Tastes of Southern Australia
Tastes of Southern Australia
Tastes of Southern Australia
11 Days Starting in Sydney, Australia and ending in Adelaide, Australia
Visiting: Canberra, Wangaratta, Melbourne, Warrnambool, Naracoorte, Kangaroo Island, Adelaide, Adelaide Hills
Tour operator:
Tour code:
ESMA24
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Age range:
16-
Tour operated in:
EnglishInterests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on the "Tastes of Southern Australia" tour, a captivating journey through the heart of Australia, starting in vibrant Sydney and concluding in charming Adelaide. This adventure offers a blend of cultural, historical, and natural wonders, including a visit to a 400-hectare sheep farm, the historic gold rush town of Beechworth, and the breathtaking Great Ocean Road. Experience the unique wildlife of Kangaroo Island and indulge in the culinary delights of the Barossa Valley. With centrally located premium accommodations and private airport transfers, this tour ensures comfort and convenience. Enjoy the freedom to explore Melbourne's vibrant arts scene, the natural beauty of the Fleurieu Peninsula, and the rich flavors of Adelaide's renowned food scene. Whether you're savoring a BBQ on a sheep farm or tasting craft beer on Kangaroo Island, this tour promises unforgettable experiences and stories to cherish.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Sydney - Canberra
Location: Canberra
Accommodation Name: Crowne Plaza Canberra
Meals Included: Lunch, Dinner
It’s hard to believe that just 1.5 hours from Sydney lies a patch of countryside that could have been transplanted straight from the English Cotswolds. Think atmospheric villages amid rolling hills of grape vines – the Southern Highlands is the closest wine region to Australia’s largest city, after all. And then there are the grand gardens and emerald farms, one of which you’ll visit to meet Craig Starr and his family. Gold Creek Station farm is your backdrop for a Be My Guest BBQ lunch and tales about life on the land. This is your entrée to the country’s cool little capital of Canberra, home to Parliament House, where you’ll go behind the political scenes. Tonight, join your Travel Director for a Welcome Dinner.
Day 2: Canberra - Wangaratta
Location: Wangaratta
Accommodation Name: Quality Hotel Wangaratta
Thanks to architect Walter Burley Griffin, Canberra is an urban planner’s delight – the city is that well laid out, as you’ll discover when you head to the summit of Mt. Ainslie for panoramic views. You won’t yet be able to see the mighty Murray River, but you’ll soon cross it en route to Beechworth. From Australia's longest river, travel through Victoria's High Country to the well-preserved gold rush town of Beechworth. Beechworth saw an influx of fortune-seekers from all over the world during the 1850s. Get the lowdown on Beechworth over a chat with the publican of the historic local pub and enjoy afternoon tea in the oldest hotel in town. Then you'll be set and on your way to explore honey and gold shops, galleries and museums at your leisure, before Wangaratta beckons.
Day 3: Wangaratta - Melbourne
Location: Melbourne
Accommodation Name: Crowne Plaza Hotel Melbourne
Meandering south toward historic Glenrowan, you’re well and truly in Ned Kelly country – this is where the infamous bushranger and his gang were finally captured in 1880. The story is remembered on pretty much every city corner, whether in enormous statues or at the museum. We’ll tell you all the tales – some of them true, many of them hearsay. All of them entertaining. Then we’ll tell you a bit more about Melbourne, like how it’s the home of Aussie rules football, covets some of the country’s best arts institutions, and has a swag of stellar restaurants, cafés and bars. Small wonder it’s known as Australia’s cultural, culinary and sporting capital. After a city tour, immerse yourself in a guided galleries tour of our First Peoples arts and cultural centre, the Koorie Heritage Trust, a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, then head off to explore. Forget your map – one of the joys of being in Melbourne is getting lost. Discovering a hidden jazz bar. Stumbling upon a hole-in-the-wall restaurant or another gallery that catches your eye. Enjoy.
Day 4: Melbourne Free Time
Location: Melbourne
Accommodation Name: Crowne Plaza Hotel Melbourne
You’re on your own today. Well, not really, because your Travel Director is at your service to help arrange optional experiences. Perhaps enjoy a strong coffee in one of Melbourne's atmospheric laneways. Adrenaline junkie? Linger in the city, gaining bird’s-eye views from the Melbourne Skydeck at the Eureka Tower, the Southern Hemisphere’s highest attraction, looming almost 300 metres above the ground. Or, perhaps exploring the city on foot with a History and Donuts Walking Tour is more your thing. Animal lover? Venture out on a Phillip Island little penguin tour to see hundreds of these cute creatures pad from the ocean along the sand back to snuggle in their burrows for the night (all own expense). The choice is yours.
