SNOWY RIVER SECRETS - INTER-CAPITAL LINK
Quote tour code: EG2L
Departs from Melbourne on Sunday from September to end of May
A classic journey into wilderness equal to the best in the world. Have the remote wilderness of East Gippsland in south-eastern Australia to yourself - see deep, pure rivers, rugged mountains, abundant wildlife and long ocean beaches.
Tour Location:-
Halfway between Melbourne and Sydney on the south-east coast of Australia
NOTE: This tour module can be used to link Melbourne to Canberra or Sydney over 6 days.
*** IMPORTANT NOTE FOR AGENTS
This tour can be used to link Melbourne to Canberra or Sydney and onwards. It is the same tour as Echidna Walkabout's EG2 SNOWY RIVER SECRETS except for the following differences:
The tour begins in Melbourne but instead of returning to Melbourne at the end of the tour (Day 5) it travels on to either:-
a) the capital city of Australia, CANBERRA in southern New South Wales.
b) the coastal town of MERIMBULA in southern New South Wales.
Both places have most services including:-
* Fully serviced Regional Airport with regular scheduled flights to Sydney
* Wide range of Accommodation and Restaurants
* Hire Car outlets.
* Fascinating range of tours
Travel agents can easily access these services through the usual agent networks or through the internet. Two Optional Add-Ons are provided after the itinerary, one for Canberra and one for Merimbula. These add ons are NOT booked by us - you can make the bookings by using the information in the add-on details.
>> Our price includes all items mentioned in the following itinerary. Note carefully that on Day 5 we ONLY provide Breakfast, transfer to the Coach Terminal in Orbost and the cost of the Coach transfer from Orbost to Canberra or Merimbula. All other items after that are to be booked by others.
OVERVIEW
Travel from Melbourne to the grand wilderness and wildlife region of East Gippsland in south-eastern Australia. At the end of your journey travel on to Australia's beautiful capital city of Canberra or to the coastal town of Merimbula. From both places you can easily link up with travel options to Sydney and beyond.This is the ultimate way to experience East Gippsland. Our high quality vehicle-based expedition visits the most remote region of south-eastern Australia - an unspoilt wilderness of rugged mountains, deep, pure rivers, dense rainforest, abundant wildlife and long ocean beaches. Highlights of the expeditions are the plunging ramparts of the Snowy River Gorge and the upland rainforests of Errinundra Plateau.
Your expert nature guide provides interpretation of the environment and indigenous culture.
Travel through three dramatic and totally different ecosystems in the wilderness region of far East Gippsland. This fully guided vehicle-based expedition visits the most remote and unexplored region of south-eastern Australia containing the greatest density of national parks on the island continent. The expedition travels deep into the rainshadow of the Snowy River Gorge then high into the cool temperate rainforests of Errinundra Plateau before plunging down to the wilderness coastline. East Gippsland is renowned for its diversity of wildlife and flora. Our guides provide a comprehensive ecological overview/interpretation of many aspects of the environment and of the Aboriginal cultural traditions of the areas we travel through.
Location:
The Snowy River and Errinundra National Parks in East Gippsland near the city of Melbourne in south-east Australia.
| Duration: | 5 days, 4 nights | Departs: | Sunday from Melbourne weekly September thru May |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum pax: | 2 Maximum:8 |
DETAILS:
Note that all departures are from the city of Melbourne. The tour finishes on Day 5 in Canberra or Merimbula where your travel agent can arrange further touring options including accommodation, hire car, Canberra City Sights tour, Canberra Hot Air Ballooning or Merimbula ocean going wildlife tours. From both places flight, bus and rail connections to Sydney and beyond are easily arranged.Road travel is minimised with most time spent on a wide variety of bush-based experiences.
INCLUDES:
Full interpretation by experienced nature guides, all on ground transfers, meals and accommodation as described below, entry fees and vehicle based support crew.
Expert Guides:
First class standards in guidance are the hallmark of Echidna Walkabout. Our in-house nature guide training program ensures that all guides have an in-depth working knowledge of the environments you will travel through. Vehicles and guides carry two way radios which link them to our office and to emergency services.
| Accommodation: | |
|---|---|
| Day 1 - Hotel/Motel | Day 2 - 4 star tented base camp |
| Day 3 - 4 star tented base camp | Day 4 - B&B |
| Day 5 - Transfer to Canberra or Merimbula - accommodation by others | |
| See details on base camps below |
Meals on tour:
All meals from lunch on Day 1 to breakfast on Day 5. In camp delicious meals are served to a sit down table and wine is provided for most evening meals.
