The Great Southern Ocean Vacation

Experience the charm and vibrancy of Adelaide, South Australia’s bustling capital, renowned for its rich cultural scene, beautiful parklands, and exceptional food and wine offerings. Known as the "City of Churches," Adelaide combines historic architecture with modern attractions, offering visitors a diverse experience. Explore iconic sites like Adelaide Oval, Art Gallery of South Australia, and the South Australian Museum, all reflecting the city’s deep cultural heritage.
For wine lovers, Adelaide is a gateway to some of the best wine regions in the world, including the Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale, and Clare Valley. The National Wine Centre of Australia is a must-see, where visitors can learn about Australia’s rich wine history, explore an interactive wine experience, and sample some of the finest wines the country has to offer.
Stroll through the lush Botanic Gardens or enjoy a relaxing day by the River Torrens, surrounded by the city’s peaceful green spaces. For a taste of local produce, visit the Adelaide Central Market, offering an array of fresh food, gourmet treats, and artisan goods. Adelaide offers the perfect blend of culture, history, and natural beauty, making it an essential stop on any Australian itinerary.

On arrival, you will be met by a private driver outside customs exit and delivered to your Adelaide accommodation.

Take a guided tour of the National Wine Centre’s Wine Discovery Journey. Uncover the diversity of Australia’s 65 wine regions and meet some of the wonderful characters of the industry. Discover the key characteristics of wine varieties grown throughout the country before enjoying a guided tasting of three Australian wines from a range of producers. You will be taken on a sensory journey, learning the differences between aroma, texture and flavour, providing you with a greater appreciation and understanding of wine tasting.

Indulge in a memorable day of wine tasting in one of Australia’s premier wine regions on the Uncork McLaren Vale, a unique tour hosted by Small Batch Wine Tours. This intimate experience takes you through the scenic vineyards of McLaren Vale, where you’ll discover boutique wineries known for their exceptional wines and craftsmanship.
Your expert guide will lead you to carefully selected wineries, allowing you to sample a variety of premium wines, including the region’s famous Shiraz. Learn about the winemaking process from passionate cellar door staff and enjoy behind-the-scenes insights into the art of creating small-batch wines. Throughout the day, savour a delicious two-course lunch, paired with fine local wines, set in a picturesque winery restaurant, offering the perfect backdrop for relaxation and indulgence.

Choose a car to best suit your needs from our fantastic rental car range or ask our team for a suggestion. From compact economy to prestige SUVs. Speak to the team to learn more!

With a growing small-bar scene, world-class art and music, and a festival calendar to rival that of any other Australian city, Adelaide is a destination worth discovering. Take time to explore its vibrant laneways, visit the iconic Adelaide Central Market, and go shopping in Rundle Mall. Slow things down and relax at the Botanic Gardens, jump on the iconic Popeye Cruise along the River Torrens, or take the tram out to Glenelg to explore the popular metropolitan beach, dine in one of the many foreshore restaurants, or even enjoy the beach cabanas in summer months.
Adelaide is also lucky enough to be surrounded by some of Australia's most famous wine regions, and a stop into one of the wineries or the National Wine Centre is highly recommended. A 30-minute drive east into the hills will take you to Hahndorf, the oldest surviving German settlement in Australia, home to incredible food, strawberry fields and streets lined with artisan stores. On the way to Hahndorf, stop in at the Mount Lofty Botanic Gardens and the Mt Lofty Summit for a coffee with a view. You may wish to return via Belair and stop at the iconic Windy Point Lookout on your way for even more phenomenal views over the city and beyond, especially at sunset.

This tour uncovers the famous 150-year-old fresh produce market. Taste a delicious selection of foods from South Australian artisan food producers, meet the suppliers, Stallholders and producers whose families have traded the market for generations. This small-group tour is hosted by local guides and is serious fun for those with a passion for great food, and the people who grow and supply it to our tables.
After the tour, settle in for a delicious Market cafe lunch and watch the world go by, or if you are too full after the tour tastings, the guide can arrange a gourmet Italian panini picnic lunch to take away.

