Melbourne & the Great Ocean Road
Melbourne, VIC
Take in the sights of cosmopolitan Melbourne and its glorious natural surrounds. Experience the magical Penguin Parade at Phillip Island and travel along the scenic Great Ocean Road to the Twelve Apostles.
Your Independent Holiday
As a free independent traveller on an Independent Holiday, you won’t be escorted by a Travel Director for the duration of your trip, rather you’ll meet different Driver Guides and like-minded travellers each day as you explore different destinations. We’ve taken care of all of your arrangements such as hotel reservations and airport transfers so you don’t have to worry about the nitty gritty, and we’re only ever a phone call away if you have any questions throughout your holiday.
Highlights
- Melbourne city sights tour
- Native Australian animals
- Little Penguins on Phillip Island
- View the Twelve Apostles
- Day 1 - Melbourne
- Day 2 - Great Ocean Road
- Day 3 - Melbourne Sights & Penguin Parade
- Day 4 - Melbourne
- Additional Information
On arrival at Melbourne Airport you will be transferred to your hotel (flights anytime). The rest of the day is yours to enjoy at leisure.
Hotel: Mercure Welcome Melbourne or Crowne Plaza Hotel Melbourne, 3 nights.
Mercure Welcome Melbourne
Surrounded by the city's most popular business and shopping precincts, theatres, galleries, bars and restaurants, the 3.5-star Mercure Welcome Melbourne hotel is located in the very heart of Melbourne's CBD and offers guest affordable budget accommodation and a base from which to explore all the attractions and events in Melbourne. Shopping meccas like Emporium Melbourne, Bourke Street Mall and H&M are right on the doorstep of the Mercure Welcome Melbourne hotel, plus other attractions like Federation Square, Southbank, Her Majesty's and Regent Theatres, Queen Victoria Markets and Melbourne Central Shopping Complex are just a short stroll away. Guests can conveniently also take advantage of the free CBD tram service, with a tram stop just metres from the entrance.
Admire panoramic views of the Melbourne city skyline before travelling along Victoria’s Great Ocean Road. See the quaint coastal towns of Lorne and Anglesea. Drive through lush tree-fern gullies and towering mountain-ash rainforests of Otway National Park. The splendour of the approaching Twelve Apostles is breathtaking. These limestone rock formations up to 147 feet high are the result of 20 million years of erosion. From the cliff top viewing area absorb the grandeur of this iconic site. Stroll along the boardwalk and enjoy the scenery from various viewing platforms. See Loch Ard Gorge and be swept away by the romantic and tragic story of love and lives lost aboard the Loch Ard. Explore Port Campbell National Park. Discover the tragic history of over 50 ships wrecked along this rugged coastline. Continue beyond Port Campbell to the remnants of London Bridge.
Hotel: Mercure Welcome Melbourne or Crowne Plaza Hotel Melbourne, 3 nights.
Mercure Welcome Melbourne
Surrounded by the city's most popular business and shopping precincts, theatres, galleries, bars and restaurants, the 3.5-star Mercure Welcome Melbourne hotel is located in the very heart of Melbourne's CBD and offers guest affordable budget accommodation and a base from which to explore all the attractions and events in Melbourne. Shopping meccas like Emporium Melbourne, Bourke Street Mall and H&M are right on the doorstep of the Mercure Welcome Melbourne hotel, plus other attractions like Federation Square, Southbank, Her Majesty's and Regent Theatres, Queen Victoria Markets and Melbourne Central Shopping Complex are just a short stroll away. Guests can conveniently also take advantage of the free CBD tram service, with a tram stop just metres from the entrance.
Experience cosmopolitan Melbourne. See Parliament House, Queen Victoria Market and the Royal Botanic Gardens. Phillip Island is home to an array of wildlife, including Australia’s largest fur seal colony, the Little Penguins and cuddly koalas. Along the way view the powerful southern coastline with its clean, sandy beaches and rocky shores. Visit Maru Koala & Animal Park, for up close and personal encounters with koalas, kangaroos, Tasmanian Devils and much more. There’s the opportunity to pat and feed kangaroos, wallabies and a host of Australian wildlife. View spectacular coastal scenery at the Nobbies, two rocky outcrops abundant in marine life. Browse through the educational Phillip Island Visitor Information Centre. Learn about the Little Penguins and life on this stunning island. Watch the Little Penguins as they battle the surf and make their way to their dune burrows to greet their young families, and then learn of the environmental and conservation methods that are initiated to ensure the wildlife and vulnerable geology of Phillip Island remains protected. Upgrade to the Penguin Parade Viewing Platform for a premium position. Ask us for details.
Hotel: Mercure Welcome Melbourne or Crowne Plaza Hotel Melbourne, 3 nights.
Mercure Welcome Melbourne
Surrounded by the city's most popular business and shopping precincts, theatres, galleries, bars and restaurants, the 3.5-star Mercure Welcome Melbourne hotel is located in the very heart of Melbourne's CBD and offers guest affordable budget accommodation and a base from which to explore all the attractions and events in Melbourne. Shopping meccas like Emporium Melbourne, Bourke Street Mall and H&M are right on the doorstep of the Mercure Welcome Melbourne hotel, plus other attractions like Federation Square, Southbank, Her Majesty's and Regent Theatres, Queen Victoria Markets and Melbourne Central Shopping Complex are just a short stroll away. Guests can conveniently also take advantage of the free CBD tram service, with a tram stop just metres from the entrance.
Your short break concludes this morning after breakfast. You’ll be transferred to Melbourne Airport for your onward flight (flights anytime).
Meals Included: Bed and Breakfast
Departs
Daily from Melbourne
Returns
Morning of Day 4, Melbourne
Included
- Accommodation
- Breakfast (3)
- Entry into Maru Koala & Animal Park
- Entry into Phillip Island Penguin Parade
- Experienced Driver Guide
- Comprehensive commentary
- Travel in an air-conditioned coach
- Return airport transfers - flight details to be provided 14 days prior to travel
All prices are per person, land only.
*Single traveller must pay the single price.
Pricing surcharges may apply due to hotel availability.
Flight Information
Day 1: Flights to arrive anytime into Sydney Airport
Day 4: Flights to depart anytime from Sydney airport
gallery
