Discover two sides of Australia on one fascinating trip that explores city and country life.
Explore the wonder Down Under side by side with high-spirited hosts who'll share their sheep-shearing lifestyle, gold rush heritage and sizzling good fun and food at a real Aussie Barbie.
Journey through Australia's Southern Highlands bound for Canberra, purpose-built with the goal of creating the finest capital in the world. Stop at historic Berrima, famous for its gaol and early colonial architecture, then 'Connect With Locals' at Gold Creek Station, where you'll meet sheep farmer, Craig Starr, a 'Local Specialist'. Gain a deeper understanding of life on the farm before joining the Starr family for a Welcome Reception and 'Be My Guest' Aussie barbecue lunch. On arrival in Australia's modern capital, you'll embark on a tour through Parliament House with a 'Local Specialist'. Later, 'Dive Into Culture' and visit the Australian War Memorial to pay tribute to the brave Australian servicemen and women who have lost their lives in the past century in armed conflicts. Stay to hear an evocative lament, then join your Travel Director and fellow travellers for dinner.
Trip Summary Accomodation IconHotel - Crowne Plaza
Trip Summary Meals IconIncluded Meals - Welcome Reception, Be My Guest, Dinner
Day 2
Canberra - Beechworth
Admire a city designed for a young nation as you ascend to the summit of Mt. Ainslie for panoramic views of Canberra with its man-made Lake Burley Griffin, named in honour of the American architect from Chicago, who designed Canberra. Cross the mighty Murray into Victoria and visit its best-preserved gold rush town, historic Beechworth. We overnight in one of Trafalgar's 'Stays with Stories', immersing ourselves in the town's country-style gold rush heritage. Delve into the history of Australia's heady gold rush days after a brief orientation, with free time thereafter to explore its antique shops, galleries, the museum and the legendary Beechworth Bakery, self-proclaimed as 'Australia's Greatest Bakery'.
Trip Summary Accomodation IconHotel - Boutique Country Accommodation
Trip Summary Meals IconIncluded Meals - Breakfast
Day 3
Beechworth - Melbourne (2 Nights)
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast then journey through Glenrowan and Ned Kelly country to cosmopolitan Melbourne for a city sightseeing tour, where you'll discover why Melbourne is frequently touted as one of the world's most liveable cities. Spend the evening at leisure immersing yourself in this capital of cool, reflected in its elegant arcades, grand civic buildings and stylish shopping and dining options lining the banks of the Yarra.
Trip Summary Accomodation IconHotel - Savoy on Little Collins
Trip Summary Meals IconIncluded Meals - Breakfast
Day 4
Melbourne Free Time
Enjoy a full day at leisure to connect with Melbourne's sophisticated cityscape. Wander the narrow lanes in search of edgy street art or consider an Optional Experience touring the Great Ocean Road past lush forests and golden beaches to see such highlights as the Bay of Islands, London Bridge and of course the Twelve Apostles, which rise from the crashing waves of the Southern Ocean. On your last evening in Melbourne, embrace your inner gourmand and seek out one of Melbourne's laneway restaurants to sample the cuisine for which the city is so famous.
Trip Summary Meals IconIncluded Meals - Breakfast
Optional Experience
Phillip Island Penguins Kangaroos And Koalas
Visit the Maru Koala & Animal Park to see koalas, kangaroos and other animals. View Seal Rocks and the Nobbies, overlooking one of the most treacherous oceans in the world, Bass Strait. At the Penguin Parade witness the wild Little Penguins emerge from the sea after a hard day’s fishing and waddle across the sand to their nests.
Adult Price: $152.10*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Optional Experience
Great Ocean Road And Twelve Apostles
Travel the Great Ocean Road. Marvel at golden sandy beaches. Visit Apollo Bay. The limestone rock formations of the incredible Twelve Apostles are a result of erosion that began up to 20 million years ago. Hear the amazing shipwreck survival story of the Loch Ard and visit its famous gorge. Also visit Port Campbell and Lorne before returning to Melbourne.
Adult Price: $152.10*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Optional Experience
Phillip Island Penguins Up Late
Travel directly to the Penguin Parade. Enjoy panoramic views of the French Island before witnessing the amazing nightly ritual. Watch penguins march up the sand to their nests and enjoy time browsing through the educational centre. Travel express back to Melbourne. (Operates Daily in Summer only)
Adult Price: $130.50*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Optional Experience
Lanes and Arcades Tour
Melbourne’s arcades and laneways hide many hidden treasures, this walking tour is the ideal way to discover and learn about the enchantment of Melbourne. We unveil local designers, specialty retailers, some of the quirkiest cafes, street art and architecture, with historical tales of Melbourne along the way. (Operates Monday to Saturday)
Adult Price: $95.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Optional Experience
Eureka Skydeck
Experience the awe-inspiring 360 degree floor-to-ceiling views of Melbourne at the Eureka Skydeck, Eureka Tower. Nothing you have ever experienced will prepare you for the awe-inspiring view of Melbourne from the Southern Hemisphere’s highest viewing platform.
Adult Price: $22.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Day 5
Depart Melbourne
Your holiday concludes this morning after breakfast. You will be transferred to Melbourne Airport for your onward flight (flights anytime).
Trip Summary Meals IconIncluded Meals - Breakfast
All optional experiences for this trip
Book with your travel director when you travel
Available on day 4
Phillip Island Penguins Kangaroos And Koalas
Visit the Maru Koala & Animal Park to see koalas, kangaroos and other animals. View Seal Rocks and the Nobbies, overlooking one of the most treacherous oceans in the world, Bass Strait. At the Penguin Parade witness the wild Little Penguins emerge from the sea after a hard day’s fishing and waddle across the sand to their nests.
