DETAILED ITINERARY

Day 1: Melbourne

Arrive in Melbourne, where you will be met and transferred to your hotel.

Melbourne is the capital of the state of Victoria and is regularly voted as one of the most liveable cities on earth, surrounded by a breathtaking coastline, soaring mountain ranges and wonderful wine regions.

Days 2 to 4: Explore Melbourne

The next few days are free to explore Melbourne independently.

With its tangle of hidden laneways, tree-lined promenades and grand Victorian buildings funded during the early Gold Rush, the city has a distinctly European feel. There is superb shopping, an eclectic arts scene, and foodies will find plenty to love with many chic cafes. Famous Aussie chefs flaunt their talents here, and you can feast on everything - from Greek, Italian and Indian cuisine to Spanish and Vietnamese fare.

Located opposite Flinders Street Station, a major public transport hub, ultra-modern Federation Square contrasts sharply with its surrounding Victorian architecture. With more than 2,000 events annually, you can always find entertainment here. Wandering the labyrinth of lanes and alleyways around Flinders, Collins and Bourke Streets is a must as here you will discover elegant, interesting, and quirky Melbourne at its best. The jewel in the crown is the magnificent Block Arcade in Collins Street. With its mosaic floor, period details and interesting shops, this is the place where late 19th century gentry promenaded, coining the phrase, "doing the block." It's worth queueing for a morning or afternoon tea at the Hopetown Tearooms, a Melbourne icon that dates back to 1892 and the only remaining original shop.

A short stroll away, on the banks of the Tarra River, you will find the Arts Centre with its prominent spire and the Southbank Promenade, which is filled with indoor/outdoor cafés and restaurants. An arts and crafts market is held here every Sunday. The skydeck on the 88th floor of the Eureka Tower offers superb views.

Docklands is Melbourne's newest waterfront entertainment precinct filled with cafés, restaurants, tourist attractions and parklands. The views from the giant observation wheel, the Melbourne Star, are spectacular. Here you will also find the Junior Wonderland amusement park, the Icehouse ice sports venue and Etihad Stadium. An art and vintage market is held along the waterfront every Sunday.

You can use the City Circle tram network to explore local neighbourhoods, take a boat ride along the Yarra River, stroll through beautiful Royal Botanic Gardens, visit the Queen Victoria Market or head out to the beach at St Kilda, where you will find the National Gallery of Victoria. The Melbourne Museum is a short tram ride from the city centre and Captain Cook’s Cottage (brought from Yorkshire) can be seen in Fitzroy Gardens. This city also has many famous sporting venues, including the Melbourne Cricket Ground. The Melbourne Cup horse race, held on the first Tuesday in November, brings the entire nation to a standstill.

Outside the city, you can take scenic day trips along the Mornington Peninsula, where you can combine seaside villages with boutique wineries and art galleries. Phillip Island is best known for its little penguins that emerge from the sea at dusk, but it is also home to the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix. The Yarra Valley and the Dandenongs is where you’ll find many food and wine producers, and perhaps encounter the elusive platypus at Healesville Sanctuary. You can also take an early morning hot air balloon flight over the vineyards.

The Grampians is a region of stunning mountains, valleys and lakes with mountain biking and hiking trails, as well as superb wineries and art galleries. The Gippsland region offers gold rush history in Walhalla, the unspoilt beaches of Croajingolong National Park and the little-visited Wilsons Promontory, known for its rugged granite mountains and abundant wildlife, including kangaroos and wombats.

Day 5: Apollo Bay

Your Great Ocean Road drive starts today as you collect your hire car and drive past Geelong to the Surf Coast and Kennett River, where there is the chance to spot koalas, with plenty of photo stops along the way.

Continue to Apollo Bay, which lies tucked in the foothills of the Otway Ranges. Here the hilltop Marriner’s Lookout offers panoramic views over the ocean.

On arrival we suggest a visit to Great Otway National Park which covers parts of the rugged coastline, beaches and mountains of the Otway Ranges and has some lovely waterfalls. You can follow an easy trail through this cool and temperate rainforest, walking past trees and ferns dating back millions of years.

Day 6: Port Fairy

Today drive along the spectacular Great Ocean Road towards the Shipwreck Coast and Port Fairy, which lies at the point where the Moyne River enters the sea.

At the Twelve Apostles there is the opportunity to take a scenic helicopter flight over the coastline. Also stop at Loch Ard Gorge and London Bridge, created by continual erosion and the mighty force of the Southern Ocean, and look out for the impressive stacks at the Bay of Martyrs and Bay of Islands.

As you approach Port Fairy, we suggest a visit to the Tower Hill Reserve where hopefully you will see emus, koalas, kangaroos and echidnas (spiny anteaters).

Between November and March, as dusk falls you will also see short-tailed shearwaters arriving in vast numbers, to breed.

Day 7: Mount Gambier

Drive across the state border into South Australia today, travelling towards Mount Gambier which is well known for its topography - particularly its volcanic and limestone features, and its crater lakes. One of these, Blue Lake, turns cobalt blue in summer.

Nearby, the Centenary Tower offers panoramic views of the area and the Umpherston Sinkhole contains a lush sunken garden. The Lady Nelson Visitor Centre houses a full size replica of a late 18th century ship.

Days 8 & 9: Barossa Valley

Continue to the Barossa Valley, where vine-clad hills surround quaint country towns and some of Australia’s finest vineyards are waiting to be explored.

With over 80 cellars, the Barossa Valley winelands are some of the oldest in Australia and their wines are world-famous.

Day 10 to 12: Explore Adelaide

Today drive to Adelaide and check in to your hotel in this lovely coastal city, that is the capital of South Australia. This charming and very walkable city has a thriving art scene, including the annual Adelaide Festival, and plays host to many sporting events.

Rundle Mall offers great shopping and some lovely architecture.  You can visit the bustling Central Market, take a cruise down the Torrens River, catch the tram to the seaside resort of Glenelg or relax in the lovely Botanic Gardens. The peaceful Himeji Japanese Garden is just outside the city centre.

The parklands that surround the Torrens River are home to many excellent museums including the Art Gallery of South Australia, which displays an expansive collection of indigenous art. The South Australian Museum has great natural history displays.

Carrick Hill is an historic English-style property situated at the foot of the Adelaide Hills, which regularly hosts art exhibitions. The Tandanya National Aboriginal Cultural Institute is Australia’s oldest Aboriginal-owned multi-arts centre, with fascinating art and cultural exhibitions.

Cleland Conservation Park is a 20 minute drive from the city centre. Mount Lofty offers panoramic views, and in Cleland Wildlife Park you can get up close to emus, koalas and other Australian native wildlife. The Waterfall Gully Reserve is also found here.

Kangaroo Island, offshore from Adelaide, is home to indigenous wildlife such as sea lions, koalas and much diverse birdlife. It is a 20 minute flight from Adelaide (or 45 minutes by ferry from Cape Jervis) and is best visited on an escorted tour.

Day 13: Fly Home

Drive to Adelaide airport to drop off your hire car and fly home.

PRICING

Price is based on two adults sharing en-suite accommodation on a room only basis, including airport transfer on arrival and standard car hire. International and domestic flights are not included and will be quoted separately.

We offer a choice of hotels at different prices, so please discuss your requirements with us. All hotels are subject to availability.

Before your departure, you will receive personalised holiday information including recommended route and suggestions on places to visit, to help you get the most from your holiday.

It is essential that you have personal holiday insurance and an appropriate driving licence. The FCO should also be consulted.