Your Accommodation/Itinerary

Reef View Hotel, Melbourne

The Reef View Hotel features extremely spacious, well-appointed rooms all with private balconies overlooking either tropical gardens or the breathtaking vista of the Coral Sea. The upper most floors boast a range of luxuriously appointed suites. All rooms face the sea and are complete with outdoor furniture to experience the spectacular sunrises and sunsets.

Day 1 – 2: Melbourne

Welcome to Melbourne, one of the world’s most liveable cities. Threaded through the centre of Melbourne lie cobbled laneways featuring arcades and stunning street art, where you can find cosy cafes, hidden bars and boutique shops. Dive into the bustling hub of Bourke Street Mall, the retail hub of Melbourne, where you will find flagship stores and boutique shops.

Melbourne has an interesting past, through gold rushes, rebellions and beer Join a small group tour, Booze Makes History Better with Urban Adventures, where you will discover hidden and unique bars while learning about Melbourne’s history with a drink in-hand. You will try local beers, wines, spirits and cocktails at four unique establishments.

Sport in Melbourne can take on somewhat of a religious aspect; catch a game of AFL, cricket or a tennis match. Get your culture fix at Australia’s oldest gallery, the National Gallery of Victoria, or visit one of the many theatres which host everything from comedy to cabaret. Take a short drive to Brighton Beach to see the famous Brighton Beach Boxes, a popular fixture on the shoreline since 1862, with their colourful and unique design.

Melbourne is a multicultural culinary delight offering an array of flavours, such as Italian in Lygon Street, Lebanese in Brunswick, dumplings in Chinatown or Vietnamese in Richmond. You will find cafes and restaurants dotted throughout Melbourne, from iconic cheap eats to award-winning restaurants such as Attica, Flower Drum or Vue de Monde. Book ahead if you have a place in mind, the most popular dining establishments book out early

Stay 2 nights in Melbourne

Day 3 – 4: Melbourne to Lorne 142km, Lorne

Make your way to the iconic Great Ocean Road with its stunning limestone rock formations, quintessential surf towns and spectacular national parks, with photo-worthy views around every bend. Watch the pro surfers rip at the famous Bells Beach, before making your way to the coastal town of Lorne.

Set on the Great Ocean Road, Lorne’s fresh air, white beaches & buzzing community have made Lorne the quintessential holiday retreat. Take a stroll along Shelley Beach and explore the rock pools, or take a dip in the sparkling waters of Loutit Bay. Nature lovers will enjoy the misty waterfalls, giant ferns and the ancient forest of the nearby Great Otway National Park. Erskine Falls, is one of the most popular waterfalls in the park, plunging 30 metres into the gully of the Erskine River.

Head down to the main shopping strip where you will find boutique stores, galleries and a selection of eateries. Sit back and relax at a sidewalk cafe, pack a picnic and sit under the trees of the foreshore, or dine on fresh seafood at one of the local restaurants.

Stay 2 nights in Lorne

Day 5 – 6: Lorne to Warrnambool (via Twelve Apostles) 219km, Warrnambool

As you depart Lorne, drive along the coast passing the Great Otway National Park, making your way to the Twelve Apostles. Be amazed by the stunning craggy limestone cliffs with the magnificent rock stacks rising majestically from the Southern Ocean along the dramatic coastline. Over millions of years, the cliffs eroded forming caves which eventually became arches, later collapsing creating rock stacks rising up to 45 metres high and isolated from the shore. As you drive a little further west, stop at the viewing platform of London Bridge and take in the sweeping views of the impressive offshore rock formation, originally a natural archway which collapsed in 1990. Drive further west to Warrnambool.

Dramatically located on a plateau behind a steep bluff, Warrnambool offers all the services of a vibrant, modern city while maintaining the relaxed country town atmosphere. Take a stroll along the foreshore promenade and stop at the Pavilion Cafe and Bar for breakfast (with a view of course), or discover the vibrant arts, event and dining scene at the southern end of Liebig Street. In the summer months, take a dip, or hit the surf at the beaches surrounding the township, and from June to October, you may catch a glimpse of whales from the viewing platform at Logans Beach, where they can be seen just 100 metres off the shore.

For history lovers, visit the Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village to discover the turbulent history of Warrnambool, and a short drive will take you to Tower Hill, located in an extinct volcano crater, where you can learn about the ancient geological history of the region.

Explore nearby Port Fairy, a charming fishing village boasting quaint cottages, Norfolk pines, a buzzing art scene, and old stone churches. Discover charming, fully restored white-washed cottages built by whalers and seamen beside Georgian-style merchants’ homes and grand public buildings as you wander through the village. A short drive inland is the town of Koroit, one of Australia’s fine examples of an early Irish settlement, with their warm welcome and genuine Irish hospitality. Explore the town with its 19th century buildings, workers cottages, historic railway station and lush gardens, influenced by the Irish heritage that Koroit is known for.

Stay 2 nights in Warrnambool

Day 7: Warrnambool – Ballarat 171km, Ballarat

Make an early start to head inland to Victoria’s largest inland city of Ballarat, a culinary hub with a heritage backdrop. Renowned for the gold rush, evident in the beautiful architecture, explore the tree-lined streets and admire the Victorian and Edwardian buildings and parks on a leisurely heritage walk. Visit Australia’s oldest and largest regional gallery at the Art Gallery of Ballarat, to view a fantastic collection of Australian art. Visit the Sovereign Hill Outdoor Museum and get a hands-on experience of the 1850s gold rush in Australia, complete with gold panning. After a day of exploring, sit back and enjoy one of the town’s popular eateries, breweries, bars or cafes, serving local produce, brews and wines.

Stay 1 night in Ballarat

Day 8: Ballarat – Melbourne 110km, Melbourne

Take a leisurely drive back to Melbourne for your trip home or extend your stay in Victoria and discover other great landmarks, such as the Yarra Valley or the East Coast.

Inclusions

7 night self drive itinerary departing Melbourne.

8 days economy car hire, picking up and dropping off at Melbourne Tullamarine Airport.

Melbourne 2 nights accommodation at the 4-star Mantra Southbank Melbourne in a 1 Bedroom Apartment.

Melbourne Booze Makes History Better Tour.

Lorne 2 nights accommodation at the 4-star Mantra Lorne in a Heritage Room.

Warrnambool 2 nights accommodation at the 4-star Lady Bay Resort, Warrnambool in a Luxury Studio Room.

Ballarat 1 night accommodation at the 4-star Mercure Ballarat Hotel & Convention Centre in a Lodge Room.

FLEXIBLE FREE changes & cancellations up to 4 days prior to travel.

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