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  4. The Great Ocean Road and Kangaroo Island Adventure (Original)

Journey from Melbourne to Adelaide, taking in the Great Ocean Road and Kangaroo Island

Take a memorable road trip through Victoria and South Australia, starting from Melbourne and taking in each twist and turn of the Great Ocean Road. Channel your inner surfer at some famed boarding locations, drink in the sweeping vistas of the Twelve Apostles and Loch Ard Gorge, and get an insight into local Aboriginal history in the lush surrounds of the Grampians National Park. Continue through the Adelaide Hills and cross to Kangaroo Island. Much of this stunning landscape is protected and is home to an abundance of native wildlife like sea lions, koalas and, of course, the odd roo or two. Meet the residents at Seal Bay, slide a sand board down the dunes of Little Sahara, keep your eyes peeled for the fuzzy guys that live up the eucalyptus trees of Hanson Bay wildlife Sanctuary, and marvel at the huge boulders of the Remarkable Rocks.

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Terms & Conditions
Start
Melbourne, Australia
Finish
Adelaide, Australia
Destination
Australia
Style
Original
Theme
Short Breaks
Code
PASMC-O
Physical rating
Ages
Min 8
Group size
Min 1, Max 24

Why you'll love this trip

  • Travel along the Great Ocean Road

  • Stop at spectacular Loch Ard Gorge

  • Witness the Twelve Apostles near Port Campbell

  • Go hiking in the Grampians National Park

  • Loll about with the local sea lions at Seal Bay

  • Give sandboarding a crack amid the white sand dunes of Little Sahara

  • Walk through Hanson Bay Wildlife Sanctuary in search of koalas in their gumtree hideouts

  • Take in the impressive coastal views from Remarkable Rock

Is this trip right for you?

  • This trip is made up of two seperate tours and you'll be traveling with a different Guide on each Kangaroo Island and the Great Ocean Road. Each Guide specialises in their region of touring

  • The Kangaroo Island portion of the trip are two full days of touring. Whilst there isn't too much physical exertion, there are early starts and arrival back into Adelaide on the second day is late in the evening around 10:30pm.

Map of The Great Ocean Road and Kangaroo Island Adventure (Original) including Australia
PASMC-B Great Ocean Road sign
Twelve Apostles close, Victoria, Australia
Koala on the Great Ocean Road, Victoria
Kangaroo Island dune
PSAAC-O Kangaroo island rocks

Itinerary
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Leaving Melbourne, hit the road west to Geelong and the famous surf town of Torquay. From there, begin the journey along one of Australia’s most beautiful and famous drives, the Great Ocean Road. Stop in at Kennett River for some koala spotting, then break for lunch in Apollo Bay. Continue on to the Twelve Apostles and Loch Ard Gorge, spending the night in Warrnambool.
Included Activities
  • 12 Apostles & London Bridge
  • Koala spotting - Great Ocean Road
  • Melba Gully Walk - Otway Ranges
  • Swim at Lorne (Summer months)
Meals Included
  • Lunch

Begin the day checking out more of the Great Ocean Road's wonders, then drive into the Grampians National Park – an area rich in Aboriginal culture and beautiful landscapes. Visit the Brambuk Aboriginal Culture Centre to learn about the period known as the Dreaming, then hike up to the Pinnacles for impressive views across the Grampians. Tonight you'll enjoy a traditional Aussie barbecue in Halls Gap.
Included Activities
  • Brambuk Culture Centre
  • Loch Ard Gorge
  • Mackenzie Falls - Grampians
  • Pinnacles Walk - Grampians
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner

Hike up to McKenzie Falls, the highest waterfalls in the Grampians, and check out other sights such as The Balconies, Reeds Lookout and the Jaws of Death. Leaving the Grampians, pass through the town of Horsham before crossing the famed mighty Murray River and making the last leg of the journey into Adelaide.
Included Activities
  • Reeds Lookout (The Balconies) & Boroka Lookout
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

