Southern Comforts (Barossa, Flinders Ranges, Kangaroo Island)

Overview

Combine a week of wine and wildlfe with a day - including a tour - spent in Adelaide, one of Australia's friendliest, compact and elegantly planned cities.

Day 1 Adelaide

A Taste of South Australia tour will make the necessary introductions to this most dapper city (half day) and your night will be spent at Bishop’s Garden, one of the North Adelaide Heritage exclusive properties (if you prefer to be bull’s eye central to the city our suggested alternative would be the InterContinental (reduction of £56).

Days 2 and 3 The Barossa

It’s a short drive to the Barossa, Australia’s well known wine growing district. First established by Prussian immigrants in the 1850s, the region is also home to historic houses, walking trails, golf and galleries, antique shops and alpaca farms as well as being well carpeted by vines. You’ll spend the night at The Louise, a luxury five star vineyard retreat with just fifteen suites and a top restaurant (‘Appellation’). On your free day we can arrange either a small group or private tasting tour of several of the Barossa’s wineries (£218).

Days 4, 5 and 6 Kangaroo Island

Just a hop away from Adelaide, KI is one of the best places on the continent to see a menagerie of native animals in its natural habitat, including species that are rare, even extinct, on the mainland. Your lodgings for three nights are at Southern Ocean Lodge, one of Australia’s new ‘luxury’ experiences and in our opinion one of the best. The lodge itself is located on the remote south coast in between the two most popular icons of KI, Flinders Chase National Park and Seal Bay. It has a very modern and airy design but with a very personal touch and attention to detail. During your stay you’ll be taken on a 4WD tour of this remarkable island with almost guaranteed sightings of koalas and wallabies (5000 of the latter to every person!), emus and kangaroos, possums and penguins, seals and sea lions and birdlife from cockatoos to ospreys. If you prefer to stay in a luxury private home we recommend Lifetime Private Retreats, staying in one of three stunningly located, private houses with optional dining in such exotic venues as a converted corrugated sheep shearer’s shed illuminated by scores of candles or within the embrace of the enormous branches of an ancient fig tree shrouded in fairy lights. Supplement of £789 including a day’s private touring.

Details and Prices

Your Accommodation

1 night in Adelaide at Bishop's Garden, including breakfast

2 nights in the Barossa at The Louise, room only

3 nights on Kangaroo Island at Southern Ocean Lodge including all meals

Price from £2348 per person including arrival transfers, introductory Adelaide tour, 3 days’ car hire, return flights to Kangaroo Island and accommodation as indicated including breakfast in Adelaide and the Barossa and all meals and drinks at Southern Ocean Lodge. Our suggested itinerary can be easily added to one of our other luxury southern modules, such as Sydney, Blue Mountains and Hunter Valley, Melbourne and Great Ocean Road or perhaps one of the luxury resort islands. Ask your consultant for a tailor-made quotation.

Suggested extension - Arkaba Station in the Flinders Ranges

For an authentic taste of the Australian outback you might want to consider a trip to Arkaba Station in the Flinders Ranges, a 5 hour drive north or Adelaide (or you can fly by private charter flights from Adelaide or from Kangaroo Island). The Flinders is Australia at its rugged best, the ‘bones of nature laid bare’, according to painter Sir Hans Heysen, who was inspired by the striking, varied colours of its mountains, raw outcrops and spectacular gorges. Arkaba is a 5 bedroom 1850s homestead on a 60,000 acre sheep station whose northern boundary is defined by the geological amphitheatre of Wilpena Pound. Price from £1410 per person for 3 nights including car hire and all meals.