Intrepid Travel: Melbourne to Kangaroo Island Adventure

After breakfast this morning, you’ll say goodbye to Ballarat and head south toward Apollo Bay. You’ll get your first taste of the spectacular Great Ocean Road today as you hit the coastline in Anglesea and follow the scenic highway along to Apollo Bay. This is Eastern Maar country, and was recently returned to the Traditional Owners in Victoria's first native title in a decade. The Great Ocean Road is one of the world’s most famed coastal drives, as you wind by striking windswept cliffs with views across the Southern Ocean, you’ll quickly see why. Once you reach Apollo Bay, you’ll enjoy a special experience at Wildlife Wonders – a social enterprise operated by the Conservation Ecology Centre working to develop and deliver solutions to the most urgent conservation challenges in the Otways region. Apollo Bay is on the doorstep of the Otway National Park, an ecosystem of lush rainforests, ancient plant life, waterfalls and secluded beaches – to name just a few. Join Wildlife Wonders guided walk through the magical Otways bushland where you'll discover lush fern gullies, eucalypt woodlands and spectacular ocean vistas. Learn the secrets of the bush from your conservationist guide and spot local wildlife like koalas and wallabies and, if you’re lucky, a potoroo or bandicoot. Wildlife Wonders invest 100% of profits into vital research and conservation projects to save local threatened species. After this heart-warming visit, you’ll make your way to your accommodation and enjoy free time in this chilled-out beachside town this afternoon.

Today’s drive is approximately 3 hours. Today’s walking tour winds along a gentle, 1.4 km path suitable for all abilities.

Activities:

• Apollo Bay - Wildlife Wonders Guided Tour

Staying in:

• Hotel (1 night)

Today, you really find out why this stretch of road is known as Australia’s finest road trip. Travel from Apollo Bay all the way to Warrnambool, with plenty of scenic stops along the way. Enjoy the dramatic scenery The Great Ocean Road is so well known for – one moment you’ll be marvelling at dramatic cliffs and the surging oceans below and the next you’ll be surrounded by native bushland. There's plenty of lookouts and white powdery beach walks (if the weather permits) to break up the drive today. Plus, the piece de resistance of today’s adventures – some time to discover the rugged splendour of the 12 Apostles. Created by the constant erosion from ocean swells and swirling winds that began some 10-20 million years ago, the incredible rock stacks now rise majestically up to 45 m out of the ocean below. It’s a sight to behold and one you won’t forget any time soon. This evening, you’ll continue to Warrnambool where you might like to join your fellow travellers for dinner and discuss the inspiring sights you witnessed today.

Today’s total driving time is approximately 3-4 hours.

Activities:

• Great Ocean Road - Scenic Drive
• Great Ocean Road - Twelve Apostles

Staying in:

• Hotel (1 night)

Buckle up for another day on the great open road as we set our sights for Budj Bim – the only UNESCO World Heritage site in Victoria outside of the Royal Exhibition Building. This area is located within Gunditjmara Country and is full of culture and volcanic landscapes. You’ll learn more about the history, bushland and wildlife of this area on a walking tour with a Gunditjmara cultural guide. Your guide will give you an overview of the Gunditjmara creation story and highlight the extensive marine and birdlife on Tae Rak (Lake Condah). The lake is made up of 1700 hectares of significant wetlands and stony rises right next to the historic lava flows of Budj Bim National Park. The Gunditjmara people have sustained life here for tens of thousands of years and created what is considered one of Australia’s earliest and largest aquaculture ventures. You’ll gain incredible insight into the history of the Gunditjmara people and how these landscapes were shaped by ancient volcanic movements. After your guided walk, enjoy a grazing board at the Tae Rak Aquaculture Centre & Café for lunch. Try all-Australian ingredients like grilled kooyang (eel), grilled macadamia nuts, pickled vegetables, kangaroo, emu and other local bush foods. With a belly full of bush tucker, hit the road to Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park where you’ll have time to explore in the afternoon and enjoy the evening at your leisure.