Day 5: Melbourne - Warrnambool
Location: Warrnambool
Accommodation Name: Lady Bay Resort
The Great Ocean Road is one of the world’s most epic journeys, a dramatic 240-kilometre union of limestone stacks (Twelve Apostles, we’re looking at you), World Heritage listed rainforest, untouched coastal coves and sleepy towns, like Lorne and Apollo Bay. It’s hard to know where to point your camera on a Great Ocean Road tour. We recommend having it poised to snap shots of the Loch Ard Gorge, the site of a famous shipwreck, and London Bridge rock formations. The latter sandstone arch once resembled its namesake bridge; even after its collapse, it’s still an impressive natural wonder. It doesn’t get any better than this.
Day 6: Warrnambool - Naracoorte
Location: Naracoorte
Accommodation Name: William MacIntosh Motor Lodge, Naracoorte
Emus and koalas… oh my! These are just a couple of the animals you’ll likely spot as you drive through Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve – housed in a dormant volcanic crater. Remarkably, this pocket of paradise was once wasteland, transformed by volunteers. More volcanic history awaits across the South Australian border in Mt. Gambier, home to the crater-filling Blue Lake. Because it’s very blue. And it’s a lake. By now you’ll be pretty thirsty, so it’s a good thing the Coonawarra wine region is around the corner. After a few sips, you may find yourself getting deep – literally. Naracoorte’s Alexandra Cave is a maze of delicate needle-like stalactites and massive twisting columns.
Day 7: Naracoorte - Kangaroo Island
Location: Kangaroo Island
Accommodation Name: Aurora Ozone Hotel, Executive Rooms
The Fleurieu Peninsula is a natural adventure playground, all rolling hills, rugged clifftops and sandy beaches. Seaside Victor Harbor turns on the charms – take a horse drawn tram ride out to Granite Island (own expense) – before your ferry blasts its horn. All aboard for Kangaroo Island, home to native wildlife like sea lions, koalas and diverse bird species. Your destination is Kingscote.
Day 8: Kangaroo Island Sightseeing
Location: Kangaroo Island
Accommodation Name: Aurora Ozone Hotel, Executive Rooms
Meals Included: Lunch
It's time for an island adventure: first stops are Remarkable Rocks and Admirals Arch, home to an immense colony of raucous fur seals. Hanson Bay Wildlife Sanctuary was badly damaged by the 2019 bushfires. Through your MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, you’ll assist with their bushfire recovery plan and wildlife rehabilitation program. Learn from one of their experienced guides about the delicate ecosystem and Australian native animals. More wildlife greets you at Seal Bay Conservation Park, where enormous sea lions barrel down the sand to the water. This is one of the most significant breeding colonies in the country. A well-deserved tasting of craft beer awaits at a boutique brewery, the only one on the island. How does a Golden Ale sound?
Day 9: Kangaroo Island - Adelaide
Location: Adelaide
Accommodation Name: Crowne Plaza Adelaide
You’ve arrived in the South Australian capital, known for its well-preserved churches and well-admired cuisine. Did you know that Adelaide boasts more restaurants per capita than any other city in Australia? After a city orientation tour, the afternoon is yours to see just how many you can sample – we have a few recommendations, including a visit to the epic Central Market, where you can try green ant gin with cheese, among so many other delicacies (own expense).
Day 10: Adelaide Hills And The Barossa
Location: Adelaide Hills
Accommodation Name: Crowne Plaza Adelaide
Meals Included: Lunch
Pull on your elastic-waisted pants – today is one of indulgences through the Adelaide Hills and the Barossa, dotted with atmospheric towns like Hahndorf, Australia’s oldest surviving German settlement. A Barossa and Hahndorf tour reveals the bountiful food and wine this pocket of the state is known for. Discover local flavours over lunch at Lambert Estate, nestled in the rolling hills of the Barossa, followed by a tasting at Wolf Blass.
Day 11: Farewell From Adelaide
Location: Adelaide
Accommodation Name: Crowne Plaza Adelaide
By day 11, you will have a suitcase full of gin, wine and cheese; a camera full of dreamy images; and more memories than you can count.
What's Included
What's Not Included
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Flights
Flights to and from the start and end of your trip are not included in the trip price.
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Optional experiences
Optional experiences such as a visit to Phillip Island to see penguins or a horse-drawn tram ride at Victor Harbor are at your own expense.
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Personal items
Personal items such as sunglasses, sunscreen, hats, water bottles, warm layers, cameras, and comfortable walking shoes are not included.
