JEEPS EXPEDITION THROUGH AMAZING WINTER AUSTRALIA!
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DESCRIPTION
Australia is an incredible country with truly unique wildlife, pristine rivers, and mesmerizing landscapes. Plenty of sunshine, rich flora and fauna, endless white sandy beaches, crystal-clear blue lagoons, stunning coral reefs, and fascinating Aboriginal culture. It is hard to imagine a better place for an adventurous journey!
Australia is a unique country, almost as large as the USA, excluding Alaska, occupying an entire continent. Everything here seems to follow different laws of nature.
Australia has developed a truly unique ecosystem. Numerous relict animals – echidnas, platypuses, and various marsupials represent the animal kingdom. What about the incredibly charming and unique koalas, wallabies, and wombats! And what could be more interesting than a jeep journey among the unique representatives of Australian flora and fauna?!
Of course, our team has long dreamed of embarking on a full-fledged jeep expedition across Australia, and in June-July 2024, we will do just that!
We will visit the fascinating cities of Melbourne and Adelaide; drive a thousand kilometers along the beautiful "Great Ocean Road"; feel the breath of the ocean near the windy cliffs of the Twelve Apostles; taste the world-famous Australian wines; learn to play the didgeridoo; explore the national parks of the famous Kangaroo Island to see incredible animals like kangaroos, wallabies, wombats, and koalas up close.
We will reach the opal capital - Coober Pedy. Then, near the Painted Hills, we will explore such beautiful places as Alice Springs, the Royal Canyon, Kata Tjuta, the Valley of the Winds, and, of course, we will venture into the heart of the Red Continent to the legendary Uluru, where we will immerse ourselves in the world of Aboriginal legends.
A 15-day program full of diverse and rich experiences. Everything we love: plenty of unique beautiful places, exotic accessible animals, unique photographs, and days filled with emotions, diverse landscapes, delicious food, and excellent comfortable hotels throughout the route...
There will be 2 groups. The first group's route will go from Melbourne to Kangaroo Island - Adelaide - Coober Pedy - Uluru - Alice Springs. The second group will travel in the opposite direction from Alice Springs through Uluru and Coober Pedy to Adelaide and Melbourne.
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ROUTE
IN THE COST OF EXPEDITIONIT INCLUDES:
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accommodation in 3*, 4*, 5* hotels;
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jeep rental for the entire journey;
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car insurance; fuel; ferry payments;
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all excursions as per the program;
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all permits and permissions to visit Australia's protected areas;
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entrance tickets to national parks and reserves specified in the program;
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services of team leaders "Paganel Studio"
EXPEDITION COST DOES NOT INCLUDE:
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flight to Australia,
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visa,
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personal insurance, meals not specified in the program,
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additional options or excursions
TRAVEL PROGRAMME
Day 1
30.06.24
Arrive mid-afternoon in Alice Springs. Independent transfer.
Check-in for 2 days in a cozy 4-star hotel in the central part of the city, meeting with guides. Free time. Optional master class on playing the aboriginal musical instrument Digiridu.
In the afternoon, the drivers receive the cars. We formalize all necessary documents. We brief drivers and crews on the rules of driving and traveling on the roads of Australia. We check the exposed points in the maps. Dinner. Rest. Free time.
Day 2
01.07.24
We sleep in, have a leisurely breakfast (not included in the accommodation). We meet our expert guide and set out to explore the surroundings of Alice Springs. The first place we visit is the grave of the legendary John Flynn, the founder of the Royal Flying Doctor Service.
He is an extremely well known and respected figure in Australia. After the tour, we explore the town of Alice Springs on our own. Stroll around, do some shopping, visit cafes. If possible, we arrange an optional didgeridoo playing masterclass for those interested.
In the second half of the day, we decide on a meeting point, get behind the wheels of our jeeps, and drive 7 km to Alice Springs Desert Park which presents the Australian desert environment and its inhabitants.
Back to town. We all get together at one of the restaurants in town. We hold a traditional evening of acquaintance of Paganels. Presentation of expedition T-shirts and badges. Dinner. Rest.
Day 3
02.08.24
Early rise. Breakfast (not included in the accommodation cost) and morning coffee. Today, we have another significant journey on a comfortable and beautiful road 460 km. On this day, we will reach the most sacred place of Australian Aboriginals – Uluru, the sacred mountain.
