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Days
13
Price from
2240AUD
Map of Melbourne to Perth Overland including Australia

Melbourne to Perth over 13 amazing days

Start in the world's most liveable city of Melbourne and head west on the iconic Great Ocean Road through the Grampians National Park to Adelaide. Hug the coastline from Adelaide to Perth, dropping into Port Lincoln for a frolic with the sea lions, or a dip with the great white sharks if you dare. Check out Esperance and Fitzgerald National Parks before cruising onto Perth via Wave Rock.

Start
Melbourne, Australia
Finish
Perth, Australia
Destinations
Victoria, Great Ocean Road, South Australia, Outback, Southern Ocean, Western Australia, West Coast
Style
Basix
Theme
Explorer
Code
PBANC
Physical rating
Ages
Min 8
Group size
Min 1, Max 24

Why you'll love this trip

  • Hike up to the Pinnacles for impressive views across the Grampians

  • Witness the stunning blue seas, powder white sands and secluded bays of Cape Le Grand National Park

  • Take the chance to swim with sea lions and dolphins in Baird Bay

  • Be treated to exceptional views of Loch Ard Gorge

  • Keep an eye out for Koalas high in the gumtrees along the world renowned Great Ocean Road

Is this trip right for you?

  • This trip is a combination of multishare dormitory accommodation that may be mixed gender. Between Adelaide and Perth, we camp in swags in National parks with very basic toilet and shower facilities.

  • You're literally crossing our great country from east to west, so there are some serious km we have to cover. Be prepared with reading material and music for those long days.

The Great Australian Bight in South Australia
The Pinnacles, Grampians National Park, Victoria, Australia
Gibsons Steps at the 12 Apostles, Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia
Canopy walk in Western Australia
Blue Water in Esperance, Western Australia
Hikers at Margaret River in Western Australia

Itinerary
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Departing Melbourne, hit the road west to Geelong and the famous surf town of Torquay. From there, begin the journey along one of Australia’s most beautiful and famous drives, the Great Ocean Road. Experience a guided walk through an ancient and rare temperate rainforest. Check out the enormous trees that are native to the area. Stop for some koala spotting, then break for lunch in Apollo Bay. Continue on to the Twelve Apostles and Loch Ard Gorge, spending the night in Warrnambool.

Note: Total driving time today is about six and a half hours (approximately 450kms)
Total walking time will be about two hours (approximately 2kms)
Included Activities
  • 12 Apostles & London Bridge
  • Koala spotting - Great Ocean Road
  • Melba Gully Walk - Otway Ranges
  • Swim at Lorne (Summer months)
  • Loch Ard Gorge
Meals Included
  • Lunch

Begin the day checking out more of the Great Ocean Road's wonders, then drive into the Grampians National Park – an area rich in Aboriginal culture and beautiful landscapes. We'll visit the Brambuk Aboriginal Culture Centre to learn about the period known as the Dreaming, then hike up to the Pinnacles for impressive views across the Grampians. Tonight we enjoy a traditional Aussie BBQ in Halls Gap.

Note: Total driving time today is about six hours (approximately 400kms)
Total walking time will be about four hours (approximately 5kms)
Included Activities
  • Brambuk Culture Centre
  • Mackenzie Falls - Grampians
  • Pinnacles Walk - Grampians
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner

Headed north we’ll stop in at Clare for a quick coffee before continuing on to the ancient Southern Flinders Ranges. So unique are the fossils found in this landscape, geologists had to revise the geologic time-line of the Earth’s history, identifying a new era called the Ediacaran period! Hike Alligator Gorge where we’ll have lunch and explore the pristine Warren Gorge where we’ll be spending the night camped out under the stars of the Southern Cross.


Today we drive approx. 400 km (4 hours) in total with stops along the way.
Accommodation
  • Bush camp (no facilities) (1 night)
Included Activities
  • All National Park entry fees
Meals Included
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

Its an early morning start to travel to the wild and beautiful Eyre Peninsula, one of Australia’s best kept secrets. See some unique outback silo art in the tiny town of Kimba and after a quick pit stop for lunch, it’s time to head to the coast to explore Venus Bay, Talia Caves. Next its to the Lake Newland sand dunes where adrenaline junkies can test out their sand boarding skills.

