6D5N AUSTRALIA MELBOURNE

6D5N Australia Melbourne

On arrival at Melbourne Tullamarine International Airport, your driver will meet you at the arrival hall and drive you to your hotel in Melbourne.  Rest and relax for the rest of the evening.

Day 02 – MELBOURNE: DANDENONG / PUFFING BILLY / HEALSVILLE SANCTUARY  [B/T/L]

Today, board a tour bus that will take you into the Dandenong Ranges to enjoy its lush haven of hidden delights of fern glades, towering forests and eclectic villages.  The Dandenong Ranges are a set of low mountain ranges, rising to 633m at Mount Dandenong.  The ranges consist mostly of rolling hills and valleys and gullies covered in thick temperate rainforest, predominantly of tall Mountain Ash trees and dense fern undergrowth.  Stop for a famous Devonshire tea (the “Bush Billy Tea”, which is included in today’s tour) in the Dandenong Ranges’ village.

Next, enjoy a ride on the Puffing Billy from Belgrave to Menzies Creek, the most scenic section of the original steam locomotive’s journey.  This 118 years-old stream train (yes, more than a century old!) is Australia’s premier preserved steam railway and is still running on its original 24km mountain track from Belgrave to Gembrook.  You will love the feeling of the wind in your hair as the train “choo-choo” through the lush rainforest and beautiful fern gullies of the magnificent Dandenong Ranges National Park, enjoying views from the iconic open-sided carriages – go ahead and dKids and adults alike will love the feeling of the wind in their hair as they wind through the lush rainforest and beautiful fern gullies of the magnificent Dandenong Ranges National Park, enjoying the views from the iconic open-sided carriagangle your legs out of the carriages if you dare!  Do not forget to capture some amazing photos whilst the train travels over the historic Monbulk Creek Trestle Bridge!  

Reboard the tour bus and head to Fergusson’s Winery, a reputable Yarra Valley wine producer, and enjoy a delicious spit roast lunch and glass of wine (both included).  After lunch, travel through the Yarra Valley and visit the Yarra Valley Chocolaterie and Ice Creamery.

Continue your tour through the township of Healesville (set amidst mountain bushland), and visit the Healesville Sanctuary – world-renowned as the best place to see Australian wildlife in their natural habitat.Healesville Sanctuary, in the heart of the Yarra Valley, is world-renowned as the best place to see Australian wildlife in their natural habitat  You can wander through tranquil tracks and meet some iconic Australian animals such as koalas, kangaroos, platypus, dingoes, wombats, birds of prey and emus.  Do not miss seeing the “Spirits of the Sky” demonstration, a free flight presentation featuring Australian raptors such as the Wedge Tailed Eagle and the colourful parrot species.  Observe the underwater life of the platypus, and see how this creature interacts with the sanctuary keepers, play in the water and even enjoy having their tummies tickled.

Day 03 – MELBOURNE: QUEEN VICTORIA MARKET / CARLTON  [B]

Today, go on a half-day (morning) guided walking tour.  Discover a wide variety of fresh, quality produce and specialty shopping at Melbourne’s iconic Market, Queen Victoria Market.  A major historic landmark in Melbourne and at around 7 hectares, it is the largest open air market in the Southern Hemisphere and it has been operating since 1878 (140th anniversary this year!).  Home to over 700 small businesses, the market is an epicentre of food, shopping and seasonal events.  During the summer and winter months, the markets transforms into a Night Market, showcasing global street food, live music and shopping.

Next you will visit the lively suburb of Carlton, most well-known for the Italian precinct on Lygon Street.  The centrally located Lygon Street boasts espresso and pastries just like your nonna (grandmother in Italian) would make them.  It is also known for its Victorian buildings and leafy parks and gardens.  These days Carlton has a greater proportion of residents from Asia.  Many of Carlton’s residents are local and international students who attend the nearby University of Melbourne and RMIT University.

Day 04 – MELBOURNE: GRAMPIANS / SILVER BAND FALLS / HALLS GAP / MACKENZIE FALLS / BOROKA LOOKOUT   [B]

Go on a small group eco-tour of the Grampians National Park today.  Commonly known as The Grampians, it is a nature reserve known for its sandstone mountains, wildflowers and wildlife including echidnas and wallabies.  It has a number of spectacular scenic lookouts.  Enroute to the Grampians National Park, you will pass the historic towns of Ballarat (boom town of the 1850s following the widespread discovery of gold) and Moyston (the birthplace of Australian Rules Football).  Arriving at the foot of the Grampians Range, take a short walk to Silverband Falls.  Then, head to the tourist village of Halls Gap with stunning mountain and bush views.  After lunch (own expenses), marvel at the rock formation as you take a walk through the “Grand Canyon” with high rising rock walls, criss-crossed with layering and fault lines showcasing this area’s unique geology.  Visit the majestic cascades of Mackenzie Falls, and watch the water cascade down the rocks in a gorge surrounded by an eucalyptus forest.  Walk the “Bluff Trail” along the top of the cliffs for panoramic views of the falls, or descend to the base of the steep gorge.  Another stunning photo opportunity awaits you at Reeds Lookout, a vantage point that overlooks the towering Stringybark Forest and Victoria Valley.  Your next stop is Boroka Lookout, where panoramic views of the surrounding region and the town of Halls Gap await.  Look further afield to Lake Bellfield and beyond.  Make your way back to Halls Gap for a last attempt to spot some native kangaroos before returning to Melbourne.  Stop for a dinner break (own expenses) enroute back to the city, and enjoy a stunning view of the illuminated city.