Sacred mountain Uluru, also known as Ayers Rock, is a colossal monolith located in the heart of the continent, the spiritual center of Australia and a sacred site for the Anangu Aboriginal people. Archaeological findings show that Aboriginal people have lived here for at least 22,000 years. Uluru holds numerous legends and stories, and at its base, ancient rock paintings have been preserved. The name "Uluru" is associated with many legends and traditions of the local Anangu people, and the English name "Ayers Rock" was used since colonization. However, in the 1980s, the Aboriginal people reclaimed the mountain's original name – Uluru.
Only a small part of the gigantic rock is visible on the surface; it rises above the desert at 348 meters, with a circumference of nine kilometers, extending into the ground for 5-6 kilometers. Uluru is made of arkose sandstone, a result of erosion of giant granite mountains.
Our local expert guide will explain the significance of Uluru for the indigenous people of this area, the small Aboriginal community living here today, and who owns Uluru. They will also inform you about the reasons why many parts of Uluru cannot be photographed and share many other interesting facts during the journey.
Together with a guide, we will walk along the trail to the sacred water hole in Uluru, formed by a water stream beating out of the mountain.
Here we will also see original Aboriginal rock paintings that are over 5000 years old. The guide will tell us how important rock art was in the lives of the indigenous people, share Aboriginal legends, show pictures of other rock paintings, and tell us what they mean.
After walking around Uluru, we have a short lesson in traditional Aboriginal painting with a true Anangu master.
Let's see the sunset. In the last rays of the departing sun Uluru is blood red in color. The color is constantly changing, you can see it only in real life, optics is not able to convey this range of light!
Then check-in to a comfortable hotel (4*) in the center of a small town of the same name Uluru. Dinner. Rest.
Day 4
03.08.24
Early morning breakfast (not included in the accommodation). We pack our belongings, load them into the jeeps, and 20 minutes before sunrise, we meet our expert guide in the hotel lobby and head to a different eastern part of Uluru. You will witness how the "Sacred Mountain" comes to life in the first rays of the sun. Depending on weather conditions, time of day, and season, Uluru displays different colors each time. As guides in these parts say, no two sunrises are ever the same.
Of course, the tales of a colorful spectacle awaiting you might be slightly exaggerated, but combined with the information you have already received, the sight you will behold is undoubtedly mesmerizing! Next we will visit the Valley of the Winds and another legendary and sacred Aboriginal Australian site called Kata Tjuṯa / Mount Olga.
In the local Anangu tribe's language, Kata Tjuta translates to "Many Heads."
Due to a request from the famous Australian-German naturalist and physician Baron von Mueller, the rock was named after Queen Olga, the wife of German King Charles I of Württemberg, in 1846.
The stone formation had the official name - Mount Olga until 1993, and in English atlases, this mountain is often referred to as Olgas, which translates to Olga literally. Then it was given a dual name: Mount Olga/Kata Tjuta. In 2002, the decision was made to put the original name first: Kata Tjuta/Mount Olga.
The local tribes believe that Kata Tjuta is guarded by spirits. The shadows of ancestors are so sensitive to any activity that even mentioning their names near the rock is forbidden. This place is a vital part of secret ceremonies conducted by men of various tribes. Therefore, access to knowledge about the religious aspect related to Kata Tjuta is limited, just like access to specific areas of the rock. Women-Anangu can sometimes walk near the rock, gather plants, and small animals when no ceremonies are taking place, but they are also prohibited from entering the areas traditionally used by men.
Since a limited number of initiated men possess information about Kata Tjuta, the legends, traditions, and stories associated with this rock are mostly unknown. The Aboriginals do not share most ancient oral stories, as they are considered "too sacred."
Having finished exploring Kata Tjuta, we jump into our jeep and drive 8-9 hours with stops for toilet and coffee to the opal capital of Australia, the unique town of Cooper Pedy.
We check into a comfortable 4-star hotel for 2 nights. Dinner. Relaxation.
Day 5
04.07.24
We wake up leisurely. Breakfast is not included. Today, our entire day is dedicated to exploring the unique town of Coober Pedy. Coober Pedy is one of the most unusual, unique places in Australia and possibly the world. The town is known as the Opal Capital of the World.
