Melbourne & Regional Victoria

Full itinerary

Melbourne & Regional Victoria — 5 Days / 4 Nights

Day-by-day itinerary, with seasonal and operating details subject to the confirmed package quotation.

1. Day 1

   Melbourne – Great Ocean Road – Warrnambool

   Depart Melbourne in the morning and travel towards the Surf Coast to begin your Great Ocean Road adventure. During strawberry season, stop at Surf Coast Strawberry Fields near Mount Duneed, where you can enjoy strawberry picking when the farm is open and fruit is available. Continue along the Great Ocean Road, with selected stops for coastal views and photographs. Travel through seaside towns such as Lorne and Apollo Bay, with time to purchase lunch along the way. Continue through the Otway region to the dramatic limestone coastline of Port Campbell National Park. Visit the Twelve Apostles and Loch Ard Gorge, subject to access and conditions, before travelling onwards to Warrnambool. Overnight: Warrnambool.

2. Day 2

   Warrnambool – Grampians – Ballarat

   After breakfast, depart Warrnambool and travel inland to the Grampians / Gariwerd National Park. Explore the Halls Gap area and enjoy selected scenic lookouts and short walks suited to the group and conditions. Take in the mountain landscapes and keep an eye out for kangaroos and other native wildlife. Enjoy time to purchase lunch in Halls Gap before continuing to the historic gold rush city of Ballarat. Arrive in Ballarat, check into your accommodation and enjoy the evening at leisure. Overnight: Ballarat.

3. Day 3

   Ballarat – Sovereign Hill – Melbourne

   Spend the day discovering Sovereign Hill, an outdoor museum recreating life during Victoria’s 1850s gold rush. Explore the historic streets, browse traditional shops, watch scheduled demonstrations and try your luck panning for gold. There will be time to purchase lunch and explore the attraction at a relaxed pace. In the afternoon, depart Ballarat and return to Melbourne. Check into ibis Styles Kingsgate Hotel, with the evening free to explore nearby restaurants or relax. Overnight: ibis Styles Kingsgate Hotel, Melbourne, subject to availability.

4. Day 4

   Puffing Billy – Maru Koala Park – Phillip Island

   Depart Melbourne in the morning for the Dandenong Ranges and enjoy a journey aboard the historic Puffing Billy steam railway, travelling through beautiful forest scenery. After your train ride, continue towards Phillip Island via Maru Koala and Animal Park. See koalas, kangaroos and other Australian wildlife, with time to enjoy the park and purchase lunch along the route. Continue to Phillip Island. Depending on the train schedule, daylight and available time, enjoy a stop in Cowes or coastal sightseeing at the Nobbies. At dusk, visit the Penguin Parade to watch little penguins return ashore and make their way towards their burrows. Return to Melbourne after the Penguin Parade. Please expect a late arrival, particularly during summer. Overnight: ibis Styles Kingsgate Hotel, Melbourne, subject to availability.

5. Day 5

   Melbourne City Sights – Brighton Bathing Boxes – Shopping

   Enjoy your final day exploring Melbourne’s landmarks, historic buildings and shopping areas. Visit Brighton Beach to photograph the colourful Brighton Bathing Boxes, one of Melbourne’s best-known seaside attractions. Continue with a city sightseeing tour, featuring selected stops or views of Flinders Street Station and Federation Square; St Paul’s Cathedral; Parliament House and the historic Spring Street precinct; and the Royal Exhibition Building and Carlton Gardens. Finish with time for shopping at Queen Victoria Market, when open, or explore Melbourne’s local shops, arcades and souvenir stores. The sightseeing order may be adjusted to suit market trading hours and your onward travel arrangements. Tour concludes in Melbourne.

Package inclusions

Stay, transfers and key attraction entries

• Night 1: Warrnambool
• Night 2: Ballarat
• Nights 3 and 4: ibis Styles Kingsgate Hotel, Melbourne, subject to availability
• Airport transfers; pickup and drop-off arrangements are specified in your confirmed package quotation
• Four hotel breakfasts
• Free Wi-Fi at the hotel
• Admission to attractions included in the confirmed itinerary

Strawberry-picking charges, meals beyond the four hotel breakfasts and any exclusions will be set out in your confirmed package quotation. Airport drop-off at the end of the tour can be arranged by Melbourne Australia Tours or its partners, subject to availability and confirmation.