16 Day Melbourne to Adelaide: Great Ocean Road & Kangaroo Island Explorer Tour

YOUR DAY

Welcome to Australia. You will be met at the airport and transferred into the city by shuttle (or you can pick up a rental car for self drive). From here the day is free to explore Melbourne and discover some of the incredible cafes, bars, restaurants and landmarks at your leisure.

We provide a detailed interactive travel app that will ensure that the best spots are able to be navigated by the push of a button.

Tonight in Melbourne enjoy dinner at Reine & La Rue. At Reine & La Rue enjoy there take on French fare, from small bites and entrées to wood fired meats, or indulge in our raw seafood bar, shucking oysters to order. Sit and enjoy the history and theatre of the room with a classic cocktail in hand.

YOUR DAY

This morning enjoy taking in Melbourne aboard a hot air balloon flight over the city at sunrise. Soar over modern skyscrapers, urban parks, famous sporting arenas, and the Yarra River as early morning light bathes the skyline in a rosy glow.

You will have time after your ride to take in some museums or markets at your leisure.

This afternoon, Get a different perspective at Melbourne’s iconic sights on a kayak tour along the Yarra River. Leave from Federation Square and paddle past popular sights such as Princes Bridge, Flinders Street Station, Crown Casino, and the Docklands district. Take in the beautiful city skyline and enjoy a relaxing day on the river on this 2-hour tour, perfect for all ages and skill levels.

YOUR DAY

Today is a full day to explore Melbourne and experience the ins and outs of this vibrant metropolis. Melbourne has long been hailed as the foodie capital of Australia, and its cuisine is as diverse as the city itself. this afternoon you will join a walking food tour, discover Melbourne’s best restaurants, coffee shops, and street food vendors with a local expert. Along the way, explore the city’s narrow laneways, historical arcades, and vibrant street art — and, of course, sample a variety of delicious foods.

This afternoon i recommend checking out the Queen Victoria Market a vibrant hub of local life and flavor. This historic market is a feast for the senses, brimming with fresh produce, gourmet cheeses, artisan bread, meats, seafood, and an array of multicultural street food. Wander through its lively aisles, sample local delicacies, and chat with passionate stallholders who bring the market to life. Whether you’re picking up picnic supplies or just soaking in the atmosphere, the Queen Vic Market offers an authentic taste of Melbourne’s food culture.

YOUR DAY

100 km, 2 hour 15 minutes driving approx. 

Today we can arrange your rental car collection, or a private tour guide to Pick you up depending on your preferences 

This morning take 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 Morning upon arrival is free to explore the area’s natural surrounds at leisure, visit two of the many cellar doors in the region or simply relax and unwind.

This Afternoon 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.

Tonight enjoy a meal in one of the area’s fantastic restaurants

YOUR DAY

This morning after departing your accommodation, take the drive through to 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.

Tonight we will book you into Chapel Lane for the best dining experience eon the island

This evening you will enjoy one of the island’s best highlights; a twilight tour to view little penguins on parade at sunset.

YOUR DAY

152km, 2 hours 20 minutes driving time approx

This morning, take the trip through to Mount Eliza where 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 area’s 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 stay overnight with spectacular coastal views.

Late this afternoon you will visit the Moonlit sanctuary for a private one-hour walk through the Sanctuary with your own keeper. You can cuddle up to a koala, play with the dingoes, hold an owl or python, and stroke a wombat!

Your Day

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 Philip Bay along the way. Arriving in Queenscliff be greeted by windswept beaches as you head South West toward the Great Ocean Road. On route perhaps 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, we suggest checking out 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.

YOUR DAY

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 (at additional cost) 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 night.

YOUR DAY

Today is a full day to explore magical Port Fairy at leisure and be acquainted with this charming seaside village. Fully recommended is a visit to Griffiths Island Lighthouse, a stroll through the village along the Moyne River or a gander at some of the town’s galleries. For a chance to really unwind perhaps enjoy a massage at the town Spa.

Today you could make the just under 2 hour drive each way to the nature of Grampians National Park. This is a nature reserve in Victoria, Australia. It’s known for its sandstone mountains, wildflowers and wildlife including echidnas and wallabies. Near the village of Halls Gap, the Brambuk Aboriginal Cultural Centre gives insight into local Aboriginal history and rock art. Trails lead to waterfalls like towering MacKenzie Falls and lookouts such as the Balconies, with views of the Victoria Range.

This afternoon you will enjoy a begginner’s lesson at the Port Fairy Surf School – Port Fairy’s longest running accredited professional surf school. This group beginner surfing lesson will get you safely up and onto your first wave before you’ve had time to worry about falling off. Designed for anyone who wants to give surfing a try, Port Fairy Surf School promises to give you an authentic taste of surfing, useful safety information about waves and the beach, and a smile that you won’t be able to wipe off for hours!

YOUR DAY

Coastal and Inland scenery await you on this memorable drive through to the seaside village of Robe.

