13 Day Grand Southern Discovery
Grand Southern Discovery leaves from Sydney to Adelaide and back again. AAT Kings take the high road through mountains to the coast on the way there, and the plains and mighty Murray on the way back.
- Gold Creek Sheep Station
- Tour of Parliament House
- Kosciuszko National Park
- Explore historic Beechworth
- Travel the Great Ocean Road
- The amazing Twelve Apostles
- Tower Hill Game Reserve
- View the mysterious Blue Lake
- 2 nights on Kangaroo Island
- Sea Lions at Seal Bay
- Barossa Valley wine region
- Chateau Yaldara Winery
- Banrock Station Wetlands
- Picturesque Riverina District
- Spectacular Three Sisters
- INCLUDED Aboriginal Cultural Experience
- 'You are invited' experience
PREMIUM HOLIDAY INCLUSIONS
Quality Touring
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Professional Team
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DATES & PRICES |
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| Tour Dates | |
| Departs on | Returns on |
| 2012 | |
| $4295 | |
| 24 Jan | 05 Feb |
| 13 Mar | 25 Mar |
| $3999 | |
| 03 Apr | 15 Apr |
| 17 Apr | 29 Apr |
| 22 May | 03 Jun |
| 05 Jun | 17 Jun |
| 28 Aug | 09 Sep |
| 11 Sep | 23 Sep |
| 16 Oct | 28 Oct |
| 30 Oct | 11 Nov |
| 04 Dec | 16 Dec |
| 2013 | |
| $3999 | |
| 22 Jan | 03 Feb |
| 05 Feb | 17 Feb |
| 12 Mar | 24 Mar |
| 26 Mar | 07 Apr |
| Red shaded dates are Guaranteed Departures | |
| Prices AUD | Land Content Only | |
| Single Supplement | $965 | |
| Child 15 years and under | Save | $400 |
| Triple Share | Save | $200 |
| Concession Card Holders | Save | $45 |
| Note: Itinerary & departure dates may change from 01/04/13. Price is guaranteed upon payment of deposit. | ||
SAMPLE ITINERARY
Day 1: Sydney - Canberra
Depart Sydney at 8.00am. We begin our 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 before enjoying a welcome drink with your Tour Director.
Hotel: Novotel, Canberra. L D
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. B
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. B
Day 4: Melbourne 'Free Time'
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. B
Day 5: Great Ocean Road
Hold on to your seats today for one of the world’s great road trips – the Great Ocean Road. We’ll get plenty of photo opportunities along 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. B D
Day 6: Tower Hill - Coonawarra
This morning we visit Worn Gundidj at Tower Hill State Game Reserve. Erupting 32,000 years ago Tower Hill’s volcanic formation is the largest example in Victoria. Our guide will provide us with an Aboriginal perspective about flora, wildlife, volcanic formations, bush existence and medicinal practices. Then marvel at the pristine vistas before we continue along the coast through picturesque Port Fairy. Stop to view the mysterious Blue Lake en route to Coonawarra, one of Australia’s fine wine regions. Join us before dinner at Chardonnay Lodge to sample some of Australia’s favourite wines.
Hotel: Chardonnay Lodge, Coonawarra. B D
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. B
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 and see some sensational coastal views. Next we travel by ferry to Kangaroo Island. Tonight we’ll have dinner at the Aurora Ozone Hotel, overlooking the spectacular Backstair Passage.
Hotel: Aurora Ozone Hotel, Kangaroo Island, 2 nights. B D
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’ll also have the chance to spot koalas, wallabies and kangaroos.You are invited to Andermel Marron Farm for a food and wine experience that captures much that is very special about Kangaroo Island. Andermel will host you with a visit to the Marron (freshwater crayfish) ponds and tanks. Taste some of their own Two Wheeler Creek wine and farm-produced bush tucker before sampling the Marron with lunch. 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. B L D
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. Take in some sensational panoramic views from Mengler Lookout – then it’s on to the real business – 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 – what a way to end the day!
Hotel: Novotel Barossa Valley Resort, Barossa Valley B D
Day 11: Mildura
We visit Banrock Station and its Interpretive Centre where you can learn about the fascinating wetlands, 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. B
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. B D
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. You will be transferred to Sydney Airport for your onward flight. B
