Aussie Wine and Wildlife

Your driver will be waiting to transfer you from Melbourne International Airport to your city accommodation.

Passion for food and wine is a tradition in this city; chefs are celebrities, and wine masters are finding a voice. Many of Melbourne's wine-focused restaurants are off the main streets, where design of the dining experience is as important as the skills in the kitchen.

Enjoy an early evening walk discovering three unique restaurants and learn of the sommeliers' influences on menu's and cellar choices. More than a wine tasting, this is a night to indulge in just a few of Melbourne's many epicurean establishments, and explore a relationship with the often silent hero's of the wine industry. Generous wine samples, food tastings, and special offers included at three venues during the evening.

Today, you will pick up your Budget rental vehicle and make your way to Yarra Valley. At your leisure, take the Maroondah Highway out of Melbourne towards The Yarra Valley; a region of over 55 world class wineries, set amidst a backdrop of mist covered hills. The Yarra Valley region is ideal for a day trip or short break from Melbourne to visit Victoria's famous region of winery tours, farmer's markets, restaurants and boutique accommodations. Please allow about an hour for this 31 mile drive.

Meet at Balgownie Estate half an hour before sunrise. Whilst having a cup of tea or coffee your pilot will give you a short briefing. You will then be transported to the launch site where you may help with the launch, or stand back and take pictures. Then away you go, drifting gently over the countryside in the beautiful balloon. Let the breeze usher you along the corridors of grape vines and over the Yarra River as you take in the breathtaking views of mountains that surround the valley. Your flight will last for approximately one hour. After making the final landing, pack the balloon away then head back to Balgownie Estate for a light breakfast.

After your balloon flight and breakfast, Global Ballooning will take you to meet up with the Australian Wine Tour Company Tour. Learn how to 'swirl, sniff & slurp', as you taste some of Punt Road's award winning Australian wines. Indulge in guided tasting sessions, and make your selection of wine for lunch and take your complimentary glass of wine to the restaurant with its magnificent vineyard views. Lunch includes main meal, a glass of Balgownie Estate wine & tea or coffee.

After lunch, head to Yering Farm. The old hay shed, situated at the top of the hill overlooking stunning views, has been converted into a charming rustic Cellar Door, oozing with character. The Cellar Door proudly showcases antique cooper tools used by pioneer winemakers over a century ago. A fantastic environment to enjoy superb wines made with traditional wine making techniques. Finally, a visit to Domaine Chandon. French Champagne company Moet & Chandon's Australian production house Domain Chandon is the perfect way to finish the day with a guided tour through the winery that shows how the wine is made followed by a relaxing glass of Australia's best bubbly with tasty light platters and a view that will leave you in awe.

Travel through Dandenong and Frankston on to Mornington Peninsula. Stylish Sorrento and Portsea are filled with antique shops, galleries, cafes, and numerous walking trails. Arrive in Mornington, a longtime favorite destination for lazy beachside getaways that come with green hinterlands and wild ocean beaches on the side.

The distance of your trip today is 72 miles and the drive should take you about 2 hours. 

Serious food lovers are in for a treat. Prepare to be constantly inspired and delighted by this diverse, boot-shaped region; you are now entering 'Foodie Heaven.' Our hosts own 27 acres of charming farm land with red fertile soil that allows them to grow and produce premium quality olives, grapes, herbs and veggies. They also raise sheep, chickens and fish, and turn amazing produce from local farmers into a range of delectable goodies. You'll get a whole new perspective on the concept of 'Paddock to Plate'.

Spend time in the kitchen with the chef; cooking in a wood fire oven, with wood collected from fallen timber on the property. What you do on the day depends on the season; you may try your hand at curing olives grown on the farm, create handmade sausages in natural skins, make mouth-watering gnocchi, master the art of sourdough bread, learn ways to cook with olives and olive oil, or successfully roast and make great coffee. Later you'll sit back, relax and enjoy the surrounds while eating and drinking some of the finest food and wine the Mornington Peninsula has to offer.

After lunch take a drive down the road to sample cool climate wines with one of our favorite wine makers, taste freshly made goats cheese from a local dairy or savor succulent strawberries and cherries from the fruit farms in the area. What more could a foodie want? 

Drive Mornington to Melbourne
Take the Nepean Highway from Mornington through Portsea and Frankston, driving north towards Melbourne. The distance of your trip today is 58 miles and the drive should take you just under two hours.

Melbourne to Barossa Valley via Adelaide
Your driver will be waiting for you in the baggage claim area. You will be transferred directly to your accommodation in Barossa Valley.

Two hands welcomes you on a vineyard experience like no other; to invite you to enjoy a personalized experience of tasting their acclaimed single vineyard wines in the exact vineyards from which they are produced. Travel through the Western ranges of the Barossa Valley and visit five of their most exceptional vineyard sites.

Your guide will collect you from the Louise and drive you to nearby Two Hands Cellar Door. Slip on a pair of boots and armed with a map, jump into the luxury Land Rover with your host for a drive to the Windmill Block in the sub-region of Stonewell. After a tasting of the wine made from the vines, venture along a dirt road to the Secret Block, then onto the Coach House vineyard in Greenock, followed by Wazza's Block in Seppeltsfield before heading to their largest estate vineyard, the Holy Grail. Once on top of the hill you will take in one of the most breathtaking vistas in the Barossa Valley region. Then, retreat to the beautiful setting under the 100 year old gum tree to taste the Single Vineyard Shiraz wines.

Return to the cellar door to complete your vineyard experience, enjoy a long lunch of gourmet pizza direct from the wood fired oven, either in the private bake-house or on the picturesque terrace. As a guest of The Louise, you will also receive a gift - a personally selected Two Hands wine, to enjoy during your stay.
 

You will be met by your driver and transferred to Adelaide Airport. From here, you will fly to Kangaroo Island. Upon arrival, a shared transfer will bring you to your accommodation.

Today you will enjoy private touring around Kangaroo Island. Kangaroo Island is the third largest island off the coast of mainland Australia and is frequently referred to as nature’s paradise. Home to an abundance of iconic native Australian wildlife species, stunning coastlines, and spectacular scenery.

Transfer from Oceanview Eco Villas to Kingscote Airport where you will fly to Adelaide. Upon arrival, your driver will meet you in the baggage claim area to transfer you to your city accommodation.

Your driver will meet you near the front lobby area of your accommodation. You will be transferred by private vehicle from the city to Adelaide Airport for your flight to the USA.