DaY 1 -Perth > melbourne ifm / D
Relax and enjoy your home pick up by private car. Transfer to the airport to meet your fellow travellers and board your flight to Melbourne. On arrival we travel to Geelong and check into the Mercure Hotel, located on the waterfront. A great way to start the tour.
Hotel: 2 nights at Mercure Hotel, Geelong.
DAY 2 - great ocean road B / d
We travel to Warnambool, a beautiful seaside town to visit the Maritime Museum and Whale Nursery and enjoy morning tea. Travel along the coast to the Bay of Islands then to Port Campbell, stopping for lunch. Continue along the coast to see the Loch Arch and the Twelve Apostles before heading back to Geelong. You will see some postcard scenery today.
DAY 3 - ballarat B / D
We visit the Geelong Botanical Gardens, one of Australia’s finest regional Botanical Gardens, founded in 1851. Then, travel north to Ballarat and discover the brilliant autumn scenery of Lake Wendouree, the beautiful gardens and the historic buildings. After lunch we visit the new Eureka Centre and learn about the history of the Eureka Stockade.
Motel: The Bell Tower Motor Inn.
DAY 4 - daylesford and Mount macedon B / d
As we leave Ballarat we stop and pay a visit to the ex-prisoners of war memorial. We travel to Melbourne via Daylesford, known as the spa centre of Australia. Stop at The Convent Gallery, a magnificent historic building boasting 7 galleries overlooking Daylesford. The Convent has been described as the ‘most beautiful gallery in Australia’. Stop in Woodend for lunch (BYO) then continue to Mt. Macedon for breathtaking views. Dinner tonight is at the II Primo Pesto Restaurant, Southbank.
Hotel: 3 nights at the Travelodge Southbank.
DAY 5 - melbourne city sights B
Experience the magical sights of Melbourne, the history, famous buildings and best of all, the autumn leaves in the Parks and Gardens. The afternoon and evening is at your own leisure.
Optional dinner: Colonial Tramcar Restaurant, 3 course meal 5.45pm – 7.15pm. The tram departs and returns from Tram stop #125 Normanby Road, South Melbourne (near crown casino). Contact the office for further details.
DAY 6 - william ricketts sanctuary B
This morning we board the historic Puffing Billy in Belgrave for our journey to Menzies Creek. Onto the ancient Sherbrooke Forest to hand feed the colourful birds and walk amongst the giant mountain ash trees. We make a special stop at the William Ricketts Sanctuary to view some of the 92 ceramic sculptures of people and animals. We return to the hotel then your evening is free. Maybe try another of the Southbank restaurants or perhaps visit the Casino or catch a movie. Tonight you have the opportunity to see a ‘Show’ in Melbourne.
DAY 7 - melbourne/lakes entrance B / d
We stop at the Melbourne Markets for a look and/ or shop before travelling along the Princess Highway through Warragul and Sale. Stop for lunch at Yarrogan before arriving in the popular seaside holiday town of Lakes Entrance.
Motel: 2 nights at the Bellevue on the lakes.
DAY 8 - Cruise B / d
This morning we show you the area around Lake King and the little town of Metung. Visit Nyerimilang Heritage Park and Homestead and enjoy morning tea in a delightful garden setting on a cliff-top above the beautiful Gippsland Lakes. View the history of the homestead and the Gippsland area. Free time in town before cruising the calm waters of the Gippsland Lake, onboard Lonsdale Cruises. Enjoy some scrumptious scones onboard.
DAY 9 - bright
B / d
As we leave the The Lakes area, we stop in a little town called Ensay for morning tea. Travel in-land to Omeo, once known as the toughest, most lawless Goldfield town in Australia and see the Cuckoo Clock Shop. Continue to Dinner Plains, a lovely alpine village. We tour around the homes, apartments and lodges that reflect the heritage of the early pioneer buildings in the Victorian Alpine High Country. Last year we saw snow and built snowmen! We travel to Mt. Hotham on the Great Alpine Road before arriving in Bright.
Hotel: 3 nights at the Riverbank Motel, Bright.
Our motel is located on the riverbank and behind us is a beautiful walkway which you can use to walk in to the township.
DAY 10 - bright B / d
Over the next two days you are in for a treat when we tour around one of Victoria’s most popular country towns, Bright, the surrounding mountains and valleys. The highlight of the area is the changing of the colours as the leaves turn to a blaze of red and gold. This morning we go up to Mt. Buffalo for morning tea. Beautiful birds and autumn colours surround us. On our way back we stop and visit the ‘Old Tobacco Shed’ which is full of memorabilia. Enjoy free time in Bright before visiting the Berry Farm and Boynton’s Winery.
DAY 11 - bright B / d
This morning we drive to Mt. Beauty then visit the Discovery Centre, displaying the history of the hydroelectric scheme. Enjoy morning tea at Yackandandah, nestled in the foothills of Stanley State Forest. Rich in history and natural resources, many of the towns’ buildings are now listed by the Australian Heritage commission and National Trust. Continue to Beechworth, Victoria’s best preserved gold rush town, renowned for its connection to Ned Kelly and his gang. There are many carefully restored colonial buildings and historic precinct. Visit the famous pie shop for lunch. Return to Bright late afternoon.
DAY 12 - melbourne > Perth B / ifm
We say farewell to Bright and travel to Glenrowan where we visit Ned Kelly’s last stand at the tourist centre. This semi-live theatre production will take you back in time, over 100 years to witness the events that lead up to the capture of the Ned Kelly Gang. Travel to Benalla and visit the Sir Edward “Weary” Dunlop Memorial in the Botanic Gardens and purchase lunch. There is time to visit the Costume and Pioneer Museum before heading to Melbourne Airport. On arrival in Perth your driver will be waiting to transfer you home, ending a wonderful autumn holiday.
TOUR PRICE
• Twin Share $3150.00
• Single Supplement $680.00
Includes:
• Home pick up and return
• Kings Tour Manager
• Return economy airfares and taxes
• Travel insurance (age loading additional)
• 11 nights accommodation
• Breakfast daily
• 9 Dinners
• Sightseeing and entry fees as per the itinerary
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