Coast to coast Australian adventure

Explore the beautiful surroundings of the Daintree rainforest from the comfort of Silky Oaks. Take a relaxing stroll along the lush riverbank, explore the local area by bike, paddle a canoe or snorkel the Mossman River, join a guided rainforest walk or play tennis. Whichever pursuit you choose, indulge at the end with a relaxing treatment at the Healing Waters Spa.

The journey to the Daintree and Cape Tribulation features incredible coastal and rainforest scenery. The Silky Oaks Lodge safari is a full-day tour that visits a variety of different environments including estuary, mangroves, rainforest and beach. The first stop is Mill Walk in Cape Tribulation National Park, a private track accessed exclusively by Silky Oaks Lodge. Away from the crowds, marvel at the ancient rainforest surrounds and learn about the ecology and fauna from your expert naturalist guide. After a short drive, you will arrive at Myall Beach where a relaxing stroll offers spectacular views of the Cape Tribulation and the Great Dividing Range. Then travel to a private bush camp for a traditional Australian BBQ lunch followed by a revitalising swim in a freshwater swimming hole. In the afternoon enjoy a crocodile and wildlife spotting tour on the picturesque Daintree River and return to Silky Oaks Lodge for afternoon tea in the open sided treehouse restaurant.

Enjoy exploring the largely uninhabited and breathtakingly pristine Lizard Island. This beautiful national park is an idyllic escape, where you can swim in crystal clear waters; snorkel and dive with colourful schools of fish; fish off the reef; and relax on the powder soft sand. Your luxury lodge is also the perfect place to simply take it all in, watching the sun set over the ocean with a crisp glass of wine in your hand.

The capital of Australia's Northern Territory, this former frontier outpost boasts a vibey waterfront and popular beaches. Stroll through Bicentennial Park, or browse Southeast and Asian Pacific art at the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory.

Enjoy your days exploring the wilds of Bamurru Plains. The wildlife on show is some of the most impressive in Australia, and expert field guides will help you discover it. Watch hundreds of birds take flight from the lake as you fly by on an airboat, or slowly cruise down the Sampan River watching for silver flashes of fish breaking the surface, all sorts of creatures move in the grass, the air is warm and still and all eyes scan the shallows for big saltwater crocodiles. On guided walks and drives search for free roaming horses, buffalo, dingos and wallabies or spend some time up in the tower hide spotting the vibrant bird life of the area.

Perth can be found on the far west coast of the country, the capital city of Western Australia state. It may appear to be isolated from other major cities, it carries a uniquely laid back and cosmopolitan charm and has been voted as one of the most liveable modern cities, not just in Australia, but in the world. Spend your time exploring the city, taking the ferry across the Swan River or heading out to Rottness Island to meet the resident quokkas.

Get to know Perth, starting with a walk in Kings Park where spectacular views reveal the city skyline, the hills and the Swan River. Visit the key precincts of the city from cosmopolitan Northbridge with its many restaurants to the exclusive Kings Street, lined with high-fashion boutiques and cafes. As you go, you guide will point out various landmarks including WA’s Parliament House, the Perth Mint, the WA museum and His Majesty’s Theatre.

Leave Perth city behind and drive along the scenic Swan River through the exclusive areas of Dalkeith Nedlands, Claremont and Peppermint Grove to the world-famous Cottesloe Beach. Following the coast south you will reach the historic port of Fremantle, a lively and cosmopolitan area filled with Victorian buildings, cafes and restaurants. It is home to the popular Fremantle market and Fremantle prison, one of the best examples of the British convict establishment in the world. Return to Perth on the southern shores of the Swan River.

The star attraction of Sal Salis is undoubtedly its access to the reef. Spend your days in the balmy waters exploring the marine life, including encounters with the world’s largest fish, the whale shark. Sitting right off shore the shallow waters mean even children can easily discover this underwater world. If you’re staying between August to October, you may also have the rare and incredible opportunity to swim with passing Humpback Whales.

Whale Sharks are the largest fish in the sea, the longest recorded measuring some 12.65m (41.5 feet) from tip to tail. Whale sharks cruise the world’s oceans in search of concentrations of plankton to feed on and the Ningaloo Reef is one of the only places on the planet where they appear regularly in large numbers.

Once on board the boat you will be kitted out with wetsuit and snorkel gear. A spotter plane will already be in the air, searching for whale sharks as they feed. The whale shark will be continually moving so swimming is required during interaction; you will need to be a confident swimmer, able to snorkel and able to swim freestyle. Regulations allow a maximum of 60 minutes swimming with one shark, but the duration of each swim is completely determined by the whale shark. You may also be lucky enough to swim with more than one whale shark during the course of the day.

There may be time for a snorkel at different sites along the reef and, throughout the day, the crew will also be searching for turtles, rays, dolphins, dugongs and sea birds. Field work, contributing to vital scientific research programs in the World Heritage listed Ningaloo Marine Park, is conducted on each cruise. You can get involved with data collection and there will be presentations regarding biology and habitat of the Whale Sharks and other marine life.