General Information:

DEPARTS: Melbourne
FINISH: Adelaide
NO. OF DAYS: 6

TOUR CODE: ATA015

ACCOMMODATION: Hostel

TRANSPORT: Ferry/Coach

AGE: 8+

GROUP SIZE: 24

Highlights:

Bells Beach, Great Ocean Road, Grampians NP, Admirals Arch, Seal Bay, Remarkable Rocks, Flinders Chase NP, Prospect Hill

Itinerary

Day 1 - Melbourne via Great Ocean Road to Port Campbell

We begin our journey travelling through Geelong before stopping at Torquay (home of Quicksilver and Rip Curl) where you can pick yourself up a bargain, before making our way to the world famous Bell's Beach. Here we commence our journey on the renowned Great Ocean Road, one of the most spectacular coastal roads in Australia, calling into the seaside towns of Lorne & Apollo Bay exploring pristine beaches, gorges and the magnificent cool temperate rainforest of the Otway NP. We spend time at the awesome Otway Fly, (25 metre high elevated tree top walk) and explore Loch Ard Gorge before enjoying sunset at the Twelve Apostles. Tonight we stay in the fishing village of Port Campbell or Princetown.

We drive to the Twelve Apostles then take the Gibson Steps down to the beach for a different perspective of this amazing formation. Continuing along the western end of the Great Ocean Road we visit London Bridge, The Grotto, Bay of Martyrs and Bay of Islands before arriving at Warrnambool for a chance to view whales (seasonal). Travelling on through country Victoria, we arrive at the magnificent Grampians NP, where we accept the challenge of a hike to the Pinnacle. We finish the day with a walk to The Balconies & Reeds Lookout before arriving at our overnight accommodation in the Grampians. (B)

Today we spend the morning hiking to the bottom of MacKenzie Falls & Hollow Mountain for breathtaking views over the north of the Grampians before sadly leave this magical place. Travelling west, we break for lunch at Horsham then continue through the agricultural district of Victoria, into South Australia and Bordertown, home of the rare White Western Grey Kangaroos. We cross the mighty Murray River, then pass through the picturesque Adelaide Hills arriving into the city of Adelaide. Overnight dorm accommodation included. (B)

Overnight dorm accommodation included. (no meals)

We make our way out of Adelaide through the scenic hills of the Fleurieu Peninsula. When we arrive at Cape Jervis, we board the SeaLink ferry across Backstairs Passage (45 minute trip) to Penneshaw, where we meet your local island guide. It's not far to our first stop at Pennington Bay, one of the Island's stunning surf beaches. Get amongst sea lions in their natural habitat on our guided walk at Seal Bay, an experience you won't forget! Scramble up the white sand hills at Little Sahara and get up close to more wildlife (including koalas) at the Hanson Bay Koala Sanctuary. We arrive at our farm-stay accommodation late in the afternoon. After dinner, get ready to spot kangaroos, wallabies and possums on a guided nocturnal walk. (LD)

We spend the morning in Flinders Chase National Park. Clamber on the huge granite outcrops of Remarkable Rocks, sculpted by nature over hundreds of years. A colony of New Zealand fur seals resides at Admirals Arch on Cape du Couedic, watch while they frolic in the ocean or lap up the sunshine! We'll have lunch at Rocky River Headquarters, where there's time to check out the Information Centre; start point for the Snake Lagoon and Platypus Walks (seasonal choice). After lunch, we travel through the central farming region to the North Coast, visiting Stokes Bay, where a rock runnel leads to an idyllic beach (seasonal). We then return to Penneshaw, with time to purchase dinner (own expense) before returning to the mainland and Adelaide. (BL)

Additional Costs (to be paid locally):

AU$17 Fuel Levy