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7-Day Great Southern Self-Drive Road Trip

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Overview

Discover the finest Southern Australia road trip - an adventure full of nature, wildlife, food and wine, history, Indigenous cultures, beaches and surf culture that will delight and inspire every traveller.

Your journey starts in Melbourne and takes you along chic coastal cities and towns of the spectacular Great Ocean Road, the food and wine region of Bellarine Peninsula and the majestic nature and Aboriginal heritage of the Grampians National Park.

Feel the gold rush in Ballarat and relax in the healing waters of Daylesford. Do as little or as much as you like on this self-drive tour, that's the beauty of it!
Outdoors & Nature
Culture & Arts
Sightseeing
Food & Drink
Beach & Sea

Itinerary

Day 1

Start Your Southern Australia Road Trip

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Start Your Southern Australia Road Trip

Today, you'll collect your rental car (not included) from Melbourne Airport and head off on your adventure along one of Australia’s most scenic coastlines. Drive through the coastal surf towns of Torquay and Lorne and visit the iconic Bells Beach, famous for the birthplace of surf brands, Quicksilver and Ripcurl. Whatever adventure you wish to have, Apollo Bay and the Otway is nature’s playground. Bike, hike, ride, kayak, swim, boat, and drive through the region’s best.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Casa Favilla Bed & Breakfast4 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Bells BeachOptional Activity

    Great Otway National ParkOptional Activity

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Self-Driving from Melbourne Airport to Apollo Bay

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Bells Beach

    Apollo Bay

    Cape Otway

Day 2

A Day Dedicated to the Ocean

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A Day Dedicated to the Ocean

It is all about the ocean today. The 12 Apostles and the Bay of Islands are already a spectacular sight from the road, but even more spectacular from the sky. Included is a 70-minute scenic helicopter or light plane flight over this magnificent coast. In the afternoon, you'll paddle out to the Seal Colony and see the reefs at the Marengo Reef Marine Sanctuary. For seafood lovers, the Apollo Bay Fisherman’s co-op has a stunning array of locally caught seafood.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Casa Favilla Bed & Breakfast4 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Apollo Bay Scenic Flight

    Marengo Reefs Marine Sanctuary

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Apollo Bay

    Marengo

    Victoria

Day 3

Drive to Grampians National Park

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Drive to Grampians National Park

Travel along the Great Ocean Road to Tower Hill passing by Moonlight Head, the 12 Apostles, and the Bay of Islands. Then, head north until you reach Dunkeld with a lunch stop at the award-winning Royal Mail Hotel where you can stretch your legs on the beautiful 45-minute self-guided trail around the property. Later, you can enjoy a behind-the-scenes wine tour followed by a native wildlife experience. You'll then take the scenic Grampians Road right through the national park to Halls Gap.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Grampians Chalets

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Royal Mail Hotel Mount Sturgeon WalkOptional Activity

    Royal Mail Hotel Wine Tour

    Royal Mail Hotel Wildlife Tour

  • restaurant icon
    Restaurants

    Royal Mail HotelOptional Activity

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Self-Driving from Apollo Bay to Grampians National Park

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Apollo Bay

    Dunkeld

    Halls Gap

Day 4

Explore Halls Gap

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Explore Halls Gap

Adventurers and nature-lovers will be in awe of this sacred landscape. You can hike, walk or cycle the numerous trails and must-sees. With over 200 bird species and abundant wildlife, waterfalls and panoramic views around the park - you will feel the spirits of the earth. A must-do experience is the Brambuk Cultural Centre where your tour awaits. Choose from other activities such as a didgeridoo workshop, boomerang throwing, bush tucker tasting, Badeema Aboriginal art creations, or a bushwalk.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Grampians Chalets

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Halls Gap ExperiencesOptional Activity

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Halls Gap

Day 5

Follow the Gold Rush to Daylesford

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Follow the Gold Rush to Daylesford

Gold Rush Fever! On your way to Daylesford, you will visit Sovereign Hill and experience the gold rush town and outdoor museum. There are swag experiences on offer: panning for gold, dipping candles the old-fashioned way, riding a stagecoach or going underground. You will receive a unique souvenir memento photo of you dressed up in beautiful Victorian costumes. Then, it is on to relax your weary body after all that adventure and outdoor activity in the award-winning spa region.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Bellinzona Resort, Cellar Door & Dining4 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Sovereign Hill

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Self-Driving from Grampians National Park to Daylesford

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Halls Gap

    Ballarat

    Hepburn Springs

Day 6

A Day in Daylesford

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A Day in Daylesford

Daylesford’s vibe is artsy and quirky. Dozens of artists, creators and makers can be found in studio spaces and galleries. Wander the streets and discover speciality boutiques, restaurants, cafes, bookstores and antique shops. Whatever you choose to do, whether it is wellness and relaxation, walking or cycling the Macedon Ranges or grazing on menus of regional goodness; you will not want to leave.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Bellinzona Resort, Cellar Door & Dining4 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    DaylesfordOptional Activity

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Hepburn Springs

    Daylesford

Day 7

Drive Back to Melbourne

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Drive Back to Melbourne

As you are driving, you can choose when you want to drive back to Melbourne to return your rental car, completing your Southern Australia road trip.

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Self-Driving from Daylesford to Melbourne

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Hepburn Springs

Included in Price

  • 6 nights accommodation
  • 5 activities
  • 6 breakfasts
  • Entrance fees
  • Licensed English speaking guides

Not Included in Price

  • Airport transfer
  • Alcohol beverages
  • Domestic flights
  • Entry visas / airport departure tax
  • Gratuities
  • Ground transportation
  • International flights
  • Laundry
  • Personal expenses
  • Travel insurance
  • Trekking permits
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