These tours are our proudest creations. They have been crafted for Inspiring Vacations travellers exclusively, with personal and unique experiences in mind. Please see the Important Information on your selected tour for exact group size. Enjoy features such as hand-picked accommodation, a sampling of the region’s best culinary delights, and a range of optional activities to choose from to best suit your travel style.
This tour is fully escorted by an expert English-speaking guide who will accompany you throughout the tour.
Whether it’s an Everest trek or a cycling tour through Europe, these tours are all about the great outdoors. Explore destinations away from the masses. You’ll require a good level of fitness, but they are not technically challenging. At the end of an active day, you can expect to rest in comfort and explore the culinary delicacies of each region. You’ll join an existing tour, not just with Inspiring Vacations guests
✓ Two nights 4-star accommodation in Adelaide
✓ Three nights at Ulonga Seaviews, American River and one night at Ozone Hotel in Kingscote
✓ All transport and guiding from days 2 to days 6
✓ Ferry crossing from the mainland to Kangaroo Island
✓ 4 breakfasts, 5 lunches and 3 dinners
✓ Plenty of fresh fruit, trail mix, tea/coffee/hot chocolate and snacks
✓ Amazing sightseeing including Seal Bay & Remarkable Rocks
✓ Small group of 10 or less
✓ All National Park entry fees
Travel with the experts for a carefully curated, value-packed discovery of the world's most iconic destinations. Our tours are bursting with must-see sights, rich experiences and quality inclusions, all at an unbeatable price. Bucket list dreams are ticked off on these all-encompassing journeys.
Welcome to Adelaide!
Make your way to your accommodation. You can arrive at any time as there are no organized activities. If arriving prior to standard check-in time, which is generally 2pm, you are welcome to leave your luggage with hotel reception and explore your surroundings until check-in becomes available. The hotel may grant early check-in, however this is strictly subject to availability and at the hotel’s discretion.
Depart central Adelaide at 6.30am. Trip to Cape Jervis – board Sealink Ferry for 9 am departure for a scenic 45-minute crossing, known as the Backstairs Passage, to Penneshaw and Kangaroo Island.
Mid-morning we walk from Penneshaw, discovering historic features along the beach on the way to the Ironstone Hill Hike in the Baudin Conservation Park. This walk follows the historic Bullock Track towards Cape Willoughby and leads to Ironstone Hill, overlooking a magnificent coastal vista and revealing some of the area’s farming heritage.
In the afternoon, we head to the south-east corner of the island, where a short walk around the Cape Willoughby Lightstation will reward us with magnificent seascapes and more history at South Australia’s oldest lighthouse.
Then it’s off to our accommodation at American River settlement, for pre-dinner nibbles and a delicious two-course dinner prepared by your guides.
Walking Duration: Approx 5kms, 2 hours
Track Grading: 2
After breakfast and lunch making we take a short drive to Prospect Hill, where a nice heart-starter rewards us with sweeping views of the inlets, forests and dunes of the narrowest part of the island.
Then it’s off to Murray Lagoon in the centre of the island, where the Curley Creek, Bald Hill and Timber Creek Walks allows us to experience tea-tree wetlands and a great variety of birdlife on the waters.
Next up we drive to Seal Bay for a tour with local park rangers to see the Sea Lion colony up close and personal. Seal Bay is home to the third largest population of one of the world’s rarest marine mammals – the Australian Sea Lion. Here we walk down onto the beach and witness Sea Lions in their natural habitat providing an amazing experience.
Upon returning to American River you will have a chance to relax or take yourself on the history trail winding its way through the town area (5km), in time for our next nibbles and dinner, prepared with aplomb by your guides.
Walking Duration: Approx 7kms, 2 hours
Track Grading: 2
At time of writing, Flinders Chase National Park is closed for all but the Remarkables rock formations. These iconic sculpted granite outcrops are surely unmissable, so we will make a day of driving to the far end of the island. We will firstly drive towards Cape Borda lighthouse, and witness the amazing views from the island’s highest cliffs at Harvey’s Return.
Continuing along the West End Highway, we will be skirting the Park, as well as large tracts of farmland recovering from the 2020 fires. In the Cape du Coedic lighthouse area we will explore as much of the Remarkables, Admirals Arch and the lighthouse environs as restoration efforts allow.
