Coffin Bay to Baird Bay West Coast Tour

DAY 1: Upon arrival into the Port Lincoln Airport, you will be met by your private guide for the next 5 days, before taking the short drive into the seafood capital of Australia, Port Lincoln.  In Port Lincoln, board the vessel Calypso Star which takes you on a short steam to a farmed tuna cage.  Located in the glistening Boston Bay (3 times the size of Sydney Harbour), this is one of the worlds largest protected harbours.  A world first and exclusive activity to Port Lincoln, enjoy the opportunity to swim with, feed and photograph Southern Blue fin Tuna - a magnificent beginning to your coastal encounter!

Back on land and after enjoying a freshly prepared lunch, travel to the Glen Forest Park which offers a hands on experience with a variety of native Australian animals.  Feed the kangaroos, koalas, parrots and other bird species and find yourself up close and personal with other native species, such as the dingo, wombat, emus, echidnas and more.

From here, continue onto one of the most stunning estuaries in Australia and home to some of the nation’s finest oysters - Coffin Bay where you stay for the next 2 nights.  Settle into your private waterfront apartment as an array of the freshest and most succulent seafood is prepared personally for you, and sip on award winning local wines whilst watching the sun set behind the pristine waters of the bay. Coffin Bay (L, D)

DAY 2: Following breakfast, the day is yours in and around this unique location.  From white, footprint free sandy beaches to windswept cliffs, Coffin Bay National Park offers a diverse range of experiences.  Sand boarding on some of the towering sand dunes, swimming and snorkeling exploring the ocean beds of these calm and safe waters are options for the active minded. A 4WD tour through the Park is a must to view the spectacular landscapes with massive limestone cliffs, an important breeding ground for sea birds, including ospreys and white bellied sea eagles.  Western grey kangaroos and emus are of abundance throughout the Park as well as many other species of native animals.  There are also bushwalking trails taking you to rarely visited locations.

If water activities are more your pastime, kayak around these stunning waterways and see the friendly dolphins bobbing up in front of you or “wet a line” and catch King George Whiting, Tommy Ruff, Salmon Trout amongst other local species.

To create an appetite, take the Oyster Trail walk and spend time exploring the Cray fishing boats on the wharf or challenge yourself to the fun filled “Coff n Putt” miniature golf course.  For the more creative and artistic, visit the Bay’s Art & Craft Gallery, which displays beautiful hand made products and showcases original paintings, sculptures, photographs and artworks by local artists.

This evening another feast awaits and on the boardwalk gaze away into the star filled sky above. Coffin Bay (B, L, D)

DAY 3: Today we leave Coffin Bay and make our way along the Flinders Highway of Eyre Peninsula to Baird Bay. The 250km drive is broken up with access to uninterrupted views of the spectacular and rugged cliff tops of the Great Australian Bight, more beaches of white sands and crystal blue waters with spectacular dunes as backdrops.  Stop for lunch at Cummings Monument and see the family of osprey which nests on a craggy pinnacle, adjacent to the lookout.

On either side of the highway enjoy the scenery and farm country of wheat, barley and canola fields and the famous Merino sheep, until we come across another sea side fishing town of Elliston and home to Blackfellows Point, one of the best surf breaks in Australia.

A scenic 12km coastal scenic drive between Anxious & Waterloo Bay gives you the chance to enjoy more breathtaking scenic views before we enter one of the worlds best kept secrets in Baird Bay.  Set right on the beach, you have ocean views to die for as you are accommodated in architecturally designed lodges of rammed earth construction to blend with the beach side and natural bushland environment.
 
Wine and dine in style again as the sun sets over Point Labatt Conversation Park, the pelicans and seagulls roam the beach and the local wallabies graze on the lawns in front of you. Baird Bay (B, L, D)

DAY 4: Today you are in for a world class treat and an unforgettable ocean experience with Alan & Trish Payne’s Baird Bay Ocean Eco Experiences.  Today’s headline act is swimming with the Sea lions off Jones Island, just a very short steam aboard the 12m boat, The Investigator.

Experience sea lions in their natural environment; fast, agile and playful and they also thrive on the interaction of humans.  There are only 2 places on earth where you can swim with wild sea lions; Galapagos Islands and Baird Bay which is rated in the top 10 things to do in Australia along with swimming with tuna off Port Lincoln and diving with the Great White Sharks, also off Port Lincoln.
The sea lion experience is full of wonder and charm.  Alan and Trish have never fed the mammals, but it’s their close and constant interaction with the sea lions which have made these water creatures so friendly that they may even let you pat and cuddle them as other sea lion pups and family members swim and play with one another all around you in these sheltered pools.

Following the sea lion encounter, The Investigator pulls out into deeper waters where you now have the chance to swim with the resident dolphins. Powerful and lightening fast, these animals often come so close that you can hear the high pitch chatter.

If that’s not enough activity for one day, you again have the option of a leisurely paddle in a kayak provided, lounge around on the beach, take another swim or snorkel or try and catch one of the many species of fish in the bay including King George Whiting, Snook, Tommy Ruff & Flathead.

This evening simply sit back and relax and enjoy another dinner gazing out over the Bay, you also have the option of a tour of the Venus Bay Conservation Park to see 2 small Australian native species, bettongs and bilbies.  These animals are nocturnal and an abundance of both species, along with over 100 bird, 12 mammal & 25 reptile species inhabit the Park. Baird Bay (B, L, D)

DAY 5: Today we leave the picturesque beauty of Baird Bay and make our way back to Port Lincoln.  A short distance from Baird Bay is the Murphy’s Haystacks.  These huge rocks are ancient wind worn granite inselbergs, purported to be over 1500 million years old and the unique outcrop of pink granite boulders is a delight for the photographer.

The Talia Caves are another attraction en route. Nature’s natural elements of the sea & the wind have etched patterns through time on its limestone roof, whilst the surf washes the rocks edging the caves which offer another spectacular scene of colour and the wonderful force of the Southern Ocean.
From here we can visit another beautiful coastal fishing village of Venus Bay, before continuing on to Port Lincoln Airport where your journey finishes and you say farewell to the Eyre Peninsula. (B, L)

*Written itinerary is a guide only; some activities described may be weather dependent, subject to availability etc.

INCLUSIONS

• Luxury air-conditioned leather seated Nissan Patrol for 5 days with experienced local guide (ex Port Lincoln)2 night’s accommodation in Coffin Bay
• 2 nights accommodation in Baird Bay
• All meals & beverages
• Baird Bay swim with the sea lions & dolphins
• All water activities in Coffin Bay & Baird Bay
• Entry & 4WD tour into the Coffin Bay National Park & Venus Bay Conservation Park
• Entry into Glen Forest Park
• Pass onboard the Calypso Star to swim with the tuna.

WHAT TO BRING (max 10kgs per person)

• A hat
• Good walking shoes or boots
• Small day pack
• Sunscreen
• Insect repellant
• Swimming costumes & towel
• Light comfortable clothing
• Warm jacket
• Camera equipment
• Binoculars (not essential)
• Personal toiletries & medications.

EXCLUSIONS

• Domestic Flights to/from Port Lincoln (Regional Express or Private Charter)
• All items of a personal nature
• Travel Insurance