Ocean to Outback Safari
Ocean To Outback Safari - 10 or 17 days
From the world’s largest fringing coral reef to one of the last great wildernesses, this itinerary showcases Australia’s incredible biodiversity. Experience the contrasting colours and unique wildlife from whale sharks and turtles, to dingoes and the endangered black-footed rock wallaby, crocodiles and endemic birdlife. Sal Salis, El Questro Homestead & Bamurru Plains are each an exceptional luxury lodge or camp experience that offer a very personal connection to this vast land, the wilderness and the remarkable wildlife each region has to offer.
Days 1-4: SAL SALIS - NINGALOO REEF, WESTERN AUSTRALIA (3 NIGHTS)
Sal Salis – where the outback meets the reef. Luxe wilderness tents hidden among the dunes overlook the world’s largest fringing coral reef, Ningaloo Reef. It provides a unique place from which to explore Western Australia’s coral coast and one of Australia’s best-kept natural secrets. Sal Salis’s ecological principles also ensure that your stay generates a minimal environmental footprint.
A selection of must do’s:
* Ningaloo Reef is known as one of the best places on earth to see and swim with Whale Sharks, Humpback Whales and Manta Rays.
* A walk through the Cape Range often provides sightings of red kangaroos, wallaroos, black-footed rock wallabies, fairy wrens, kestrels and zebra finches. On the camp doorstep, Hawksbill, Green and Loggerhead turtles can be seen digging nests in the dunes in front of the tents.
* Travel by kayak to spots further offshore where an anchor is dropped in the sand while guests snorkel amongst the 500 species of fish.
Days 4-7: EL QUESTRO HOMESTEAD - THE KIMBERLEY, WESTERN AUSTRALIA (3 NIGHTS)
The luxury of El Questro Homestead sits in stark contrast to Western Australia’s rugged Kimberley landscape. Perched on a cliff top, with vistas of one of the most picturesque locations, the Homestead is a relaxed outback retreat.
A selection of must do’s:
• Join an El Questro Ranger on an early morning excursion to bird watching sites close to the El Questro Homestead. The variety of ecosystems in the park attracts more than 100 different bird species. Regular sightings of the resident pair of dancing Brolgas, colourful Rainbow Bee-Eaters, the endangered Gouldian Finch.
• Spend an afternoon at the Zebedee Thermal Springs – A magical place to relax and rejuvenate after a busy day.
• The Homestead is renowned for serving gourmet cuisine in dramatic locations. Request an intimate dinner beneath the stars, or a table set on the cliff side.
Days 7-10: BAMURRU PLAINS -TOP END, NORTHERN TERRITORY (3 NIGHTS)
Bamurru Plains focuses on environmental sustainability and key luxury standards. This camp, comprising of ten wilderness bungalows, exudes ‘Wild Bush Luxury’ bringing a touch of style to a remote outback region.
A selection of must do’s
• Watch the spectacle of 200,000 Magpie Geese take to the wing as they congregate on the Mary River wetland during nesting season and see why the lodge is aptly named. The word ‘Bamurru’ means Magpie Goose in one of the local Aboriginal languages.
• A guided 4WD safari during the dry season provides a unique insight to this fragile and important environment.
• Take an exhilarating airboat tour across the floodplains and experience this key natural environment where Saltwater Crocodiles lurk just under the water of the floodplains and water buffalo wade through the shallows.
OPTIONAL - A NATURAL EXTENSION TO THIS WESTERN AUSTRALIAN OCEAN TO OUTBACK JOURNEY WOULD BE A STAY ONBOARD TRUE NORTH AFTER YOUR VISIT TO SAL SALIS AND BEFORE YOUR VISIT TO EL QUESTRO HOMESTEAD.
THE KIMBERLEY, WESTERN AUSTRALIA (7 NIGHTS) - on board True North
The Kimberley Snapshot Itinerary onboard True North presents an iconic and luxurious experience in a single week voyage. Savour the incredible Kimberley colours and scenery including the King George Falls, the Hunter River and the Prince Regent River. Montgomery Reef needs be seen to be believed – this unique eco-system is 140 square miles of coral reef which rises out of the ocean right before your eyes as water cascades from the reef and the tide falls exposing a privileged glimpse of another world. An exhilarating tender ride to experience the raw power of Horizontal Waterfalls is not to be missed.
