Shortly after departing Los Angeles you will be served dinner and you will be given breakfast before landing in Melbourne.

Relax, watch some movies, and try to get some sleep!

Please confirm with the airline at check-in that they have all your Frequent Flyer information on record (if applicable).

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

Travel to your accommodation in Melbourne, Australia, where you will be staying whilst on vacation for 2 nights

Your 4 star vacation accommodation is the city’s most central hotel and offers 324 spacious guest rooms with wireless internet access. Situated above the Australia on Collins shopping centre, it provides easy access to the Regent Theatre, Federation Square, the National Gallery and Telstra Dome. The hotel features a bar, restaurant, 7 meeting rooms, fully equipped fitness centre and heated indoor swimming pool, spa and sauna. Melbourne is the perfect launching pad for travel day tours to such places like Phillip Island and Penguins, the Great Ocean Road, or the Yarra Wineries. Make the most of your vacation by mingling with the people of Australia.

Discover the beauty of Melbourne on this morning coach tour.

The city of Melbourne is a wonderful blend of heritage architecture, modern skyscrapers and contemporary designs. Vibrant cafes and cosmopolitan restaurants, colorful parklands and beautiful waterways are all found throughout this charming city. Discover its appeal for yourself and explore the cosmopolitan city with wide boulevards and fine historic buildings. View Bourke Street Mall and the tree-lined beauty of Collins Street, the ultimate shopping strip and business center. View fine examples of Melbourne’s architectural splendor, including St. Paul’s Cathedral, and Princess and Regent Theatres. Also see Melbourne Town Hall, the Royal Exhibition Buildings and Federation Square.

Stroll around Melbourne’s spectacular Royal Botanic Gardens. Visit the picturesque Fitzroy Gardens and explore Captain Cooks Cottage (optional, additional expense). See the bustling Queen Victoria Market and tranquil Albert Park Lake. See the city’s world renowned sporting arenas, including the MCG and Rod Laver Arena (home of the Australian Tennis Open). Pay tribute to the soldiers of war at the historic Shrine of Remembrance.

View Southbank, a world of waterfront shopping, dining and arts incorporating the Southgate Arts and Leisure Precinct and Crown Entertainment Complex (casino). Cross the West Gate Bridge for amazing views of the city skyline as well as the scenic bay side suburbs, St. Kilda and Albert Park.

Operates
Daily, except December 25 & January 1. Tour departs at 8:00am and returns at 11:50am, lasting approximately 3.5 – 4 hours.

Need to Know
Tour departs and returns at Federation Square. Wear warm layers during cooler months.

Inclusions
– Experienced driver guide
– Comprehensive commentary
– Travel in an air-conditioned coach

Discover Australia as you travel by rental car for 2 days.

As part of your vacation self-drive Australia and explore our stunning landscapes, coastlines, regional towns and wildlife. Stop and meet the locals, maybe enjoy a counter meal at a local Aussie pub, or relax on the beach while sampling some takeaway fish & chips from the local deli or servo. During one of your rest stops try to spot a kangaroo, emu or even a Koala in the wild.

Please bring a valid American drivers license with you and be aware that the Australians drives on the left hand side of the road.

Base rate only paid by About Australia. GPS, Insurance, Premium Location Surcharge, Fuel and Fees to driver’s credit card.

Travel to your accommodation in Lorne, Australia, where you will be staying whilst on vacation for 2 nights.

Enjoy a relaxing stay at the Mantra Lorne, the only beachfront property in Lorne, Australia. Your accommodation is nestled along the Great Ocean Road surrounded by lush gardens and beautiful scenery. Numerous guest facilities and close by areas suitable for off-site adventures. The facility is equipped with a heated lap pool, sauna, tennis courts, steam room, spa, gymnasium, golf putting green, bar, room service, surfing lessons, BBQ areas, and more! Your Heritage hotel room comes with cable TV, internet access and a stereo for entertainment.

