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 1 night.

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.

Discover Australia as you travel by rental car for eight 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 tasmanian devil, wombat, 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.

Great Ocean Road Self-Drive Tour from Melbourne, Victoria, through to Adelaide, South Australia.

DAY 1: GREAT OCEAN ROAD SELF DRIVE TOUR
Today get into your hire car and start your self drive tour of the Great Ocean Road. Pass through Geelong and maybe stop at Torquay for refreshments. Enjoy views of sweeping beaches, sleepy coastal resorts and spectacular cliffsides as you wind along the coastline road. Stop at Apollo Bay for your overnight accommodation with the afternoon at leisure.

Insider’s Tip: Geelong & Great Ocean Road Information Centre – There are 12 Accreditied Visitor Information Centres along Great Ocean Road. The Geelong Centre (on the outskirts of town on Princess Highway) is a great place to stop for everything you need for the GOR region. Stop by to pick up maps, vistors’ guides, magazines or tips from the knowledgeable locals. (All visitor information centres are open 7 days a week from 9am-5pm)

DAY 2: THE GREAT OCEAN ROAD.
Continue along the road to Otway National Park, an abundance of ferns and mosses dwarfed by giant gum trees. Continue towards Port Campbell National Park. View the famous Twelve Apostles and Loch Ard. Stop in Port Campbell for refreshments and continue to the remnants of London Bridge. Continue on to Portland and stay overnight in Mount Gambier (South Australia). View Mt Gambier’s Blue Lake, famous for its vivid blue colour during summer months.

DAY 3: THE RIVERLAND
From Mt Gambier continue onto Tailem Bend and see Old Tailem Town a re-creation of a pioneer village with many old buildings. Continue to Murray Bridge and drive across the Might Murray River. You may like to spend the night here in the Riverland at (or near) Murray Bridge. This town is South Australia’s largest riverside town with a population of 13,500. It’s a popular place for fishing, waterskiing and outdoor riverside barbecues. Maybe take a lunchtime river cruise and explore the Murray on the MV Barrangul or PS Captain Proud, check at the local tourist office on South Terrace for times. Overnight.

DAY 4: ADELAIDE
Continue to Adelaide through Mt Barker and the Adelaide Hills. While in the Adelaide Hills you may like to see Hahndorf a quaint old German-style town that has shady main street housing a delightful assortment of art and craft shops. In Adelaide maybe do a city tour and revel in the beauty of Adelaide (the city of Churches). In the evenings, enjoy some of the terrific restaurants, Rundle Street or maybe a theatre show at the Festival Theatre. During the day maybe see Waterfall Gulley, Glenelg (seaside shops and amusements) or take a day tour to the Barossa or McLaren Vale, Australia’s premier wine producing regions.

*Optional Add-On (Pricing Available On Request): 3 Nights Accommodation Package Available to include 1 night in each of the following cities: Apollo Bay, Mount Gambier & Victor Harbour.

****Days might fluctuate depending on your driving time and how many nights accommodations you want****

Your vacation accommodation as per your own arrangement.

Ferry Transfer with rental vehicle from Cape Jervis to Penneshaw and return.

Travel to your accommodation on Kangaroo Island, Australia, where you will be staying whilst on vacation for 4 nights.

Your vacation accommodation has just 27 rooms. Why not take some time out and laze away the hours by our sparkling solar heated pool, spa and sauna. Wander through our gardens at sunset and you will probably meet one of the little penguins that waddle up from the beach for a visit. The Kangaroo Island vacation accommodation is a stylish and very welcoming property and is the perfect base for you to enjoy all the natural beauty that Kangaroo Island has to offer. Organise adventures with the friendly and professional staff that know and love the Island. Whether it is deep sea fishing, 4WD wilderness tour, or horse riding, it is up to you. Or what about a walking tour, food tour, swimming, snorkeling, diving, climbing and of course there are wonderful national Parks to explore. In fact, everything the Island has to offer is just a short drive away.

Dive the North Coast of Kangaroo Island; home to 270 different fish species along with seals and dolphins.

During your guided dive, view one of nature’s most beautiful small creatures – the Leafy Sea Dragon. This rare creature is extremely difficult to find but can be found among the soft coral, sponges and gorgonians surrounding Kangaroo Island. Also see some of the most spectacular cliffs around Australia’s coastline, reaching up to 270 metres and providing an amazing dive background.

