Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip

Family Winter Sun in Southern Australia

Australia - Melbourne - Great Ocean Road - Kangaroo Island - Adelaide

The Great Family Adventure

Starting from between £3,295 to £4,555 per person for 15 days depending on the time of year, type of accomodation and activities

Itinerary Highlights

  • Journey across the Great South for nature and adventure under the beautiful winter sun
  • Part One: the hustle and bustle of Melbourne, the urban country feel of Adelaide and the surf at Sydney's Manly Beach
  • Part Two: The Great Ocean Road Landscape, Kangaroo Island's kangaroos & koalas
  • Child-friendly hotels, GPS, and a local Concierge make travelling with your children a breeze




This journey, which has been designed for lovers of the great outdoors and protected natural environments, and those who want to experience the Australian myth by road and in complete freedom, reveals the most beautiful landscapes on Australia's south coast. You'll visit cities: Melbourne and its bubbling culture first, then the more relaxed Adelaide, followed by an island - the well-known Kangaroo Island - and an iconic scenic road in southern Australia: the Great Ocean Road. Finally, as a gentle end to your journey, you'll head to Manly Beach, an iconic spot in Sydney, for a relaxing break overlooking the ocean. All of this takes place under the beautiful winter sun because, in Australia the seasons are reversed.

An approach to Australia's great south that combines colourful experiences with emotional moments to share with the family. Your hire car allows you to explore the wilderness inland and scenic coastal roads at your own pace, with personalised GPS support. This self-drive adventure is made as easy as can be with our help and insights, and the assistance of our local Concierge. Your stops include hand-picked family-friendly hotels, where you'll stay in a family room or an apartments, one of the top picks being an eco-lodge in the middle of nature on Kangaroo Island.

Along the way the children will love : surfing in Manly - getting lost in the vineyards around Adelaide - looking for kangaroos, wallabies, possums and giant lizards on Kangaroo Island - slipping on flippers, masks and snorkels to swim among multi-coloured fish, and many more experiences that you can decide upon as you go.



Included in the itinerary



Melbourne - It's no coincidence that Melbourne has been voted 'the world's most liveable city'. A vibrant architectural heritage, prestigious universities, cafes and shopping meccas, markets of all kinds, world-renowned artists, major sporting and cultural events. it's a city that fizzes with life.

Great Ocean Road - From Lorne to Apollo Bay, the scenic road is breathtaking. The blue hues of the sea contrast with the green terrain. Here, embrace the sea spray, hidden waterfalls in the forest and surf spots around the cliffs. Farther afield, the impressive rock formations of the Twelve Apostles rise up from the waves like a mirage.

Kangaroo Island - Just a short flight from Adelaide, it is one of the area's great attractions. Australia's answer to the Galapagos is, in fact, a patch of untouched and wild land protected by impressive rock formations carved away from the mainland by the battering they take from the wind and waves. The human population of around 5,000 is far outnumbered by the local wildlife such as koalas, whales, giant lizards and sea lions, and, of course, kangaroos everywhere.

Sydney - It's one of the most amazing cities on earth. Its bay, British heritage, beaches, surfing, and relaxed Australian way of life will draw you in immediately.
Kangaroo Island - Australia © kentauros / Fotolia.com
Kangaroo Island - Australia © kentauros / Fotolia.com
Manly Beach - Sydney - New South Wales - Australia © Glenn Beanland/Fotolia
Manly Beach - Sydney - New South Wales - Australia © Glenn Beanland/Fotolia
Port Fairy - Australia © Getty Images / iStockphoto
Port Fairy - Australia © Getty Images / iStockphoto
Apollo Bay - Victoria - Australia © THPStock/Getty Images/iStockphoto
Apollo Bay - Victoria - Australia © THPStock/Getty Images/iStockphoto
Manly Beach - Sydney - New South Wales - Australia © Droits reservés
Manly Beach - Sydney - New South Wales - Australia © Droits reservés
Sydney - New South Wales - Australia © Denham/stock.adobe.com
Sydney - New South Wales - Australia © Denham/stock.adobe.com
Sydney - New South Wales - Australia © zoya54/stock.adobe.com
Sydney - New South Wales - Australia © zoya54/stock.adobe.com
Adelaide - Australia © Bernhard Richter / Getty Images / iStockphoto / Thinkstock
Adelaide - Australia © Bernhard Richter / Getty Images / iStockphoto / Thinkstock

Itinerary

100% customisable for you

DAY 1 International flight to Melbourne

International flight to Melbourne.
Departure in the evening, scheduled flight at night. Arrive the next morning in Melbourne.

