North Island, South Island, Bay of Islands to Stewart Island; New Zealand’s trees and seas are home to collection of endearing and endemic locals: the iconic kiwi and tiny Hector’s Dolphins, New Zealand fur seals and sealions, Yellow-eyed penguins and the world’s only alpine parrot. Up close, arms’ length or hands-on, our Travel Designers can open the doors to some of the country’s finest wildlife encounters and meaningful conservation initiatives.
And throughout the islands of the South Pacific let us introduce you to majestic manta rays, timid reef sharks, technicolour fish and curious sea turtles; along with personalised opportunities to contribute to their on-going survival.
Some Of Our Favourite Wildlife & Conservation Experiences
Itinerary InspIrations
These itineraries have been designed to inspire you with a small selection of the many unique adventures to be had in this beautiful region. Once you have a feel for the destinations and experiences that best resonate with you, we will tailor every element of your perfect luxury travel itinerary, exclusively for you.
Dial up the luxe and indulge yourself with world-class wines and refined wilderness experiences on Sydney’s doorstep.
- Inclusions
4 nights’ accommodation (2 nights Spicers Vineyards Estate and 2 nights Emirates One&Only Wolgan Valley including daily breakfast, 2 lunches and 2 dinners per person. Behind-the-scenes Hunter Valley winery tour and tasting, Selected activities and touring at Emirates One&Only Wolgan Valley. Rental vehicle including insurance (max cover).
Koalas And Conservation, Manta-Rays, Turtles, Seabirds And Sustainability.
- Inclusions
5 nights’ accommodation (2 nights Ovolo Inchcolm Brisbane and 3 nights Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort) inclusive of breakfast daily, 1 lunch and 3 dinners per person. Private guided koala tour including behind-the-scenes encounters, return scenic flights to Lady Elliot Island. Private transfers throughout.
- Note
Manta Rays can be seen in the waters around Lady Elliot Island all year round, peak season May - September.
Wilson’s Prom wilderness, Philip Is wildlife and Mornington Peninsula Wines.
Just 3 hours from Melbourne feels like worlds away. Hit the road and for Wilsons Promontory. With the Church House boutique retreat as your base, explore the southern-most coast of the Australian mainland with a full-day guided tour of the Prom’s wildest wonders including a spectacular wilderness cruise.
The wilderness adventures continue on Philip Island, where your stay includes wildlife encounters with penguins, koalas, wallabies and more, while enjoying the heritage charms of Glen Isla house
Wilderness and wildlife give way to wines in the Mornington Peninsula. Enjoy a behind thescenes tour and tastings at the award-winning Pt Leo Estate winery and sculpture park. Continue the culinary indulgences, staying at the super-chic Jackalope vineyard escape.
- Inclusions
6 nights’ accommodation (2 nights The Church House, 2 nights Glen Isla House, 2 nights Jackalope). Daily breakfast and 1 lunch per person. Full-day private Wilsons Promontory tour with lunch and (shared basis) wilderness cruise, Entry to Phillip Island Penguin Parade, Entry to Bushland Escape Koala Reserve, Churchill Island entry, entry to Antarctic Journey at Nobbies Ocean Discovery Centre, Behind-the-scenes wine tasting and tour at Pt Leo Estate, rental vehicle including insurance (max. cover) unlimited kilometres and GPS.
- Note
Itinerary is available for travellers 12yrs of age or older (ask us for details if travelling with younger children).
Swim with sealions and dive with great white sharks. Spot beautiful birdlife and come face to face with koalas in the wild, then kick back and relax, enjoying South Australia’s (very) good life! Port Lincoln and Adelaide Hills
After spending the night at the Mayfair in Adelaide, fly to Port Lincoln for a most memorable adventure of wonderfully wild encounters. From the Big Swamp wetlands to Coffin Bay National Park, Baird Bay to Mikkira Station, see emus and kangaroos, spot beautiful birdlife and swim with sea lions, share the waves with dolphins and come face to face with koalas in the wild. Then for the ultimate thrill, dive into the deep with Great White Sharks, in a guided cage diving experience. Over four action-packed days touring Port Lincoln and the Eyre Peninsula you will also have the opportunity to taste some of the ocean-fresh seafood delicacies for which the region is renowned.
Return to Adelaide for some R&R and to reminisce about the wild adventures in the luxurious comfort of Australia’s newest luxury lodgings, Sequoia. Looking out over the Adelaide Hills from the Mount Lofty House estate, take the opportunity to enjoy decadent dining, pampering spa treatments, easy access to wonderful wineries and all of Adelaide’s charms, also only minutes away.
- Inclusions
7 nights’ accommodation (1 night Mayfair Hotel, 4 nights luxury private villa in Port Lincoln and 2 nights Sequoia) inclusive of daily breakfast, 4 lunches, 4 dinners per person. 4 day/ 4 night all inclusive private touring in and around Port Lincoln, Return scheduled commercial flight between Adelaide and Port Lincoln, Private transfers throughout.
- Note
This itinerary operates 1 October - 31 May.
North West WA delivers natural wonders and bucket-list adventures in spades. Explore more of the Ningaloo and Kimberley Coasts
Your truly awe-inspiring nature journey begins on the Ningaloo Coast, enjoying the eco-friendly comforts of Sal Salis luxury wilderness camp nestled in the dunes between the Cape Range National Park and World Heritage Listed Ningaloo Reef. Discover unparalleled nature and wildlife adventures on your doorstep: walk with wallabies, snorkel with manta rays, spot emus and kayak with turtles. We have also included the bucket-list experience of swimming with whale sharks (April to July) or humpback whales (July to October) with your stay here.
