15 Day Victoria, South Australia and the Great Ocean Road Discoverer Private Guided Tour
Encompassing 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. Intimately get to know Melbourne, Australia’s second largest cosmopolitan centre, be blown away by the scenery on the Great Ocean Road and its quaint villages including a visit to the Twelve Apostles, 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 transferred into your inner city accommodation. Today is a full day to explore Melbourne at leisure. 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 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 make a visit to Melbourne Zoo, one of Australia’s favourite attractions. Discover the Platypus; get up close and personal with Koalas, 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. Here you will find 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-known 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 4 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 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 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 6 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 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 lookout points. Keep watch for the area’s Silver Gulls. 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 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. Perhaps explore 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. En route we will stop for photos at Bells Beach and pay 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 to admire 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 clifftop 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 to get up close with kangaroos, emu, koala, echidna and birdlife. We also suggest visiting the towns galleries, taking a kayak trip on the harbour or heading onto the water with a fishing charter. Your guide will have plenty of fantastic suggestions for you.
Day 11 Port Fairy – Robe (298km – 4 hours driving time approx.)
Leaving Port Fairy, we recommend your first stop 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 of the 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, visit Mount Gambier which sits on an ancient volcano hosting 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 your destination for the evening.
Day 12 Robe – Adelaide (336km – 4 hours driving time approx.)
The drive today takes you through the Coorong National Park, Salt Flats and around Lake Alexandrina to Mount Barker. We recommend taking a drive to the summit and viewing Adelaide and the 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 the 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 restaurants.
Day 13 Adelaide Winery Tour
Today is a full day to explore the wine region of McLaren Vale on a private wine tour of the region. McLaren Vale is known for its acclaimed wines including Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Mataro and Chardonnay among other varieties. This visit includes family owned boutique wineries and larger iconic wineries, as well as the opportunity to indulge in lunch at one of these fabulous vineyards. 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.
Day 14 Adelaide City sites / Kangaroo Island
Today is a day to explore the Metropolitan Centre of Adelaide at leisure. We highly recommend 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 to see native animals including koala, kangaroo, wallabies, goanna, echidna, long-nosed fur seals and more. There is the option to travel by coach and ferry or by air for spectacular views across the bay. Enjoy the final night of your Australian adventure 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.
