Often the more you travel, the more you appreciate what you have on your own doorstep.
Experienced global nomads will tell you there is nothing like the Australian outback, there are no beaches that come close to ours, the food and wine offerings across the country are world class and the remnants of Gondwana wilderness are breathtaking.
The pull to look toward the northern hemisphere for our grand adventures is always strong but inevitably, the desire to explore Australia builds with growing intensity the more you exit through Customs.
And there’s no doubt when you return from overseas, the thought of travelling with ‘comfortable familiarity’, with no language barriers, currency calculations or cultural challenges becomes more and more appealing.
It’s places like Cradle Mountain in Tasmania, the Kimberley and Monkey Mia in the west, Kakadu in the Top End, the gorgeous Barossa Valley and wildlife-rich Kangaroo Island in the south that have no peer.
But on the world’s largest island, trying to fathom how on earth you’ll get around to see them and then make the most of your time on the ground when you get there can make even the hardiest of travellers worry about the logistics involved.
Australia’s very own escorted tour specialist, Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours has packaged some jaw-dropping itineraries that not only guarantee you will see the very best the country has to offer but also offer rich enhancements with Scenic Freechoice and Scenic Enrich experiences you won’t get travelling independently.
Scenic’s Top End and Kimberley Tour, for example, showcases the kaleidoscope of experiences that only the north can deliver. The tropical capital of the Northern Territory, Darwin is the starting point for an unforgettable adventure that includes a range of Scenic Freechoice activities as you make your way west to the Kimberley coast in Western Australia.
Cruise billabongs or enjoy a sunset dinner on the water, explore stunning Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge, visit beautiful Litchfield National Park or even take an optional flight over Kakadu for an experience you’ll never forget.
In this part of the world, understanding more about Australia’s Indigenous heritage is foremost in most travel plans and this itinerary will immerse guests into the heart of this ancient culture.
RELATED SCENIC STORIES…
- When a holiday changes your life
- Living life as a Scenic travel planner
- How Scenic is helping fix the planet’s plastic plague
Escorted by an experienced Tour Director and connecting with traditional owners and experts along the way, you’ll visit places like Nourlangie Rock – one of the cornerstones behind Kakadu receiving World Heritage status.
With its 20,000-year-old rock art, the 1.5-kilometre Nourlangie Walk chronicles life in the region right up to the time of First European settlement. At the Bowali Visitors Centre, you’ll enjoy a fascinating interpretation of the art and develop a deeper understanding of Indigenous culture.
Heading further west, you’ll even travel the famed Gibb River Road en-route to that world famous oasis of the outback, El Questro Wilderness Park, where your deluxe tent accommodation awaits. And of all this before beautiful Broome and the show-stopper cruise of the Kimberley coast even begins.
Scenic captures many of Australia’s wilderness regions in similarly spectacular fashion but if you’d like to add some epicurean indulgence to your adventures, then The Taste of South Australia is an absolute must.
On this journey of the senses, you’ll not only get to enjoy some of the world great wine-growing regions in the foodie heart of Australia, but you’ll tour folkloric parts of the outback and explore an island haven all in one heady 11-day journey.
Fittingly, your time on the ground starts with a tour of Adelaide’s 150-year-old Central Market. From there, this sumptuous journey heads to Port Augusta, through the Flinders Ranges to the incredible Wilpena Pound with optional luxury camping, 4WD safaris and scenic flights.
From there, you’ll traverse the Clare Valley and enjoy a winery lunch and accommodation in the Barossa Valley, visit the charming German village of Hahndorf before arriving at Cape Jervis for your ferry ride to Kangaroo Island.
Just off the South Australian mainland, about 200 kilometres from Adelaide, this pristine location has more than 500-kilometres of untouched coastline to explore with native bushland, towering sand dunes, deserted beaches, wetlands and a range of wildlife you might not expect.
There’s an abundance of native marsupials, 40 species of birdlife, a large colony of endangered Australian sea lions (85% of the remaining estimated 12,000 sea lions are found in the waters off South Australia) and a hardy colony of Little Penguins. Every evening, there are guided tours of Penneshaw Penguin Centre that acts a refuge for the world’s smallest penguin species.
