Victoria: Wine, Wilderness & Waves Itinerary

Crowned "the world's most liveable city" Melbourne is the perfect place to begin your Australian self-drive adventure.

This compact, diverse metropolis is begging to be explored after settling in to your comfortable accommodation. There are hidden charms around every corner, beautiful botanic gardens and chic city squares where you can soak up the atmosphere to your heart's content.

Accommodation: Melbourne - 3 Nights

Melbourne has long been hailed as the foodie capital of Australia, and its cuisine is as diverse as the city itself. On this walking food tour, discover Melbourne's best restaurants, coffee shops and street food vendors with a local expert. Along the way, explore the city's narrow laneways, historical arcades and vibrant street art -- and, of course, sample a variety of delicious foods.

Included Meals: Breakfast

Explore Melbourne's bustling heart and vibrant corners with a leisurely stroll through winding laneways filled with colorful murals and cozy cafes, where locals gather for their daily brews. Head towards expansive green spaces, perfect for a picnic or simply relaxing by the water. As evening falls, the city's dynamic energy draws crowds to its lively venues, offering everything from live music to unique performances. Creatives, food lovers, and sports enthusiasts alike flock here to enjoy Melbourne's diverse and ever-changing atmosphere.

Included Meals: Breakfast

Begin the morning by collecting your rental vehicle in Melbourne before travelling toward the scenic Mornington Peninsula. Leaving the city behind, the drive passes charming coastal towns and rolling countryside before arriving in one of Victoria’s most celebrated wine regions. The cool maritime climate creates ideal conditions for varieties including Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, and distinctive Shiraz. Enjoy Montalto’s Discovery Tasting in the stunning Alto wine room overlooking the vineyards, followed by time exploring the estate’s contemporary sculpture collection and picturesque grounds.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Approximate Distance: 75 km | 47 miles   Total Driving Time: 1 hour 15 mins

Accommodation: Mornington Peninsula - 2 Nights

Be invigorated by the transformative powers of hot and cold therapy at Peninsula Hot Springs. This energising workshop guides guests through the science of contrast therapy, alternating between state-of-the-art saunas, ice cave, cold plunge pools, and geothermal hot springs under the guidance of expert instructors. Designed to stimulate circulation, boost recovery, and revitalise the body, the experience blends education with rejuvenation. Guests can enhance their visit with signature wellness activities such as the healing Body Clay Ritual or the immersive Fire & Ice experience. Each session offers a mindful connection to the elements, promoting balance, renewal, and total wellbeing.

Included Meals: Breakfast

Depart the Mornington Peninsula and travel southeast toward the picturesque Gippsland coastline before crossing the bridge to Phillip Island, one of Victoria’s most loved coastal destinations. Known for its beautiful swimming and surf beaches, the island offers a relaxed seaside atmosphere alongside incredible wildlife experiences. Visitors can spot native animals throughout the island, with the world-famous Penguin Parade providing a memorable highlight as little penguins waddle ashore each evening at sunset. Phillip Island is also internationally recognised for hosting major motorsport events, including the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix and the Superbike World Championship, adding excitement to its stunning coastal scenery and natural attractions year-round.

Included Meals: Breakfast

Approximate Distance: 110 km | 68 miles   Total Driving Time: 1 hour 30 mins 

Accommodation: Phillip Island - 2 Nights

Begin the day exploring Panny’s Amazing World of Chocolate, an interactive attraction celebrating the history and creativity of chocolate making. Discover hands-on exhibits, vintage advertising displays, chocolate masterpieces, and create your own personalised chocolate bar using the Amazing Chocolate Machine. Later, experience an unforgettable eco-tour to a secluded beach away from the main Penguin Parade. Using high-tech night vision scopes and personal headsets, observe little penguins returning ashore in their natural habitat. Conclude the evening with a guided walk through the heart of the penguin colony, gaining fascinating insight into these remarkable native birds.

Included Meals: Breakfast

Depart Phillip Island in the morning and travel east through the scenic Gippsland region toward Wilsons Promontory National Park, affectionately known as “The Prom.” Along the journey, pass rolling farmland, coastal landscapes, and charming country towns before arriving at one of Victoria’s most spectacular natural destinations. Renowned for its pristine beaches, granite mountains, native wildlife, and walking trails, Wilsons Promontory offers an unforgettable wilderness experience. Spend the afternoon exploring secluded bays, spotting kangaroos and emus, or enjoying short coastal walks with breathtaking ocean views. End the day surrounded by the peaceful beauty and rugged scenery of this iconic national park.

