Jeep expedition through amazing Australia!
12 DAYS
24 PEOPLE
3890 EURO
12 days
6 jeeps with 4 people each (24 people). (All jeeps are automatic transmission. Right-hand drive!)
І group:
01.04.26 — 12.04.26
1 male place
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.
OUR FILM ABOUT AMAZING AUSTRALIA
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ROUTE
Melbourne ➙ Torongo Falls (Noosa) ➙ Phillip Island ➙ Mornington Peninsula ➙ Great Ocean Road ➙ 12 Apostles ➙ Port Campbell ➙ Warambool ➙ Tower Hill ➙ Grampians ➙ Boodjem National Park ➙ Portland ➙ Adelaide ➙ Kangaroo Island ➙ Barossa Valley ➙ Mount Gambier ➙ Melbourne
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accommodation in 3*, 4*, and 5* hotels and motels;
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jeep rental for the entire trip;
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car insurance;
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fuel; ferry fees;
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all excursions included in the program;
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all permits and licenses to visit protected areas in Australia;
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entrance tickets to national parks and reserves specified in the program; services of English- and Russian-speaking leaders of the Paganel Studio team.
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flight to Australia,
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visa, personal insurance;
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meals, additional options or excursions.
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transfer from/to the airport
TRAVEL PROGRAMME
Day 1
01.04.26
Morning Arrival in Melbourne. Self-transfer. Check-in at a cozy 4-star hotel in the city center, meeting with guides. Rest. Free time. On this day, you can buy SIM cards for internet, exchange money at a favorable rate in the Chinatown.
We take some time to relax and recover after the long and tiring flight to Australia. In the afternoon, drivers get their cars, complete all necessary paperwork, and attend a briefing on Australian traffic rules and road travel. We check the points set on the maps. In the evening, when all team members gather, we have a traditional the Paganels Welcome Evening at one of the restaurants near the hotel. Expedition t-shirts and badges are handed out.
Day 2
02.04.26
The day ahead is very rich and active in terms of impressions. Early rise. Fast breakfast (not included in the price of accommodation). We dress and wear shoes for active walks and light trekking. Just in case, take a rain jacket. We load ourselves and things into jeeps. Farewell to Melbourne. We first move east from Melbourne to the amazing and beautiful Noojee waterfall.
The journey takes about 2 hours, and then a short trek for a couple of hours along a path among tree ferns. It is believed that these places are the wettest and most beautiful in the Australian state of Victoria. We also visit the Trestle Bridge Rail Trail, an old railway bridge known in these parts.
After the first hundred photos taken at two very beautiful waterfalls, we return to the cars.
We rush to Philippa Island and get to the park of Australian animals, 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 animal world.
Phillip Island (Phillip Island - in the original spelling exactly like this, with two "L", not "P") is located 150 kilometers south of Melbourne. More than 3.5 million tourists travel to the island annually, thanks to the concentration in one place of several nature reserves, parks and accompanying tourist infrastructure that has "grown" around. Philippa Island is connected to the mainland by a 600-meter concrete bridge, which will take us to this wonderful place.
You need to move around the island quite carefully, drivers should be very careful. Many wallabies and kangaroos live here, which often cross the road. Especially when the sunset begins.
By evening, we just need to be at the South-West end of the island at the Penguin Parade. With the onset of dusk, crowds of the smallest penguins of Planeta return from hunting.
They get out of the water, gather in groups and cross the beach in small crowds. The main natural enemy of penguins is seagulls, which can easily bite a small creature. Therefore, nature has taught penguins to move in flocks and not leave anyone alone.
Tribunes have been built on the shore to observe the transition of the beach. Later, you can walk along the hanging walkways to see the penguins running around in their roosting places. Any photography is prohibited because penguins are afraid of camera flashes. Transfer to a cozy hotel (4*) on the Mornington Peninsula. Check in rooms. Dinner rest
The total mileage per day is 350 km.
