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This itinerary is valid for all 2019 departures. To view the itinerary for departures beginning in January 2020, click here.
Melbourne, Outback & Uluru Adventure
12 days, Melbourne to Uluru
Itinerary
Day 1Melbourne
Arrive at any time.
There are no planned activities during the day, so check into the hotel and explore the city. If you arrive early enough, head into the city to take in the 'cultural capital of Australia'. Get lost in the city's famous laneways, go on the hunt for the perfect flat white (hint: Melbourne loves its coffee shops), catch the tram to St. Kilda, or wander around the über-cool Fitzroy neighbourhood.
Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group
Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.
Day 2Melbourne/Mornington Peninsula
Tour Melbourne's iconic laneways and learn more about coffee culture before travelling to the Mornington Peninsula. Stop to see Brighton's brightly coloured bathing boxes, miniature beachfront cabins that are unique to the beaches in Port Phillip Bay.
Although fairly small in size, the Mornington Peninsula packs a big punch with the amount of things to do here. Be awed with the stunning coastal scenery while driving through quaint towns and past stunning beaches.
Melbourne Laneways Walk
Discover the small laneways packed with shops, cafés and restaurants that make Melbourne so unique. Grab a delicious barista coffee to-go (which no trip to Melbourne would be complete without!), and set out to experience Melbourne's laneways with an expert local host. Journey through this 'secret city,' seeing local hotspots and incredible street art while learning about the city's history.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Bathing Boxes Visit
Stop to check out some of the famous bathing boxes that Port Phillip Bay is known for. These one-room "mini-cabins" are owned by families to store belongings on their favourite beach. Snap some photos of these brightly coloured boxes and breathe in the fresh ocean air.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 3Mornington Peninsula
Enjoy a free day in the Mornington Peninsula. Opt to visit a winery or hit one of the many incredible beaches in the area.
Free Time
Get out and explore the stunning Mornington Peninsula.
Optional Activities - Day 3 HideShow
Wine Tour
Visit some local wineries to taste locally produced vino. The Mornington Peninsula is famed for its Pinot Noir, but the 50 plus wineries in the region produce over 200 different wines... bottoms up!
Day 4Mornington Peninsula/Port Campbell
Hop on a ferry to Queenscliff before spending the day travelling along the Great Ocean Road. Pass world-famous surf beaches, enjoy views of the 12 Apostles, and walk through the rainforest in Great Otway National Park.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Ferry
Get to the next spot on your route aboard a convenient and efficient ferry boat.
Private Vehicle
Enjoy the stunning scenery while driving along the Great Ocean Road, stopping at the highlights along the way.
Rainforest Walk
Take in the beautiful greenery of the Great Otway National Park on a leisurely walk with your CEO.
Twelve Apostles Visit
Stop at a scenic lookout point along the Great Ocean Road and capture the beautiful views over the ocean and the Twelve Apostles. Now with only seven formations still standing, these iconic attractions were once limestone caves which eroded to become arches and eventually stacks up to 45m (147 ft) in height.
Loch Ard Gorge Visit
Located along the Great Ocean Road, beautiful Loch Ard Gorge shows the process of erosion in action. See offshore stacks and blowholes, and watch short tailed shearwaters soar over the nearby island. This location is a perfect backdrop for a group photo. Get snapping!
Optional Activities - Day 4 HideShow
Helicopter Ride
145AUD per personA series of limestone cliffs stretching into the ocean, the 12 Apostles is one of the most iconic sites in Victoria. Get a birds eye view of these massive rock columns and watch the swells of the ocean crash into them from above. Prepare to be awed by the sheer size of these cliffs and one of Australia's most famous coastlines.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 5Port Campbell/Halls Gap
Travel inland to Grampians National Park, known for its sandstone mountain range and impressive rock art. Trek through the forest, lush with vegetation and wildlife. Walk to the stunning Balconies and visit MacKenzie Falls.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Tower Hill State Wildlife Reserve Visit
Visit Tower Hill State Wildlife Reserve west of Warrnambool for a chance to see animals endemic to Australia such as koalas, emus and kangaroos. Learn more about this large volcanic crater and wetland and the role it plays in Indigenous history. Set off on one of the self-guided walking paths, then visit the Worn Gundidj Centre to see cultural displays and crafts.
The Balconies (Jaws of Death) Visit
Set off from the Reed Lookout overlooking Victoria Valley, and enjoy a short walk with beautiful scenery to the Balconies, formerly called the Jaws of Death. Check out the gorgeous view, but be careful not to lean too far over the edge!
MacKenzie Falls Visit
MacKenzie Falls is the only waterway in the region that flows year-round and it is also the most visited waterfall in the Grampians; take a short walk and check out the falls out from a viewing platform. In Spring, see wonderful wildflowers in bloom along the path.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Meals included:
Breakfast | DinnerDay 6Halls Gap/Adelaide
Visit the Brambuk Indigenous Cultural Centre before continuing on to Adelaide. The CEO will point out important highlights of the city while driving in, before free time to explore the city.
Brambuk Indigenous Cultural Centre Visit
Dive in to 'Dreamtime' and experience the stories, food and art of Australia's Indigenous peoples. Attempt to blow into a didgeridoo, paint and then throw a boomerang, or go on a guided walk through gardens planted with native herbs and plants. Head to the Bushfoods cafe and sample the local delicacies -- kangaroo, emu, and crocodile. Anyone still hungry?