DAY 2

Early check-in and two-night stay in a modern and stylish hotel in Melbourne's Southbank. The modern, 18-storey hotel has an opulent and luxurious atmosphere. The decor is relaxing with natural and bright tones. On site, there's a beautiful indoor heated pool - where you can gently recover from jet lag - a gym and a sauna.
Things to see and do in Melbourne - Get lost in the countless alleyways, dead ends and covered passageways where there are a multitude of cafes, shops, artists' workshops and street art - Sit on a hidden terrace to observe the buzz of the city - pitch up on the lawn of the Royal Botanic Gardens for the Moonlight Cinema - explore the bohemian atmosphere of Fitzroy, and the not-to-be-missed Brunswick Street and Gertrude Street - visit the Ian Potter Centre or the City Library - visit the small shops of Acland Street and go to Luna Park - have an impromptu picnic at the Queen Victoria Market - see the penguins at the end of the pier in St. Kilda.

Pick up your hire car and drive to Apollo Bay for an overnight stay in a private, downtown location just a short walk from the seaside.
On the way - Geelong - Torquay, a mecca for surfers - Anglesea, the gateway to Great Otway National Park - Lorne, a small coastal town and the starting of the Great Ocean Road.

A day's drive takes you to the small town of Port Fairy, whose old-fashioned charm is reminiscent of New England. Spend the night in a charming mansion on the banks of the river overlooking the marina.
Things to see and do on the way - Stop at Maits Rest for a short walk (30 minutes) amongst the ferns and giant eucalyptus trees - visit the lighthouse and wild koalas of Cape Otway - admire the iconic Twelve Apostles, the jewel of Great Ocean Road - have lunch at the tiny harbour of Port Campbell - stop off at the many lookouts over coastal rock formations, including The Arch, London Bridge and Bay of Martyrs.
Option - A helicopter ride over the Twelve Apostles.

From Port Fairy, head west along the coast through Portland and Nelson.
Things to see and experience - Coastal walk and blowholes aroundCape Bridgewater - Whale watching - Watch the birds around Nelson, where the river meets the ocean.
Continue on towards Mount Gambier and its Blue Lake nestled in the crater of an extinct volcano, then take the road to Coonawarra, a winemaking region renowned for the quality of its soils and which produces excellent red and white wines including cabernet and sauvignon).
Overnight stay in a charming bed and breakfast in the heart of the old town of Robe with stunning views of Guichen Bay. You will love the spacious and bright apartments, the warm welcome from the owners and the hearty, homemade breakfasts.

It's a peaceful drive to the small coastal town of Victor Harbor on the Fleurieu Peninsula for an overnight stay in simple but comfortable accommodation, nestled on a hillside in the middle of a beautiful park.
Not to be missed - A visit to the South Australian Whale Centre, which allows visitors to learn about the movement of whales throughout the season and participate in interactive exhibits on dolphins and sharks that inhabit the local waters.

Drive to Cape Jervis and take your hire car on board a ferry (45 minutes) to Kangaroo Island, one of the great places of interest in the area.
Things to see and do - Visit a eucalyptus distillery to sample some local wines - stop to witness sheep shearing - learn about the life of Hanson Bay Sanctuary's koalas - greet the sea lions at Seal Bay - walk the white sand dunes of Little Sahara - take in the long, untouched beach of Vivonne Bay - explore the Remarkable Rocks and its imposing granite boulders - Flinders Chase National Park - Admiral's Arch, home to a colony of New Zealand fur seals - at night, search for kangaroos, wallabies, possums and wombats with a local guide.
Overnight stay at Kangaroo Island Wilderness Retreat, a remote hotel in the middle of 114 acres of nature and built in perfect harmony with the natural environment. The setting is an idyllic balance of stunning scenery and wonderful peace and quiet. The rooms, are simply but comfortably equipped, and open out onto a courtyard where wild animals can be seen roaming freely: kangaroos, possums, porcupines, parrots. and many more besides.

Return your hire car and fly to Sydney. Upon arrival, you'll take private transfer of approximately 15 minutes to get to Manly Beach, which is located north of Sydney. Stay in an internationally-renowned comfortable hotel that has a beautiful location close to the beach facing the ocean. You'll have three days to relax and enjoy the attractions of the hotel and the many water-based activities, including surfing lessons, swimming, snorkelling, kayaking, a trip on a small catamaran or windsurfing, private cruises and jet-skiing.

