Product Description
Highlights
Travel along the Great Ocean Road. Stop at spectacular Loch Ard Gorge. Witness the Twelve Apostles near Port Campbell. Go hiking in the Grampians National Park
Overview
Take a memorable road trip through Victoria and South Australia, starting from Melbourne and taking in each twist and turn of the Great Ocean Road. Channel your inner surfer at some famed boarding locations, drink in the sweeping vistas of the Twelve Apostles and Loch Ard Gorge, and get an insight into local Aboriginal history in the lush surrounds of the Grampians National Park. Continue through the Adelaide Hills and cross to Kangaroo Island. Much of this stunning landscape is protected and is home to an abundance of native wildlife like sea lions, koalas and, of course, the odd roo or two. Meet the residents at Seal Bay, slide a sand board down the dunes of Little Sahara, keep your eyes peeled for the fuzzy guys that live up the eucalyptus trees of Hanson Bay wildlife Sanctuary, and marvel at the huge boulders of the Remarkable Rocks.
Breakfast Included: 3 Lunches Included: 3 Lunches Included: 2
The Great Ocean Road
Leaving Melbourne, hit the road west to Geelong and the famous surf town of Torquay. From there, begin the journey along one of Australia’s most beautiful and famous drives, the Great Ocean Road. Stop in at Kennett River for some koala spotting, then break for lunch in Apollo Bay. Continue on to the Twelve Apostles and Loch Ard Gorge, spending the night in Warrnambool.
The Grampians
Begin the day checking out more of the Great Ocean Road's wonders, then drive into the Grampians National Park – an area rich in Aboriginal culture and beautiful landscapes. Visit the Brambuk Aboriginal Culture Centre to learn about the period known as the Dreaming, then hike up to the Pinnacles for impressive views across the Grampians. Tonight you'll enjoy a traditional Aussie barbecue in Halls Gap.
The Grampians to Adelaide
Hike up to McKenzie Falls, the highest waterfalls in the Grampians, and check out other sights such as The Balconies, Reeds Lookout and the Jaws of Death. Leaving the Grampians, pass through the town of Horsham before crossing the famed mighty Murray River and making the last leg of the journey into Adelaide.
Adelaide to Kangaroo Island
After an early morning start from the Adelaide Central Bus Station (meet at the SeaLink desk at 6.15am for a 6.45am departure), travel along the picture-perfect Fleurieu Peninsula to Cape Jervis for the 45-minute SeaLink ferry ride to Penneshaw, Kangaroo Island. While crossing, it is not uncommon to have an escort of local dolphins that can be viewed from the dolphin deck on the boat. Once you disembark, stop in at Rob's Shearing and Sheepdogs to check out how sheep are shorn, then continue to Emu Ridge Eucalyptus Distillery – the only commercial eucalyptus distillery in South Australia. Next up is a visit to the Seal Bay Conservation Park, where you'll have the opportunity to see rare Australian Sea-lions up close in a wild breeding colony. Travel on to the white sand dunes of the Little Sahara, where you’ll get the chance to give sand boarding a shot, then arrive at your exclusive accommodation in Vivonne Bay Lodge. Enjoy some free time to kayak on the Harriet River, go for a self-guided walk along the property’s tracks, head out trail bike riding or swimming, or simply kick back along Vivonne Bay Beach. The locals will come to greet you in the evening, and by locals we mean the Kangaroos that give this incredible Island it’s name.
Kangaroo Island to Adelaide
After breakfast, pop into the Hanson Bay Wildlife Sanctuary for a walk among eucalyptus trees in search of lazing koalas. Next, continue on to Flinders Chase National Park, arriving at iconic Remarkable Rocks ahead of the crowds. Ramble across its craggy coastline, marvel at its dramatic seascapes, and then stop in at Admirals Arch on Cape Du Couedic to see the resident fur seals frolicking in the ocean or basking on the rocks. If time and weather permits, there might be several stops made en route to Penneshaw, where you can purchase dinner (own expense) before you arrive back in Adelaide, where this trip comes to an end.
Note: Driving time whilst on the island will be the majority of the day, with constant stops for sightseeing. The ferry Journey is approximately 45 minutes back to the mainland with a journey of 1.5 hours back to central Adelaide. Arrival time will be approximately 10:40pm. Walking distances are several hundred metres at each location.