Day 3
03.04.26
Early in the morning after breakfast (which included in accomodation), we of the most beautiful ocean roads on the planet. The general itinerary for exploring the road is as follows: drive at a moderate speed and stop at designated pull-off areas or lookout points. 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 path uphill in it. Here we have excellent chances to see the wild fauna of the south of Australia. Various parrots and other birds are presented here in a wide assortment.
As you climb higher, pay attention to the dry eucalyptus trees. And where there was a gnawed eucalyptus, there were koalas. It will take some time to find these marsupial and cuddly animals. But it is quite possible! Of course, watching koalas (and making funny portraits) in parks is much more interesting (we will do it on Kangaroo Island). But what a thrill it is to look for these beautiful and rare creatures in the wild!
After walking, we drive further to the village of Apollo Bay. There are several restaurants where you can dine on the freshest oysters, scallops, squid and other seafood. Further, we will not have such an opportunity until the very evening.
Next on our program is a walk through an amazing old relict forest from the time of dinosaurs. This is one of the most beautiful and incredible places on the entire Great Ocean Road.
The speed of movement on the highway is 50 - 80 km, so it is important to calculate everything so that we have time to catch the sunset at the iconic photo point of the entire southern Australia - 12 Apostolos.
Few people know that these incredibly beautiful rocks were called "Pigs and Pigs" until 1922. Wind and water formed them into huge columns and arches, now they are like guards protecting the coast of the Southern Ocean in Port Campbell National Park (Port Campbell National Park). Today, there are only eight of them left, the ocean waters destroy the symbols of the coast.
We park our cars in the parking lot of 12 Apostolov and go make a hundred epic photos. In the evening, we will give nightmares to our relatives and Facebook friends with our most beautiful photos, we will make them terribly jealous of you :).
After the sunset, we get into our jeeps and make a final short trip of 12 km to the town of Port Campbell, where we have dinner and spend the night in a cozy 4-star hotel.
Total distance covered: 350 km.
Day 4
04.04.26
If suddenly we did not manage to get to the Sunset at the rocks of the 12 Apostles on the previous day, then we can do it at dawn for beautiful, epic photos.
If everything worked out for us the previous day, then we sleep peacefully, have breakfast at the hotel (not included in accommodation). We are loading into jeeps. Refueling. We are again advancing on the Great Ocean Road. We visit the Arche and London Bridge viewpoints. Until 1990, London Arch was part of a natural two-span bridge and was called London Bridge, until one of the spans collapsed.
Next, we look at the beautiful place of Grotto Scenic and stunningly beautiful views of the Bay of Martyrs and the Bay of Islands, which, in our opinion, are no worse than the views of the 12 Apostles.
After a short walk and free photo taking, we go to the small national park Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve, which is located in the crater of the long extinct volcano Tower Hill.
In the park itself, there are several interesting hiking trails with a climb to the top of the hills for a survey of the surroundings. Tower Hill volcano erupted about 30,000 years ago. Now there is a small lake in the crater of the volcano. The walls of the crater are formed by compressed volcanic ash that settled after the eruption. For about an hour and a half, we stretch our legs here and actively play. There are toilets and coffee.
In the park, it is very likely to see emu ostriches, koalas, echidnas, a huge number of frogs, waterfowl and other animals. You don't have to go far from the parking lot to see a koala, just look closely at the eucalyptus trees around you.
We continue moving west along the Great Ocean Road. The journey is almost 111 km with stops for the toilet, a snack, and a coffee. In the second half of the day, we arrive at the Petrified Forest.
This is a unique petrified forest, where we walk until sunset, and then run another 25 km to the town of Portland.
Check-in at a cozy motel (4*). We have dinner in one of the cozy restaurants of the city. In the evening, we refuel the cars. We shop for breakfast at the supermarket. rest
Day 5
05.04.26
We wake up early. Breakfast (not included in accommodation). We have a big, complicated and eventful day today. In order to have time, you need to leave early. First, we drive 210 km to Naracoorte Caves National Park, where we will explore the underground world of Australia.
There is a cafe, snacks, toilets. Further 186 km to the Silo Mural, where you can also stretch your legs a little and admire the famous mural created by the famous Australian artist Guido van Helten.
