This Great Ocean Road Tour: Food, Wine, and Beach vacation was designed for a family of 4—mom, dad, and their adult children—who wanted to enjoy a unique road trip and great food. We sent them to South Australia, where they had plenty of time to sample some of Australia’s best food and wine, and arranged a self-drive adventure along the Great Ocean Road.
They started their trip in cosmopolitan Adelaide, where we arranged a private tour of the city’s hidden culinary gems. They loved the creativity and authentic “Aussie” vibes in Adelaide. Next, they drove to Barossa Valley, Australia’s undisputed wine capital, and spent 3 nights at the beautiful luxury lodge The Louise. Dining at the lodge’s Appellation restaurant was one of the highlights of their trip!
Continuing their Great Ocean Road Tour: Food, Wine, and Beach vacation, they set off along Australia’s iconic coastal route. Their Great Ocean Road journey took them to beautiful beaches, wineries, and national parks where they enjoyed some hiking. We gave them plenty of leisure time to enjoy the adventure at their own pace. They stopped overnight in Mount Gambier (home to the iconic Blue Lake) and spent 2 nights in the charming coastal city of Port Fairy, where they saw Southern White Whales in the breeding season!
The final stop on their Great Ocean Road Tour: Food, Wine, and Beach vacation was the vibrant city of Melbourne. They had 2 nights here to discover the city’s many hidden gems and culinary delights. Then, it was time to say goodbye to Australia and make the journey back home. The family agreed this trip was the perfect mixture of fun and relaxation! They loved having the freedom to explore the fascinating stops along the Great Ocean Road at their own pace, and they came home with hundreds of new family photos to share.
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Day 1
Welcome to Australia! Fly Air New Zealand from the US to Adelaide, the cosmopolitan capital of South Australia. Enjoy a transfer to your city hotel and spend the afternoon exploring the charming colonial streets, selecting unique souvenirs at the Adelaide Central Markets, and uncovering hidden gems among the city’s many wonderful bars and restaurants.
Mayfair Hotel
Day 2
Enjoy a day at leisure; perhaps head to Glenelg, a popular local neighborhood with heritage hotels, al fresco cafés, and a white sandy beach. Tonight, enjoy a unique, private tour of the city’s best bars and restaurants. Your personal guide will choose a part of town, rich in history and character, to explore. They will share the area’s story with you as you venture to hidden culinary gems and sample the delightful flavors of Australia.
Mayfair Hotel
Day 3
Today, pick up your rental car and make a short drive to Barossa Valley. Your home for the next 3 nights is The Louise. This boutique luxury lodge is a paradise for food and wine lovers; the world-renowned restaurant Appellation is a destination in itself. Enjoy fresh fruit and port-style wine on arrival, and soak up the tranquil views of the surrounding green hills.
The Louise
Day 4 – 5
The next 2 days are yours to spend at your leisure indulging in the marvelous flavors of Barossa Valley. The Barossa is the undisputed wine capital of Australia, with over 100 wineries in easy driving distance. Visit the local farmer’s market for deliciously fresh produce, take a leisurely bicycle ride through the vines, and enjoy cellar door tastings at acclaimed wineries. You can even make your own signature blend at renowned Penfolds winery.
A dining allowance for Appellation Restaurant is included in your stay and is sure to be a highlight of your Australia vacation. You can also opt for a “Breakfast with the Kangaroos” experience, where you can enjoy a private champagne picnic in a grassy clearing filled with wild kangaroos.
The Louise
Day 6
Today, take to the Great Ocean Road, one of Australia’s iconic coastal journeys! This scenic drive takes you from Adelaide to bustling Melbourne, with plenty of beaches, national parks, and other fabulous attractions along the way. Today, drive to your comfortable accommodations in Mount Gambier.
Possible stops en route include the coastal Coorong National Park; Naracoorte Caves National Park, home to ancient limestone formations; Connawarra Wine Region, known for delectable cabernets; and Mount Gambier’s Blue Lake, which turns a breathtaking shade of blue from approximately December to March.
The Barn
Day 7
Continue your journey along the Great Ocean Road today and enjoy some of the most beautiful scenery of the trip! If you’re dying for a swim, stop in Nelson to enjoy beautiful beaches at the mouth of the Glenelg River. Your destination today is Port Fairy, a gorgeous little seaside town on the Shipwreck Coast. Settle into your accommodations at Drift House, a lovely boutique hotel close to all the main attractions.
Drift House
Day 8
Today is yours to spend at your leisure, doing as much or as little as you please. In and around Port Fairy, you’ll find colonial buildings, beaches, and perhaps Southern Right Whales if you arrive in the breeding season! Or, you can simply relax at your cozy hotel and rest up for tomorrow’s drive.
Drift House
Day 9 – 10
Time for the last leg of your journey on the Great Ocean Road! Drive to hip and trendy Melbourne, where you’ll drop off your rental car. Be sure to stop at the famed coastal rock formation Twelve Apostles along the way!
Spend 2 nights at the luxurious Hotel Lindrum Melbourne and discover the city at your own pace. Melbourne is packed with boutique shops, cafes, quirky bars, and delightful cuisine of all stripes—all hidden amid small, local laneways. Indulge your urban explorer side by strolling through the lanes and discovering all the surprises the city has to offer!
Hotel Lindrum
Day 11
Your Great Ocean Road adventure comes to an end today. Enjoy a private transfer to the airport, where you’ll begin your journey home.
