern highlights tour, travelling down to the furthest tip of King Island. You will see the unique 7000-year-old calcified forest and the amazing views from Seal Rocks. Morning tea is served in a spectacular location, while you hear about the vast, and at times – tragic, history of the southern tip of this island.

The gourmet trail continues with a crayfish lunch served with wine, beer and soft drink. After a long lunch, you will have some free time to explore the area around you accommodation or catch up on some rest.

Tonight, dinner will be at the award-winning Wild Harvest restaurant. Before returning to the hotel for the night you will be treated to a nocturnal penguin experience.

Overnight – Boomerang by the Sea – Deluxe room

On your last day on King Island, you will have the option of going on an early morning guided tour along the coastal kelp track, used by the island’s seaweed collectors. Explore the rugged foreshore and experience more of King Island’s stunning flora and fauna.

Your incredible flight this morning takes you back toward the mainland. Be sure to have your cameras at-the-ready, as we get a bird’s-eye-view of the Twelve Apostles. These are a collection of limestone stacks 150 ft tall off the shore of Port Campbell National Park, by the Great Ocean Road in Victoria.

Arriving in the last of the southern islands on this Signature tour, your guide will pick you up from Kingscote for your first tour on the island. Walk through the bush with your guide as you discover tracks and stories of the Kangaroo Island inhabitants. Look for small wallabies – almost extinct on the mainland, a kangaroo found only on Kangaroo Island, and a variety of birds, plants, and other animals.

Lunch will be at a private bush camp, for a delicious meal featuring King George whiting (local sea fish), fresh salads, and fine South Australian wines.

After lunch you will get the incredible opportunity for a private tour with your guide of our Australian sea lions at the beautiful Seal Bay. Watch pups nursing or playing in the surf, see old bulls bearing the scars of territorial disputes, and learn about their unique breeding biology.

Overnight – Mercure Hotel – Waterfront room

Today’s full day tour of Kangaroo Island kicks off exploring the wilderness of the west end, an elegant picnic lunch, and the iconic landscapes of Flinders Chase National Park.

Begin the day travelling through some of the previously fire-affected landscapes of Kangaroo Island, which are recovering quickly following generous winter rains. Learn about fire ecology and how nature deals with fire. Some of our native flora species only flower following fire!

Travel into Flinders Chase National Park and explore the Remarkable Rocks, a natural sculpture perched impossibly on top a granite dome plunging into the ocean.

Evidence of the power of the Southern Ocean’s might continues at Admirals Arch – a coastal grotto which provides a haul out for a large colony of long-nosed fur seals that swim effortlessly through crashing waves.

Picnic lunch is in the bush or, if weather permits, on a spectacular clifftop. Lunch includes marinated poached chicken, fresh salads and cheeses accompanied by local wine, beer, soft drinks, and spring water.

Depending upon the season, the afternoon might include a visit to “Grassdale” in the heart of Kelly Hill Conservation Park, the secluded pools of the Rocky River, or a rugged South Coast cove.

Overnight – Mercure Hotel – Waterfront room

On the departure from Kangaroo Island, you'll head north-east, flying over Cape Jervis on the Fleurieu Peninsular, before arriving at the first destination of Mildura.

Mildura is also known as the centre of Victoria’s Food Bowl and is a major producer of citrus fruits and wine. It is also notable for its grape production, supplying 80% of Victoria’s grapes. Many wineries also source grapes from this area and your local guide will give you an overview of the history of this region.

Depart on the next leg and fly over the arid interior of NSW to our destination of Bourke. On arrival, you will have the opportunity to meet one of Australia’s leading contemporary artists, Jenny Greentree. She has been painting professionally for 17 years. Jen’s art is inspired by the rich Australian scenery, and she has worked from her own gallery, ‘Back O’ Bourke’ for 16 years. Living on the banks of the Darling River provides continual inspiration for Jen who works in a variety of mediums. Jen’s perceptive observation and artistic skill enable her to convey the unique characteristics of the outback landscape in a very realistic manner.

Following afternoon tea at this unique location you'll take your last flight of this tour – homeward bound to Archerfield. Fly over Lightning Ridge and Goondiwindi before returning to Gold Coast, rounding off what we hope was a truly remarkable tour.