Great Ocean Road Experience 4 Days
Adelaide to Melbourne 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 Adelaide over the Mount Lofty Ranges, where picturesque hills form the gateway from the city to the Langhorne Creek wine region where descendants of the early Scottish settlers still operate one of the original Australian wineries. You continue your exploration past Lake Alexandrina, Australia's largest fresh water lake, to the northern 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 and is home to a multitude of local and migratory birds, as well as kangaroos, emus and other native fauna. It is a region steeped in history, both of the early settlers and the Aboriginal people who inhabited this land. Here you drive over sand dunes to reach a shell-covered beach that stretches for 90 uninterrupted miles. The southern end of The Coorong is the cray fishing seaside town of Kingston. This is now the start of the Limestone Coast, a completely different type of coastline on this expedition of constantly changing scenery. Next is the Cape Jaffa wine region, an opportunity to sample some of the local wares before arriving at your over night accommodation in the beautiful seaside town of Robe. This scenic and historic port is famous for its Crayfish and beautiful Guichen Bay.
O/n - Anne's Place or Robe House
Day 2 - You will move from sand dunes to long deserted beaches and lagoons filled with animal and bird life, to a rugged coastline carved by the sea. Passing Lake George, you arrive at Beachport, a quaint old whaling station. Situated on a sheltered bay, it has a small fishing fleet and magnificent coastal scenery. Your next stop is Mount Gambier, famous for its Blue Lake and the fascinating Sunken Gardens. Travel through to Nelson, situated on the Glenelg River estuary and on to the Lower Glenelg National Park, through the scenic Discovery Bay Coastal Park to Port Fairy. Its delightful small harbour and many graceful historic buildings provide an enchanting setting. Visit one of the many extinct volcanoes in this region. This ancient crater is now home to a variety of animals and birds, including koalas, kangaroos and emus. Warrnambool is our destination for the second night. This is the heart of the 'Shipwreck Coast'. Warrnambool is rich in maritime history.
O/n - Merton Manor
Day 3 - Now it is time to visit those rock formations that have made this route one of the most famous in the world. The 12 Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge, London Bridge - will compete for most scenic view in your photo album. Cape Otway National Park is the next stop. 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. Soon you arrive at the lovely protected Apollo Bay one of the most beautiful towns along the coast for your overnight stay.
O/n - Captains at the Bay
Day 4 - This morning you will travel along spectacular cliff face roads known as The Great Ocean Road (another good reason for having an expert driver/guide, so you can concentrate on the scenery!) to the Wye River, one of many pretty fresh water inlets along the coast. Travel through Angahook-Lorne State Park past Mount Defiance into Lorne. Follow the Surf Coast and visit the pretty beach side towns Airey's Inlet, Anglesea and Torquay. For the surfing enthusiast, a small deviation to the world famous Bell's Beach, where world championship surfing competitions are held. Travel via Geelong, and rolling farmland, over the Westgate Bridge with a panoramic view over Melbourne.
Tour Departs Adelaide 07:00 on the first day and arrives in Melbourne approx 18:00 on the fourth day.
Tour Includes:
Complimentary pick up in Adelaide
4 days escorted 4WD touring
3 nights Bed & Breakfast accommodation
All lunches and morning teas
All park entry and permit fees
Set down in Melbourne
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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