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Combining cities, country towns and coastlines, expect the Southern highlights on this Australia tour package. Prepare to embrace culture, nature, food and fun as you take in views of the Twelve Apostles, the rolling vineyards of the Barossa, the wildlife playground of Kangaroo Island and beyond.
Combining cities, country towns and coastlines, expect the Southern highlights on this Australia tour package. Prepare to embrace culture, nature, food and fun as you take in views of the Twelve Apostles, the rolling vineyards of the Barossa, the wildlife playground of Kangaroo Island and beyond.
With 11 days of history, food and sightseeing ahead, we’ll head out of the city to start your Australia tour package in the historic town Berrima before pulling up at Gold Creek Station to Connect With Locals. It’s here you’ll appreciate a taste of true Aussie hospitality as hosts the Starr Family swing open their barn doors to share an insight into the family’s history and what life is like on a 400-hectare station. See Craig roll up his sleeves for a fascinating sheep shearing demonstration before they fire up the BBQ, for a delicious Be My Guest lunch. We’re back on the road toward your home for the night, Canberra, the capital city packed with history. You’re treated to a guided tour through Parliament House with a Local Specialist before a visit to the Australian War Memorial. Pause and pay reverence listening to an evocative piece played by a piper as a tribute to those who have lost their lives in armed conflicts. After a full first day, get to know your group over a Regional Dinner at Pialligo Estate featuring seasonal produce grown right on the estate, washed down with 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
Wangaratta in Country Victoria
Say farewell to Canberra this morning by ascending the summit of towering Mt. Ainslie to bask in 360-views of the city. Then cross the mighty Murray River into Victoria where you’ll feel like the clocks been wound back as we call into Beechworth, Victoria's best-preserved gold rush town, to explore the charming antique shops, galleries, and museums. Beginning in the gold rush days, you’ll soon learn how each building has a story to tell. Dive Into Culture and stroll the Beechworth Historic Precinct where you can sit in the judge's chair in the very courthouse that determined Ned Kelly’s fate, or step back in time and send a telegraphic message at the circa 1858 Telegraph Station. Reward your sightseeing with a visit to the legendary Beechworth Bakery, self-proclaimed as 'Australia’s Greatest Bakery.' If you like, sample their hearty, Big Brekkie Roll, toasty, or their specialty Bushwhacker or Bushranger focaccia. Full and happy, your home for tonight is the nearby cathedral city of Wangaratta.
It’s a complete change of scene as we journey to cosmopolitan Melbourne where you’ll get your bearings on a city sightseeing tour. Discover why Melbourne has justifiably earned its reputation as one of the world’s most liveable cities and delve into its Victorian history in the CBD, Southbank’s sprawling riverfront, arts district, and natural beauty at the Botanic Gardens. Cruise by the Crown complex and consider coming back this evening for one of its super-chef's restaurants, designer boutiques, or indoor amusement park. After seeing so much of what awaits, you’ll no doubt be eager to explore more of this stylish city. Fortunately, you’re staying opposite the Crowne Complex in centrally located Southbank - a fun area that comes alive at night. Pop back to area you’d like to get to know better or tuck into a delicious seafood dinner and watch the sunset on the banks of the Yarra.
Trip Summary Accomodation IconHotel - Crowne Plaza
Trip Summary Meals IconIncluded Meals - Breakfast
Day 4
Melbourne, It's All Yours
There are endless ways to discover heart and soul of Melbourne today both in, or out, of the city on an Optional Experience. You could to the Eureka Skydeck - the highest viewing platform in the Southern Hemisphere - for panoramic, floor-to-ceiling views of the city stretching far beyond its skyscrapers. Foodie? You could join a Hunt and Gather Food Tour of Queen Victoria Market to immerse yourself in the life, sounds, and stories of this historic marketplace. Out of the city, wine, history and nature combine in the Dandenong Ranges. Starting with a tasty Devonshire Tea, you’ll then board the century-old Puffing Billy steam train chugging along to two wineries in the Yarra Valley to indulge in a tasting of the area’s famous Chardonnay, sparkling wine, and Pinot Noir. Or opt to venture further afield to Phillip Island to see the famous Little Penguins emerge from the sea and waddle up the beach to their sand dune burrow homes - a fascinating (and adorable!) wildlife encounter you can’t have anywhere else in the world.
