VICTORIA SHORT TOUR EXPERIENCES
Apollo Bay
Sinkhole in Mount Gambier |
2 night short escorted tour from £ 1169p |
Balgownie Estate |
1 night escorted short tour from £ 279pp |
MELBOURNE TO ADELAIDE
2 NIGHT ESCORTED SHORT TOUR
small group & deluxe vehicle • stunning scenery • lots of sights included
DAY 1 Melbourne / Apollo Bay
Depart early from Melbourne and travel through the vast volcanic plains to Geelong where you can stroll along the beautifully transformed waterfront . Start your journey along the Great Ocean Road at Torquay , stopping at various places along the coast including Bells Beach . The focus then turns to Australian native wildlife as you observe eastern grey kangaroos in the wild . The journey continues as you travel the very scenic , cliffhugging section of the Great Ocean Road , stopping to view sites such as the ‘ Memorial Arch ’. After lunch in Lorne , cruise along the spectacular road , stopping at many scenic spots including Kennett River where you can see koalas and many colourful native birds . Travelling on through Apollo Bay you enter Great Otway National Park for a guided walk through a cool temperate rainforest gully to see the world ’ s tallest flowering plants , prehistoric trees and ferns and unique features such as ‘ Yabbie Chimneys ’. Continue to Apollo Bay and your hotel before dinner at an award-winning restaurant .
DAY 2 Apollo Bay / Mount Gambier
After breakfast the journey gets underway as you travel through the Otway ranges and onto the ‘ Shipwreck Coast ’. The first stop is at Castle Cove overlooking the Aire river valley where , millions of years ago , dinosaurs roamed the land . Next , see the Twelve Apostles , which are true icons of Australia ’ s natural beauty , arriving as the stacks are lit with the morning sun making them perfect for photos and crowd free . Enjoy time to explore the boardwalks or brave a helicopter flight along the coastline ( extra expense ) before you visit ‘ Loch Ard Gorge ’, the site of the most famous 19th century Australian shipwreck . Next up is the small fishing village of Port Campbell , then continue west and take in London Bridge , Bay of Islands , Bay of Martyrs , and Boat Bay . Travel through Warrnambool and onto Tower Hill Game Reserve where you may see koalas , kangaroos and emus before driving through picturesque Port Fairy towards Mount Gambier , home of the ‘ Blue ’ crater lake and numerous ‘ sinkholes ’.
DAY 3 Mount Gambier / Adelaide
Drive through the Coonawarra wine region and visit the Naracoorte Caves National Park for a cave tour with a local guide . Journey on through another prominent South Australian wine region , Padthaway , as you head north through to Keith . After lunch , travel through grain and stock land towards Adelaide . This is a vast drought affected area of Australia and is an incredible contrast to the lush forests and coastal pastures that you have been travelling through . On the approach to city visit the very popular tourist village of Hahndorf and Mount Lofty summit for impressive , birds-eye views of Adelaide and surrounds . Tour concludes early evening in Adelaide .
YARRA VALLEY LUXURY OVERNIGHT
1 NIGHT ESCORTED SHORT TOUR
swirl , sniff , slurp & enjoy wine • four winery visits • ample leisure time
DAY 1 Melbourne / Yarra Valley
Depart Melbourne this morning in the company of your wine expert guide who will entertain and educate you as you relax during your journey to the Yarra Valley . After about an hour ’ s drive , arrive at a premium cellar door for your first tasting at Greenstone Vineyard , which enjoys a picturesque setting . The next destination is the amazing Balgownie Estate , which along with spectacular views , has a great display on the history of winemaking . The cellar door staff will share some of their great wines with you before you enjoy lunch and move on to your hotel .
This afternoon , you are free to enjoy the many activities at the hotel , including the health club with its indoor pool , steam room and gym . Alternatively , there ’ s tennis , volleyball and a walking trail as well as an exceptional spa .
DAY 2 Yarra Valley / Melbourne
The morning is yours for some independent exploration or to simply relax and drink in the intoxicating panoramas . Early this afternoon , meet your driver guide and travel on to the family-owned and run Yering Farm , which is known for its distinct and highly respected collection of wines and cider . The tour continues on to Soumah Wines where you can look forward to spectacular views of the surrounding Warramate Hills . Of course , you ’ re also here to try their wine , and pretty special it is too as it specialises in wine styles and varieties typical to northern Italy and south eastern France .
All too soon , it ’ s time to bid farewell to the Yarra Valley and head back to Melbourne where your tour concludes .
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW Departures : Selected Sundays .
Accommodation : 4H Beacon Point Ocean View Villas , Apollo Bay &
4H Commodore , Mount Gambier .
Meals : Breakfast on days 2 & 3 . Lunch on days 1 & 2 .
Tour price : The price shown for this escorted tour includes coach travel , accommodation , and sightseeing as outlined .
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW Departures : Selected Mondays-Thursdays & Sundays . Accommodation : 5H Balgownie Estate Yarra Valley . Meals : Breakfast on day 2 . Lunch on day 1 .
Tour price : The price shown for this escorted tour includes coach travel , accommodation , and tutored wine tastings as outlined .
visit your travel agent or call 08444 937 900 • www . premierholidays . co . uk
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