VICTORIA SELF-DRIVE TOUR
Phillip Island Mornington Peninsula
xxxxx Yarra Valley
5 night self-drive tour from £ 699pp
Cunningham Pier , Geelong
BEYOND MELBOURNE
5 NIGHT SELF-DRIVE TOUR
fabulous foodie destinations • enchanting wildlife experiences • great surfing and lazing beaches
DAY 1 Melbourne / Yarra Valley
Drive out of Melbourne and into the stunning Yarra Valley , viewing the vineyards along the way . Time your arrival to allow for a leisurely lunch at one of the award-winning wineries where you can sample the very best regional or international cuisine on offer together with a glass of world class wine . Later , you may like to get close to native Australian wildlife at the ever-popular Healesville Sanctuary ( 29 miles ).
DAY 2 Yarra Valley / Phillip Island
Today ’ s drive south takes you through the Dandeong Ranges , a verdant realm of towering trees , scenic winding roads and quaint hilltop villages . If time allows , take a ride on Puffing Billy , a century-old steam train which runs from Belgrave to Gembrook ; browse eclectic boutiques and visit a quaint tearoom for an afternoon Devonshire tea in Sassafras , which is known for its 19th century charm ; or take a stroll in Sherbrooke Forest . Continue your drive to Phillip Island , which is packed with coastal wildlife experiences , cultural events as well as a growing food and wine scene ( 91 miles ).
Puffing Billy
DAY 3 Phillip Island
At leisure . There is plenty to see and do , perhaps visit the Koala Conservation Centre , take a wildlife cruise or buckle up and take a lap around the grand prix circuit . Don ’ t miss The Nobbies , a magnificent headland where coastal views seem to stretch forever and can be soaked up from the boardwalks and lookout points . Just offshore from The Nobbies are Seal Rocks , home to Australia ’ s largest Australian Fur Seal colony ; wildlife cruises to see the seals and birdlife are available . At sunset , head to Summerland Beach for the nightly Penguin Parade , when the comical Little Penguin colony return ashore ; watching them waddle across the beach to their sand dune burrows is a magical experience !
DAY 4 Phillip Island / Mornington Peninsula
Follow the curve of the coastline as you drive towards the Mornington Peninsula , which combines the best of Europe ’ s coastal living with traditional Aussie charm . Explore the galleries , spas and cafés in breezy seaside villages , spend time on the beach , visit a fragrant lavender farm or escape to the hinterland for gourmet delights at boutique wineries . Being part of a declared UNESCO biosphere reserve with marine national parks on the doorstep , the Mornington Peninsula is also a unique spot to dive , snorkel or kayak ( 67 miles ).
DAY 5 Mornington Peninsula / Geelong
Drive to Sorrento to catch the Searoad Ferry across Port Phillip Bay to Queenscliff . Continue by road to Geelong , a cosmopolitan city , ever-evolving foodie destination and gateway to the Bellarine Peninsula . Follow the Bellarine Taste Trail and treat your tastebuds with stops at wineries , farmgates , restaurants or cafés to savour regional flavours and to grab some take home goodies . Wander down the waterfront taking in public artworks and landscaped gardens , pop into Boom Gallery in the industrial area of Geelong or , play golf at one of the area ’ s premier courses ( 43 miles land only ).
DAY 6 Geelong / Melbourne
Spend further time by the beach , browse the Geelong Vintage Market or , take a break at one of the many eateries in Little Malop and James Street . The drive back to Melbourne takes around an hour and your tour concludes as you drop off your car ( 46 miles ). This tour combines well with the Great Southern Loop on page 88 .
VICTORIA
Geelong
Melbourne
Port Phillip Bay
Phillip Island
Yarra Valley
Mornington Peninsula
Yarra Valley 1 night ~ Phillip Island 2 nights Mornington Peninsula 1 night ~ Geelong 1 night
Federation Square , Melbourne
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW Departures : Daily
Accommodation : 4H Yerring Gorge Cottages , Yarra Valley ; 3HPLUS Waves Serviced Apartments , Phillip Island ;
4H Flinders Hotel , Mornington Peninsula ; 4H Rydges , Geelong .
Meals : Room only . Continental breakfast on days 2 & 5 .
Tour price : The price shown includes 6 days group B car hire , accommodation as outlined , Penguin Parade on day 3 and ferry from Sorrento to Queenscliff .
www . premierholidays . co . uk AUSTRALIA 89