Great Ocean Road Experience 3 Days
Melbourne to Adelaide Itinerary
The Great Ocean Road - One of Australia's most scenic routes is brimming with experiences. The spectacular coastline is accompanied by a diversity of wildlife, historic seaside villages, extinct volcanoes and nature-filled rainforest. It blends into famous wine regions; extraordinary wetlands filled with bird life, sand dunes and long, deserted beaches. Travel this extraordinary route with your personal 4WD guide. Explore the icons and the secrets of this breath-taking path through nature.
City pick up 06:45
Day 1 - Leave Melbourne over the Westgate Bridge and pass through rolling farmland, to the city of Geelong and then follow the 'Surf Coast' through the pretty beach holiday towns of Torquay, Anglesea and Airey's Inlet. Travel through Angahook-Lorne State Park; join the Great Ocean Road at Mt Duneed, then into Lorne and past Mount Defiance. You will now travel along spectacular cliff face roads (another good reason for having an expert guide driving, so you can concentrate on the scenery!) to the Wye River, one of many pretty fresh water inlets along the coast. The beautiful and protected Apollo Bay is just around the corner, which introduces the Cape Otway National Park. This is Australia's finest temperate climate Rain Forest. A visit to 'Mait's Rest' is a must. The boardwalk takes you through a breathtaking valley of ferns and giant trees. The old logging tracks through the National Park provide a chance to travel through some very special, secluded forest areas, home to black wallabies, coloured parrots, kookaburras and many more forest inhabitants. Now it is time to return to the coast and visit those rock formations that have made this route one of the most famous in the world. 'The 12 Apostles', 'Loch Ard', 'London Bridge' - will compete for 'most scenic view' in your photo album. Tonight's destination is Warrnambool.
O/n - Merton Manor
Day 2 - Warrnambool is the heart of the 'Shipwreck Coast'. This historic town is rich in maritime history. Visit one of the many extinct volcanoes in this region. The ancient crater is now home to a variety of animals and birds, including koalas, kangaroos and emus. Next stop is Port Fairy. Its delightful small harbour and many graceful historic buildings provide an enchanting setting. Travel through the scenic Discovery Bay Coastal Park and on to the Lower Glenelg National Park down to Nelson, situated on the Glenelg River estuary. On to Mount Gambier, famous for its Blue Lake and the fascinating Sunken Gardens. This is now the start of the Limestone Coast, a completely different type of coastline on this expedition of constantly changing scenery. You have moved from rugged coastline carved by the sea to sand dunes, long deserted beaches and lagoons filled with animal and bird life. Beachport, a quaint old whaling station on a sheltered bay, is home to a small fishing fleet. Passing Lake George, you arrive at Robe. This scenic and historic port is famous for its crayfish and beautiful Guichen Bay.
O/n - Anne's Place or Robe House
Day 3 - This region is known for its wines. To the north is the Cape Jaffa wine region and the opportunity to sample some of the local wares. At Kingston, you have arrived at the southern end of 'The Coorong'. This is one of the most important wetland regions in the world. This long, narrow lagoon stretches from the mouth of the Murray River. It is home to a multitude of local and migratory birds as well as kangaroos, emus and other native fauna, a region steeped in history, both of the early settlers and the Aboriginal people who inhabited this region. Here you will drive over sand dunes to reach a beach that stretches for 90 uninterrupted miles. You continue your exploration along the Coorong until you reach Lake Alexandrina, Australia's largest freshwater lake. From here you enter the Langhorne Creek wine region where descendants of the early Scottish settlers still operate one of the original Australian wineries. Enter the Mount Lofty Ranges, where picturesque hills form the gateway into the delightfully pretty city of Adelaide.
Tour Departs Melbourne 07:00 on the first day and arrives in Adelaide approx 18:00 on the third day.
Tour Includes:
Complimentary pick up in Melbourne
3 days escorted 4WD touring
2 nights Bed & Breakfast accommodation
All lunches and morning teas
All park entry and permit fees
Set down in Adelaide
Accommodation:
All accommodation is of the highest standard being 4½ - 5 star country accommodation. The accommodation includes hosted B&B, historic houses and scenic settings. All accommodation is individually characteristic.
Due to the small and private nature of the accommodation, Banksia Adventures has chosen a limited selection of suitable properties along this route and accommodation and location may vary with seasonal availability.
Economy Accommodation Rate Option
Itinerary and inclusions as above.
Economy accommodation is utilised.
DEPARTURE DATES :
DEPARTS DAILY (SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY)
UNAVAILABLE FOR DEPARTURE ON GOOD FRIDAY & CHRISTMAS DAY.
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