7 Day Victoria's Hidden Gems

Admire the style and spirit of Victoria’s capital. This evening meet your Journey Director for a Welcome Reception before departing your hotel for a magical evening experiencing Melbourne Star Flight followed by dinner at Berth restaurant situated on Victoria Harbour.

View the city’s impressive skyline over breakfast on the 35th floor restaurant of Sofitel Melbourne on Collins. Return to earth and begin your exploration of Melbourne’s wide avenues, charming arcades and trendy street art in the company of a local expert. Indulge in the Melbournian tradition of morning tea before enjoying lunch at your leisure. We head for the eclectic spa town of Daylesford, then relax in the healing waters of the historic Hepburn Bathhouse & Spa. Tonight enjoy dinner in the award-winning restaurant, The Argus.

A leisurely start to the day could see you enjoy a stroll through the enchanting Wombat Hill Botanic Gardens. Your first stop today is Lavandula Swiss Italian Farm for morning tea. Drip syrupy lavender honey over freshly baked scones before heading to Creswick Woollen Mills, for an exclusive guided tour. Continue on to the historic town of Clunes admiring beautifully preserved Victorian architecture. Grab a spot of lunch at one of the cafés or the country pub, the National Hotel. En route to Dunkeld, visit the Eureka Centre, where the original Stockade flag is housed to gain insights into the birth of Australian democracy. Settle in to the picturesque surrounds of the Southern Grampians this evening. Indulge in a exclusive dinner experience at the hotel is made with fresh local ingredients and available produce growing in the extensive kitchen garden.

After breakfast, you’re invited to join the ground’s gardener for a guided walk through the hotel’s kitchen garden. Then head to Halls Gap and the Brambuk Cultural Centre for an exclusive private experience. Witness a Welcome to Country ceremony and then the local Gariwerd, Djab Wurrung and Jardwadjali people will teach you how to throw a boomerang and gather local bush tucker for sampling. Admire the views over the Grampians Mountain range before heading down the mountain to coastal Warrnambool. This evening, discover the maritime history of the region during a Sound and Light Show at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village.

Enjoy a leisurely morning, preparing for one of the world’s most scenic coastal drives later today. Golden beaches stretch endlessly along the route. Wind through lush forests and stop to admire highlights including the Bay of Islands, London Bridge, Loch Ard Gorge and the Twelve Apostles. The crisp sea air provides a refreshing backdrop for a lunch stop in the seaside town of Port Campbell or consider an optional experience helicopter flight over the Twelve Apostles. Stop in quaint Apollo Bay before arriving in the seaside village of Lorne late afternoon.

The last leg of the Great Ocean Road brings us to the surf capital of Torquay, where you’ll learn about Australia’s beloved surf culture before continuing to the Bellarine Peninsula. Indulge in an exclusive Local Dining Experience lunch and wine tasting at the award-winning Jack Rabbit Vineyard. Appetites quelled, board a ferry to Queenscliff and Green Olive Farm. This evening at your hotel, enjoy a meal prepared with ingredients sourced from hotel's kitchen garden and select Mornington Peninsula producers.

The aroma of coffee beans beckon as you head back to Melbourne after breakfast. As this Inspiring Journey nears its end, venture into the hallowed grounds of the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Later, enjoy a Celebration Lunch with newfound friends after an epic adventure through the diverse landscapes and lifestyles of Victoria. For now, all that’s left to say is a fond farewell till next time.