Australia: Culinary Wine Tour

Lose a day.

As Australia's largest city, Sydney embraces its harbour, taking the sea and natural waterways to its heart. The grand style of the Sydney Opera House has made the city, the landmark of the South Pacific.

Upon arrival, we are met and transferred to our hotel where our rooms have been pre-registered for early arrival. This evening we will enjoy an exclusive Gala Cocktail Reception at the impressive Sydney Opera House followed by Sail Venture's Dinner Cruise on Sydney's spectacular harbour. D

Accommodation: Ana Hotel (Opera House View) (2 Nights)

After breakfast at our hotel, we board our coach for the drive to Featherdale Wildlife Park to see all the unique Aussie animals including koalas, kangaroos, wombats, emus etc. After our visit, we continue on to the Blue Mountains and Lilianfels Resort nestled on the rim of the Jamieson Valley to enjoy a delicious lunch hosted by representatives from the Orange/Mudgee wine regions. Late afternoon we return to Sydney and our hotel. BL

This morning, we will depart Sydney and travel north over the Hawkesbury River, through the citrus-growing areas of the Central Coast towards the Hunter Region with over 40 wineries many of them among the best known in Australia and overseas for their magnificent wines.

Our first stop is at Wyndham Estates for a gourmet lunch and wine tasting. This afternoon we visit Wandin Valley Estate for tasting and a talk with the winemaker, Mr. Geoffrey Broadfield. Our final stop today will be at Allanmere winery for tastings with the winemaker. On arrival at our fabulous hotel, we will be greeted with sparkling champagne welcome. Dinner tonight is at Chez Pok Restaurant in our hotel. BLD

Accommodation: Peppers Guest House (1 Night)

Enjoy a full day touring the valley. After a leisurely breakfast at our hotel, we head to McWilliams Winery for a vertical tasting of the aged and current releases of Hunter Semillons. A delicious gourmet lunch is included today at Rothbury Estate in the Grand Cask Hall with tasting. Later we have an exclusive tour of the wine-making facilities at Tyrells including wine tasting of their premium and award-winning wines. Late this afternoon, we coach back to Sydney and our hotel. Dinner tonight is on your own to discover one of Sydney's many fine restaurants. BL

Accommodation: Ana Hotel (Opera House View) (1 Night)

Morning transfer to the airport for our short, domestic flight to Melbourne, Australia's fashion and financial capital. Upon arrival, we are met and transferred to our hotel. The remainder of the Day is free to explore Melbourne on your own.

This evening a unique experience as we enjoy a sumptuous dinner "clanging" through the streets on the historic Tramcar Restaurant. BD

Accommodation: Windsor Hotel (3 nights)

We depart in the late morning for the gold country town of Ballarat. On this scenic drive, our first stop will be in the natural spa town of Daylesford for morning tea at Convent Gallery. The building was once a convent and has now been converted into a prestigious gallery.

From Daylesford, we continue to Ballarat and the gold mining town of Sovereign Hill, a recreation of an 1850s Australian gold rush town. A special lunch at the New York Bakery at Sovereign Hill is included. On our return to Melbourne, we stop at Hanging Rock winery for a tour and tasting. BL

This morning we enjoy a delightful breakfast at the Royal Melbourne Zoological Gardens, rated one of the best in the world. After breakfast and a short guided tour of the grounds, we head to the Central Goulburn Valley for wine region to visit Chateau Tahbilk, one of Australia's oldest wineries. Time for wine tasting before taking a leisurely cruise up river to the beautiful Mitchelton Winery, nestled on banks of the picturesque Goulburn River. Mitchelton Winery is one of the most sophisticated wineries in the world, renowned for a distinctive Australian style and consistent high quality. At Mitchelton, we will have time to stroll the grounds of the estate as well as time for a delicious lunch. Late afternoon return to Melbourne and out hotel. BL

After a relaxing breakfast, we transfer to the airport for our flight to Adelaide, the 'Festival City'. Upon arrival, we are met and transferred to our hotel. The remainder of the Day is at leisure. This evening we are welcomed with a cocktail reception at our hotel. B

Accommodation: Hilton Hotel (Executive Rooms) (2 nights)

This morning we will travel by deluxe coach to the Mclaren Vale region to sample the fine wines of the Wirra Wirra Winery. They will be your hosts for a special Australian Barbeque with a bushband and the chance to learn to throw a boomerang! From Wirra Wirra, we stop for tastings at Woodstock and Middlebrooke Wineries. Dinner tonight is included at famous Charlicks Restaurant. BD

A tour through one of the most famous wine growing areas in the world – the Barossa Valley. We'll visit Seppelts Winery, Chateau Yaldara and Yalumba Wineries. Lunch and tasting is included today at Kaesler Winery. Our new hotel is set in a natural amphitheatre overlooking Jacob Creek and the North Para River blending harmoniously with the picture-book landscape. A special dinner tonight at Vintners at Angaston. BLD

Accommodation: All Seasons Premier Barossa Valley (1 Night)

We head back to Adelaide this morning and transfer to the airport to connect with our flights home. B