Sense the fashionable cosmopolitan vibe of Melbourne as you arrive into this major city. You will be transferred from the airport to your hotel. You can relax and use the rest of the day to explore your hotel and its facilities, perhaps take a stroll around the neighborhood and central Melbourne.
Arrival Transfer, Overnight Accommodation.
uffing Billy is Australia’s most popular steam train. This historic century-old steam train runs on its original mountain track in the wonderfully scenic Dandenong Ranges. It is one of the finest preserved steam trains in the world – thanks to the tireless efforts of more than 900 dedicated volunteers. Be awe inspired at the five-hundred year old, 100-metre tall mountain ash trees and fern gullies of the Dandenongs, the habitat for the superb lyrebird, bellbirds, kookaburras and ring-tailed and brush-tailed possums. Experience the sheer beauty of Sherbrooke Forest and visit the quaint mountain village of Sassafras. Your friendly driver will pick you up in the comfortable air-conditioned luxury coach before sharing experiences, fascinating facts and enchanting stories in the on-board full commentary throughout the morning. Travel through Melbourne’s eastern suburbs to The Dandenong Ranges National Park (home of the lyrebird, superb traditional gardens and towering mountain ash forests). Visit Sherbrook Forest in the heart of the Dandenongs (tall eucalypts, kookaburras and bellbirds), meet the locals at Grants Picnic Ground (colourful Crimson Rosellas and King Parrots, opportunity to hand feed). Enjoy some old fashioned hospitality in delightful surrounds, delicious morning tea of scones, jam and cream with tea or coffee. Ride on the Puffing Billy steam train (chuff along the narrow-gauge track through the National Park featuring tall mountain ash trees and fern gullies, in an open carriages as Puffing Bill trundles across trestle bridges and toils up hills, pass through quaint villages noted for their restaurants, craft shops and beautiful gardens) Pass through quaint villages noted for their restaurants, craft shops and beautiful gardens. Visit Sassafras renowned for its local craft and antiques. See Silvan Dam, rolling hills and views of Melbourne’s skyline as we travel back towards the city. Time in the afternoon to relax and discover some of Melbourne, before you get ready for your Special Dinner onboard the world famous Colonial Tramcar as it slowly makes its way through the busy streets of Melbourne. Tonight is not only a culinary delight, but a trip into Victoria’s history. Enjoy the cosy atmosphere, friendly service and magnificent colonial decor of your fully refurbished 1927 tram. You can expect all of the modern luxury of a first class restaurant, like plush velvet covered seats, beautiful brass fittings, atmospheric lighting, air conditioning and background music to enhance your dining experience. The trams even have stabilisers fitted to ensure a smooth ride. Tonight’s Special Dinner is a seasonal 3 course menu of Australian cuisine and quality Australian wines or make a selection from the fully stocked (all included). It’s a totally unique and unforgettable fine dining experience that is a fitting end to your day. Your camera will be filled today with wonderful new memories. Breakfast, Luxury Day Tour with Hotel Pick-Up, Devonshire Morning Tea, Puffing Billy Steam Train Ride, Colonial Tramcar Restaurant Special Dinner, Overnight Accommodation.
Today is flexible, allowing you plenty of time to explore Melbourne and also time to relax if you choose. Enjoy 2.5 hours of fully guided Yarra River sightseeing cruising to discover both downstream from the city to the docklands as well as upstream to the historic areas and beautiful river gardens. In the afternoon, discover Melbourne with the Hop-On Hop-Off Circle Tram Tour with onboard commentary, which operates in a circular route passing major tourist attractions every few minutes The Yarra River is the meandering heart of Melbourne. Cruise the Yarra – passing through Melbourne’s CBD, discover some of the landings of our early settlers, see one of the busiest trading ports in the Southern hemisphere, see historical Victoria Docks with its rich maritime heritage, see Melbourne’s cultural Arts precinct, cruise through Melbourne’s picturesque gardens, parklands and some of our famous sporting arenas. This morning you will cruise past Southgate Arts & Leisure Precinct, 19th Century sailing ship “Polly Woodside”, World Congress & Trade Centre, Shipping Channels and dock area, Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre, Crown Entertainment Complex, Westgate Bridge, Stunning views of Melbourne CBD, Royal Botanic Gardens, Governor’s residence, Lexus Centre, Melbourne Olympic Park, Melbourne Park (Home of the Australian Open tennis), Herring Island, Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games Sporting Precinct and the world famous MCG (Melbourne Cricket Ground). This afternoon explore Melbourne at your own pace with the fantastic Hop-Op Hop-Off Circle Tram Tour combining an independent but structured way to see Melbourne’s best attractions. This special tram tour operates in a circular route passing major tourist attractions, trams run in both directions and depart around every 10-15 minutes. You can stay onboard for the entire loop (which takes around an hour) or you can simply hop-off at any stop and hop-on the next circle tram when it passes in a few minutes. The old heritage W class trams are renovated and come with Information Leaflets, including an ‘easy to understand’ map of the city. The tram will take you past shopping malls and arcades, and major attractions such as the Old Treasury Building, Parliament House and the Princess Theatre. It has plenty of great stops including: Flinders Street, Harbour Esplanade, Docklands Drive, La Trobe Street, Victoria Street, Nicholson Street, Spring Street, back to Flinders Street. You can use this free tram tour an unlimited way, every day you are in Melbourne. “Ding ding, next stop is Flinders Street”. Breakfast, River Gardens Cruise, Port & Docklands Cruise, Hop-On Hop-Off Tram Tour, Overnight Accommodation.
