Victoria's Hidden Gems

Arrive into Melbourne, Victoria’s lively capital. Depending on your arrival time you may have time to explore Melbourne’s cafés, restaurants, bars, galleries and boutiques before meeting your Travel Director in the evening for a welcome reception. Once you’ve met the rest of your group, you’ll jump on board Melbourne’s famous Colonial Tramcar Restaurant to dine in style (with wine included) as you watch the city streets pass by the window.

Waking up at the Sofitel Melbourne On Collins, you’ll be able to view Melbourne’s skyline from the breakfast table as you enjoy your meal on the 35th floor. Later, spend some time wandering Melbourne’s lanes and arcades with a local guide and take morning tea. In the afternoon, you’ll set off for Daylesford, a spa town where you can relax in the calming waters of the historic Hepburn Bathhouse & Spa before dining at the award-winning restaurant, The Argus.

Setting off from Daylesford, you’ll stop at the Lavandula Swiss Italian Farm for morning tea and where you can try scones with lavender honey. Next, head to Creswick Woollen Mills, where you’ll take a look around before continuing to the historic town of Clunes for lunch. Stop off at the Museum of Australian Democracy at Eureka on your way to Dunkeld in the Southern Grampians. For dinner, join your group at Wickens at Royal Mail Hotel, where the food is made with fresh locally grown produce.

In the morning, join the Royal Mail Hotel’s gardener for a stroll through the kitchen garden. Next, head for Hall’s Gap to observe a Welcome to Country ceremony before joining the local Gariwerd, Djab Wurrung and Jardwadjali people to throw boomerangs and forage for bush tucker. Later, appreciate the pretty mountain views before finishing at Warrnambool, your stop for the night. At dinner, learn more about the history of the area with a stage show at the Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village.

After a relaxing morning, start your drive along the beautiful Great Ocean Road, passing beaches, forests and bays as you go. There will be plenty of photo stops on the way, including the Bay of Islands, London Bridge and the Twelve Apostles. Pause for lunch at Port Campbell, where you have the option to take a helicopter flight over the rugged coastlines. Later on call in at Apollo Bay before continuing to Lorne for the night.

Continuing along the Great Ocean Road, stop off in Torquay, where you can learn about surfing culture in Australia. Later, head for the Bellarine Peninsula, where you’ll be treated to a Be My Guest Lunch and wine tasting at the award-winning Jack Rabbit Vineyard. In the afternoon, hop on board a ferry to Queenscliff and the Green Olive Farm before dining with the rest of your group at the fabulous Linden Tree Restaurant (wine included).