After departing from San Francisco, you will be provided with an evening meal, you can relax, have a drink, watch a movie and rest. You will be given Breakfast before landing in Melbourne, Australia. (You lose one day crossing the International Date Line but don’t worry you catch it up again on your return flight to the USA)

Please confirm with the airlines at Check-in that they have all your Frequent Flyer information on record.

Travel by shuttle from the Airport to your vacation accommodation in Melbourne, Australia.

Your vacation accommodation as per your own arrangements.

Spend a day on a tour of the most beautiful section of Victoria’s south coast, an adventure along the Great Ocean Road.

Enjoy one of the world’s greatest coastal drives – it’s severity and striking contrasts will remain etched in your memory forever. Enjoy views of Melbourne and Port Phillip Bay from the West Gate Bridge, Stroll along the pristine sandy beaches and wander through the sleepy seaside holiday towns. Discover the deep lush fern gullies and eucalypt trees that roll down to the sheer cliffs that plunge dramatically into the ocean. View majestic monoliths dramatically protruding from the sea including the Twelve Apostles which are the world’s largest coastal limestone towers – an awesome spectacle. Marvel at Loch Ard Gorge and London Bridge – millions of years of erosion have sculpted these incredible landmarks.

Departs Melbourne at 8:00 AM
Returns to Melbourne at approximately 7:30 PM
Upgrade available to include lunch.

Phillip Island is home to an astounding array of wildlife, including Australia’s largest fur seal colony, the little penguins and cuddly koalas. Enjoy getting close to koalas and kangaroos before joining the little penguins at dusk, as they emerge from the surf and waddle to their burrows.

Get up close and personal with the friendly residents of Moonlit Sanctuary Wildlife Conservation Park, where you learn about the conservation of these loveable native animals. The eco certified sanctuary also showcases some lesser known but equally adorable endangered species including the Southern Bettong, Eastern Quolls and rare Fluffy Gliders. From there travel to Phillip Island where you see the Nobbies, and Seal Rocks before travelling on to Summerland beach for the nightly penguin parade. Home to Victoria’s largest colony of little penguins, Summerland beach provides a spectacular backdrop to the world famous penguin parade. Watch as hundreds of little penguins make their way across the beach and go home for the night. Come and enjoy the beauty and native wildlife and make this a journey to remember. Tour conclusion depends on time of year and ranges from 10pm during the winter months to midnight during summer as the penguins arrive at sunset.

Upgrade Available to Exclusive Viewing Platform (pricing available upon request)

Operates Tuesday, Thursday & Saturday only.
Image Credit: Visit Victoria

See some of the most beautiful scenery in Victoria with a ride on the Puffing Billy Steam Train!

Travel to the Dandenong Ranges, where you’ll enjoy a traditional Devonshire Tea in the mountains, followed by an unforgettable ride on the Puffing Billy Steam Train. Then you;ll visit the delightful village of Sassafras for boutique shopping.

The Dandenong Ranges, known to the locals as the Dandenongs, are beautiful low mountain ranges just 21 miles east of Melbourne. At their peak, they rise to more than 2,066 feet and are cloaked in lush rainforests of Mountain Ash trees (the tallest flowering plant in the world), waterfalls, rolling hills and steep valleys. The region is home to the famous Puffing Billy Railway, numerous art and craft stores and cafes offering delicious homemade produce.

Nestled in the heart of the Dandenong Mountains is Grant’s Reserve, a haven in the wilderness. On arrival you will be charmed by the surrounding mountain hue and crisp clear air. While here you will enjoy a traditional Devonshire Tea of homemade scones, served warm with jam and cream, and tea served in china tea cups – just a treat!

Grant’s Reserve is a paradise for bird life and will be you’ll be serenaded by the wonderful bird song that fills the valley. You can also handfeed some of the most striking Australian birds such as the colorful Crimson Rosella, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo and pink-chested Galah. It’s a lot of fun and a great opportunity to get a photo.

Next you head the short distance to Belgrave, home of the famous Puffing Billy Steam Train, where you are in for a real treat!

This century-old steam train is maintained in its original glory and runs to this day on its own mountain track from Belgrave to Gembrook. Here you’ll go back in time as you get on board for a 30-minute ride through the heart of the rainforest.

