Departing Melbourne, the journey along the Surf Coast offers stunning coastal views. Stop to visit the famous Bells Beach and spot eastern grey kangaroos grazing in the wild.

Continuing along the impressive and scenic cliff-hugging section of the Great Ocean Road,  you’ll visit ‘Memorial Arch’ to learn the intriguing story of this incredible road, before stopping in Lorne, the largest of the seaside townships. Lunch is served at the Wye River Café overlooking the ocean.

At the Kennett River there’s a chance to see wild koalas and colourful native birds, and in Great Otway National Park, some of the world’s tallest flowering plants, prehistoric trees and ferns on a guided walk through a cool temperate rainforest gully.

You’ll arrive at the 12 Apostles as the stacks are bathed in the afternoon sun; perfect for photos. After learning about the local geology you can explore the boardwalks or enjoy a helicopter flight (own expense). The day’s final stop is at ‘Loch Ard Gorge’, the site of a famous 19th Century shipwreck.

Port Campbell Parkview Motel and Apartments or similar

Lunch

This morning offers another chance to admire the 12 Apostles, in the morning sunlight, and the impressive Loch Ard Gorge. It’s then onto London Bridge, then The Bay of Islands before saying goodbye to this amazing stretch of coastline.

There’s time to explore Warrnambool, one of Victoria’s largest regional towns, before lunch at a quaint Aussie eatery in Koroit. Next stop is Tower Hill Wildlife Park, for an interactive tour to learn about the local Aboriginal history, geology, flora and fauna.

The fishing village of Port Fairy is today’s final destination, where you’ll have time for a stroll around this beautiful township before choosing one of the many local restaurants, cafés or pubs for dinner (own expense).

Victoria Apartments, Port Fairy or similar

Breakfast and lunch

Today we’re bound for South Australia! In Portland there’s time for panoramic coastal views from the Cape Nelson Lighthouse, before a scenic drive through dense pine plantations to the pretty riverside village of Nelson for lunch.

Crossing the state border your tour continues to Mount Gambier, its famous Blue Lake, and the Umpherston Sinkhole, a collapsed limestone cave that has been transformed into a magical sunken garden, complete with terraced flower beds and hanging vines.

The next stop is the historic town of Penola, where Mother Mary MacKillop, Australia’s only saint founded the Sisters of Saint Joseph religious order. You’ll see the the school house where she taught, and take a walk along Petticoat Lane, a charmingly preserved group of mid-18th Century cottages and gardens.

Tonight’s destination is the William Macintosh Motor Lodge in Naracoorte. For a holiday treat you could dine at the award-winning Highlander Restaurant, located on the William Macintosh grounds.

William MacIntosh Motor Lodge or similar

Breakfast and lunch

Today starts with a drive through the famed rich red “terra rossa” soils of the Coonawarra vineyards, followed by a guided tour of Victoria Fossil Cave, part of the world heritage listed Naracoorte Caves, where a dazzling array of stalactites and stalagmites, as well as the skeletons of giant, long extinct animals await to be discovered!

After morning tea at the iconic Keith bakery, the journey continues through picturesque South Australian farmland, passing five towering grain solos in Coonalpyn that have been transformed into a monumental artwork, en route to Wellington for a leisurely ferry crossing of the mighty Murray River.

Lunch is served at the Bremerton Winery in the acclaimed Langhorne Creek wine region, before continuing to Strathalbyn, on the banks of the Angas River, then through the rolling hills and valleys to the historic German village of Hahndorf for a stroll along its bustling main street.

The last stop of your Great Ocean Road tour is the summit of Mount Lofty, from where Adelaide is spread out on the plains below. You’ll then be dropped off in the city around 18:00.

Breakfast, morning tea and lunch