Discover Victoria’s rich past and stunning landscapes on this nostalgic journey. Travel the iconic Great Ocean Road, explore shipwreck history in Warrnambool, and relive the Gold Rush at Sovereign Hill. Cruise the Murray River on a historic paddlesteamer in Echuca, once Australia’s busiest inland port. With charming towns, vineyard lunches, and a ride on the Puffing Billy steam train, this tour blends heritage, beauty, and warm hospitality.
Activity Level 2
Home pick up and return within the Auckland metropolitan area (if applicable).
Services of Travelwise Holidays Tour Leader throughout.
Return economy class airfares Auckland to Melbourne.
Quality hotel accommodation including buffet breakfast daily. Meals as per the itinerary.
Apollo Bay Brewhouse lunch. Scenic Great Ocean Road drive - see the iconic 12 Apostles and Loch Ard Gorge. Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village with Victoria's largest maritime and shipwreck collection. Award winning Seppelt Winery lunch. “Tales of the Shipwreck Coast” Sound & Light Show. Hall’s Gap,Mackenzie Falls, historic town of Ballarat. Sovereign Hill gold mine tour. Bendigo gold town and Australia's first-ever designated UNESCO Creative City & Region of Gastronomy.
Echuca Heritage - a guided tour of the Port of Echuca Wharf, Paddle-steamers and Museum, a cruise aboard an authentic paddlesteamer, a Billabong carriage ride, admission to the Echuca Historical Society Museum, and a guided tour of The Great Aussie Beer Shed & Heritage Farm Museum.
Vintage steam train ride in the heart of the Dandenong Ranges.
Yarra Valley vineyard lunch and Farewell Dinner.
All airport and hotel transfers throughout.
Travelwise Holidays documentation and travel bag
WED 19 NOV- AUCKLAND/MELBOURNE/TORQUAY
Depart Auckland 8.50am, arrive Melbourne 10.50am. Travel to Torquay, a vibrant beach town at the start of the Great Ocean Road. The afternoon is free. Enjoy a welcome dinner tonight. Stay Wyndham Resort, Torquay, 1 night. Included: D
THU 20 NOV – TORQUAY/WARRNAMBOOL
We head for the Great Ocean Road, one of the world’s most iconic and picturesque ocean lined roads. Lunch is waiting for us in the seaside town of Apollo Bay at one of the local legendary microbrewer’s, the Brewhouse. With our stomachs full we continue west. Get your camera’s ready, next on the list is the 12 Apostles and Loch Ard Gorge and the picturesque seaside city of Warrnambool. Stay Best Western Olde Maritime Hotel, Warrnambool, 2 nights. Included: B, L, D
FRI 21 NOV – WARRNAMBOOL
This morning we tour Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village. Holder of Victoria's largest maritime and shipwreck collection. Flagstaff Hill is a state heritage listed site overlooking the beautiful Lady Bay. Free afternoon then at dusk walk over to enjoy - “Tales of the Shipwreck Coast” Sound & Light Show. Dinner tonight at the hotel. Included: B, D
SAT 22 NOV - WARRNAMBOOL/BALLARAT
Leaving Warrnambool early we head for the Grampians town of Dunkeld. Enjoy morning tea at the Dunkeld Bakery (own cost).
Stop for a break at Hall’s Gap before heading to one of Victoria’s most photographed waterfalls – Mackenzie Falls.
Onward to Seppelt, a winery that has been at the forefront of Australian winemaking for over 160 years. After a delectable vineyard lunch we head to the historic town of Ballarat. Stay Craigs Royal Hotel, Ballarat, 2 nights. Included: B, L
SUN 23 NOV – BALLARAT, GOLD MINE TOUR
Today we visit Sovereign Hill gold mine to experience the magic and adventure of the Gold Rush era. Gold was discovered here in 1851, triggering the greatest alluvial gold rush the world has ever known. Included: B, D
MON 24 NOV – BALLARAT/ECHUCA
Today we head to Echuca, on the Murray River. En route we visit Bendigo for lunch (own arrangements). A gold rush boom town, full of ornate architecture and diverse cultural heritage. It’s renowned for its food & wine scene being Australia's first-ever designated UNESCO Creative City & Region of Gastronomy. Stay Mercure Hotel, Port of Echuca, 2 nights. Included: B, D
TUE 25 NOV - ECHUCA HERITAGE SIGHTSEEING
The bustling Port of Echuca is recognised as one of Australia’s finest heritage icons. Built in 1865 by the Victorian Railways, for many years Echuca was the main shipbuilding centre for the river transport industry. Some of the boats built in Echuca, still operate on the Murray River today. At its peak, Echuca supported 8 sawmills and turned over up to 240 paddle-steamers a year. Enjoy a guided tour of the Port of Echuca Wharf, Paddlesteamers and Museum, a cruise aboard an authentic paddlesteamer, a Billabong carriage ride, admission to the Echuca Historical Society Museum, and a guided tour of The Great Aussie Beer Shed & Heritage Farm Museum (Echuca’s most unique tourist attraction). Dinner at the hotel. Included: B, D
WED 26 NOV – ECHUCA/MELBOURNE
We head South to Melbourne, the cultural and food capital of Australia. A hub for art, music, and sporting events, offering a blend of rich history and modern trends. Stay Novotel Melbourne or similar, 3 nights. Included: B, D
THU 27 NOV - MELBOURNE, PUFFING BILLY TRAIN
Step into a timeless world of wonder with Australia’s favourite steam train, Puffing Billy, located in the heart of the Dandenong Ranges. Built in 1900 to serve the local communities, step aboard a living time machine. Later savour a hearty vineyard lunch in the Yarra Valley.. Included: B, L
FRI 28 NOV - MELBOURNE FREE DAY
A free day to explore Melbourne. The city is famous for its diverse and trendy neighborhoods, bustling laneways, and a sophisticated foodie scene. Enjoy a Farewell dinner tonight. Included: B, D
SAT 29 NOV - MELBOURNE/AUCKLAND
Depart Melbourne on Air New Zealand at 12.05pm, arrive Auckland 5.35pm. Included: B
Deposit: $500pp