NB Vegetarian or other food preferences should be noted at the time of booking.
4 Star Wilderness Camping:
Stay in our luxurious base camps in specially designed twin share tents. You can stand full height in these tents. Delicious meals are served to a sit down table and wine is provided for most evening meals. Camps include hot showers and basic bathroom facilities.
Transport:
In comfortable air conditioned vehicles. Some expeditions will depart Melbourne by train and be picked up in the region by our vehicle - in this case details of how to get to the train and ticketing will be provided by us. All transfers are included in the prices. The tour ends on Day 5 with an early afternoon transfer out of East Gippsland to Canberra or Merimbula by V/Line Coach service. Also included is the coach transfer from East Gippsland to Canberra or Merimbula.
What to bring:
Strong walking shoes or boots, clothing to suit variable weather conditions (temperatures range from 0C to +35C, sun hat, rainproof coat, small torch, insect repellent, 15+ sunblock, daypack (or we can supply day pack) and 1 litre water bottle. You should also bring swimming gear.
As space is limited please keep luggage to 1 sausage bag OR 1 backpack OR 1 suitcase per person. Hand luggage should be small.
Please note that whilst every attempt will be made to follow our planned route National Park Service requirements and weather conditions may cause amendments which will be clearly outlined to you by your guide.
BOOKINGS
PO Box 370, Port Melbourne Victoria 3207 Australia
telephone +613 9646 8249 fax +613 9681 9177
email: enquiries@echidnawalkabout.com.au
http://www.echidnawalkabout.com.au
ITINERARY FOR SNOWY RIVER SECRETS with Inter-capital link (EG2L)
MODULE IDEAS: see Savannah Walkabout fact sheets for further information** EG2L can begin on the day before departing Melbourne with our Savannah Walkabout which is a 1 day wildlife trip out of Melbourne
Meals Inclusion Code: B- Breakfast, L- Lunch, D- Dinner.
EG2L - 5 days/ 4 nights
DAY 1 - SUNDAY:
Transfer Melbourne to East Gippsland (by vehicle or train), tour briefing, go underground into fabulous Buchan Caves, walk with wild kangaroos and other wildlife, overnight at a Hotel/Motel overlooking the beautiful Buchan Valley. (LD)
DAY 2 - MONDAY:
Travel by vehicle high into the Australian Alps, walk to waterfalls and overview massive gorges before driving into Australia's deepest gorge in the Snowy River National Park. Camp in the famous Snowy River Valley, walk in this fascinating rainshadow woodland and learn about the Aboriginal people of this area. (BLD)
DAY 3 - TUESDAY:
We drive beside the wild Deddick River high into Errinundra National Park, walk in cool temperate rainforest, see huge eucalyptus trees, view the mountain wildlife by day and by night. Our Base Camp is set high on Errinundra Plateau beside the national park (BLD)
DAY 4 - WEDNESDAY:
Take an easy walk through towering gum trees up to the top of the plateau and overview the entire alpine region before taking one of Australia's most exceptional forest drives through cool and warm temperate rainforest. Walk in a grove of magnificent palm trees in dense lowland rainforest before heading to the coast at Cape Conran on the Southern Ocean then visit the mouth of the mighty Snowy River before travelling to your B&B for the evening (BLD)
DAY 5 - THURSDAY:
This morning we relax in the pretty town of Orbost. Take a walk beside the beautiful Snowy River. Stroll through the town and have a relaxing lunch before departing East Gippsland in the early afternoon by coach to Canberra or Merimbula arriving late afternoon in Canberra and mid afternoon in Merimbula. (B)TOUR ENDS - all other tour options from this point on are booked by others
OPTIONAL CANBERRA ADD-ON
Day 5 - THURSDAY:Arrive by coach into Canberra at about 6:15pm. Check in to your accommodation in Canberra's delightful inner suburb of Manuka, confirm your City Sights and/or Hot Air Ballooning tour option for tomorrow, have dinner at one of Manuka's cosmopolitan restaurants.
