Itinerary

Day 1: Sydney to Jindabyne (via Canberra)

Canberra is Australia’s Capital city and where our Prime Minister hangs out, this is where we head to on our way out of Sydney. We’ll do a tour of Parliament House check out a few embassies and see other city highlights. After lunch, we go to Cooma and learn a little about the Snowy Hydro-Electric Scheme (one of the most complex integrated water and hydro-electric power schemes in the world). Arrive Jindabyne in the late afternoon, a town with a relaxed alpine village feel. There’s time for trout fishing in the lake or you could even go water skiing or wake boarding (all at own expense and seasonal). Tonight you’ll enjoy dinner and overnight accommodation at Lake Jindabyne (all included). Kick back and relax with a sauna, swim or a drink at the bar. (D)

Day 2: Australian Alps to Lakes Entrance via Snowy River Country

After breakfast, a hike along an alpine track rewards you with stunning views of the glacial ‘Blue Lake’ and the top of Mt Kosciuszko (Australia’s highest point). During winter, we’ve got time to play in the snow at the ski resort of Perisher/Smiggins (optional toboggan hire or snow tube at own expense). After lunch, it’s a spectacular drive along the remote Barry Way, with the Snowy River winding along below us. Cross into Victoria before arriving at our overnight stop at the coastal town of Lakes Entrance, gateway to the Gippsland Lakes and Australia’s longest beach – Ninety Mile Beach. (BD)

Day 3: Lakes Entrance to Wilsons Promontory National Park and Melbourne

If you’re an early bird, it’s a great chance for a walk before we drive to Wilsons Promontory National Park. Once there, walk along white sandy beaches, watch the ocean pound onto the southernmost point of the mainland, hike along amazing granite rock formations and learn about coastal flora and native wildlife. You might even see emus and wombats. We’ll finish our tour travelling to Melbourne through pastoral landscapes in South Gippsland. (B)

Take a break in Melbourne and book back on the next convenient departure for you

Day 1: Melbourne via Great Ocean Road to Princetown

Our trip begins as we leave Melbourne and head through Geelong towards the coast to Torquay, with a stop to shop at Quiksilver and Rip Curl before we continue to world famous Bells Beach. Our Great Ocean Road journey begins here as we wind our way along one of the most spectacular coastal roads in Australia.
We stop to see some koalas before passing through the seaside town of Lorne on our way to Apollo Bay, where we’ll stop for lunch (own expense). Next we hit the cool temperate rainforest of the Otway National Park, spending some time at the magnificent Otway Fly, 25 metre high elevated tree top walk. We cap off the day watching the sun set over the Twelve Apostles. We’ll stay overnight in the coastal township of Princetown. (D)

Day 2: Princetown to Grampians National Park

Start the day with an optional helicopter ride over the amazing 12 Apostles or walk down the Gibson Steps to the beach to get a different angle of the limestone stacks. Next we head on to check out Loch Ard Gorge and the western end of the Great Ocean Road including London Bridge, the Bay of Martyrs and Bay of Islands. You may spot a whale or two (seasonal) at Warrnambool, where we have a stop. From here we travel through country Victoria, arriving at the magnificent Grampians National Park to the challenge of a hike to the top of the Pinnacle. The day is topped off by a walk to The Balconies and Reeds Lookout, before we get to our overnight Grampians accommodation. (BD)

Day 3: Grampians National Park to Adelaide

Get your legs working this morning with hikes at Hollow Mountain and the amazing MacKenzie Falls, where you’ll experience the breathtaking views stretching over the north of the Grampians. Leaving this magical place, we travel west, stopping for lunch at Horsham (own expense) before continuing through the agricultural region of Victoria and in to South Australia. Bordertown is home of the rare White Western Grey Kangaroos. Crossing the mighty Murray River, king of Australia’s rivers, we wind our way through the picture-pretty Adelaide Hills before arriving into Adelaide city. (B)