SHORE EXCURSIONS CREDIT

Travel to one of Australia’s well known wine growing regions to visit a couple of local wineries and sample their superb wines. Lunch at a celebrated winery restaurant compliments this experience.

The strength of this wine tour is its diversity. McLaren Vale offers a more concentrated experience including scenery, olives & olive oil, wineries, excellent local cuisine and the return via the nearby coastline, with Maslins Beach being rated as amongst the world’s best. This region is famous for Shiraz grapes, and this tour offers the opportunity to taste several wine types from various vineyards.

McLaren Vale is historically the oldest commercial wine region in Australia; with a concentration of over 60 boutique wineries producing an amazing range of old vine grape varieties and new varietals. After approximately 2-hours of scenic driving, you’ll stop at The Farm Willunga where you can learn and sample their sustainably and organically grown olives. In addition to olives and olive oil, the farm produces a range of pure luxe soaps and body care products.

Visit one of the region's premier boutique wineries for a tour and tasting of the wine that has made this area famous. It is here that you will also be treated to sumptuous lunch featuring fresh and local produce. Shortly after lunch you are off to another local winery to try and test a variety of their wines.

One of the defining factors for McLaren Vale is its proximity to the sea. The southern mid coast, just 15 minutes from the wine region, provides some of Adelaide’s most spectacular beach and coastal scenery. Maslins Beach is the standout, having been used in numerous film locations shoots and rated as amongst one of the best beaches in the world. A stop here adds a superb finale to your tour which then takes the coastal route via Glenelg and shore side suburbs back to the pier.

Get the most out of your time on the Island, with a brief town tour and an ocean safari, where you will learn about life on this island paradise and spot some of its marine inhabitants. Join in on the fun and adventure on this exclusive Kangaroo Island experience!

Your driver-guide will take you on a brief town tour to share stories of life on this island paradise, en route to the marina where you will board a RIB (rigid inflatable boat) ideally suited for viewing marine life. During the coastal cruise that follows, the captain will point out places of interest, offer a historical perspective of Kangaroo Island, and bring you as close as possible to a variety of marine creatures. Learn about this vast eco system with very informative commentary from your local expert.

You can expect to see New Zealand fur seals frolicking in the water or resting on the rocky shore. Another species of interest that remains endangered is the Australian sea lion. You might also spot bottlenose dolphins, which tend to travel in pods close to the shore, often with calves swimming alongside their mothers. Don’t be surprised if they approach the boat for a closer look at you looking at them.

Of course, be sure to scan the sky for sea birds. White-bellied sea eagles are commonly spotted plucking fish out of the water and then feasting on them along the shore.

Kayak along the Yarra River as it winds through downtown Melbourne and discover how the city protects its fragile environment and local birdlife. The river is considered the social heart of Melbourne because so many attractions and popular parks line its banks. As your guide will explain, the Yarra’s water quality and ecology have improved significantly since the 1970s, when the river contained high levels of industrial waste. As you paddle along at a comfortable pace, you will pass under the Princes Bridge—a landmark on the Victorian Heritage Register—and skirt by the Flinders Street Railway Station, both extraordinary examples of 19th-century architecture. Melbourne also values its greenspaces, including verdant Alexandra Gardens and lush Batman Park, which you will find on opposite sides of the Yarra. Oases such as these attract a vast array of birds, so be sure to look for parrots, grey fantails and white-plumed honeyeaters, which thrive even in dense urban habitats.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Paddle a kayak along the Yarra River as it meanders through downtown Melbourne.
• Hear how Melbourne has protected its environment despite increased urban sprawl.
• Look for birds that thrive in dense urban settings.
• Pass some of Melbourne’s iconic architecture, some of it dating to the 19th century.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Enjoy an overview of Portland by riding a cable tram through town and then boarding a motor coach for a carefree drive through the beautiful surrounding countryside. After departing from the pier, you will begin a delightful ride through Portland in a replica of the cable trams that once ran in Melbourne starting in the mid-1880s. As the tram winds through town, you will view many of the notable landmarks, including the Powerhouse Car Museum and a maritime museum with exhibits that trace Portland’s whaling industry. Continuing on, you will pass a botanical garden that was established in 1857 and a World War II memorial with a lookout tower. The cable tram presents an excellent overview of Portland and attractions that you may wish to explore later on your own. You will also see the highlights on the outskirts of town after boarding a motor coach. The surrounding landscape is wonderfully rolling and the unspoiled coast is particularly scenic. Wallabies are often spotted in the coastal scrub, so be sure to look for these herbivores that resemble medium-sized kangaroos. Most of the neighboring wind farms are also along the coast, and the electricity they generate supplies the national grid. Some of the wind turbines rise above Cape Nelson, where you will stop at the bluestone lighthouse, which dates to 1884. For the best view of the coast, climb to the top of the lighthouse before returning to the pier.