Included Meals: Breakfast

Approximate Distance: 145 km | 90 miles   Total Driving Time: 2 hours

Accommodation: Wilsons Promontory - 2 Nights

Discover the wild beauty of South Point, the historic lighthouse, and the untouched beaches of Waterloo Bay. Visit hidden gems like Refuge Cove and take in the peace and seclusion of Sealers Cove. Get up close to local wildlife, including playful seal colonies and the striking Skull Rock. Travel in comfort aboard our exclusive amphibious boats, reaching remote parts of Wilsons Promontory that few ever experience. This tour offers a rare opportunity to explore one of Australia’s most stunning national parks. Simple, memorable, and rich in natural beauty - it’s the perfect day out for those seeking adventure and connection with nature.

Included Meals: Morning Tea, Lunch

Depart Wilsons Promontory in the morning, leaving behind rugged coastal wilderness and pristine beaches as you travel northwest through the rolling landscapes of Gippsland and rural Victoria. 

The journey winds past farmland, forested hills, and quiet country towns before gradually transitioning toward the Yarra Valley wine region. Arrive in an area renowned for its cool-climate wines, scenic vineyards, and lush green valleys framed by distant mountain ranges. Spend the afternoon exploring cellar doors, relaxed villages, and panoramic viewpoints across the vineyards. The day ends in the tranquil surrounds of the Yarra Valley, a peaceful contrast to the wild beauty of the Prom.

Approximate Distance: 60 km | 37 miles   Total Driving Time: 3 hours 15 mins

Accommodation: Yarra Valley - 2 Nights

Experience Healesville Sanctuary like a VIP on an exclusive small-group tour designed to offer deeper insight into Australia’s native wildlife. Go behind the scenes to learn how keepers care for animals such as koalas, kangaroos, and platypuses, while gaining a greater understanding of conservation work in action. Enjoy reserved seating at the acclaimed Spirits of the Sky free-flight bird presentation, where majestic raptors and colourful native birds soar overhead in a natural bush setting. This premium experience combines close-up encounters, expert commentary, and immersive wildlife moments for a richer, more personal visit to one of Victoria’s premier nature attractions.

Included Meals: Breakfast

Depart the Yarra Valley in the morning, travelling west through scenic countryside, rolling farmland, and forested stretches of central Victoria. The journey offers a peaceful transition from vineyard landscapes to historic goldfields country. Arrive in Ballarat, a city rich in heritage and renowned for its elegant 19th-century architecture and cultural attractions. Spend the afternoon exploring its wide boulevards, lakeside parks, and museums that reflect its gold rush history. Visit Sovereign Hill or stroll through the city centre to experience its vibrant blend of past and present. End the day settling into Ballarat’s welcoming atmosphere after a varied regional journey.

Included Meals: Breakfast

Approximate Distance: 110 km | 68 miles   Total Driving Time: 1 hour 30 mins

Accommodation: Ballarat - 2 Nights

A day at Sovereign Hill is a day filled with fun and adventure. Visitors discover the action and excitement of life in 1850s Ballarat during the greatest alluvial gold rush the world has ever seen. Sovereign Hill is a living museum set across 25 acres of an original mining site, where a recreated goldfields town comes to life. Costumed characters and working exhibits bring history into motion as visitors explore shops, hotels, a theatre, schools, factories, gold diggings, and underground mines. With over 40 horses adding to the atmosphere, the experience offers an immersive step back in time to the height of the Victorian gold rush, full of sound, activity, and atmosphere throughout the streets.

Included Meals: Breakfast

Depart Ballarat in the morning and travel west through the open plains and farmland of western Victoria, watching the landscape gradually shift as the rugged Grampians come into view. Pass small rural towns and wide horizons before arriving in Halls Gap, the charming gateway to Grampians National Park. Nestled among dramatic sandstone ranges, the town offers a peaceful alpine-like setting surrounded by native bushland and wildlife. Spend the afternoon exploring walking trails, lookout points, and scenic drives, with opportunities to spot kangaroos and emus. End the day settling into Halls Gap’s relaxed atmosphere amid the natural beauty of the Grampians.

