Oceans to Outback

Welcome to Melbourne. Victoria’s capital, renowned for its sporting events, café culture and breathtaking natural wonders and regarded by many as the world’s most liveable city. Sometimes referred to as Australia’s cultural capital, it is the birthplace of Australian Impressionism and Australian Rules football. From the airport, you will be transferred to your Special Stay hotel.

Today, enjoy one of the world’s great road trips, the Great Ocean Road. Built by returned soldiers between 1919 and 1932, the road is dedicated to soldiers killed during World War 1 , the road is the world’s largest war memorial  Visit the remaining eight of the Twelve Apostles, a collection of limestone stacks  and hear the story of the Loch Ard shipwreck as well as visit the famous Loch Ard Gorge. Your overnight stay is in Warrnambool.

Leaving Warrnambool this morning, visit Tower Hill state Reserve, a native wildlife haven located in a dormant volcano. The area was a rich food source for the Koroit Gundidj people whose descendants retain links with this country. Continue to Mt Gambier to visit the mysterious Blue Lake. We visit the historic township of Penola, the Mary Mackillop Interpretive Centre, and the Woods Mackillop Schoolhouse. Enjoy a Special Stay in Mt Gambier, set amongst 5 acres of manicured English style gardens with most of the accommodation constructed from Mt Gambier limestone.

Today, we follow the coast to the fishing town of Kingston before following the waters of the Coorong to Meingie, past Lake Albert and Lake Alexandrina. Crossing the Murray River, we head to Victor Harbour and Cape Jervis where we board our ferry for Kangaroo Island where you will enjoy a three night stay in Penneshaw.

Be inspired by the scenery today at Flinders Chase National Park. Admiral’s Arch and Remarkable Rocks are great photo opportunities. A special encounter awaits at Seal Bay, home to the third largest sea lion colony in Australia, where you will meet your conservation guide for a walk amongst the seals. If you are quiet, you might even hear them talking.

Enrich
Tantalise your taste buds as your local epicurean guide introduces you to the magnificent tastes of Kangaroo Island, which have helped to make it famous. Sample gourmet cheese, honey, and wine unique to this amazing island.

Tonight’s dinner will highlight Kangaroo Island local produce.

Your ferry trip this morning will bring you back to the mainland.

Enrich
Meet the winemakers at Gemtree Wines that was rated the ‘World’s Best Winery for Sustainable Wine Tourism’ in 2019. Discover through an interactive experience at the Biodynamic hut all about biodynamic viticulture and finish your visit with a taste of locally sourced snacks.

Arrive in Adelaide this afternoon for your two-night stay.

Freechoice: Discover the history and culture of Adelaide on a walking tour or taste your way through the Adelaide Central Markets tour. Alternatively, take an Adelaide city sights tour including a cruise along the Torrens River, or enjoy a day tour to the McLaren Vale wine Region.

Travelling north, today we stop in Port Augusta, situated on the quiet waterways of the Spencer Gulf. Visit the Wadlata Outback Centre and travel through the ‘Tunnel of Time’ to learn about life in the outback. Journey to the beautiful Flinders Ranges where your accommodation for the next two nights is at the Rawnsley Park Station a sheep farm that has been in the one family for 4 generations.

Sunset Drinks
Watch a Flinders Ranges sunset overlooking the stunning Chace Range with a drink in hand.

Enrich
In a 4WD, learn about life on a commercial sheep station. Rawnsley Park runs approximately 2000 Dohne sheep. Visit the shearing shed to see how the wool is sorted and baled before visiting the water points. These days Rawnsley Park uses solar powered bore pumps to water stock. Follow along a 4Wd track before climbing Yaltaordle Hill lookout for 360-degree views of Elder and Chace Ranges and Wilpena Pound.

This afternoon visit Flinders Ranges National Park.

Say goodbye to South Australia as you cross the border for NSW and the town of Broken Hill, site of the world’s richest deposits of silver, lead and zinc, which led to the establishment of BHP. Enjoy a three night stay.

A visit to the Royal Flying Doctors Service before a chance to enjoy a milkshake from the famous Bells Milk Bar. Visit the outback ghost town of Silverton, scene of more than 140 films and commercials. Spend time strolling around the restored gaol, art galleries and the Silverton Hotel before a visit to the Mad Max museum, where many pieces of the original set have been found buried underground. At the Daydream Mine, you will experience life back in the early mining days.

See and learn about the artwork of Pro Hart during a visit to the Ant Hill Gallery. Visit the small town of Menindee located on the banks of the Darling River and home to the Menindee Lakes. Enjoy sunset at the spectacular Living Desert Sculptures Outdoor Museum.

Today we visit the world Heritage listed Mungo National Park and meet our park ranger for a guided tour. The famous Mungo Lunette was formed by sand swept up from the dried-up lake floor and dumped on the shoreline now the site of the spectacular “Walls of China”, carved from layers of the lunette and spectacular to view. Your overnight stay is Mildura.

Make your way through the mallee country with extensive low scrub and open pinewood. Upon arrival in Bendigo ride the historic tram around the city. Hear about the cosmopolitan town founded by migrants on one of the world’s richest goldfields. The migrants arrived at a desolate tent town and turned it into a grand city of architectural elegance. Tonight, you will return to Melbourne for our final night.

Its time to head home and say goodbye to new friends before returning home.

The itinerary is a guide only and may be amended for operational reasons. As such Scenic cannot guarantee the tour will operate unaltered from the itinerary stated above. Please refer to our terms and conditions for further information.