Melbourne, Mornington & Great Ocean Road Discovery

Australasia, Oceania | Australia | Adventure | Self Drive | Family Holidays, Honeymoon, LGBT

Twelve Apostles Lodge Walk, Great Ocean Road, VIC

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Tour ID:121333

Ages:18 - 100

People on trip:2

Tailor Made

Arrival:Melbourne Airport (MEL)

Dates are flexible

Prices are Per Person

This amazing loop will cover Melbourne, the hidden gem of the Mornington Peninsula, with its wines and rugged cliffs, as well as the famous Great Ocean Road. A fantastic taster of all Victoria has to offer for those on a shorter time frame, that don’t wish to feel rushed.

: Melbourne City with an amazing lanes and arcades tour

Mornington Peninsula

Bells Beach; Australia’s surf capital

12 Apostles & World-Famous Great Ocean Road
: You will arrive into the coffee capital of Australia, Melbourne. Simply stated, Melbourne is friendly elegance. Enjoy Melbourne’s “Old World charm” and sophisticated elegance as you stroll through formal gardens, boat on the lazy Yarra River, wander down broad, tree-lined avenues, admire stately buildings, or shop in the fine boutiques. This self-drive itinerary blends the very best of the city and the coast, and conveniently does a loop.

There is a wonderfully friendly welcome found in the charming sidewalk cafes, the delightful trams and the streets and markets of distinctive ethnic neighbourhoods. Melbourne reflects them all -– a financial centre, a haven for theatre and fine arts, a culinary mecca, a multi-cultural gathering place, and a crazed sports capital. Altogether, the city’s nineteenth century nickname seems highly appropriate – “Marvellous Melbourne”.

A highlight of the Melbourne stay is a tour through the famous lanes and arcades of this city. These lanes are all about art that combines one-off shops, high-end restaurants as well as a few hidden bars for good measure. Very cool!

From Melbourne, clients will take a rental vehicle and head to the Mornington Peninsula, which is one of the true hidden gems that are not on most itineraries and has traditionally been the weekend playground of Melbournians. The Mornington Peninsula is a boot-shaped promontory of about 40,000 hectares lying between Port Phillip and Westernport Bays. It has an extraordinarily long stretch of beach holiday coastline with sheltered bay beaches and ocean surfing, a hinterland with fine scenic views of rolling vine-clad hills and lush grazing pastures. All this is within an easy hour’s drive of Melbourne.

After a three-course lunch at a famous local winery, you will have the afternoon and the following day to explore the surrounding area. With a coastline that borders three different bodies of water you will find an emphasis on water-based activities. Inland are the rolling hills, picturesque farmlands dissected by cypress windbreaks, wineries, thoroughbred studs, orchards and National Parks with their fern gullies, kangaroos, koalas and prolific bird life.

Taking the car ferry from Sorento, you will enjoy a picturesque 40min crossing over to Queenscliff, before continuing their journey towards the Great Ocean Road, making sure to stop in Torquay. Torquay is acknowledged as Australia’s surf capital, manufacturing surf boards, surf wear and equipment and is host to one of the major international surfing events each Easter – Bells Beach Surfing Classic.

Explore the tracks through the rainforest and the fern gullies through to Erskine Falls, where the eucalypt forests are home to kangaroos, koalas, echidnas, the occasional platypus and a host of bird life. As the Otway Ranges meet Bass Strait, the Great Ocean Road weaves into contours of steep cliffs overlooking the sea between Lorne and Cape Patton, hugging the coast all the way to Apollo Bay, which will be your base for the next two nights.

The town of Apollo Bay was established when a whaling station was set up by the Henty family at Point Bunbury southeast of the town in the 1830’s. However, there was no permanent settlement until 1856 when the town became important in the timber trade. Timber was sawn, dragged to the beach and floated out to ships anchored in the harbour. Apollo Bay is now a popular stopover for cruising yachts and the whole area offers fine sailing. Beyond the charming estuarine villages of Wye River and Kennett River lies Cape Patton lookout, one of the greatest viewing points on the Australian seaboard.

After some days relaxing in this quaint seaside town, you will meander back to Melbourne airport, returning your vehicle and depart.; Arrive into the coffee capital of Australia, Melbourne. Your private transfer will be waiting to greet you to take you to your hotel. Simply stated, Melbourne is friendly elegance. Enjoy Melbourne’s “Old World charm” and sophisticated elegance as you stroll through formal gardens, boat on the lazy Yarra River, wander down broad, tree-lined avenues, admire stately buildings, or shop in the fine boutiques

There is a wonderfully friendly welcome found in the charming sidewalk cafes, the delightful trams and the streets and markets of distinctive ethnic neighbourhoods. Melbourne reflects them all -– a financial centre, a haven for theatre and fine arts, a culinary mecca, a multi-cultural gathering place, and a crazed sports capital. Altogether, the city’s nineteenth century nickname seems highly appropriate – “Marvellous Melbourne”.

The next take highlight trip to Melbourne is a tour through the famous lanes and arcades of this city. These lanes are all about art that combines one-off shops, high-end restaurants as well as a few hidden bars for good measure. There is something for everyone and this tour ensures you see and taste the best of it with lunch included. Your afternoon is free to continue to explore the city.

Your final day is at leisure for you to explore the city.