HIGHLIGHTS

• See Portland from a heritage cable tram like the ones Aussies rode in over a century ago.
• Travel by coach out to scenic bushlands where wallabies roam and turbines spin in the coastal winds.
• Visit the landmark lighthouse at the tip of Cape Nelson, remarkably well preserved given its position.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

See the sights of Adelaide, with its unique blend of progressive urban vitality and easygoing Australian charm; a well-planned city endowed with parklands and gardens. Capture the views of the city and shoreline from the lookout point atop the summit of Mount Lofty.

From the pier, start a panoramic drive through the city of Adelaide. Discover the sights on this relaxing narrated bus tour highlighting its history and culture.

Then is on to Mount Lofty where you’ll have breath-taking panoramic distant views of the charming city of Adelaide (weather permitting). Pull out your camera to capture picturesque scenes of Adelaide, Piccadilly Valley and Adelaide plains atop the highest mountain point within the city’s range.

Then head back to Adelaide. As you ride through the city, learn about the Holy Trinity Church, The Old Parliament Building, and Government House.

OVERVIEW

Spend a delightful day in the Barossa Valley. Savor lunch in what many consider Australia's premier wine-producing region. You’ll drive from the coast inland to survey the famous rolling Barossa landscape by panoramic coach. Stop to enjoy the mesmerizing valley-wide views from Mengler Hill Lookout. There, are over 150 in the region. you'll not only taste their sumptuous wine but acquire knowledge about local history, grape varieties grown here and the fine art of wine comparing. At one topnotch winery, you‘ll settle in for a sumptuous two-course lunch served in their highly regarded restaurant.

At another point during this relaxed afternoon, you'll have an encounter with the unique natural acoustics of the curving Whispering Wall that retains Barossa Reservoir; An engineering feat completed in 1903. The reservoir earned its nickname when people discovered that anything whispered on one end could be heard on the other, over 300 feet away. With your tastes well satisfied, and perhaps a few secrets shared sotto voce -you’ll return to the port.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Enjoy a driving tour of Barossa Valley, a South Australia winegrowing region with worldwide repute.
• Travel to Mengler Hill Lookout for outstanding valley views.
• Enjoy a two-course lunch meal.
• Spend some time at the Whispering Wall but be careful what you say and to who.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Travel along the Great Ocean Road that hugs the spectacularly beautiful coastline and stop to marvel at natural wonders such as the Twelve Apostles and Loch Ard Gorge. After departing from the pier, you will soon merge onto the Great Ocean Road, a 151-mile coastal highway that returning soldiers from World War I built and dedicated to the fallen soldiers who never returned home. As such, it is the world’s largest war memorial. After 13 years of construction the road opened in 1932, ending decades of isolation for many coastal communities. Incredibly, the Great Ocean Road was carved out of the rock without the use of heavy machinery; only picks, shovels and horse-drawn carts were used. As you travel the spectacularly scenic road, the sights will be absolutely mesmerizing. Even the most exaggerated superlatives fail to capture the beauty and majesty of the Great Ocean Road. It is that extraordinary, mile after glorious mile. Highlights include Twelve Apostles, where you will stop and have some free time to view this collection of 12 monolithic rock stacks that dramatically rise out of the sea at the ocean’s edge and take in the surrounding views. The limestone towers are among the most photographed sites in Australia and it’s no wonder. Take time at the Information Center to learn more about the area and its cultural heritage. A box lunch will be provided for you to enjoy while taking in the spectacular scenery. Continuing on, you will pause for photos at Loch Ard Gorge, a narrow opening to the sea flanked by sheer cliffs. The gorge is named after an 1878 shipwreck on nearby Muttonbird Island. Muttonbirds or short-tailed shearwaters are still prevalent, and you may spot one during your photo stop. From here, you will travel directly back to the ship.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Experience the Great Ocean Road, one of the world’s most fabled drives, built by hand by returning WW1 soldiers.
• Pass magnificent surf beaches, whale lookouts, rainforests, mountain ranges and picturesque villages.
• See stunning, rugged Loch Ard Gorge, named for one of the many ships wrecked along this wild shore.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Visit Port Fairy and see why it was voted the “world’s most livable small community,” and then enjoy a tasting of distinctive wines at Basalt Vineyard. After departing from the pier, you will enjoy a picturesque 1 hour drive to the fishing village of Port Fairy, which lies at the end of the Great Ocean Road. It’s a beautiful setting full of 19th-century cottages and old stone churches, the streets shaded by towering Norfolk pines. Upon arrival, you will have plenty of time to explore on your own. You might follow the Shipwreck Heritage Walk along the waterfront and watch the fishermen unload their catches of crayfish and abalone. The National Trust has recognized more than 50 buildings in Port Fairy as architecturally important, including whitewashed whalers’ cottages, grand Georgian homes and the oldest residence in the state of Victoria, which dates to 1843. For a small town, it also has more than its share of art galleries, craft shops and one-of-a-kind boutiques. Following your time in Port Fairy, you will drive to nearby Basalt Vineyard for a tour and tasting. The winery’s name reflects the volcanically formed basalt in the rich soil, which yields varieties of grapes such as Pinot Noir and Tempranillo. The selection of organic wines served may include one of these varieties or the vineyard’s award-winning Riesling. This light, straw-green wine tends to have remarkably fresh lime and green apple notes. The Chardonnay leans more toward grapefruit and white peach notes. Following your tasting, you’ll re-board your coach and travel back to the pier.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Settle back for a scenic drive to a charming, historic fishing village at the end of the Great Ocean Road.
• Stroll tree-lined streets lined with 19th-century cottages, grand Georgian homes, galleries, craft and antique shops, and intriguing boutiques.
• Enjoy a tour and tasting of distinctive organic wines at award-winning Basalt Vineyard.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Located just 10 minutes outside the town of Portland is Cape Bridgewater Beach. Voted as one of Australia's top 10 beaches, this spectacular bay makes an ideal and safe place to enjoy some beach activities. Surrounded by two capes, Cape Nelson and Cape Bridgewater, you can sit back, relax and enjoy this stunning location. You will have approximately 3 hours to soak up the sunshine, take a dip in the ocean, enjoy a stroll along the pristine sands or perhaps indulge in a light refreshment at the café.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Relax, swim, walk, snack or all of the above for a few hours on magnificent Cape Bridgewater Beach.
• En route from Portland, cross a wild volcanic landscape of ancient lava flows, craters and blowholes.
• Explore two miles or so of sandy shoreline and hit the beach café for sustenance as needed.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Marvel in the sights on this tour on the Dudley Peninsula to Cape Willoughby Lighthouse, stopping at the Zest & Thyme Cafe which provides stunning coastal views. Keep a look out for local wildlife and beaches while travelling to a local cellar for wine tasting.

