19 Sep 2020

Kangaroo Island & the Great Ocean Road Adventure (Basix)

PSAAC-B

Validity: 01 Apr 2020 to 31 Dec 2021

Take a memorable road trip through South Australia and Victoria, starting off from Adelaide with a ferry ride to Kangaroo Island. Much of this stunning landscape is protected and is home to an abundance of native wildlife like sea lions, koalas and, of course, the odd roo or two. Meet the residents at Seal Bay, slide a sand board down the dunes of Little Sahara, keep your eyes peeled for the fuzzy guys that live up the eucalyptus trees of Hanson Bay wildlife Sanctuary, and marvel at the huge boulders of the Remarkable Rocks. Continue through the Adelaide Hills, get an insight into local Aboriginal history in the Grampians National Park, then drink in the sweeping vistas of the Twelve Apostles and Loch Ard Gorge. Take in each twist and turn of the Great Ocean Road, channel your inner surfer at some famed boarding locations, then finish up in artsy, eclectic Melbourne.

Basix

Explorer

Minibus,Transfer Coach,Ferry

2

Adelaide Central Bus Station (meet at the SeaLink check in desk) @6:15am

Adelaide

Adelaide

AUSTRALIA

Adelaide Central Bus Station is located in the heart of the city at 85 Franklin Street, near the Adelaide Central Market. Please check in at the Sealink Desk at 615 for a 645 departure. Paid lockers (paywave or correct change) are available for storing any belongings for up to 72 hours. Lockers contains 2 USB ports inside so portable items can be charged while locked away. There is free Wi-Fi available in the station.

Central Melbourne Accommodation

Melbourne

Melbourne

AUSTRALIA

Melbourne is a big city, so we can drop off at most of the central accommodation locations. Unfortunately, we can't do airport drop-offs, we always advise onward travel to be booked for the following day.

1. This trip departs from Adelaide to meet the Kangaroo Island ferry on day 1 from the Adelaide Central Bus Station (85 Franklin Street). Please meet at the the SeaLink desk at 6.15am for a 6.45am departure. Hotel pick ups from central Adelaide to the bus station are available on request. 2. Accommodation in Adelaide on night 2 is at the Adelaide Central YHA, where you will be picked up on day 3 at 7am for the next leg of your trip. 3. This trip also runs in reverse as a 5 day trip. See trip codes PASMC-B .

All group trips are accompanied by a group leader. In Australia your group leader is also your driver, taking you from start to finish. The aim of the group leader is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. Your leader will provide information on the places you are travelling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, as well as recommend great local eating venues. They will also introduce you to our local friends along the way. While not being guides in the traditional sense you can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the areas visited on the trip, including historical, environmental, cultural and social aspects. This trip is made of two smaller trips connected by a flight. You will be travelling with different Guides on each trip who are specialists in their region, and will not have an accompanying Guide during your flight. Your flight ticket will be issued before travel, please get your itinerary from your booking agent. This trip also includes accommodation and airport transfers in Darwin and Alice Springs. Please check with your booking agent for the details.

Many national governments provide a regularly updated advice service on safety issues involved with international travel. We recommend that you check your government's advice for their latest travel information before departure and ensure that your travel insurance covers you for all areas your itinerary covers. Please refer to our website's safety page for links to major travel advisories and updates on safety issues affecting our trip. We strongly recommend the use of a neck wallet or money belt while travelling, for the safe-keeping of your passport, air tickets, cash and other valuable items. Leave your valuable jewellery at home - you won't need it while travelling. Many of our hotels have safety deposit boxes, which is the most secure way of storing your valuables. A lock is recommended for securing your luggage. Your leader will accompany you on all included activities, however during your trip you'll have some free time to pursue your own interests, relax and take it easy or explore at your leisure. While your leader will assist you with the available options in a given location, please note that any optional activities you undertake are not part of your itinerary, and we make no representations about the safety of the activity or the standard of the operators running them. Please use your own good judgement when selecting an activity in your free time. Please also note that your Leader has the authority to amend or cancel any part of the trip itinerary if it's deemed necessary due to safety concerns.

