Tastes of Southern Australia
13 Days from $4,095 per person
Buckle up for the ultimate Aussie road trip, skirting the magnificent Southern Ocean through the rolling vineyard-clad hills of the Barossa, sharing the Twelve Apostles' spectacular coastal views and exploring the tree-lined streets of Australia's oldest German settlement – tastes of Aussie BBQ, bush tucker, premium wines and sumptuous seafood are never far.
Overview
Buckle up for the ultimate Aussie road trip, skirting the magnificent Southern Ocean through the rolling vineyard-clad hills of the Barossa, sharing the Twelve Apostles' spectacular coastal views and exploring the tree-lined streets of Australia's oldest German settlement – tastes of Aussie BBQ, bush tucker, premium wines and sumptuous seafood are never far.
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Day 1: USA - Australia
Board your overnight flight to Australia (not included).
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Day 2: In-Transit
Cross the international date-line.
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Day 3: Sydney - Canberra
This morning begin your journey to Canberra via the Southern Highlands. Stop at historic Berrima, famous for its gaol and early colonial architecture, then visit a working sheep farm where you'll meet Local Specialist Craig Starr, to get a taste of life on his farm. Join Craig and his family for a Welcome Reception and Aussie BBQ lunch. Your destination is Australia's capital city, for a guided tour through Parliament House with a Local Specialist. Later visit the Australian War Memorial for a Cultural Insight. You'll hear an evocative lament before departing for your hotel. Join your Travel Director and fellow travelers tonight and get to know each other over dinner with wine. -
Day 4: Canberra - Beechworth
Before leaving Canberra this morning you'll visit Mt. Ainslie Lookout to take in views of this unique city and surrounding ranges. Journey over the Murray River into Victoria. Your destination is historic Beechworth, Victoria's best preserved gold rush town, for your unique overnight stay in one of the quaint local properties. Get to know Beechworth with an orientation and enjoy some free time to explore the antique shops, galleries and the museum. Why not enjoy a coffee and delicious treat from the legendary Beechworth Bakery! -
Day 5: Beechworth - Melbourne (2 Nights)
This morning join your host for a Be My Guest breakfast. Later, travel through Glenrowan and Ned Kelly country to culturally diverse and cosmopolitan Melbourne for a city sights tour, where you'll hear all about its wonderful history, famous buildings and sensational shopping. This evening is free for you to do as you wish. Your Travel Director will be able to point you in the direction of some of Melbourne's hottest eateries. -
Day 6: Melbourne Free Time
Today Melbourne is yours to enjoy. Consider an Optional Experience to the Eureka Skydeck for fantastic views of Melbourne. Or perhaps a Hunt and Gather Food Tour of Queen Victoria Market to take in the life, sounds and stories of this historic marketplace. Or take a tour to Summerland Beach on Phillip Island to see the famous Little Penguins emerge from the sea and waddle up the beach to their sand dune burrows. Ask your Travel Director for details. -
Day 7: Melbourne - Warrnambool
Hold on to your seats for one of the world's great road trips – the Great Ocean Road! Spectacular scenery and quaint towns await on this gorgeous coastal drive and you're sure to have plenty of photo opportunities. You'll stop along the way at Lorne and the seaside vacation destination of Apollo Bay. Visit the amazing Twelve Apostles, fascinating limestone formations that tower 45 meters above the Southern Ocean. Later visit Loch Ard Gorge and London Bridge before arriving in Warrnambool, the whaling capital. -
Day 8: Warrnambool - Naracoorte
This morning visit Worn Gundidj at Tower Hill State Reserve. A Local Specialist will provide you with insight into flora, wildlife, volcanic formations, bush existence and medicinal practices from an Aboriginal perspective. Journey across the South Australia border to Mt. Gambier to visit the Blue Lake then travel to the Coonawarra, one of Australia's finest wine regions, where you'll join a Local Specialist for a tasting at a local winery. The Naracoorte Caves date back 800,000 years and are one of the world's most important fossil sites. You'll hear the fascinating story of how this came to be when you're taken on a guided tour through one of the caves. -
Day 9: Naracoorte - Kangaroo Island (2 Nights)
Journey to the Fleurieu Peninsula and visit the seaside town of Victor Harbor at lunchtime. This afternoon board your ferry at Cape Jervis and cross to Penneshaw on Kangaroo Island. Kangaroo Island is famous for its unspoiled natural beauty and fresh local produce. Join a Local Specialist at South Australia's only boutique distillery to taste a selection of their handcrafted premium spirits. Dinner tonight is at your hotel. -
Day 10: Kangaroo Island Sightseeing
Today explore Kangaroo Island! Visit spectacular Remarkable Rocks and Admirals Arch in Flinders Chase National Park, where you may even spot koalas and kangaroos. Later at Andermel Marron Farm, meet a Local Specialist for an experience that captures much that is very special about the island. You'll see the marron (freshwater crayfish) tanks and enjoy a tasting of their own Two Wheeler Creek wine and farm-produced bush tucker before indulging in some marron at a Regional Meal lunch. Afterwards join a Local Specialist at Seal Bay Conservation Park for a guided walk among a breeding colony of Australian sea lions as they doze in the sun. -
Day 11: Kangaroo Island - Adelaide (2 Nights)
Board your ferry to the mainland and travel on to Adelaide. You'll enjoy an orientation tour of the 'City of Churches' with your Travel Director. Today your choice of sightseeing: visit historic Adelaide Zoo including entry to the Panda enclosure and bamboo forest attractions; hear fascinating stories about the early history of Adelaide and its colonial characters on an Adelaide guided walking tour or tour the Art Gallery of South Australia to see its old and new art. -
Day 12: The Barossa
The rolling Adelaide Hills, Hahndorf and the Barossa lay ahead of you today and you'll have the opportunity to taste a number of their world-renowned wines. On arrival in the Barossa, you'll enjoy lunch at The South Australian Company Store, before visiting Jacob's Creek, the award-winning winery, where you can sample their famous wines in a structured tasting with a Local Specialist. Return to Adelaide through South Australia's lush countryside. This evening join your Travel Director and new-found friends for a Farewell Dinner.