Departing Adelaide to the south, jump on the Southern Expressway which is an easy cruise past the southern coastal suburbs. As you reach Old Noarlunga, you may wish you take a detour into the world-renowned McLaren Vale wine region and stop for a tasting and platter at one of the 80+ cellar doors showcasing premium wines. Continue south and keep an eye out for the striking Nan Hai Pu Tuo Temple on the coastal side just after passing through Sellicks Beach. Myponga is a great place to stop for a rest at the local brewery or bakery before continuing on your way past Normanville & the lush forested roads of Second Valley, through to Cape Jervis. If you have time before boarding your ferry, check out the lighthouse and lookout near the marina.

SeaLink Kangaroo Island’s ferry service operates between Cape Jervis (two hours south of Adelaide) and Penneshaw, Kangaroo Island. The journey takes just 45 minutes for the 16km crossing.

Setting out on a 45 minute drive you will head west on Middle terrace out of Penneshaw towards your destination Kingscote, the largest town on Kangaroo Island. Following along the coast you'll pass through Baudin Beach and Brown Beach before reaching Pelican Lagoon a protected seawater aquatic reserve. If you wish you can make a slight detour from Haines to Nepean Bay, here you will find the Kangala Kangaroo and wildlife rescue centre.

The largest town on Kangaroo Island, Kingscote is situated on the coast of Nepean Bay, on the northeast corner of the island, and boasts an extensive collection of restaurants, cafes, shopping, heritage sites, and wildlife. On the north end of town is the historical Hope Cottage Folk Museum; built in the 1850s, it is now one of the oldest homes on the island. Other notable heritage sites in Kingscote include The Bluff Cottage, Barrett’s Store, and the Old Government Quarry.
Immerse yourself in the vibrant arts scene of local sculpture, jewellery, paintings, glasswork, and woodcraft art at the Kangaroo Island Art Gallery in the centre of Kingscote as well as the many smaller galleries. There’s no shortage of great restaurant options, and local brews and spirits can be found at the Kangaroo Island Brewery and Kangaroo Island Spirits.
For wildlife and nature enthusiasts, head to the Busby Islet Conservation Park, a 17-hectare nature reserve just north of Kingscote at the mouth of Nepean Bay. The park is home to numerous bird species, such as Australian Pelicans, and Sooty Oystercatchers, and is also home to a colony of the smallest penguins in the world, the little penguin. Avid beachgoers should be sure to pay a visit to Emu Bay to indulge in the white sand and crystal-clear waters.

Relax and enjoy tasting the Islands wines, ciders and spirits- A food lovers dream! Experience being up and close in the working environment as you sample goodies while exploring the area! See the bees, touch the lavender farm and best of all taste the local beverages!

Spend the day with Australia's Native Animals at the Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park! Join in with one of the Daily Koala Presentations to learn more about these furry animal's history on the island and bushfire recovery. Tick off the bucket list and hold a koala, interact with the cheeky Marmosets or feed the Serval African Cats. At KI Wildlife Park you will encounter a range of unique and interesting animals such as dingoes, meerkats, penguins, quokkas, wallabies and kangaroos. There is so much to see and do, including a cafe where you can hydrate and re-energise while venturing around the park.

Leaving Kingscote you will embark on a 60km drive to your destination Penneshaw. Following the Playford Highway then turning left onto Hog Bay, will take you to Mt Thisby lookout, we recommend you take the short 500 step hike up to the top of Prospect Hill where you will be rewarded with amazing views of Kangaroo Island. After a little longer you will reach your destination of Penneshaw.

SeaLink Kangaroo Island’s ferry service operates between Penneshaw, Kangaroo Island and Cape Jervis (two hours south of Adelaide). The journey takes just 45 minutes for the 16km crossing.