You’ll see the locomotive depot that services and maintains the train, head through the gorgeous Sherbrooke Forest and ride over the old Trestle Bridge. Just before Menzies Creek you can see stunning views of Port Phillip Bay before heading through Paradise Valley and on to the townships of Emerald and Gembrook. What a great ride!

From Gembrook you will then be on your way to the lovely little village of Sassafras. You’ll be travelling through thick rainforest that is home to all sorts of wildlife, so keep an eye out for Lyre Birds and Wallabies. Once in Sassafras you can take your time to explore the delightful antique and craft shops dotted throughout the village. You might even find a little something to take home with you.

Operates

Tuesday, Thursday & Saturday except December 25.

Need to Know

– Tour departs from Federation Square, Melbourne, corner of Flinders & Russell Streets.
– Return transfers from your accommodation are available – advise prior to booking.
– Wear enclosed walking shoes.
– Sunglasses, hat, sunscreen and water bottle are recommended.
– Wear warm layers in cooler months.

Times

Departs at 8:10am and returns at 1:00pm, lasting approximately 4.5 hours.

Inclusions

– Puffing Billy Steam Train ride.
– Devonshire Tea.
– Experienced driver guide.
– Comprehensive commentary.
– Travel in an air-conditioned coach.

Upgrades

– Add a visit to the Healesville Sanctuary to meet native Australian wildlife at the end of your Puffing Billy journey – additional cost.
– Add a wine tour with tastings at three boutique wineries in the Yarra Valley at the end of your Puffing Billy journey – additional cost.

Travel by shuttle from your vacation accommodation to the Airport in Melbourne, Australia.

Travel within Australia by domestic air from Melbourne to Gladstone.

Travel to your accommodation on a Great Barrier Reef Island, Australia, where you will be staying whilst on vacation for 3 nights.

This luxury vacation resort is set amongst a dazzling parade of aquamarine waters,

shimmering white sand beaches and colour-splashed reef teeming with life. It’s what you don’t see around the island that makes the resort so special. You won’t see any buildings above the tree line. And you won’t bump into any day trippers either. The reef vacation experience is exclusively for guests, a unique experience few other resorts in the world can offer. There’s a relaxed island lifestyle that sets the island apart, a sophisticated yet casual resort atmosphere. Here the emphasis is on exploring and discovering the natural attractions that have made Heron famous around the world. The vacation resort rooms are equipped with either balcony or terrace, as well as tea and coffee making facilities, refrigerators, hairdryers, and many more. In order to help guests leave the outside world behind, televisions and telephones, while available on the island,

are not found in guest rooms.

Travel within Australia by domestic air from Gladstone to Brisbane.

Travel by private luxury sedan from the Airport in Brisbane, Australia to your vacation accommodation in the Rainforest.

Travel to your accommodation at the Rainforest Retreat, Australia, where you will be staying whilst on vacation for 3 nights.

Your vacation Rainforest Retreat is located in one of Australia’s most enchanted rainforests. You will enjoy the spectacular mountain view on your drive to this eighty year old hideaway. The Rainforest Retreat offers a range of guestrooms to cater to all tastes, from the grandeur of the luxurious Canopy Suites through the most popular Mountain View Rooms to the simple yet comfortable Garden View (subject to availability). Most rooms also take advantage of the magnificent mountain views. Enjoy the birds and wildlife in their natural habitat. Or relax from your travel and ponder the beauty of life as you sit on a rock amongst the ferns and greenery and admire waterfalls, creeks and other pleasures of nature.

Travel by luxury coach from your vacation accommodation at the Rainforest Retreat to the Gold Coast, Australia.

Your vacation accommodation as per your own arrangements.

Travel by shuttle from your Gold Coast vacation accommodation to the Airport in Brisbane, Australia. (Estimated travel time 1.5 hours)

Luggage is limited to 2 suitcases per person. Excess luggage, surfboards & bicycles will be carried at a rate of $10.00 AUD per item. All luggage must be clearly labelled by the passenger, including name and full address. Valuable items (e.g. jewellery, expensive equipment, cash etc) should be carried by the passenger on their person. Passengers are strongly advised to take out appropriate travel insurance to cover any unforeseen circumstances.

Mid-day Departure from Brisbane, In-flight Dinner and Movie with arrival in the USA. Note: You will be traveling back across the International Date line so you will gain a day. You actually arrive in the USA on the same day you leave Australia.