Victoria's Hidden Gems
Melbourne, VIC
Explore the cosmopolitan sophistication of Melbourne and natural beauty of Victoria, enjoying luxury accommodation in renowned destinations. From trendy cityscapes to quaint villages, scenic coastal drives to white-capped surf, Victoria’s charm is revealed on this Inspiring Journey.
Highlights
- Discover the eclectic town of Daylesford, with antique shops, bazaars & cottage industries and the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground
- Explore Melbourne’s vibrant laneways & arcades
- Visit Green Olive farm in the Mornington Peninsula and Creswick Woollen Mills, the last coloured woollen spinning mill in Australia
- Experience a Welcome to Country ceremony with indigenous people in the Grampians
- Browse in the Australian National Surfing Museum in Torquay
- Indulge in a relaxing mineral bath at the historic Hepburn Bathhouse & Spa
- Relax on a scenic coastal drive along the Great Ocean Road
- Day 1 - Welcome to Melbourne
- Day 2 - Melbourne – Daylesford
- Day 3 - Daylesford - Dunkeld
- Day 4 - Dunkeld - Warrnambool
- Day 5 - Warrnambool – Lorne
- Day 6 - Lorne - Mornington Peninsula
- Day 7 - Mornington Peninsula- Farewell from Melbourne
- Additional Information
Admire the style and spirit of Victoria’s capital. This evening, join your Travel Director for a welcome reception before boarding Melbourne’s famous Colonial Tramcar Restaurant. Enjoy a silver-service dinner as you travel in elegant surroundings, through the glittering city streets.
Included: Dinner with wine
Meals Included: DinSofitel Melbourne On Collins
Sofitel Melbourne On Collins is at the Paris end of Collins Street, in the heart of the premier shopping, dining and theater district, just minutes from the famous Cricket Ground. This award-winning hotel features an impressive Club Lounge, plus 363 luxurious rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows and breath-taking views. Guests can enjoy modern cuisine in No35 or cocktails in The Atrium Bar or Sofi's Lounge. Conference facilities can accommodate up to 1000 people with all the latest AV equipment.
View the city’s impressive skyline this morning as you enjoy breakfast in the 35th floor restaurant of your hotel. Return to earth and begin your exploration of Melbourne’s wide avenues and charming arcades in the company of a local expert wander through the labyrinthine laneways that reveal some of the world’s most edgy street art. Indulge in the Melbournian tradition of morning tea before enjoying lunchtime at your leisure. Later you’ll head for the eclectic spa town of Daylesford and relax in the healing waters of the historic Hepburn Bathhouse & Spa. Tonight enjoy dinner in the award-winning restaurant, The Argus.
Meals Included: B dwPeppers Mineral Springs Hotel
Situated in Hepburn Springs, just three minutes from Daylesford, 60 minutes from Melbourne airport and 75 minutes from Melbourne CBD, Peppers Mineral Springs Hotel wraps you in comfortable elegance with 40 stylish rooms to choose from; including a self contained 1864 Villa Parma with four exquisite bedrooms, roomy self-contained villas, heritage hotel rooms and cosy garden rooms, with interiors.
After a leisurely start to the day, call in at Lavandula Swiss Italian Farm for morning tea. Drip syrupy lavender honey over freshly baked scones before heading to Creswick Woollen Mills for an exclusive guided tour. Continue to the historic town of Clunes admiring beautifully preserved Victorian architecture. There’s time for lunch at one of the cafés. En route to Dunkeld, visit the Eureka Centre in Ballarat, where the original Eureka Stockade flag is on display. Settle in to the picturesque surrounds of the Southern Grampians this evening enjoying dinner at your hotel.
Meals Included: B dwRoyal Mail Hotel
Embark on the Royal Mail journey through the hotel’s kitchen garden, the award winning 28,000 bottle wine cellar, meet the people behind the scenes and their true passion for food and wine and finally, the stunning landscape of the Grampians National Park.
After breakfast, you’re invited to join the ground’s gardener for a guided walk through the hotel’s kitchen garden. Then head to Hall’s Gap and the Brambuk Cultural Centre. Witness a Welcome to Country ceremony and then the local Gariwerd, Djab Wurrung and Jardwadjali people will teach you how to throw a boomerang and gather local bush tucker for sampling. In Warrnambool this evening discover the maritime history of the region during a Sound & Light Show at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village.
Meals Included: B dwDeep Blue Hotel & Hot Springs
Quality Suites Deep Blue Hotel offers luxurious accommodation, perfectly positioned between Lady Bay and Stingray Bay in Warrnambool, also known as ‘The City by the Sea’, is located along the Great Ocean Road, with fantastic coastal views from many of the rooms. The Deep Blue Hotel and Spa is also home to many national and international stars, come and check out the sites where the movie Oddball was filmed as shown on Coxy’s Big Break.
Prepare for one of the world’s most scenic coastal drives today. Golden beaches stretch endless along the route. Wind through lush forests and stop to admire London Bridge, Loch Ard Gorge and the Twelve Apostles. The crisp sea air provides a refreshing backdrop for lunch stop in Port Campbell or consider an optional experience epic helicopter flight over the Twelve Apostles. You’ll arrive in Lorne late afternoon.
Meals Included: BreakfastCumberland Lorne Resort
Located directly across from glorious Louttit Bay and nestled between vibrant restaurants and boutiques, Cumberland Lorne Resort combines breathtaking views, friendly atmosphere, and the most luxurious Great Ocean Road accommodation available.
The last leg of the Great Ocean Road brings you to the surfing capital of Torquay, where you’ll learn about Australia’s beloved surf culture before heading to the Bellarine Peninsula. Indulge in a Local Dining Experience lunch and wine tasting at the award-winning Jack Rabbit Vineyard. Then board a ferry to Queenscliff and Green Olive Farm.
Included: Breakfast, Local Dinning Experience and Dinner with wine
Meals Included: Full Board
The aroma of coffee beans beckon as you head back to Melbourne after breakfast. As this Inspiring Journey nears its end, venture into the hallowed grounds of the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Later, enjoy a Celebration Lunch with your travel companions before bidding them goodbye.
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
Flight Information
Day 1 - flights to arrive prior to 2.00pm into Melbourne Airport
Day 7 - flights to depart after 5.00pm Domestic or 7.00pm International from Melbourne Airport
Flights are not included in the holiday price.
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