Endless Horizons

OCEAN TO OUTBACK IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA

Begin your mind-blowing adventure on Kangaroo Island, home to famous Southern Ocean Lodge, just a 30-minute flight from Adelaide. Perched dramatically on a clifftop with sweeping views of the Southern Ocean; the next stop is Antarctica. Built with a deep sense of responsibility to its environment, the lodge offers an exceptional base from which to explore the best of what is widely known as Australia’s Galapagos. Spend your days encountering native wildlife including seals, kangaroos and koalas, before returning to the cossetting, laid-back surrounds of the lodge, lauded for its fine dining and exceptional service. As well as beautiful suites, there is the extraordinary Baillie Pavilion, the owner’s residence, with four suites and a living room with a suspended fireplace and floor-to-ceiling windows that open right out onto spectacular coastal views.

A marsupial on the sandy shores of Kangaroo Island

A 45-minute flight from Adelaide, Port Lincoln is the place to make the most of South Australia’s magnificent coastline. Opt for an Australian Coastal Safari along the Eyre Peninsula, known as the “Seafood Capital of Australia”, run by the company’s charismatic leader, affectionately known as Lunch. This locally-owned and -run company curates bespoke experiences, such as swimming with sea lions, seeing koalas up close, encountering great white sharks and fishing these abundant waters. Taste the freshest seafood, sample fine local wines, explore on electric mountain bikes, or simply relax in this breathtaking coastal wilderness.

For a taste of some of the world’s finest wines, head to the Barossa wine region, home to rolling, vineyard-covered hills, small farms and The Louise, just under an hour’s drive from Adelaide. This exceptional lodge sits at the heart of the region, with spacious villa-style suites with private terraces – the perfect spot to relax and watch kangaroos exploring the vineyards. Coast & Co offers expert-led private wine tours of the area, while the lodge’s infinity pool is made for relaxing after a busy day of vineyard visits and tastings, before indulging in locally-inspired fine dining.

For an adrenaline-filled day trip, hop onto a helicopter pub crawl with Barossa Helicopters, starting out in Hoffnungsthal Valley before swooping along the Murray River, over historic sites, wildlife-rich wetlands and sweeping plains, stopping off in the region’s historic pubs and inns for refreshing drinks and delicious food – an exhilarating way of taking in the highlights of the region.

Exploring the Outback on a 4WD safari at Arkaba

From here, it’s time to head into South Australia’s Outback and experience the majestic Flinders Ranges, an easy 90-minute chartered flight from Adelaide. At Arkaba, a historical homestead set in a vast private wildlife conservancy, be one of just ten guests sharing 60,000 acres of wilderness. Arkaba is a brilliant buy-out option, while the famous Arkaba Walk is a three-day adventure and close-up experience of the area’s wildlife in the company of experienced field guides. Sleep in comfortable bush camps, enjoy gourmet chef-prepared meals complemented by local South Australian wines, and spend your last night at the Arkaba Homestead, a Luxury Lodge of Australia.

REEF TO RAINFOREST IN QUEENSLAND

South-East Queensland offers a spectacular introduction to Queensland, especially if experienced from the air. Reveling Heli Tours takes in the scenic and cultural wonders of the Granite Belt, Stradbroke Island and Sunshine Coast Hinterland, amongst others. From farm-to-beach gastronomic adventures or lunch with a celebrated MasterChef, to oyster shucking masterclasses and cultural immersions with an Aboriginal guide on Stradbroke Island, this is the perfect way to explore before retreating to the luxurious surroundings of Spicers Peak Lodge. A 90-minute drive south-west of Brisbane, Spicers Peak Lodge is located at 1,100 metres, close to the World Heritage-listed Main Range National Park, and offers a front-row seat to the sights and sounds of this unspoilt wilderness. Explore the dramatic volcanic scenery of the fertile Scenic Rim and indulge in fine dining and superlative service.

Landing on a floating helipad in The Whitsundays

To the north lies the World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef and the famous Whitsundays, an extraordinary playground of shimmering turquoise waters and the dazzling reefs. “Journey to the Heart” whizzes you by helicopter to Heart Reef, a 17-metre-wide coral formation with a private pontoon, reserved exclusively for you and your five guests. Departing via helicopter from Hamilton Island’s qualia resort, the three-hour tour begins with a 30-minute scenic flight over The Whitsundays, Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet before landing on the floating helipad. Guests can then snorkel, swim and cruise the lagoon in a sleek glass-bottom boat with a sparkling wine in hand, before heading back to qualia. The epitome of laidback Australian luxury, qualia is part of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, an extraordinary lodge designed to respect, protect and blend with its unique natural surroundings.

In Tropical North Queensland, Morris Nautical has a fleet of beautiful private superyachts to discover the most hidden, unspoilt waters of Queensland. Offering tailormade itineraries and extended overnight charters, guests are introduced to the region’s hidden treasures, from scuba diving remote waters to fine dining at sea.

Discovering ancient rock art in Cape York.

For the ultimate cultural immersion, Jarramali Rock Art Tours in Tropical North Queensland gives an intimate insight into Aboriginal culture in Australia’s rugged Outback. Guests are guided by a Traditional Owner, either by 4WD or on a scenic helicopter ride, to locations only accessible to Jarramali guests. Camp out in luxury in Cape York, North Queensland, discovering ancient, hidden rock art sites, hearing the stories of the Kuku-Yalanji people, and exploring an outdoor living museum that dates back more than 20,000 years, recognised by UNESCO as one of the world’s most significant rock art sites.

For a taste of true Outback luxury, Mount Mulligan Lodge offers an authentic experience in a truly remote 28,000-hectare wilderness, accessible from Cairns via helicopter or 4WD adventure. With a rich gold- and coal-rush history as well as 37,000 years of indigenous heritage, the lodge has exceptional views over its tabletop namesake mountains from the dreamy banks of a weir, surrounded by eucalyptus trees. Experiences include guided tours of the gold fields, gourmet picnics and some of the best stargazing on earth.

In partnership with South Australian Tourism Commission and Tourism & Events Queensland.