Kangaroo Island & the Great Ocean Road Adventure (Basix)

After an early morning bus ride from Adelaide Central Bus Station (departs 6:45am), travel along the picture-perfect Fleurieu Peninsula to Cape Jervis for the 45-minute SeaLink ferry ride to Penneshaw, Kangaroo Island. While crossing, it is not uncommon to have an escort of local dolphins that can be viewed from the dolphin deck on the boat. Once you disembark, stop in at Rob’s Shearing and Sheepdogs to check out how sheep are shorn, then continue to Emu Ridge Eucalyptus Distillery – the only commercial eucalyptus distillery in South Australia. Next up is a visit to the Seal Bay Conservation Park, where you’ll have the opportunity to see rare Australian Sea-lions up close in a wild breeding colony. Travel on to the white sand dunes of the Little Sahara, where you’ll get the chance to give sand boarding a shot.

Return to Penshaw for your overnight stay at Penneshaw Beach Stay.  Enjoy some free time to swim, stroll or enjoy the spectacular views at Hoh Bay Beach, take the Kangaroo Island Sculpture Walk through the native bushland, visit the Penneshaw Penguin Centre or relax with a cold beer at the Penneshaw Hotel.

Dinner is included at Sorrento’s Pizzeria.

Notes: The coach transfer from Adelaide to the ferry is approximately 1.5 hours, with a sailing time of 45 minutes. On the Island, you will spend approximately 2 hours in the vehicle with frequent sightseeing. Walking and active time will depend on which optional activities you choose in the afternoon.

Leaving Adelaide in the morning, drive across the state border into Victoria and enter the Grampians. Go for a walk to view the Jaws of Death, hike down to McKenzie Falls and take in the incredible views from Reeds Lookout. Head into the heart of the Grampians, stopping en route for lunch. The last stop of the day will be a spot in the Grampians National Park where kangaroos, wallabies and koalas are often spotted. Tonight’s accommodation is at either Brambuk Backpackers or the Grampians YHA.

Note: Total driving time today is about seven and a half hours (approximately 550kms)
Total walking time will be about two and a half hours (approximately 3.5kms)

After an early morning start, begin the journey along Australia’s glorious Great Ocean Road. Explore Port Campbell National Park, checking out London Bridge, Loch Ard Gorge and the iconic Twelve Apostles rock formation, then sit back and soak up the mesmerising coastal views en route. Experience a guided walk through an ancient and rare temperate rainforest. Stop at Kennett River for the chance to spot koalas before passing through the charming beach towns of Apollo Bay and Lorne. Make the most of a great photo opportunity at some famed surf locations before we stop for a beach walk and then hit the highway back to Melbourne.

Note: Total driving time today is about seven and a half hours (approximately 550kms)
Total walking time will be about two hours (approximately 2kms)

After breakfast, pop into the Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park where you’ll have the opportunity to walk amongst kangaroos and wallabies and help to hand feed them. Many of the animals in the wildlife park are being cared for after being rescued from the bushfires.

Visit Raptor Domain for an awe-inspiring in-flight display of Australian Birds of Prey. The interactive experience will demonstrate the natural skills, adaptions and hunting techniques of Wedge Tailed Eagles, Kookaburras, Sea Eagles and Australian Kestrels to name a few.

Take a stroll through the Emu Bay Lavender farm and enjoy a freshly prepared lunch overlooking the vibrant lavender varieties in terraced rows. Spoil yourself with essential oils and scented candles at the gift shop where you will also have the opportunity to purchase other Kangaroo Island products (at own expense).

Reward yourself with views as far as Mount Lofty in the Adelaide Hills or the south coast and Pennington Bay after a climb to the highest point of Kangaroo Island, Prospect Hill.

There might be several stops made en-route to Penneshaw, where you can purchase dinner (own expense) before you arrive back in Adelaide.

Note: Driving times are no longer than 30 minutes, with constant stops for sightseeing. The ferry Journey is approximately 45 minutes back to the mainland with a journey of 1.5 hours back to central Adelaide. Arrival time will be approximately 10:40pm. Walking distances are several hundred metres at each location.