*Upgrade available to Ocean View apartment

Photo Credit: Mantra Lorne

Event Date: Saturday, January 10th, 2015

Come experience the 34th annual Lorne Pier to Pub open water swim sponsored by GMHBA! The event is organized by volunteers associated with the Lorne Surf Life Saving Club.

This invigorating 1.2km swim from the Lorne Pier will lead you to the LSLS clubhouse where you can reward your efforts with a refreshing beverage! Swim alongside 5,000 other enthusiastic swimmers as you journey through a sea of history.

The event started as a challenge between members of the LSLS club, but it soon grew in size and is now a major attraction during the month of January in Lorne. An amazing experience for competitive swimmers and enthusiastic swimmers alike! Don’t worry about where to place your belongings when you dive into the event. There will be a “gear tent” present where swimmers can safely place their items, and there will be a “gear truck” that will travel between the pier and the clubhouse to transfer your items. For all competitors, there is a $65 fee to participate in the event.

The entries for the GMHBA Lorne Pier to Pub are done on a ballot basis. Register your name via the website https://www.lornesurfclub.com.au/Content/PierToPub Ballot opens this year on November 4th and closes at midnight on November 13th 2014. Photo credit: Lorne Surf Life Saving Club

Travel to your accommodation in Melbourne, Australia, where you will be staying whilst on vacation for 2 nights.

Your 4 Star vacation accommodation is located in the heart of Melbourne, Australia. Its suites are equipped with kitchenettes, air conditioning, and ensuite bathrooms. Most are facing on to the hotel’s private European style courtyard. The vacation accommodation is close to Chinatown. Or perhaps stroll to the Southern Cross Station and travel by tram throughout the city. For the less adventurous, Melbourne is the perfect launching pad for day tours to such places like Phillip Island and Penguins, or perhaps the Great Ocean Road.

Today you’ll have the day free to Explore Melbourne City’s vast shopping centres, markets and boutiques, maybe do some souvenir shopping.

Melbourne is a Multicultural City boasting many boutique cafes, wineries and extensive shopping. You’ll also find it very easy to get around on the trains and trams, especially within the inners of Melbourne.

Photo Credit: Tourism Victoria

As you cruise the scenic streets of Melbourne, you will enjoy fine cuisine and drink the very best of Australian wines. The atmosphere is cosy, the service friendly and the decor as inviting as the colonial period these trams reflect.

The Colonial Tramcar Restaurant officially commenced operation in August 1983. These glossy, burgundy restaurants on wheels are the first travelling tramcar restaurants in the world and ensure a delightful innovative approach to dining. Dining aboard the Tramcar is not only a culinary delight, but also a trip into a little piece of Victoria’s history.

The tram is air-conditioned for total comfort and piped music helps to create a unique mood on wheels. Smart casual, suit or similar dress is appropriate when dining.

Early Dinner 5:45-7:15pm (Daily)

Also available: Lunch 1:00-3:00pm (On Request); Late Dinner 8:35-11:30pm (Daily)

(Please note that a surcharge will apply for Christmas Day Luncheon and New Years Eve Late dinner.)

The spectacular Great Ocean Road is one of Australia’s most popular destinations. Experience views of uninterrupted beaches, dramatic coastlines and the lush rainforest of the Otway Ranges with this small group eco-tour.

Travel west to the start of the Great Ocean Road and pass the coastal towns of Lorne and Apollo Bay. Arrive at the iconic Cape Otway Lighthouse, mainland Australia’s oldest surviving lighthouse and enjoy breathtaking views over the Southern Ocean and Bass Strait.

Discover the Shipwreck Coast, stroll along the historic beaches and see Loch Ard Gorge. Arrive at the famous 12 Apostles and descend the Gibson’s Steps, where you will be dwarfed by the high cliff line and these enormous offshore stacks. With this small tour group, there is plenty of time to get out and explore nature at its very best.

The highlights of this Great Ocean Road adventure include a visit to Bells Beach, where you’ll see one of Australia’s famous surfing beaches, world renowned for the Rip Curl Surfing Pro.

