Discover the finest Southern Australia road trip - an adventure full of nature, wildlife, food and wine, history, Indigenous cultures, beaches and surf culture that will delight and inspire every traveller.
Your journey starts in Melbourne and takes you along chic coastal cities and towns of the spectacular Great Ocean Road, the food and wine region of Bellarine Peninsula and the majestic nature and Aboriginal heritage of the Grampians National Park.
Feel the gold rush in Ballarat and relax in the healing waters of Daylesford. Do as little or as much as you like on this self-drive tour, that's the beauty of it!Discover the finest Southern Australia road trip - an adventure full of nature, wildlife, food and wine, history, Indigenous cultures, beaches and surf culture that will delight and inspire every traveller.
Your journey starts in Melbourne and takes you along chic coastal cities and towns of the spectacular Great Ocean Road, the food and wine region of Bellarine Peninsula and the majestic nature and Aboriginal heritage of the Grampians National Park.
Feel the gold rush in Ballarat and relax in the healing waters of Daylesford. Do as little or as much as you like on this self-drive tour, that's the beauty of it!
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Itinerary
Day 1
Start Your Southern Australia Road Trip
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Today, you'll collect your rental car (not included) from Melbourne Airport and head off on your adventure along one of Australia’s most scenic coastlines. Drive through the coastal surf towns of Torquay and Lorne and visit the iconic Bells Beach, famous for the birthplace of surf brands, Quicksilver and Ripcurl. Whatever adventure you wish to have, Apollo Bay and the Otway is nature’s playground. Bike, hike, ride, kayak, swim, boat, and drive through the region’s best.
Accommodation
Casa Favilla Bed & Breakfast★4 star
Activities
Bells BeachOptional Activity
Great Otway National ParkOptional Activity
Transportations
Self-Driving from Melbourne Airport to Apollo Bay
Destinations
Bells Beach
Apollo Bay
Cape Otway
Day 2
A Day Dedicated to the Ocean
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It is all about the ocean today. The 12 Apostles and the Bay of Islands are already a spectacular sight from the road, but even more spectacular from the sky. Included is a 70-minute scenic helicopter or light plane flight over this magnificent coast. In the afternoon, you'll paddle out to the Seal Colony and see the reefs at the Marengo Reef Marine Sanctuary. For seafood lovers, the Apollo Bay Fisherman’s co-op has a stunning array of locally caught seafood.
Accommodation
Casa Favilla Bed & Breakfast★4 star
Activities
Apollo Bay Scenic Flight
Marengo Reefs Marine Sanctuary
Meals
Breakfast
Destinations
Apollo Bay
Marengo
Victoria
Day 3
Drive to Grampians National Park
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Travel along the Great Ocean Road to Tower Hill passing by Moonlight Head, the 12 Apostles, and the Bay of Islands. Then, head north until you reach Dunkeld with a lunch stop at the award-winning Royal Mail Hotel where you can stretch your legs on the beautiful 45-minute self-guided trail around the property. Later, you can enjoy a behind-the-scenes wine tour followed by a native wildlife experience. You'll then take the scenic Grampians Road right through the national park to Halls Gap.
Accommodation
Grampians Chalets
Activities
Royal Mail Hotel Mount Sturgeon WalkOptional Activity
Royal Mail Hotel Wine Tour
Royal Mail Hotel Wildlife Tour
Restaurants
Royal Mail HotelOptional Activity
Transportations
Self-Driving from Apollo Bay to Grampians National Park
Meals
Breakfast
Destinations
Apollo Bay
Dunkeld
Halls Gap
Day 4
Explore Halls Gap
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Adventurers and nature-lovers will be in awe of this sacred landscape. You can hike, walk or cycle the numerous trails and must-sees. With over 200 bird species and abundant wildlife, waterfalls and panoramic views around the park - you will feel the spirits of the earth. A must-do experience is the Brambuk Cultural Centre where your tour awaits. Choose from other activities such as a didgeridoo workshop, boomerang throwing, bush tucker tasting, Badeema Aboriginal art creations, or a bushwalk.
Accommodation
Grampians Chalets
Activities
Halls Gap ExperiencesOptional Activity
Meals
Breakfast
Destinations
Halls Gap
Day 5
Follow the Gold Rush to Daylesford
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Gold Rush Fever! On your way to Daylesford, you will visit Sovereign Hill and experience the gold rush town and outdoor museum. There are swag experiences on offer: panning for gold, dipping candles the old-fashioned way, riding a stagecoach or going underground. You will receive a unique souvenir memento photo of you dressed up in beautiful Victorian costumes. Then, it is on to relax your weary body after all that adventure and outdoor activity in the award-winning spa region.
Accommodation
Bellinzona Resort, Cellar Door & Dining★4 star
Activities
Sovereign Hill
Transportations
Self-Driving from Grampians National Park to Daylesford
Meals
Breakfast
Destinations
Halls Gap
Ballarat
Hepburn Springs
Day 6
A Day in Daylesford
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Daylesford’s vibe is artsy and quirky. Dozens of artists, creators and makers can be found in studio spaces and galleries. Wander the streets and discover speciality boutiques, restaurants, cafes, bookstores and antique shops. Whatever you choose to do, whether it is wellness and relaxation, walking or cycling the Macedon Ranges or grazing on menus of regional goodness; you will not want to leave.
Accommodation
Bellinzona Resort, Cellar Door & Dining★4 star
Activities
DaylesfordOptional Activity
Meals
Breakfast
Destinations
Hepburn Springs
Daylesford
Day 7
Drive Back to Melbourne
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As you are driving, you can choose when you want to drive back to Melbourne to return your rental car, completing your Southern Australia road trip.
Transportations
Self-Driving from Daylesford to Melbourne
Meals
Breakfast
Destinations
Hepburn Springs
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What’s included?
6 nights accommodation
5 activities
6 breakfasts
Entrance fees
Licensed English speaking guides
What’s not included?
Airport transfer
Alcohol beverages
Domestic flights
Entry visas / airport departure tax
Gratuities
Ground transportation
International flights
Laundry
Personal expenses
Travel insurance
Trekking permits
Starting From
AU$ 3,437/ per traveller sharing
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Benefits of this trip
Australia in 7 days
4-star accommodation
24/7 in-destination support from your local designer