Grand Southern Discovery – 13 Days

Itinerary

Day 1 Tue:            Sydney - Canberra

Depart Sydney at 8.00am. We begin our journey to the nation's capital via the Southern Highlands with a stop at historic Berrima, a visit to a working sheep farm and an Aussie barbecue lunch. Travelling onwards to Canberra, we'll tour through Parliament House and visit the Australian War Memorial before enjoying a Welcome Drink and dinner with your Tour Director. Hotel: Rydges Lakeside, Canberra. Lunch, Dinner 

Day 2 Wed:           Snowy Mountains

Cooma and the Snowy Mountains Hydro Scheme start our day, before you get the option to take a ride on the Mt. Kosciuszko chairlift and experience Australia's highest point! You'll be awestruck by the stunningly picturesque Kosciuszko National Park - home to mobs of kangaroos – as we travel the Alpine Way, over the mighty Murray River into Victoria and beautiful Beechworth for our unique overnight stay in one of the Bed & Breakfast properties.
Hotel: Boutique Country Accommodation, Beechworth.  Breakfast

Day 3 Thu:            Melbourne

Get to know Beechworth with a tour and some free time to explore the legendary Beechworth Bakery, antique shops and galleries. Later we'll see the museum and sample some wines at the historic Baileys of Glenrowan Winery – established in the 1860's - then it's on through Ned Kelly country to culturally diverse and totally cosmopolitan Melbourne. A dinner option tonight is onboard the distinctive Colonial Tram Car Restaurant.
Hotel: Swanston Hotel Grand Mercure, Melbourne, 2 nights. Breakfast

Day 4 Fri:              Melbourne'Free Time'

Today Melbourne is all yours to explore. You'll have time to discover some of the secrets of this exceptional city - a myriad of cafés, galleries, museums, markets, restaurants, laneways and parks await you. Or if you want to get out of town you can take a tour to Phillip Island's Little Penguins, the Yarra Valley's wineries or Sovereign Hill's goldmine. You're spoilt for choice. Breakfast

Day 5 Sat:             Great Ocean Road

Hold on to your seats today for one of the world's great road trips - The Great Ocean Road. We'll get plenty of photo opportunities along this gorgeous coastal road, including stops at surfing- mecca Torquay, world famous Bells Beach, a visit to the amazing Twelve Apostles, before finishing the day in the whale watching capital of Warrnambool.
Hotel: Country Comfort, Warrnambool. Breakfast, Dinner 

Day 6 Sun:            Mt. Gambier

Tower Hill State Game Reserve is a native wildlife haven located in a dormant volcano and it's our first stop today. Marvel at the pristine vistas before we continue through picturesque Port Fairy, along the coast and over the border to South Australia. We skirt the Lower Glenelg National Park into Mount Gambier for a city tour and stop at the spectacular and mysterious Blue Lake.
Hotel: Quality Inn International, Mt. Gambier. Breakfast, Dinner 

Day 7 Mon:           Coorong

Travelling through Millicent we head to the amazing Coorong National Park. Here we'll take a guided bush walk with a local Aboriginal guide through this ecologically important, major migratory bird habitat. Then it's through Meningie, located on the shores of Lake Albert, en route to Adelaide, where we'll take a city tour. The afternoon is yours to explore the gorgeous "City of Churches".
Hotel: Stamford Plaza, Adelaide. Breakfast

Day 8 Tue:            Victor Harbor

First up seaside Glenelg then we continue on to the picturesque coastal village of Victor Harbor on the Fleurieu Peninsula. You'll have some free time to explore, maybe take a walk to Granite Island and see some sensational coastal views. Next we travel by ferry to Kangaroo Island. Tonight we'll have dinner at the Ozone Seafront Hotel, overlooking the spectacular Backstair Passage.
Hotel: Ozone Seafront Hotel, Kangaroo Island, 2 nights. Breakfast, Dinner 

Day 9 Wed:           Kangaroo Island

Today we explore Kangaroo Island! At Seal Bay we'll take a guided tour along the beach among the Australian Sea Lions. We'll experience more great photo opportunities at the Remarkable Rocks and Admiral's Arch. We'll also do some koala, wallaby and kangaroo spotting at Flinders Chase National Park. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 10 Thu:          Barossa Valley

We leave Kangaroo Island, ferrying back to Cape Jervis, then we're off through the Adelaide Hills today, we stop at the mysterious Whispering Wall then travel to the picturesque Barossa Valley - taking in some sensational panoramic views from Mengler Lookout - then it's on to the real business - a winery visit - to Chateau Yaldara for a tour and tasting! We'll also visit the Angas Park Fruit Centre then relax and watch the sunset over the vineyards at Barossa Valley Novotel Resort – what a way to end the day!
Hotel: Novotel Barossa Valley Resort. Breakfast, Dinner 

Day 11 Fri:            Mildura

The amazing wonderful wetlands and a wine tasting at Banrock Station Winery are a highlight before we cross back over the border to Victoria for an up close look at the mighty Murray River and the fabulous fresh produce of Mildura,'the Mediterranean in the outback'.
Hotel: Rockford Mildura, Mildura. Breakfast

Day 12 Sat:          Wagga Wagga

Today we'll visit historic Hay on the Murrumbidgee and Darling Rivers and view the picturesque scenery of the Riverina district including the country town of Narrandera. We overnight in the rural city of Wagga Wagga, with its spectacular gardens, beautiful river and lake.
Hotel: Country Comfort, Wagga Wagga. Breakfast, Dinner

Day 13 Sun:         Blue Mountains - Sydney

Our scenic journey through mid western New South Wales is packed with Australian icons. From a stop-and-see of Don Bradman's birth place, to Bathurst and a hot lap of Mount Panorama, to the impressive World Heritage listed Blue Mountains and the Three Sisters, we finish up at Sydney in the shadows of one of the great Australian icons – the Harbour Bridge. And here our Grand Southern Discovery ends. You will be transferred to Sydney Airport for your onward flight. Breakfast

Sightseeing experiences

• Gold Creek Sheep Station
• Tour of Parliament House
• Kosciuszko National Park
• Explore Historic Beechworth
• Baileys of Glenrowan Winery
• Travel the Great Ocean Road
• The Amazing Twelve Apostles
• View the Mysterious Blue Lake
• Tour the Spectacular Coorong
• 2 Nights on Kangaroo Island
• Sea Lions at Seal Bay
• Mysterious Whispering Wall
• Barossa Valley Wine Region
• Chateau Yaldara Winery
• Banrock Station Wetlands
• Picturesque Riverina District
• Spectacular Three Sisters

HOLIDAY INCLUSIONS

Transportation

• Tour by luxury air-conditioned coach with 2-door access, restroom, seatbelts, reclining seats, panoramic windows.

Professionally Escorted

Tour with an experienced, professional Tour Director and Tour Driver

Dining Inclusions

• Full Buffet Breakfasts (12)  
• Lunches (2)  
• Hotel Dinners (7) 

Accommodation

Twin share rooms with private facilities in centrally located hotels
Plus:

• Welcome drink
• All purpose travel bag and map
• Airport transfers (Day prior from Sydney Airport - flights to arrive anytime; Day 13 to Sydney Airport – flights to depart after 8.00pm)
• Hotel porterage included

Airfares not included in tour price