Head further north to beautiful Broome by private charter plane to stay at the boutique Billi Resort. With its rich pearling history and multicultural influences, the captivating coastal township of Broome is the gateway to all kinds of adventures. Take the opportunity to ride a camel on Cable Beach or walk in dinosaur footsteps at Gantheaume Bay. Here we have included the local highlights of a private behind-the-scenes tour of the Willie Creek Pearl farm and a shared scenic seaplane flight to Cape Leveque and the spectacular Horizontal Waterfalls on the remote Kimberley coast, described by David Attenborough as “one of the greatest wonders of the natural world”.
- Inclusions
8 nights’ accommodation (4 nights Sal Salis and 4 nights Billi Resort) inclusive of 4 breakfasts, 6 lunches and 4 dinners per person. Shared Whale Shark swim experience or Humpback Whale swim experience, Private "Behind the Scenes" tour of Willie Creek Pearl, Small group (shared) scenic seaplane flight to the Horizontal Waterfalls. Shared transfers from Learmonth Airport to Sal Salis, Private charter flight in a twin-engine plane from Learmonth to Broome.
- Note
Domestic flights to Learmonth / from Broome are not included. Sal Salis has a seasonal closure over summer. It re-opens on 1 April, 2022.
Meet New Zealand's ocean dwelling locals
Seals, sealions, dolphins, whales and more species of penguins than anywhere else on Earth, New Zealand is a natural for lovers of sealife. Start in Marlborough where you’ll cruise the staggering network of sunken valleys that make up the Marlborough Sounds, home to seals and dolphins. Then visit Kaikoura, an absolute mecca for all things sealife. Here, just off the coast, the Hikurangi Trench plummets thousands of metres below sea level, attracting whales year round, as well as enormous pods of dolphins, numerous seal colonies and an array of seabirds. Further south near Christchurch, swim with the world’s smallest and rarest species of dolphin, the incredibly acrobatic Hector’s Dolphin. In the southern city of Dunedin, visit the penguin colonies of Otago Peninsula and have the opportunity to get up close to one of the adorable birds at the hospital. And see the majestic albatross at the only mainland colony in the world. Finish in Queenstown where you’ll visit the famous Milford Sound in Fiordland.
- Inclusions
14 nights’ accommodation (3 nights The Marlborough, 3 nights Hapuku Lodge, 2 nights Shepherd's Cottage, 3 nights Camp Estate and 3 nights Azur including breakfast daily, 2 lunches and 8 dinners), rental vehicle with full insurance, private cruise through the Marlborough Sounds, whale watching cruise in Kaikoura, kayaking with the seals in Kaikoura, dolphin swimming cruise on Banks Peninsula, admission to Penguin Place, admission to the Royal Albatross Colony, admission to Larnach Castle, Milford Sound excursion with return scenic flights and shared cruise on the fiord.
From birds with whiskers, to the world's only alpine parrot, New Zealand's birds are nothing short of extraordinary
Prior to humans arriving around 1300, New Zealand had absolutely no land mammals. The country was inhabited only by birds and lizards. With no fear of predators, this allowed New Zealand’s birds to evolve to become some of the most unique creatures in the birding world! Some grew whiskers, others a second voice-box for unique melodic singing, most became huge, and many lost the ability to fly. This journey visits various locations and sanctuaries around the country where you can see our weird and wonderful birds up close.
- Inclusions
16 nights’ accommodation (2 nights Park Hyatt Auckland, 3 nights Acacia Cliffs, 2 nights Sofitel Wellington, 3 nights Bay of Many Coves Resort, 1 night Rimu Lodge, 2 nights Wilderness Lodge Lake Moeraki, 3 nights Hulbert House including breakfast daily, 2 lunches and 6 dinners), rental vehicle with full insurance, admission to Tiritiri Matangi Island, admission to Waiotapu Thermal Wonderland, private guided tour of the National Kiwi Hatchery, private guided tour of Zealandia, private cruise through the Marlborough Sounds, your choice of touring at Wildernss Lodge Lake Moeraki, Milford Sound excursion with return scenic flights and shared cruise on the fiord.
One of the few ways to see New Zealand's most treasured bird
Perhaps our most treasured native bird is the Kiwi, the name of which doubles as an informal name for all New Zealanders (Kiwis). These endangered birds are heavily protected, and being nocturnal, they’re also extremely elusive. However, the ultraluxurious Landing hides a number of these birds on their estate, meaning guests of the property have the opportunity to spot them in the wild on an evening tour, a privilege even many New Zealanders have never experienced!
- Inclusions
3 nights’ accommodation including all meals, private car and driver transfers to and from airports and accommodations, private luxury yacht cruise through the Bay of Islands, private wine tasting experience, and private Kiwi spotting tour.
many many many thanks!!!!!!
We have been blown away by everything - hotels, food, people, golf, wine - the list is endless. You did an amazing job
Planning a 7 week trip is daunting enough without the complications of COVID cancellations, rebookings, and closures. Yet every connection, every transportation detail, every accommodation, every meal, everything was flawless.
From our arrival in Sydney .. to our last stop in Queenstown .. we will carry with us the best memories of our trip and all of your efforts. The incredible private boat tours .. the bespoke wine tours with the best guides .. our accommodations .. and the excellent itinerary and pacing, made for a perfect trip.
We can't thank Southern Crossings enough for making this trip all, and more, than we had imagined. You allowed us to see the best of your countries: the people, the beauty, the culture. Five stars, a blue ribbon, and a gold medal to everyone at Southern Crossings!
Your country, its people and your team could not have made us feel more welcome.
Thank you for all the special moments you enabled us to experience.