Depart Cape Jervis, the main departure point for ferries crossing over to Kangaroo Island, and pass through Delamere, a tiny hamlet. The town was originally named 'Glenburn', make sure to stop for lunch or grab a photo at the authentic colourful mural art wall painted by the locals, located just by the general store. Heading towards Parawa, take a detour to Ingalalla Falls, a short walk along an upstream creek will provide you with dotted picnic areas along the trail, before journeying on. Continue towards Willow Creek, a winery haven, and through Encounter Bay, arriving in the coastal town of Victor Harbor.

Victor Harbor is a bustling coastal town at the bottom of the Fleurieu Peninsula, a popular holiday destination for South Australians and visitors alike. Adjacent the town waterfront is Granite Island, a 62-hectare conservation area that is home to an abundance of wildlife. The island is known for its Little Blue Penguin colony which you can see on a guided tour at dusk as they return from a day of fishing out at sea. Granite Island is accessible by a 630-metre causeway which hosts a historic horse-drawn tramway that has been in use since 1894, and still operates daily. Victor Harbor is also a great area for spotting southern right whales from the land between May and October. Their unique affinity for coastal inshore waters means they can often be spotted as close as 100m off the shore, providing a great view of their 18-metre, rotund bodies.
Victor Harbor is also home to the Steamway Heritage Railway, Australia's oldest steel railway, which you can cruise along on board the Cockle Train. The 30-minute journey takes you to the nearby town of Goolwa, gateway to the Coorong and the Murray River Mouth - where the mighty river meets the Southern Ocean.
If you're looking for a low-key end to your day in Victor Harbor, take a picnic blanket and some fish and chips to the lookout at The Bluff to watch the sunset and the vibrant stars appear.

Depart on a 90 minute boat adventure around Victor Harbor and encounter seabirds, dolphins, seals, sea lions and even Southern Right Whales. Cruise between Victor Harbor and northern side of Granite Island, an island connected to the mainland by a 630 metre causeway and characterised by large, orange lichen tinged boulders. Past the breakwater, pick up the speed and visit Seal Rock, where Long Nosed Fur Seals and Australian Sea Lions bask in the sun. Then you will listen to your guide talk about the whaling history of the area as you go past Shark Alley, a popular surf break for experienced surfers located between Wright Island and the Bluff. You'll be treated to another colony of seals and sea lions at the back of West Island, and will frequently be visited by Sea Birds and Common and Bottlenose Dolphins. Gaze upon the spectacular cliffs of Kings Beach and Waitpinga before cruising through Encounter Marina Park, where you may spot Southern Right Whales between June and September, when they migrate from Antarctica to warmer waters.

Today's drive from Victor Harbor to Robe takes approximately 4 hours. You will follow Princes Hwy along the coast. Your first stop could be at Goolwa, a small town that was once a thriving river port for paddle steamers bringing cargo from upriver. There's lots of history here, including the famous Cockle Train, which runs to Port Elliot from Goolwa’s wharf precinct alongside the River Murray on the oldest steel railway in Australia dating back to 1887. It takes in spectacular coastal scenery with wonderful views. Your next stop should be Strathalbyn. The town has beautiful heritage buildings in its historic main streets and the National Trust Heritage Museum. If you like historic vehicles, you can stop in at Gilbert's Motor Museum. There is also a beautiful park and Soldiers Memorial Gardens, a great place to have a picnic and stretch your legs. You could walk the River Angas Walkaway or take a stroll along the Historic High Street. Cross the Murray River and drive alongside the Southern Ocean towards Robe. You will be passing The Big Lobster, a fibreglass and steel lobster sculpture that is a popular spot for photos. Before reaching Robe, your last stop could be at the Cape Jaffa Lighthouse in Kingston, SE. Built in 1872, it was originally located out at sea, and it housed two families with enough storage to keep several weeks worth of supplies. The lighthouse was decommissioned, brought to land, and converted into a museum in 1976. Your destination today, a charming seaside small town called Robe, is popular for its unspoilt scenery, laidback lifestyle, and local eateries serving fresh produce and delicious wines.