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Day 13: Depart Adelaide
Bid farewell to your fellow travelers as you take home many special memories. You will be transferred to Adelaide Airport for your onward flight (flights anytime).
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30 Day Refund Guarantee
We promise you’ll enjoy a stress-free travel experience from the minute you start your vacation planning or we’ll refund your deposit. Make your reservation with a $350 deposit. If you change your mind for any reason within 30 days of booking, we’ll offer you a full refund.
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Add air to your reservation
Let our Air Specialists handle your air reservations. We have direct access to the most current airfare routes and prices, so you’ll get the best value available when we book your flights. We never charge a booking fee and you’ll enjoy the flexibility to pay for air 60-90 days prior to departure.
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Definite Departure
| Depart Date | Return Date | Price | Discount | Availability | Price | ||
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| 2 Sep 18 | 14 Sep 18 |
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$4,095pp | Request Quote | |||
| 23 Sep 18 | 5 Oct 18 |
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$4,095pp | Request Quote | |||
| 14 Oct 18 | 26 Oct 18 |
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$4,095pp | Request Quote | |||
| 4 Nov 18 | 16 Nov 18 |
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$4,095pp | Request Quote | |||
| 25 Nov 18 | 7 Dec 18 |
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$4,095pp | Request Quote | |||
| 6 Jan 19 | 18 Jan 19 |
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$4,095pp | Request Quote | |||
| 13 Jan 19 | 25 Jan 19 |
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$4,095pp | Request Quote | |||
| 27 Jan 19 | 8 Feb 19 |
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$4,095pp | Request Quote | |||
| 10 Feb 19 | 22 Feb 19 |
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$4,095pp | Request Quote | |||
| 24 Feb 19 | 8 Mar 19 |
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$4,095pp | Request Quote | |||
| 10 Mar 19 | 22 Mar 19 |
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$4,095pp | Request Quote | |||
| 24 Mar 19 | 5 Apr 19 |
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$4,095pp | Request Quote |
Note: Departures between Oct 1, 2018 - March 31, 2019 are subject to price, itinerary and hotel modification.
Price is per person and is based on two people sharing a twin bedded room. Single rooms are available at a supplement.
Single Room Supplement: from $975.
Triple Room Discount from $205.
Air: Please note that airfares are not included in the prices above. Grand European Tours guarantees to quote you the lowest possible airfare available to us on the day that you book.
AARP Members are entitled to an exclusive Member Benefit Discount on all Grand European Travel vacations. Plus receive a free travel gift! Call Toll Free: 1-866-847-3858 for details.
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Professional Travel Director
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Sightseeing with Local Experts
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VIP Access
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WIFI on Coach and in Hotels
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Personal Flight Options
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Most Meals
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Hotel Tips
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Expertly Selected Hotels
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Cultural Enrichment
Meal Summary
10 nights, 10 hot buffet breakfasts, 3 lunches, 5 dinners, On-trip transport, .
