Highlights
- Explore the cosmopolitan cities of Melbourne and Adelaide
- Watch penguins parade in from the Indian Ocean on Phillip Island
- Drive the Great Ocean Road for views of the coast and stellar rock formations
- Tour the Barossa Valley wine country and stop to sample local vintages
- Discover native wildlife on Kangaroo Island
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Melbourne | Melbourne |
| Day 2 | Explore Melbourne & Sports Lover Tour | Melbourne |
| Day 3 | Pick up rental, Drive to Phillip Island | Philip Island |
| Day 4 | Free Day | Philip Island |
| Day 5 | Drive along the Great Ocean Road to Apollo Bay | Apollo Bay |
| Day 6 | Drive to Coonawarra | Coonawarra |
| Day 7 | Drive to Adelaide | Adelaide |
| Day 8 | Day Trip to Kangaroo Island | Adelaide |
| Day 9 | Day Trip to the Barossa Valley & Wine Tasting | Adelaide |
| Day 10 | Half-Day Tour of Adelaide | Adelaide |
| Day 11 | Drive to Halls Gap | Halls Gap |
| Day 12 | Free Day | Halls Gap |
| Day 13 | Return to Melbourne | Melbourne |
| Day 14 | Depart Melbourne |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Melbourne
Welcome to Melbourne! Arrive at the Melbourne airport, then proceed to the designated shuttle area for your transfer to your accommodation. You'll be met by a tour representative who will go through the upcoming itinerary and answer any questions you may have.
The remainder of the day is free. Head out to explore the city or rest after the international flight.
Day 2: Explore Melbourne & Sports Lover Tour
Enjoy breakfast at your accommodation before making your way to the Melbourne Cricket Ground or "MCG" for your tour. The MCG is a super stage for Australian sports and was the stadium for the 1956 Olympics, Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games, International Cricket, as well as Australian Rules Football. Break up the tour with lunch in the nearby Docklands neighborhood and enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure.
Day 3: Pick Up Rental Car, Drive to Phillip Island
Today you will collect your car and drive to Phillip Island just south of Melbourne (about two hours). Head to the western point of the island, stopping first at the Koala Reserve for the opportunity to spot koalas in their natural habitat as well as get up close with one. Continue into Phillip Island Nature Park, where you'll likely spot kangaroos and wallabies and if you have a keen eye, koalas, and wombats. Reach the Nobbies Center and stroll the boardwalks overlooking the Bass Strait. Depending on the time of year, you may be able to watch a parade of little penguins come in from the sea.
Driving duration (Melbourne to Nobbies Center): 2 hours
Driving distance: 94 miles (151 km)
Day 4: Free Day
Today is free for you to explore Phillip Island at your speed. Join an Eco Boat Adventure Tour for a 60-minute boat ride exploring Phillip Island's rugged coastline, where you'll encounter a fur seal colony. Or, for more kid-friendly options, check out the Antarctic Journey at the Nobbies Center or the Phillip Island Chocolate Factory.
Day 5: Drive the Great Ocean Road to Apollo Bay
After breakfast, leave Phillip Island behind and drive back to the mainland, working your way around Port Phillip Bay, past Melbourne, and onward to Apollo Bay. Along the way, stop in Torquay to watch the surfers before picking up the famous Great Ocean Road and carrying on to Bells Beach for a little sun and Aireys Inlet and Lorne for great cafés and shops. Check into your hotel in Apollo Bay and enjoy an evening of relaxation and stunning views.
Driving duration: 5 hours
Driving distance: 209 miles (336 km)
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Day 6: Drive to Coonawarra
This morning you'll complete the rest of the Great Ocean Road leg (it ends at Allansford), working your way to Coonawarra. Stop at Cape Otway and Port Fairy along the way before continuing to Cape Bridgewater for lunch with a view of the coastline: white dunes and sweeping beaches. Carry on west to the hamlet of Nelson, set on the Glenelg River, turning inland to check out the volcanic lakes around Mount Gambier, with Blue Lake as the most notable.
From there, it's a short drive to Penola and the Coonawarra wine region, where you'll check into your lodging in the late evening.
Driving duration: 6 hours
Driving distance: 283 miles (455 km)
Day 7: Drive to Adelaide
Enjoy breakfast before hitting the road and stopping at the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Naracoorte Caves to discover delicate calcite formations and a 350,000-year-old fossil bed. From there, you'll cross the Murray River (the third-longest navigable river in the world) on a car ferry for a short introduction to the beautiful river landscape to reach the historic town of Strathalbyn, the region immediately south of Adelaide.
Check into your hotel in the late afternoon and enjoy the city at your leisure.
Driving duration: 4 hours
Driving distance: 219 miles (352 km)
Day 8: Day Trip to Kangaroo Island
Board a coach bus in Adelaide this morning and ferry to Kangaroo Island, KI, as it is commonly referred to, for a full day observing animals. Start with a visit to Seal Bay accompanied by a local park ranger to see a colony of rare Australian sea lions. Explore Flinders Chase National Park, a sanctuary for Australian animals, including kangaroos, wallabies, and koalas, and stop at the Remarkable Rocks for a stunning view of the sea. And finally, cross a boardwalk to the Admirals Arch stone formation to see a colony of New Zealand fur seals.
Return to Adelaide late this evening.
Day 9: Day Trip to the Barossa Valley & Wine Tasting
This morning you will be collected from your accommodation to travel to the Barossa Valley to tour wineries and sample local wines. Pass by rolling hills and charming villages, noting the German influences leftover from the 19th century.
Day 10: Half-Day Tour of Adelaide
Today you will board a tour bus to explore South Australia's cosmopolitan Adelaide, ending the tour in the mid-afternoon. Take the rest of the day to venture out on your own and at your own pace.
Day 11: Drive to Halls Gap
This morning you will set off for Grampians National Park. To break up the long drive, stop in Robe for lunch and to stretch your legs before carrying on to Halls Gap.
Driving duration: 5 hours
Driving distance: 295 miles (474 km)
Day 12: Free Day
Take advantage of today and explore Grampians National Park, known for its sandstone mountains, wildflowers, and wildlife, including echidnas and wallabies. Visit the Brambuk Aboriginal Cultural Center for insight into the local Aboriginal history and rock art before choosing from several hiking trails, like the trail leading to the towering MacKenzie Falls, and lookout points like The Balconies.
Day 13: Return to Melbourne
Return to Melbourne today, stopping along the way at Ballarat for lunch and making a quick visit to Sovereign Hill for a peek into the town's gold mining past.
Arrive back in Melbourne and check into your hotel, spending the rest of the afternoon as you choose.
Driving duration: 3 hours
Driving distance: 158 miles (254 km)
Day 14: Depart Melbourne
Take the morning to unwind and reflect on your trip before making your way to the airport to drop off your rental and board your return flight home.
Driving duration: 30 minutes
Driving distance: 15 miles (24 km)
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