COASTLINES AND WILDERNESS
Routing: Melbourne to Melbourne
Duration: 7 Days
Code: M23
From AUD$1040.00* per person, based on standard double/twin share accommodation.
Includes: 6 nights’ accommodation, 7 days unlimited km use of a compact sized car and fully detailed itinerary with local and regional maps.
From AUD$1,240.00* per person, based on superior double/twin share accommodation.
Includes: 6 nights’ accommodation, 7 days unlimited km use of a compact sized car, full breakfast in Apollo Bay & Port Fairy and fully detailed itinerary with local and regional maps.
DAY 01: Melbourne to Wilsons Promontory (215 km)
Drive southeast today to Wilsons Promontory. You may wish to take a detour and spend the day on Phillip Island. Philip Island is 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. Continue along the coastal Bass Highway to Wonthaggi and Inverloch where you may like to stop for morning tea before turning onto the Promontory Road which takes you straight into Wilsons Promontory. Spend the afternoon following the many walking tracks through eucalypt forests and wildflowers to secluded coves, white sand beaches and Granite Mountains.
DAY 02: Melbourne to Wilsons Promontory (215 km)
Today spend the day at Leisure to relax and unwind in Wilsons Promontory. There are a wide range of short walks near Tidal River to explore or enjoy the number of beautiful beaches of the west cost of the Prom.
Day 03: Wilsons Promontory to Mornington Peninsula (282 km)
Traveling northwest today will lead you to the picturesque town of Mornington. With seachside café’s, Galleries and wineries, this is the perfect little holiday town.
DAY 04: Mornington Peninsula to Apollo Bay (75 km)
Cruise across Port Phillip Bay to The Bellarine peninsula with Searoad Ferries (a short 40min journey) from Sorrento to Queenscliff. Find foodie experiences mustered together on the Bellarine Taste Trail, highlights include Jack Rabbit Vineyard, Oakdene Vineyards, Flying Brick Cider Co and Little Creatures Brewery for tastings straight from the producers. Travel through 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 05: Apollo Bay to Port Fairy (188 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 06: Port Fairy to Halls Gap (157 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 07: Halls Gap to Melbourne (254 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, Beaufort and Ballarat. Ballarat 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. A must see is Sovereign Hill, an exact recreation of what life was like in the town during the gold
rush. Continue via Bacchus Marsh on the return journey into Melbourne.
Your hire car has been booked until today 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.
