Australia’s Southern Delights

Days 10 - 11: Merimbula

Distance: approx 175 km / 109 miles

It's back onto the Princes Highway this morning as you travel south to Merimbula, the ‘holiday resort’ of the Sapphire Coast.

Situated between Tathra and Pambula on the coast, Merimbula has a population of around 4,000 (and far more in summer) and is situated around the beautiful coastal waterways of Merimbula and Top and Back Lakes. These clean tidal lakes provide the perfect site for the many water sports that can be enjoyed on the lakes, which make Merimbula's waterways a major attraction for visitors.

Days 12 - 14: Lakes Entrance

Distance: approx 267 km / 166 miles 

Travel via the towns of Bellbird Creek, Orbost and Nowa Nowa today as you make your way to Lakes Entrance, which is aptly named as it's the entrance to the Gippsland Lakes, Australia's largest inland water system. It's a popular destination due to its wonderful beaches as well as a spectacular hinterland featuring mountains, rivers and forests. The local area is home to dolphins, water birds, kangaroos, wombats and koalas giving you the opportunity to see these wonderful creatures. A short walk across a footbridge brings you to the Entrance and Bass Strait, with Ninety Mile Beach stretching away into the distance.

Optional activities nearby include a winery cruise or a visit to a nature sanctuary to see some of Australia’s native animals.

Days 15 - 17: Melbourne

Distance: approx 312 km / 194 miles

In Melbourne you might like to visit Mornington Peninsula, arguably Melbourne's best kept secret. Some of the highlights of the area include art and craft markets, antique stores, coastal and bush walks plus koala and penguin reserves which provide opportunities to see the animals in their natural environment. The region has much of Victoria's earliest history, excellent golf courses, great restaurants and is also one of Australia's finest wine producing regions. There are a number of good vineyards for you to explore such as Dromana Estate and Main Ridge Estate.

Why not visit Phillip Island, the home of the Fairy Penguins, so called as they are the smallest breed of penguin. At dusk, they emerge from the surf, completely ignoring the thousands of curious onlookers.

Days 18 - 19: Apollo Bay

Distance: approx 200 km / 124 miles 

Depart Melbourne on the Princes Freeway and travel to Geelong, where you join the Surfcoast Highway to the pretty coastal resort town of Torquay. From here you join the Great Ocean Road - one of Australia's most spectacular drives. The road hugs the coastline for much of the route, revealing lovely coastal scenery, as well as inland splendour.

Your destination for this evening is Apollo Bay, a scenic little fishing port nestled in the picturesque foothills of the Otway Ranges. In the town you’ll find a range of superb restaurants and cafes, art galleries, a fabulous seaside golf course, and interesting museums. In particular, the Bass Strait Shell Museum features a huge display of shells from all around the world and information on shipwrecks that have occurred off this perilous coastline. A steep and narrow road will take you to Mariners Lookout, to the east of town, where a short walk leads to spectacular views of the township and the coastline. 

Days 20 - 21: Twelve Apostles and Warrnambool

Distance: approx 160 km / 100 miles

Drive via Port Campbell and Peterborough as you continue along the scenic Great Ocean Road, heading for Warrnambool.  This is one of the most famous stretches of the Great Ocean Road as it hugs the coast line and takes you past the famous formations of the Shipwreck Coast. Along the way we recommend stopping at Port Campbell National Park, Loch Ard Gorge and London Bridge plus the the best known feature of the road - the Twelve Apostles, magnificent limestone stacks rising out of the sea.

Originally a sealing and whaling port, Warrnambool now thrives on tourism and a variety of industries. There are good beaches and several historical attractions. Points of interest in this little town are the wrecks of the Loch Ard and the Schomberg, relics of which can be seen in the Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village. 

Days 22 - 23: Mount Gambier

Distance: approx 185 km / 115 miles

Depart from Warrnambool this morning and journey west along the Princes Highway towards Mount Gambier. This town, located on the slopes of an extinct volcano, is named after the very mountain it sits on. Mount Gambier is renowned for its two iconic attractions: the Blue Lake and the Cave at the heart of the town. Often referred to as the "Blue Lake City" or the "City around a Cave" it boasts the famous Blue Lake, which undergoes a remarkable transformation from winter grey to a vibrant blue in November, staying that way until late March. Aside from its striking appearance, the lake is also the town's main water source.

Day 24 - 25: Naracoorte

Distance: approx 101 km / 63 miles

Today, head inland to Naracoorte, home to the world heritage-listed Naracoorte Caves, which contain the fossilised remains of Australian megafauna dating back 500,000 years. Join a guided tour to marvel at ancient fossils and stunning limestone formations, or opt for an adventure caving experience, where you can crawl and squeeze into less accessible parts of the caves.

Coonawarra, one of Australia’s most renowned wine regions, is also nearby. Wine production in this area dates back to 1890, when John Riddoch, a local pastoralist, established the Coonawarra Fruit Colony. His winery, which eventually became Wynns Coonawarra Estate, remains over a century old. Why not take part in a wine tour and discover the exceptional wine and cuisine of the region?

Take a short drive to Adelaide this morning, where you’ll return your motorhome and check into your hotel for the next three nights.

During your stay in Adelaide, enjoy a full-day trip to Kangaroo Island, Australia’s third-largest island. This nature haven is home to a variety of wildlife including koalas, kangaroos, seals, and sea lions, as well as offering spectacular coastlines, pristine beaches, and dramatic cliffs.

On your free day in Adelaide, explore the city’s attractions such as the Oval sports stadium, Adelaide Central Market, or the many museums and art galleries. Surrounded by vineyards and fertile farmland, Adelaide is a food lover's paradise, making it the perfect place to indulge in the city’s culinary delights.

Days 30 - 31: Adelaide to UK

Transfer to the airport for your journey home, arriving back into the UK the next day.