Penguin Island
Penguin Island is one of Australia’s premier nature-based tourism destinations and is perfect for families. Located just 45 minutes south of Perth – including a scenic, 5-minute ferry ride across Shoalwater Bay - Penguin Island is home to the aptly named Little Penguin, the smallest species in the world. Get up close to the penguins at the Discovery Centre, in which three daily feeds take place. Situated in the heart of the Shoalwater Island Marine Park, Penguin Island is also perfect for spotting an array of other wildlife - including dolphins, sea lions, stingrays, pelicans and much more!
Perth
Perth is a young and cosmopolitan city, comprising sleek skyscrapers, sophisticated bars, restaurants and shopping malls. Very much a place for laid-back outdoor living, not far from the bright lights you can discover an array of beautiful, long stretches of sandy beach that are ideal for sunbathing, swimming, snorkelling and spotting dolphins. These glorious beaches dot the Sunset Coast, home to plenty of cafes and surf clubs to get a refreshment, from morning to evening. Perth also offers a zoo and plenty of theatres showing plays, ballet and music concerts, alongside a host of river cruises and marinas in which you can watch the sailing boats as you sip a cooling drink.
Kings Park & Botanic Garden
On Perth’s western flank, Kings Park is a true highlight of the sunny city. This 400-hectare park is the perfect spot for a walk amongst the native flowers and trees, or a picnic at any time of the day. Whatever you do here, expect to be accompanied by the scent of tropical blooms, views of both the city and the Swan River, and birdsong from feathered friends - including Kookaburras. The park’s main highlight is the Lottery Federation Walkway, where you can walk along an awesome 222m-long glass-and-steel bridge rising high above the Eucalypts trees.
Margaret River
Gourmands should venture south of Perth to the vineyards of the Margaret River region, where there is an abundance of wineries. Many of these vineyards also house excellent restaurants that are open for lunch and dinner, as well as hosting wine-tasting, of course! Meanwhile, local producers of cheese, chocolate and other artisan foods offer tastings of a different kind. If you’d like to find out more about Australia’s Aboriginal culture, the Wardan Aboriginal Centre is well worth a visit, or, if you are interested in wildlife, whale-watching tours are available between June and December. If you’d prefer to get in the water, you can take a surfing lesson or head to Geographe Bay, where there is a shipwreck to scuba-dive around.
Travel Planning
Our Travel Consultants can advise on, arrange and pre-book many things to enhance your holiday. This includes everything from spa reservations and dinner reservations, to a range of special experiences available in our featured resorts that you may not know about.
The Pinnacles
About 200 kilometres north of Perth, the Coral Coast boasts some truly spectacular areas of natural beauty. In the Namburg National Park you’ll find the Pinnacles Desert where spires made from limestone and shells rise from amongst the sand dunes. It is possible to take walks and guided Jeep tours to explore.
Ningaloo Reef
If you’re prepared to travel further, the Ningaloo Reef, is a pristine marine treasure. You can fly to the area from Perth and it offers a host of unique opportunities. Visitors can swim with Manta Rays and Whale Sharks (seasonal), take snorkelling trips amongst the coral and see nesting turtles.
Flight Information
Please contact our Travel Consultants for flight details.
Travelling With Children or Without an Adult
Children travelling without both parents should be aware that some countries require documentary evidence of parental responsibility before allowing lone parents to enter the country or, in some cases, before permitting the children to leave the country. Please contact the relevant Embassy for the county you are travelling to for further information.
Visa and Advance Passenger Information
All passengers must ensure they have a valid, acceptable passport, any required visa and any other documentation for both the final destination and any stop-off points en route. Please make sure that Advance Passenger Information is submitted in advance to travel for all destinations. Failure to hold correct documentation or submitting incorrect details with Advance Passenger Information or Visa applications may result in refusal of carriage or entry into a country. Please check with the relevant Embassy regarding visa requirements well in advance of your travel date. Charges may apply for some visas.
Visas are required for travel to Australia. Elegant Resorts can provide Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) for which we'll require: full name (including middle names), passport number, nationality, date of issue, date of expiry, place of issue, your date of birth, your home address in the UK and an email address in the UK as well as an address in Australia (this will be your first hotel or the Southern Crossings head office address, which our Travel Consultants will provide at the time of booking). Alternatively, you can apply for the visa online yourself through the Australian Government website at www.immi.gov.au/visitors/tourist/ there is no charge for the visa but a service charge of approximately AUD$20 per person will apply. Please note, from 1 September 2015 a new Environmental Management Charge (EMC) will be introduced for The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. All visitors will be charged 6 AUD per person, per day up to a maximum of 18 AUD per stay.
Passengers not travelling on a British Passport are advised to contact their relevant Foreign & Commonwealth office for individual Visa requirements.
For up-to-date resort information, visit www.fco.gov.uk
Health facilities, hygiene and disease risks vary worldwide and you should take health advice about your specific needs from your general practitioner or a specialist clinic as early as possible before travel. Those planning to become pregnant should discuss their travel plans with their healthcare provider to assess their risk of infection with Zika. For information about Zika, other mosquito-borne diseases (such as Dengue fever and Chikungunya), Lyme Disease (caused by tick bites), and to receive advice on mosquito bite avoidance measures, please visit Insect and tick bite avoidance.
In addition, we highly recommend that you seek specialist advice from your doctor and, where recommended, obtain vaccinations or tablets for protection against, for example: Malaria, Hepatitis A, Polio and Typhoid. In some cases, treatments for Malaria should begin well in advance of travel. Travellers may also be required to show Yellow Fever Certificates on arrival in certain destinations i.e, some African countries. Please note that you are strongly advised against scuba-diving for 24 hours before travelling by air. We would also like to draw your attention to the risk of DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis) and recommend that you consult with your doctor before travelling.
Visit the FCDO website and select your destination country for the very latest travel advice: Foreign Travel Advice. Additional sources of information include: Public Health England, The National Travel Health And Network Centre, Foreign And Commonwealth Office and your General Practitioner or a specialised clinic.