Australia South: Tasmania, Kangaroo Island & the Great Ocean Road

Discover Australia’s diverse ecosystems on sustainable safaris spanning wild coasts, remote Outback, lush rainforests and iconic wildlife.

You’ve heard of the Tasmanian devil (thanks, Looney Tunes!), but how about the Tasmanian tiger? This striped carnivore—which resembles a cross between a wolf, a fox and a large cat—was once the largest carnivorous marsupial in the world until it was hunted to extinction in the 1930s. Now, the Tasmanian devil holds that title. Expedition Leader Matt Cornish shares the similarities between these two Australian animals and how conservationists are using the lessons learned from the loss of the Tasmanian tiger to protect the Tasmanian devil.

Marsupials might be the main attraction on our Australian adventures, but Oz also offers plenty of opportunities for birders! Expedition Leader Jamie Smith-Morvell introduces some of the winged wonders we encounter Down Under, from emus and honeyeaters to kookaburras and cassowaries. Explore bird habitats across the continent, and find out why some Australian birds have such confusing names (like the magpie-lark that's neither a magpie nor a lark). Jamie also shares tips for photographing the birds of Australia.

Headed Down Under? Get tips from Expedition Leader Matt Cornish for photographing Australia’s unique rainforest wildlife, including Lumholtz tree kangaroos, forest dragons, green ringtail possums and southern cassowaries. Shooting in low light and through dense foliage can be challenging, but you'll learn the camera settings and editing techniques you need to produce wall-worthy photos of your adventures in Oz. You’ll also learn about our Ultimate Australia trip, which includes the Daintree Rainforest—one of the oldest rainforests on Earth.