Enjoy the breathtaking view from iconic Cape Otway Lighthouse and learn about the fascinating history of the Aboriginal owners of the Gadabanud Peoples’ Cultural Centre. You will be afforded stops where you’ll see wildlife like Eastern grey kangaroos, koalas and native birds in the wild.

Pass through coastal towns of Lorne, Apollo Bay and Port Campbell. Enjoy a rainforest experience in the luscious surrounds of the Otway Rainforest and marvel at some of the tallest eucalyptus trees in Australia.

Operates
Daily except Christmas
Departs 7:00am – 8:00am and Returns 9:00pm (approx.)
April – October Departs 10:00am to 11:00am and Returns 9:00pm to Midnight (approx.)

Includes
– Return deluxe coach transfers from accomodations
– Morning tea, coffee, & cake
– Gorgeous views
– Complimentary onboard wifi
– Expert commentary

Need to Know
Request infant seats (0-3 years) or a child booster seats (4-8 years) free of charge. Please bring money for lunch. This experience can be catered to your dietary needs. Please advise of any special dietary requirements when completing your Traveler Information Form.

Discover the secrets of creative Melbourne with this dynamic half day, small group, guided walking tour with lunch!

Join your passionate local guide, who is more of an aficionado, as they take you around the style capital of Australia. Your guide will show you all of Melbourne’s best salons, studios and hidden hotspots tucked away in the European-style lanes in the heart of the city. Discover shops where Melbourne’s celebrated food, coffee and art scene thrive, and are usually missed by tourists. You’ll practically become a local before lunch! On this half day indulgent walking tour, you’ll immerse yourself in the historical, architectural, cultural insights while exploring more than 30 exquisite boutiques. There will be a stop where you will enjoy a wonderful lunch and glass of wine before finishing your walk. After your casual tour, make it a day by returning to your favorite spots visited in the city of marvelous Melbourne!

Operates
Monday – Saturday
Departs 10:00am, Returns 2:00pm (approx.)
Tour departs and returns to Time Out Café in Federation Square

Includes
– City map with local offers and tour itinerary
– Trained local city tour guide
– Chocolate tasting
– Lunch and glass of wine
– Seated drink stop and drink choice

Need to Know
– Minimum of 4 guests required with a maximum of 8
– Not ideal for children ages 12 and under, special requests taken case by case
– Please bring with you a water bottle, sunscreen, extra cash for food and drinks, and wear weather appropriate clothing
– Runs in all weather – umbrellas will be on loan if required
– General level of fitness required. There may be stairs along the way
– Mobility accommodations available – please advise prior to booking
– This experience can be catered to your dietary needs. Please advise of any special dietary requirements when completing your Traveler Information Form

Upgrades
– Cafe Culture Walk
– Progressive Degustation Walk

Located at the southernmost tip of mainland Australia, Wilsons Promontory is a pristine wildlife haven with picturesque beach strolls to peaceful bush walks and spectacular views.

 “The Prom” as it is widely known, was the first National Park established in Australia in 1898 & remains one of Victoria’s most loved and cherished natural attractions. This pristine slice of natural wilderness will inspire and intrigue even the most discerning traveler, with its panoramic views, pristine white beaches, coastal forests, cool climate rainforests and well-preserved walking tracks.

The Prom is home to many marsupials, such as kangaroos & wombats, native birds and other native animals such as emus, which with a bit of luck you can see up-close. The best way to explore the Prom is on foot, so you will no doubt enjoy your stroll along some spectacular tracks & be entertained by the pure white quartz ‘singing sands’ of Squeaky Beach. An opportunity is available to enjoy either a gentle rainforest walk at Lilly Pilly Rainforest or amazing panoramic views from the summit of Mount Bishop which we climb via an easy to medium graded walking track.

Operates
Wednesday, Friday, & Saturday (except Christmas)
Departs 7:00am – 8:00am and Returns 8:00pm to 9:00pm (approx.)