Trip Summary Meals IconIncluded Meals - Breakfast
Optional Experience
Puffing Billy Steam Train And Wine Country In Style
Travel east of Melbourne to the beautiful Dandenong Ranges. Enjoy tea and coffee at Grant’s Reserve and hand-feed crimson rosellas. Take a ride through the spectacular forest aboard the Puffing Billy Steam Train. In the Yarra Valley have time to find a delicious lunch (own expense), before visiting two of Victoria’s premier wineries for tasting and wine appreciation. (Operates Mon, Wed, Fri & Sun in Winter and Mon, Tues, Wed, Fri & Sun in Summer)
Adult Price: $161.10*
* 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
Great Ocean Road to Warrnambool
Buckle up for an epic coastal road trip filled with pinch-me moments. Your journey along the scenic Great Ocean Road will have you glued to the window the whole way with plenty of photo ops and time to relax and take in one of the world’s greatest drives. Stop at the Mediterranean-inspired, quaint seaside villages. In Lorne, browse the shops along Mountjoy Parade set against the surrounding hills and forest, then in Apollo Bay watch the boats come in at the harbour before today’s highlight, Twelve Apostles. Admire these limestone formations rising 45 metres above the Southern Ocean and towering over the surrounding landscapes, feeling fortunate that you have the opportunity to see the eight apostles still standing today. Later, visit Loch Ard Gorge and London Bridge before arriving in the historic former port city of Warrnambool and your overnight stay at Deep Blue Hotel & Hot Springs. Relax in their sauna or book some time in their spa or geothermal hot springs to rejuvenate before another big day.
Trip Summary Accomodation IconHotel - Deep Blue Hotel and Hot Springs
Kick off the morning with an indigenous perspective on flora, wildlife, and volcanic formations at Worn Gundidj in Tower Hill State Reserve. A MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, you’ll join a Local Specialist, and Dive into Culture on your first encounter with Australia’s native creatures including emus, koalas, and kangaroos in their natural habitat. With their guidance and stories, you’ll learn all about the aboriginal lifestyle including identifying native plants for food and medicinal purposes, and even trying your hand at throwing a boomerang. Filled with a new perspective, you’ll cross the South Australia border to Mt. Gambier to view the Blue Lake. Lovers of rich red wines will delight at our next destination, Coonawarra where you'll join a Local Specialist for a tasting at Wynns Coonawarra Estate built in 1891. Learn how their wine is made and the rich soil that makes the area one of the finest Cabernet Sauvignon regions in the world as you sample six tasty wines paired with local cheeses. Continue your Australia tour package to one of the world’s most important fossil sites and part of 800,000-year-old Naracoorte East Range where on a guided tour with a Local Specialist through Alexandra Cave you’ll learn about the layers of fossils. Your day finishes over dinner showcasing products from the Limestone Coast and Southern Australia at the Highlander restaurant.
Trip Summary Accomodation IconHotel - William MacIntosh Motor Lodge
Journey today to the Fleurieu Peninsula, where rolling hills are complemented by rugged clifftops, sandy beaches and the winding Murray River. Visit the charming seaside town of Victor Harbor before a ferry takes you to Kangaroo Island, famous for its unique natural beauty and fine produce. Visit Kangaroo Island’s only boutique brewery to taste a selection of fine, local beers. Your destination tonight is Kingscote, South Australia’s oldest European settlement.
Nature and wildlife take centre stage today beginning with an exploration of Kangaroo Island showcasing the Remarkable Rocks and Admirals Arch coastal features in Flinders Chase National Park. You’ll love the next adventures today with two MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experiences, starting with a private educational ecology tour of Hanson Bay Wildlife Sanctuary, an area badly affected by the 2019/20 bushfires. As you learn about the delicate ecosystem from one of their experienced guides, know that your visit will assist their recovery plan and wildlife rehabilitation programme - native animals such as goannas, eagles, kangaroos and Kangaroo Island echidnas have already returned. After lunch featuring fresh local produce, join a Local Specialist at Seal Bay Conservation Park for a guided walk into the heart of one of the country’s most important sea lion breeding colonies. Your expert guide will introduce you to the Australian sea lion - one of the rarest species in the world of only 12,000, 800 of which call Seal Bay home. Learn how these endangered animals hunt, surf, interact with their pups, defend their territory, and - as “eared” seals - use their front flippers to prop themselves up and their back flippers to help them to “walk” on land. Finish your day at the Aurora Ozone Hotel perched on the stunning Kingscote Seafront.
Continue your Australia tour package to the capital of South Australia, Adelaide, where you’ll get your first look at the city on an orientation tour past Adelaide Oval, the Central Market, Art Gallery of South Australia, and the Botanic Gardens. Once you’ve gotten the lay of the land, the afternoon is yours to explore how you wish. You could indulge your foodie side with a tour of the famous Adelaide Central Market, the city's premier food destination, or visit the National Wine Centre for tastings and a masterclass learning about the role wine has played in Australia’s history, the position of Australian wine in the international market, and the relationship between food and wine. Or see the sights on three wheels on an EcoCaddy bike tour pedalling past greenspaces, public art, and Victorian architecture.