It houses one of the richest opal deposits, containing about 30% of the world's total opal reserves. While common opal was first discovered in Australia in 1849 during the gold rush, precious opal, found in Coober Pedy, was only discovered in 1915. The name "Coober Pedy" translates from the language of Australian Aboriginals as "white man's hole" or "white man underground."
In this mining town, there are underground churches, museums, art galleries, bars, and even hotels. Water comes from an underground source located 24 km away. Adapting used opal mines for living turned out to be cheaper than building on the surface, where temperatures exceed 50°C, and there are sharp temperature fluctuations and dusty storms.
The underground caves maintain a stable microclimate throughout the year, are much more economical to heat, and cool. This underground mining town of Coober Pedy is undoubtedly one of the most unusual places where people work and live comfortably, utilizing modern technology for their convenience and well-being.
One of the interesting places we will visit today is the "Crocodile's Nest" – a small museum house of Latvian Baron Avid von Blumenthal, also known as Harry Crocodile.
He is the real-life inspiration behind the famous movie character Crocodile Dundee. We will tell you his story in detail on the spot. Trust us; it is extremely interesting and unusual.
Rest and overnight stay in the same hotel.
Day 6
05.07.24
Early rise. Breakfast is not included. Today, we have the longest drive of this journey, so we check out promptly, load into the jeeps, and head towards the center of Australia. Our destination today is the opal capital of the country – Coober Pedy. Despite the long distance, the journey is relatively easy. The good highway allows our jeep convoy to maintain a constant high speed. We stop for toilets and coffee. On the way, we briefly stop to stretch our legs in the ghost town of Woomera.
The town of Woomera received its name from a device that allowed Aboriginal people to throw spears with greater force and speed.
The town is famous for the Woomera Rocket Range, where rocket tests were conducted in the past. Until 1982, Woomera was a closed town, inaccessible to civilians. In the center of the settlement, rockets and airplanes that were once launched from the spaceport are displayed on two platforms. It was from here that the first Australian satellite was launched in 1967.
Currently, there are only about 200 permanent residents there. Many of the houses and buildings where rocket specialists were housed are empty but still in good condition, so it looks strange – a ghost town with trimmed lawns and well-maintained parks, a swimming pool, a bowling alley, and tennis courts.
We continue our journey to Coober Pedy, briefly stopping at the salt lakes, and arrive in the city by evening.
In the late afternoon arrive in beautiful Adelaide. Check-in at a cozy hotel in the central part of the city (5*). Dinner. Rest.
Check-in to a cozy hotel in the central part of the city (5*). Dinner. Rest.
Day 7
06.07.24
We sleep in. We have a quiet breakfast (not included in the price). We leisurely drink our coffee. We do a check-out at the hotel. We load our stuff into jeeps and drive to explore Adelaide. Right away we move to the center of Adelaide, put the cars in the parking lot and go to see the most interesting South Australian Museum, which presents the most beautiful exhibition of aboriginal art of Australia and tribes of Melanesia.
You can safely spend a couple of hours there. We have free time. Here in the center of the city there is a big accumulation of all kinds of stores, cafes and restaurants.
We walk around. Shopping. Lunch in one of the restaurants in the city. In the afternoon we start moving towards the ferry to Kangaroo Island. On the way we will stop by a small German village Hahndorf, where you can have a snack with traditional German cuisine (for those who ate badly in Adelaide). By 5:30 pm we arrive at the place, do our checks, and load onto the ferry. 40 minutes of sailing through the strait accompanied by dolphins and here we are on Kangaroo Island. Here we will spend the next 2 nights. From the Sealink Penneshaw ferry we go straight to walk around the island.
Depending on the ferry arrival schedule, we try to visit the surrounding beautiful bays. If there is time left before sunset, we have time to feed the pelicans on the pier.
In any case, your day will be very packed and active. Later, we head to check into our cozy 4-star hotel. Dinner. Rest.
Day 8
07.07.24
We wake up slowly. No need to rush. Breakfast is included. We grab our cameras, wear suitable shoes and clothing for walks and varying weather conditions, and load into the cars.
Transfer to the central part of the island to Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park. Here we can feed kangaroos and wallabies, and observe koalas and other Australian animals up close. We might even be able to hold koalas in our arms. There will be many interesting and funny photos.