After an early morning start from the Adelaide Central Bus Station (meet at the SeaLink desk at 6.15am for a 6.45am departure), travel along the picture-perfect Fleurieu Peninsula to Cape Jervis for the 45-minute SeaLink ferry ride to Penneshaw, Kangaroo Island. While crossing, it is not uncommon to have an escort of local dolphins that can be viewed from the dolphin deck on the boat. Once you disembark, stop in at Rob's Shearing and Sheepdogs to check out how sheep are shorn, then continue to Emu Ridge Eucalyptus Distillery – the only commercial eucalyptus distillery in South Australia. Next up is a visit to the Seal Bay Conservation Park, where you'll have the opportunity to see rare Australian Sea-lions up close in a wild breeding colony. Travel on to the white sand dunes of the Little Sahara, where you’ll get the chance to give sand boarding a shot, then arrive at your exclusive accommodation in Vivonne Bay Lodge. Enjoy some free time to kayak on the Harriet River, go for a self-guided walk along the property’s tracks, head out trail bike riding or swimming, or simply kick back along Vivonne Bay Beach. The locals will come to greet you in the evening, and by locals we mean the Kangaroos that give this incredible Island it’s name.
Included Activities
  • Rob's shearing and sheepdogs
  • Emu Ridge Eucalyptus Distillery
  • Seal Bay Conservation Park
  • Sandboarding at Little Sahara
Meals Included
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Special Information

1. As this itinerary consists of two separate trips, the composition of your group will most likely change today. Some will be starting, others will be finishing.

2. If continuing on to Kangaroo Island you'll need to make your way to Adelaide Central Bus Station and meet at the SeaLink check in desk by 6:15am

3. The coach transfer from Adelaide to the ferry is approximately 1.5 hours, with a sailing time of 45 minutes. On the Island, you will spend approximately 2 hours in the vehicle with frequent sightseeing. Walking and active time will depend on which optional activities you choose in the afternoon.

After breakfast, pop into the Hanson Bay Wildlife Sanctuary for a walk among eucalyptus trees in search of lazing koalas. Next, continue on to Flinders Chase National Park, arriving at iconic Remarkable Rocks ahead of the crowds. Ramble across its craggy coastline, marvel at its dramatic seascapes, and then stop in at Admirals Arch on Cape Du Couedic to see the resident fur seals frolicking in the ocean or basking on the rocks. If time and weather permits, there might be several stops made en route to Penneshaw, where you can purchase dinner (own expense) before you arrive back in Adelaide, where this trip comes to an end.

Note: Driving time whilst on the island will be the majority of the day, with constant stops for sightseeing. The ferry Journey is approximately 45 minutes back to the mainland with a journey of 1.5 hours back to central Adelaide. Arrival time will be approximately 10:40pm. Walking distances are several hundred metres at each location.
Included Activities
  • Flinders Chase National Park
  • Admirals Arch
  • Hanson Bay Wildlife Sanctuary
  • Remarkable Rocks
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch

Meals

3 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 2 dinners

Transport

Private vehicle, Transfer coach, Ferry

Accommodation

Private hostel room (3 nights) Lodge (1 night)

Included activities

  • 12 Apostles & London Bridge
  • Koala spotting - Great Ocean Road
  • Melba Gully Walk - Otway Ranges
  • Swim at Lorne (Summer months)
  • Brambuk Culture Centre
  • Loch Ard Gorge
  • Mackenzie Falls - Grampians
  • Pinnacles Walk - Grampians
  • Reeds Lookout (The Balconies) & Boroka Lookout
  • Rob's shearing and sheepdogs
  • Emu Ridge Eucalyptus Distillery
  • Seal Bay Conservation Park
  • Sandboarding at Little Sahara
  • Flinders Chase National Park
  • Admirals Arch
  • Hanson Bay Wildlife Sanctuary
  • Remarkable Rocks

Dates & availability

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Important notes

1. Accommodation on day 3 is at the Adelaide Central YHA.
2. The Kangaroo Island portion of this trip departs from the Adelaide Central Bus Station (85 Franklin Street) on the morning of day 4. Please meet at the SeaLink desk at 6.15am for a 6.45am departure.
3. This trip is available in Basix (multishare) and Original (twin share) accommodation. See trip code PASMC-B for Basix style.
4. This trip also runs in reverse as a 4 day trip. See trip codes PSAAC-B and PSAAC-O.

Essential trip information

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