Arrive into Adelaide on your scheduled flight from the UK. Discover Adelaide’s colonial elegance, streets and the museums. Take a day trip to the world-class wineries or shop till you drop in Rundle Mall.

Head across to Kangaroo Island for a memorable three night stay. This nature lover’s island has plenty to see and do. Spot wallabies and kangaroos; also keep a look out for koalas, platypuses, echidnas, penguins, sea lions and native birds.

Depart the “City of Churches” and head to the hills. To the north of the city you will discover the picturesque Barossa Valley, home to famous wineries including Yalumba, Orlando and Penfolds, as well as boutique vineyards. Stay overnight in the Barossa.

Adelaide > Barossa Valley | 80 kms

The Wine Vine Hotel

Leave the hills of the Barossa and head for the South Australian coast. You will pass through the town of Mannum, one of the oldest towns located on the Murray River. Beyond Tailem Bend and Murray Bridge, you will then travel along the sand dunes of Coorong National Park before stopping for the night in the town of Robe.

Barossa Valley > Robe | 350 kms

Robe House B&B

From Robe, continue along the coast to the remarkable town of Mt. Gambier. The town is actually set on the slopes of an extinct volcano, and is home to a collapsed crater in the centre of town as well as a lake that changes colour from a winter grey to a vivid blue colour every summer. Continue along the coast to Portland (the oldest permanent settlement in Victoria). A detour to see the blowholes at Cape Nelson and the petrified forest at Cape Bridgewater are worthwhile before continuing on to stay in Port Fairy.

Robe > Port Fairy | 290 kms

Seacombe House

After exploring the delightful fishing port and resort of Port Fairy, join the Great Ocean Road for a day exploring the “Shipwreck Coast”. Before you reach Port Campbell you will be able to stop to view London Bridge, the now broken natural rock arch. Continue along the Southern Ocean coast to see the iconic rock pillars of the Twelve Apostles, that stand out proudly above the surf. Continue along the Great Ocean Road as far as Apollo Bay where you will stop for the night.

Port Fairy > Apollo Bay | 188 kms

Comfort Inn The International

Arrive in the cosmopolitan hub of Melbourne after your Great Ocean Road self drive. Spend three nights exploring the streets and thriving café and art culture, cycle along the seashore or taste the delights as you wine and dine along bustling Southbank.

Pick up your Avis intermediate automatic sedan rental car at the Launceston City Depot or Launceston Airport Depot.

Launceston is known as the ‘garden city’ because of its abundance of well established beautiful public and private gardens. The city is nestled in a wide river valley amid lush green countryside. Cataract Gorge is well worthwhile visiting, located only a few minutes drive from the city. A 1.6km walk along the face of the cliff ends in the Cataract Cliff Grounds Reserve from where a chairlift crosses the gorge.

Depart Launceston via the Midland Highway to Campbell Town, travelling towards the coast, and the beautiful Coles Bay.

Coles Bay is nestled beside the world famous Freycinet National Park where spectacular red granite peaks plunge deep into the Ocean. The park itself has long been recognised and was proclaimed in 1916 as a flora and fauna reserve. Now it covers 11,000 hectares and boasts a variety of vegetation including wattles, Oyster Bay pines, grass trees and banksias with the predominant feature being its coastal heath lands.

Secluded swimming areas can be found on the east coast of the park such as Wineglass Bay with spectacular sandy beaches.

Launceston > Coles Bay | 170 kms

Freycinet Lodge

Today is yours to explore the region at your leisure. The Coles Bay-Freycinet National Park area is noted for its spectacular coastal scenery and its emphasis on fishing, boating, bushwalking and swimming. Where else would you find granite mountains rising straight from the sea to form a magnificent sheltered waterway?

Walk into the park and climb the Hazards or the mountains to the south, both of which offer marvellous views across the bay and out across the Tasman Sea. Or drive on the rough roads through the National Park stopping for a spectacular view or pulling off the road to go swimming in the clear, safe waters of the bay.

Freycinet Lodge

Depart Coles Bay and journey along the Arthur Highway via Dunalley to Port Arthur.

Port Arthur is a symbol of Australia’s 19th century convict system. The settlement operated from 1830 to 1877 as a timber producing sawing station, and later as an industrial prison. After the closure, most of the land and buildings were auctioned off, with new residents renaming it Carnarvon township. Following bushfires in 1895, the old settlement has now been restored and is today, Tasmania’s premier historic site. In the evening, you can attend Ghost Tours where you walk around the settlement with a guide who tells of all the ghosts who still ‘live’ in the area.

Coles Bay > Port Arthur | 210 kms

Stewarts Bay Lodge

Depart Port Arthur and travel via the Arthur Highway, through Sorell to Hobart.

Hobart is situated on the Derwent River, one of the deepest harbours in the world. The old city centre, with its wealth of colonial buildings, clusters around Sullivans Cove, backed by wooded slopes rising to the often snow-capped peak of Mount Wellington. Its limited size, rich architectural heritage and beautiful setting make Hobart a delight to explore.

Port Arthur > Hobart | 100 kms

Best Western Hobart

Fly to Sydney for a four night stay. Take a ferry ride to Taronga Zoo, take a peaceful walk through the serene Chinese Gardens of Darling Harbour or sample some of the city’s suburb food and wine outlets on Darling Harbour or around Circular Quay.

Fly onwards to Hamilton Island for an idyllic four night stay surrounded by the many islands of the Whitsundays and the great wonders of the Great Barrier Reef. Spend your days snorkelling, hiking, kayaking or simply relaxing on the island’s beautiful beach. Alternatively you could enjoy an optional day trip out to Whitehaven beach, renowned for its stunning beauty and pristine white sand.

Head back to the mainland and spend two nights in the sunny city of Brisbane before you return to the UK. Take a picturesque river walk along the Southbank or buy your last minute souvenirs from the shops of Queen Street Mall.

Spend your last day enjoying the warm Brisbane sunshine before making your way back to the UK.