The sanctuary is also home to echidnas, a large number of kangaroos, wallabies roaming around, and a variety of birds. We will have plenty to do during our walk.
Next, we head to the two most outstanding attractions of Kangaroo Island. We enter Flinders Chase National Park. Road signs indicate a speed limit of no more than 60 km/h due to kangaroos hopping on the road, geese wandering around, cockatoos, and many other animals. We drive carefully to avoid harming any wildlife.
Our first stop in this park will be the Remarkable Rocks. Remarkable Rocks are a group of granite boulders of peculiar shapes resting on top of a cliff located in the western part of Flinders Chase National Park.
Most of the Remarkable Rocks are composed of black mica, blue quartz, and pink feldspar. Some boulders are covered in rare orange lichen. It's safe to walk on the slopes in dry weather, but during rain, the rocks become slippery and nearly impossible to traverse. The southern side is the steepest; there have been incidents where unsuspecting visitors slipped into the water. Even without rain, the wind can be strong, so be sure to wear a jacket and something on your head to avoid getting cold.
The second stop in our Flinders Chase Park visit will be Admirals Arch – one of the most impressive natural attractions on Kangaroo Island.
It took thousands of years of erosion to form a sturdy stone bridge that instills genuine awe for the mighty forces of water and wind. Cape du Couedic Lighthouse, located on the western coast, is the main landmark that easily guides you to the wooden boardwalk leading to Admirals Arch.
The viewing platform on top is an excellent spot to observe a colony of New Zealand fur seals. These dark brown mammals happily splash around in the warm waters, catch fish, and peacefully rest on the shore.
There is a restaurant and coffee shop in Flinders Chase Park, where we will have lunch.
Later, we return to the eastern side of the island to catch the evening at Cape Willoughby. Here stands the first lighthouse installed in South Australia, still serving as a navigation aid for ships passing through the narrow strait that separates the mainland from Kangaroo Island. Its height is 75 meters, and its range is 25 nautical miles. The attraction was built in 1852 from limestone and granite quarried from a nearby cliff. In 1923, new lenses were installed, producing remarkably bright light but emitting toxic mercury vapors. Only in 1974 were they replaced with harmless ones, significantly reducing the intensity of the light beam.
After sunset, we return to our hotel. Dinner. Relaxation. The total distance traveled today is about 360 km.
Day 9
08.07.24
Today, there is no need to wake up early. Our ferry is at 10 AM. Therefore, we rise without haste. Breakfast is included. We check out, load into the jeeps. First, we visit (36 km) the beautiful Pennington Bay to admire the local beauty and bid farewell to the wonderful Kangaroo Island.
Travel 27 km and by 10 o'clock we are at the Sealink Penneshaw ferry crossing. We do the check in, load our cars and ourselves onto the boat. By 11 o'clock we are on the other side of the strait. Travel 450km to the Coonawarra wine region. We stop to stretch our legs at beautiful viewpoints and also for a toilet and coffee.
Upon arrival in Kunawarra we check in a cozy 4* hotel. Dinner. Rest.
Day 10
09.07.24
We wake up not very early. Breakfast (included in the accommodation). This day we will start from Coonawarra. It is considered that winemakers in this wine-producing region produce Australia’s best red wines. On a strip of land, nearly 15 kilometers long and only one to two kilometers wide, ideal conditions have been created for growing red grape varieties. Climatically, Coonawarra is comparable to the conditions in the Medoc region of Bordeaux, France.
The Coonawarra region is known for red grape varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, as well as Merlot and Pinot Noir. We visit several wineries to taste the best wines of the region. Meanwhile, the drivers can enjoy themselves and buy another bottle of wine to enjoy with dinner later.
We travel 70 km to the town of Mount Gambier. First, we visit the city's main attraction: the freshwater source and the unique Blue Lake, which changes color depending on the season. Due to the limestone dissolved in the water, which precipitates during warm seasons, binding organic components in the lake, the lake itself undergoes a radical color change, from gray-green in winter to rich blue in summer.
After Mount Gambier we have the final 106 km stretch of road left for today to the town of Portland. Check-in in a cozy motel (3+*). We have dinner in one of the restaurants of the city. Rest.
