Some landscapes make you feel small in the best possible way. Australia’s Red Centre is one of them: endless horizons, cliffs painted in ochre, and a silence alive with ancient stories. Based in Alice Springs, Sandrifter Safaris is a boutique operator specialising in private tours on Toyota Landcruiser Sahara, and small group charters on a 4X4 14 seat Isuzu bus, offering travellers to discover this extraordinary region.
MacDonnell Ranges Half-Day Tour
Departing daily at 7:30 am and 1 pm from Alice Springs accommodation, this half-day escape feels like stepping into a natural amphitheatre of time. Towering gorges, shimmering waterholes and ochre cliffs reveal 300 million years of history, while expert guides weave geology with Aboriginal Dreamtime stories. Intimate groups and luxury 4WDs make it an exclusive journey beyond the postcard, with the freedom to pause, linger, and absorb the stillness.
Palm Valley Tour
Leaving at first light, this full-day adventure takes you west along the MacDonnell Ranges before most visitors arrive. Morning tea is served on the banks of the Finke River—the world’s oldest watercourse—before venturing into Palm Valley, a surreal desert oasis where rare red cabbage palms grow against all odds. Remote, raw, and unforgettable.
What's Included: All tours include comfortable transport in luxury 4WD, accommodation pickup in Alice Springs, entrance fees, exclusive access to remote tracks, and commentary from expert local guides.
Hitching Rail Retreat has created something truly unique in the Atherton Tablelands, 45 minutes from Cairns, next to the historical town of Yungaburra: restored train carriages transformed into exclusive accommodation experiences.
The country-style Overlander Train Carriage, the elegant Ghan Train Carriage, and a stylish glamping tent are set on a secluded property overlooking rainforest and Lake Tinaroo. The railway theme goes far beyond superficial décor—these are authentic carriages repositioned for stationary luxury rather than cross-continental journeys.
The Ghan Carriage offers the most deluxe stay in the collection, complete with refined details like a chandelier and an indulgent outdoor bathtub for stargazing. It shows how a playful concept can be elevated into genuine luxury when execution matches ambition.
The Overlander Carriage embraces a rustic country theme and greets guests with complimentary wine, locally made chocolates, and a handcrafted cheese platter on arrival. Both carriages include air conditioning, king beds, BBQs, full kitchens, and fire pits—comforts that ensure novelty never overshadows functionality.
For those who prefer canvas to carriages, the glamping tent features a king-sized bed with crisp linen, a fully equipped kitchen with utensils and condiments, and refrigeration for self-catering. Couples-only, it offers a more natural aesthetic while keeping the retreat’s sense of intimacy.
What’s Included
All accommodations feature king beds, air conditioning, full kitchens, BBQ facilities, and fire pits. Guests receive a welcome package with wine, locally made chocolates, and a handcrafted cheese platter. The Ghan Carriage adds standout touches such as chandelier lighting and an outdoor bathtub. Every option includes private decks with scenic views across the surrounding rainforest and Lake Tinaroo.
Jervis Bay Stargazing operates with an astrophysicist as a guide, transforming recreational sky-watching into a true astronomy experience. Dr Dimitri Douchin, an astrophysicist, cultural astronomer and TEDx speaker, co-founded this operation with fiancée Caroline after establishing Blue Mountains Stargazing.
The 1.5-hour experience leverages Jervis Bay's exceptional conditions: very dark skies away from city lights combined with the unique acoustics of Nelson's Beach with wave sounds. This isn't accidental location selection—the team understands how environmental factors enhance astronomical observation.
Their mission is to create WOW moments in nature and inspire guests to look inward by looking up, taking them on a journey of discovering the Australian sky through ancient and modern stories.
Sister company to Blue Mountains Stargazing, the operation won 2022 and 2023 Bronze awards at NSW Tourism Awards, demonstrating industry recognition for their professional standards.
The tour begins with naked-eye astronomy on Nelson's beach, progressing through systematic observation techniques. Weather contingencies include indoor planetarium tours when outdoor conditions prevent stargazing, ensuring educational value regardless of conditions.
What's Included: Expert guide led experience with state-of-the-art telescopes, naked-eye astronomy instruction on Nelson's Beach with natural wave soundtrack, opportunity to check for bioluminescence, and professional astrophysicist commentary throughout the 1.5-hour tour. Indoor planetarium alternative available during poor weather conditions.
By Earth and Ocean has positioned itself as Noosa's premier "soft adventure" specialist, operating within the UNESCO-protected Southern Everglades. This multi-award winning family-owned business demonstrates how environmental responsibility and adventure tourism can coexist profitably.
Their kayak tours access the southern end of the Noosa Everglades, a landscape of still waterways and lush biodiversity often called the "River of Mirrors", where nature thrives undisturbed just minutes from Noosa. The location provides exclusive access to pristine waterways within the UNESCO-listed Noosa Biosphere Reserve.
The operation offers both guided and self-guided options. Tours explore stingray sanctuaries and diverse wildlife habitats, allowing encounters with marine ecosystems.
What's Included: All tours include professional-grade kayaks and safety equipment, expert guide instruction for wildlife identification and ecosystem education, access to UNESCO-protected Southern Everglades and stingray sanctuaries. Guided tours feature commentary on local flora and fauna, while self-guided options include detailed route maps and safety briefings for independent exploration.
While regular ferries shuttle passengers to Dunk Island, Wildside Adventures has reinvented the journey with its “Get Dunked” experience aboard a high-speed boat.