Exclusive Accommodation Options
QT Hotel Melbourne – room only
The Lyall Hotel – Breakfast
Hotel Lindrum – Breakfast

Comfort Accommodation Options
The Savoy on Little Collins – Breakfast
The Olsen – Breakfast
The Cullen – Room Only

Prime Accommodation Options
Alto Hotel on Bourke – Breakfast
City Tempo – Room Only
The Jazz Corner Hotel – Breakfast; This morning you will pick up your rental vehicle from downtown and make your way towards the Mornington Peninsula, where you will be spending 2 nights.

Melbourne’s playground, the Mornington Peninsula, is a boot-shaped promontory of about 40,000 hectares lying between Port Phillip and Westernport Bays. It has an extraordinarily long stretch of beach holiday coastline with sheltered bay beaches and ocean surfing, a hinterland with fine scenic views of rolling vine-clad hills and lush grazing pastures. All this is within an easy hour’s drive of Melbourne.

Enjoy an amazing three-course lunch at a renowned local winery, that was the first winery restaurant on the peninsula. The restaurant offers a seasonally changing menu with a focus on local sustainable produce and the dishes are expertly matched to wines from local vineyards.

On the next day with a coastline that borders three different bodies of water you will find an emphasis on water-based activities. Both bays have a string of yacht clubs and are ideal for sailing. The southern beaches of Western Port and the dramatic beaches on Bass Strait attract many surfers and Port Phillip Bay’s calm beaches have an appeal for family picnics.

Inland are the rolling hills, picturesque farmlands dissected by cypress windbreaks, wineries, thoroughbred studs, orchards and National Parks with their fern gullies, kangaroos, koalas and prolific bird life.

This is a day at leisure to enjoy everything this region has to offer. The area offers several international-standard golf courses, ride horses along isolated Western Port beaches, pick apples, strawberries and raspberries, browse through nurseries, galleries and craft shops, sip wine in sun-dappled vineyards and sample fresh local produce in scenically located restaurants.

Exclusive Accommodation Options
Jackalope Hotel – Breakfast
Woodman Estate – Breakfast

Comfort Accommodation Options
Sunny Side Up B&B – breakfast
Lindenderry at Red Hill – Room Only

Prime Accommodation Options
Flinders Hotel – Breakfast
Peppers Moonah Links – Breakfast; Depart your accommodation and make your way to Sorrento, approximately 38km Mornington to Sorrento , where you will take your Searoad ferry. You will enjoy a picturesque 40min crossing over to Queenscliff, before continuing their journey towards the Great Ocean Road, making sure to stop in Torquay. Torquay is acknowledged as Australia’s surf capital, manufacturing surf boards, surf wear and equipment and is host to one of the major international surfing events each Easter – Bells Beach Surfing Classic.

Explore the tracks through the rainforest and the fern gullies through to Erskine Falls, where the eucalypt forests are home to kangaroos, koalas, echidnas, the occasional platypus and a host of bird life.

As the Otway Ranges meet Bass Strait, the Great Ocean Road weaves into contours of steep cliffs overlooking the sea between Lorne and Cape Patton, hugging the coast all the way to Apollo Bay.

The town of Apollo Bay was established when a whaling station was set up by the Henty family at Point Bunbury southeast of the town in the 1830’s. However, there was no permanent settlement until 1856 when the town became important in the timber trade. Timber was sawn, dragged to the beach and floated out to ships anchored in the harbour.

You will enjoy the local hospitality and can unwind in any number of the local restaurants and watering holes.

Next day head out on the Great Ocean Road (Apollo Bay) to discover the region. The journey is approximately 135km, Queenscliff to Apollo Bay.

We recommend travelling to the 12 Apostles, just over an hour from Apollo Bay. The mighty 12 Apostles are world-recognised icons of the Great Ocean Road. These giant rock stacks soar from the swirling waters of the Southern Ocean and are a central feature of the dramatic and imposing limestone cliffs that are the backdrop to the Apostles and tower up to 70 metres, while the tallest of the rock stacks is around 45 metres high. The Apostles had their beginnings up to 20 million years ago with the forces of nature attacking the soft limestone of the Port Campbell cliffs.

Exclusive Accommodation Options
Peppers The Sands – Breakfast
Alkina Lodge – Breakfast

Comfort Accommodation Options
Mantra Lorne – Breakfast
Captains at the Bay

Prime Accommodation Options
Great Ocean Road Resort – Breakfast
Cumberland Lorne – Room Only
Beacon Point Ocean View Villas – Room Only; Depart the rugged coastline of the Great Ocean Road, return your rental vehicle to the airport and fly back to the UK.
: Dates are flexible so please make an enquiry and tell us a range of dates you are considering so we can check availability.
: 7 nights accommodation only

5 day Hertz Car Hire with max cover insurance (zero excess)

Private Arrival Transfer

Lanes & Arcades walking tour with Lunch

Searoad Ferry Tickets for 2 passengers and vehicle

3 Course Lunch at a renowned winery restaurant

Breakfast; only where specified on the accommodation grid

Digital itinerary with detailed day to day descriptions with integrated app
: Meals, unless otherwise specified

National Park Fees

Toll Roads, Fuel & additional personal costs
: Upon arrival in Melbourne, please proceed to the public area in Terminal 2 (International) building after first collecting your luggage and then proceeding through final customs checks. Your Driver will be standing at the signed "Chauffeur Meeting Point" next to the Optus store. You will be transferred by private car to your accommodation.
: Suitable for ages 18 to 100
This package does not cater for people under 18 years of age. Should you wish to book children, this would become a bespoke itinerary, which we would be happy to create for you, with applicable activities incorporated.