The return along South Coast Road passes the tiny settlement of Vivonne Bay, also drastically affected by the fires, before a stop to experience “Little Sahara” – 2 square kilometres of sand dunes, up to 70m high. A walk through the dunes will be a great leg stretch, or you can try your hand at sandboarding on the steeper slopes.
On the way back we can stop at a winery or two to sample some of the island’s fine wines, and perhaps select a bottle or two to have with tonight’s meal back at American River, two courses prepared by your guides.
Track Grading: 2
After breakfast and lunch making we take a short morning walk to the ruins of a fish cannery on the foreshore, returning for morning tea at our accommodation. Then we will take the one-way Independence Walk south of the township, continuing on by vehicle to Beyeria Conservation Park. Here a short circuit walk will reveal the incredibly rich mallee vegetation community, showcasing some of KI’s rare endemic plants. Then it’s off to Kingscote, the island’s biggest town.
Lunch will be on the grounds of the Island Beehive, where we can take a tour of the honey-making processes and observe an active beehive. Then a stroll through the Reeve’s Point Historic Site will inform us of the interesting story behind South Australia’s first settlement, pre-dating Adelaide.
Following the North Coast road winding amongst farmland and headlands, we can pull in to a beach or two for a toe-dip (or something more serious if the weather is favourable), before heading back to Kingscote. Here there will be time for a ramble through the harbour area with its basking seals before we enjoy a pub-style meal together at the Ozone Hotel (fabulous bay views as the sun sets), and return to American River for our last night’s sleep.
Walking Duration: Approx 8kms, 2.5 hours
Track Grading: 2
After breakfast and lunch making we pack up and depart our accommodation.
We take a morning ferry trip from Penneshaw back to the mainland and continue on to our last walk for the tour – The Goondooloo Ridge Walk.
We take this short walk along a stunning section of the Deep Creek Conservation Park. The views overlooking the Southern Ocean are vast and the track itself is easy. The park is the largest remaining block of wildlife habitat on the Fleurieu Peninsula and is home to an array of native wildlife. Look out for western grey kangaroos, short-beaked echidnas or some of the 100 bird species that can easily be heard or spotted when walking in the park.
The walking trail provides spectacular views of the Backstairs Passage, Cape Willoughby Lighthouse and beyond, on Kangaroo Island and the rugged Deep Creek Valley.
We then drive to Adelaide where we expect to arrive at 5pm approximately. Say goodbye to your new friends and make your way to your accommodation for tonight.
Walking Duration: Approx 4kms, 2 hours
Track Grading: 2
We hope you’ve enjoyed this extraordinary journey.
Standard check out is by 10.00am. You are welcome to leave your luggage at hotel reception and spend your final moments of free time exploring the area or, alternatively, please speak with hotel staff if you would like to extend your check-out time.
Contact us if you wish to extend your stay in Adelaide as we can assist you arrange additional accommodation and the below optional activities at the time of booking.
The Barossa Valley is South Australia's best known wine region and home to the largest wine companies in Australia. The landscape is interwoven with the unmistakable presence of rich Germanic/Silesian culture and heritage. The tour travels via the scenic Adelaide Hills, includes lunch at Vintners restaurant or a gourmet picnic and visits leading wineries such as Rockfords Peter Lehmann and Henschke. This tour departs at 09.00am and arrives back in Adelaide by 05.00pm approximately. Pick up and drop off transfers are included. This is an intimate tour and the maximum group size 5 guests only.
We travel through the scenic Hills via the picturesque town of Clarendon to Coriole winery. Coriole's cellar door is a beautiful little ironstone cellar surrounded by magnificent views and gardens. They produce an outstanding range of wines, olives, olive oils and cheeses with some exceptional wines styles unique to their winery.
Lunch will be at the d'Arrys Veranda restaurant which is at the d'Arenberg winery where you will enjoy the sensational views over the McLaren Vale vineyards, or we enjoy the scenic Currant Shed or alfresco under the vines picnic style. After lunch we may visit Primo Estate winery, this very modern state of the art cellar highlights some of the Italian wine styles that have influenced this region.
To make the tour more gourmet food focused, we may incorporate part of the Blessed cheese trail, taste local olives and olive oil. We may taste the locally produced Almonds at the Almond train and finish with a visit to taste South Australia's own fruitchoc's!!-
This tour departs at 09.00am and arrives back in Adelaide by 04.00pm approximately. Pick up and drop off transfers are included. This is an intimate tour and the maximum group size 5 guests only.
