See Adelaide & Beyond Great Ocean Road & Beyond Melbourne to Adelaide (Twin/Double Ensuite)

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Four days and three nights on one of the great journeys of the world, from Melbourne along the Great Ocean Road and beyond to Adelaide, with local Aussie personalities and world-class food and wine.

Days

4 days, 3 nights

Group size

Small group, max 16

Start / finish

Melbourne (Southern Cross coach terminal) / Adelaide
Adelaide, Thursday about 6pm

Return

Adelaide, Thursday about 6pm

Accommodation

3 nights in Port Campbell, Port Fairy and Naracoorte, twin or double room with ensuite (or single room, by option)

Transport

Air-conditioned vehicle with deluxe reclining seats and a guide

Meals

3 breakfasts, 4 lunches

Route

Map of See Adelaide & Beyond Great Ocean Road & Beyond Melbourne to Adelaide (Twin/Double Ensuite)

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Included experiences

Great Ocean Road — history and hidden places
Port Campbell — the 12 Apostles in the morning
Naracoorte Caves — World Heritage cave entry
Wineries — tastings on days 3 and 4
Nature walks and wildlife spotting

See Adelaide & Beyond Great Ocean Road & Beyond Melbourne to Adelaide (Twin/Double Ensuite)

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Itinerary

Map

DAY 1: MELBOURNE TO PORT CAMPBELL

Your Monday starts at Southern Cross in Melbourne, then it's over the West Gate Bridge and down to the surf coast. At Bells Beach near Torquay, the lookouts face the break that has hosted surfing's longest-running contest every Easter since 1962, and eastern grey kangaroos often graze nearby. Then onto the Great Ocean Road itself, built by returned First World War soldiers between 1919 and 1932 and still the world's largest war memorial. Lunch looks over the sea at Wye River. At Kennett River, koalas doze in the manna gums above the road. A guided walk in Great Otway National Park takes you under myrtle beech and tree ferns before the afternoon at the coast's most famous stretch.

DAY 1 AFTERNOON: THE 12 APOSTLES AND LOCH ARD GORGE

The 12 Apostles are limestone stacks up to 45 metres tall, cut from the cliffs by the Southern Ocean, and the sea is still taking them: one collapsed in 2005. A short drive on, Loch Ard Gorge tells the coast's best-known shipwreck story. The clipper Loch Ard hit the reef here in 1878 with 54 people aboard, and only two teenagers, Tom Pearce and Eva Carmichael, survived, washed into this narrow gorge. Then it's into Port Campbell, a small fishing town on a sheltered bay, for the night. Dinner is your own choice from the town's pubs and cafés.

Overnight: Port Campbell (Port Campbell Parkview Motel and Apartments or similar)

DAY 2: PORT CAMPBELL TO PORT FAIRY

Because you slept in Port Campbell, you're back at the 12 Apostles for sunrise, before the coaches arrive. Along the cliffs, London Bridge became an island in January 1990 when its inner arch fell, stranding two startled visitors on the outer side until a helicopter lifted them off. Lunch is in Koroit, one of the most Irish towns in Australia. In the afternoon, Tower Hill fills the crater of a volcano that erupted about 30,000 years ago, and in 1892 it became Victoria's first national park. A guided walk covers its Aboriginal history and wildlife. The day ends in Port Fairy, an 1830s whaling and sealing port once called Belfast.

Overnight: Port Fairy (Ashmont Apartments or similar)

DAY 3: PORT FAIRY TO NARACOORTE

West to Portland, Victoria's first permanent European settlement, founded by the Henty brothers in 1834, and on to Cape Nelson Lighthouse, lit since 1884 on cliffs above the Southern Ocean. Lunch is in Nelson, a riverside village at the mouth of the Glenelg River, then you cross into South Australia. In Mount Gambier the Blue Lake sits in a volcanic crater and turns a deep cobalt blue each summer. The Umpherston Sinkhole is a collapsed limestone cave that James Umpherston planted as a sunken garden in the 1880s. In Penola, Mary MacKillop, Australia's first saint, opened her first school in 1866,. Then on to Naracoorte for the night.

Overnight: Naracoorte (William Macintosh Motor Lodge or similar)

DAY 4: NARACOORTE TO ADELAIDE

Your last day starts among the vines of Coonawarra, a 15 km strip of red soil famous for cabernet sauvignon. At the Naracoorte Caves, a guided tour takes you underground at a World Heritage site listed in 1994 for its fossils of giant marsupials. Heading north, the grain silos at Coonalpyn carry giant portraits of local children painted in 2017. A free ferry carries the coach across the Murray River at Wellington, and lunch is at Bremerton winery at Langhorne Creek, run by the Willson sisters. Then it's through the Scottish-settled town of Strathalbyn, the German village of Hahndorf, founded in 1839, and up to Mount Lofty, 727 metres above the city. You're dropped at your Adelaide accommodation at about 6pm.

Map

Good to know

Departure time: Departs Melbourne every Monday at 8:30am from the Southern Cross coach terminal. Departures are guaranteed with a minimum of two passengers.
Finishes: Arrives in Adelaide on Thursday at about 6pm, with drop-off at your city accommodation.
Please note: Arriving in Adelaide on Thursday night gives perfect timing to link in with the Ghan departure to Alice Springs on Sunday afternoon.

