Arrive into Sydney on early morning
Check into your hotel for a few hours before your Aboriginal Heritage Tour.
Your guide will take you on a 1.5 hour walk around The Royal Botanic Garden - sharing their knowledge about the rich culture of the Aboriginal Peoples of Australia, Sydney Harbour, Cadi Jam Ora - an award winning garden, where your guide will point out different plants, explain their uses and give you the opportunity to touch, taste and smell.
At the completion of your tour, make your own way to your Sydney accommodation.
Whale Watching Cruise - Whale Migration (4 hr.)
Join your cruise to witness the Southern Hemisphere's humpback whale migration. It is estimated that approximately 16,000 whales migrate each year, with an average increase of 11% per year, which is quite amazing considering these magnificent creatures were nearly hunted to the point of extinction 40 years ago. Whale watching off Sydney Heads is an exhilarating adventure and an awe inspiring treat that you will remember forever!
The rest of the day is free time to explore the city.
Recommendations:
- Sydney Bridge Climb
- Opera House - behind the scenes tour; add a show (schedule dependent)
- Taronga Zoo and Hotels - 2 day/ 1 night stay at one of Taronga’s unique accommodation experiences from tranquil eco-lodges, African-style safari, glamping to camping in Sydney and Dubbo.
Check out of hotel and private transfer to the airport for your flight to Melbourne. (Flight time 1 h 35min).
Arrival in Melbourne and private transfer to your hotel. Relax or explore the city before your Lanes and Arcades Tour (3 hr).
Melbourne’s arcades and laneways hide many of these treasures, and Hidden Secrets Tours Lanes and Arcades walking tour is the ideal way to discover and learn about the enchantment of Melbourne.
On our tour of Melbourne’s signature lanes and arcades, we unveil local designers and specialty retailers that often are only found in the city. We reveal some of the quirkiest cafes, independent designers, street art, architecture, with historical tales of Melbourne along the way. There is something for everyone, locals and visitors alike.
At the conclusion of your tour, make your own way to your accommodation.
Check out of hotel and transfer to rental depot - Hertz Car Rental Depot. Pickup up your car (5 day rental) and drive to Yarra Valley (1 hr. 10 min driving time) .
On arrival take in the De Bortoli Experience tour (4 hr.)
An exclusive and private Behind the Scenes tour of the De Bortoli Yarra Valley vineyard and winery. Immerse yourself in the story of the De Bortoli family, one that started nearly 90 years ago in war-torn Europe and is now told four generations later at the Yarra Valley Estate. Enjoy the spectacular views of the vineyard whilst learning about their viticultural practices before touring the wine making facilities where you will have the rare opportunity to taste wines under production from barrels and tanks. Your knowledgeable guide will then spoil you with a decadent gourmet cheese and wine tasting in the De Bortoli Trophy Room.
Afterwards, be delighted at Locale restaurant with a 3 course Italian-inspired lunch with matched wines, followed by tea, coffee and house made biscotti to complete your Unique experience.
*This experience will be structured to suit all levels of wine interest.
Drive Melbourne to Phillip Island (2 hr. driving time).
Join a 2 hr. coastal wildlife cruise that will enable you to have an up-close encounter with thousands of seals at Australia’s largest fur seal colony. Seal Rocks is situated 2kms off the rugged south-west coast of Phillip Island. Along the way, you will be enthralled by the beautiful coastline and learn all about the history of Phillip Island’s western shoreline.
This afternoon head to Phillip's Island Nature park where you can enjoy Penguins, Koalas and Churchill Island Heritage Farm.
Return to Melbourne for overnight.
Drive to Mornington Peninsula (1 hr. 10 min driving time) where you'll enjoy a behind the scenes winery tour.
Visit Montalto’s Winery and experience first-hand the winemaking and grape growing process with this unique behind the scenes tour. Taste Montalto’s range straight from the barrel and understand the important changes taking place in the vineyard as the grapes mature and in the winery as the wines develop. Follow up the tour with a private and structured wine tasting in our Wine Experience room overlooking the property, featuring Single Vineyard Wines that truly reflect the location of the vines. Enjoy a lunch with wine in Montalto’s Piazza Café.
