GREAT SOUTHERN TOURING ROUTE
Routing: Melbourne to Melbourne
Duration: 5 Days
Code: M04
From AUD$745.00* per person, based on standard double/twin share accommodation.
Includes: 4 nights’ accommodation, 5 days unlimited km use of a compact sized car, 1 day admission with Gold Museum and fully detailed itinerary with local and regional maps.
From AUD$985.00* per person, based on superior double/twin share accommodation.
Includes: 4 nights’ accommodation, 5 days unlimited km use of a compact sized car, 1 day admission with Gold Museum, full breakfast in Apollo Bay & Port Fairy, continental breakfast in Ballarat and fully detailed itinerary with local and regional maps.
DAY 01: Melbourne to Apollo Bay (186 km)
Collect your car this morning and travel south west from Melbourne on the Princes Highway to Geelong, the largest provincial city in Victoria. Depart Geelong and travel onto Torquay, the surfing capital of Australia. Follow the coast road through Anglesea to Lorne and visit the nearby Erskine Falls. The coastline from Lorne to Apollo Bay has been described as one of the most beautiful and breathtaking drives in the world.
DAY 02: Apollo Bay to Port Fairy (195 km)
Depart Apollo Bay this morning and travel along the fabulous Great Ocean Road to Port Campbell. The road does leave the coast and wind through the ferny slopes of Cape Otway, this rainforest country is silent and untouched. When the road meets the coast again you will see some amazing rock formations including the Twelve Apostles, which are huge stone pillars in the surf, carved over time by the crashing Southern Ocean waves. Continue on to Port Campbell where you will see London Bridge – the broken arch and then through to Warrnambool. You may also like to drive to Tower Hill Nature Reserve where koalas, emus and kangaroos can often be seen. Port Fairy a quaint fishing village is where you will spend the night.
DAY 03: Port Fairy to Halls Gap (158 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 04: Halls Gap to Ballarat (141 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 and entrance to the show is included.
DAY 05: Ballarat to Melbourne (116 km)
Before leaving Ballarat, a visit to The Ballarat Wildlife Park will bring you back into the present with a close encounter with native fauna. From Ballarat travel via Bacchus Marsh on the return journey into Melbourne.
Your hire car has been booked until tomorrow and should be dropped off at the depot prior to the time it was picked up 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.