Set on a scenic drive across beautiful Dudley Peninsula to the Cape Willoughby lighthouse, on the eastern tip of Kangaroo Island.

Constructed with locally quarried granite and limestone in 1852, it was the first lighthouse built in South Australia, and it played a vital role in helping ships navigate the treacherous stretch of sea known as Backstairs Passage.

From here you will be treated to spectacular views of the sea and coast and perhaps spot kangaroos, which are frequently seen on this part of the peninsula.

Then it’s on to a local winery to enjoy a tasting. All of its grapes are grown on Kangaroo Island, and the maritime climate features evening sea breezes during the ripening season, which the wines reflect.

Enjoy the sights of Adelaide by bus and on foot; a well-planned city endowed with parklands and gardens. Learn the historical significance of Adelaide’s most prominent buildings, and enjoy a wine tasting at the Wine Centre.

An orientation drive through North Adelaide takes you past St Peters Cathedral, Festival Centre, Parliament House, King William Street, New Royal Adelaide Hospital, Central Market and Museum. Stop at North Terrace Cultural Precinct and disembark from the coach to start a walk from the War Memorial, taking in the sights such as the Old SA Institute, State Library, Art Gallery and reaching the SA Museum. Here, your visit takes in the Australian Aboriginal Cultures Gallery, with more than 3,000 items from across the country. You will also have a chance to see the unique opalised skeleton of an Addyman Plesiosaur, at the Opal Fossils Gallery.

Back on your coach, continue with a drive to the Botanic Gardens. This is the second oldest botanic garden in Australia and contains the rare Palm House, an exquisite glass conservatory imported from Germany in 1878, and the only one of its kind left in the world. In stark contrast you will find the futuristic lines of the Bicentennial Tropical Conservatory, built in 1989. Walk through the gardens to the National Wine Centre. This is now an adjunct of the Adelaide University and highlights the unique history and diversity of wine growing in South Australia and the rest of the continent. Here, you will enjoy a brief tour and short tutorial on wine tasting, and of course, you will get to taste them too.

Take a step back into Australia's past during this picturesque orientation tour of Tasmania, a land rich in history, wildlife, flora and fauna.

Take a brief, yet scenic drive into the countryside, and travel through the area where Tasmania was first settled.

Stop in the historic village of Richmond, reached by crossing Australia's oldest bridge which was built in 1823. St. John's Church can be seen from Richmond Bridge, and is but one reminder of the devout 19th-century settlers who brought Christianity to Tasmania. Founded in 1824, the village itself boasts fine Georgian buildings made of native sandstone. Much of Richmond was built with conscripted convict labor. Today, Richmond is a popular destination home to many galleries, craft shops, cafés and restaurants. Free time is allowed here to browse the many shops or explore the town at leisure. The village offers some great photo opportunities too.

Travel to Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary, home to the world-famous and rare Tasmanian devil. You'll be greeted by knowledgeable park guides who will provide you with a wealth of information about Tasmania's native wildlife. Wombats, koalas, and free-roaming kangaroos can all be found at this wildlife park. Here, you’ll find animals that went extinct long ago in other parts Australia.