Included Highlights
Hidden Treasures
- Enjoy at least one surprise Hidden Treasure
Authentic Accommodations
- Boutique country-style stay in an historic gold-rush town
Be My Guest
- Stay with the locals in a beautifully preserved Victorian gold-rush town and enjoy a wholesome breakfast shared over stories about the region and life in a small country town
Cultural Insight
- Commemorate the sacrifices made by members of the armed forces of Australia who fought and died in wars
Local Specialist
- For included sightseeing in Canberra, Tower Hill, the Coonawarra, Kangaroo Island, Seal Bay and the Barossa
Sightseeing Highlights
- City tour in Melbourne, Adelaide
- Visit Parliament House, a sheep farm, a marron (crayfish) farm and wineries in South Australia
- View the Twelve Apostles on the Great Ocean Road, Sea-lions and Remarkable Rocks on Kangaroo Island
- See Australia's premier wine-making regions
Request a Quote
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30 Day Refund Guarantee
We promise you’ll enjoy a stress-free travel experience from the minute you start your vacation planning or we’ll refund your deposit. Make your reservation with a $350 deposit. If you change your mind for any reason within 30 days of booking, we’ll offer you a full refund.
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Add air to your reservation
Let our Air Specialists handle your air reservations. We have direct access to the most current airfare routes and prices, so you’ll get the best value available when we book your flights. We never charge a booking fee and you’ll enjoy the flexibility to pay for air 60-90 days prior to departure.
Reviews
Request a Quote
-
30 Day Refund Guarantee
We promise you’ll enjoy a stress-free travel experience from the minute you start your vacation planning or we’ll refund your deposit. Make your reservation with a $350 deposit. If you change your mind for any reason within 30 days of booking, we’ll offer you a full refund.
-
Add air to your reservation
Let our Air Specialists handle your air reservations. We have direct access to the most current airfare routes and prices, so you’ll get the best value available when we book your flights. We never charge a booking fee and you’ll enjoy the flexibility to pay for air 60-90 days prior to departure.
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Passports & Visas
U.S. citizens traveling to Australia must have a current passport that is valid for six months beyond the conclusion of their trip. You can find information on how to apply for a passport here, and how to renew a passport here. Australia also requires an electronic visa which is obtained at the time of your airline ticket purchase.
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Currency
You will be using the Australian dollar on your trip. You can use your debit or credit card for purchases. The most convenient way to obtain cash is to use your ATM card at local banks. We recommend you also bring a valid credit card for purchases while you are traveling. It is important that you inform your financial institutions of your travel plans before you leave home so they don’t flag your purchases as potentially fraudulent charges.
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Cuisine
Food in Australia is innovative and diverse. As an island nation with strong agricultural traditions, culinary traditions here are guided by local ingredients and seasonal variations, as well as international influences. You’ll find a variety of seafood including fresh oysters and crab, grilled steaks and lamb chops, meat pies, and fish and chips.
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Tipping
It is not customary to tip at restaurants in Australia. If you would like to reward good service when dining out it’s appropriate to leave 10 percent gratuity for your waiter.
At the end of your guided vacation, it’s customary to offer your motor coach driver and Travel Director a gratuity. We recommend the equivalent of $4 per person/per day for your driver and $6 per person/per day for your Travel Director. Recommended gratuity for a Local Host and Local Specialist is the equivalent of 1-2 dollars per person, paid at the conclusion of each guided visit. A convenient option is to prepay your tips before your departure.
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Packing
We suggest bringing a variety of comfortable, lightweight clothing that can be layered to save space in your suitcase and give you more options for how to dress. Sturdy walking shoes are important. Insect repellent and sunscreen may come in handy, as well as a light jacket and reusable water bottle. For more helpful information please refer to our Packing Tips & Packing List.
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Baggage
Baggage on our trips is restricted to one large suitcase per person with dimensions not exceeding 30x19x10 inches and a maximum weight of 50 pounds. You are also permitted one piece of hand luggage, which should be small enough to fit under your coach seat or on the small overhead shelf compartment. Please note that luggage with an adjustable handle and wheels will not fit in the overhead compartment of the coach. Hotel porterage is included in your vacation.
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Health & Fitness
You will need to be comfortable on your feet, walking and standing for up to three hours in various weather conditions. All of our vacations involve walking, often on cobblestone and uneven surfaces in historic city centers. In order to get the most out of your vacation you need to be able to comfortably walk 1-3 miles unassisted in one day, be in good condition and be able to keep pace with the group. If you need any medications, it is important that you bring enough to last you the whole trip and keep them in your carry-on bag while you travel.
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Insurance
We highly recommend our optional Travel Protection Plan, which allows you to cancel for any reason up to 24 hours before departure. The plan also includes trip interruption, baggage loss or delay, and medical and emergency assistance. Click here for a summary of coverage details, terms and conditions.
Request a Quote
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30 Day Refund Guarantee
We promise you’ll enjoy a stress-free travel experience from the minute you start your vacation planning or we’ll refund your deposit. Make your reservation with a $350 deposit. If you change your mind for any reason within 30 days of booking, we’ll offer you a full refund.
-
Add air to your reservation
Let our Air Specialists handle your air reservations. We have direct access to the most current airfare routes and prices, so you’ll get the best value available when we book your flights. We never charge a booking fee and you’ll enjoy the flexibility to pay for air 60-90 days prior to departure.
