OFF THE BEATEN TRACK IN AUSTRALIA

Day 1 Arrive Melbourne

Arrive and transfer to your hotel in Melnbourne. The rest of the day is free to relax.

Overnight: The Crown Towers

Day 2 Melbourne

The style capital of Australia is best discovered with a local, so we've arranged a walking tour with a native guide to help you get your bearings. On this half day tour your guide will reveal the city's contemporary maze of designer boutiques, quirky galleries, historical lanes and arcades, before leading you to a favourite local restaurant for lunch. The rest of the day is at leisure.

Overnight: The Crown Towers

Day 3 Tasmania

After breakfast, you'll be driven to the airport for your flight to Hobart. You'll be met on arrival and taken to The Islington Hotel, a small luxury hotel with a long history and a large and delightful garden with special views of Mount Wellington. Built in 1847, the hotel is a fine example of Regency architecture recently restored to showcase its original glory and updated to include a few luxurious extras.

Overnight: The Islington Hotel

Day 4 Bruny Island

After breakfast, Dr Tonia Cochran will take you to explore the stunning landscape of Bruny Island. There will be chance to visit the historic and beautiful Adventure Bay, and to see glorious beaches and cool temperate rainforests containing some Gondwana species, as well as endemic Tasmanian flora. Enjoy a stop at Cape Bruny, which offers spectacular views of the rugged coastline and Southern Ocean (next stop Antarctica!).

Overnight: The Islington Hotel

Day 5 Freycinet

After a leisurely morning, collect your rental car in Hobart and set off for Saffire Freycinet. The Freycinet Peninsula extends from Tasmania's south-eastern coast - a stunning national park that includes the recognisable Wineglass Bay. Freycinet is a place of warm pink granite mountains, white sandy beaches, grey-green casuarinas and seawater as blue as sapphire; and Saffire lodge is perfectly located on a sweeping bay.

Overnight: Saffire Freycinet

Day 6 - 7 Freycinet

Enjoy two full days at leisure. There are several magnificent walks on your doorstep, as well as opportunities for canoeing, bird-watching or archery. You can visit a working oyster farm, or enjoy the insights of a guide who knows the region intimately. For a real treat, explore Wineglass Bay on a guided 5km walk, or cruise the spectacular coastline on-board the lodge's purpose built vessel.

Overnight: Saffire Freycinet

Day 8 Scottsdale

After checking out of Saffire, drive around two and a half hours to Scottsdale to your charming bed and breakfast accommodation. The Beulah is a heritage-listed home, which was built in 1878 by one of the earliest pioneers. Beulah combines the ambience of yesteryear with today's expected comforts in gracious style. Enjoy time on arrival to relax and look forward to delicious home-cooked cuisine.

Overnight: Beulah Lodge

Day 9 Quoll Patrol

Today you will be accompanied by local guide Craig, who cooks up a bush tucker dinner like you won't believe! First, visit Trowunna Wildlife Park in the beautiful Mersey Valley, for an introduction to Tasmania's unique wildlife. The breeding and rehabilitation programmes will be explained by informative guides who will also host your close encounters with Tasmanian devil, wombats and kangaroos. Stop for a light lunch en route to the north east, as you pass by the foothills of Mt Ben Lomond, heading over Roses Tier and down through the stunning Tombstone Creek Forest Reserve, through magnificent old growth forest. Dinner will be a Tasmanian bush tucker feast in a remote spot on private land, served with a glass of Tasmanian cool climate wine. After dinner, the objective is to spot the 'bandit of the bush' - the entertaining Eastern Quoll - and perhaps other species such as possums, wombats, kangaroos, wallaby, bettong, bandicoot and Tasmanian devils. You will be returned to Beulah at about 10pm.

Overnight: Beulah Lodge

Day 10 Sydney

Following breakfast, drive to Launceston Airport, drop off your car, and board your flight to Sydney. On arrival, you'll be greeted and driven to the iconic Four Seasons Sydney - an established favourite with grand marble lobby and dramatic sweeping staircase. The hotel is in The Rocks, with magnificent harbour views and close proximity to the Museum of Contemporary Art and the business district. We recommend a stroll around the harbour for views of the fabulous Opera House.

Overnight: Four Seasons Hotel

Day 11 Sydney

It's worth rising early for the panoramic view of sunrise over the Opera House right outside your window. A morning tour by air will give you a birds-eye view of the landscape, as you fly north along the Northern Beaches before turning inland over the Narrabeen Lakes and Pittwater. Your pilot will land in front of the Cottage Point Inn, located right on the water and with a superb view of the Hawkesbury River and surrounding bush land. After lunch there, you will be returned to your hotel for an afternoon to relax.

Overnight: Four Seasons Hotel

Day 12 Sydney

Begin the day with a visit to Blackwattle Bay and the Sydney Fish Market, considered one of the finest in the world. A plate of fresh sushi or famous Sydney rock oysters will titillate the taste buds as you speak to the locals about the catch of the day. Continue on to Queen Street for a lesson in food shopping, Australian style, and be sure to make a stop at a fine wine shop for an update on the regional varieties and vineyards and, if you wish, a tasting of Australian wines.

Overnight: Four Seasons Hotel

Day 13 Lord Howe Island

It's time to bid Sydney farewell and fly to Lord Howe Island, which is regarded as one of the most spectacular in the Pacific. On arrival, a delightful host from Capella Lodge will be at the airport to meet you and take you back to your home for the next four nights. Located in a quiet corner of this World Heritage listed island, with views over romantic Lovers Bay and the imperious twin peaks of Mount Gower, the lodge is surrounded by nothing but ocean, reef and mountains as far as the eye can see.

Overnight: Capella Lodge, Lord Howe Island

Day 14 - 15 Lord Howe Island

Many of the activities on offer are centred around the stunning ocean that surrounds the island. You can choose from sea kayaking, snorkelling from the beautiful beaches, glass bottom boat trips, or just simply relaxing on the white sand beach. There are bicycles available for hire, or you may wish to join a day trip to Ball's Pyramid (very weather dependent). Should you decide to be really adventurous, we can arrange fishing and scuba diving on various charter boats or a private guided walk up Mount Gower.

Overnight: Capella Lodge, Lord Howe Island

Day 16 Farewell Australia

Bid your final farewell to Australia as you leave the hotel for your flight to Sydney and your onward flight home.