What is included

3 nights in a mix of four-star accommodation, twin, double or single room with ensuite
Breakfasts on days 2, 3 and 4
Lunches on days 1, 2, 3 and 4
All touring, with commentary from your guide
Entry to the World Heritage Naracoorte Caves
Winery visits with wine tastings on days 3 and 4

FAQ

Preparing for the trip

Do I need travel insurance?

Insurance is important in protecting visitors from loss or damange of goods, medical problems, cancelation by passengers or other casualties. Its highly recommended. Some tours on this website require you to have travel insurance. If you are Australian then it is not necessary.

Where can I get more information about this trip?

If you find that this tour page doesn't answer all your questions, then please get in contact with us! Our passionate team are always available to answer any queries you may have.

What immunisations do I need?

For the latest information on immunisations, we strongly recommend you or contact the Travellers Medical and Vaccination Centre (www.traveldoctor.com.au) to discuss health requirements for your trip. They will advise you about appropriate inoculations.

Do I need to take any medical supplies?

It is not necessary to bring any medical supplies other than any personal items you may require. Each tour carries a first aid box, and the tour guides are all certified in First Aid.

Will I be able to use my mobile whilst on tour?

You can use your mobile while touring in Australia or New Zealand, but coverage may be limited in remote areas. For best connectivity, consider purchasing a local SIM card or an international roaming plan.

How fit do I need to be?

These tours are designed to be fun, informative and active, and can be enjoyed by anyone with a moderate degree of fitness and agility. Travellers should be comfortable with hiking or walking up to 5km each day.

What should I pack?

Depending on where in Australia or New Zealand you decide to visit, your luggage will vary. For exact information please visit the "What to bring" section of each tour page.

Private tours and families

Is it possible to travel in a private group?

If you are looking for a private tour based on one of these trips, please contact us directly and we may be able to help. Over the years we have worked with families, groups of friends, schools, clubs and charities to put together the perfect trip.

Booking the trip

Does the tour price include flights?

No. Tour prices do not include any travel arrangements other than for the duration of the tour itself. If you need assistance with booking flights or buses our travel team and certainly help - Just ask!

How far in advance do I need to book my tour?

As a rule of thumb, try to book at least 2 weeks prior to departure, this will usually get you a seat on the date you want. That being said, we cannot guarantee that spaces will be available at the time of your booking so, if you can, book as soon as possible. Bookings can still be made right up until the departure date of the tour if seats are available. If you know when you'd like to travel, please contact us and we will let you know if you need to book soon or if you have time.

Do I have to book this tour online?

Definitely not. Our website is designed to make is easy and convenient for you to schedule your tour. However we understand sometimes its nice to talk to someone directly. So by all means give us a call and we can organise your trip over the phone.

If I book more than one tour can I get a discount?

Absolutely! If you are booking multiple tours then we may be able to offer you a discount. Send us an email at info@lostinaustralia.org and let us know what you thinking of doing and we can put together a price for you.Also, be sure to look out for monthly specials on tours. We often have some great bargains.

How do I know when a tour is available?

You can check the departure dates of tours by using our calendar on the top right hand corner of the tour page. This will tell you what days the tour departs. For availability of seats please contact us directly at info@lostinaustralia.org or call us.

If I make a deposit only, when will I need to pay the balance?

Balance on tours need to be paid at least 30 days prior to departure. Failure to do so could result is the cancellation of your seat with a fee charged. If you need more time to clear your balance then let us know ASAP and arrangements can be made.

Who travels with us

Is it ok to travel alone on one of these tours?

Plenty of travellers book these tours on their own. Solo travellers are very much welcomed and encouraged. During your outback adventure you'll meet new and interesting people and forge relationships that last a lifetime.Solo travellers will usually share a room with a travelling companion of the same sex, but even if you do get your own room you won't be charged extra. On camping tours there are generally enough tents available that you can have your own if you choose to.For more information please contact us directly.

Cost and Fees

Do I need to tip the guide?

If you had an amazing time on tour and wish to tip your guide, that is completely up to you. Tipping is not customary in Australia and is not at all expected.

Will I need additional money?

Travellers are advised to bring some cash, as ATMs and banks can be few and far between in the remote parts of the trip. It is handy to have some extra cash, as the tour does stop by local shops and cafes.

Are there any hidden fees I need to know about?

Our tour prices are completely transparent. There are no additional fees involved that are not included in the overall tour price shown. If you wish to do optional activities such as helicopter rides or wildlife safaris, then an extra cost may be needed. However, this will always be made clear at the time of your booking.

What does Paid Locally mean?

Some tours require you to pay national park fees directly, in cash, to the tour guide on the morning of departure. Rest assured this will be subtracted from the tour price when reserving your tour.

Whilst on tour

Can I book extra accommodation for the start and end of the tour?

We know our country inside and out and would be happy to give you good recommodations. Please contact us for recommendations.

Where do I meet the tour?

For pick-up times and locations, please check the "Start/Finish" section directly under the itinerary, which lists every pick-up point and its time.There is a lot of information there to help you plan your flights and arrival.Please review it carefully, as pick-ups can vary from tour to tour.