Tastes of Southern Australia

Adelaide
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This trip fully deserves its name. Expect to sample some of Southern Australia’s most drool-worthy produce – think craft beers, wines and cheeses - and also savour some of its most dreamy landscapes, from the Great Ocean Road’s Twelve Apostles to the sparkling coves of South Australia on a Kangaroo Island tour. In between there are Phillip Island little penguins, Melbourne laneways, the Barossa and Canberra, Australia’s culture-filled capital.

Departure dates

From 29/08/2024 to 30/03/2025

What's included

Highlights.
Meet Craig Starr on his 400-hectare sheep farm Gold Creek Station for a tale or two, and a BBQ.
The stories continue at Australian Parliament House.
Walk with a guide through the galleries of the First Peoples arts and cultural centre at Federation Square.
By visiting Kangaroo Island’s Hanson Bay Wildlife Sanctuary, you not only gain insights into Australian animals, but also have the chance to support them.
Across the Great Ocean Road’s 240 kilometres you’ll discover all manner of natural drama, from limestone stacks to World Heritage listed rainforest and untouched coastal coves.
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• Centrally located premium 4 and 4.
5 hotels • National Park entrance fees • Arrival and departure private airport transfers.
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Itinerary / more information

  • Day 1 As hard as it is to say goodbye to Sydney, it's just as easy to say hello to the Southern Highlands. South of the 'Harbour City', the rustic countryside of Berrima awaits - fun fact: this is the oldest Georgian village in Australia. Further on, you're welcomed to Gold Creek Station by sheep farmer Craig Starr for a Be My Guest BBQ lunch and tales about life on the land. Onward to the country's cool little capital, home to Parliament House, where you'll go behind the political scenes. Tonight, join your Travel Director for a Welcome Dinner.
  • Day 2 Get some Canberra perspective from the summit of Mt. Ainslie. You won't be able to see the Murray River, but you'll soon cross it en route to Beechworth, Victoria's best-preserved gold rush town. We'll give you the Beechworth lowdown, then set you on your way to explore honey and gold shops, galleries and museums at your leisure.
  • Day 3 Meandering south toward historic Glenrowan, you're well and truly in Ned Kelly country - this is where the infamous bushranger and his gang were finally captured in 1880. We'll tell you all the tales, then a few more about Melbourne, the home of Aussie rules football, some of the country's best arts institutions, and a swag of stellar restaurants, caf?s and bars. Once you have your bearings, immerse yourself in a guided galleries tour of our First Peoples arts and cultural centre before an evening at leisure to explore.
  • Day 4 You're on your own today. Well, not really, because your Travel Director is at your service to help arrange optional sightseeing experiences. After you've enjoyed a strong coffee in one of Melbourne's atmospheric laneways, that is. Adrenaline junkie? Linger in the city, gaining bird's-eye views from the Melbourne Skydeck at the Eureka Tower. Animal lover? Venture to Phillip Island to see hundreds of little penguins pad along the sand.
  • Day 5 The Great Ocean Road is one of the world's most epic journeys, a dramatic 240-kilometre union of limestone stacks (Twelve Apostles, we're looking at you), World Heritage listed rainforest, untouched coastal coves and sleepy towns, like Lorne and Apollo Bay. It's hard to know where to point your camera. We recommend having it poised to snap shots of the Loch Ard Gorge and London Bridge rock formations. It doesn't get any better than this.
  • Day 6 Emus, kangaroos, koalas, echidnas... These are just some of the animals you'll likely spot as you drive through Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve - housed in a dormant volcanic crater. Remarkably, this pocket of paradise was once wasteland, transformed by volunteers. More volcanic history awaits across the South Australian border in Mt. Gambier, home to the crater-filling Blue Lake. By now you'll be pretty thirsty, so it's a good thing the Coonawarra wine region is around the corner. After a few sips, you may find yourself getting deep - literally. Naracoorte's Alexandra Cave is a maze of delicate needle-like stalactites and massive twisting columns.
  • Day 7 The Fleurieu Peninsula is a natural adventure playground, all rolling hills, rugged clifftops and sandy beaches. Seaside Victor Harbor turns on the charms - take a horse drawn tram ride out to Granite Island or take a wander along the pier - before your ferry blasts its horn. All aboard for Kangaroo Island, home to native wildlife like sea lions, koalas and diverse bird species. Your destination is South Australia's oldest European settlement, Kingscote.
  • Day 8 It's time for an island adventure: first stops are Remarkable Rocks and Admirals Arch, home to an immense colony of raucous fur seals. Hanson Bay Wildlife Sanctuary was badly damaged by the 2019 bushfires. Through your MAKE TRAVEL MATTER(R) Experience, you'll assist with their bushfire recovery plan and wildlife rehabilitation program. Learn from one of their experienced guides about the delicate ecosystem and Australian native animals. More wildlife greets you at Seal Bay Conservation Park, where enormous sea lions barrel down the sand to the water. This is one of the most significant breeding colonies in the country. A well-deserved tasting of craft beer awaits at a boutique brewery, the only one on the island. How does a Golden Ale sound?
  • Day 9 You've arrived in the South Australian capital, known for its well-preserved churches and well-admired cuisine. Did you know that Adelaide boasts more restaurants per capita than any other city in Australia? After a city orientation tour, the afternoon is yours to see just how many you can sample - we have a few recommendations, including a visit to the epic Central Market, where you can try green ant gin with cheese, among so many other delicacies.
  • Day 10 Pull on your elastic-waisted pants - today is one of indulgences through the Adelaide Hills and the Barossa, dotted with atmospheric towns like Hahndorf, Australia's oldest surviving German settlement. A Barossa and Hahndorf tour reveals the bountiful food and wine this pocket of the state is known for. And you'll enjoy a tasting from small batch wine makers from across the valley as well as discovering local flavours over lunch at Lambert Estate enveloped by vines.
  • Day 11 By day 11, you will have a suitcase full of gin, wine and cheese; a camera full of dreamy images; and more memories than you can count.
  • Prices quoted valid for sale until 04 May 2024 unless otherwise stated or sold out prior.
  • Price is per person and subject to availability. Accommodation (if included) is based on twin share unless otherwise stated.
  • Airfare (including internal flights) is not included unless otherwise stated and, if included, is economy class unless otherwise stated.
  • Local payments, "trip kittys" or food funds may apply and may be payable direct to the supplier on arrival or to your travel agent prior to your departure. Where applicable, these payments are included in the total price quoted.
  • Gratuities are not included unless otherwise stated.
  • Additional conditions and travel restrictions may apply. Please enquire for further details.
  • Prices shown are fully inclusive of taxes, levies and government charges current at time of publication.
  • Additional levies, government charges and other applicable fees may apply and are beyond our control.
  • Seasonal surcharges and blackout dates may apply depending on date of travel.
  • Payments made by credit card will incur a surcharge.
  • Prices shown are for payments made by cash in store or Bpay.
  • These prices are a guide to the best price. Prices are correct as at 29 April 2024 and are subject to change without notice, due to matters outside our control, such as adverse currency fluctuations, fuel surcharges, taxes and airfare increases. Please enquire for further details.

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