5 Day Melbourne to Adelaide Explorer including Kangaroo Island

Itinerary: day by day

Day 1 – Melbourne via Great Ocean Road to Halls Gap

DEFAULT PICK UP: Melbourne Central YHA (corner Flinders and Spencer Sts), 06:00am

Departing Melbourne we pass Geelong and travel through the surfing town of Torquay, stopping for a quick photo opportunity at the renowned surfing location of Bells Beach. We then begin our journey along one of Australia’s most scenic drives, the Great Ocean Road enjoying the stunning scenery of this famous coastline. A short stop at Kennett River lets you do some koala spotting and listen to the abundant birdlife before we break for morning tea (own expense) in Apollo Bay. Rejoining the Great Ocean Road we stop to admire the amazing Twelve Apostles, before enjoying a bite to eat. After lunch we explore Loch Ard Gorge before passing through the township of Port Campbell and making our way to the Grampians. Enjoy dinner with your new friends before we overnight in the Grampians. (LD)

Day 2 – Grampians National Park to Adelaide

Grampians National Park, one of Victoria’s most popular holiday destinations, is an area rich in Aboriginal culture set in a beautiful and rugged ancient landscape. This morning we enjoy a walk in the National Park and take in some of the breathtaking views before making our way to McKenzie Falls to hike and view these stunning falls. Leaving the Grampians behind, we stop for lunch in Horsham before crossing the famed mighty Murray River and making the last leg of our journey into Adelaide. (BL)

Day 3 – Adelaide

A free day to relax and explore Adelaide (accommodation included, meals and activities at own expense).

Day 4 – Adelaide to Kangaroo Island

PICK UP DAY 4: Sealink Terminal (inside Adelaide Central Bus Station, 85 Franklin St), 06:15am

Travel through the picturesque Fleurieu Peninsula, arriving at Cape Jervis to board the SeaLink ferry and make the 45 minute trip to Penneshaw, Kangaroo Island. Whilst crossing, it’s not uncommon to have an escort of local dolphins, so keep your eyes peeled!

Our first stop is Rob’s Shearing, before heading to Pennington Bay and continuing onto to Emu Ridge Eucalyptus Distillery, the only commercial eucalyptus distillery in South Australia. Next stop is stunning Seal Bay where you’ll experience a guided walk along the beach amongst a colony of rare and wild Australian Sea Lions. We then travel to the white sand dunes of the Little Sahara and try our hand at sand boarding, before arriving at our exclusive accommodation at Vivonne Bay Lodge.

Enjoy some free time to kayak on the Harriet River, take a self-guided walk along the property’s tracks, go trail bike riding, swimming or simply kick back on Vivonne Bay Beach. There are plenty of complimentary activities to keep you occupied before and after your BBQ dinner. As darkness sets in you can take part in a nocturnal wildlife guided walk. Check out the Kangaroos, Tamar Wallabies and Possums before heading to Point Ellen to witness the arrival of the Little Penguins. (LD)

Day 5 – Kangaroo Island to Adelaide

After breakfast we visit Hanson Bay Wildlife Sanctuary and walk among eucalyptus trees, looking out for koalas lazing about in the trees. We then continue onto Flinders Chase National Park and arrive at iconic Remarkable Rocks ahead of the crowds to clamber over and marvel at the spectacular coast and seascapes. Next stop is Admirals Arch at Cape Du Couedic where we watch the resident fur seals frolic in the ocean or sun bake on the rocks. After a delicious BBQ lunch at Flinders Chase Visitors Centre, we journey to the beautiful, secluded beach of Stokes Bay and take a walk at Ironstone Hill (time permitting) to find wallabies and admire the spectacular view back to the mainland. 

Time and weather permitting, we may make several stops en route to Penneshaw where you can purchase dinner (own expense) before we head back to Adelaide. (BL)