By the time your Kangaroo Island adventure finishes, there are more wineries at McLaren Vale to enjoy and then onward to beautiful beachside Glenelg for a farewell dinner to reflect on an amazing journey.
Like historic Glenelg, Western Australia’s Fremantle was first settled by Europeans in the early 1800s and today, much of that colonial history envelops you as you wander the fascinating neighbourhoods.
On Scenic’s South West Mosaic that explores this diverse and beautiful corner of Western Australia, the stories of early ‘Freo’ are indeed an undoubted highlight.
The State’s oldest intact building, the Round House was built in 1830 as a jail
overlooking Bathers Beach and the Indian Ocean – perhaps as a cruel reminder of the free world.
A tour of the facility gives you a taste of what life was like for convicts and prisoners, and outside the gates at 1pm daily, a sound is still activated (often by a volunteer visitor picked from the crowd) that was once used to advise the correct time to navigators entering Fremantle Harbour.
No visit to Fremantle is complete without enjoying an al fresco coffee or meal along bustling South Terrace, or the ‘Cappuccino Strip’ as it’s known thanks to the countless coffee bars and authentic Italian restaurants that line the street.
For a beverage, it’s hard to go past the iconic Fremantle landmark, the Sail and Anchor (65 South Terrace) for a drink in the Heritage Listed pub with its pressed tin ceilings, spiral staircase and wood panelled walls with 40 frosty beers on tap.
Other local attractions include the Fremantle Markets at the end of South Terrace; the allegedly haunted World Heritage Listed Fremantle Prison, the Fremantle War Memorial on Monument Hill and the WA Maritime Museum (which is home to the winning America’s Cup yacht, Australia II), HMAS Ovens, an Oberon class submarine and many other famous vessels from WA’s rich maritime history.
5 Scenic Australian tour itineraries
Would you like to experience any of these Australian wonders or discover even more fabulous Scenic itineraries? Here’s five tailored itineraries that capture the essence of Australia in equally spectacular style.
Western Wilderness – Tasmania
A great passion for nature, history, culture and food defines the Apple Isle. With some of the most magnificent untouched wilderness in the world, a rich convict legacy and artisan produce, Tasmania is a treat for the senses.
Start in Hobart before heading south to the World Heritage-listed convict enclave of Port Arthur.
History and art combine with a visit to the incredible ‘Wall in the Wilderness’, before you go deep into the wilderness with visits to the Franklin-Gordon River and Cradle Mountain-Lake Saint Clair National Parks.
Tour includes:
- 9-days fully escorted tour
- 1 exclusive Scenic Enrich experience
- Your choice of 3 Scenic Freechoice activities and dining
- 2 memorable Special Stays
- 17 meals – 8 breakfasts, 3 lunches and 6 dinners
South West Mosaic – Western Australia
From sparkling coastlines to towering old-growth forests, world-class wineries to once-in-a-lifetime wildlife experiences, these unforgettable 13-days will open the Western Australia of your imagination.
A favourite landscape of one of Australia’s finest writers, Tim Winton, who has immortalised the region, this journey offers you a chance to write your own story of the south-western region of Australia.
‘Surf’ Wave Rock, travel through the great wheat belt, meet the characters who inhabit iconic Kalgoorlie and marvel at Australia’s largest outdoor gallery at Lake Ballard.
Walk among the giants of the ancient Karri and Jarrah forests, and travel through the vineyards of Margaret River. Climb to the top of Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse for panoramic views of the Indian Ocean, and explore the beauty on offer on Rottnest Island before returning to beautiful Perth.
