15 Day Melbourne and Surrounds Highlights + Great Ocean Road and Adelaide Discoverer Private Guided Tour
Encompassing both the wonders of Victoria and South Australia, this itinerary is a must see for those that want to combine breath-taking coastal scenery and panoramic vistas, premium wine growing regions and viewing of native birdlife. On this 15 day exclusive privately guided itinerary you can expect to see the best that this area has to offer. Get to know Melbourne, Australia’s second largest cosmopolitan centre intimately, be blown away by the scenery on the Great Ocean Road and its quaint villages including a visit to the Twelve Apostles and indulge in a visit to some of the fantastic wineries of the McLaren Vale, discover the Yarra Valley and breath-taking Phillip Island with its extensive wildlife and penguin population.
The best part is that this is your tour done your way. Sit back relax and experience the authentic side of Australia through the eyes of your own expert local driver guide. Welcome to The Road Trip ‘Where your journey begins’.
Day 1 Melbourne Arrival and sightseeing
Welcome to Australia. You will be met at the airport by your private driver guide and your exclusive tour begins. 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 enjoy dinner in one of the city’s fantastic restaurants.
Day 2 Melbourne
Today is a further day to explore Melbourne. This morning take a visit to Melbourne Zoo and discover one of Australia’s favourite attractions. Discover the Platypus; get up close and personal with Koala’s along with many species of native birdlife. This afternoon take a tour of Melbourne’s Royal Botanic Gardens on the south bank of the city’s Yarra River. Discover over 8,500 different species of plant from 31 different countries in this idyllic setting. Tonight is free to further enjoy the city at leisure.
Day 3 Melbourne- Yarra Valley (54km- 1 hour 20 minutes driving time)
This morning you will depart Melbourne City and 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 with your guide and 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 4 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 5 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.Your guide will recommend several great options. Tonight’s destination is Phillip Island, one of the best places in Victoria for wildlife and coastal views.
Day 6 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 7 Phillip Island- Mornington Peninsula (152km- 2 hours 20 minutes 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. From here take the trip through to Mount Eliza and we recommend checking out the superb Earamil Gardens with their spectacular coastal views. There is also the opportunity here for wine tasting at Underground Wine Makers with a chance to sample some of the areas local products. From here it is a short hop skip and a jump to Portsea at the tip of Mornington Peninsula. This afternoon we recommend checking out one of the many nature walks in the Point Nepean National Park where you will overnight with spectacular coastal views.
Day 8 Mornington Peninsula – Apollo Bay ( 40 minute ferry crossing + 134km- 2 hours 35 minutes driving time approx.)
This morning take a ferry crossing between Sorrento and Queenscliff, enjoying superb views of Port Phillip Bay along the way. Arriving in Queenscliff be greeted by windswept beaches as you head South West toward the Great Ocean Road. On route we will stop for photos at Bells Beach and paying a visit to Torquay, one of Australia’s premier surfing destinations. We recommend checking out the National Surf Museum and the beach famous for the Rip Curl Pro, one of the most sought after titles on the world championship circuit. Arriving in Lorne, your guide will accompany you to some of the many fantastic vistas and walking spots that the surrounding area has to offer. The final part of your drive today follows cliff-tops offering incredible views and alongside wild beaches. Arriving in Apollo Bay enjoy an afternoon strolling around the small village and admiring your surroundings.
Day 9 Apollo Bay – Port Fairy via the Twelve Apostles and cape Otway (202km- 3.5 hours driving time approx.)
Leaving Apollo Bay your drive takes you into Cape Otway National Park, one of Australia’s many coastal wonders. For those adventurous enough, we recommend stopping at Otway Fly Tree Top Walk and partaking in an adrenaline zip line tour. From there explore the Cape Otway light station and its breath-taking cliff top views. Further up the road you will discover the world famous Twelve Apostles as well as Loch Ard Gorge. There is the opportunity here to do one of our several nature walks encompassing the majestic coastal views and limestone formations. For those that want a more panoramic view of the Twelve Apostles, there will be the opportunity to view the area by helicopter. Your next stop is Logan’s Beach, known for its Southern Right and Blue Whale visits in winter. Your destination for the evening is the charming fishing Village of Port fairy where you will spend the next 2 nights. We will suggest some fantastic dining featuring scrumptious regional dishes.
Day 10 Port Fairy
Today is a full day to explore Port Fairy at leisure and there are several options to consider. Take a walk around Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve and get up close with kangaroos, emus, koalas, echidnas and several species of birdlife. We also suggest taking a visit to some of the towns galleries, taking a kayak trip on the harbour or take a fishing charter. Your guide will have several fantastic suggestions for you.
Day 11 Port Fairy- Robe (298km- 4 hours driving time approx.)
Leaving Port Fairy, we recommend your first stop should be Portland, Victoria’s first European settlement. Enjoy a coffee with a view whilst looking out to sea. From here you will reach the towering cliffs and sand Petrified Forest at Cape Bridgewater. This is well worth a visit and boasts a resident seal colony as well as sweeping coastal views. Further up the road, make a stop in Mount Gambier which sits on an ancient volcano and visit Umpherston’s sinkhole as well as one of the crater lakes that surround the area. Continue further along the coast to the picturesque fishing port of Robe on the limestone coast of Australia and you destination for the evening.
Day 12 Robe-Adelaide (336km- 4 hours driving time approx.)
The drive today takes you through the Coorong National Park and salt flats around Lake Alexandrina to Mount Barker. We recommend taking a drive to its summit and viewing Adelaide and its picturesque surrounding satellite villages from above. From here, take the drive or walk to the Mount Lofty Summit and enjoy the stunning panoramic views over a coffee or beverage in the summit café. Also explore the spectacular Mount Lofty Botanic Gardens and one of its many nature trails. Your destination for the next 3 nights is the charming cosmopolitan centre of Adelaide. Tonight enjoy dinner in one of the city’s many fantastic hot spots.
Day 13 Adelaide Winery Tour
Today is a full day to explore the wine region of McLaren Vale on an exclusive private wine tour of the region. McLaren Vale is known for its highlight acclaimed wines including Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Mataro and Chardonnay among other varieties. This visit includes both family owned boutique wineries and some of the larger iconic wineries as well as the opportunity to indulge in lunch at a choice of venue. This also includes a visit to Australia’s oldest German settlement, Hahndorf, known for its boutique beer and wines, chocolate shops and charming ancestry and folklore. After a full day exploring, return to Adelaide this evening.
Day 14 Adelaide City sites/ Kangaroo Island
Today is a day to explore the Metropolitan Centre of Adelaide at leisure. Sites that we suggest include Adelaide Botanic Gardens, South Australian Museum, Glenelg Beach and a tour of Adelaide Oval. Alternatively take a full day tour to spectacular Kangaroo Island Visit Seal Bay Conservation Park, Vivonne Bay, Flinders Chase National Park, Remarkable Rocks and Admirals Arch among other spots to see native animals including koalas, kangaroos, wallabies, goannas, echidnas, long-nosed fur seals and more. There is either the option to travel by coach and ferry or by air for spectacular views across the bay. Tonight enjoy a further night in spectacular Adelaide.
Day 15 Departure Day
This morning after further exploring the city, you will be transferred to Adelaide International Airport for your onward travel arrangements. We trust that you have had a memorable exclusive Road Trip with us.