Geelong

You are picked up from their city hotel or Federation Square and we quickly depart Melbourne via the West Gate Bridge. We travel through the vast volcanic plains on route to Geelong where you have time to stroll along the beautifully transformed waterfront.

Great Ocean Road

We start our journey along the Great Ocean Road at Torquay, stopping at various places along the coast including Bells Beach. While winding our way along we stop to view sites such as the ‘Memorial Arch’ and tell you of the intriguing story of this incredible road. After lunch in Lorne, the largest of the seaside villages, we cruise along the spectacular road, stopping at many scenic spots including Kennett River where we might see koalas and many colourful native birds in the wild. We visit the township of Apollo Bay before checking in to our accommodation

Mait's Rest

We take you on a 1km guided walk through a cool temperate rainforest gully to see the world’s tallest flowering plants, prehistoric trees and ferns and unique features such as ‘Yabbie Chimneys

The 12 Apostles are Icons of Australia’s natural beauty. We arrive as the stacks are lit with the morning sun making them perfect for photos and crowd free. This is a bonus for taking a 2-day trip as the stacks are silhouettes in the afternoon and overcrowded. After hearing of the creation of the stacks and holding some of the limestone rock you can explore the boardwalks or brave a helicopter flight along the coastline (own expense).

Loch Ard Gorge

You then visit ‘Loch Ard Gorge’, the site of the most famous 19th century Australian shipwreck. We retell the entire story from the calm voyage, the tragic wreck, the courageous survivors and their ultimate fate. While hearing the tale you will be able to see and hold some original artefacts, photos and documents from the ‘Loch Ard’ contained in our treasure chests.

After lunch we travel to a lesser known but highly impressive area of the Great Ocean Road west of Port Campbell. This section takes in London Bridge (the famous bridge that collapsed when tourists were still on it), Bay of Islands, Bay of Martyrs, and Boat Bay

Tower Hill

Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve sits in a large volcanic crater. It is one of Victoria's most fascinating and significant geological formations. The first National Park in the state where we drive down into the crater and if lucky we may have the chance to see Koalas, Kangaroos and Emus

Port Fairy

This picturesque town was voted the most liveable town in the world in 2012!

Halls Gap

Our third day starts with an incredibly scenic drive along the Wonderland and Mt William Ranges through to Halls Gap in the heart of the Grampians NP

Grampians National Park

Our day includes a few short walks at Baroka Lookout, Reid’s Lookout and McKenzie Falls as well as visits to ‘Brambuk’ Aboriginal cultural centre

Bunjil's Shelter

This rock painting site is widely regarded as one of the most significant cultural sites in south eastern Australia

Ballarat

You will visit the gold mining township of Ballarat, once one of the richest towns in the world