Tour includes:
- 13-days fully escorted tour
- Small group touring with no more than 40 guests
- 3 exclusive Scenic Enrich experiences
- Your choice of 5 Scenic Freechoice activities
- 2 memorable Scenic Special Stays
- 23 meals – 12 breakfasts (B), 2 lunches (L) and 9 dinners (D)
- Expert Tour Director and knowledgeable local guides
- Return airport transfers
- All tipping and gratuities
Top End & Kimberley
Celebrate the natural, cultural and historical wonders of this extraordinary region as you take a unique glimpse into one of Australia’s best-kept secrets. Get to know Darwin, the capital of the Northern Territory before heading into one of the world’s great nature reserves, Kakadu National Park where you’ll be swept away by the magnificence of the Outback.
Discover the many delights of the World Heritage-listed Kakadu National Park. Visit billabongs, spot crocodiles and immerse yourself in the ancient stories of this land. A dinner cruise on Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge is a highlight, as is spending time on the breathtaking Ord River. Journey along the famed Gibb River Road to El Questro Wilderness Park and marvel at the beauty of Chamberlain Gorge. Have a yarn with a traditional land owner and share a cup of tea with an old drover; the people you meet along the way will be just as memorable as the landscapes you encounter. Bid farewell to your new friends in Broome, but not before exploring the tropical waters and pristine beaches of this gorgeous town.
Tour includes:
- 19-days fully escorted tour
- Small group touring with no more than 36 guests
- 4 exclusive Scenic Enrich experiences
- 1 Scenic Sundowners event
- Your choice of 12 Scenic Freechoice activities
- 2 memorable Scenic Special Stays
- 41 meals – 18 breakfasts (B), 7 lunches (L) and 16 dinners (D)
- Expert Tour Director and knowledgeable local guides
- Return airport transfers
- All tipping and gratuities
Pilbara, Broome & Monkey Mia
Rivers, gorges, oceans and beaches, the topography of this iconic region is greatly influenced by the vast waterways that wind through and skirt alongside it. From the great stretch of sand that is Broome to the joys of meeting dolphins on the Coral Coast and the elegance of Perth’s beaches, this is the perfect journey for those wanting to discover the coastline of Western Australia.
Explore the diversity of culture and lifestyle throughout the Pilbara as you make your way down the coast. Learn about the great mining towns, visit the waterfalls of Karijini National Park and discover the turquoise wonder of Ningaloo Reef. A trip to Rottnest Island is the perfect way to cap off the journey. Western Australia’s very own island getaway, located just 19 kilometres off the coast of Fremantle, Rottnest features a Mediterranean-style climate and Indigenous flora and fauna.
Tour includes:
- 19-days fully escorted tour
- Small group touring with no more than 40 guests
- 1 exclusive Scenic Enrich experiences
- 1 Scenic Sundowners event
- Your choice of 12 Scenic Freechoice activities
- 23 meals – 13 breakfasts (B) and 10 dinners (D)
- Expert Tour Director and knowledgeable local guides
- Return airport transfers
- All tipping and gratuities
Taste of South Australia
Celebrate the diverse range of flavours, culture, wildlife and landscapes on offer as you explore this beautiful state. With big blue skies, lush green valleys, rugged ancient plains, cosmopolitan cityscapes and wide stretches of incredible coastline, South Australia is a revelation.
After sampling the refined elegance of Adelaide, venture back in time to the 540 million-year-old Wilpena Pound landscape. The sheer magnitude of this extraordinary place will stay with you forever. The delights of the Clare and Barossa Valleys await as you make your way through this charming world-class wine region. Sample the finest reds and whites and discover the intricacies of wine-making.
The wonders keep coming when you arrive on Kangaroo Island. Cheese, honey and even more wine can be found here, along with an incredible collection of wildlife – sea lions and little penguin colonies, migrating whales and rare bird life, wallabies, echidnas and plenty of kangaroos and koalas.
Tour includes:
- 11-days fully escorted tour
- 2 exclusive Enrich experiences
- Your choice of 4 Scenic Freechoice activities
- 1 Sundowners event
- 1 memorable Special Stay
- 22 meals – 10 breakfasts, 4 lunches and 8 dinners
MORE SCENIC HOLIDAY’S YOU’LL LOVE…
ENQUIRE ABOUT TOURING WITH SCENIC HERE
This form does not exist