Adult Price: $152.10*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Available on day 4
Great Ocean Road And Twelve Apostles
Travel the Great Ocean Road. Marvel at golden sandy beaches. Visit Apollo Bay. The limestone rock formations of the incredible Twelve Apostles are a result of erosion that began up to 20 million years ago. Hear the amazing shipwreck survival story of the Loch Ard and visit its famous gorge. Also visit Port Campbell and Lorne before returning to Melbourne.
Adult Price: $152.10*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Available on day 4
Phillip Island Penguins Up Late
Travel directly to the Penguin Parade. Enjoy panoramic views of the French Island before witnessing the amazing nightly ritual. Watch penguins march up the sand to their nests and enjoy time browsing through the educational centre. Travel express back to Melbourne. (Operates Daily in Summer only)
Adult Price: $130.50*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Available on day 4
Lanes and Arcades Tour
Melbourne’s arcades and laneways hide many hidden treasures, this walking tour is the ideal way to discover and learn about the enchantment of Melbourne. We unveil local designers, specialty retailers, some of the quirkiest cafes, street art and architecture, with historical tales of Melbourne along the way. (Operates Monday to Saturday)
Adult Price: $95.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Available on day 4
Eureka Skydeck
Experience the awe-inspiring 360 degree floor-to-ceiling views of Melbourne at the Eureka Skydeck, Eureka Tower. Nothing you have ever experienced will prepare you for the awe-inspiring view of Melbourne from the Southern Hemisphere’s highest viewing platform.
Adult Price: $22.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
All Optional Experiences
The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Daily breakfast and an average of 50% of evening meals
Experience Tick Thin Icon
Luxury air-conditioned coach with WiFi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)
Experience Tick Thin Icon
Cherry-picked hotels all tried and trusted
Experience Tick Thin Icon
Handcrafted Highlights
Experience Tick Thin Icon
Optional Experiences and free time
Experience Tick Thin Icon
All porterage and local charges included
Experience Tick Thin Icon
Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras
Experience Tick Thin Icon
An expert Travel Director and separate Driver, Driver Guide only on Mini-Stays
Experience Tick Thin Icon
All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
Experience Tick Thin Icon
Airport transfers on the first and last day of your guided holiday
Experience Tick Thin Icon
VIP entry to many sights
Feefo Icon
LIVE, UNEDITED & INDEPENDENT TRAVELLERS REVIEWS
Southern Capitals City Meets Bush Trip Reviews
Our guests are at the heart of everything we do, their feedback fuels our innovation, inspiring us to improve continuously and craft Simply The Best vacations. That's why we ask each of our guests to leave a third-party verified, independent review after every trip. As testament to our commitment we have been given the Trusted Service Award from Feefo, recognising we deliver exceptional experiences as rated by real guests.
Overall Rating
4.0
Out of 5
Based on 15 independent reviews
Trip Rating
Customer experience
Trip rating is the overall quality of the itinerary and trip
4.0
Out of 5
5
Review Star Icon
7
4
Review Star Icon
3
3
Review Star Icon
5
2
Review Star Icon
0
1
Review Star Icon
0
Customer experience is the standard of service you receive
Yes I would definitely recommend Trafalgar Tours to others. Our Travel Director Frankie and Coach Driver Stuart were fantastic. They made the tour very enjoyable. We do not usually take guided tours but after this we will think again.
Tour very well organized and included special events such as a Sheep station visit and War Memorial service. Both were memorable,. Hotels were excellent and well located.
Real moments from real travellers across the world. 300+ trips. 70+ countries. 7 continents. Your trip is waiting for you.
Or search for something else
Need Help?
Available Dates
BackNavigation Close Icon
Easy Quote
Navigation Close Icon
Trip Notes
Navigation Close Icon
*Air: Please note that return international airfares are not included in the prices above. Trafalgar guarantees to quote you the lowest possible airfare available to us on the day that you book.
This trip is operated in conjunction with our sister company and South Pacific Specialists - AAT Kings.
Boutique country-style stay in an historic gold rush town (Day 2).
If you arrive into Sydney a couple of days before your trip, I can recommend you take the guided walk in the beautiful Royal Botanic Garden Sydney, in Mrs. Macquarie's Road. It operates Monday to Friday and the best part is, it's free. And then afterwards, you can stroll through Circular Quay to the Palisade Hotel, in Bettington Street, Millers Point, for a sunset drink.Dave Overton
Unless otherwise stated, trip prices are per person, land only, based on double occupancy and reflect applicable discount. Discounts are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice.
Trip prices are correct at the time of the products going live, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking. All trip information is correct at time of trips going live, however are subject to change - please confirm all details at time of booking.
Twin-share option not available for trips to South America, Costa Rica, Mexico, Alaska, Hawaii, South Africa, Kenya & Tanzania, Botswana, Zambia or for any holiday & cruise combination, or in Asia and Eastern Mediterranean except Highlights of Turkey (without cruise) & Best of Turkey. It's also not available on Small Group trips.
For trips that are part of our Guaranteed Room Share, please note that there is a no smoking policy in all shared rooms. Solo travel is not accepted on guided Family Experiences holidays unless travelling as part of a family group.
Your selected dates have an enhanced itinerary.
Navigation Close Icon
You’ll be travelling in Autumn, Winter or Spring, and this itinerary has been enhanced for you to enjoy the unique experiences these seasons offer.
