Tastes of Southern Australia

It’s hard to believe that just 1.5 hours from Sydney lies a patch of countryside that could have been transplanted straight from the English Cotswolds. Think atmospheric villages amid rolling hills of grape vines – the Southern Highlands is the closest wine region to Australia’s largest city, after all. And then there are the grand gardens and emerald farms, one of which you’ll visit to meet Craig Starr and his family. Gold Creek Station farm is your backdrop for a Be My Guest BBQ lunch and tales about life on the land. This is your entrée to the country’s cool little capital of Canberra, home to Parliament House, where you can explore the grounds or take a self-guided tour.

Thanks to architect Walter Burley Griffin, Canberra is an urban planner’s delight – the city is that well laid out, as you’ll discover when you head to the summit of Mt. Ainslie for panoramic views. You won’t yet be able to see the mighty Murray River, but you’ll soon cross it en route to Beechworth. From Australia’s longest river, travel through Victoria’s High Country to the well-preserved gold rush town of Beechworth. Beechworth saw an influx of fortune-seekers from all over the world during the 1850s. Get the lowdown on Beechworth over a chat with the publican of the historic local pub and enjoy afternoon tea in the oldest hotel in town. Then you’ll be set and on your way to explore honey and gold shops, galleries and museums at your leisure, before Wangaratta beckons.

Meandering south toward historic Glenrowan, you’re well and truly in Ned Kelly country – this is where the infamous bushranger and his gang were finally captured in 1880. The story is remembered on pretty much every city corner, whether in enormous statues or at the museum. We’ll tell you all the tales – some of them true, many of them hearsay. All of them entertaining. Then we’ll tell you a bit more about Melbourne, like how it’s the home of Aussie rules football, covets some of the country’s best arts institutions, and has a swag of stellar restaurants, cafes and bars. Small wonder it’s known as Australia’s cultural, culinary and sporting capital. After a city tour, immerse yourself in a guided galleries tour of our First Peoples arts and cultural centre, the Koorie Heritage Trust, a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, then head off to explore.  Forget your map – one of the joys of being in Melbourne is getting lost. Discovering a hidden jazz bar. Stumbling upon a hole-in-the-wall restaurant or another gallery that catches your eye. Enjoy.

You’re on your own today. Well, not really, because your Travel Director is at your service to help arrange Optional Experiences*. Perhaps enjoy a strong coffee in one of Melbourne’s atmospheric laneways. Adrenaline junkie? Linger in the city, gaining bird’s-eye views from the Melbourne Skydeck at the Eureka Tower, the Southern Hemisphere’s highest attraction, looming almost 300 metres above the ground. Or, perhaps exploring the city on foot with a History and Donuts Walking Tour is more your thing. Animal lover? Venture out on a Phillip Island little penguin tour to see hundreds of these cute creatures pad from the ocean along the sand back to snuggle in their burrows for the night. The choice is yours.

The Great Ocean Road is one of the world’s most epic journeys, a dramatic 240-kilometre union of limestone stacks (Twelve Apostles, we’re looking at you), untouched coastal coves and sleepy towns, like Lorne and Apollo Bay. It’s hard to know where to point your camera on a Great Ocean Road tour. We recommend having it poised to snap shots of the Loch Ard Gorge, the site of a famous shipwreck, and London Bridge rock formations. The latter sandstone arch once resembled its namesake bridge; even after its collapse, it’s still an impressive natural wonder. It doesn’t get any better than this.

On the shores of Tae Rak (Lake Condah), explore the World Heritage listed Budj Bim Cultural Landscape. The lake spans 1,700 hectares of significant wetlands and stony rises right next to the historic lava flows of Budj Bim National Park. On this MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, learn how the Gunditjmara people worked with natural resources on a short walk of the lake, Australia’s oldest aquaculture system. More volcanic history awaits across the South Australian border in Mt. Gambier, home to the crater-filling Blue Lake. Because it’s very blue. And it’s a lake. By now you’ll be pretty thirsty, so it’s a good thing the Coonawarra wine region is just around the corner. After a few sips, you may find yourself getting deep – literally. Naracoorte’s Alexandra Cave is a maze of delicate, needle-like stalactites and massive twisting columns.

The Fleurieu Peninsula is a natural adventure playground, all rolling hills, rugged clifftops and sandy beaches. Seaside Victor Harbor turns on the charms – time permitting, take an Optional Experience* horse drawn tram ride out to Granite Island or take a wander along the pier – before your ferry blasts its horn. All aboard for Kangaroo Island, home to native wildlife like sea lions, koalas and diverse bird species. Your destination is Kingscote.

It’s time for an island adventure. Begin at Seal Bay Conservation Park, where enormous sea lions tumble down the sand toward the water. During this MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, you’ll witness one of Australia’s most significant sea lion breeding grounds and learn about the vital conservation efforts that protect this remarkable species. After soaking in the coastal scenery, continue on for a relaxed lunch paired with a glass of local wine. Then journey to Remarkable Rocks and Admirals Arch, two of Kangaroo Island’s most iconic natural landmarks, where a lively colony of fur seals basks and plays along the rugged coastline. To round out the day, visit the island’s only boutique brewery for a well earned tasting of handcrafted beer. How does a refreshing Golden Ale sound to finish your island exploration?

This morning, discover Kangaroo Island’s heritage on an engaging guided tour of one of Australia’s rare vertical wool mills, then visit Emu Ridge Eucalyptus Oil Distillery to explore the island’s 100% pure eucalyptus oil. Continue to Cape Willoughby to observe local wildlife and South Australia’s oldest lighthouse perched above dramatic cliffs before leaving the island and heading to Adelaide, celebrated for its historic churches and lively dining scene that attracts visitors from afar.

After a city orientation tour, head from Adelaide to Hahndorf, located in the Adelaide Hills, known for its strong German flavours, most evident in the smallgoods outlets, bakeries, pubs, and cafes that line the bustling main street. Back in Adelaide, the afternoon is yours to enjoy at leisure – we have a few recommendations, including a visit to the epic Adelaide Central Market, where you can try green ant gin with cheese, among so many other delicacies. Enjoy a Japanese inspired celebratory dinner this evening at the hotel with your newfound friends.

By day 11, you will have a suitcase full of gin, wine and cheese; a camera full of dreamy images; and more memories than you can count.