10 Days Phillip Island, Great Ocean Road and Grampians

itinerary

Day 1 – 27 Sep 2012 – Arrive Melbourne, Phillip Island

Arrive into Melbourne airport early afternoon, meet our Coach Captain, then we are on our way travelling towards the open waters of Phillip Island’s southern coastline. We visit the Koala Conservation Centre to experience wild koalas in their natural habitat before we check-in to the Tropicana Motor Inn for a 2 night stay. (D)

Day 2 – 28 Sep 2012 – Phillip Island

This morning our first stop is Panny’s Amazing World of Chocolate. See a chocolate village complete with working trains, taste delectable Belgian premium handmade chocolate, see a thunderous chocolate waterfall, and a chocolate “Art Gallery” of famous paintings. We then visit Churchill Island Heritage Farm, a historic working farm. We then head to San Remo for the pelican feeding and lunch. Enjoy some rest time back at our hotel before heading out with Wildlife Coast Cruises to witness one of Australia’s largest wild fur seal colonies. Drift within metres of these playful and inquisitive animals in their natural habitat. Following dinner we witness “the ducks in a tux” Penguin Parade Tour as these cute creatures make their way out of the water and home to their burrows in the sand dunes. Overnight Tropicana Motor Inn. (B,L,D)

Day 3 – 29 Sep 2012 – Great Ocean Road, Apollo Bay

We bid Phillip Island good-bye and enjoy the passing scenery as we head towards Sorrento, the site of Victoria’s first official settlement in 1803 where we board the ferry to Queenscliff and spot the odd dolphin or whale. Enjoy lunch at the Beach Cafe before continuing on through Ocean Grove and Barwon Heads before starting our first leg of the Great Ocean Road. Arrive and check-in to Skenes Creek Motel, Apollo Bay for an overnight stay. (B,L,D)

Day 4 – 30 Sep 2012 – Great Ocean Road

Depart for Port Campbell National Park via the Otway Forests then back to the coast and the stunning natural attractions of the 12 Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge, and the former London Bridge. We continue on to Warrnambool visiting Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village and Museum, then check- in to the Country Comfort, Warrnambool for an overnight stay. (B,L,D)

Day 5 – 1 Oct 2012 – Grampian Country

Departing for Tower Hill Nature Reserve nestled inside a dormant volcano and a haven for wildlife, we visit the Worn Gundidj Visitor Centre before travelling to Port Fairy to view this quaint fishing village. We continue on, stopping for lunch at Hamilton. We then head into Grampian Country via Nigretta Falls on the Wannon River in to Halls Gap. Arrive and check-in to the Pinnacle Holiday Lodge, Halls Gap for an overnight stay. (B,L,D)

Day 6 – 2 Oct 2012 – Bendigo

This morning we depart for Bendigo passing through Ararat arriving in time for lunch at the Shamrock Hotel noted for its history and glamour. Afterwards we descend to the depths of Bendigo at the Central Deborah Gold Mine. Don your hard hat and lamp, and walk in the footsteps of miners who discovered almost one tonne of the world’s most precious metal. From here we board the famous vintage “talking tram” where we will be delighted by the grand architecture of Bendigo as the tram tells you more about the city’s golden past, founded on Australia’s richest goldfield. Tonight we overnight at Quality Inn Colonial. (B,L,D)

Day 7 – 3 Oct 2012 – Ballarat

Heading south this morning we visit the historic village of Maldon known as the “First Notable Town” in Australia. We stop at The Convent, Daylesford’s award-winning art gallery, visiting the chapel & gardens for lunch. We travel home via some scenic spots such as Hepburn Springs and Sailor’s Falls, stopping at the Creswick Woollen Mills, the only coloured wool spinning mill of its type in the Southern Hemisphere. Here we enjoy a “cuppa”, see the alpacas and working mill and browse the outlet centre at your leisure. We travel to Ballarat and check-in to The Bell Tower Motel for a 2 night stay. (B,L,AT,D)

Day 8 – 4 Oct 2012 – Ballarat

We visit Ballarat Gardens this morning – see the Prime Ministers’ Avenue, a celebrated avenue which features a collection of bronze busts of every Australian Prime Minister. See the unique monument honouring more than 35,000 Australians held prisoner during the Boer War, the First World War, the Second World War and the Korean War. Step back in time and experience Australia’s exciting gold rush days at Sovereign Hill. This award winning outdoor museum recreates the hustle and bustle of life in the 1850s in fascinating detail. Visit the Gold Museum which houses an extensive and valuable collection of gold nuggets, alluvial deposits, gold ornaments & coins. Lunch at your own expense today. (B,D)

Day 9 – 5 Oct 2012 – Melbourne

After breakfast we leave Ballarat and travel along the Western Highway to Melbourne. On arrival we take an orientation tour of the city including the Port of Melbourne and Captain Cook’s Cottage where we stop to explore this colourful english cottage and its beautiful garden. After lunch in the Fitzroy Gardens we discover Melbourne from a different angle with a scenic river cruise. Heading upstream we pass the Botanic Gardens, the MCG and Herring Island before checking-into Bayview on the Park for an overnight stay. Tonight we dine in the Colonial Tramcar Restaurant, a delightful innovative approach to dining as we cruise the streets of Melbourne. We enjoy fine cuisine and drink the very best of Australian wines or make another selection from the fully stocked bar (all included). (B,L,D)

Day 10 – 6 Oct 2012 – Flight Home

This morning we board the Coach for the last time and head to Tullamarine Airport for our scheduled flight home. (B)

B = Hot & Continental Breakfast; MT = M/Tea; L = Lunch; AT = A/Tea; D = Two Course Dinner

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