Wireless (wi-fi) is common across accommodation in Australia. Some properties may charge a fee for usage. Cafe's and pubs may have wi-fi for a fee, with those in tourist area's generally offering limited free useage. Shopping centre's, airports and other public spaces offer limited free wi-fi access. Australia’s main telecommunication companies all operate in towns in Victoria. Different networks will work in outback or regional area's. Pay phones (most are prepaid card only) are rarer than hen's teeth but can be found in most campsites we use. If you are spending longer in Australia, it might be a good idea to purchase a local SIM card for data and your mobile device. if you need to purchase a phone locally. look for Telstra's 'blue tick' phones with better coverage in rural areas.

All travellers, except New Zealand citizens, must obtain a visa or travel authority before travelling to Australia. Failure to do so means you may not be allowed to board your flight to Australia. Most nationalities can obtain an Electronic Travel Authority via the internet before arrival. Please check the following website or with your relevant Australian visa issuing office for your nationalities requirements. http://www.eta.immi.gov.au/

Loll about with the local sea lions at Seal Bay

Give sandboarding a crack amid the white sand dunes of Little Sahara

Walk through Hanson Bay Wildlife Sanctuary in search of koalas in their gumtree hideouts

Take in the impressive coastal views from Remarkable Rock

Learn about local Aboriginal lore in the Grampians National Park

Be treated to exceptional views of Loch Ard Gorge and London Bridge

Travel the length of the Great Ocean Road

Spot koalas in the gumtrees of Kennett River

This trip is made up of two seperate tours and you'll be traveling with a different Guide on each Kangaroo Island and the Great Ocean Road. Each Guide specialises in their region of touring The Kangaroo Island portion of the trip are two full days of touring. Whilst there isn't too much physical exertion, there are early starts and arrival back into Adelaide on the second day is late in the evening around 10:30pm.

DIETARY REQUIREMENTS: Passengers with special dietary requirements or food allergies MUST ensure they or their travel agent inform Intrepid/ATA at the time of booking. Food for the trip is purchased prior to the start of the trip and special requirements cannot be catered for after departing Darwin. If you have not notified us prior to departure, you may be asked to pay for any additional food yourself. Due to the nature of our trips, food is basic but plentiful. We provide the below substitutes, please bring your own staples if you require specific foods not listed below: No Pork (Ham alternative provided) No Dairy (soy milk provided) Vegetarian (additional veg and veg burgers provided) Vegan (supply of additional fruit and veg provided) Gluten Free (cereal, bread, wraps, pasta, snack bars, sweet and savoury biscuits provided) *Unfortunately religious dietary requirements and specifically prepared/sourced produce are generally unable to be catered for on these remote trips.

The Australian Dollar (A$) is the currency of Australia.  Credit and debit cards are readily accepted just about everywhere in Australia. Occasionally there may be a minimum spend for both in smaller shops. You can usually withdraw money from shops where EFTPOS is available. Automatic teller machines (ATMs) are common across Australia. ATM's may be limited in remote areas and your leader will advise you when to withdraw extra cash.  Credit cards in Australia require a pin number rather than a signature and may have a small surcharge for purchases. Tipping is not expected but appreciated.  EMERGENCY FUNDS: We try to plan for every eventuality, but there are still some things beyond our control. Please make sure you bring an extra USD500 for emergencies (e.g. natural disasters or civil unrest). Sometimes these things necessitate last minute changes to our itineraries, and we can’t guarantee there won’t be some extra costs involved.

WATER BOTTLE: Consider bringing your own water bottle to refill along the way. We recommend at least a 1.5litre capacity. The sale of bottled water contributes to an enormous environmental problem around the world. In addition to the water in bottles, the production of a 1 litre plastic bottle takes 2 litres of water and 200ml of oil. A large proportion end up in limited landfill or discarded in waterways and natural environments.

CLOTHING & CLIMATE: Winter (June, July, August) night time temperatures in the Red Centre and South of the country can reach below zero. Please ensure you pack appropriately. Warm jacket, thermals, woollen hat is advisable for the colder months. Depending on the region you are visiting, particularly the South, you may also need to pack waterproof trousers and a jacket. Daytime temperatures can be extreme from Oct to March with temperatures over 40 degrees Celsius. In the Top End Night time temperatures can also be high at this time of year. Australia has relaxed attitudes to standards of dress, however the extreme sunshine can cause sunburn- particularly in summer. We recommend that you bring loose, cool, cotton clothing to protect yourself from the harsh sun. A sun hat, sunscreen and sunglasses are a must. From October to March it is likely that you will experience temperatures of over 35 degrees Celsius, and sometimes well into the 40’s. Be prepared to endure extra physical stress due to the heat at these times, especially while on walks. These extreme temperatures can also place stress on the air-conditioning units within our vehicles which can make travelling uncomfortable. Your tour guide will assist with regular breaks and information to assist keeping hydrated. Please come prepared for all extremes.