Your first stretch follows the coastal road to Portland, Victoria’s first European settlement.

Check out the hundreds of heritage buildings and watch fishing boats unload their catch on the waterfront. From here take the scenic coastal route to rugged Cape Nelson State Park and the towering sea cliffs of Cape Bridgewater. Look over the deep-blue waters of Bridgewater Bay, explore a sand-petrified forest and walk around the cape to see the large fur seal colony.

Back on the highway, drive through Nelson and across the South Australian border. Visit Mount Gambier, which sits on an ancient extinct volcano and is circled by crater lakes such as Blue Lake, named after the vivid colour it turns from November to February. Drive north to Penola and to Coonawarra, where you can sample cabernet sauvignon in some of the 20 cellar doors. Alternatively, drive through the fishing towns of the Limestone Coast to picturesque Robe.

Tonight serves up the opportunity to dine on scrumptious local lobster and swim or walk along picturesque Long Beach.

YOUR DAY

265km, 3.5 hours driving time

Begin your journey by exploring some of the local museums along the way, where you can delve into the area’s historical and cultural heritage. A recommended stop is the historical township of Wellington on the Murray River. These visits offer a fascinating glimpse into the pioneering past of the region and the chance to see artifacts and exhibitions that tell stories of yesteryears.

As you continue your drive, enjoy the changing landscapes that transition from coastal vistas to lush vineyards as you approach Langhorne Creek. Be sure to take a leisurely drive along the banks of the famous Murray River. Here, you can take a moment to stretch your legs, enjoy the tranquil river views, and perhaps have a picnic lunch by the water’s edge.

Upon arrival in Langhorne Creek, dedicate the afternoon to relaxing and unwinding at one of the local wineries. Langhorne Creek is known for its robust reds and crisp whites, and visiting a winery here is a perfect way to cap off your day. Enjoy a guided tasting session where you can sample a selection of the region’s best wines, learn about the winemaking process. Finish your visit by relaxing in the winery’s picturesque settings, with a gourmet meal included.

YOUR DAY

225km, 3 hours & 50 minutes Driving/Ferry time

This morning make your way for a scenic journey to Cape Jervis through the Fleurieu Peninsula with its vineyards, hills and coastal landscapes. At Cape Jervis, board the SeaLink Kangaroo Island ferry for the 45 minute crossing to Penneshaw on Kangaroo Island. Upon arriving at Penneshaw, discover the island’s unique wildlife, including native birds, echidnas, wallabies, and kangaroos, thriving in their predator-free natural habitat. Witness the island’s 250 bird species, some exclusive due to mainland isolation. At Seal Bay Conservation Park, stroll alongside the resident Australian sea lion colony. Keep an eye out for koalas, echidnas, and the rare glossy black cockatoo. As the day ends, watch kangaroos graze in open pastures.

YOUR DAY

Today you will be able to visit the Flinders Chase NP with Remarkable Rocks, Admiral Arch, Rocky River Visitor Centre, Heritage Koala Walk and Vivonne Bay.

There will be the opportunity to observe a lot of wildlife including kangaroos, koalas, fur seals and some time the elusive echidna.

Birds species are varied and abundant in Kangaroo Island and we will see some beautiful cockatoos like the Crimson Rosella and the Rainbow Lorikeet.

Enjoy another night on this nature island.

YOUR DAY

336km 4 hours driving time (plus ferry)

After a hearty breakfast, perhaps travel to the western end of the island and discover the Flinders Chase National Park, one of the oldest and most important national parks in South Australia. The park incorporates almost 20 per cent of the island and much of it is a Wilderness Protection Area which is home to a variety of fauna and flora unique to Kangaroo Island.

At Admirals Arch see where the powerful forces of nature have cut through the headland to create this natural geological formation. Watch some of the 10,000 healthy Long-nosed Fur Seals in their colony at Cape du Couedic and take a stroll around the historic Cape du Couedic Lighthouse and Weir’s Cove.

Next, perhaps discover the picturesque formations of Remarkable Rocks. These large granite boulders balance dramatically on the cliff edge, which plunges 75 metres into the Southern Ocean.

Return to Adelaide by ferry in the late afternoon. Upon arrival return to your inner city hotel where the evening is free to spend at leisure.

YOUR DAY

Start your day at the Adelaide Central Market with a food tour, tasting local specialties. Then, explore the Adelaide Botanic Garden, marveling at its lush landscapes and conservatories. For lunch, dine in North Terrace and visit the Art Gallery of South Australia to view its diverse art collections. Spend your afternoon in Glenelg, enjoying the beach and possibly a scenic helicopter flight. In the evening, if it’s February, catch a show at the Adelaide Fringe Festival, and end your day with dinner at a top Adelaide restaurant, pairing your meal with fine South Australian wine.

YOUR DAY

Today farewell a great trip. We will arrange for you to drop off your rental car at either Adelaide Airport or City depending on your preference. We wish you safe onward travels.