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Southern Capitals City Meets Bush
5 Day Australia Tour of Canberra, Melbourne and Sydney
Sign up for a whirlwind Australia tour package packed with history, cities, and locals. Traverse remote country stations, connect with Canberra’s capital culture, explore Australian gold rush heritage, and immerse in Melbourne’s urban scene. This short but mighty journey south is sure to capture your heart.
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Trip code
ESBM
Southern Capitals City Meets Bush
5 Day Australia Tour of Canberra, Melbourne and Sydney
Sign up for a whirlwind Australia tour package packed with history, cities, and locals. Traverse remote country stations, connect with Canberra’s capital culture, explore Australian gold rush heritage, and immerse in Melbourne’s urban scene. This short but mighty journey south is sure to capture your heart.
Dive into five days of history, food, and sightseeing on your Australia tour package in quaint Berrima before arriving in Gold Creek Station to Connect With Locals. You’ll enjoy a true taste of Aussie hospitality from the Starr Family who'll offer insights into farm life on their 400-hectare station. Watch Craig give a sheep shearing demonstration before they get to cooking and fire up the BBQ for your Be My Guest lunch. Then you’re off to the historical capital city of Canberra. Get to know the city on a guided tour through Parliament House with a Local Specialist before a visit to the Australian War Memorial. Pause and listen to a powerful piece played by a piper as a tribute to those who have lost their lives in armed conflicts. After this reflective ending to a big first day, get to know your group over dinner at Pialligo Estate featuring estate-grown produce, a taste of regional wine, and a selection of tempting desserts.
Trip Summary Accomodation IconHotel - Crowne Plaza
Trip Summary Meals IconIncluded Meals - Be My Guest, Regional Dinner
Day 2
Via Beechworth to Wangaratta
Venture out of the city and see it from above ascending the summit of towering Mt. Ainsley. The views are your perfect farewell to Canberra before crossing the mighty Murray River into the state of Victoria to take a step back in time and Dive Into Culture in one of Australia’s best-preserved gold rush town, Beechworth. Go inside the circa 1858 Telegraph Station to send a telegraphic message and sit in the judge’s chair of the courthouse that sealed Ned Kelly’s fate. Wherever you explore in the Beechworth Historic Precinct, there’s plenty to see in the many historic buildings preserved from the gold rush days as well as in the charming antique shops, galleries, and museums. No trip to Beechworth would be complete without a trip to the legendary Beechworth Bakery, 'Australia’s Greatest Bakery' the owners like to say, to grab a toasty, or their specialty Bushwhacker or Bushranger focaccia. After a taste of the local fare, you'll travel to the nearby cathedral city of Wangaratta.
From small town to big city life, today you’ll journey from Wangaratta to cosmopolitan Melbourne kicking off your time here with a city sightseeing tour. Guided by your Travel Director, learn about its Victorian history in the CBD and check out the Southbank’s riverfront, arts district, and the gorgeous blooms of Botanic Gardens. Stop by the latest super-chef's restaurants, designer boutiques, and even indoor amusement park at the Crown complex, thinking how you’d like to spend your free evening in town. After your tour, you’ll understand why Melbourne is called one of the world’s most liveable cities and be eager to explore even more of what’s on that night. You’re in the perfect spot to do it: opposite the Crowne Complex in centrally located and lively Southbank. Ask your Travel Director for dining recommendations or find a great spot on the Yarra River to try some of the area’s seafood.
Trip Summary Accomodation IconHotel - Crowne Plaza
Trip Summary Meals IconIncluded Meals - Breakfast
Day 4
Melbourne, Yours to Uncover
It’s your last full day in Melbourne and you’ll want to make the most of it exploring on your own or joining an optional experience in or outside of the city. If you’re looking for a view, Eureka Skydeck is the place for panoramic, floor-to-ceiling vistas of the city. Foodies will want to join a Hunt and Gather Food Tour of Queen Victoria Market taking in the sites and bites of this historic marketplace. If you’d rather venture farther out, combine wine and history on a tour of the Dandenong Ranges aboard the century-old Puffing Billy steam train to two wineries in the Yarra Valley where you’ll get to taste the area’s famous Chardonnay, sparkling wine, and Pinot Noir. Another kind of road trip takes you along the scenic Great Ocean Road stopping at quaint seaside villages and the towering Twelve Apostles limestone formations rising above the Southern Ocean. Another option is a trip to Phillip Island to see the Little Penguins make their trek from the sea to their sand dune burrow homes - a totally unique wildlife encounter not possible anywhere else in the world. It’s hard to believe it’s only been four days, and oh what a journey it’s been! Back in Melbourne your spoilt for choices to raise a glass and celebrate the things we’ve tasted, learnt, seen and discovered over the last four days.
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
Farewell Melbourne
All good things must come to an end, as your travels through Southern Australia conclude, say a fond farewell to your fellow travellers before your transfer to Melbourne Airport (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.
Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals
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Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted
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Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)
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Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras
Experience Tick Thin Icon
Optional Experiences and free time
Live, unedited & independent traveller 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.
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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
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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.
Combine this itinerary with the Great Ocean Road and Kangaroo Island for the complete Southern Australia experience. See 11 Day Tastes of Southern Australia.
Please note that return international airfares are not included in the prices. Trafalgar guarantees to quote you the lowest possible airfare available to us on the day that you book.
Travel to Australia requires an overnight flight. Please arrange for your flight to arrive into Sydney prior to Day 1. As this trip departs the Vibe Hotel Sydney at 7.30am, accommodation will need to be pre-booked for the previous night.
This trip is operated in conjunction with our sister company and South Pacific Specialists - AAT Kings.
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. Guided Vacations included in this restriction are Newfoundland and Labrador (DNLA). Does not apply to trips operated by Inspiring Journeys & our Mini-stays.
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.
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Your selected departure date will feature some seasonal itinerary changes to what is displayed. Click 'VIEW ITINERARY' below to see full details.
Active Trip Details
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What is an Active Trip? This is an "Active" lifestyle itinerary, with walks and hikes most days. Hikes will range from easy/moderate to strenuous. No technical climbing skills are required but a reasonable level of fitness is required to make the trip more enjoyable. Understanding that not all people want to hike at the same pace or even on the same trail we will, where possible, host map orientation and then let everyone disperse to enjoy the trails best suited to them.
What to Pack Guests should bring lightweight hiking shoes or boots, broad brimmed sun hats, sunglasses, layered clothing, reusable water bottle(s), a hiking day pack and hiking poles (optional)
Weather & Altitude While the itinerary is laid out below, we are at the mercy of the weather and so reserve the right to adjust the program as necessary. Please keep in mind that the higher elevations and possible variations in weather and temperature can increase the perceived level of difficulty of our activities. Elevation ranges up to 9,000 feet for Utah’s Mighty Five and up to 11,000 feet for California High Country Adventure.
Everyone reacts differently to altitude and so if you do have any health issues you should check with your doctor that this trip is suitable for you.