Australian Natural Adventuresnature travel, wildlife tours, adventure travel and general travel to Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific
BOYD GATLIN & LESLIE BAUMAN who are joined in Australia by Amanda
AUSTRALIA
June 16 - July 11 2004
Day 2 – Lost in Space Day 3 – Friday, June 18 - Melbourne Day 4 – Saturday, June 19 - Brisbane
Ranges National Park Day 5 – Sunday, June 20 – Melbourne
/ Great Ocean Road / Peterborough No hotel has been arranged for you tonight or tomorrow night. As
you will be returning Amanda to Clayton, and then continuing east
on Thursday, it makes most sense to for Amanda to find a motel near
her for you to stay, which will also make for easier parking. There
are several along the largest road – Dandenong Road –
nearby. Day 7 – Tuesday, June 22 - Melbourne Day 8 – Wednesday, June 23 - Melbourne
/ Wilson’s Prom Day 9 – Thursday, June 24 - –Wilson’s
Prom Day 10 – Friday, June 25 - Wilson’s
Prom / Phillip Island / Melbourne
continue your Australia tour >>>>
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Terminal
for your Qantas flight to Sydney, Australia. Australia begins the
moment you step aboard your Qantas flight. The
Australian style is apparent—easy going, casually efficient
and very friendly. Qantas is known for its excellent food and in flight
service, so sit back and enjoy the hospitality, meal and a movie.
mmigration.
Take the airport shuttle bus to your hotel. Skybus, located just outside
the International Arrivals Hall go to your right when exiting, is
the shuttle service, and costs $AUD26 for a one-way family ticket
to your hotel, or $AUD13pp one way. Although your hotel will most
likely not be able to admit you to your room, you
will be able to leave your luggage there, then begin your exploration
of Melbourne. Within walking distance of your hotel, going west past
the Cathedral and the Treasury with its gardens, are the 
Walkabout
for a full day outing to the hills and plains west of Melbourne to
see wild kangaroos and koalas, abundant birdlife and discover a rich
Aboriginal heritage. You’ll learn about native animals and plants
both in the open-range grasslands of Serendip Sanctuary on the Western
Plains and in the bush lands of Brisbane Ranges National Park. Within
easy reach from the centre of the city of Melbourne, these environments
provide the perfect introduction to Australia's unique wildlife and
indigenous culture. You’ll see and walk amongst Grey Kangaroos
in large free ranging groups, and find emus, wallabies, koalas and
other unique Australian wildlife. A delicious bush lunch is provided.
The Brisbane Ranges are home to a large and healthy population of
wild
koalas and we rarely miss out on multiple sightings of these delightful
creatures. In additional to the wildlife of the region during your
journey your guide will share with you the great significance of the
Western Plains to Aboriginal people. This will also provide an opportunity
to ask about the self-drive parts of your Victorian stay – Wilson’s
Prom and the Great Ocean Road – as they are intimately familiar
with both areas. They should be particularly helpful with walks in
the Otways, and hotels in and near Peterborough.
Great
Ocean Road. The rental depot is on Franklin St, and it will be easiest
to taxi with your luggage for the trip. It’s about 150 miles
to Peterborough, an easy and leisurely day’s drive. About three
quarters of the way along
are the Otway Ranges, and you should allow some time to enjoy this
area of forests and glens, usually rich in bird calls. Amanda can
easily get information and maps for the trip before your arrival.
The quickest and easiest way out of town is via the West Gate Freeway
to Geelong; ask for directions to the freeway from the rental clerk.
close
to such GOR features as the Twelve Apostles, the now broken London
Bridge, and Loch Ard Gorge, enabling viewing in both evening and morning
lights. Although these are the most famous parts of the Road, the
best views, where the road clings most perilously to the cliff top,
is actually back between Lorne and Apollo Bay, so make sure you savor
this area.
wee-rup
(there’s an even smaller hamlet nearby called Wee-wee-rup).
If you wish you’ll be able to make a stop at one of the smaller
boutique wineries in the area, many
of which are producing some of Australia’s best wines. Again,
Amanda can do a little research prior to your arrival to locate a
couple that are on the way. It’s about a three hour drive to
the Prom, as it’s known, and as it will become dark by about
5 to 5.30pm, you should time your drive accordingly. Once it is dark
driving in the Park itself can be a little hazardous due to the abundant
kangaroos and wombats. As your accommodation is self-catering, make
sure to stop along the way for food and drink to take with you. 
The
town of Leongatha, about three-quarters of the way there, will be
best for this. Your accommodation tonight is a Lorikeet Unit deep
within the Park. Should you forget anything on the trip down there
is a store within the park complex. The information centre will be
able to assist you with your exploration of the park.
the
Australian mainland. Make sure you have brought a
couple of strong flashlights and batteries with you, so you can go
out in the evening spotlighting for nocturnal wildlife including possums
and owls.
hours
west of the Prom is Phillip Island, home to the famous 
Again, dark comes early in June, and there will be ample time for
the easy 1 ½ drive back to Melbourne afterwards. Penguin arrival
time will be from about 5.15pm on, and you should plan to be there
½ to 1 hour prior, perhaps more if you wish to spend time in
the information centre, which is very informative.