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, Melbourne, Great Ocean Road, 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
As hard as it is to say goodbye to Sydney, it’s just as easy to say hello to the Southern Highlands. South of the ‘Harbour City’, the rustic countryside of Berrima awaits – fun fact: this is the oldest Georgian village in Australia. Further on, you’re welcomed to Gold Creek Station by sheep farmer Craig Starr for a Be My Guest BBQ lunch and tales about life on the land. Onward to the country’s cool little capital, 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: Canberra
Accommodation Name: Quality Hotel Wangaratta
Get some Canberra perspective from the summit of Mt. Ainslie. You won’t be able to see the Murray River, but you’ll soon cross it en route to Beechworth, Victoria’s best-preserved gold rush town. 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.
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. We’ll tell you all the tales, then a few more about Melbourne, the home of Aussie rules football, some of the country’s best arts institutions, and a swag of stellar restaurants, cafés and bars. Once you have your bearings, immerse yourself in a guided galleries tour of our First Peoples arts and cultural centre, Koorie Heritage Trust Gallery, then head off to explore before an evening at leisure.
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. Animal lover? Venture to Phillip Island to see hundreds of little penguins pad along the sand (both own expense).
Day 5: Melbourne - Warrnambool
Location: Great Ocean Road
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. We recommend having it poised to snap shots of the Loch Ard Gorge and London Bridge rock formations. It doesn’t get any better than this.
Day 6: Warrnambool - Naracoorte
Location: Naracoorte
Accommodation Name: William MacIntosh Motor Lodge, Naracoorte
Emus and koalas… 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. 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) or take a wander along the pier – 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
Location: Kangaroo Island
Accommodation Name: Aurora Ozone Hotel, Executive Rooms
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
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Centrally located hotels
Your stay includes accommodation in centrally located premium 4 and 4.5-star hotels for your comfort.
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National Park entrance fees
Entrance fees to various national parks are included in the tour package.
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Arrival and departure private airport transfers
Private airport transfers upon arrival and departure are included in the holiday price.
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Guided tours and experiences
Enjoy guided tours and experiences such as a visit to the Koorie Heritage Trust Gallery and Hanson Bay Wildlife Sanctuary.
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Meals
Some meals are included, such as a Be My Guest BBQ lunch at Gold Creek Station.
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.
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.