A charming town on the Limestone Coast of South Australia just 90 minutes from Mt Gambier, Robe is a bustling and chic summer hotspot. Start your day off with a coffee at a local cafe, soak up the sun on the beautiful white sand beaches or go four wheel driving through sand dunes. Foodies can enjoy local cellar doors, locally crafted beers and experience fresh caught seafood.

A choice of routes is available. The shorter route will take you via Millicent, and on to Mount Gambier and then along the coast to Portland and then onto Port Fairy. The longer route means a very early start, from Robe travel to Mt Gambier and then through the towns of Hamilton, Coleraine and Casterton and onto Dunkeld. From Dunkeld a scenic drive will take you through the Grampians National Park and onto Halls Gap. Departing from Dunkeld, travel via Penhurst to reach Port Fairy. Port Fairy is a quaint fishing village with many limestone and bluestone buildings in the town dating back to the 1840s and
classified by the National Trust.

Discover the rich history and culture of the Gunditjmara people on the Tae Rak Guided Cultural Walk at the Budj Bim Cultural Landscape. This enlightening experience takes you through significant Aboriginal heritage sites, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage area. Led by expert Gunditjmara guides, you’ll learn about the innovative aquaculture systems, the ancient eel traps, and the deep connection the Gunditjmara people have with the land. As you walk through this stunning volcanic landscape, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of the traditions, stories, and cultural practices that have been passed down through generations. The Tae Rak Guided Cultural Walk offers a unique opportunity to explore the past and engage with one of the world’s oldest living cultures. This enriching experience is perfect for those looking to connect with Australia’s Aboriginal heritage.

This morning depart Port Fairy and travel towards Warrnambool. Continue along the Shipwreck Coast and you will come across London Bridge the broken arch, before reaching Port Campbell, a quaint little seaside town. Travelling on past Port Campbell you will first come to Loch Ard Gorge and then a short distance on, the Twelve Apostles, which are huge stone rock formations carved over time by the waves of this rugged coastline. After Cape Otway rejoins the coastline and the unmatched scenery which is the Great Ocean Road.

Apollo Bay is the starting point for some of Australia’s most famous short and multi-day walks and is the perfect base to explore the Great Ocean Walk and surrounding Otways rainforest. Take a swim in the waters of the southern ocean, wander along the coast and explore rainforests and waterfalls, ferns and crystal clear streams. Sit and watch the whales travel along the coast in migration season or gaze at the glow worms at Melba Gully. Apollo Bay has a reputation for the freshest seafood which you can enjoy in a range of restaurants, or check out the local distillery and brewery for a refreshment.

As the sun sets over the hills of the Otways, a fascinating world comes to life. Potoroos, bandicoots, pademelons, and more awaken and begin their nightly rituals of feeding and foraging. Experience this magical transformation on the Dusk Discovery Wildlife Tour, where you'll have the chance to spot these amazing creatures as they emerge for the evening. This small, intimate tour, led by a knowledgeable conservationist guide, offers exclusive insights into the lives of some of the Otways' more elusive and rarely seen animals. Capture spectacular sunset photos and savor a small meal of local delights, accompanied by beer or wine, as you immerse yourself in this enchanting environment. Don't miss this unique Australian wildlife encounter – it's an unforgettable adventure!

Experience the majesty of the ancient rainforest from an exhilarating new perspective with the Treetop Walk at Otway Fly. This unique eco-adventure takes you on a 600-meter-long, 25-meter-high elevated walkway through the lush canopy of the Otway Ranges, offering breathtaking views and an unforgettable journey through nature. Enjoy panoramic vistas of the dense rainforest and its diverse flora and fauna as you walk among the treetops. The elevated walkway provides a unique vantage point to appreciate the natural beauty of the Otways.
Feel the thrill as you ascend the Spiral Tower, reaching a height of 47 meters above the forest floor, where the views are nothing short of spectacular. Along the walk, interpretive signage offers fascinating facts about the ancient trees, wildlife, and the vital role the rainforest plays in our environment, making it an informative and enriching experience.
The walk is accessible and designed to accommodate everyone, ensuring a memorable experience for all. Capture stunning photos and create lasting memories as you walk among the treetops, feeling like you are part of the forest itself.