Includes
– Park entry fees
– Expert tour guide
– Complimentary onboard Wi-Fi

Need to Know
This experience can be catered to your dietary needs. Please advise of any special dietary requirements when completing your Traveler Information Form. Please wear comfortable outdoor and weather appropriate clothing and walking shoes. Bring snacks, a water bottle, and money for meals not included in the tour. Infant seats or boosters provided if pre-booked.

Get up close with the remarkable penguins and wildlife of Phillip Island on this guided tour.

You’ll journey to the city’s most colourful attraction – the iconic Brighton Beach bathing boxes – for an opportunity to visit the beach and take some time to admire these historic landmarks. Continue your journey through Melbourne’s bayside suburbs on the way to Moonlit Sanctuary Wildlife Conservation Park. Here, enjoy a guided wildlife walk where you have the opportunity to meet and hand-feed many species of native Australian animals. Learn about iconic species such as kangaroos, koalas, emus, and wallabies, as well as some of our lesser-known favourites including quolls, owls, bandicoots, and Tasmanian devils. Included in your visit here is the spectacular “Conservation in Action” wildlife show, which showcases several lesser-known Australian species in a series of interactive and engaging ranger presentations.

Continuing to Phillip Island, a visit to Point Grant and The Nobbies gives you an opportunity to enjoy views over Westernport Bay and Bass Strait, including Seal Rocks, home to Australia’s largest population of fur seals. Then it’s onwards to the main event, the Phillip Island penguin tour. Just after dark every night, the world’s smallest penguins waddle ashore after spending the day fishing out at sea. You’ll be truly enchanted as the stars of the show emerge from the surf and pass right before your eyes on their journey back to their homes. Your guide will ensure you get the very best vantage point to enjoy the Penguin Parade.

Operates
Daily except Christmas
Departs 11:00am – 12:00pm and Returns 9:00pm (approx.)
May through August Departs 10:00am to 11:00am and Returns 9:00pm to Midnight (approx.)

Includes
– Return deluxe coach transfers from accommodations
– Penguin Parade
– Brighton Beach
– Moonlit Sanctuary
– Nobbies and Seals
– Complimentary onboard wifi
– Expert commentary

Need to Know
Please wear comfortable outdoor clothing and bring snacks, a water bottle, sunscreen, money for lunch, and warmer clothing during the winter.

Upgrades
Underground & Guided Ranger

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

Your International Flight arrives in Los Angeles on the same day of departure from Australia, due to your crossing of the International Dateline.

All prices are in US dollars and correct as of September 26, 2014. Taxes and Fuel levy included. Visa required additional $15 per person. Pricing is from “per person” based on Double Occupancy (2 Adults) in hotels. Single Supplements apply. Upgrades available on request (upgrade supplements apply). Subject to availability. Blackout dates may apply. Seasonal supplements will apply. No refunds allowed. Changes are permitted (fees may apply). Other restrictions may apply. Not combinable with any other offer or discounted vacation package. About Australia reserves the right to adjust the amount of any outstanding balances at any time according to USA Exchange Rate variations. Prices may vary when you book your travel package and are not guaranteed until payment in full is received. Airlines, hotels and tour operators frequently change their prices as a result of rate increases, fuel surcharges, government imposed taxes or fees. Prices may increase prior to full payment for those and/or other reasons. All prices, itineraries and routings are subject to change. After full payment, prices are guaranteed except only due to an increase in government imposed taxes or fees. By paying your deposit, you understand and agree to the possibility of such increases. Contact About Australia directly to get a firm quote based on current prices for your travel dates.

The entries for the GMHBA Lorne Pier to Pub are done on a ballot basis. Register your name via the website http://www.lornesurfclub.com.au/Content/PierToPub. Ballot opens this year on November 4th and closes at midnight on November 13th 2014. Ballot Entries are the responsibility of the participant and will not be managed by About Australia.

Book By: December 15, 2014

Book your Australian Vacation Today

Call 888-359-2877 (8:30am – 5:00pm, CST USA)

To customize this itinerary, or check ‘availability’ for your travel dates, please use the ‘Request-A-Quote’ button (below)