Victoria Encompassed

Today, meet up with your group and guide, before heading out for the Great Ocean Road. We will see the spectacular 12 Apostles and hear the tragic story of the Loch Ard shipwreck at Loch Ard Gorge. Our day also has the opportunity to look for koalas and native birds in the wild, and the coastal townships of Apollo Bay and Lorne as we make our way to our hotel. The evening is at leisure.

Accommodation: Novotel Geelong

This morning we depart for Queenscliff, where we will take the ferry across Port Phillip Bay to Sorrento on the beautiful Mornington Peninsula, where we will reveal the region with the most delicious secrets.

After arriving, there is some free time to enjoy a wander around Sorrento, home to Victoria’s first European settlement. Sorrento is a picturesque town, featuring stunning homesteads, historical buildings, and beautiful cafes and beaches. We continue on to Point Nepean National Park, which is surrounded by rugged coastline, and is the location of the old quarantine buildings, the army barracks, and Cheviot Beach, where an Australian Prime Minister drowned. Our lunch today is ay the famous Portsea Hotel, established in 1876, this gorgeous waterfront pub is one of the Peninsula’s best. The group menus have been curated to ensure your dining experience is engaging and memorable with a focus on small and large grazing plates.

After lunch, we check-in to hotel…but the day is not over yet…it’s time to unwind a little! This afternoon - the Peninsula Hot Springs. Sink into the natural geothermal mineral waters. Awaken your senses, relax and reconnect as you explore the natural surrounds…

Accommodation: Peppers Moonah Links 

A treasure of Victoria’s coastline, the Mornington Peninsula is a beautiful blend of seaside charm and rich wine country.

Our day includes a stop at Pure Peninsula Honey, where you will see the bees collecting pollen, building honeycomb and working in their hive. The farm offers a vast range of pure honeys for tasting. (tasting included).

Next, it is time for a truffle hunt, an exciting escape from routine with an opportunity to discover black winter truffles. At the family run farm, you will be welcomed by our tour host along with their eager truffle hunting English Springer Spaniels, The hunt begins with Jenny Mcauley sharing her truffle story before we are escorted into the truffiere to uncover the well concealed fungi. The hunting adventure concludes at nearby Max’s Restaurant with truffle dishes prepared using Red Hill Truffles. After lunch, we continue our local tastes day, with a visit and wine tasting at Red Hill Estate, which boasts one of the best views of any Cellar Door in the world for a true taste of the Mornington Peninsula. We end the day at one of the local Brewery and enjoy a cold beer and tasting paddle, before returning to our hotel.

The rest of the day is at leisure.

The morning is free and at leisure, before we depart for the Moonlit Wildlife Sanctuary. The wildlife park features all-Australian native animals in a small, family-run environment that enables you to hand feed many of the marsupials.

Our nature day continues, as we head off to Phillip Island to see Seal Rocks and then on to view the famous Koala Conservation Reserve and Penguin Parade, where thousands of Little Penguins return to their burrows after a day at sea. We have upgraded you to the Penguins Plus viewing platform for a premium encounter with the penguins. Dinner tonight is also included at the local seaside town of Cowes on Phillip Island.

Our night will end back in Melbourne.

Accommodation: Clarion Suites Gateway - Studio River View

Today, we head up to Dandenong Ranges, the cool, Green lungs of Melbourne. Here we board the Puffing Billy Steam Train; relax and unwind with a majestic three-hour steam train journey as you take in the scenic vista of the Dandenong Ranges.

We travel through the magnificent Dandenong Ranges, with lush Fern gullies brushing past and Mountain Ash tres towering overhead. Puffing Billy makes for a wonderful opportunity to relax and breathe in the Fresh air whilst the train makes its way through the temperate Rainforest. Afterwards, we take a leisurely 45 minute drive back to the Yarra Valley.

The Yarra Valley became Victoria’s first wine region when Yering Station planted its first grapevines, back in 1838. Although wineries have since proliferated across regional Victoria, the Yarra Valley - with its world-renowned cool-climate cabernet sauvignon, chardonnay and sparkling wine – remains a vital part of Australia’s wine industry. Lunch today is at Rochford Wines, which is followed by a wine tasting. After lunch & wine tasting, we visit Yarra Valley Chocolateries in the picturesque Yarra Valley before we return to Melbourne.

This evening, we meet up with our guide for a short walk to our farewell dinner at The Meat & Wine Company, considered one of the best restaurants in Southbank, Melbourne. After dinner a leisurely stroll back to the hotel.

Sadly it is time to end your Downunder journey, the day is at leisure until the group transfer to Melbourne International airport in time for flight home or onward flight if you are continuing your
globetrotting adventure.