Itinerary
- Day 1
Melbourne to Apollo Bay
You'll leave Melbourne this morning and head towards Geelong, then continue onto the Great Ocean Road. Along the way, you'll stop at a famous surfing beach and a chocolate factory, then keep an eye out for Eastern Grey Kangaroos in their natural habitat. The drive follows those dramatic cliffs hugging the coastline, where you'll pull over at the Arch, Kennett River to spot koalas, and Apollo Bay. After settling into your ocean view villa, dinner at Chris's at Beacon Point offers a two-course meal with views to match.
- Meals
- Dinner (Two-course dinner from the a la carte menu at Chris's at Beacon Point Restaurant. Modern Australian menu inspired by Greek and French cuisines, set 150 metres above sea level overlooking the Great Ocean Road, Apollo Bay and the Southern Ocean.)
Included Activities
- Pick up from Melbourne city hotels
- Stroll along Geelong waterfront
- Visit famous surfing beach
- Visit chocolate factory
- Observe Eastern Grey Kangaroos in the wild
- View the 'Arch' on the Great Ocean Road
- Stop at Kennett River to see koalas and native birds
- Walk at Apollo Bay harbor
- Two-course dinner at Chris's at Beacon Point restaurant
Optional Activities
- Swimming at Lorne
- Shopping at Lorne
Landmarks/POIs West Gate Bridge Geelong Waterfront Great Ocean Road Lorne Kennett River Apollo Bay Chris's at Beacon Point - Day 2
Great Ocean Road and Shipwreck Coast to Mount Gambier
Start with breakfast at Bay Leaf Cafe in Apollo Bay before heading into the cool temperate rainforest for a guided 1km walk through ancient trees and towering flowering plants. Next, Castle Cove teaches you about local Aboriginal heritage. The 12 Apostles show up best at sunrise, and then you'll explore Loch Ard Gorge, where a famous 19th century shipwreck occurred. Grab lunch in Port Campbell, then continue west to check out London Bridge, Bay of Islands, Bay of Martyrs, and Boat Bay. You'll pass through Tower Hill Game Reserve and Port Fairy before reaching Mount Gambier. The Barn is your base for the night, with a two-course dinner at their restaurant.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast at Bay Leaf Cafe in Apollo Bay - 'locals favourite' with great coffee, tea and vast breakfast menu), Dinner (Two-course dinner from the a la carte menu at The Barn restaurant. Award-winning restaurant with high quality dishes including local beef and lamb options in a family-owned hotel within a farming community.)
Included Activities
- Breakfast at Bay Leaf Cafe
- Guided 1km walk through cool temperate rainforest in the Otway Ranges
- Visit Castle Cove
- Learn about Aboriginal heritage
- View the 12 Apostles
- Explore 12 Apostles boardwalks
- Hold limestone rock samples
- Visit Loch Ard Gorge
- View and hold artifacts, photos and documents from the Loch Ard shipwreck
- Visit London Bridge
- Visit Bay of Islands
- Visit Bay of Martyrs
- Visit Boat Bay
- Visit Tower Hill Game Reserve
- Potentially see koalas, kangaroos and emus
- Pass through Port Fairy
- Two-course dinner at The Barn restaurant
Optional Activities
- Helicopter flight along the coastline at the 12 Apostles - $145 per person (15 minutes)
- Lunch at Port Campbell cafes and restaurants
Landmarks/POIs Otway Ranges Castle Cove Aire River Valley Twelve Apostles Loch Ard Gorge Port Campbell London Bridge Bay of Islands Bay of Martyrs Tower Hill Game Reserve Port Fairy Mount Gambier - Day 3
Mount Gambier to Adelaide
After breakfast at The Barn, you'll drive through the Coonawarra wine region and tour Naracoorte Caves National Park, where a guide shows you stalagmites, stalactites, and explains the fossilized mega fauna found there. From there, you travel through Padthaway wine country and stop in Keith for lunch. The route takes you through grain and stock land towards Adelaide, passing through outback areas affected by drought. Before arriving in the city around 6pm, you'll visit the tourist village of Hahndorf and head up Mount Lofty for views looking down over Adelaide.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Continental buffet breakfast at The Barn with option to progress to cooked breakfast if desired)
Included Activities
- Breakfast at The Barn
- Drive through Coonawarra wine region
- Guided cave tour at Naracoorte Caves National Park with local guide
- View stalagmites and stalactites in the caves
- Learn about fossilized mega fauna in World Heritage Listed caves
- Pass through Padthaway wine region
- Visit Hahndorf
- Visit Mount Lofty summit for views of Adelaide and surrounds
Optional Activities
- Lunch at Keith
Landmarks/POIs Coonawarra Naracoorte Caves National Park Padthaway Keith Hahndorf Mount Lofty Adelaide