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Orientation Drive
Drive around to spot some of the main highlights of the area.
Optional Activities - Day 6 HideShow
Grampians National Park Visit
FreeWalk past lookouts, sandstone ridges and other various rock formations. Be rewarded with sweeping views of the natural landscape.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 7Adelaide/Ikara-Flinders Ranges
Stop in the Clare Valley for a wine tasting and light gourmet lunch featuring regional produce. Afterwards, drive through the Flinders Ranges.
Your Foodie Moment: Wine Tasting
Stop by a local winery and sample some of the different grape varietals while learning a bit more about wine production and its history in the Clare Valley. Try some Riesling, the local favourite (considered the best in Australia, if not the world), along with some Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Meals included:
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 8Ikara-Flinders Ranges
Visit Wilpena Pound, a 800-million-year old natural amphitheatre, before enjoying free time for optional activities in the Flinders Ranges like hiking or a 4WD tour of the rugged area.
Free Time
Take the day to explore the amazing scenery of Flinders Ranges.
Wilpena Pound Visit
Visit the incredible Wilpena Pound amphitheatre, carved out of the Flinders Ranges over 800 million years ago. Explore the ancient landscapes and take in the impressive landscape in this part of the Flinders Ranges NP.
Optional Activities - Day 8 HideShow
Wilpena Pound Hike
FreeEnjoy nature's 800 million-year-old natural amphitheater carved out of the mountains in the Ikara-Flinders Ranges NP. Visit Indigenous art sites and learn more about the history and customs of the Adnyamathanha people who have lived here for tens of thousands of years. Keep an eye out for emus, kangaroos, and if you are lucky, the threatened yellow footed rock wallaby.
Mountain Biking
Get on two wheels to explore the rugged landscape of Ikara-Flinders Ranges NP.
Flinders Ranges Helicopter Ride
95-270AUD per personTake to the air for a helicopter ride over the impressive Flinders Ranges. With a variety of flight options to choose from, opt to check out Rawnsley Bluffs, Wilpena Pound, or the Chace Range.
Flinders Ranges 4WD Tour
105-295AUD per personStrap in for a 4WD tour of the Flinders Ranges. Encounter spectacular scenery, Aussie wildlife, and learn about the regions rich geological history, all while getting a thrilling ride!
Meals included:
Breakfast | DinnerDay 9Ikara-Flinders Ranges/Coober Pedy
Travel to Coober Pedy, the world's opal mining capital. After a guided tour of a mine, escape the heat like the locals by spending the night underground.
Travel to the unique opal mining town of Coober Pedy, where people live underground to avoid the heat. A guided mine tour gives insight to the mining process and the importance of opals to the area.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Guided Mine Tour
Learn about opals and Coober Pedy's mining history on a tour of an old opal mine. See examples of both hand-dug and machine-dug underground homes, which are a popular way to escape the heat.
Meals included:
Breakfast | LunchDay 10Coober Pedy/Uluru
Travel further into the Outback and experience a colourful sunset at Uluru with a glass of bubbly in hand.
Cross the border into the Northern Territory, where Australia's most iconic view awaits.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Uluru at Sunset
Enjoy a glass of bubbly, and watch the setting sun transform Uluru into a glowing monolith bathed in deep reds and oranges. Capture the moment with your camera but also take a moment to soak in the serenity of the scene just with your own eyes. Magic!
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 11Uluru
Enjoy the Mala Walk at Uluru to learn the importance of the rock to the Aborigines.
Uluru Mala Walk
Take a guided walk along the northwest side of Uluru to learn about the history of the area, hear the stories of the Anangu people and gaze upon these awe-inspiring uplifted sandstone rock formations.
Indigenous Cultural Centre Visit
Learn about Indigenous Australian culture in the area to get a better perspective of the history, beliefs and present-day life of the Anangu people. Discover the wild world of bush tucker (indigenous food), find out which plants are used in bush medicine, and hear creation stories.
Optional Activities - Day 11 HideShow
Uluru & Kata Tjuta Helicopter Ride
To fully appreciate the sheer size and splendor of Uluru, you need to experience it from above. Get a bird's eye view of the iconic red rock, and take in the vast expanses of desert surrounding the 'Heart of the Red Centre'. This is one ride you don't want to miss!
Sounds of Silence Dinner
Enjoy a decadent three-course dinner while watching the sunset over Uluru. Try traditional bush tucker inspired food, including crocodile, kangaroo and barramundi, while listening to a didgeridoo performance as day turns to night. After dinner, learn more about the southern night sky during an astronomy tour with a local expert – prepared to be dazzled by the incredible clarity of the outback sky from this remote location.
Outback Astronomy Tour
60-70AUD per personEnjoy a tour of the night sky, learning how Indigenous people of Australia used the stars for mythology and seasonal predictions while getting a chance to stargaze through telescopes and binoculars. The Outback is one of the best places to stargaze, with low humidity and surrounding light - take a peek and see whats out there!
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 12Uluru
Depart at any time.
Departure Day
Not ready to leave? Your CEO can help with travel arrangements to extend your adventure.