Day 05 – MELBOURNE: ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS / KINGS DOMAIN GARDENS / ST KILDA / DOCKLANDS / BOLTE BRIDGE / BRIGHTON BATHING BOXES / ALBERT PARK LAKE   [B]

Join a group tour today to visit some of Melbourne’s famous sights.  Begin with the vast Royal Botanic Gardens.  Established in 1846, the Royal Botanic Gardens in Melbourne extend over 36 hectares and display an amazingly diverse collection of over 50,000 plants from around the world, including rare and threatened species.  With its stunning vistas, tranquil lakes and diverse plant collections, the Gardens are a place of continual discovery and delight. With its stunning vistas, tranquil lakes and diverse plant collections, the Gardens are a place of continual discovery and delight.With its stunning vistas, tranquil lakes and diverse plant collections, it is considered one of the finest examples of Victorian-era landscaped gardens in the world.  Other highlights of the Royal Botanic Gardens include the National Herbarium, Tropical Hothouse, Plant Craft Cottage and the Guilfoyle’s Volcano water reservoir.  It is one of the most peaceful experiences one can possibly get – lush green grass and beautiful swans gliding through the water surrounded by hundreds of different plants, trees and flowers.

Kings Domain is an area of parklands in Melbourne.  It surrounds the Government House Reserve – home of the Governor of Victoria (boasting an impressive Italian style facade with extravagant features and an elegant design that reflects the booming economy that arose after the local gold rushes), the Sidney Myer Music Bowl (this world-famous impressive piece of architecture, opened in 1959, acts as a popular outdoor music and performance venue), and the Shrine Reserve incorporating the Shrine of Remembrance (one of the largest war memorials in Australia built to remember the people of Australia who fought and died in World War I).  

St Kilda is an inner suburb in Melbourne and also Melbourne’s favourite beachside suburb.  The foreshore is a hive of activity as walkers, joggers and rollerbladers race by, while kitesurfers, windsurfers and all-weather swimmers make the waters their playground.The foreshore is a hive of activity as joggers and roller bladders race by, while kitesurfers, windsurfers and swimmers make the waters their playground.  St Kilda is home to many of Melbourne’s famous attractions including Luna Amusement Park, Esplanade Hotel, Acland Street and Fitzroy Street (these two streets have cool cafes, restaurants and bars, fashion boutiques and music and book stores). 

Docklands is a modern harbour development not far from the Melbourne CBD.  It is dominated by high-rises and the colourful Melbourne Star Observation Wheel, and popular for its shopping and waterside dining.  The area’s pedestrian plazas are adorned with public murals, sculptures and light displays.

The Bolte Bridge is a large twin cantilever bridge in Melbourne.  It is the longest bridge (5km in length) in Australia.  It spans the Yarra River and Victoria Harbour in the Docklands precinct to the west of the Melbourne CBD.

Located at Port Phillip Bay is a row of uniformly proportioned wooden structures affectionately known worldwide as Melbourne’s “Rainbow Row” – the Brighton Bathing Boxes.  These 82 units of “cute-as-a-button beach shacks” bathing boxes were built well over a century ago and they have remained almost unchanged till today.  All of them retain the classic Victorian architectural features with timber framing, weatherboards and corrugated iron roofs, although they also bear the hallmarks of individual owners’ artistic and colourful embellishments.  They are essentially a shed with neither running water nor electricity.  Thanks to these distinctive decorations, the bathing boxes turn the Brighton seaside into an immediately recognisable and iconic beachscape.

Albert Park is the largest open green space in Melbourne located 3km south of Melbourne CBD.  It is dominated by its central lake with black swans and is clearly visible from places such as Eureka Tower.  One circuit round the lake is 5km, thus rendering itself a beautiful jogging and walking path.  Complete with a backdrop of skyscrapers of Melbourne, Albert Park Lake is a pleasant and peaceful place to visit, and have a picnic!

Day 06 – DEPART MELBOURNE  [B]

Free time until your transfer to Melbourne Tullamarine Airport for your return flight.

Whether you prefer the above itinerary “as-is” or have it customised, if you will indicate the start/end dates of your intended travel and provide your contact details, we will get in touch with you to discuss the itinerary on a no-obligations basis on your part.