The tour departs Adelaide and first takes us south to the picturesque McLaren Vale Wine Region dotted over 50 small to medium wineries. It is situated near the coast hence the area has a distinctly Mediterranean feel. Tours of the McLaren Vale wine region feature some of the most beautiful scenery in the state. Wineries include Wirra Wirra, d'Arenberg and Coriole. Other attractions include olive oil and cheese tasting.
We head south to the coastal town of Goolwa, once a thriving paddle steamer port. We may enjoy lunch at the charming local café overlooking the sea. After lunch we travel on the beach up to the Mouth of the River and travel to scenic lookouts in search of the Southern Right Whales that visit our shores with their newborn calves from May to October. We call into Victor Harbor and take a ride on Australia's only horse-drawn tram along the causeway, which links the mainland to Granite Island. If we are still there at dusk we may sight a penguin as they make their way back to the island.
This tour departs at 09.00am and arrives back in Adelaide by 05.00pm approximately. Pick up and drop off transfers are included. This is an intimate tour and the maximum group size 5 guests only.
Kangaroo Island - Follows the historic Bullock Track towards Cape Willoughby and Ironstone Hill
Kangaroo Island - Be rewarded with magnificent seascapes at Cape Willoughby Lightstation
Kangaroo Island - Get close and personal with Seal Lions at Seal Bay
Kangaroo Island - Explore the Remarkables rocks at Flinders Chase National Park
Kangaroo Island - Learn all about the honey-making process at Island Beehive
Kangaroo Island - Discover the largest remaining block of wildlife habitat on the Fleurieu Peninsula at Deep Creek Conservation Park
Inspiring Vacations has been globally recognised and awarded for its handling of COVID-19 during the pandemic. The safety and wellbeing of our guests is our highest concern during this time of uncertainty, and we are continuously monitoring the evolving COVID-19 situation.
We have adopted the advice of the WHO to ensure all customers can travel with the knowledge of how to travel safely and with confidence.
Australian owned and operated with 100% Australian Customer Service support
We are proudly 100% Australian owned and operated, with our head office located in Melbourne, Victoria. When you make your booking, you will receive dedicated and ongoing support from our team of travel professionals throughout your booking, up until you are due to depart.
Flexible Date Change Option
Book now, change later with our Flexible Date Change option. You may select this $99pp option at time of purchase, giving travellers the flexibility to change your date without penalty (subject to availability, less third party costs incurred, plus any applicable surcharges for the new date selected).
Date change must be requested prior to 65 days before your original selected departure date*. Once inside 65 days of departure, date changes are not permitted.
*some packages may have a varied period in which you can request a date change due to limitations with the third-party provider.
Please refer to our 'Book with Confidence' section for terms and conditions.
The Flexible Date Change option does not cover cost incurred for components not fulfilled by Inspiring Vacations or in the event extra services have been booked with Inspiring Vacations outside of the standard package, including but not limited to airfares, pre/post accommodation or insurance.
Cooling off period
If you change your mind within 7 days of making your booking online, you can request a refund of your initial deposit payment as part of our cooling off period.
Once your purchase date falls outside of the 7 day period, our standard terms and conditions will apply. Please ensure that any request to cancel your booking is received via email to support@inspiringvacations.com, including the reason for cancellation.
Deposit & Payments
Booking Process
Booking On Request
To enhance your journey, we are offering guests a choice of the following optional activities (prices are per person):
Optional tours can be selected once you have finalised your tour purchase and paid your deposit. When completing your Passenger Booking Form, you will be asked if you would like to add Optional Tours, where any applicable cost will be added to your final balance. If you choose not to select them at this time, you can choose to add them later by logging in to your Account online or speaking with your Dedicated Support Agent for assistance.
Please note that you must select your Optional Tours no later than 65 days before departure, after which you will be required to purchase them on tour. Please keep in mind that anything purchased on-tour is subject to availability. We appreciate your understanding.
COVID-19
Due to COVID there maybe disruptions to standard operating schedules of particular components of this itinerary. Should a component be effected a substitute will be confirmed prior to departure.