The journey combines Wildside's established expertise in sports rafting and outdoor adventures with marine exploration. Their exclusive "Hot Lap" tour grants offers the chance to explore Dunk Island from a whole new perspective, with local guides leading the way to uncover hidden gems such as the mysterious Pirates Cave and the captivating Granite Hole.
The small-group tour takes only 10 guests, creating a laid-back adventure that focuses on natural beauty and relaxation, and ensuring personalised attention.
The half-day format allows exploration of Dunk Island stretchs of sandy beaches, coral reefs, hiking paths to Mt Kootaloo lookout, secret caves and stunning boulder formations on a beautiful Jurassic backdrop.
Guests can explore and discover the underwater world or laze around on a boulder or under a palm tree at the sheltered Coconut Bay, or take a break at the new café overlooking the sandy spit.
What's Included: Rigid inflatable boat transport aboard "Tornado" from Mission Beach (departs at 8.00am & 1.00pm at Clump point boat ramp / Pick-up available from Mission Beach), exclusive "Hot Lap" circumnavigation of Dunk Island, guided exploration of Pirates Cave and Granite Hole, access to Coconut Bay for swimming and snorkeling, hiking opportunities to Mt Kootaloo lookout, and relaxation time at the island café. Snorkel gear and stinger/wet suits, drinks & nibbles included in this half-day (4 hours) small group adventure (Maximum of 10 passengers).
70 kms north of Cape Tribulation and the Daintree Rainforest, Rossville Retreat combines eco-friendly lodges with indigenous cultural education led by Harold Tayley (Mooks), a Kuku Nyungkul elder and traditional owner of the country, transforming an overnight stay into immersive cultural exchange.
Set on 300 acres backing onto the Little Annan River, the retreat operates off the Mulligan Highway, 20 minutes from Cooktown and 2 km from the historic Lion's Den Hotel. The brand new private bush lodges opened in June 2024, accommodating up to four guests with ensuite bathrooms.
Mooks brings over 40 years' experience as a tour guide and world-renowned bush medicine expert. Raised on his traditional land learning from grandparents and elders, he shares knowledge of bush medicines, foods, and Kuku Nyungkul culture through 90-minute or three-hour tours. In his language, he's known as 'Kuku bugga', someone who loves to talk.
The location under magical Kalkajaka (Black Mountain) provides abundant native wildlife during the day and exceptional stargazing opportunities at night, with cooling sea breezes and no internet or phone signal creating genuine digital detox.
What's Included: Private eco-friendly bush lodges with ensuite bathrooms accommodating 2-4 guests, either two single beds or king bed plus queen sofa bed. Cultural tours with Mooks include traditional bush medicine instruction, bush food identification, and Kuku Nyungkul cultural stories. Property features riverside picnic area, private airstrip, bush walks, and access to 300 acres for exploration.
O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat have transformed a lush piece of former dairy-farming land into an exclusive eco-luxury accommodation experience named Pat’s Farm. The new boutique getaway features six private off-grid chalets in the heart of the World Heritage-listed Lamington National Park, demonstrating how luxury and environmental responsibility can coexist.
In 1911, Pat O’Reilly purchased the farmland, operating it as a dairy farm before transitioning into cattle farming in the 1950s. Today, each chalet accommodates two guests in complete seclusion, nestled on breathtaking hillside locations surrounded by ancient rainforest.
The chalets operate entirely off-grid through solar power systems and rainwater collection, eliminating reliance on external utilities while maintaining luxury amenities. This isn't token environmentalism—it's functional sustainability that reduces impact while enhancing the wilderness experience.
Located within one of Australia's most biodiverse ecosystems, guests access World Heritage wilderness directly from their accommodation. The working cattle farm setting adds authenticity to the luxury experience, connecting modern comfort with traditional land use, while the hillside positioning provides privacy and panoramic views across Lamington's ancient landscapes.
What's Included: Private off-grid chalet with solar power and rainwater systems for two guests, luxury amenities within World Heritage-listed Lamington National Park setting, direct access to ancient rainforest walking trails, working cattle farm experience, and complete seclusion on breathtaking hillside locations. All utilities powered by sustainable off-grid systems.
Portarlington Grand Hotel shows how $10 million and careful restoration can merge 134-year-old architecture with contemporary luxury.
Built in 1888, the "grand old lady" underwent complete refurbishment to create 18 boutique rooms, some featuring bay-view balconies overlooking Port Phillip Bay, the You Yangs and Melbourne's skyline. The restoration preserved original architectural details while adding accessibility features including a central lift to all levels.
The hotel's positioning as Melbourne's most accessible coastal escape is located just a five-minute walk from Portarlington Pier. Guests can arrive via a scenic 70-minute ferry journey from Melbourne Docklands.
Four hospitality spaces include the bistro specialising in local seafood like Portarlington's famous mussels, plus beer garden with wood-fired pizza oven and picnic lawn. This creates dining variety while highlighting regional produce and coastal lifestyle.
The hotel operates as a strategic base for Bellarine Peninsula exploration, offering proximity to award-winning wineries and farm-to-table dining experiences within the broader regional tourism network.
What's Included: Boutique heritage accommodation with 18 rooms including bay-view options with balconies, central lift access to all levels, on-site bistro featuring local seafood and regional produce, beer garden with wood-fired pizza oven, picnic lawn facilities, and direct ferry access from Melbourne Docklands with five-minute walk from Portarlington Pier.
