THE SOUTHERN EAST TOURING
Routing: Sydneyto Sydney
Duration: 20 Days
Code: S32
From AUD$2,800.00* per person, based on standard double/twin share accommodation.
Includes: 19 nights’ accommodation, 20 days unlimited km use of a compact size car and fully detailed itinerary with local and regional maps.
From AUD$3,630.00* per person, based on superior double/twin share accommodation.
Includes: 19 nights’ accommodation, 20 days unlimited km use of a compact size car, half board in Jervis Bay, continental breakfast in Gipsy Point, full breakfast in Apollo Bay and fully detailed itinerary with local and regional maps.
DAY 01: Sydney to Jervis Bay (198 km or to Kiama 121 km)
Leaving Sydney you will drive south along the Coast line to the beautiful Jervis Bay. Travel south of Sydney through the Royal National Park and onto the Grand Pacific Drive with spectacular coastal scenery. Travel across the impressive Sea Cliff Bridge and through rainforests and quaint coastal villages to reach Wollongong. Take the turn-off for Huskisson and Jervis Bay. Nearby Hyams Beach, is known to have the whitest sand in the world. Jervis Bay is well known for its resident dolphin population and a dolphin cruise is a must (own expense).
DAY 02: Jervis Bay to Batemans Bay (141 km)
Today you will continue your voyage south to Batemans Bay. For the majority of the drive you’ll have National Park views to your West, and stunning coast line views to your East. ‘The Bay’ is well located for driving, trekking or undemanding walks in the Clyde Valley and the spectacular surrounding mountainous national parks.
DAY 03: Batemans Bay to Merimbula (175 km)
Following the Princes Highway you’ll drive through many towns and beautiful forests on your way to the state border of New South Wales and Victoria. Pass through Tilba Tilba, and then drive along the amazing Sapphire Coast to the city of Merimbula where lagoons, lakes and ocean are separated by white sand, and fringed by unspoilt bushland stretching up into the mountains.
DAY 04: Merimbula to Lakes Entrance (267 km or from Gipsy Point 188 km)
Driving south on the Princes Highway, you will pass Cann River and Orbost, situated on the banks of the Snowy River, before travelling on to Lakes Entrance. Lakes Entrance is a unique area with rivers, lakes and lagoons joining 90 Mile Beach.
DAY 05: Lakes Entrance to Wilsons Promontory (274 km)
Leaving Lakes Entrance you’ll continue along the Princes Highway through the stunning Victorian bushland. South east of Sale is the Holey Plains State Park where you can see a variety of Australia’s native flora and fauna before arriving in the Gippsland region. Continue south via Yarram and Foster to reach the extraordinary Wilsons Promontory in the south east.
DAY 06: Wilsons Promontory
Today is at your own leisure to explore Wilsons Promontory. It is riddled with masses of green forests and gardens, stunning mountains, rocky rivers, picturesque towns and, to a large degree, is defined by its long sandy beaches.
DAY 07: Wilsons Promontory to Philip Island (124 km)
A much shorter drive today will take you over to Phillip Island. Home to Australia’s famous Little Penguins; however there are many other sights to see such as the Grand Prix circuit and Fur Seal colony at Seal Rocks. The famous ‘Penguin Parade’ occurs each evening at sunset and should not be missed.
DAY 08: Philip Island to Melbourne (141 km)
Spend the morning exploring Phillip Island then take the short 2hr journey through the eastern suburbs to arrive in Melbourne.
DAY 09: Melbourne
Today is a day at leisure in Melbourne, take in some shopping or discover the hidden laneways and alleys streamed with cafes.
DAY 10: Melbourne to Apollo Bay (197 km)
On leaving Melbourne, cross the West Gate Bridge and take the Princes Highway to Geelong, the largest provincial city in Victoria. From Geelong travel to Torquay, the start of the Great Ocean Road, and recognised as the surfing capital of Australia. After Torquay follow the coast road through Anglesea to the picturesque town of Lorne. Take time to see the beautiful Erskine Falls, and then travel the scenic coastline from Lorne to Apollo Bay. This has been described as one of the most beautiful and breathtaking drives in the world.