The road from Apollo Bay to Lorne has been described as one of the most beautiful and breathtaking drives in the world. Explore the beautiful Erskine Falls near Lorne before following the coast road through Anglesea to the picturesque town of Torquay, recognised as the surfing capital of Australia.

Melbourne is the coastal capital of the state of Victoria. At the city's centre is the modern Federation Square development, with shopping, bars, and restaurants by the Yarra River. In the Southbank area, the Melbourne Arts Precinct is the site of Arts Centre Melbourne and the National Gallery of Victoria, with modern and Indigenous Australian art. As the cultural capital of Australia, Melbourne has a hidden gem around every corner - Rich history, bustling laneways, rooftop bars and world-class restaurants are just the beginning!

Indulge in an evening aboard the Spirit of Melbourne Dinner Cruise, with Melbourne River Cruises. This elegant experience offers a unique perspective of Melbourne's glittering cityscape as you dine on a meticulously crafted multi-course menu featuring fresh, local produce. Glide along the tranquil waters of the Yarra River, passing iconic landmarks like Flinders Street Station, Federation Square, and the Arts Centre, all beautifully illuminated against the night sky. Live entertainment provides the perfect soundtrack to your journey, creating a sophisticated and romantic atmosphere. The Spirit of Melbourne Dinner Cruise promises an evening of culinary delights, stunning views, and an unparalleled ambience. Relax, unwind, and create lasting memories as Melbourne unfolds before you.

Spend the day admiring the Mornington Peninsula on a spectacular sightseeing cruise with Explore Australia Tours. Depart from Melbourne and head south to the London Bridge, an impressive amphitheatre-like rock formation nestled on the Portsea Beach. Board the Searoad Ferry to embark on a 2-hour cruise with a lunch made up of a shared grazing table with local produce and wine. After enjoying the sea breeze and spectacular coastal views of Port Phillip and the Bass Strait, you will be taken to St Andrews Beach Brewery, a converted horse training facility, where you will be invited to a tasting paddle. Then visit Murray's Lookout, the highest point of the Mornington Peninsula where you can admire the stunning views stretching from across the bay to the city. We'll stop for a while at the Peninsula Bathing Boxes, an icon of the Port Phillip Bay. These vibrant boxes nestled on the sand make a fantastic photo opportunity and is the perfect location to end your time on the peninsula.

The City Circle Tram service provides a free and convenient way to get around central Melbourne. Tourists, shoppers, office workers and families can use the City Circle Tram to travel to major attractions, shops and city events. An audio commentary provides details of city landmarks and major attractions such as the City Museum, Parliament House, Docklands, Federation Square, Melbourne Aquarium and the Princess Theatre. You can spend all day, or stay one hour - this is a perfect free version of a hop on-hop off service so that you can enjoy each of Melbournes sites with the added bonus of traditional Melbourne transportation. 

The Melbourne hidden bar culture is a unique part of Australia’s cultural capital. The difficult thing is just that – they’re hidden! This city makes you work to find its best bits, which is why you’ll find some of the best bars behind other venues, underneath laneways, or tucked into repurposed spaces.
Join an experienced guide and uncover four of these fascinating venues in one afternoon, and learn what makes each one special over a drink, or four. Speak with talented bartenders during this small-group experience, making sure to chat with them about what kinds of drinks you like to personalise your Melbourne Hidden Bars Tour even more.

Return your rental vehicle to your designated depot before your next adventure.

Your tour comes to an end today, but if you are itching to explore more amazing sights, we can customise your holiday to include more days or additional destinations. Our trusted travel specialists can book transfers to your onward flight, and even assist in booking these flights for you. Our team can't wait to help you design your ultimate getaway!