7 Day Melbourne and Grampians Explorer Private Guided Tour
Welcome to Australia’s second smallest state but certainly one of the continent’s most amazing gems. On this 7 day exclusive private guided tour, 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 spectacular scenery in the Grampians Mountains whilst viewing kangaroos in the wild, enjoy a thermal retreat in the thermal hotspot of Daylesford and learn all about the area’s Gold-rush and step back in time with a trip to Ballarat, one of the area’s most prosperous gold claims.
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 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 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. 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- Ballarat (116km- 1 hour 45 minutes driving time approx.)
This morning after being collected by your guide, you will depart Melbourne City and be greeted by the wide open plains as you head for Werribee. Upon arrival take a visit to Werribee Estate and marvel at the historic grounds of this spectacular Mansion built in the 1800’s by the Chirnside Family. There is also the option to take a tour inside the mansion itself and discover its original furnishings and artworks. The next stop is Werribee Open Range Zoo where you will get the opportunity to take part in a spectacular safari as you travel across the zoo’s open plains while getting up close and personal with Rhinoceros, Lions, Hippopotamus and Zebra. This afternoon head through to your destination of the evening, Ballarat, which was of Australia’s most famous gold claims of the 1800’s and one of Victoria’s Heritage Towns. Tonight perhaps enjoy a meal in one of the town’s fine establishments.
Day 4 Ballarat- Halls Gap via Dunkeld (208km- 2 hours 30 minutes driving time approx.)
First up this morning is a visit to Sovereign Hill where you will get the opportunity to step back in time and immerse yourself in Ballarat’s Gold Rush Days. Go shopping in 1850’s style shops , take a fully guided gold mining tour and interact with the goldfields entertainers as they reenact this important era in Australia’ s gold mining history. From here, you will take the journey west toward the Grampians stopping on route at some spectacular walking tracks and vistas. Your destination for the next two nights is situated in the heart of the Grampians in stunning surrounds.
Day 5 Halls Gap and Surrounds
Today is a full day to enjoy Halls Gap and The Grampians with your guide. We suggest taking one of the area’s spectacular nature walks and getting up close and personal with the flora and fauna of the area as well as the opportunity to see kangaroos in the wild. (We will recommend some of our must sees). We will also take a visit to the Brambuk National Park and Culture Centre to learn all about fascinating displays of art and artefacts guided by Aboriginal guides. Tonight enjoy a further night in the heart of the Grampians.
Day 6 Halls Gap- Daylesford (178km- 2 hours 30 minutes driving time approx.)
This morning after further exploring the Grampians, we suggest a visit to one of the area’s many wineries famous for Reisling, Shiraz and Cabernet among other varieties. If time permits enjoy lunch at one of the establishments (optional). From here take the drive through to the thermal village of Daylesford located in the foothills of The Great Dividing Range. This evening relax and unwind with a dip in one of the town’s mineral pools.
Day 7 Daylesford- Melbourne Airport + departure (112km- 1 hour 20 minutes driving time approx.)
This morning after further exploring this majestic thermal village, you will be transferred to Melbourne International Airport for your onward travel arrangements. We trust that you have had a memorable exclusive Road Trip with us.