Highlights
Optional activities include - Eureka Skydeck ◦ The Great Ocean Road ◦ Philip Island Eco Tour ◦ Yarra Valley Vineyards ◦ Healesville Animal Sanctuary ◦ Southbank Museums & Galleries ◦ Federation Square entertainment and eating out.
Price
$465.00
per person.Includes
This price is based on two persons sharing a room for 3-nights in a centrally located 3-star hotel in Melbourne. It includes a transfer to your hotel on arrival at Melbourne. Prices for a single room and a longer stay in Melbourne or the state of Victoria are also available. To add sightseeing options, either create a Wish List by selecting from the attractions below, or if you don't have the time to complete a Wish List, click for a free custom itinerary, based on your planned traveling dates. Prices are subject to future changes in US$ and AU$ currency exchange rates.
Days 1 - 4
Melbourne
Melbourne is Sydney's great rival, a city that considers itself the more sophisticated of the two cities, and they might just have a point. At the city's center is Federation Square, a fun place to visit, with bars, restaurants, artists, performers and a nice friendly atmosphere.
In the Southbank area is the Arts Centre Melbourne, a performing arts complex, and the National Gallery of Victoria, featuring examples of Australian and indigenous art.
Melbourne is also home to the annual Grand Slam Australia Tennis Open and Formula 1 Grand Prix (both in March)
Day 4
Departure Day
Our team will work with you to help you decide what your next vacation stop is going to be. Either in Australia or perhaps flying to New Zealand for the next stage of your travel adventure. If your visit comes at the end of your vacation, today you will return to the USA. Re-cross the International Dateline and arrive on the same date that you leave Australia.
Our travel professionals on the team here at New Zealand and Australia Vacations have first hand personal experiences of all the destinations mentioned on our website. If you are inspired by this vacation package, get them to help you create a version that’s more tailor-made to your special and specific requirements.
Phone 888-277-2293 or by email HERE.
The Yarra Valley
With boutique wineries around every bend, you'll soon be attuned to the charms of the Yarra Valley. Visit the curved Tarra Warra Museum of Modern Art, built to integrate into the landscape. Pick up some winery specials to enjoy with a gourmet picnic in the peaceful fern gullies and mountains at Badger Weir Park near Healesville. Venture into the Christmas Hills and Sugarloaf Reservoir. Go bushwalking along an 18-kilometre trail, bird watching, sightseeing, sailing and shoreline fishing. Have a picnic at Ironbark Ridge or Saddle Dam overlooking the reservoir. Australian country landscapes at their best.
The boutique wineries make for stunning scenery with lush vineyards stretching for miles.
Tarra Warra Museum of Modern Art has the stunning backdrop of the Great dividing mountain range, just one hour north-east of Melbourne.
The scenery outside of the Yarra Valley wine region is just as aesthetic as the art on display at the museum.
Badger Weir park reserve with its trails through stunning forest has a modern picnic area, perfect for a day trip.
The fern gullies are home to many native animals and birds, perfect for bird watching and if you're lucky a glimpse of the beautiful Lyrebird as pictured.
The beauty of the forest at Badger Weir park is worth exploring.
Nestled in the Christmas Hills, Sugarloaf is a tranquil setting for a picnic or stroll near the reservoir.
Or take in the amazing views of the reservoir and surrounding hills from the Sugarloaf lookout.
The Saddle Dam is the most accessible picnic area with the Sugarloaf reservoir.
Healesville Wildlife Sanctuary
Healesville Wildlife Sanctuary is a forested haven for Australian animals, most of which are found nowhere else in the world. You'll see koalas, kangaroo, platypus, Australia's wild dog the dingo, and emus. The daily Spirits of The Sky show features Australia's remarkable birdlife and at the Wildlife health Centre you'll see some of the 2,000 sick and injured animals that are treated here each year.
Map of the sanctuary.
Baby possum being hand raised shown by staff.
The Spirit of the Sky show allows for up close views of the birdlife.
Colorful native parrots displayed during the sky show.
Philip Island Eco Tour
After a visit to the colorful and iconic bathing sheds at Brighton Beach, continue on to Philip Island. Today's highlight will be the famous Penguin Parade as these delightful little animals make their way along Summerland Beach at the end of their day. Other highlights of this full day excursion will be the spectacular 'Conservation in Action' wildlife show, opportunities to hand-feed kangaroos and wallabies and to get up close to koalas.
The Great Ocean Road
Today you will experience some of the the best sights offered by one of the most famous stretch of road in Australia, The Great Ocean Road. This will include stunning beaches of the spectacular Surf Coast and views of the 12 Apostles.
You will also the temperate rainforests of the Great Otway National Park, the rock formations at Port Campbell National Park and the Gibson Steps. At Loch Ard Gorge stories will be shared about the sometimes tragic history of the Shipwreck Coast.
The surf coast offers stunning views throughout the drive.
One of the many stunning beaches along the coast.
The breathtaking rain forest at the Great Otway National Park.