11 Day Melbourne, & The Great Barrier Reef Tour

Experience the best of Victoria and Tropical Queensland on an 11-day self-driven or privately guided tour. Immerse yourself in the vibrant city of Melbourne, with its stunning architecture, culinary delights, charming cafes, and vibrant art galleries. Indulge in the rich flavors of the Yarra Valley, renowned for its multitude of wineries, cheese makers, and chocolatiers. Explore the breathtaking landscapes of Tropical Queensland, where spectacular beaches, lush rainforests, and the world-renowned Great Barrier Reef await.

Along the journey, discover the hidden gems of Victoria, including quaint villages nestled amidst rolling hill country and opportunities to view Australia’s majestic wildlife in their natural habitats. Marvel at the beauty of the coastal towns along the Great Ocean Road, with iconic stops such as the Twelve Apostles and Loch Ard Gorge.

In Tropical Queensland, soak up the sun on golden sandy beaches, venture into the lush rainforests teeming with unique flora and fauna, and dive into the crystal-clear waters of the Great Barrier Reef for an unforgettable snorkeling or diving experience.

What sets this tour apart is the flexibility to tailor it to your preferences, ensuring it’s your tour, done your way. Sit back, relax, and let your expert local driver guide you through the authentic side of Australia, offering insider knowledge and captivating stories along the way.

Welcome to The Road Trip, where your extraordinary journey through Victoria and Tropical Queensland begins.

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Here is an example of a Melbourne and Port Douglas Tour:

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Day 1 Arrival at Melbourne Airport + Drive to Yarra Valley (66km- 1 hour 15 minutes driving time approx.)

Welcome to Australia. You will be met at the airport by your private driver guide and your exclusive tour begins. From here it is a short drive to the renowned Yarra Valley, known for its cool climate wines, boutique cheese and chocolate shops and stunning natural surrounds. The afternoon is free to explore the area’s natural surrounds, visit one of the many cellar doors in the region or simply relax and unwind.  Perhaps enjoy a spectacular hot air balloon ride taking in the area’s sweeping vistas. Tonight enjoy a meal in one of the area’s fantastic restaurants.

Day 2 Yarra Valley Winery and Food Tour

Today is a full day to explore the Yarra Valley with your own exclusive private tour guide to indulge in some of the area’s fantastic wineries, breweries, chocolate and cheese shops and gin distilleries (or all of the above!).  Enjoy a gourmet lunch at one the stops accompanied by a glass of Yarra Valley Wine. For those that want an extra touch of luxury today, there is the option to travel by classic Chevrolet.  Enjoy another night in the region.

Day 3 Yarra Valley – Phillip Island via Dandenong (195km- 2 hours 50 minutes’ drive time + 3 hour return steam train journey)

This morning after departing your accommodation you take the scenic drive through to Healesville Sanctuary to get up close and personal with Australian Wildlife in their natural habitat.  See Platypus, Kangaroos, Wallabies, Wombats, Tasmanian Devils and Koalas. You will also get the opportunity to visit the Sanctuary’s Health Centre which is responsible for treating over 1,500 injured or sick wild animals every year. Your next stop is Australia’s favourite steam train ‘Puffing Billy Railway.’ Enjoy a splendid journey through the Dandenong Ranges on this turn of the century locomotive as you pass by lush fern gullies and admiring the tall mountain gums and rolling green hills of the Dandenong Ranges. There is also an option to enjoy lunch on the train’s first class dining carriage.  Following this, for those who are feeling active, there is the possibility to enjoy a nature walk in the Dandenong National Park. Your destination for the evening is Phillip Island, one of the premier spots in Victoria for wildlife and coastal views.

Day 4 Phillip Island

Today is a full day to explore Phillip Island and immerse yourself in one of Victoria’s wildlife meccas.  This morning make a visit to the island’s Koala Wildlife Sanctuary and come face to face with Koalas in their natural habitat.  The rest of the day is free to explore – perhaps visit Churchill Heritage Island Farm, take one of the area’s fantastic scenic walks on the peninsula, visit and take a tour of one of the sheep and beef farms in the area or join a seal-watching cruise onboard a wildlife coastal cruise. This evening, enjoy one of the island’s fantastic highlights with a twilight tour to view little penguins on parade at sunset.

