Day 01: Arrive Melbourne
Welcome to the start of your wonderful holiday this morning as you arrive into Melbourne. Upon arrival you are met and are transferred to your hotel. Check in and relax. Spend the rest of the day walking around the city, or we suggest you to take a helicopter ride to see the 12 Apostle where you are taken for a swift, convenient and comfortable way to experience the world famous Great Ocean Road and 12 Apostles fly with Microflite in one of our iconic red helicopters. Take in the sights of the Great Ocean Road on your coastal return flight, which presents the opportunity for a leisurely lunch at a local winery, before returning to the bustle of the CBD. In the Overnight in Melbourne
Day 02: Melbourne
Wake up to breakfast this morning following which you have time to explore the city using the Inner circle tram that is free for all. Enjoy a one hour tour of the MCG (Melbourne Cricket Ground). The MCG has been the scene of many great sporting events. An MCG Tour invites you to relive more than 150 years of sporting excellence on the grand stage of this magnificent stadium. You will visit the famous Long Room, MCG Library, CV Bill Lawry Indoor Cricket Centre.
Later visit the Sea Life Melbourne Aquarium. Opened in 2000, Melbourne Aquarium is a total tourism facility that incorporates state of the art technology with a highly interactive educational and entertaining experience. There are four amazing worlds for your clients to discover and enjoy, including Antarctica featuring Australia’s only sub Antarctic penguins, the most bizarre marine animals and vibrant species in Weird and Wonderful, the journey from River to Reef, the stunning sea jellies, the colourful Coral Atoll and exotic freshwater animals such as turtles, frogs, snakes, eels, and Sharks Alive featuring huge sharks and the largest stingrays in the world.
Later in the afternoon visit the various shopping areas the city offers and is so famous for, the Grand Prix Circuit ground, the Eureka Skydeck or just spend time walking around and sponging in the various facets of this vibrant and arty city. Overnight in Melbourne
Day 03: Melbourne – Hobart
Get ready for a morning flight to Melbourne. Welcome to one of the best kept secrets of Australia – to Tasmania. You arrive into Hobart airport this morning where your car is waiting to be picked up and the rest of the day is yours to spend time driving around and discovering the harbor, galleries and gardens. Explore the best of what Tasmania has to offer. Your choice of entry to 5 top attractions in and around Tasmania. You have over 35 attractions to choose from and each attraction is valid for single entry only. Stroll round the historic Battery Point and take in the beautiful views from Mt Wellington, you could also visit the Cadbury Chocolate Factory or Cascade Brewery here. With Hobart’s most sumptuous dining room, some of the best service in town and a wine list full of well-known, sought-after labels, it’s not surprising that Me Wah is the local go-to place for any sort of celebration or try the Modern Australian Restaurant in Hobart named Ethos Eat Drink and many more. We surely recommend you an indulgent afternoon of discovery from Tea to Tapas at Ethos Eat Drink, and boutique brews at an 18-tap pub. And it’s a tour celebrating Tasmanian produce such as artisanal bread, local cool climate wine, Bruny Island goat and freshly pulled vegetables; which delightfully lands you with a beverage in hand and your evening ahead of you. Another recommendation would be Hobart’s thought-provoking Museum of Old and New Art (MONA) also houses one of Tasmania’s top-tier restaurants – The Source. Overnight in Hobart
Day 04: Hobart
Wake up this morning and enjoy a 2hour tram tour – Hobart is a city of yachts and spinnakers, gardens and galleries, sandstone cottages and stately Georgian Homes – a city built on the pain and toil of yesteryear English convicts. We also recommend that you explore the Huon Valley, where you can visit the Tahune AirWalk and sample the local wine and cheese there. Overnight in Hobart
Day 05: Hobart – Strahan
Wake up to breakfast this morning following which you begin your 4.5 hrs drive through the Derwent Valley to New Norfolk. We suggest you take a break at Lake St Clair, Australia’s deepest lake. En route you can also visit the mining town of Queenstown before finally driving to the harbourside village of Strahan. Overnight in Strahan
Day 06: Strahan – Cradle Mountain
Following breakfast this morning enjoy a cruise across Macquarie Harbour along the Gordon river into the heart of Tasmania’s wilderness. Its time then to head north through the town of Zeehan to the Cradle Mountain, where you can check in and enjoy some good walks and see the native wildlife there. Icy streams cascading from rugged mountains, calm lake waters and a wealth of wildlife make Cradle Mountain one of Tasmania’s most popular and beautiful areas. Overnight in Cradle Mountain
Day 07: Cradle Mountain – Launceston
Enjoy breakfast following which it’s time for you to drive to Launceston. Enroute you start by visiting Sheffield, the town of murals. The drive is approximately 2.5 hrs. Upon arrival, check in and spend the rest of the day visiting the many public gardens or museums. Many dining options in Launceston like Stillwater or black cow bistro – a new ‘up market’ steak house from the Stillwater team located in the historic art deco luck’s butchery shop in Launceston Tasmania. Overnight in Launceston
Day 08: Launceston – Melbourne
We recommend you stroll along the riverbank boardwalk to Cataract Gorge Reserve, walk in the Cliff Grounds gardens and ride the Basin chairlift. Cruise the Tamar River on the Tamar Odyssey, visit the Inveresk Cultural Centre and the Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery. It’s time for you to drive to the airport and drop off your car at the airport for your flight back to Melbourne. Overnight in Melbourne
Day 09: Melbourne
A great city and has loads to do. Following breakfast this morning enjoy a full day trip out into Philip Island, the home of the Fairy Penguins. Depart the city and travel around Westernport Bay en route to Maru Koala and Animal Park. Pat a koala, feed kangaroos and even meet a gold possum. See the Nobbies rock formations overlooking one of the most treacherous expanses of water in the world, Bass Strait. Arrive at the world famous Penguin Parade and watch the nightly ritual of penguins marching up the sand to their nesting places. The Penguin Parade Viewing Platform is located in a ‘high penguin traffic area’ and will place you in the best position to see the little penguins as they emerge from the ocean on their journey home. With a local ranger on hand providing informative commentary, you won’t miss a moment of the wonderful spectacle. You will also have time to look around the educational centre and displays. Stop in Cowes for dinner (own expense) before heading back to Melbourne. Upon returning back to the city, relax at the hotel. Should time permit we recommend you taking a water taxi to the fabulous Al Fresco waterfront city and indulge at some of the best restaurants there. Overnight in Melbourne
Day 10: Depart Melbourne
Later it’s time to bid farewell to Victoria as you ready yourself to be escorted to the airport for your flight back home this morning.