To the north-east of Sydney, near the appropriately-named North Head, Manly is perfectly balanced between the bay and ocean, between the waters and the city. A quiet, pretty neighbourhood, you would usually come here by ferry from Circular Quay to enjoy the narrow spit that is used as a beach. But we also love its relaxed charm and flowered pavilions, the coves of Little Manly Point and the stunning view of North Head from the Manly Scenic Walkway. Wild and undisturbed, this natural park is just 30 minutes from Sydney's CBD.
Children will love - Putting on a mask and snorkel to explore Shelly Beach's little cove - eating pizza with their fingers at Hugo's in Manly - Little Collins' small, secret idyllic beach - visiting Sydney's Taronga Zoo and its unique setting overlooking the bay and city - visiting the giant Christmas tree at the Queen Victoria Building - eating fish and seafood at the Fish Market - taking the ferry like the locals and crossing Sydney Bay.
Option - A surfing course in Manly - overnight stay at the Taronga Zoo: night safari and night in a tent.

Transfer to Sydney Airport, then flight home. Overnight flight, arriving the next day.

Suggestions

Everything in this itinerary is entirely customisable, down to the smallest details. Here are some more suggestions of what could be included

WITH A FEW EXTRA DAYS - TASMANIA

Tasmania is a special, secret and wild destination: it's green and surrounded by picturesque villages and wilderness. An island state for walkers and nature lovers. Lakes, rivers, mountains and national parks cover half of the island; and to the south, at the end of the world, Hobart and its glittering bay, the starting point for international scientific missions to Antarctica.

Option



GREAT OCEAN ROAD - VIEW OF TWELVE APOSTLES FROM ABOVE

They are the jewel of the Great Ocean Road: a little under a mile from the Gibson Steps, off Port Campbell National Park, these enormous rock formations (there are actually eight) eroded by the waves rise up from the sea to create an impressive landscape - and are doomed to extinction. It's even more spectacular from the sky; a helicopter flight of around 15 minutes makes it possible to really take it all in.

Optional



SYDNEY - A NIGHT AMONG THE ANIMALS

Sydney's Taronga Zoo offers the curious a unique experience: a night safari in the park followed by a night in a tent, amid the noise of animals and facing the illuminated city. This animal park continues to win awards for its exemplary conservation of endangered species. It offers visitors a variety of interactive activities that are also fun for the children. Australian wildlife is abundant but not always easy to go after in the wild. Taronga Zoo gives you an amazing opportunity to get up close and personal with koalas, kangaroos, penguins but also with a platypus and the Tasmanian Devil.

Option

Why visit Australia with Original Travel

Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.

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A few of the benefits of travelling with us to Australia

  • Our local Concierges
  • The Original Travel app
  • Airport lounge access
  • Wi-Fi router and e-Sim
  • Destination Dossier
  • 24-hour helpline
  • Expert guides
  • 100% carbon absorption

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A rough idea of the price

Depending on the time of year, type of accommodation and activities

Christmas, New Year and February school holidays - Based on two adults and two children The estimated cost for this trip starts from £3,295 to £4,555 per person*. and the final cost of the trip depends on the way we tailor it especially for you. The final cost will vary according to several factors, including the level of service, length of trip and advance booking time. The exact price will be shown on your personalised quote. The average starting price for this trip is £3,930 per person. * These prices are per adult and per child (aged eight to ten years), sharing the parents' room.
Included in this suggestion

  • International flights with a scheduled airline


  • Airline taxes and fuel surcharge


  • Private transfers included in the itinerary


  • Domestic flights Kangaroo Island/Adelaide/Sydney


  • Six-day car hire; pick up in Melbourne and return on Kangaroo Island


  • Two-night stay in Melbourne at the Crown Promenade in a family room (room only)


  • Overnight stay in Apollo Bay at Captain's at the Bay, in a family room with breakfast


  • Overnight stay in Port Fairy at Oscar Waterfront Boutique Hotel, including double rooms with breakfast


  • Overnight stay in Robe at Ann's Place, in double rooms with breakfast


  • Overnight stay in Victor Harbour at the McCracken Country Club in a family apartment (room only)


  • Overnight stay in Kangaroo Island in Wilderness Retreat in double rooms (room only)


  • Overnight stay in Adelaide in Oaks Embassy in a family apartment (room only)


  • Three-night stay in Sydney at Novotel Sydney Manly Pacific in a family room (room only)


  • Our local Concierge service


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