Day 1: Adelaide
The wine and festival capital of Australia, Adelaide is a place to experience the buzz, culture and convenience of a city without the frustrations. The city centre, surrounded by parklands, is a charming blend of historic buildings, wide streets, groovy shops and a huge variety of street cafes and restaurants. Visit the largest undercover market in the southern hemisphere and taste the best of South Australia at the Adelaide Central Market or enjoy a ride on Adelaide’s tram from the city centre to the historic yet vibrant beachside suburb of Glenelg. The city also provides a great launching point to the many attractions surrounding Adelaide, including world class wine regions, the Australian Outback, Kangaroo Island and much more.
Day 2: Adelaide to Port Lincoln
Transfer to the airport for your flight to Port Lincoln. Port Lincoln is situated on Boston Bay, one of the largest protected natural harbours in the world and three times the size of Sydney Harbour. It offers a vibrant regional centre and the perfect base from which to explore the Southern Eyre Peninsula. Here you can enjoy incredible seafood, beautiful wines, fantastic ocean adventures and wonderful wildlife experiences. In the town itself, keep an eye out for museums, art galleries, lookouts, parks and playgrounds. You’ll also discover Port Lincoln is a bustling regional centre with a vibrant shopping culture and an extraordinary dining culture featuring exquisite seafood, local produce, local wines and beer.
Exceptional Port Lincoln, Seafood and Wildlife Tour
Drive down to Flinders Ports Wharf, South Australia’s main grain exporting plant. The natural deep-water harbour enables Port Lincoln to fully load grain carriers and move AUD $2.2 billion worth of grain annually. Next, a visit to the Marina Wharf to visit the home of the largest fishing fleet in the Southern Hemisphere. The local fishing industries include Bluefin Tuna, Hiramasa Kingfish, Spencer Gulf King Prawns, Blue Mussel, Southern Rock Lobster, and Sardines as well as smaller trailer boats used for Abalone, Southern Calamari, Snapper, Crabs and King George Whiting. See the full process from ocean to plate and meet local fisherman, as they drop off the catch of the day from all over the Eyre Peninsula. You will be able to sample a tantalizing selection of in house smoked fish and pickled seafood. Lunch at Fresh Fish Place and select your own fresh fish or shellfish from the pre-arranged menu and have this cooked to your taste. This afternoon you will discover the diversity of the Port Lincoln National Park. From the naturally rugged and wild Sleaford Bay and the Southern Ocean to the tranquility of the Spalding Cove area and other beautiful beaches. Of the 29,000ha National Park, you can walk or beachcomb along Surfleet Cove, take a 45-minute hike to see spectacular views of Boston Bay, Port Lincoln and the Port Lincoln National Park at the Stamford Hill Lookout or even some 4WD adventure amongst massive sand dunes overlooking the beautiful Southern Ocean and clifftops. Head out to beautiful Mikkira Station, one of the few habitats where Koalas can be found in the wild. Sit back and relax at the restored original homestead or go for a stroll under the beautiful old Eucalypt trees and come face to face with the cuddly icon of Australia as they laze in the Manna gums. Wild but placid kangaroos casually hop around in this beautiful historical setting, where in 1842 Scotsman Adam Borthwick and his family made their home as one of the very first settlers of the region. Emus roam around amongst mobs of sheep and there is astounding bird-life here, some of which are rare and native to this area. As the sun settles for the evening, enjoy a platter of local produce, wine and listen to the sounds of nature. From the Mikkira Station, transfer to your accommodation.
Dinner this evening will be at your accommodation.
Day 3: Port Lincoln
Following breakfast your guide will collect you for the next day of adventure.
Coffin Bay Oysters, Ocean and Nature Tour
Travel to Winter’s Hill Lookout, where from this vantage point you can see the city of Port Lincoln, Boston Island, Boston Bay and all the way out to the stunning Port Lincoln National Park. A 360’ degree view affords stunning views towards Coffin Bay and the lower west coast of Eyre Peninsula. This is a superb photo opportunity, as the ever-changing cloud formations make for a superb backdrop. Beautiful Coffin Bay, an area of outstanding beauty, world famous Oysters and is home to a variety of important species of flora and fauna. This area is classified as a maritime wilderness area. Take a 1.5 hour tour with Coffin Bay oyster farmer Chris Hank on his oyster cruise and learn about the Pacific and the Native Angasi Oyster with an Oyster tour & tasting. Lunch of fresh seafood platters or at Coffin Bay 1802 Oyster Bar. Coffin Bay National Park, offers some of the most spectacular coastal scenery in South Australia, ranging from ancient granite, limestone and sandstone cliffs to long beaches bordered by white sand dunes. Framed by the sea, the parks slender peninsula resembles the shape of a giant spur jutting out from the mainland. A place of amazing contrasts, the unprotected side of the peninsula reveals rugged headlands, limestone cliffs and islands shaped by the relentless Southern Ocean and frequent south-westerly winds. In contrast, the leeward side is calm and serene offering a safe swimming beach and great places to walk, fish and canoe. Wildlife is plentiful throughout the 31,000 hectare (120 square miles) National Park with Western Grey Kangaroos, Emus, Goanna’s and Dolphins in the Bays. On our way back to Port Lincoln, a stop at one of the region’s best award-winning wineries for a tasting. The touring ends on arrival back at your accommodation.
Dinner this evening is at your accommodation.
Day 4: Port Lincoln
You’re up bright and early for one of the most extreme and exhilarating ocean interactions with the world’s most feared predator of the sea! Honed by millions of years of evolution, the Great White Shark is one of the most graceful and awe-inspiring fish in the ocean. Absolutely nothing will prepare you for the unique experience on your first encounter with this magnificent specimen in its natural
environment.
You are required to board the 65-foot Calypso Star II by 6.30am from the pontoon next to Port Lincolns’ Marina Hotel, ready for a 7am departure. The home of the Great Whites is out at the Neptune Islands and the 2.5-hour trip is often accompanied by pods of dolphins cruising by with lots of running commentary by the staff on board the shark diving vessel. (During the winter, Southern Right Whales are often seen in the area as well). Once at the Islands, the action begins as sharks up to 18ft emerge from the depths at the attraction of burley and baits.
Each person will experience 45 min cage viewing, face to face, with the amazing Great Whites through crystal clear waters. Cameras are a must have as the action from the fly bridge and the deck is absolutely fantastic! Your day concludes about 6.30pm that evening with incredible memories where another dinner of fresh local produce awaits you on your arrival back at the Beach House.
Dinner this evening is at your accommodation.
Day 5: Port Lincoln to Adelaide
You will be transferred to Port Lincoln airport for your flight back to Adelaide.