The famous Great Ocean Road is one of the world’s most scenic coastal drives, featuring the rugged splendor of the famous 12 Apostles, high coastal cliffs overlooking the deep-blue waters of Bridgewater Bay, quaint townships, shipwrecks, iconic surf breaks and spectacular waterfalls. The Australian National Heritage listed Great Ocean Road is 243km long stretching between of Torquay anD Warrnambool. It was built by returned soldiers and is the world’s largest war memorial, dedicated to casualties of World War I. Today you will discover the Great Ocean Road from Geelong to Bells Beach touring through Torquay, Lorne and Apollo Bay. Enjoy the views of Melbourne and Port Phillip Bay from West Gate Bridge as you leave the city. Travel to Torquay and the Surf Coast and see the start of the spectacular coastal views along the Great Ocean Road. See the surf beach resort of Lorne, precipitous coastal cliffs, long sandy beaches and rolling surf, river inlets and fern gullies. Stop at picturesque Apollo Bay for some free-time, lunch and perhaps a walk along the beach. See Otway National Park (fern gullies and eucalypts make up this beautiful Australian rainforest) and Port Campbell National Park’s rugged coastline. There are many stops along “The Shipwreck Coast”, including Gibson’s Steps (gain a unique perspective of the stunning Apostles from the water’s edge), Huge stone monoliths of the Twelve Apostles (you can also take an optional helicopter flight over the shipwreck coast, own expense), The Island Arch and Razorback (grand architecture carved by surf), Loch Ard Gorge (shaped by the wild Southern Ocean and site of the tragic shipwreck of the “Loch Ard”) and Port Campbell (holiday resort and fishing village). You will leave the Great Ocean Road with more respect for the powerful forces of our oceans and a greater understanding of the communities and history of this region. We recommend taking a windbreaker and walking shoes. As you arrive back into Melbourne see the spectacular evening lights of Melbourne from famous West Gate Bridge. Breakfast, Luxury Coach Tour, Hotel Pick Ups, National Park Fee, Bush Billy Tea. Overnight Accommodation.
Time this morning to relax and explore more of Melbourne, perhaps use the Circle Tram Tour again. You can explore the shops, laneways and trendy cafes that make Melbourne well known. This afternoon you will setoff to witness one of nature’s most remrkable gifts, a massive parade of wild penguins returning from the sea to nest in the sanddunes. This nightly ritual of the flightless little penguine occurs on Summerland Beach on Phillip Island. Be enthralled as you observe them from the beach and the special elevated boardwalk Phillip Island is also steeped in motor racing history, the racing circuit is used for the Motorcycle Grand Prix and was used for the originaL Australian F1 Grand Prix in 1928. But it’s the rich wildlife that makes Phillip Island a very special place, such as seals near the sea, basking in the late sunlight on half-tide rocks and content koalas peering down from the gum trees where they live. Head south east from Melbourne towards Phillip Island and enjoy an introductory video “The Little Penguin”. See Western Port (water birds and mangroves), the Panoramic views of French Island, San Remo (maritime fishing village). Spot for seasonal birdlife at the island wetlands. Visit Churchill Island for some free time. Opportunity to meet wallabies and kangaroos. Arrive at Phillip Island Nature Park (a natural home for koalas, seals, shearwaters and little penguins). Stop at the Koala Conservation Centre (look for koalas in their natural habitat from tree top boardwalks). See the The Nobbies (rugged rocky outcrop) and Seal Rocks (home to Australia’s largest colony of fur seals). Witness the Penguin Parade on floodlit Summerland Beach from our premium viewing area for the best views of the Penguins, with a souvenir gift and drink included. See penguin rookeries from an elevated boardwalk. Spend time at the Visitors Centre, an opportunity to learn about the life of the little penguin. During your evening return to Melbourne a panoramic Victorian feature video will be screened. We recommend bringing warm, waterproof clothing as nights can be cold on the island, even in summer. Remember the Penguin Parade is a natural phenomenon taking place in the windswept ocean front. A dinner stop will be made before or after the Penguin Parade (dependent on season and at own expense). This evening is an amazing and totally unique encounter with nature that will stay with you for life. Breakfast, Luxury Coach Tour with Hotel Pick Up, Premium Viewing Area Penguin Parade, Souvenir Gift, Complimentary Drink, Overnight Accommodation.
Time to say goodbye to beautiful Melbourne, your fellow travelers and friendly hotel hosts. Your transfer will take you back to Melbourne Airport to meet your flight home.