Day 11
10.07.24
We start the morning with walks in the Petrified Forest.
Breakfast on the shore of the Ocean. We load into jeeps and head towards Grampians National Park. On the way we will have a lot of small trekking and walks leading to various places known to Australian photographers.
We visit Boroka Lookout, Balconies, Reed, McKenzie Falls and much more.
We drive very carefully and cautiously. There are huge numbers of kangaroos along the road. We will be seeing them lots and lots over the next couple days. The main thing is to try not to run over these jumping animals. There are road signs around to remind you that this is a kangaroo spot.
In the evening the activity of kangaroos increases several times. They love to jump right under the wheels of cars. Apart from kangaroos, there are masses of Emu ostriches wandering along the roadsides and dozens of white cockatoos.
There is a lot of wildlife everywhere, even in the hotel parking lot. We reach our overnight destination in the cozy little town of Halls Gap. We check into a comfortable 3+ star hotel. Dinner at the hotel. Rest.
Day 12
11.07.24
Wake up. Breakfast (not included in the accommodation). We take pictures of kangaroos jumping around and drive to the mountains to see the local beauty.
The next 100 kilometers of our journey are heading towards the Great Ocean Road. This is one of the most beautiful sections of this famous Australian highway, which we will get acquainted with in the next couple of days. We reach the small national park Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve, which is formed in the crater of the long-extinct volcano Tower Hill. The park itself has several interesting hiking trails with a climb to the top of the hills for a view of the surrounding area. The Tower Hill volcano erupted about 30,000 years ago. There is now a small lake in the crater of the volcano. The crater walls are formed by compacted volcanic ash deposited after eruptions. We spend about an hour and a half stretching our legs and walking around. There are restrooms and coffee. If you are lucky, you can see emu ostriches, koalas, turtles, a huge number of frogs, waterfowl and other wildlife in the park.
Then we see a beautiful place Grotto Scenic and stunning views of the Bay of Martyrs and Bay of Islands, which, in our opinion, are no worse than the views on the 12 Apostles.
We stop at the Arche and London Bridge viewpoints. The London Arch was part of a natural two span bridge until 1990 and was called London Bridge until one of the spans collapsed.If all works out well, we make it to the 12 Apostles in time for sunset.
For the night we check in the village of Port Campbell, where we have dinner and spend the night in a cozy hotel (4*).
Day 13
12.07.24
If all of a sudden we didn't manage to make it to the 12 Apostles Cliffs at Sunset the previous day, we can do so at sunrise for some beautiful, epic photos. Few people know that these insanely beautiful cliffs were called "Pig and Piglets" until 1922. Wind and water shaped them into huge columns and arches, now like sentinels guarding the shore of the Southern Ocean in Port Campbell National Park. Today there are only eight of them left, the ocean waters are destroying the symbols of the coast.
If we've managed everything the previous day, we get a good night's sleep, have breakfast at the hotel (not included in the accommodation). We load into jeeps. We refuel. We head out again for the Great Ocean Road.
First we drive to Loch Ard where we put the cars in the parking lot, and then drive down to an amazingly beautiful beach and cove in the cliffs.
After walking around, we drive onwards to the village of Apollo Bay. There are a few restaurants here where you can have lunch. We won't have that opportunity again until the evening. Today we are driving on the Great Ocean Road. The general algorithm for exploring the road is as follows: you drive at a low speed and constantly stop at special drive-in "pockets", or at observation decks. In the southern hemisphere they are usually called lookouts.
There are hundreds of such spots, so it is essential not to waste time on every single one. For this purpose, we aim to stay together on the route, following the points marked on the maps provided to the drivers during the first day's briefing. Throughout the route, it is important to adhere to the designated speed limits, ranging from 50 to 80 km/h. This is because the road includes sections of mountainous terrain and has left-hand driving, which is unusual for many tourists. Additionally, the picturesque landscapes can distract drivers from the road, tempting them to stop and enjoy the surrounding beauty.
The road mostly runs along the coastline, offering epic ocean panoramas throughout the day! After a series of brief stops for beautiful photos, we visit the quaint village of Lorne, where we can have coffee with a stunning view and stretch our legs a bit. Our next stop and deviation from the Great Ocean Road will be at Kennett River.
