DAY 1 London-Melbourne
Depart London Heathrow Airport for Melbourne via Singapore

DAYS 2- 5 Melbourne
4 nights at the 4 star Hotel Grand Chancellor, Melbourne

DAY 6 – Melbourne to Apollo Bay - : Approx. 185km (115miles) 2hrs 40mins
Today you depart Melbourne and head west toward the scenic Great Ocean Road. Travel through Geelong and Torquay, renowned as one of Australia’s great surfing destinations even hosting a major international surf event annually at the famous Bells Beach. Continue along the Great Ocean Road to the seaside town of Anglesea a great spot to stop for lunch or perhaps a visit to the Malaleuca Art Gallery or take a tour of the Anglesea coalmine and power station which has been in operation since 1969. Patrolled surf and swimming beaches surrounded by beautiful forest and coastal scenery make Anglesea a popular stop for tourists.

Travel a further 30Km and you will find the town of Lorne at the foot of the Otway Ranges with its Mediterranean feel and charming scenery. For wonderful views along the coast head to Teddy’s Lookout or explore the natural attractions of Erskine Falls cascading into a beautiful fern gully. Make sure you take time out to wander down Lorne's main shopping strip filled with boutique gift stores, cellar, cafés and eating spots. Relax with a latte at a sidewalk café, picnic under the trees on the foreshore or dine on freshly caught seafood at a local restaurant.

Continue along the Great Ocean road to Apollo Bay located at the foothills of the Otway’s to explore the Great Ocean Road region. Here you will find a laidback seaside village so get ready to explore nearby forest and waterfall walks or enjoy an exhilarating ride through the ranges on a mountain bike. Take a treetop walk along the Otway Fly and a bird's eye view of the spectacular Otway Ranges. Spot native wildlife such as glow worms at Melba Gully, the elusive platypus at Lake Elizabeth or koalas at nearby Kennet River.

Overnight at Seafarers Getaway

DAY 7 – Apollo Bay to Port Fairy - : Approx. 190km (118miles) 2hrs 45mins
Depart Apollo Bay and head to the Otway Ranges National Park, perfect for a wide variety of recreational and nature-based activities.  Rest or experience the full beauty of the rainforest on the Otway Fly Tree Top Walk, 600 metres long and 25 metre high elevated tree top walk affording an enriching experience through magnificent rainforest scenery and wildlife.

Or explore and discover high waterfalls in the national park's narrow valleys, ranging from the impressive Triplet Falls to secluded falls over fern-fringed pools. View the dramatic cliffs and secluded beaches along the shore at remote and beautiful Cape Otway. Many walking tracks allow you to explore more of the Otway’s than you will see from your car so make sure you pack some comfortable walking shoes.

Continue back onto The Great Ocean Road, and enter spectacular Port Campbell National Park that extends from Princetown to Peterborough.   Along this stretch, you will see the 12 Apostles, London Bridge, The Bay of Island and Loch Arch Gorge, a visit to the new interpretative visitor centre contains information about the area and will assist you in making the most of your time here.

Once here you will witness the rugged splendour of the famous 12 Apostles, magnificent rock stacks that rise up majestically from the Southern Ocean on Victoria's dramatic coastline. The stunning Limestone cliffs were created by constant erosion of the limestone cliffs of the mainland beginning 10-20 million years ago, the stormy Southern Ocean and blasting winds gradually eroded the softer limestone, forming caves in the cliffs.  The caves eventually became arches and when they collapsed rock stacks up to 45 metres high were left isolated from the shore.  View the 12 Apostles at sunrise and sunset as they change colour from dark and foreboding in shadow to brilliant sandy yellow under a full sun.

Continue along the Princes Highway to Port Fairy. On your way to Port Fairy visit the quaint town of Koroit, where Irish immigrant farmers originally settled. Port Fairy is a unique fishing village and one of Victoria’s earliest ports. Whalers and sealers first settled the area in the early 1860’s, followed by Irish immigrants escaping the potato famine. Today, Port Fairy’s fishing fleet harvest crayfish and abalone. You can walk along the wharf on Moyne River or take a historic walk through Port Fairy’s streets with its historic churches, hotels and beautiful lighthouse.

