Wine, Wilderness & Wildlife
This 9-day itinerary takes you to some of the best wine regions in Australia. Visit Melbourne, Adelaide and Sydney to indulge in some of our favorite wine and wilderness experiences.
Itinerary & Adventure Highlights
Day 1: Melbourne
On arrival into Melbourne, transfer to your centrally located hotel. Enjoy the afternoon and evening relaxing and exploring the cultural and culinary sights of Melbourne. If the schedule allows, you could start your Melbourne stay with a bit of indulgence on a progressive degustation walk, visiting some special dining venues with a local expert.
3 nights Melbourne
Day 2: Yarra Valley Food and Wine Day / Healesville Sanctuary
Your day starts with a visit to the very special Healesville Sanctuary, where you will get an up close and personal look at native Australia wildlife, as well as some very special local species that Healesville is working to protect. A rare and wonderful experience that can be booked in advance is wading in the water with a platypus!
After your wildlife encounter, explore the Yarra Valley with your guide, and learn about this world-renowned region that produces Australia’s finest pinot noir and sparkling wine, along with a range of other cool-climate wines. The region is also known for its fresh produce, including freshwater salmon, trout and caviar, organically grown fruit and vegetables, and handmade cheeses and preserves.
Day 3: Melbourne
Choose either a Mornington Peninsula Ultimate Tour or a Dolphins and Seals Adventure Cruise:
Mornington Peninsula Ultimate Tour
Only an hour from Melbourne, the Peninsula offers everything from breathtaking beaches and historical National Parks to vineyards and hot springs. Travel to the tip of the Peninsula to visit the seaside town of Portsea, with its famous colored bathing boxes, and enjoy a gondola ride with views of the peninsula and across the bay to Melbourne City. Of course, the day would not be complete without sampling the local food and wine!
Dolphins and Seals Adventure Cruise
Take off on an adventure of a lifetime on a 1.5-hour cruise off Port Phillip Bay, from Sorrento. See wild dolphins and Australian fur seals swimming alongside the boat, with an option to swim with dolphins (extra cost). Explore Sunny Ridge strawberry farm (when strawberries are in season), or alternatively visit The Pig & Whistle and experience Mornington Peninsula Chocolates. Finally, seize the day at the Enchanted Adventure Garden!
Day 4: Melbourne to Adelaide
Transfer to the Melbourne airport for your flight to Adelaide. Once settled into your Adelaide hotel, you’ll have the remainder of the day to explore the sights of Adelaide and discover its laneway secrets and the spectacular Central Market. Finish your day enjoying the stunning flora at the Adelaide Botanic Gardens.
2 nights Adelaide
Day 5: Barossa Valley Wine Day
Just an hour north of Adelaide, you will find South Australia’s oldest and most exclusive wine area. On this unique tour, you will enjoy the complete Barossa wine, food and sightseeing experience, giving you a unique blend of adventure, history and culture. We will tailor-make a memorable day for you at your pace and leisure, as you visit boutique, historic and famous wineries while cruising scenic roads in the hills and valley. We can arrange a variety of VIP and exclusive tastings as well as a vineyard lunch matched with Barossa wines.
Day 6: Adelaide to Sydney
This morning, transfer from your hotel to the Adelaide airport for your flight to Sydney. On arrival in Sydney, transfer to your hotel to settle in for this final, exciting leg of your Australia journey. Enjoy your early afternoon exploring the city on your own, followed by the Twilight Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb to view Sydney and its magnificent harbor. The timing is scheduled such that you’ll embark on your Climb beneath the afternoon sun, and you will reach the summit as the sun begins to set. When you arrive on the western side of the Bridge, the sun will have reached the horizon, and evening will emerge along with the sparkling city lights. An experience not to be missed!
3 nights Sydney
Day 7: Sydney Harbour & Opera House
One of the best ways to become acquainted with the beauty of Sydney is by taking a harbour cruise. Enjoy a lunch cruise today on-board a small yacht. Learn about the history of Sydney and its many stunning neighborhoods as you explore the harbour. After your lunch cruise, visit the world famous Sydney Opera House.
Day 8: Hunter Valley Gourmet Day
New South Wales’ Hunter Valley is Australia’s oldest wine growing region, and is also renowned for its fine dining, cooking schools, galleries, health spa retreats and golf courses. You will be picked up at your hotel and taken to the beautiful Hunter Valley to enjoy this fully guided wine tour with an expert guide, tastings at 3-4 boutique wineries, and a gourmet 2-course lunch with a glass of Hunter Valley wine.
Day 9: Depart Sydney
You may have time before your flight to explore just a bit more of Sydney. As a final farewell to Australia, you may want to wander through the historic Sydney Rocks district, explore the Royal Botanic Gardens with an Aboriginal guide, take a harbor cruise, or visit the world-famous Sydney Opera House. Then transfer to the airport for your onward flight.