Itinerary

Day 1 : Sydney to Thredbo Alpine Village*

Our first stop is the capital city of Australia – Canberra – where the Prime Minister hangs out. We’ll check out the view from Mt. Ainslie, take a tour of Parliament House, check out a few embassies and see other city highlights. We travel via Cooma, learning about the historically important Snowy Hydro-Electric Scheme on our way to Thredbo. *In ski season (Jun-Sep) we stay in Jindabyne. (D)

Day 2 : Thredbo to Lakes Entrance via Snowy River Country

Grab your hiking boots, we’re going to the ‘Roof of Australia’. There’s a chairlift express up the mountain (seasonal) and you can either walk to the summit of Australia’s highest mountain, Mt Kosciuszko (weather permitting), or to the viewing point. During winter, we have time to play in the snow at the ski resort of Perisher/Smiggins (optional toboggan hire or snow tube at own expense). It’s a spectacular drive along Barry Way, with the Snowy River below. Tonight we stay at Lakes Entrance, the 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

We travel to mainland Australia’s most southerly point, Wilsons Promontory National Park. Walk along gleaming beaches, hike along amazing granite rock formations and learn about coastal flora and native wildlife. You might even see emus and wombats! We finish our tour travelling to Melbourne through pastoral landscapes in South Gippsland. (B)

Accommodation and meals in Melbourne are at own expense. If you wish to stay longer, please advise at time of booking.

Day 4: Melbourne to Great Ocean Road

We pass Geelong and check out the surfing town of Torquay and 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. At Kennett River we spot for koalas and watch and listen to the abundant birdlife. Next we hit the cool temperate rainforest of the Otway National Park, where we spend time at the Otway Fly Tree Top Walk (included) then watch the sun set over the Twelve Apostles. (D)

Day 5 : Twelve Apostles to Grampians National Park

We walk down the Gibson Steps on to the beach for a different view of the Twelve Apostles, or there’s time for a helicopter ride (at own expense). Next up is Loch Ard Gorge, London Bridge, the Bay of Martyrs and Bay of Islands. Watch for whales (seasonal) as we pass through Warrnambool, then head inland to the Grampians National Park. Hikes today include The Pinnacle and Reeds Lookout. You’ll sleep well tonight at our private accommodation. (BD)

Day 6 : Halls Gap to Adelaide

Get your legs working this morning with hikes at Hollow Mountain and the amazing MacKenzie Falls before we farewell The Grampians and travel via Horsham into South Australia. See rare White Western Grey Kangaroos at Bordertown, then cross the Murray River before arriving into Adelaide. (B)