Great Ocean Road & Grampians Discovery

Day 1 Melbourne

Welcome to Melbourne! Often referred to as Australia’s music capital, Melbourne is full of arts, culture and plenty of foodie hot-spots for those feeling a bit peckish from the flight over. Start the adventure off with a welcome meeting in the evening at your hotel. Please look out for a flyer in the hotel reception for more details on this meeting – alternatively don’t hesitate to ask the front desk staff for more information. Remember to keep your insurance and next of kin details on hand as your leader will be picking these up before you begin. If you’ve arrived early, one of the best ways to get acquainted with the city is with an Urban Adventures trip – the Total Melbourne tour whisks you to the heights of the city’s best viewpoint down to the laneways full of hidden bars and cafes. Filled with plenty of fun facts about the city’s history and modern culture, you’ll be an honorary Melbournian by the time the trip ends for sure!

Day 2 Apollo Bay and Kennett River

Begin with a breakfast at the hotel before departing from Melbourne en route to Torquay – a town made famous for it’s fantastic surfing beaches. After a brief morning tea, continue onwards to Memorial Arch, a timber log archway that stands as a tribute to the World War One servicemen who constructed the Great Ocean Road. Arrive at Lorne for lunch, then take some time to explore this laid-back seaside town or duck into the water for a quick swim. Head to Teddy’s Lookout for views of the rugged hills jutting out of Australia’s south-eastern coastline, try to spot cute and cuddly Koalas near Kennett River and finally arrive at Apollo Bay in the late afternoon. After a big day of driving and exploration, enjoy some free time to relax at your accommodation or perhaps duck out to a local restaurant for a fresh seafood dinner.

Day 3 The Twelve Apostles and Warrnambool

Tuck in to an early breakfast at a local café, then head towards Maits Rest for a guided walk through an enchanting patch of lush Australian rainforest located in the Great Otway National Park. Listen out for birds cooing and tweeting through the emerald ferns as you marvel upon towering trees above and trickling waterways below. Afterwards, embark on a truly unique experience with a walk along the Great Ocean Road itself en route to Gibson Steps. Prepare yourself to be dwarfed by the towering cliffs and offshore columns as you walk along the shoreline, feeling the breath of the ocean run across your skin as the morning sun beams warmly above. Continue along the Great Ocean Road for a stop at one of Australia’s best known natural wonders – the 12 Apostles. It’s a humbling experience to look out from the cliff tops at these limestone monoliths as they staunchly protrude from the water, keeping an ear out as waves crash against their feet. An optional helicopter ride offers the chance to take in sweeping views of the landscape – just ask your leader if you’re interested in taking this option. Say farewell to the 12 Apostles and hit the road once more. Stop by the Loch Ard Gorge for a glimpse of a picturesque natural inlet, enjoy a stopover at Port Campbell, then go sightseeing at London Bridge, The Grotto and the Bay of Martyrs before arriving in Warrnambool. Enjoy an evening dinner with the group before hitting the hay for the night.

Day 4 Warrnambool and Halls Gap

Spend today exploring the Tyrendarra Protected area, taking a tour of the volcanic landscapes created by the eruption of Tower Hill around 32,000 years ago. Enjoy a guided interactive walk with an experienced local Worn Gundidj guide. This walk provides and exclusive opportunity to explore the wildlife at Tower Hill and discover the natural habitat of some of Australia’s most iconic animals. Gain an understanding of traditional Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander lifestyles as well as learning how to identify native plants for food and medicinal purposes and throw a boomerang.

Day 5 Halls Gap and the Grampians

Riddled with glorious sandstone mountains, dazzling wildflowers and dramatic lookouts, the Grampians region is a hotbed for some of Australia’s finest natural treasures. Begin your adventures through the ranges on a hike to The Pinnacle via Devil’s Gap. Keep an eye out for koalas, kangaroos and even echidnas who might be seen rummaging through the surrounding bushland, then take in astounding views of Halls Gap and the Grampians’ peaks from the top of the lookout. After a brief lunch, continue on a relatively easy walk to The Balconies for panoramic views of Victoria Valley. Press on to Mackenzie Falls to witness stunning cascades as they collapse into a deep pool, firing mist into the surrounding air. After a long day of walking, settle down the way that traditional Australian bushmen would to a bush tucker dinner, cooked up by a local chef using native ingredients.

Day 6 Halls Gap to Melbourne

After breakfast at the hotel, travel back from Halls Gap towards Melbourne. Stop in the small town of Beaufort for morning tea or a coffee.  The adventure comes to a close once you arrive in the city. No accommodation is included tonight.