Great Ocean Road and Kangaroo Island 5 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 08:00
Day 1 - Kangaroo Island is where you're headed today. You will be transferred from you accommodation to the Adelaide Airport were you board your aircraft giving you a spectacular bird's eye view of this amazing Island. Kangaroo Island is one of the world's last unspoilt wilderness areas, with 450 kilometres of spectacular coastline. The National and Conservation Parks, which make up one third of the island, are teeming with wildlife and surrounded by pristine beaches. KI, as the locals know it, is famous for its Seal, Sea Lion and Penguin Colonies. If you've ever wanted to get close to nature, this is the place to do it. Upon arrival your 4WD driver/guide will meet you for a day of spectacular exploration. You'll see landscapes and seascapes ranging from thick bush and dramatic cliffs, to sand dunes and sheltered beaches. Along the way you'll learn about the history of the island and the famous explorers, who had a hand in naming its natural features. You will be treated to a delicious lunch of fine fare including local produce. From the beautifully eerie scenery of Remarkable Rocks to the special experiences of Seal Bay, it is a day of discovery - you'll understand why Kangaroo Island has become an international 'must see' destination. Board the fast and luxurious Sealink Ferry and cross the narrow strait back to the mainland at Cape Jervis, the southernmost tip of the Fleurieu Peninsula for your overnight accommodation on a sheep station.
O/n - Cape Jervis Station
Day 2 - Is spent in the region known as the Fleurieu Peninsula and is rich, not only with beaches and striking seascapes, but also has an abundance of native animals in their natural habitats. Deep Creek Conservation Park is 4000 hectares of cliffs, heath, wild orchids and ferns growing by gully creeks and is home to a multitude of kangaroos that feed in the open grasslands. The rare southern brown bandicoots and western pygmy possums and brightly coloured parrots live here in abundance. After a memorable time spent in Deep Creek Conservation Park, you will travel to Victor Harbor. This historic town was once a major whaling centre and there is much evidence of these by-gone days. With the hunters gone, the whales have returned and from time to time in the winter months, can be seen frolicking in the coastal waters around Victor Harbor. After lunch we visit Urimbirra Wildlife Park - a special experience. This is one of the few places where you can meet a koala 'up close and personal'! In addition, this sanctuary is home to birds, including parrots, cockatoos and eagles as well as dingoes, wombats and even crocodiles. From here you will head east to the historic town of Goolwa. This was a thriving port in the days when paddle steamers traded up and down the Murray River. Here the Murray River, Australia's largest waterway, is separated from the sea by only a very narrow strip of sand dunes. When conditions are suitable, your 4WD guide will drive onto the beach and follow the coast all the way down to the mouth of the Murray River. Your overnight accommodation is at a unique Bed & Breakfast in the South Coast area.
O/n - at a unique south coast B&B.
Day 3 - This morning you will enter the Langhorne Creek wine region where descendants of the early Scottish settlers still operate one of the original Australian wineries. You continue your exploration along Lake Alexandrina, Australia's largest freshwater lake until you arrive at the northern end of 'The Coorong'. This is one of the most important wetland regions in the world. A long, narrow lagoon stretching from the mouth of the Murray River, 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 original Aboriginal people who inhabited this region. Here you will drive over sand dunes to reach a beach that stretches for 90 uninterrupted miles. You have moved from rugged coastline carved by the sea to sand dunes, long deserted beaches and lagoons filled with animal and bird life. You make your way back out to the southern end of the Coorong at Kingston and continue to travel south to the Cape Jaffa wine region. This is now the Limestone Coast; you arrive at Robe for your overnight accommodation. This scenic and historic port is famed for its crayfish and beautiful Guichen Bay.
O/n - Anne's Place or Robe House
Day 4 - Passing Lake George on your journey this morning, you will visit Beachport, a quaint old whaling station on a sheltered bay, is home to a small fishing fleet. 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, the scenic Discovery Bay Coastal Park and on to the Lower Glenelg National Park to Portland. Next stop is Port Fairy. Its delightful small harbour and many graceful historic buildings provide an enchanting setting. Now it is time to visit one of the many extinct volcanoes in this region. This ancient volcanic crater is now home to a variety of animals and birds, including koalas, kangaroos and emus. Warrnambool, which is the heart of the 'Shipwreck Coast', will be your destination for your accommodation. This historic town is rich in maritime history.
O/n - Merton Manor
Day 5 - 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. Enjoy a light lunch at one of the seaside café/restaurants. Now that lunch has settled 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!). Wye River, one of many pretty fresh water inlets along the coast is next then 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 airport 09:20 on the first day and arrives in Melbourne approx 18:00 on the last day.
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.
Tour Includes:
5 days escorted 4WD touring
Small vehicle touring
Bed & Breakfast accommodation for 4 nights
Flight from Adelaide to Kingscote
All lunches and morning teas
All park entry and permit fees
Complimentary pick up & set down in Melbourne/Adelaide CBD
Minimum PAX for departure: 2
Important Note:
Light aircraft operators are very stringent about weight limits.
Luggage is restricted to 15kg per person. This is a safety issue.
Extra luggage will be picked up from your Adelaide accommodation by Banksia Adventures and will be in your vehicle to Cape Jervis Station. Pick up AM on day 2.
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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