Victoria's Hidden Gems

Arrive into this cosmopolitan city and spend the next 2 days at leisure exploring the trendy eateries, chic boutiques and cutting edge culture. Take advantage of the free tram around the city, or head to nearby St Kilda to chill on the beach. 

Join your travel director for a welcome reception for your Victoria's Hidden Gems, Inspiring Journey Tour this evening. Board Melbourne’s famous Colonial Tramcar Restaurant for a unique dining experience while you cruise the city streets.

Start the day with an impressive view across the city at breakfast; from the 35th floor restaurant of the Sofitel Melbourne. Spend the morning with a local expert exploring the city – with its wide avenues, charming arcades and trendy street art. Stop for a spot of tea or lunch at your leisure before heading off to the eclectic town of Daylesford less than two hours away. You will then relax for the rest of the afternoon in the healing waters of the historic Hepburn Bathhouse & Spa

After breakfast, why not head to the enchanting Wombat Hill Botanic Gardens for a stroll? You will then head off towards Dunkeld, with your first stop at the Lavandula Swiss Italian Farm for mid-morning tea and enjoy freshly baked scones with syrupy lavender honey. You will then have an exclusive tour at the Creswick Woollen Mills and see first-hand how some of Australia’s finest natural fibre products are made. The choice of lunch stop is yours in the historic town of Clunes, while admiring the Victorian architecture before a visit to the Museum of Australian Democracy at Eureka. This evening, settle into the picturesque surround of the Southern Grampians before a delicious meal of fresh and local produce at Wickens at Royal Mail Hotel.

Today, you are invited to join the ground’s gardener for a guided walk through the hotel’s kitchen garden right after breakfast. The journey continues onto Hall’s Gap and the Brambuk Cultural Centre where you will witness a Welcome to Country ceremony. Here the local Gariwer; Djab Wurrung and Jardwadjali people will teach you how to throw a boomerand and gather local bush tucker for sampling. Take in the views over the Grampians Mountain range before you travel to the coastal city Warrnambool and discover the maritime history of the region in tonight’s Highlight Dinner and Stage Show at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village.

Prepare yourself for one of the world’s most scenic coastal drives today; where golden beaches stretch endlessly along route and the dramatic, rugged coastline will take your breath away. Highlights include the Bay of Islands, London Bridge, Loch and Gorge and of course the striking, limestone pillars rising out of the Southern Ocean; the Twelve Apostles. The crisp sea air provides a refreshing backdrop of lunch in Port Campbell and then there is a choice of an epic helicopter flight for unrivalled views of the iconic landscape below. A short stop in Apollo Bay will then have you arrive in the quaint seaside village of Lorne late afternoon.

The last leg of the Great Ocean Road will bring you to the surf capital of Torquay, where you will learn about Australia’s beloved surf culture at the National Surfing Museum. Indulge in a delicious ‘Be My Guest’ lunch with wine tasting at the award-winning Jack Rabbit Vineyard on the Bellarine Peninsula. Board a ferry this afternoon to Queenscliff and Green Olive Farm and a sumptuous dinner at Linden Tree Restaurant at your boutique hotel.

Journey back to Melbourne after breakfast and venture into the hallowed grounds of the Melbourne Cricket Ground, before your Inspiring Journey comes to an end with a Farewell Lunch. Reminisce with new found friends of your past few days before collecting your car hire and continue your journey to Phillip Island to explore at your leisure. A visit to the famous Penguin Parade where you can watch these extraordinary creatures march up the beach to their burrows every evening is a must do. 

A short drive from Phillip Island will see you arrive in Yarra Valley, home to Victoria's earliest vineyards and one of the nation's great wine growing regions. Spend your time hopping between cellar doors, many of which serve local produce to match the fine wines on offer