Then drive 70 km to the Old Taliem Town open-air museum, which is dedicated to the pioneers of Australia and which you can optionally visit on your own. Here is a collection of strange cars, houses and entire streets from the early settlement of Australia.
The last march for today is 93 km. to beautiful Adelaide. In the evening we arrive in the city.
Check-in at a cozy five-star hotel in the central part of the city (5*). There are many delicious restaurants and cafes here. We walk in the evening garden. Dinner. Rest
Day 6
06.04.26
Let's get some sleep. We have a leisurely breakfast (included in the price of accommodation). I drink my coffee leisurely. Check out at the hotel. We load things into jeeps, and we go to explore Adelaide ourselves. First, let's get acquainted with the most interesting South Australian Museum, which presents the most beautiful exhibition of aboriginal art of Australia and the tribes of Melanesia.
You can safely spend a couple of hours there. We have free time. Right here in the city center there is a large cluster of all kinds of shops, cafes and restaurants.
Let's walk Let's shop. We have lunch in one of the city's restaurants. In the second half of the day, we start moving towards the ferry crossing to Kangaroo Island. On the way, we will visit the small German village of Hahndorf, where you can have a snack of traditional German cuisine (this is for those who did not eat well in Adelaide). By 17.00 we arrive at the place, make a check, and get on the ferry. 40 minutes of sailing across the strait and here we are on Kangaroo Island. We will spend the next 2 nights here. From the Sealink Penneshaw ferry we immediately go for a walk on the island.
Depending on the ferry arrival schedule, we try to visit the surrounding beautiful bays. If there is time left until sunset, we will still have time to feed the pelicans on the pier.
In any case, you will have a very busy and active day. Then we go to check in at our cozy hotel on the ocean shore (4*). Dinner rest
Day 7
07.04.26
We wake up calmly. There is no need to hurry. Breakfast (included in accommodation). We take cameras. Shoes and clothes for walks and for different types of weather. We get into the cars.
Transfer to the center of the island in Parndana Wildlife Park. Here we can hug a koala. This is, perhaps, almost the only place in Australia where you can still hold a koala and take a picture with it.
You will be able to take truly unique photos. Koalas are also sitting on the trees around. Sometimes they descend to climb a neighboring tree. At these moments, you can make funny shots.
Also, echidnas, penguins, a large number of kangaroos and wallabies live on the territory, which graze here and there. A great variety of birds. We will have something to do at that time - one and a half hours, that we will be walking there.
There is a cafe and toilets on the territory.
Next, we go to the two most outstanding attractions of Kangaroo Island. We drive to Flinders Chase National Park.
Road signs indicate a maximum speed of 60 km. This is because kangaroos run along the road, geese, cockatoos and many other animals roam here. Edem carefully so as not to crush anyone.
Our first point in this park will be Remarkable Rocks. Remarkable Rocks are a group of granite boulders of uncertain shape, resting on top of a rock located in the western part of Flinders Chase National Park.
Most of the "Remarkable Rocks" consists of black mica, blue quartz and pink spar. Separate boulders were favored by a rare species of orange lichen. In dry weather, walking on the slopes is not dangerous, but during the rain, the boulders become slippery and it is almost impossible to move on them.
The southern side is the steepest, there have been precedents when gaping visitors fell into the water. But even when there is no rain, the wind knocks you off your feet, so stock up on a jacket and put something on your head to keep it from blowing away.
The second point in the program of our stay in Flinders Chase Park will be Admiral's Arch - one of the most impressive natural attractions of Kangaroo Bay.
It took thousands of years of erosion to form a solid stone bridge that inspires genuine awe before the almighty forces of water and wind. The Cape du Couedic lighthouse, located on the west coast, is the main landmark that allows you to easily find the boardwalk leading to the Admiral's Arch.
The observation deck at the top is a great place to observe a colony of New Zealand fur seals. Dark-brown mammals happily splash in the warm waters, catch fish and rest peacefully on the shore.