LUGGAGE RESTRICTION: Pack only your bare essentials. Due to limited space and strictly enforced road laws regarding weight limits, Intrepid travellers can carry a maximum of 15 kg (10kg for any trips visiting Kakadu or the Kimberley). You are required to limit your luggage to one small to medium sized soft bag or backpack and a small daypack, which can be carried inside the vehicle. Intrepid cannot guarantee to carry overweight or oversized luggage. Please store bulky items at your pre tour accommodation. It may be necessary to freight excess luggage at your own expense.

Everyone has the right to feel safe when they travel. We don’t tolerate any form of violence (verbal or physical) or sexual harassment, either between customers or involving our leaders, partners or local people. Sexual relationships between a tour leader and a customer are strictly forbidden. Use or possession of illegal drugs will not be tolerated on our trips. If you choose to consume alcohol while travelling, we encourage responsible drinking and expect that you’ll abide by the local laws regarding alcohol consumption. The sex tourism industry is known to exploit vulnerable people and have negative consequences on communities, including undermining the development of sustainable tourism. For this reason, patronising sex workers will not be tolerated on our trips. By travelling with us you are agreeing to adhere to these rules. You must at all times comply with the laws, customs, foreign exchange and drug regulations of all countries visited, and you also agree to travel in accordance with our Responsible Travel Guidelines. The decision of the group leader is final on all matters likely to affect the safety or well-being of any traveller or staff member participating in the trip. If you fail to comply with a decision made by a group leader, or interfere with the well-being or mobility of the group, the group leader may direct you to leave the trip immediately, with no right of refund. We may also elect not to carry you on any future trips booked. If you feel that someone is behaving inappropriately while travelling with us, please inform your tour leader or local guide immediately. Alternatively, contact us on the emergency contact number detailed in the Problems and Emergency Contact section of this Essential Trip Information.

Can’t stop thinking about your adventure? Tell us all about it! We read each piece of feedback carefully and use it to make improvements for travellers like you. Share your experience with us at: http://www.intrepidtravel.com/feedback/

Package is operated by our touring partners SeaLink (Days 1-2) and Autopia/Wildlife Tours (Days 3-4). In the event of an emergency or missed pick up on day 1 please contact SeaLink (Adelaide Sightseeing) directly on 1300 769 762. In the event of an emergency or missed pick up on day 3 please contact Autopia directly on 03 9397 7737. SEALINK: 1300 655 990 Melbourne Operations: 03 9393 1333

Our Responsible Travel Policy outlines our commitment to preserving the environment, supporting local communities, protecting the vulnerable, and giving back to the places we travel. All our trip leaders, suppliers, and staff are trained on these principles and are core to us delivering sustainable, experience-rich travel. Explore the different parts of our Responsible Travel Policy by visiting: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/responsible-travel http://www.intrepidtravel.com/ourtrips/rt/responsibletraveller

Help us change thousands of lives by creating meaningful work and supporting skills training in communities around the world. The Intrepid Foundation is the not-for-profit for Intrepid Group. We work with local organisations around the world to improve the livelihoods of vulnerable individuals and communities through sustainable travel experiences. With our travellers’ help, we’ve contributed more than AU $6 million to over 100 community organisations since 2002. Did you know that tourism is one of the biggest contributors to the global economy, making up 1 out of every 10 jobs? That’s why we support local projects that create meaningful jobs and give people the skills they need to work in the destinations we take you to. And it’s why we exist – to make it easy for travellers to give back to the communities and places they’ve been in an effective and meaningful way. Intrepid Group covers all administration costs, every cent goes directly to the projects. Donating is simple and secure. Please ask your leader for information about the projects we support through The Intrepid Foundation or visit our website: http://www.theintrepidfoundation.org/

