11 Day Melbourne, Yarra Valley and Great Barrier Reef Self Drive Tour
This spectacular 11 day self drive tour includes highlights of both New South Wales and Tropical Queensland. Discover both Victoria one of Australia’s most vibrant and historic states and Queensland with its golden sandy beaches. This all tour encompasses rainforests, beaches and rolling hill country that contribute to its myriad of outdoor activities, superb architecture in both the big cities and quaint villages, fantastic wineries in the Yarra Valley as well as ample opportunities to view some of Australia’s majestic wildlife. Highlights on this journey include, Melbourne Australia’s second largest city with ample opportunity to enjoy its architecture, culinary delights, cafes and galleries, the Yarra Valley known for a multitude of wineries , cheese makers and chocolatiers and the contrast of tropical Queensland with its spectacular beaches, rainforests and world renowned Great Barrier Reef.
The best part is that you won’t miss a beat with all the not to miss hidden photo spots, scenic walks, sightseeing and restaurant suggestions in each town marked down on easy to follow day by day route notes. Welcome to The Road Trip ‘Where your journey begins’.
Day 1 Melbourne Arrival + Drive to Yarra Valley . (66km- 1 hour 15 minutes driving time approx)
Welcome to Australia. You will be met at Melbourne Airport by one of our representatives, given your detailed tour pack with route notes and assisted with your rental car. From here it is a short drive to the well renowned Yarra Valley, known for its cool climate wines, boutique cheese and chocolate shops and stunning natural surrounds. This afternoon upon arrival is free to explore the area’s natural surrounds at leisure, 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. (We will have plenty of great suggestions in your route notes).
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 and indulge in some of the area’s fantastic wineries, breweries, chocolate and cheese shops, gin distilleries or all of the above. Enjoy a gourmet lunch on site 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. Upon return, 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, take the drive through to Healesville Sanctuary and get up close and personal with Australian Wildlife in their natural habitat. See Platypus, Kangaroos, Wallabies, Wombats, Tasmanian Devils and Koalas among other species. 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. From here 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. We will have several great options in your route notes. 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 well known 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 at leisure. Perhaps take a visit to Churchill Heritage Island Farm, take one of the area’s fantastic scenic walks on the peninsula, visit one of the sheep and beef farms in the area and take a guided tour, or join a seal watching cruise on board 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, we will take a visit to the Nobbies Conservation Centre on the tip of the peninsula for a walk along the spectacular boardwalks and look out points. Keep a look out for the area’s Silver Gulls among other species. 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. From here drop off your rental car in the city. 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 at leisure. You will be taken on a fantastic walking tour of the inner city and 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 hidden bars. We also suggest a visit to Eureka Tower for fantastic panoramic views of the city centre and its surrounds. In addition we will recommend some fantastic areas in the city for shopping. Tonight serves up a further opportunity to dine in the city.
Day 7 Melbourne- Cairns (3 hours 50 minutes flying time)
This morning you will be transferred by shuttle to Melbourne Airport and catch a domestic flight to Cairns, a tropical city on the coast of Northern Queensland. Upon arrival and collection of a new rental vehicle, take the evening 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. There will be the option to stop here for lunch and dine 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 spending 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. 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 drop off your rental car and transfer to your onward travel arrangements. We trust that you have had a memorable exclusive Road Trip with us.