Great Ocean Road and Kangaroo Island 5 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 - Depart Melbourne over the Westgate Bridge and pass through rolling farmland, on 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 and join the Great Ocean Road at Mt Duneed, into Lorne 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. Soon you arrive at the lovely protected Apollo Bay, 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, which are 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. Your overnight accommodation is in an exclusive Bed & Breakfast in Warrnambool.
O/n - Merton Manor
Day 2 - Depart Warrnambool, which is the heart of the 'Shipwreck Coast'. This historic town is rich in maritime history. 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. Next stop is Port Fairy. Its delightful small harbour and many graceful historic buildings provide an enchanting setting. Travel through Portland, the scenic Discovery Bay Coastal Park and on to the Lower Glenelg National Park down to Nelson, situated on the Glenelg River estuary. Your next stop is Mount Gambier famous for its Blue Lake and the fascinating Sunken Gardens. This is now the Limestone Coast, a completely different type of coastline on this expedition of constantly changing scenery. Beachport, a quaint old whaling station on a sheltered bay, is home to a small fishing fleet. Passing Lake George, 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 3 - Travel north to the Cape Jaffa wine region. The Limestone Coast region is also known for its wines. Now at Kingston, 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 have arrived at the southern 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, it 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 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 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. Your overnight accommodation is at a unique Bed & Breakfast in the South Coast area.
O/n - at unique south coast B&B.
Day 4 - Next stop is 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. From here you explore the region known as the Fleurieu Peninsula. The area is rich, not only with beaches and striking seascapes, but also has an abundance of native animals in their natural habitats. 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 go on to visit 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 travel west towards Deep Creek Conservation Park. This 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 Cape Jervis at the southernmost tip of the Fleurieu Peninsula for your overnight accommodation on a sheep station.
O/n - Cape Jervis Station
Day 5 - Kangaroo Island is where you're headed today. You'll cross the narrow strait on the fast and luxurious Sealink Ferry. 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. You will be transferred to Kingscote Airport for your return flight to Adelaide, giving you a spectacular bird's eye view of this amazing region.
Tour departs Melbourne 07:00 on the first day and arrives in Adelaide approx 19:10 on the last day.
On arrival at Adelaide Airport, you will be transferred to your accommodation 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.
Tour Includes:
5 days escorted 4WD touring
Small vehicle touring
Bed & Breakfast accommodation for 4 nights
Flight from Kingscote to Adelaide
All lunches and morning teas
1 dinner
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.
|
|
|
