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

Take a memorable road trip through South Australia and Victoria, starting off from Adelaide with a ferry ride 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. Continue through the Adelaide Hills, get an insight into local Aboriginal history in the Grampians National Park, then drink in the sweeping vistas of the Twelve Apostles and Loch Ard Gorge. Take in each twist and turn of the Great Ocean Road, channel your inner surfer at some famed boarding locations, then finish up in artsy, eclectic Melbourne.

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Terms & Conditions
Start
Adelaide, Australia
Finish
Melbourne, Australia
Destination
Australia
Style
Basix
Theme
Short Breaks
Code
PSAAC-B
Physical rating
Ages
Min 18
Group size
Min 1, Max 24

Why you'll love this trip

  • 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

  • Learn about local Aboriginal lore in the Grampians National Park

  • Be treated to exceptional views of Loch Ard Gorge and London Bridge

  • Travel the length of the Great Ocean Road

  • Spot koalas in the gumtrees of Kennett River

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 Kangaroo Island and the Great Ocean Road Adventure (Basix) including Australia
Lochard Gorge on the Great Ocean Road
The Pinnacles at Grampians National Park, Victoria, Australia
The Pinnacles, Grampians National Park, Victoria, Australia
A kangaroo at Halls Gap, Victoria, Australia
MacKenzie Falls at Grampians National Park, Victoria, Australia
Emus at Tower Hill Reserve near the Grampians National Park, Victoria, Australia
Gibsons Steps at the 12 Apostles, Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia
The Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia

Itinerary
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Welcome to Adelaide! 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. Accommodation tonight is in eight-person dormitory rooms with shared bathrooms (bed linen provided).
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
We may be able to arrange a hotel pick up from your Adelaide or Glenelg accommodation (selected hotels/hostels only). Please contact your booking agent for more information.

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.

Notes: 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
  • Hanson Bay Wildlife Sanctuary
  • Flinders Chase National Park
  • Remarkable Rocks
  • Admirals Arch
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch

This morning you will be picked up at the YHA Adelaide (135 Waymouth Street) at 7am. Leaving South Australia behind, drive across the state border into Victoria and enter the Grampians. Go for a walk to view the Jaws of Death, hike down to McKenzie Falls and take in the incredible views from Reeds Lookout. Gain an insight into the customs of the land's traditional owners during a stop-in at the Brambuck Cultural Centre, then head into the heart of the Grampians, stopping en route for lunch. The last stop of the day will be a spot in the Grampians National Park where kangaroos, wallabies and koalas are often spotted. Tonight's accommodation is at either Brambuk Backpackers or the Grampians YHA.
Included Activities
  • Mackenzie Falls - Grampians
  • Reeds Lookout (The Balconies) & Boroka Lookout
Meals Included
  • Dinner

After an early morning start, begin the journey along Australia's glorious Great Ocean Road. Explore Port Campbell National Park, checking out London Bridge, Loch Ard Gorge and the iconic Twelve Apostles rock formation, then sit back and soak up the mesmerising coastal views en route. Stop at Kennett River for the chance to spot koalas before passing through the charming beach towns of Apollo Bay and Lorne. Make the most of a great photo opportunity at some famed surf locations before stopping for a beach walk and then hitting the highway to Melbourne.
Included Activities
  • 12 Apostles & London Bridge
  • Koala spotting - Great Ocean Road
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Meals

2 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners

Transport

Minibus, Transfer coach, Ferry

Accommodation

Dormitory (3 nights)

Included activities

  • Rob's shearing and sheepdogs
  • Emu Ridge Eucalyptus Distillery
  • Seal Bay Conservation Park
  • Sandboarding at Little Sahara
  • Hanson Bay Wildlife Sanctuary
  • Flinders Chase National Park
  • Remarkable Rocks
  • Admirals Arch
  • Mackenzie Falls - Grampians
  • Reeds Lookout (The Balconies) & Boroka Lookout
  • 12 Apostles & London Bridge
  • Koala spotting - Great Ocean Road

Dates & availability

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Important notes

1. This trip departs from Adelaide to meet the Kangaroo Island ferry on day 1 from the Adelaide Central Bus Station (85 Franklin Street). Please meet at the the SeaLink desk at 6.15am for a 6.45am departure. Hotel pick ups from central Adelaide to the bus station are available on request.
2. Accommodation in Adelaide on night 2 is at the Adelaide Central YHA, where you will be picked up on day 3 at 7am for the next leg of your trip.
3. This trip also runs in reverse as a 5 day trip. See trip codes PASMC-B .

Essential trip information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

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