Included Meals: Breakfast

Approximate Distance: 140 km | 87 miles   Total Driving Time: 1 hour 45 mins

Accommodation: Halls Gap - 2 Nights

Spend a relaxed day at leisure in Grampians National Park, surrounded by dramatic sandstone ranges, rugged cliffs, and native bushland. Begin with a gentle morning walk to nearby lookouts such as The Pinnacle or Boroka Lookout, taking in sweeping views across forested valleys and rocky escarpments. Enjoy time at your own pace exploring short trails, spotting kangaroos, emus, and native birdlife throughout the park. Pause at scenic picnic spots or quiet waterholes, soaking in the peaceful natural setting. In the afternoon, continue discovering waterfalls, rock formations, or visitor areas before returning to Halls Gap for a calm evening immersed in nature.

Included Meals: Breakfast

Depart Halls Gap and travel southwest through the Grampians foothills and open farmland of western Victoria. The journey gradually transitions from rugged mountain scenery to rolling green pastures and historic rural towns. Arrive in Port Fairy, a charming coastal village on the Shipwreck Coast, known for its heritage cottages, sandy beaches, and working fishing harbour. Spend the afternoon wandering its tree-lined streets, exploring the river mouth, or relaxing along the ocean shoreline. With its blend of maritime history and relaxed seaside atmosphere, Port Fairy offers a peaceful contrast to the dramatic landscapes of the Grampians.

Included Meals: Breakfast

Approximate Distance: 155 km | 96 miles   Total Driving Time: 2 hours

Accommodation: Port Fairy - 2 Nights

Port Fairy is the Great Ocean Road's beautiful bluestone town that has been frozen in time. With more than 50 buildings classified by the National Trust and many fine examples of 1800s architecture Port Fairy is the perfect holiday spot for history buffs. Follow one of the historic walking trails and discover charming, fully restored white-washed cottages built by whalers and seamen beside Georgian-style merchants' homes and grand public buildings. Learn about the local maritime history on the Port Fairy Maritime and Shipwreck Heritage Walk.

Depart Port Fairy and travel east along Victoria’s iconic Shipwreck Coast, passing dramatic ocean scenery, rugged cliffs, and sweeping beaches. The route takes you through Warrnambool and along the Great Ocean Road, where the landscape becomes increasingly wild and spectacular. Stop at scenic lookouts to admire crashing waves and limestone formations before continuing toward Apollo Bay. Arrive in this relaxed seaside town nestled between the Southern Ocean and the lush Otway Ranges. Spend the afternoon exploring the foreshore, strolling the beach, or unwinding in the coastal atmosphere, surrounded by one of Australia’s most scenic coastal drives.

Approximate Distance: 185 km | 115 miles   Total Driving Time: 2 hours 45 mins

Accommodation: Apollo Bay - 2 Nights

Experience the magic of sunrise over the Southern Ocean on a small, intimate tour designed for bird lovers. As the first light of day breaks, the dawn chorus comes alive with birdsong, creating a serene natural symphony. Led by a knowledgeable conservationist Nature Guide, gain unique insights into the lives of local bird species and other elusive wildlife active at dawn. Enjoy breathtaking views of the Otways coastline bathed in golden light while discovering the hidden rhythms of the natural world. This peaceful, immersive experience offers a rare glimpse into the vibrant life that stirs as the day begins.

Depart Apollo Bay in the morning and continue along the spectacular Great Ocean Road toward Melbourne. 

Travel through the lush rainforests and towering eucalyptus trees of the Otway Ranges before following winding coastal roads with sweeping ocean views. Pass charming seaside towns, surf beaches, and scenic lookouts along one of Australia’s most iconic driving routes. As the journey continues, the dramatic coastline gradually gives way to rolling countryside and the outskirts of Melbourne. Arrive back in the city by late afternoon, reflecting on the unforgettable landscapes, wildlife, and coastal experiences enjoyed throughout your Victorian adventure.

Approximate Distance: 200 km | 124 miles   Total Driving Time: 2 hours 45 mins

Accommodation: Melbourne - 1 Night

Return your rental vehicle and farewell Victoria today as you board your onward flight, taking with you the magical memories of a truly exceptional Australian experience. 

We know you will enjoy your Victorian Self Drive Tour and we hope you will return soon to discover even more highlights of this incredible continent.

Included Meals: Breakfast