Overnight at Central Motel Port Fairy (Golden Chain Pass- Gold)

DAY 8 – Port Fairy to Halls Gap - : Approx. 260km (162miles) 2hrs 15mins
This morning depart Port Fairy and head north, away from the coast and towards the natural beauty of Grampians mountain range.  Dunkeld is a beautiful village on the edge of the Grampians.  To survey the beauty of the region follow the trail joining Mount Sturgeon and Mount Abrupt, the highest peak in the southern Grampians.  The Grampians National Park is famous for some of the most spectacular scenery in Australia and is the perfect place for both relaxation and adventure. Walk to cascading waterfalls or lookouts overlooking rugged mountain ranges and impressive rock formations, and explore the bushland and discover the diverse wildlife of the region and a wide variety of birds.

For the more adventurous, try rock climbing or abseiling on the cliffs, pinnacles and bluffs of the Grampians. Guides and equipment are available, so even a novice can give it a go. Along with its natural beauty, the Grampians are home to the largest collection of Aboriginal rock paintings in Victoria.

The town of Halls Gap is the tourist hub of the region.  Surrounded by the Wonderland and Mount William ranges, it is a great place to base yourself as you explore the Grampians with its many attractions, including Boroka and Reed’s lookouts, McKenzie Falls, Lake Bellfield and Zumsteins.

For something different pay a visit to The Gap vineyard nestles under the craggy peaks, providing comfort via a tasting room beside a giant gum tree.  Taste The Gap single vineyard range and a selection from one of Australia's most distinguished wine producers Mount Langi Ghiran. Wines include Shiraz, Cabernet, Sangiovese, Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, and Riesling. Enjoy the ambience of this stunning vineyard only five minutes East of Halls Gap.

Overnight at  Mountain View Motor Inn (Golden Chain Pass - Green)
 

DAY 9 – Halls Gap to Naracoorte - : Approx. 215km (134miles) 3hrs
Drive from Halls Gap via Mackenzie Falls to Horsham, renowned for its dynamic arts community and friendly attitude and relaxed atmosphere. Here you can stroll along the Wimmera River, lined by ancient red gums or enjoy the beautiful Horsham Botanic Gardens. Situated within the Wimmera region Horsham is a farming area with wheat and sheep being the main industries. Stop at the Wool Factory, which produces some of the best fine wool in Australia while the Regional Art Gallery houses a magnificent collection.

Continue driving Southwest past Edenhope and Apsley before crossing over into South Australia.  Once across the border you will travel through the town of Hynam before reaching Naracoorte.  Once there, step back in time and discover the history of the Limestone Coast and early settlement of the area in The Sheep's Back Museum and Limestone Landscapes Exhibition.  Marvel at the spectacular formations of the limestone caves and interesting fossil deposits created over thousands of years. Located just 12kms from the township are the World Heritage Listed Naracoorte Caves a must for any visitor to the area.

Overnight – Naracoorte at Carolynnes Cottage

DAY 10  – Naracoorte to Adelaide - : Approx. 340km (211miles) 4hrs
Depart Naracoorte this morning and continue travelling north following the signs to the Adelaide Hills and the town of Hahndorf, Australia’s oldest surviving German settlement. Today Hahndorf is a flourishing community that attracts visitors from around the world. The original inhabitants were farmers and produced many items that had a ready market in Adelaide. When it comes to food and wine, Hahndorf’s extensive range of cafes, restaurants and bakeries ensure all tasted are catered for.  Hahndorf is surrounded by many wineries but no visit to Hahndorf is complete without a visit to one of its pubs. All three hotels serve excellent food and have traditional German beers on tap.

From Hahndorf, continue on to Adelaide the Australian city where there is always something on.  South Australia’s capital with its colourful calendar of festivals and special events has it all.  With spacious boulevards and vibrant inn-city districts, sophisticated architecture and lush gardens, Adelaide is perfect for all sorts of holiday activities.

Why not do a Cultural tour of the Adelaide Botanic Gardens, or sample everything from Asian fusion to Argentine cuisine in the exotic, bustling food halls of Chinatown. Swim with the dolphins or learn to sail in Glenelg.  Take a tour of the world-class wineries of the beautiful Barossa Valley or explore the museums, markets and historic harbour of Port Adelaide.

Stay at the 4 star Miller Apartments Adelaide for the next 3 nights
 

DAYS 11-13 Adelaide
Today you return your car, if you would like to keep it for a few more days to enable you to explore the South Australian wineries and countryside, returning it to the airport on your departure, please request the additional cost from our sales team.

DAY 14 Arrive London
Arrive London Heathrow Airport