Victa Matey Pass Sydney to Adelaide

Travel from Sydney to Adelaide. Check out Canberra, Australian capital city, then head down to Lake Jindabyne. Check out Mt Kosciusko, hike to the Blue Lake, stay in the Snowy River National Park, check out Wilson Promontory, stay in Melbourne, head to Adelaide via the spectacular Great Ocean Road and stunning Grampians National Park.

(Note: Until 1 April 2007, it will be minimum 4 days between Sydney and Melbourne. Everything on the 3 Day itinerary below is seen on the 4 Day minimum)

Sydney to Jindabyne (via Canberra)
We travel to Australia’s capital city of Canberra checking out Parliament House and other highlights on a city tour. After lunch we pass through Cooma, learning about Australia’s great engineering feat the ‘Snowy Hydro-Electric Scheme. We arrive at Jindabyne in the late afternoon - a great time for a spot of trout fishing in the lake or perhaps go water skiing and/or wake boarding (all at own expense & seasonal). Dinner and overnight dorm accommodation is included at the Lake Jindabyne Hotel, where you’ll get to enjoy the mountain life; perhaps a sauna, swim or a drink at the bar while taking in the magnificent view of the lake. (D)

Jindabyne to Lakes Entrance Via Snowy River Country
After breakfast, let the bus do all the work as we climb high into the Australian Alps (seasonal Nov-May). Enjoy a rewarding hike along an alpine track (2½ hour round-trip) absorbing stunning views of the glacial ‘Blue Lake’ & the peak of Mt Kosciuszko (the highest point in Australia). During winter, (Jun–Oct) we visit the ski village of Perisher/Smiggins for fun in the snow (optional hire of toboggans or snow tubes at own expense). After lunch we take the spectacular scenic drive along the Barry Way, watching the Snowy River wind below us, as we cross the border into Victoria. In the afternoon, we take a break to fly down the ‘zip wire’ (optional activity at own expense) before arriving for our overnight stop at the coastal township of Lakes Entrance; the Gateway to the Gippsland Lakes and Australia’s longest beach - Ninety Mile Beach. (B D)

Lakes Entrance to Wilsons Promontory NP
This morning you may wish to take the opportunity for an early morning walk before driving to Wilsons Promontory National Park with ample time to hike and explore! Walk on squeaky beaches, watch the ocean of Bass Strait pound on to the Australian mainland’s most southerly point, hike along spectacular granite rock formations with fantastic views and learn about the coastal flora & native wildlife (maybe even sighting emus and wombats). We finish our tour, travelling on to Melbourne through the pastoral landscape of South Gippsland. (B)

Melbourne to Princetown
We begin our journey travelling via Geelong to Torquay - stopping to shop at Quicksilver and Rip Curl - before continuing on to world famous Bells Beach. Here we commence our journey on the renowned Great Ocean Road, one of the most spectacular coastal roads in Australia. Hugging the coastline we stop to view Koalas, pass through the seaside town of Lorne then break for lunch at Apollo Bay. In the afternoon we travel through the magnificent cool temperate rainforest of the Otway NP, spend time at the awesome Otway Fly, (a 25 metre high elevated tree top walk) and view sunset at the Twelve Apostles. Tonight we stay in the coastal township of Princetown.

Princetown to Grampians NP
We take the Gibson Steps down to the beach for another look at the Twelve Apostles and then check out Loch Ard Gorge before continuing along the western end of the Great Ocean Road viewing London Bridge, Bay of Martyrs and Bay of Islands. We take a break at Warrnambool; where you may view whales (seasonal). Travelling on through country Victoria, we arrive at the magnificent Grampians NP, calling in at Brambuks Aboriginal Cultural Centre before accepting the challenge of a hike to the “Pinnacle”. We finish the day with a walk to The Balconies & Reeds Lookout before arriving at our accommodation in the ‘Heart of the Grampians’ at Halls Gap.

Grampians NP to Adelaide
Today we spend the morning hiking to the bottom of MacKenzie Falls & Hollow Mountain for breathtaking views over the north of the Grampians before leaving this magical place. Travelling west, we break for lunch at Horsham then continue through the agricultural district of Victoria, into South Australia and Bordertown; home of the rare White Western Grey Kangaroos. We cross the mighty Murray River, the longest river system in Australia, then pass through the picturesque Adelaide Hills arriving into the city of Adelaide.