VICTOR HARBOUR & KANGAROO ISLAND TOUR

Day 2: Adelaide, McLaren Vale, Victor Harbor — 2nd September 2021

This morning after breakfast and check out experience The Adelaide Central Market with over 80 artisan food stalls, cafés, and wine stores. Established in 1869 this grand old girl is South Australia’s most visited tourist attraction. Our Guided Market Tour will fill us in on some of the markets rich history and take us on a sensory interactive gourmet experience.

After our tour, we take some time to wander the stalls on our own and purchase a bite to eat and anything that might have caught our eye, or just grab a seat and enjoy a cuppa amidst the buzz of the markets. Mid-morning, we begin our drive down through the delightful McLaren Vale stopping by the family-owned, Beach Road Wines. Located in the heart of the McLaren Vale wine region with picturesque views overlooking the township and surrounding vineyards it provides the perfect venue for a relaxing lunch and wine tasting.

This afternoon our drive down into Victor Harbor takes us into the Nan Hai Pu Tuo Buddhist Temple of Australia located on 137 acres that extends for approx. 3km along the coast and offers stunning scenery of rolling hills that sweep down to the glittering sea of turquoise blue below.

Our drive has us arriving in Victor Harbor mid-afternoon allowing time for check-in and to take a stroll in the main shopping precinct or even step inside the South Australian Whale Centre for a self-guided tour. The building, over 150 years old, was first used as a railway goods shed in the late 1800s. Though the building has been renovated to help bring the centre into the new millennium, evidence of its heritage remains, like the black markings on the interior walls that are soot – the hallmark of the steam engines that used to pull into the building to unload their freight.

Early evening, we gather for pre-dinner drinks at own cost before dinner.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 3: Victor Harbor, Cockle Train, Coorong National Park Cruise — 3rd September 2021

After breakfast there will be time to hitch a ride on the Horsedrawn Tram across to Granite Island and return before boarding the 11.00 am famous Cockle Train. This service which travels from Victor Harbor to Goolwa along the oldest steel railway in Australia dates back to 1887 when it was constructed to provide a link between the River Murray Port of Goolwa and the ocean wharfs at Pt Elliot and later Victor Harbor.

Arrive at the historic wharf where we check-in and board our Coorong Discovery Cruise which takes us on a delightful journey into the mighty Coorong National Park. Our 3.5- hour cruise includes lunch and afternoon tea, two short guided walks, spectacular scenery, bird watching and the famous Murray River Mouth.

After our cruise return from Goolwa to Victor Harbor to freshen up before dinner.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 4: Kangaroo Island – 4th September 2021

After an early breakfast and check out it’s across to Cape Jervis to board the Kangaroo Island Sea Link Ferry for our crossing to Kangaroo Island. At Penneshaw we are met by our experienced Kangaroo Island guide and begin our adventure of the Island. Hear about the placid Ligurian Bees at Clifford’s Honey Farm, their breeding, and the production of over 10,000 kilograms of pure honey annually. Kangaroo Island is thought to be the only place in the world where a pure strain of the Ligurian bees exists. Enjoy a taste of different honey varieties and the opportunity to purchase some of Jenny’s famous honey ice cream.

Next, we stop by Emu Ridge Eucalyptus Oil Distillery for a guided tour and lunch. The distilling process here has operated the same way since the 1890s. We are able to purchase a bottle of oil from the only commercial distillery still in operation in South Australia.

Visit the Raptor Domain and experience an in-flight Birds of Prey display. Most of the birds in their presentations at Raptor Domain have been injured or orphaned and are not suitable for release. They are now amazing ambassadors for their species. Every day these beautiful birds enjoy showing people their hunting techniques and natural behaviours.

We then head into American River for check-in and freshen up before dinner.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner

Day 5: Seal Bay, Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park — 5th September 2021

This morning we head off early and travel down to the famous Seal Bay Conservation Park, the only place in the world where we can stroll with our guide through a wild seal colony. Seal Bay is home to around 600 of rare Australian Sea Lions. After Seal Bay it’s up to Parndana to the Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park, well known for its thriving koala population however over 150,000 hectares has been lost due to recent events which has affected the population dramatically. We need to pull together to save this Australian icon. The Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park has started a fundraiser to raise funds for care, pain relief, medication and the infrastructure needed to house and treat the large number of koala and animals coming into their care. The wildlife park is home to over 150 native species and over 600 animals.

Enjoy a guided tour of the park followed by lunch before making our way to Emu Bay Lavender Farm to learn about lavender production, see it in its various stages throughout the season and even taste some goodies made with lavender. Walk around the garden and visit the charming gift shop which sells lavender essential oils, scented candles, and other Kangaroo Island lavender products. The story of the Kangaroo Island Brewery and Mike’s journey unfolds next at his new brewery where most, if not all, materials used are recycled and have an amazing story. From local shearing sheds to local quarried stone, the brewery is as described by Mike, “local as hell”! To Mike it all made sense to build a brewery and fill a gap as the island was lucky enough to have fantastic wineries and even a micro-distillery, but up until now, no brewery.

We then travel back through Kingscote and out to Reeves Point, South Australia’s first official European settlement from 1836 it is on the Australian Heritage List although after six months it was decided that the island’s resources were insufficient to support the community. The Old Mulberry Tree which was planted in 1836 still bears fruit and the history of the Pioneer Historical Cemetery will also be covered.

Late afternoon we return to our accommodation for a rest before dinner in the restaurant.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 6: McLaren Vale, Mt Lofty, Adelaide — 6th September 2021

After breakfast and check out we travel back down to Penneshaw taking in the stunning coastal scenery of Pennington Bay and then view Frenchman’s Rock. The rock was inscribed by the members of Nicolas Baudin’s crew on the ship Le Geographe in 1803 on their expedition to map the coast of New Holland (now Australia).

Time has now come to leave the island as we board the 10.30 am Kangaroo Island Sea Link Ferry for our return journey to Cape Jervis. Once back on the mainland we travel up to McLaren Vale for the opportunity to purchase lunch from one of the many cafe’s along the main street before a cellar door tasting experience at Wirra Wirra Vineyards, a 125-year-old working winery steeped in history.

Our next stop is up at the Cedars, home, garden and studio of Hans Heysen. Enjoy a tour through the untouched family home and studio of one of Australia’s most celebrated artists. This area of the Adelaide Hills and the rugged beauty of the Flinders Ranges was where he gained most of his inspiration. A stop at the summit of Mount Lofty provides amazing panoramic views back across the city of Adelaide and its seaside suburbs. Enjoy a cuppa in the Summit Cafe with wall to wall glass allowing stunning views of Adelaide.

After leaving the hills we arrive back in Adelaide late afternoon for check-in and then our farewell dinner.

Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner

Day 7: Going Home — 7th September 2021

This morning following check out we catch up with Wang Wang and Fu Ni at the Adelaide Zoo, Australasia’s only breeding pair of Giant Pandas, born in 2005 and 2006 at Woolong Giant Panda Research Centre, China and moved to Adelaide Zoo together in November 2009. The zoo is also home to 3,000 animals and 250 species of exotic and native mammals, birds, reptiles, and fish exhibited over eight hectares of magnificent botanic surroundings. Adelaide Zoo is the second oldest zoo in the nation and represents a significant part of South Australia’s heritage and social history. The Wisteria Restaurant or Fig Tree Cafe located within the complex provides great options to purchase lunch.

Following our morning at the zoo its time to make our way to the Adelaide Airport for check in and return flight back up to Brisbane and transfers back home after a wonderful few days away in South Australia with Active Tours and Transfers.

Meals Included: Breakfast