Mode of Transport
Day prior – flights to arrive anytime into Sydney Airport. Day 11 – flights to depart anytime from Adelaide Airport. Flights are not included in the holiday price. Return airport to hotel transfers are included in the holiday price.
Accommodation
Your Guided Holiday includes a range of quality accommodation for your comfort. The accommodation you will enjoy on this tour includes: Centrally located premium 4 and 4.5 hotels.
Dining Summary
- 1 Be My Guest Lunch (BGL)
- 4 Dinner with Wine (DW)
- 10 Full Breakfast (B)
- 2 Lunch (L)
- 1 Farewell Dinner (FD)
Cultural Immersion
- Gold rush towns always come with stories about infamous bush rangers and love scandals. Hear them when you arrive in historic Beechworth.
Fitness Requirement
- A low to medium level of fitness is required. Most walks are on boardwalks however there is the opportunity to walk on the beach at Seal Bay and the track is quite steep in places. Guests will also walk along bush tracks and gravel roads at Hanson Bay?. Guests will also have the opportunity to walk over the Remarkable Rocks so surfaces can be slippery and uneven. For guests wanting to walk down to Admirals Arch, there are quite a few steps. Other less active options are available however.?
Flight information
- Flights to and from the start/end of your trip are not included in the trip price. Day prior – flights to arrive anytime into Sydney AirportDay 11 – flights to depart anytime from Adelaide Airport Return airport to hotel transfers are included in the holiday price
Local Connection
- Meet Craig Starr on his 400-hectare sheep farm Gold Creek Station for a tale or two, and a BBQ. The stories continue at Australian Parliament House.
Sustainable Footprints
- By visiting Kangaroo Island’s Hanson Bay Wildlife Sanctuary, you not only gain insights into Australian animals, but also have the chance to support them.
What to Bring
- Sunglasses, sunscreen and hat Water bottle Warm layers in cooler months Camera Comfortable walking shoes
World Class Nature
- Along the Great Ocean Road’s 240 kilometres you’ll discover all manner of natural drama, from limestone stacks to World Heritage listed rainforest and untouched coastal coves.
Check out our Q&As
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What kind of fitness level is required for the Tastes of Southern Australia tour?
A low to medium level of fitness is required for the tour. Most walks are on boardwalks, but there are opportunities to walk on the beach at Seal Bay, which can be steep in places. Guests will also walk along bush tracks and gravel roads at Hanson Bay, and surfaces can be slippery and uneven at Remarkable Rocks. There are quite a few steps to Admirals Arch, but less active options are available.
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Are flights included in the Tastes of Southern Australia tour package?
Flights to and from the start and end of the trip are not included in the tour price. However, return airport to hotel transfers are included in the holiday price.
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What type of accommodation is provided during the tour?
The tour includes a range of quality accommodation for your comfort, featuring centrally located premium 4 and 4.5-star hotels.
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What wildlife can be expected to be seen on Kangaroo Island during the tour?
On Kangaroo Island, you can expect to see native wildlife such as sea lions, koalas, and diverse bird species. The tour includes visits to Remarkable Rocks, Admirals Arch, and Seal Bay Conservation Park, which are home to significant wildlife colonies.
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What unique experiences are included in the tour itinerary?
The tour includes unique experiences such as a Be My Guest BBQ lunch at Gold Creek Station with sheep farmer Craig Starr, a guided tour of the Koorie Heritage Trust Gallery in Melbourne, and a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience at Hanson Bay Wildlife Sanctuary to assist with bushfire recovery and wildlife rehabilitation.
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Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
The beauty of taking a holiday with us is you’ll have the opportunity to meet and travel with people from all over the globe.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
It is important to adhere to departure times while on tour for the comfort of everyone on-board, and to make sure no one misses out on the planned experiences. The coach will not be able to wait for you, and in some instances, if you miss a departure time you will need to make your own way to the next destination to re-join the tour.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
AAT Kings operated Guided Holidays have competitive single supplement rates available if you prefer to confirm your own room. Or we can match you to share with a guest of the same gender at no extra cost. If we fail to match you, we will accommodate you in a single room at no extra cost.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Over 100 years
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
We will email your documents to you approximately four weeks before your departure date provided you have completed your pre trip registration using the My Travel Portal. If you’ve booked through a travel agent, your documents will be emailed directly to your agent.
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Low Deposit
AAT Kings requires a minimum deposit of 100 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of aat kings charges.
Up to 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 59 days before tour starts: Forfeit 30% of booking price.
At 15 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 7 days before tour starts: Forfeit 90% of booking price.
At 1 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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