Arrive Melbourne. Please make your way to the selected hotel Melbourne airport is located within approximately 30 minutes drive from Melbourne Centre.  The rest of the day is at leisure.

This evening dine in a historic Colonial Tramcar Restaurant - The glossy, burgundy restaurant on wheels is the first travelling tramcar restaurant in the world, and a delightful innovative approach to dining. As it cruises the scenic streets of Melbourne, Australia diners can enjoy a sumptuous 5-course dinner and drink the very best of Australian wines or make a selection of beverages from our fully stocked bar at a fully inclusive price. The atmosphere is cosy, the service friendly and the decor as inviting as the colonial period reflects.

Breakfast at your hotel.

This morning depart your hotel for the Melbourne City Tour & Penguin Parade - In the morning explore the city of Melbourne, the heart of Australia’s classic south. Learn the history and experience the city’s compelling charm and character. See the famous City Square, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Flinders Street Station, The Shrine of Remembrance, World Trade Centre and Crown Casino and other highlights. Visit the Royal Botanic Gardens and Fitzroy Gardens and see Captain Cook’s Cottage. At the conclusion of this part of the tour you will be returned to the City for an hour of shopping or lunch. Then rejoin the coach for the second part of the tour - The Penguin Parade. Travel to Phillip Island Nature Park - a natural home of koalas, shearwaters, seals and Little Penguins. Witness the Penguin Parade - the nightly ritual of these little flightless birds as they come home from the sea. Visit the Koala Conservation Centre and watch the koalas in their natural habitat. See seals near the sea, basking in the late sunlight of halftide rocks at the Seal Rocks - home to Australia’s largest colony of seals.

Breakfast at your hotel.

This morning depart your hotel for the Great Ocean Road Adventure – one of the world’s most beautiful scenic drives. Dramatic ~ powerful ~ dangerous and majestic. How can words describe some of the world’s most impressive coastline? Travel to Otway National Park and “The Shipwreck Coast” with many stops including huge stone monoliths of the Twelve Apostles, the Island Arch and Razorback, Loch Ard Gorge - the site of the tragic shipwreck of the “Loch Ard”, and stark remains of London Bridge. Then visit Port Campbell - holiday resort and fishing village before returning to Melbourne via Colac. 

You may prefer to select a 2-Day Great Ocean Road Tour instead, thus extending your stay in Melbourne by 1 day.

Breakfast at your hotel. Today is at leisure to explore Australia’s cultural capital or you may prefer one the optional tours.

Recommended Optional Tours:

Puffing Billy with Yarra Valley Wineries - Ride on Puffing Billy, Australia’s most notable narrow gauge railway, through the spectacular Blue Dandenong Ranges with Bellbirds and Kookaburras echoing the steam train’s whistle. Then tour through the richness of the Yarra Valley and taste Australian wines at Fergusson's Winery, a noted Yarra Valley wine producer. Enjoy a delicious spit roast lunch as guests of Peter and Louise Fergusson. Continue your tour to the township of Healesville. Visit Eyton on Yarra Winery and taste from a selection of fine Australian wines. Visit Moet & Chandon’s Australian winery - Domain Chandon and take a guided tour of the winery. Enjoy a glass of Domain Chandon complemented by a savoury platter as you take in the atmosphere and panoramic views of the Yarra Valley from the ‘Greenpoint Room’. 

Sovereign Hill – Australia’s Golden Heritage - Gold - 1850 - the world focussed on Ballarat as the cry Gold echoed around the globe. People from all nations poured into Ballarat to seek a fortune, many found the real Australia and decided to make this great land their home. This tour helps you capture the excitement of these bawdy times as you visit the scene of revolt, rebellion and the emergence of democracy at Eureka and Sovereign Hill - Ballarat.

Grampians Mountain Grandeur - Experience the majesty of this ancient land from spectacular lookouts on mountain escarpments! Fascinating rock formations, streams and plunging waterfalls make this a day of mountain top adventure.

Echuca with Murray River Cruise, Historic Bendigo & Kilmore - Australia’s “Old Man River” - the paddle steamer highway of the wool bales and the wheat bags. Relive this fantastic Riverboat era of sweat and tears as you ride the Riverboat down the Murray River - Australia’s Mississippi, border between the states of Victoria and NSW - shadowed by majestic river gums, dappled sunlight and screeching cockatoos flying overhead. Capture the riotous and wicked past of the river town of Echuca. On the way there tour Bendigo on a vintage Talking Tram, visit rural towns with their grand Australian pubs and watch a short documentary entitled “The Mighty Murray”.

Breakfast at your hotel.

Please make your way to Melbourne airport for your outbound flight.