Wildlife, Beach and Sydney

Rose Gums Wilderness Retreat
Rose Gums is a stunning wilderness retreat set in 90 hectares of rainforest on the edge of the Atherton Tablelands. It offers nine treehouse chalets, all of them beautifully furnished with lounge, bedroom, spa bathroom, kitchen and wraparound verandah overlooking the rainforest.

The rooms come with ample provisions as well as a barbecue hamper so that you can prepare your own meals—though if you prefer you can also choose to dine at the Rose Gum’s canopy restaurant.

Rose Gums is hosted by Jon and Peta Nott, warm, engaging hosts who also lead most of the activities. Guided walks and wildlife tours are included in your stay, and there’s almost 6 miles of walking trails which you are free to explore independently.

The Atherton Tablelands cover an area of over 30,000 km² and encompass a diverse range of habitats, from dry eucalypt woodland to lush rainforest and dramatic volcanic lakes. The sheer diversity of the landscape makes it suitable for a wide array of species, particularly bird species (of which there are over 300 in total, 13 of them endemics), which has given the area its reputation as the primary birding site in Australia. Among the species found are the King Parrot, Black Cockatoo, the Southern Cassowary and the Crimson Rosella. During your walking tour you’ll also learn more about the larger denizens of the rainforest, which include musky rat-kangaroo, possum, platypus and dingo – though sightings are not common.

After the walk, the rest of the day is at your leisure. Explore the forest trails at your own pace, or relax on your verandah and take in the views.

Mungumby Lodge
Located on Cape York, less than half an hour from Cooktown, Mungumby Lodge is a boutique wilderness retreat that provides easy access to the greater Daintree Rainforest and the famous Black Mountain – a rock formation over 250 million years old. This is a region as diverse in its geography as the Atherton Tableland, and home to just as many endemics.

At the centre of Mungumby Lodge is an old homestead, which functions as the lounge and dining room. Surrounding the homestead are ten wooden bungalows, each of which opens out onto a private patio. Nature is the main attraction at Mungumby—the rooms lack TVs and telephones, but you won’t miss them. Wi-Fi and phone reception are available but limited due to the remote location.

There’s a huge amount to see and do during your stay at Mungumby—explore the rainforest trails, discover the local Aboriginal culture, or enjoy lunch at a 19th-century Australian pub.

During the tour you will have the chance to learn more about Aboriginal traditions, visiting notable landmarks such as the Rainbow Serpent Cave and even an ancestral birth site.

After the tour, you may like to take the time to explore the historic coastal town of Cooktown at your own leisure, before making your back to Mungumby Lodge.

Your stay at Thala Beach includes a number of activities, such as guided nature walks in the surrounding coastal forest, tree planting trips, cooking lessons, plantation tours, beach combing and more. Sea kayaks are available to borrow, allowing you to explore the coast at leisure.

Thala Beach Lodge
Thala Beach Lodge enjoys a stunning location overlooking the Coral Sea, just outside Port Douglas, where the reef and rainforest meet.

Thala’s rainforest bungalows blend in beautifully with their natural surroundings, providing a real sense of privacy, while the Coral Sea Bungalows provide a view of the ocean from their private verandahs. All rooms have the expected modern amenities, including AC, en-suite bathroom, media centre with CD and DVD player.

Thala Beach Lodge’s facilities include two pools, a beach bar and health spa. Osprey’s Restaurant enjoys wonderful views of the ocean and serves a delicious array of seafood.

The lodge is spread out over a large area, but buggies are available to help you get around!

Your day begins with a pick-up from your hotel and includes morning tea, a delicious barbecue lunch served on the deck of the ship, guided snorkelling tour, and all equipment (lycra suits, wetsuits and flotation devices). Drinks are available on board at an extra cost.

A guided snorkelling tour is offered, but the day isn’t rigidly structured and you’ll have plenty of time to explore the reef independently, within the vicinity of the catamaran.

You will be collected from your hotel by your guide early this morning and driven to Daintree. There will be time to take a stroll along the beach at Cape Tribulation or on one of the many scenic forest boardwalks, before you head to the Jungle Surfing centre in north Daintree.

The Jungle Surfing is a great activity for families with children (NB. the minimum age is 3)—or for adventurous adults! It lasts about one and a half hours and involves crossing the forest canopy on a network of zip-wires. You’ll stop at platforms in the trees along the way, which provide marvellous views of the forest below the canopy and out onto the Cape & the Great Barrier Reef.

After lunch, you might like to visit the Daintree Ice Cream Co., where local fruits are made into unique flavours of ice cream—everything from black sapote to wattle seed! Later this afternoon, enjoy a relaxing cruise on the Daintree River, keeping an eye out for the region’s more elusive wildlife, such as the saltwater crocodile.

On arrival at Kingscote, you will be met and transferred to Seascape Lodge for three nights in a Double Room. Your stay is fully inclusive, and includes all meals and drinks and two days of small group 4x4 touring on Kangaroo Island.

Seascape Lodge 
Seascape Lodge occupies a small 5 acre plot on the coast just south of Adelaide, from where it overlooks the beautiful Emu Bay.

Privately owned and managed, Seascape is a tiny, intimate property, with just three guest suites, all of which enjoy ocean views. The rooms all feature glass sliding doors that open onto wide verandahs overlooking the bay. The owners, Mandy and Paul, are generous but unobtrusive hosts, as well as fabulous cooks!

Your itinerary while on Kangaroo island will vary according to the season, but will typically include time spent wildlife-watching in Parndana and Flinders Chase Wildlife Parks, Seal Bay, and Little Sahara—which between them house a wonderful diversity of wildlife (wild kangaroos, koala rosellas, ant-eaters, and even penguins and seals can all be found on the island at different times of year). Kangaroo Island is also notable for its dramatic coastline and inland geography; you’ll have time to visit the aptly-named Remarkable Rocks, a series of granite and limestone rock formations of the most unusual shapes, and to explore the coastal cliffs and beaches.

Your host Paul will help co-ordinate your tours during your stay on Kangaroo Island and ensure you cover all of the highlights.

On arrival in Sydney, you will be met by your driver and transferred the short distance to the Shangri-La Hotel, where you stay three nights in a deluxe city view room, with breakfast.

Shangri-La Hotel
The Shangri-La Hotel is located directly on Sydney Harbour, and provides fabulous views of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge. It is within easy walking distance of Market Street as well as a number of the city’s most prominent sights.

The Shangri-La boasts all the facilities you would expect of a good 5-star city hotel, including an indoor swimming pool, spa and fitness club. The hotel’s Altitude Restaurant on Level 36 offers a rich and varied menu accompanied by terrific views, while the casual coffee shop is a great spot for breakfast and lunch. Within walking distance of the Shangri-La is a range of dining options, from casual pubs to top-end restaurants.

The deluxe rooms face the famous Opera House and offer glimpses of Circular Quay and the harbour.

Remember to bring a hat, sun glasses, sun lotion, soft-soled shoes and, if the weather is warm, your swim wear. Snorkelling equipment will be provided. The cruise accommodates no more than 8 people.

The cruise will be led by skipper Colin, who will introduce you to the landmarks of Sydney Harbour. Lunch – sushi, salads and fruit, along with your choice of wine, beer or soft drinks, and followed by a sweet treat with tea or coffee – will be shared in a quiet bay. At the end of the cruise you will be delivered to Darling Harbour where you might like to explore the shops, museums, and aquarium, before making your way back to your hotel.

We can help arrange activities or guided tours for you, or you can take your last day at your own pace.