13 day Grand Southern Discovery tour with AAT Kings

Inclusions

• 12 nights superior accommodation
• Many meals including breakfast daily, 2 lunches and 7 dinners
• Touring by luxury air-conditioned coach with professional tour director and driver
• Airport transfers
• Hotel porterage
• Travel wallet and map
• Welcome drink

Itinerary

Day 1    Sydney - Canberra
Begin your journey to the nation’s capital via the Southern Highlands with a stop at historic Berrima, a visit to a working sheep farm and an Aussie barbecue lunch. In Canberra, we’ll tour through Parliament House and visit the Australian War Memorial. Hotel: Novotel, Canberra.

Day 2    Snowy Mountains
Cooma and the Snowy Mountains Hydro Scheme start our day. You’ll be awestruck by picturesque Kosciuszko National Park as we travel the Alpine Way, over the mighty Murray River into Victoria. Continue to Beechworth, Victoria’s best preserved gold rush town, for our unique overnight stay in one of the Bed and Breakfast properties. Hotel: Boutique Country Accommodation, Beechworth.

Day 3    Melbourne
Get to know Beechworth with a tour and some free time to explore the legendary Beechworth Bakery, as well as antique shops and galleries. Later we’ll see the museum then it’s on through Glenrowan and Ned Kelly country to culturally diverse and cosmopolitan Melbourne. Hotel: Crowne Plaza, Melbourne, 2 nights.

Day 4    Melbourne
Today Melbourne is all yours to explore. You’ll have time to discover some of the secrets of this exceptional city – its cafés, galleries, museums, markets, restaurants, laneways and parks await you.

Day 5    Great Ocean Road
Travel along one of the world’s great road trips – the Great Ocean Road. This gorgeous coastal road, including stops at surfing-mecca Torquay, world famous Bells Beach, a visit to the amazing Twelve Apostles, before finishing the day in the whale watching capital of Warrnambool. Hotel: Country Comfort, Warrnambool.

Day 6    Tower Hill - Coonawarra
This morning we visit Worn Gundidj at Tower Hill State Game Reserve. Our guide will provide us with an Aboriginal perspective about flora, wildlife, volcanic formations, bush existence and medicinal practices. Then continue along the coast through picturesque Port Fairy. Stop to view the mysterious Blue Lake en route to Coonawarra. Hotel: Chardonnay Lodge, Coonawarra.

Day 7    Adelaide
We travel to Penola in the heart of the Coonawarra, where Australia’s first saint Mary MacKillop founded the order of the Sisters of St. Joseph. Then on through Naracoorte, en route to Adelaide, the gorgeous ‘City of Churches’. Hotel: Stamford Plaza, Adelaide.

Day 8    Victor Harbor
First up is seaside Glenelg, then we continue on to the picturesque coastal village of Victor Harbor on the Fleurieu Peninsula. You’ll have some free time to explore, maybe take a walk to Granite Island. Next we travel by ferry to Kangaroo Island. Hotel: Aurora Ozone Hotel, Kangaroo Island, 2 nights.

Day 9    Kangaroo Island
Today we explore Kangaroo Island! Head to Flinders Chase National Park for some great photo opportunities at the Remarkable Rocks and Admiral’s Arch. You are invited to Andermel Marron Farm for a food and wine experience. Andermel will host you with a visit to the Marron (freshwater crayfish) ponds and tanks. Later, join a guided tour at the Seal Bay Conservation Park and walk among a colony of sea lions as they doze in the sun after their lengthy fishing forays in the Southern Ocean.

Day 10    Barossa Valley
We leave Kangaroo Island, ferrying back to Cape Jervis, then we’re off through the Adelaide Hills to the picturesque Barossa Valley. Then a winery visit, to Chateau Yaldara for a tour and tasting! We’ll also visit the Angas Park Fruit Centre then relax and watch the sunset over the vineyards at Barossa Valley Novotel Resort. Hotel: Novotel Barossa Valley Resort, Barossa Valley.

Day 11    Mildura
We visit Banrock Station and its Interpretive Centre, followed by a tasting at the winery. We’ll cross back over the border into Victoria for an up close look at the mighty Murray River and the fabulous fresh produce of Mildura, often referred to as ‘the Mediterranean in the Outback’. Hotel: Mercure Hotel, Mildura.

Day 12    Wagga Wagga
Today we’ll visit historic Hay on the Murrumbidgee and Darling Rivers. View the picturesque scenery of the Riverina district including the country town of Narrandera. We overnight in the rural city of Wagga Wagga, with its river, lake and spectacular gardens. Hotel: Country Comfort, Wagga Wagga.

Day 13    Blue Mountains - Sydney
Our scenic journey through mid-western New South Wales is packed with Australian icons. From a stop-and-see of Don Bradman’s birth place, to Bathurst and a hot lap of Mount Panorama, to the impressive World Heritage listed Blue Mountains and the Three Sisters, we finish up at Sydney in the shadows of one of the great Australian icons, the Harbour Bridge. And here our Grand Southern Discovery ends.

Departure Dates and Prices*

*Terms and Conditions

• Prices current as at 28 February 2012
• Prices are in AUD$ based on twin share
• Prices are subject to change (eg due to currency fluctuation)
• Offer is subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time
• Further conditions apply please see AAT Kings Queensland and Southern Australia 2012/2013 brochure