Today’s total drive time is approximately 3 hours.

Activities:

• Budj Bim National Park - Bush Foods Grazing Board
• Budj Bim National Park - Cultural Landscape Walking Tour with Local Aboriginal Guide

Staying in:

• Hotel (1 night)

Be sure to fuel up at breakfast today because you’ve got a day full of exploring the Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park ahead. You can expect to see majestic waterfalls, rugged sandstone ridges, mountain vistas and magnificent rock art sites on your walks today. Traditionally known as Gariwerd, this region is home to the largest number of rock art paintings and shelters in Southern Australia. Today’s walks will feature these sites and likely introduce you to local wildlife like kangaroos, wallabies, emus and native birds. With a number of walking trails to choose from, your leader will pick the best, considering weather and track conditions and group ability. This evening, kick your feet up and relax after a full day of walking. Perhaps, meet up with your group for a final dinner together and reflect on the highlights of your great southern adventure.

Today’s walks will be a mix of Grade 2-4 walks in Central or Northern Grampians.

Activities:

• Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park - Day Walks

Staying in:

• Hotel (1 night)

Enjoy a group breakfast with your fellow travellers before a short drive to Stawell. Here, you’ll visit Bunjil’s Cave, a significant cultural site in Australia and one of the most prominent rock-art sites in southern Victoria. In local First Nations culture, Bunjil was the main Dreaming Being of south-eastern Australia. It’s believed that he produced the natural features of the landscapes, from the rolling mountains to the peaceful open ranges. He also gave each tribe their country and created the laws, customs and rights. After time to explore this significant site and learn more about First Nations history, your leader will bid you farewell, and your group will board The Overland train from Stawell, unaccompanied for the stretch to Adelaide, or Tandanya in the language of The Kaurna people, who are the traditional owners of the land on which Adelaide is now located. Operating for more than 130 years, you can expect relaxing views of wheat and sheep farms as you travel through Western Victoria. Have your cameras at the ready before you reach the Murray Bridge and you’ll then be treated to views of lush landscape as you descend through the Adelaide Hills into South Australia’s capital. Enjoy a free night before the next leg of your journey starts tomorrow.

The Overland train journey will be unaccompanied by your tour leader, who will return to Melbourne. Upon arrival at the railway station in Adelaide you will be met by a transfer to take you to our centrally located finishing point hotel in the Adelaide's CBD. Your trip leader for the next section of the journey will meet you tomorrow morning. Please note that South Australia has very strict quarantine rules. As you will be crossing the state border by train today you will be asked to dispose of any fruit, nuts and seeds.

Staying in:

• Hotel (1 night)

As this is a combination trip, your group leader and the composition of your group will likely change at this location. This stage of your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at your hotel in Adelaide at 9 am where you’ll link up with your local leader and the other travellers joining you on this part of your adventure. Find out what’s in store over the coming days, then board your transfer bound for Cape Jervis (approximately 2 hours), from where you’ll jump aboard a ferry and travel to Penneshaw on Kangaroo Island (approximately 45 minutes). Be sure to keep an eye out for dolphins swimming alongside the ferry! From the ferry landing, it's a short walk to your hotel. Drop your luggage, then perhaps get to know your group over lunch on the island. In the afternoon, get your first taste of the island’s unique nature by joining your leader and heading out onto the Kangaroo Island Sculpture Trail, positioned in the dunes overlooking Hog’s Bay. Keep an eye out for wildlife! This evening you'll visit the Penneshaw Penguin Centre for an evening walk to search for the world’s smallest variety of penguins.

The start of the Penneshaw Sculpture Trail is a 650m or 8 minute walk from the hotel. The walk itself is 1.5km long and will take around 1 hour. It is relatively easy, with some steps.