Day 6 - FRIDAY:
Take a City Sights and/or Hot Air Ballooning tour (these two can be linked together) to discover the fascinating history and beauty of Australia's National Capital - our newest city, built in ever expanding circles around majestic Lake Burley Griffin in an almost rural environment. You'll visit some of the most important political and cultural sights of Canberra including the dominating edifice of Parliament House, the National War Memorial, the National Gallery and Mount Ainslie perched high over this truly beautiful modern city. Hot Air Ballooning is something that Canberra is famous for because the city early mornings are rarely windy due to Canberra's location. These balloon trips are an exquisite way to enjoy the early morning peace of Canberra's and to see the surrounding mountains from the air. After your discovery of Canberra you can head out to the airport and catch a 30 minute flight to Sydney and beyond.
BOOKING INFORMATION FOR CANBERRA
Canberra is the capital city of Australia located in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) approximately 300 kilometres south-west of Sydney.A useful website for information on this region is: www.visitcanberra.com.au
Accommodation
The inner suburbs of Manuka and Kingston (beside each other) provide the best location for international travellers into Canberra as these places offer a wide variety of easily accessible restaurants and activities. These are our recommendations for accommodation in these two areas:
Doma Hotels Group (Pinnacle Apartments, Hotel Heritage, Bentley Suites) www.domahotelscanberra.com.au
Manuka Park Serviced Apartments - www.manukapark.com.au
Kingston Terrace Serviced Apartments - www.kingstonterrace.com.au
City Sights Tour
Idol Moments - www.idolmoments.com.au provide daily 4 hour in depth city sights tour
Hot Air Ballooning
Balloons Aloft - www.balloonaloft.com
Dawn Drifters - www.dawndrifters.com.au
Air Travel
3 major airlines offer regular scheduled flights out of Canberra
Qantas - www.qantas.com.au
Virgin Blue - www.virginblue.com.au
Regional Express - www.rex.com.au
Car Hire
Most reputable car hire outlets offer vehicles out of Canberra.
Buses and Train
Regular Bus and Train services run out of Canberra to Sydney and elsewhere
For detailed schedules go to - www.countrylink.info
OPTIONAL MERIMBULA ADD-ON
Day 5 - THURSDAY:Arrive by coach into Merimbula at about 4:30pm. Check in to your hotel, confirm your Dolphin or Whale watching tour option for tomorrow, take a relaxing stroll around the beautiful Merimbula Lakes and have dinner at one of Merimbula's many restaurants.
Day 6 - FRIDAY:
Take a Dolphin Cruise (OR Whale Watching cruise from September to end of November) on the sea cat "True Blue" from Merimbula Marina. These cruises have won a number of awards and are of a very high standard. The Whale Watching trips are guided by marine biologists. Dolphins, seals, Gannets, Albatross, Sea Eagles and Penguins are regularly seen on these trips. During Whale season there are guaranteed sightings of whales which could include Humpback with young, Southern Right, Minke and Killer with the occasional sighting of the magnificent Blue Whale.
Both these cruises finish by about 12:30pm after which you can have lunch in town before heading out to Merimbula airport to catch your flight to Sydney. Flights depart at 1:35pm and 4:30pm and take about 1 hour to get to Sydney
BOOKING INFORMATION FOR MERIMBULA
Note that Merimbula is in the tourism area known as the Sapphire CoastA useful website for information on this region is www.sapphirecoast.com.au/merimbula.htm
Accommodation
Apartments - in town
Crown Apartments - www.crownapartments.com.au
Penguin Mews - www.penguinmews.com.au
Motels - in town
Sapphire Waters - www.sapphirewatersmotorinn.com.au
South Seas http://southseas.asitis.net.au
Guest House - out of town in a beautiful bush setting
Robyn's Nest - www.robynsnest.com.au
Wildlife Tours
Merimbula Marina - www.acr.net.au/~merimbulamarina/ provides:
Daily 2.5 hour Bay Dolphin Cruise all year 10:30am to 12:30pm
Daily 4 hour Whale Watching Cruise from September to end November 8am to 12 Noon
Air Travel
Regional Express - www.rex.com.au provides 3 services each day to Sydney as follows:
ZL262 MIM/SYD 06:30 - 08:10
ZL264 MIM/SYD 13:35 - 14:45
ZL266 MIM/SYD 16:30 - 18:10
NOTE: No other carrier offers scheduled services out of Merimbula
Car Hire
Most reputable car hire outlets offer vehicles out of Merimbula.
www.echidnawalkabout.com.au
Updated: July 2004
© copyright 2004 Echidna Walkabout