In the late afternoon we arrive at Coodlie Park Farm Retreat. This working farm has traditional cropping, sheep and a project of tree planting on their own land to offset their own carbon emissions.

Today we drive approx 450km (5 hours) in total with stops along the way.

Accommodation
  • Farmstay (with basic facilities) (1 night)
Included Activities
  • All National Park entry fees
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

This morning we’ll continue driving along the coast to then do a learn to surf lesson on a remote and pristine beach. Those not wanting to surf will be able to relax, swim or explore Sceale Bay while the others test their surf skills.
For those wanting to experience one of Australia's most unique wildlife experiences of swimming with dolphins and sea lions. This incredible optional wildlife experience involves a four hour boat cruise. We find the friendly populations and swim and snorkel amongst them. There is nothing that can parallel the feeling of communing with wild creatures such as these. If you wish to take up this option please notify us in advance so we can make the necessary arrangements. Those who choose to stay on land will travel to Point Labatt Conservation Park, the only place on the mainland where Australian seal pups can be seen learning to swim, play and rest on the beach
Accommodation
  • Camping (with basic facilities) (1 night)
Included Activities
  • All National Park entry fees
Optional Activities
  • Swim with Sea Lions and Dolphins - Baird Bay - AUD180
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

There is no getting out of a long drive today as we start to travel across the mighty Nullarbor Plain. Crossing the Nullarbor has become a rite of passage for backpackers and for Australians it is the quintessential experience of the Australian Outback. Take a snap the world famous wombat, kangaroo and camel road sign, see jaw dropping scenery at the longest continuous cliff coast line in the Southern Hemisphere, the spectacular Bunda Cliffs or “Edge of Australia”.
Stop at the iconic Nullarbor Roadhouse, explore the ruins of an old telegraph station and come afternoon cross the border into WA where tonight’s free entertainment is provided courtesy of the celestial sphere.
Tonight we bush camp under the Southern skies on the Nullarbor


Today's distance is approx. 7 hours, with break stops.
Accommodation
  • Bush camp (no facilities) (1 night)
Included Activities
  • All National Park entry fees
  • Head of the Bight entry and Whale watching (in season)
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

Another early rise this morning as we travel the last part of the Nullarbor visiting the Caiguna Blowhole for some free air conditioning from the ocean. With their planetary sounding names and strewn about space junk, the small towns of Balladonia and Norseman have a slightly intergalactic atmosphere about them. Balladonia shot to worldwide fame in 1979 when the Skylab space station returned to earth here rather abruptly. After lunch we continue the drive to Esperance, which may seem like a bustling metropolis after a couple of days in the outback.

After another reasonably big drive day, get ready for some of Australia’s most spectacular scenery with this part of WA having no less than 9 National Parks and some of the best beaches in the world. We’ll set up camp in the spectacular Cape Le Grand National Park

Today we drive approx 7 hours, with break stops along the way
Accommodation
  • Camping (with basic facilities) (1 night)
Included Activities
  • All National Park entry fees
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

Crystal clear waters, powdery white sands, expansive granite bluffs… and sunbathing kangaroos? Sound like a dream? Well its not because today you’ll wake up in one of Australia’s best known and most spectacular National Parks. Pristine and perfect are two words that reflect its absolute beauty. The ocean here is practically transparent, the local western grey ‘roos are regularly sunbaking on the beach and the sand at Lucky Bay has twice been judged Australia’s whitest. So beautiful is this park we will be spending the whole day here exploring, swimming, bushwalking and you’ll also have some free time to do whatever you please.

We drive approx 10 minutes today, and walks will vary from 2-4 hours
Accommodation
  • Camping (with basic facilities) (1 night)
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

Head down to the beach nice and early to make friends with some of the local kangaroo’s then we’ll be hiking Frenchman’s Peak, where beautiful vistas span right across Cape Le Grand and the Recherche Archipelago. Refuel with a lunch stop on one of the many beaches on Esperance’s Great Ocean Drive then settle in for the onwards drive to our Stirling Ranges campsite at Mount Trio.

