Tastes of Southern Australia

Day 1: Sydney – Canberra

Depart Sydney this morning and travel through the rolling hills and verdant pastures of the Southern Highlands. Pause at historic Berrima before arriving to Gold Creek Station.  Meet local sheep farmer, Craig Starr and get a taste of life on the farm before you join Craig and his family for a good Aussie BBQ Be My Guest lunch. Your final destination for the day is the country’s capital where you’ll enjoy a tour through Parliament House with a local guide. Later visit the Australian War Memorial and stay to hear the evocative Last Post. Join your Travel Director and fellow travellers tonight and get to know each other over a delicious meal.

Hotel: Crowne Plaza Canberra

Day 2: Canberra – Wangaratta

This morning, you’ll drive to the summit of Mt. Ainslie for panoramic views of Canberra and surrounds. Journey over the mighty Murray River into Victoria taking the scenic route to historic Beechworth, Victoria’s best-preserved gold rush town. The region offers plenty of great photo opportunities, with tree-covered ranges, wild rivers and tranquil rural farmlands. Get to know Beechworth with an orientation and some storytelling over a “cuppa” with a local. Enjoy some free time to explore the antique shops, galleries and the museum. Tonight, you’ll stay in the cathedral town of Wangaratta.

Hotel: Quality Hotel Wangaratta

Day 3: Wangaratta – Melbourne

Travel to historic Glenrowan and on through Ned Kelly country to cosmopolitan Melbourne, Australia’s sporting and cultural capital. Gain some interesting insights on an orientation tour of the city, then take some time to explore independently.

Hotel: Crowne Plaza Hotel Melbourne, 2 nights

Day 4: Melbourne Free time

Today is free for you to explore the delights of Melbourne. You could start your morning with an up-close tour of Melbourne’s laneways and spend your afternoon at Philip Island witnessing the Penguin Parade. If wine and lush scenery is more your style, check out the Puffing Billy Steam Train journey through the Dandenong Ranges followed by wine tasting in the Yarra Valley. Speak to your Tour Director, the many choices are yours.

Day 5: Melbourne – Warrnambool

Hold on to your seats and make sure your camera is charged for one of the world’s great road trips – the Great Ocean Road! Enjoy spectacular scenery that never ends and the quaint seaside towns of Lorne and Apollo Bay before arriving at the limestone stacks of the Twelve Apostles rising majestically from the wild Southern Ocean. Nearby you’ll see Loch Ard Gorge and London Bridge natural rock formation before arriving in the rural town of Warrnambool.

Hotel: Deep Blue Hotel & Hot Springs

Day 6: Warrnambool – Naracoorte

Visit Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve, where your guide will provide you with an Indigenous perspective on the area’s flora, wildlife and volcanic formations. Cross the border into South Australia with a stop at Mt. Gambier, home to the Blue Lake. Continue to the world-renowned Coonawarra wine region for a wine tasting. Before arriving in Naracoorte you’ll be joined by a local expert for a guided tour through the Alexandra Cave.

Hotel: William MacIntosh Motor Lodge, Naracoote

Day 7: Naracoorte – Kangaroo Island

Journey today to the Fleurieu Peninsula, where rolling hills are complemented by rugged clifftops, sandy beaches and the winding Murray River. Visit the charming seaside town of Victor Harbour before a ferry takes you to Kangaroo Island, famous for its unique natural beauty and fine produce. Visit Kangaroo Island’s only boutique brewery to taste a selection of fine, local beers. Your destination tonight is Kingscote, South Australia’s oldest European settlement.

Hotel: Aurora Ozone Hotel, 2 nights

Day 8: Kangaroo Island

Begin your exploration of fascinating Kangaroo Island today with a visit to the spectacular Remarkable Rocks and Admirals Arch followed by a guided tour of the AAT Kings sponsored Hanson Bay Wildlife Sanctuary which was badly affected by the 2019 bushfires. Learn what part fire plays within this delicate ecosystem and how the koalas and other wildlife are adapting to their environment. This is followed by a delicious lunch featuring fresh, local produce before joining a local specialist at Seal Bay Conservation Park for a guided walk among a colony of rare sea lions in one of the country’s most important breeding colonies. Tonight, is free at leisure for you to explore.

Day 9: Kangaroo Island – Adelaide

This morning, board your ferry to cross back to the mainland and travel to picturesque Adelaide, the ‘City of Churches’. You’ll take an orientation tour with your Travel Director before checking into your hotel.  This afternoon you are free to explore. Why not choose one of our Optional tours or speak with your Travel Director about recommendations. There’s plenty to see, do and taste!  Did you know that Adelaide boasts more restaurants per capita than any other city in Australia?  You do now!

Hotel: Crowne Plaza Adelaide, 2 nights

Day 10: Adelaide Hills & The Barossa

Discover the rolling Adelaide Hills and the renowned Barossa Valley today, stopping first at picturesque Hahndorf, Australia’s oldest surviving German settlement. Wander down its tree-lined streets and take time to explore the quaint shops. Continue to the Barossa Valley for lunch at the South Australian Company Store where you’ll try tempting canapés made up of fresh local produce, followed by a delicious main meal of your choice. From here you’ll visit famous Seppeltsfield for an indulgent wine tasting followed by free time to wander around the Jam Factory, watching local artisans at work. Travel back to Adelaide this afternoon through landscape dotted with stone cottages and olive groves to join your Travel Director and travelling companions for a Farewell Dinner.

Day 11: Farewell from Adelaide

After an indulgent trip away, it’s time to bid farewell to your fellow travellers after breakfast when your holiday comes to an end.