Activities:

• Kangaroo Island - Penguin tour
• Kangaroo Island - Penneshaw Sculpture Trail

Staying in:

• Hotel (1 night)

Kangaroo Island is Australia’s third-largest island and a paradise for wildlife lovers. It’s not just kangaroos you can find here – wallabies, sea lions, echidnas and sheep live here too! This morning, travel to Dudley Peninsula, where you’ll visit a local farm, see how sheep are shorn and meet the owner’s super sweet kelpie dogs. Then, stop by the Cape Willoughby Lighthouse – the oldest lighthouse in South Australia. After, visit a family-owned eucalyptus oil refinery and a honey farm, before heading to the Kangaroo Island Gallery – a community gallery specifically for the promotion, encouragement and exposure of local artists and craftspeople. Tonight, if there’s time maybe visit a local winery and enjoy a glass of shiraz or chardonnay before heading to Kingscote for the night.

Activities:

• Kangaroo Island - Full-day trip to Dudley Peninsula
• Kangaroo Island - Cape Willoughby Lighthouse
• Kangaroo Island - Sheep Shearing & Sheep Dog Experience
• Kangaroo Island - Honey Farm
• Kangaroo Island - Eucalyptus Oil Distillery
• Kangaroo Island - KI Community Gallery

Staying in:

• Hotel (1 night)

After breakfast, swing by Salt Lagoon to snap some pictures of this scenic spot, then continue towards Emu Bay Beach. Spend some time exploring the white sand, then beach hop over to the secluded Stokes Bay – a gorgeous spot for a swim and voted Australia's most beautiful beach in 2023. Explore the Stokes Bay region, which is still recovering from the early 2022 bushfires which damaged much of the island. After an afternoon on the beach, you’ll return to Kingscote and enjoy an evening at leisure.

The walk to Stokes Bay Beach is quite an adventure! You’ll walk along a pathway through limestone boulders. The walk is only about 100 m, but depending on the tide there can be a bit of rock scrambling and the possibility of getting your feet wet before you reach the beautiful bay.

Activities:

• Kangaroo Island - Full Day Trip to Emu Bay & Stokes Bay

Staying in:

• Hotel (1 night)

Start the day with a visit to Seal Bay. There are no actual seals here, but there are plenty of sea lions! The sea lion colony you see today has existed at Seal Bay for thousands of years. Join an up close and personal ranger-led wildlife experience which will allow you to observe the lives of these endearing creatures as you watch them swim, play and bask in the sun. Next up is something really special – head to Vivonne Bay, which is not only one of the most stunning beaches on Kangaroo Island but the whole of Australia. Venture into the Flinders Chase National Park and come face to face with the aptly named Remarkable Rocks, made up of naturally sculpted granite boulders. You’ll also check out the impressive Admirals Arch and take some time to explore the park before heading back to Kingscote.

The Seal Bay guided tour lasts for about 45 minutes and takes you along the beach where the sea lions are resting. There are steps to get down to the beach which has soft sand. The boardwalk section over the sand dunes is easy access, with no stairs and you can often see sea lions in the dunes.

Activities:

• Kangaroo Island - Flinders Chase NP Incl Remarkable Rocks & Admiral's Arch
• Kangaroo Island - Seal Bay Wildlife Experience with local ranger
• Kangaroo Island - Vivonne Bay

Staying in:

• Hotel (1 night)

Start the day by heading to American River, where you’ll find a schooner boat first built in 1803 called 'Independence'. Learn about the boat’s history and see how it’s being rebuilt, then take a scenic walk through coastal scrub towards the remains of an old fish cannery – keep an eye out for the rare and striking glossy-black cockatoos along the way. Get ready to say goodbye to Kangaroo Island as you make the drive back to Penneshaw and catch the ferry back to the mainland. Dock in Cape Jervis for your trip back to Adelaide, where your trip comes to an end. If you’d like to stay in Adelaide longer, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time.

Your adventure comes to an end at your hotel in Adelaide at approximately 5 pm. Please consider this when booking onward travel. No accommodation is included for tonight, however we’ll be happy to organise additional accommodation (subject to availability) if you wish to extend your stay in Adelaide.

Activities:

• Kangaroo Island - American River ‘Rebuild Independence’ Boathouse Visit
• Kangaroo Island - American River bushwalk