There is a small uphill trail in this village. Here, we have excellent chances to observe the wild fauna of southern Australia. Various parrots and other birds are presented here in a wide variety. As you climb higher, pay attention to the dry eucalyptus trees. Where there are stripped eucalyptus trees, koalas have been there. It might take some time to find these cute marsupials, but it's entirely possible! Of course, observing koalas (and capturing their funny portraits) in parks is much more interesting (we will do this on Kangaroo Island). However, what a thrill of searching for these beautiful and rare creatures in the wild!
After a series of short stops for beautiful photos, we visit the small cozy village of Lorne, where we have a coffee with a beautiful view and stretch our legs a bit.
Toward evening we take to Melbourne. We check in a cozy hotel (4*). Dinner. Rest.
Day 14
13.07.24
This day promises to be very intense and full of exciting experiences. Early wake-up. Quick breakfast (is not included in the accommodation price). Dress up and wear suitable gear for active walks and light trekking. Bring a rain jacket just in case. Load our belongings into the jeeps. We head east from Melbourne to the stunning Noojee Waterfalls.
Transfer about 2 hours, followed by a short trek for a couple of hours along a trail amidst tree ferns. These places are considered the wettest and most beautiful in the Australian state of Victoria. We also visit the famous Trestle Bridge Rail Trail, an old railway bridge in the area.
After taking hundreds of photos near two beautiful waterfalls, we return to our cars.
We visit a trout farm, where you can catch fish yourself and barbecue it right there... One of the most popular and beloved attractions among the locals. We continue our journey and reach an Australian wildlife park, where you can not only see but also feed and take photos with almost all Australian animals.
On the first day, you will already see almost all the main representatives of the unique Australian wildlife. What you cannot see in this first park, you will definitely be able to observe on Phillip Island, where we will go in the second half of the day.
On the last day, you will already see almost all the main representatives of the unique Australian wildlife, and whoever you can't see in this first park, you can definitely observe on Phillip Island, where we will go in the afternoon.
Phillip Island is located 150 kilometers south of Melbourne. More than 3.5 million tourists visit the island annually, thanks to the concentration of several nature reserves, parks, and the surrounding tourist infrastructure. Phillip Island is connected to the mainland by a 600-meter concrete bridge, which is how we will arrive at this wonderful place.
A safari on the island, where hundreds of wild wallabies and kangaroos literally dart out from under the car wheels. By evening, we must be on the southwest tip of the island at the Penguin Parade. At the end of the day, crowds of the smallest penguins on the planet return from their hunting grounds.
They emerge from the water, gather in groups, and cross the beach in small crowds. The main natural enemy of penguins is seagulls, which can easily kill a small creature. Therefore, nature has taught penguins to move in flocks and not leave anyone alone.
To observe the beach crossing, grandstands have been built on the shore. Later, you can walk on suspended walkways to see the penguins settling into their overnight places. Any photography is prohibited, as the penguins are afraid of camera flashes. Transfer to a comfortable hotel (4*) on the Mornington Peninsula. Check-in. Dinner. Rest.
There are bleachers built on the shore to watch the beach crossing. Later you can walk along the suspended walkways to see the penguins scattering to their sleeping places. It is forbidden to take any photos as penguins are afraid of camera flashes.
Transfer to Melbourne.
We're all getting together at one of the restaurants in town. Farewell dinner together. Exchange of impressions about the past expedition. Rest. Total kilometerage for the day 350 km.
Day 15
14.07.24
We wake up peacefully, have breakfast (is not included in the accommodation). Checkout from the hotel. The drivers return the cars to the rental office. We bid farewell to each other and the team of guides. Tears of parting. We say goodbye to amazing Australia. Independent transfer to Melbourne Airport, flying back home...
IMPORTANT!
Due to the fact that our expeditions do not include international flights to the starting point of the program, we cannot be held responsible for changes in flight conditions by airlines or airport requirements. Since our travelers fly from many different countries and cities, we never participate in the purchase of air travel and limit ourselves exclusively to advisory services in the selection of flights. Air agents or airlines from which tickets were purchased are responsible for the purchase and technical support.
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Since most of the expenses for the organization of the trip are air tickets and travel documents for other types of transport, accommodation, excursions, services of local companies and guides, etc. are not refundable in case of your cancellation of the trip. We simply have no way to return it.
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