Then we return to the eastern side of the island to spend the evening in one of the cozy bays of the island.
After sunset, we return to our hotel. Let's have dinner. Let's rest. The total distance traveled today is about 360 km.
Day 8
08.04.26
No need to wake up early today. Our ferry is at 10 in the morning. Therefore, let's get up in no hurry. Breakfast (included in accommodation). We check out, load into jeeps. First, we will go to the beautiful Pennington Bay to admire the local beauty and say goodbye to the beautiful Kangaroo Island.
Travel 27 km and by 10 o'clock we are at the Sealink Penneshaw ferry crossing. We check in, load our cars and ourselves onto the ship. By 11 o'clock we are already on the other side of the strait.
Today we will explore the famous Barossa wine valley. Travel 170 km and we are going to test the legendary Barossa Shiraz, known throughout the world. We will visit several outstanding wineries of the valley. There we will have lunch in one of the delicious restaurants near the wineries.
For the drivers, so that they don't get hurt, we will take a couple of bottles for a sample. In the evening, we check into a cozy 4* hotel located nearby in the valley. Dinner rest
Day 9
09.04.26
We wake up quite early. Let's have breakfast. We fill up the cars. Today we have a long journey of 500 km on a good road to the Grampians National Park, where we will spend the next 2 nights. First, we drive through the Barosso valley, and then we leave for the A8 expressway, which we are already familiar with. The next 400 km of our tracks go deep into the continent. We are moving away from Adelaide towards the mountains and the Grampians National Park.
We reach the town of Bordertown, where we will meet unique white albino wallabies in the local Wildlife Park.
Next, we hop on a small but interesting pink lake, Pink Lake Dimboola, where you can take quite beautiful and unique photos. Everything will depend on the light and the state of the water in the lake at that moment.
We will have lunch in the middle of the day, in one of the cute Australian towns that will be on our way. We drive very carefully and cautiously. There are a huge number of large kangaroos on the road. We will see them a lot and often in the next couple of days. The main thing is to try not to knock down these noisy animals. All around there are road signs reminding that these are kangaroo places.
In the evening, the activity of kangaroos increases several times. They really like to jump right under the wheels of cars. In addition to kangaroos, emu ostriches and dozens of white cockatoos roam here right on the roadsides.
A lot of animals everywhere, even in the parking lot of the hotel. We get to the place to spend the night in the cozy little town of Halls Gap. We are staying in a comfortable motel (3+*). We have dinner in the city in one of the cafes. Rest after a busy day.
The total distance on the way is 510 km.
Day 10
10.04.26
We wake up. Breakfast (not included in accommodation). The places around are very beautiful. We photograph large gray kangaroos jumping around, which can come directly to your room.
And we also try to get acquainted with the famous and very curious white cockatoos, which often fly in large flocks to please us.
Having taken pictures with the local animals, we go to the mountains to watch local beauty. There are many small treks and walks leading to various places known to Australian photographers.
Let's do a big trekking day. We visit local beauties on the Pinnacle track, Boroka Lookout, Balconies, Reed, McKenzie waterfall and much more.
In the evening we return to the motel. We will have a farewell barbecue party. We are preparing lamb and other delicacies prepared in advance for this evening on the grill of the motel. Fireside gatherings. Sharing impressions about a trip to wonderful Australia. After a joint dinner. rest
Day 11
11.04.26
We wake up in free mode. We have breakfast on our own. We leave for Melbourne. Travel 270 km with stops for coffee, toilet and a couple of local attractions. In the middle of the day, we check into our comfortable 4* hotel in the central part of the city.
Free time to explore Melbourne. By 4:00 p.m., drivers go to drop off cars.
In the evening, we all gather in one of the city's restaurants. Let's have dinner together, a little sad about the future parting with new/old friends and Australia.
Day 12
12.06.24
We wake up calmly. We have breakfast (included in the price of accommodation). Check out at the hotel. We say goodbye to each other and to the team of guides. Tears of parting. Farewell to amazing Australia. The expedition is over! Independent transfer to Melbourne airport, flight 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.
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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