Fitness Requirements
While the tour itinerary should give you some guidance and overview to the expected requirements, to determine if this tour is right for you we categorise each of our tours in terms of their intensity. These guidelines are to ensure that each tour group is conducted as expected and to ensure the overall satisfaction of all Inspiring Vacations customers.
As a general rule, porterage is not included, therefore at all times you are expected to handle your own luggage where help may not be available.
This particular tour is categorised as a “3”:
3 – Moderate Tour: A good level of fitness and mobility is required, as this tour includes a moderate level of physical activity and is considered a medium-fast paced tour. You should be able to walk up and down stairs, get on and off the coach and able to walk reasonable distances of approximately 2 kilometres per day or more with ease. Any physical ailments you may have must be disclosed at the time of booking to determine your suitability. If you have any form of walking aids, other than a walking stick or hiking poles, then this tour is not suitable.
Accommodation
The accommodation listed is subject to change. Any changes will be of an equal or higher standard. Bedding configurations (double or twin) are requests only. All efforts will be made to meet your preferences however any changes are beyond our control.
Single Supplement
Single supplement is available on this tour at a cost of $523
Triple Share
Not Available
Meals
Breakfast is a continental spread of cereals, stewed fruit, toast, spreads and yoghurt.
Lunch can vary from day to day, but includes meat, salad, bread and wraps, some days we will have roasted chicken and salad, and others quiche to mix things up a bit.
Dinner is a casual two-course meal of main and dessert prepared by your guides. The menu is constantly changing but can include a classic roast lamb, chicken korma,
salmon fillet or Thai chicken. Dessert can include maple baked apples, pears in red wine, fruit salad or eton mess to name just a few.
Snacks and antipasto - There are plenty of snacks and antipasto during the trips including fresh fruit for the trail, biscuits and/or fruit cake for tea breaks. Each night we offer dips, cheese and crackers for a pre-dinner antipasto and a self-serve trail mix selection at the beginning of each day.
The food we serve is healthy, hearty and home style. We don’t offer five-star chef prepared dining, but the food is fresh, and our guides make sure it is tasty and plentiful. We are able to accommodate guest’s specific dietary requirements and can always prepare a meal to meet individual needs.
Non-alcoholic beverages are provided while on tour. You are, however
welcome guests to bring wine/beer along with you.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is required to protect yourself against the unexpected.
Tour Documentation
Final documentation and hotel details will be provided approximately 30 days prior to travel.
Group Size
Maximum of 10 people.
Children
Children must be 5 years old or over and share a room with parents at all times. Children are the same price as adults.
Most healthy adult can participate in this tour. If you can walk upwards of 15 kilometres or more in a day, carrying a lightweight day pack, you will find our tours totally achievable.
While we typically walk on well forged walking tracks, the quality and degree of difficulty can vary greatly. You may find some tracks rocky and lumpy underfoot, soft and sandy, or muddy and slippery.
Sometimes there is the need to negotiate obstacles such as fallen trees, sections of scree or steep steps.
Ensure you come along with, not only the right footwear, rain gear and clothing, but also the right frame of mind!
What to bring
Please bring your gear in a soft bag rather than hard suitcase to help guides pack the trailer.
Day pack. Here is a list of what you normally wear and need carry in your day pack during walking days. A 20 litre capacity bag is generally sufficient to carry these items:
Main bag. Your main bag stays at your accommodation. You only carry your light day pack while walking.
Each walking day within the itinerary has been graded from 1 to 5. This grading system is intended as a guided only and to help you assess your siutability for that walking day.
Track grading 1: No bush walking experience required. Flat even surface with no steps or steep sections. Suitable for wheelchair users who have someone to assist them. Walks no greater than 5km.
Track grading 2: No bush walking experience required. The track is a hardened or compacted surface and may have a gentle hill section or sections and occasional steps. Walks no greater than 10km.
Track grading 3: Suitable for most ages and fitness levels. Some bush walking experience recommended. Tracks may have short steep hill sections a rough surface and many steps. Walks up to 20km.
Track grading 4: Bush walking experience recommended. Tracks may be long, rough and very steep. Directional signage may be limited.
Track grading 5: Very experienced bush walkers with specialised skills, including navigation and emergency first aid. Tracks are likely to be very rough, very steep and unmarked. Walks may be more than 20km.