We drive for about 5 hours today, and walk for 2 and a half also.
Accommodation
  • Camping (with basic facilities) (1 night)
Included Activities
  • All National Park entry fees
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

Today’s an early start as we visit the oldest mountain range in the world, the unique Porongurups which rise from the landscape like an island. Set out on a two-hour hike through some spectacular forests to Castle Rock which is a bit of a climb but worth every bit of effort as you are rewarded with breathtaking views over the region. Then traveling along Western Australia’s answer to Victoria’s Great Ocean Road, you’ll be treated to superb views of sun-bleached boulders, turquoise seas and dramatic red-rock cliffs shaped by eons of crashing waves and rolling tides. Visit the Gap, Natural Bridge, Elephant Rocks and Green Pool for a swim in a sheltered swim and then a stop at the largest Tingle Tree in Western Australia.

It is just over 5 hours from Lucky Bay to Stirling Ranges, with about one hour walking on the way.
Accommodation
  • Camping (with basic facilities) (1 night)
Included Activities
  • All National Park entry fees
  • Ancient Empire Walk - Valley of the Giants
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

If you are feeling brave today you can climb the 50 metre Diamond Tree, a native karri tree once used as a fire lookout and only 1 of 3 wooden top towers in the world. Next it’s time tantalise those tastebuds as we spend the rest of the day tasting our way around the Margaret River region visiting boutique wineries, breweries, a chocolate factory and a cheese factory, sampling as we go. Cheers to that.

Today we drive approx 5 hours making stops along the way.
Accommodation
  • Camping (with basic facilities) (1 night)
Included Activities
  • All National Park entry fees
  • The Diamond Tree
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

On the last day of the trip you’ll wake to the now-familiar warble of kookaburras and cockatoos before heading to Dunsborough where you’ll meet Wardandi custodian Josh, who will introduce you to the world’s oldest living culture with his authentic and personal interpretation. Go deep down into the Ngilgi Cave for a memorable didgeridoo cave experience, taste native foods, discover bush medicine and experience traditional fire lighting on this unique indigenous cultural experience.
As our 10 day adventure draws to an end as we have our final lunch and swim at the popular tourist town of Busselton, where it’s hard to miss the 19th-century Jetty stretching 1.8km into Geographe Bay. One last stint on the road see’s us arriving into Perth around 6pm and although there are no formal activities planned it is usual for the group to get together and reflect on the big journey together over a few drinks and meal

Today we drive approx. 5 hours, although driving through Perth city traffic can mean a slower journey than previously advised.
Included Activities
  • All National Park entry fees
  • Aboriginal Culture Dreamtime tour
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch

Meals

10 breakfasts, 11 lunches, 10 dinners

Transport

Minibus, Private vehicle

Accommodation

Bush camp (no facilities) (3 nights), Camping (with basic facilities) (5 nights), Dormitory (3 nights), Farmstay (1 night)

Included activities

  • 12 Apostles & London Bridge
  • Koala spotting - Great Ocean Road
  • Melba Gully Walk - Otway Ranges
  • Swim at Lorne (Summer months)
  • Loch Ard Gorge
  • Brambuk Culture Centre
  • Mackenzie Falls - Grampians
  • Pinnacles Walk - Grampians
  • All National Park entry fees
  • Head of the Bight entry and Whale watching (in season)
  • Ancient Empire Walk - Valley of the Giants
  • The Diamond Tree
  • Aboriginal Culture Dreamtime tour

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Important notes

1. This trip starts in Melbourne at approximately 6am and finishes on arrival in Perth on day 13 at around 6:00pm. We recommend booking a post nights accommodation and booking onwards flights/travel the following day.
2. This trip requires a sleeping bag, not available to purchase.
3. Adelaide accommodation is the YHA

Essential trip information

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