Day 5 Phillip Island – Melbourne (141km- 2 hours driving time approx.)

This morning before departing Phillip Island, you’ll visit the Nobbies Conservation Centre on the tip of the peninsula for a walk along the spectacular boardwalks – keep a look out for the Silver Gulls! Following this head into Melbourne City, Australia’s second-largest metropolitan centre and one of the cultural hubs of the country. This afternoon take a guided tour of the City’s MCG (Melbourne Cricket Ground) and learn all about some of Australia’s best sporting victories as well as viewing and learning all about the venue itself. This also includes a visit to the museum and hall of fame. Tonight enjoy a meal in one of the city’s fantastic culinary hot spots.

Day 6 Melbourne

Today is a full day to explore Melbourne – you will be taken on a fantastic walking tour of the inner city to discover the area by foot. Sites include Federation Square, Melbourne’s Street Art, Chinatown and Princess Theatre as well as discovering some of the city’s best cafes and local bars. We also suggest a visit to Eureka Tower for spectacular panoramic views of the city centre and its surrounds. In addition, we will recommend some fantastic areas in the city for shopping. Tonight enjoy dinner in one of the city’s fantastic restaurants.

Day 7 Melbourne Fly To Cairns (3 hours 50 minutes flying time) 

This morning you will be transferred to Melbourne Airport for your onward flight to Cairns- the gateway to Northern Tropical Queensland. The evening is free to stroll the palm tree-lined waterfront and marvel at the picturesque clear waters. Explore the city centre and perhaps dine at one of the city’s vibrant restaurants, peruse the night markets or stop for gelato on the Esplanade.

Day 8 Cairns to Port Douglas via Palm Cove 68km (1 hour driving time)

Today you make the short drive north to the tropical haven of Port Douglas. This town is the gateway to Great Barrier Reef and Daintree Rainforest. En route, you will stop at the beautiful Palm Cove, where you can stroll along the beach which is lined with ancient paperbark Melaleuca trees. Perhaps enjoy lunch at one of the restaurants along the Esplanade. (We will have some great suggestions in your route notes).The Palm Cove Jetty is one of the area’s best fishing spots and there is the opportunity of enjoying some angling from here. Palm Cove also borders on the Wet Tropics of Queensland World Heritage Site and the Macalister Range National Park. There is the chance of taking a number of walks through these spectacular areas where you will see plants and animals unique to this part of the world. Continue on to Port Douglas where you will spend the next three nights.

Day 9 Great Barrier Reef

Today you will be experiencing a once-in-a-lifetime adventure, cruising to the Great Barrier Reef, the largest coral reef in the world. This UNESCO World Heritage site is an important area for worldwide conservation and diversity. This morning you will board the luxury 30-metre catamaran, Wavedancer, where you will take an hour-long cruise out on the ocean to the Low Isles, a coral cay island including a lagoon. Here you will be able to take a glass-bottom boat tour, snorkel, take a beach walk or relax on the beach. This day trip includes a delicious buffet lunch. Return to Port Douglas in the evening and enjoy at leisure.

Day 10 Port Douglas

Today is free to relax in the paradise of Port Douglas with your private guide. We suggest visiting Four Mile Beach, where pristine sand and sea stretch as far as the eye can see. Take a dip in the tropical waters and perhaps hire a sun lounger to laze on the sandy shores. If you are keen to check out the native animals, you could visit Wildlife Habitat Port Douglas where there are Koala, Kangaroos, numerous bird species and reptiles, and you can even enjoy a meal surrounded by birdlife. If you feel like exploring further afield, the Daintree Rainforest is the oldest rainforest in the world and a short drive north of Port Douglas. Here you can take a guided walk in this world heritage gem.

Day 11 Port Douglas to Cairns + Departure 68km  (1 hour driving time)

Today, after further exploring Port Douglas you will return to Cairns Airport, where you will be transferred to your onward travel arrangements. We trust that you have had a memorable journey with us.

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Everything we do is custom and bespoke to your needs and desires. Enquire about prices for your custom Melbourne and Great Barrier Reef tour today.