Both Basix and Original level camping accommodation are available on this trip. Basix accommodation consists of multishare dormitory rooms with shared facilities. Multishare accommodation may be mixed gender. Original accommodation is private twin or single rooms. Both accommodation styles have shared bathroom facilities. Night 1: Vivonne Bay Lodge dormitory (Basix) twin or single room (Original) with shared facilities Night 2: Adelaide Central YHA multishare dormitory (Basix) Twin or single room (Original) with shared facilities Night 3: Neds Bed's Lodge dormitory (Basix) The Grampians YHA private twin or single room (Original)

From October to March it is likely that you will experience temperatures of over 35 degrees Celsius, and sometimes well into the 40’s. Be prepared to endure extra physical stress due to the heat at these times, especially while on walks. These extreme temperatures can also place stress on the air-conditioning units within our vehicles which can make travelling uncomfortable. Your tour guide will assist with regular breaks and information to assist keeping hydrated. In July and August, very cold temperatures can be experienced both in the outback and along the coast, especially overnight. Please come prepared for all extremes. DRIVING DISTANCES IN AUSTRALIA Australia is a BIG country! In fact, the whole of Europe fits into Australia with plenty of room to spare. Australia has a total land area of 7,706,168 sq km, and the coastline spans a massive 15,049km. Here in Australia we're used to driving long distances on holiday, but you may not be. Take for example, our 10 day Perth to Broome trip will see you travelling about the length of Portugal. Driving from Alice Springs to Darwin is about the length of the UK, and our 10 day Perth to Adelaide trip is about the same distance from Spain to Poland. Yep, it's a big country! However, that's why we think seeing Australia from the ground is better. We live in a country that has it all; stunning coastline and beaches, the outback, tropical rainforests, and some seriously amazing landscapes and wildlife. Whilst you may spend some days in the vehicle a little longer than others getting to the next destination, we think it's worth it!

Australians are not required to be covered for hospital care due to being covered by Medicare. However we strongly recommend that Australians have a domestic travel insurance policy which covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage and personal effects. It is also strongly advisable that Australians have current ambulance cover in the case of emergency evacuation or incidents requiring ambulance transportation. Travel insurance is compulsory for all international travellers and should be taken out at the time of booking. Your travel insurance must provide cover against personal accident, death, medical expenses and emergency repatriation with a recommended minimum coverage of US$200,000 for each of the categories of cover. We also strongly recommend it covers cancellation, curtailment, personal liability and loss of luggage and personal effects. You must provide proof of your travel insurance on the first day of your trip; you will not be able to join the trip without it. If you obtain travel insurance through us you acknowledge that you are satisfied with the level of insurance we have arranged.

As you travel on a group trip you will be exposed to all the pleasures and maybe some of the frustrations of travelling in a group. Your fellow travellers will probably come from all corners of the world and likely a range of age groups too. We ask you to be understanding of the various needs and preferences of your group - patience with your fellow travellers is sometimes required for the benefit of everyone's travel experience. Remember too that you have responsibilities to the group. If you are requested to be at a place at a certain time, ensure that you don't keep the rest of the group waiting. We have found time and time again that the very best trips we operate are those where the dynamics within the group work well - this takes just a little effort on your part. Due to privacy reasons, we are unable to provide you with contact details and any personal information about your fellow travellers booked on your trip prior to departure.

In the case of bad or treacherous weather there is a possibility that the Ferry that links mainland Australia and Kangaroo Island (from Cape Jervis Port to Penneshaw Port) may be cancelled at short notice. Cancellation of this service is entirely at the discretion of the ferry operator Sealink and we will do our best to accommodate you on another departure or provide appropriate compensation. The relationship between ATA and Intrepid Australia For over 25 years, Intrepid Travel and Adventure Tours Australia have been leading brands in the adventure travel business. With Intrepid’s global product range and Adventure Tours’ local knowledge, the two brands joined force in 2011 to provide the ultimate range of Australian product with Intrepid running all of it’s local trips under the Adventure Tours Australia name. Today we’re proud to bring Aussie-made trips to the world, both here with Adventure Tours and overseas through the Intrepid brand, so no matter which brand you have booked through, you’re travelling with the best.

Dormitory (3 nights)