Begin your holiday with a flight from London or your local regional airport to the Malaysian capital, Kuala Lumpur. Why not treat yourself and ask about our flight upgrades to Premium Economy or Business Class?

Transfer from the airport to your hotel and spend two nights exploring Kuala Lumpur in your own time. Take a half-day guided city tour to get a taste of the city. Explore Istana Negara (the King’s Palace), the National Mosque and Independence Square, admire the spectacular Petronas Twin Towers, and sample some of the local food along the way.

Venture out of the city to the Batu Caves, a limestone hill housing a sacred cave temple and a must-visit during your time in Kuala Lumpur. The distinctive rainbow-coloured staircase leading up to the temple is a photographer’s dream.

Hotel Stripes, Kuala Lumpur

Head to the airport for your flights to Sandakan, in the Sabah province of Malaysian Borneo. You will be met and transferred to your hotel for an afternoon at leisure.

Spend the afternoon exploring Sandakan at your own pace before your Wildlife Explorer tour begins. Pay your respects at the Sandakan Memorial Park, a poignant WWII site marking a former POW camp. Nature lovers may prefer the Rainforest Discovery Centre, where a canopy walkway offers the chance to spot native hornbills in the treetops. Round off the evening with dinner along Sandakan’s waterfront, known for its fresh seafood and relaxed atmosphere.

Sabah Hotel, Sandakan

Breakfast

You’ll be collected from your hotel and transferred to Sandakan Airport for your Wildlife Explorer tour around Malaysian Borneo.  Arrive in time to visit the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre for morning feeding to witness these endagered animals up close, followed by the nearby Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre. Travel by road through the countryside to Sukau in the Kinabatangan river basin, then by boat to your lodge, where you can spend the afternoon at leisure before an early evening river cruise in search of proboscis monkeys and native birdlife.

The following day wake up early for a morning cruise to a nearby oxbow lake, keeping an eye out for Storm’s storks, Bornean ground cuckoos, hornbills and the striking Bornean Bristlehead, before returning to the lodge for breakfast. After taking some time for yourself, take an afternoon river cruise to appreciate the area’s rich flora and fauna.

On your final day leave Sukau behind and travel by road to Sandakan for a short sightseeing tour, taking in the central market, water village and a Buddhist temple, before transferring to the airport for your overnight flight to Melbourne.

Borneo Nature Lodge (or similar)

Enjoy two nights in Melbourne exploring the city’s maze of curious laneways known for their street art and hidden cafés. Here the locals pride themselves on their food and wine produce, providing a lively feel to the city both day and night.

Discover the city’s grand Victorian architecture, including the Royal Exhibition Building and Parliament House, before visiting the National Gallery of Victoria. Spend an afternoon browsing the stalls of the Queen Victoria Market, or take in a game or guided tour at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground.

No visit to Melbourne would be complete without a day trip to Phillip Island for its famous Penguin Parade at dusk. Witness the world’s smallest penguins emerge from the sea and waddle ashore! For a more relaxed pace spend an afternoon in the Yarra Valley on a winery tour sampling some of the region’s celebrated wines.

Rendezvous Hotel Melbourne

Start your Great Ocean Road journey from Melbourne and travel along the Surf Coast to Bells Beach, spotting wild kangaroos. Then continue along the Great Ocean Road to the Twelve Apostles and Loch Ard Gorge, taking in Lorne and Kennett River along the way. The next day brings London Bridge, Warrnambool and Tower Hill Wildlife Park, before overnighting in Port Fairy.

Crossing into South Australia, explore Cape Bridgewater, Mount Gambier’s Blue Lake, and historic Penola, home to Australia’s only saint. Your final day takes in the Coonawarra vineyards, Naracoorte Caves, a Murray River ferry crossing, and Hahndorf, before finishing atop Mount Lofty with views over Adelaide.

Hotel Indigo, Adelaide

There’s no rushing on this laid-back overnight escape, as you cruise by coach and ferry across to Kangaroo Island, South Australia’s premier nature destination, with a local guide leading the way. Spot rare Australian sea lions at Seal Bay, tuck into lunch at Vivonne Bay Bistro, then wander through Flinders Chase National Park to take in Remarkable Rocks and Admirals Arch, where playful fur seals call home.

Round out day one at Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park, feeding kangaroos and meeting the island’s koalas, with time permitting, a koala photo opportunity on offer (additional cost). Keep an eye out for kangaroos and wallabies on the drive to your overnight stay.

Day two kicks off with the Birds of Prey Presentation at Raptor Domain, before a relaxed lunch stop at Emu Ridge Eucalyptus Distillery, complete with a history talk and guided tour. From there, it’s on to Clifford’s Honey Farm for a guided tour and a taste of honey soft drink, plus a sample of Drunken Drone Brewery’s Honey Wheat Ale.

Your final visit is to Pennington Bay, a stunning stretch of coastline perfect for photos, before winding down at False Cape Wines Cellar Door for a wine tasting amid peaceful vineyard views. Your tour wraps up at the Penneshaw Hotel, leaving plenty of time for dinner (own expense) before your ferry and coach transfer back to Adelaide.

Ozone Hotel, Kangaroo Island

Relax after finishing your Kangaroo Island tour, with an overnight stay in Adelaide.

Spend the final day of your holiday at your own pace in Adelaide. Wander through the Adelaide Botanic Garden or take a relaxed cruise along the Torrens River, before browsing the stalls at Adelaide Central Market for lunch. In the afternoon, visit the Art Gallery of South Australia, or take the tram to Glenelg Beach for a relaxing afternoon by the water, before dinner in the city’s East End to bring your trip to a close.

After a further night in Adelaide, it’s time to catch your return flight to London.

Indigo Hotel, Adelaide