Trip Summary Accomodation IconHotel - Crowne Plaza
Trip Summary Meals IconIncluded Meals - Breakfast
Day 10
Taste Your Way Through the Barossa
The rolling Adelaide Hills, Hahndorf, and Australia's premier Shiraz producing region, the Barossa, lay ahead of you today. Your first stop is Mt Lofty for sweeping views of Adelaide before stopping to stretch your legs in the quaint village of Hahndorf settled by 19th-century Lutheran migrants and known for its original German-style architecture and stone cottages. Refuel over lunch at the South Australian Company Store over a bountiful boutique Barossa tasting platter of cheese, smoked meats, and chutney paired with Sauvignon Blanc and, of course, Shiraz. Travel to our next stop, a popular Barossa winery for a tour and tasting. You’ll end the trip on a high note returning to the city for a Farewell Dinner at Koomo, Adelaide’s highest restaurant where you’ll toast your adventures enjoying city views and feasting on Japanese-and-Asian-influenced dishes.
As your journey through the beautiful natural landscapes and stylish cities of Southern Australia comes to an end, say farewell to your fellow travellers before your transfer to Adelaide 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
Puffing Billy Steam Train And Wine Country In Style
Travel east of Melbourne to the beautiful Dandenong Ranges. Enjoy tea and coffee at Grant’s Reserve and hand-feed crimson rosellas. Take a ride through the spectacular forest aboard the Puffing Billy Steam Train. In the Yarra Valley have time to find a delicious lunch (own expense), before visiting two of Victoria’s premier wineries for tasting and wine appreciation. (Operates Mon, Wed, Fri & Sun in Winter and Mon, Tues, Wed, Fri & Sun in Summer)
Adult Price: $161.10*
* 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.
Notepad Icon You must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to travel
Trip details
Trip details
What's included
Trip Summary Accomodation Icon
10 nights
Accommodation
Trip Summary Meals Icon
19 Meals
1 Be My Guest, 10 Breakfasts, 4 Dinners, 1 Farewell Dinner, 2 Lunches, 1 Regional Dinner
Trip Summary Transport Icon
On-trip Transport
All transport shown
The Trafalgar difference
Connect with Locals
Visit Gold Creek Station for an exclusive Be My Guest Aussie barbecue lunch and sheep farm experience with the Starr family.
Dive into Culture
Visit Worn Gundidj in Tower Hill State Reserve where you will gain insights into the local flora, volcanic formations and medicinal practices from an Aboriginal perspective.
MAKE TRAVEL MATTER®
Join us to assist with Hanson Bay Wildlife Sanctuary's bushfire recovery plan and wildlife rehabilitation programme.
Sightseeing highlights
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Discover Beechworth, Melbourne, and Adelaide
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Parliament House in Canberra, Worn Gundidj in Tower Hill, Coonawarra wine region, Alexandra Cave, Kangaroo Island Brewery, Hanson Bay Wildlife Sanctuary, Seal Bay Conservation Park and the Barossa with a Local Specialist
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Scenic Drive along the Great Ocean Road
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View koalas at Hanson Bay Wildlife Sanctuary, sea lions at Seal Bay Conservation Park, the Remarkable Rocks and Admirals Arch on Kangaroo Island
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Visit Gold Creek Sheep Station, the Australian War Memorial in Canberra, the Twelve Apostles, and wineries in South Australia
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
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Optional Experiences and free time
Live, unedited & independent traveler reviews
Tastes of Southern Australia 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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Darla in IllinoisMy Account Icon
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Great trip - lots of fun and new friends
Trip Rating
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5
Great trip - lots of beautiful scenery, learned a lot about the culture, drank of lot of Australian wines and met some fabulous new friends!
Really enjoyed the trip. We had to reroute because of the fires but they made sure we still saw the same types of things we would have seen on the original itinerary plus more. Definitely recommend this tour. It's very information, beautiful and lots of opportunity for wine tastings!
Great driver, knowledgeable guide-both very helpful!! Most accommodations were very good, food at various locations good but NOT at Kangaroo Island. Breaks well spaced for the most part.
Well organized. Tour director very knowledgeable. Great having tour handle our luggage at various locations. Was able to get into detail in several areas. Some days there was too much on and off from the bus. A couple stops may not have been necessary.
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 from 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 traveling as part of a family group.
Travel to Europe often requires an overnight flight. Please arrange your flights to arrive on or before day 1.
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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.