DAY 11: Apollo Bay to Port Fairy (188 km)
Depart Apollo Bay this morning and travel along the fabulous Great Ocean Road to Port Campbell. See the amazing rock formations of the Twelve Apostles, which are huge stone pillars sticking out of the surf, carved over time by the crashing Southern Ocean waves. Take the opportunity to see this by helicopter (own expense). Travelling on past Port Campbell you
will see London Bridge – the broken arch. Continue driving to where the ‘Shipwreck Coast’ begins, from Port Campbell and Warrnambool and on to Port Fairy.
DAY 12: Port Fairy to Halls Gap (156 km)
Drive north today to the amazing Grampians National Park with its woodland walks, waterfalls and rock formations. Your journey will take you via Penhurst to Dunkeld, just south of the Grampians. From here a scenic drive will take you through the Grampians National Park to Halls Gap. Highlights include McKenzie Falls, Reids Lookout and the Balconies. The Grampians offer some of the best bush walking, mountain biking, rock climbing and abseiling in Australia.
DAY 13: Halls Gap
Explore the spectacular scenery that is the Grampians National Park. Take one of the many walks and remember your camera.
DAY 14: Halls Gap to Ballarat (140 km)
Just out of Halls Gap is Stawell, home of the Stawell Gift, the richest footrace in the world. In the surrounding areas are some fabulous wineries, such as Montara Estate. Other towns on the way include Ararat and Beaufort. Ballarat is Victoria’s largest inland city. It is famous for being the site of the world’s largest deposit of alluvial gold, and almost a third of all gold found in the colony was taken from its rich quartz reefs. Sovereign Hill, an exact re-creation of what life was like in the town during the gold rush and their nightly show, “Blood on the Southern Cross” is a must see (own expense).
DAY 15: Ballarat to Echuca (213 km)
From Ballarat, travel north east to Echuca: home to the world’s largest fleet of paddle steamers. Try water sports or browse the cafés, shops and restaurants of Echuca.
DAY 16: Echuca to Albury (246 km)
Today, drive east past Shepparton and Wangaratta to Albury. Albury is situated along Australia’s spectacular Murray River. There are plenty of parks where you can both explore and relax including the beautiful Sumsion Gardens featuring a large lagoon with walking tracks.
DAY 17: Albury to Canberra (338 km)
Travel north east toward Canberra. Enjoy the scenery on today’s drive with many National Parks to your right the entire way. Canberra is situated in the Australian Capital Territory and is home to many galleries and museums and the artificially created Lake Burley Griffin.
DAY 18: Canberra to Blue Mountains (317 km)
Depart Canberra and head north east. Turn off the highway onto Sutton Road and continue along this scenic route through many towns including Gunning, Crookwell and Shooters Hill. Travel past Blackheath and onto Katoomba which is the main town in the breathtaking Blue Mountains. The major scenic attraction is Echo Point, from where the best views of the Jamison Valley and the magnificent Three Sisters rock formation are. Visit the spectacular Wentworth Falls, enjoy a trip on the scenic railway with dramatic views of the Jamieson Valley. Visit the picturesque town of Leura and dine in one of the many fine restaurants.
DAY 19: Blue Mountains
Enjoy a day at leisure in the Blue Mountains. There are plenty of lookouts, waterfalls and walking trails in the area as well as interesting cafes, shops and restaurants in towns of Katoomba, Leura and Blackheath. Perhaps visit the Norman Lindsay Gallery and Museum or drive out to look at the Jenolan Caves (140 kilometres return trip or one hour west of Katoomba).
DAY 20: Blue Mountains to Sydney (100 km)
Leave the Blue Mountains, head east towards Sydney on the Western Highway and pass through Springwood, Blaxland and Glenbrook, before linking to the Western Motorway to Sydney.
Your vehicle is booked until tomorrow and should be returned by the same time it was collected on Day 1 to avoid additional charges.
*Prices are subject to availability and conditions apply. Valid until 31 March, 2021. For dates after this or if you would like to make any changes, please contact us direct for a quote.