Continue your drive and head to the Jackalope for your accommodation.
Montalto Piazza
Today your Shared Fishing Trip (5 hr.) explores Port Phillip Bay.
Try your luck at catching snapper, pinkies, King George Whiting, shark, flathead and Jack Mackerel. Enjoy a BBQ lunch, drinks and snacks. No need to bring fishing gear – everything is provided. This afternoon is at leisure and an opportunity to do some independent exploring, or just relax.
Drive back to Melbourne (1hr. 15 min driving time) where you'll return your rental vehicle to the airport and board your flight to Adelaide. (1 hr. 20 min flight time).
Check in to your hotel before your evening Wine & Dine Discovery Tour - Private tour.
Your evening walking tour will commence when your guide picks you up from the hotel. Walk to one of the city's lesser known local wine bars for a few shared starters and region wines. Wander the back streets of Central Adelaide with time to admire architecture and local sites, street art and atmosphere in the coolest and most fascinating urban enclaves. Head to one of the city's best hidden bars for an introduction to local spirits and creative cocktails, a few delicious share plates and a chat with the proprietor. Hear about local laws and legends, the saints, sinners, innovators and creators who have shaped this unique Australian city. Finish up with a local digestive, delicious fresh cheeses or a few sweet treats.
On the conclusion of your dining experience you guide will walk you back to your Adelaide hotel.
Check out of hotel and make your own way to Hertz Car Rental Depot to collect your rental car (1 day rental). Drive to McLaren Vale (45 min drive time) where you'll get to experience the d’Arenberg Cube.
On a your 2 hour tour explore this peculiar building which has spectacular views over-looking the rolling hills of Willunga.
Begin in the Alternate Realties Museum, where a self-guided exploration will take you through a space filled with wall to wall art installations designed to excite and awaken your senses. The Blending Bench is a hands-on, interactive experience where you play winemaker. The physical work – picking, crushing, fermenting, foot treading, basket pressing and barrel ageing has been done and you get to create a wine that is truly unique. You then bottle, name and label a 750ml sample to take home and show off to your friends.
Return your rental vehicle to the Downtown Depot.
The rest of the day is free to explore the city.
Recommendations:
- Wildlife Parks & Sanctuaries
- Swim with Dolphins & Cruise
- Market Visit
Check out of hotel and transfer to the airport for your flight to Kangaroo Island. (Flight 30 min OR Ferry 45 min)
Widely acclaimed as Australia's Galapagos, Kangaroo Island is home to an abundance of native wildlife and spectacular natural attractions. Covering almost 4,500 sq. km, 1/3 of the island is a Conservation or National Park, visitors readily come face-to-face with prolific bird and animal species, such as the New Zealand fur seals, koalas, kangaroos, Australian sea lions, ospreys, echidnas, and much more.
- Highlights (9 hr. Tour): Flinders Chase National Park, Cape du Couedic - visit a fur seal colony, Admirals Arch, Visit the Remarkable Rocks
Enjoy a picnic lunch out in the bush before exploring more of the Island. Depending upon the season, the afternoon might include a visit to “Grassdale” in the heart of Kelly Hill Conservation Park, the secluded pools of the Rocky River or a rugged South Coast cove.
Day tour Kangaroo Island (9 hr.)
Travel through some of the Island’s best farming country to the north coast. At Lathami Conservation Park walk quietly through the bush with your guide and look for wallabies which are almost extinct on the mainland.
Enjoy lunch at a private bush location.
Stop at Seal Bay Conservation Park, to walk with your guide among Australian Sea lions on a beautiful sandy beach. Watch pups nursing, or playing in the surf, see old bulls bearing the scars of territorial disputes and learn about their unique breeding biology.
The remainder of the afternoon is spent exploring more of the south east region of the Island with destinations and experiences chosen to reflect seasonal opportunities.
Fly or ferry back to Adelaide (Flight 30 min OR Ferry 45 min) and take your connecting flight home.
