Southern Capitals - City Meets Bush

Melbourne
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You can drive between Melbourne and Sydney in a day. But what fun would that be? In between Australia’s two largest cities on this epic Sydney to Melbourne trip, take in the dreamy landscapes of the Southern Highlands, the country’s cool little capital on Canberra guided tours, and historic gold rush towns. With plenty of time for fun-fuel adventures, like a Melbourne laneway tour or Phillip Island penguin tour, of course.

Departure dates

From 29/08/2024 to 24/03/2025

What's included

Highlights.
There’s not much your guide through Canberra’s Parliament House doesn’t know; it’s a similar story for Craig Starr, who hosts a BBQ on his 400-hectare sheep farm.
Gold rush towns always come with stories about infamous bush rangers and love scandals.
Hear them when you arrive in historic Beechworth.
More than 32,000 little penguins live around Phillip Island, and some 4,000 of them pitter patter from the sea to their sandy burrows every evening.
Say goodnight.
Our Take 3 for the Sea program helps conserve our oceans through small collective efforts of rubbish collection.
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• Specialist team of two highly experienced Travel Director and Driver Guide • Centrally located premium 4 and 4.
5 hotels • Arrival and departure private airport transfers.
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Itinerary / more information

  • Day 1 It's hard to believe that just 1.5 hours from Sydney lies a patch of countryside that could have been transplanted straight from the English Cotswolds. Think atmospheric villages amid rolling hills of grape vines - the Southern Highlands is the closest wine region to Australia's largest city, after all. And then there are the grand gardens and emerald farms, one of which you'll visit to meet Craig Starr and his family. Gold Creek Station farm is your backdrop for a Be My Guest BBQ lunch and tales about life on the land. This is your entr?e to the country's cool little capital of Canberra, 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. The story is remembered on pretty much every city corner, whether in enormous statues or at the museum. We'll tell you all the tales - some of them true, many of them hearsay. All of them entertaining. Then we'll tell you a bit more about Melbourne, like how it's the home of Aussie rules football, covets some of the country's best arts institutions, and has a swag of stellar restaurants, caf?s and bars. Small wonder it's known as Australia's cultural, culinary and sporting capital. Once you have your bearings after a city tour, immerse yourself in a guided galleries tour of our First Peoples arts and cultural centre, then head off to explore. Forget your map - one of the joys of being in Melbourne is getting lost. Discovering a hidden jazz bar. Stumbling upon a hole-in-the-wall restaurant or another gallery that catches your eye. Enjoy.
  • Day 4 You could spend weeks exploring Melbourne and its surrounds and not tire of the attractions. But you just have today, so make the most of it. We wouldn't hold it against you if all you want to do is jump on a tram and ride the rails to the city's character-filled neighbourhoods. But if you want to explore further afield, we've got you covered on an optional experience. For a bird's-eye view of the bay, sign up to scale the Melbourne Skydeck, offering dizzying vistas in every direction. Animal lover? Venture to Phillip Island to see hundreds of little penguins pad along the sand en route to their burrows. The choice is yours.
  • Day 5 Wait, how did you just pack so much action into a working week? Cities, countryside, farms, wineries, islands... this Sydney to Melbourne trip has been quite the adventure.
  • 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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