*Package includes two jetty dives with guide & dive equipment.

Dive the North Coast of Kangaroo Island; home to 270 different fish species along with seals and dolphins.

During your guided dive, view one of nature’s most beautiful small creatures – the Leafy Sea Dragon. This rare creature is extremely difficult to find but can be found among the soft coral, sponges and gorgonians surrounding Kangaroo Island. Also see some of the most spectacular cliffs around Australia’s coastline, reaching up to 270 metres and providing an amazing dive background.

*Package includes two jetty dives with guide & dive equipment.

Dive the North Coast of Kangaroo Island; home to 270 different fish species along with seals and dolphins.

During your guided dive, view one of nature’s most beautiful small creatures – the Leafy Sea Dragon. This rare creature is extremely difficult to find but can be found among the soft coral, sponges and gorgonians surrounding Kangaroo Island. Also see some of the most spectacular cliffs around Australia’s coastline, reaching up to 270 metres and providing an amazing dive background.

*Package includes two jetty dives with guide & dive equipment.

Drive from Kangaroo Island to Adelaide, approximately 2.5 hours.

This is a beautiful and scenic drive through the small towns and villages of the Fleurieu Peninsula.
Discover nature’s playground and charming towns. The region is home to the internationally renowned McLaren Vale – boasting sustainable wine production, world-renowned labels and unparalleled gastronomic experiences.

If you take this drive around dusk, you will likely see hundreds of Kangaroo mobs in the fields along the side of the road. Drive carefully!

Choose one or two of these suggested stops to stretch your legs and explore the local culture.

Second Valley Heritage Walk
Starting at the historic Leonards Mill in Second Valley, this self-guided heritage walk is brimming with fascinating history. Download a copy of the brochure beforehand, which complements the onsite information display boards.
As you walk, soak up the story of Leonards Mill which was formerly an operational flour mill, the old Finniss Vale Hotel which was established in 1856 and burned down in 1928, as well as the blacksmith’s shop and cottage and various war memorials.

The walk also passes by the site of two old steam-operated sawmills, and explains the history of the heritage-listed causeway and jetty. Allow 2 Hours.

Find out more.
 

Normanville
Known affectionately to locals as ‘Normy’, Normanville is a popular seaside resort town with long sandy beaches. Stroll along the white sands to nearby Carrickalinga or Lady Bay. Take a walk down Main Streets and check out the local shops. If you’re missing American comfort food, try South Bound Diner for an Australian take on Retro American Diner food. A few blocks down the street look for a HUGE tree and you might just spot thousands of cockatoos!

Aldinga Beach
Aldinga Beach is one of the few beaches in Australia where cars are permitted to drive on sections of the broad sand, making access to the beach especially easy. It is renowned for its safe swimming and impressive surf, which sees the population in the local area boom come summer.

The D’arenberg Cube
The d’Arenberg Cube in McLaren Vale is a five storey multi-function building set among Mourvèdre vines.

The building has the optical illusion of floating in a vineyard, each level with spectacular views overlooking the rolling hills of Willunga. Inside is the winery’s Tasting Room, a restaurant, private function areas and numerous artworks and features throughout, detailed in the company’s new smart phone application, ‘The Alternate Realities Museum’
Advance reservations are recommended.

The restaurant offers degustation dining with optional wine pairings, an extensive list featuring a selection of imported wines, and both current vintage and museum releases from d’Arenberg. Open for lunch Thursday to Sunday, bookings are required in advance.

View Map on Google.

Travel within Australia by light aircraft flight from Adelaide to Port Lincoln, Eyre Peninsula.

Taxi or ride share transfer as per your own arrangements (pay as you go).

Uber is available in most major cities.
Other Australian ride share options are:
-Ola
-DiDi
-Shebah

Travel to your accommodation in Port Lincoln, South Australia, where you will be staying whilst on vacation for 1 night.

Your vacation accommodation is located in Port Lincoln, a quaint seaside town of 14,000 and the “Seafood Capital of Australia.” Overlooking Boston Bay, Port Lincoln provides an ideal base for travel and exploration of the coast and the hinterland of the Lower Eyre Peninsula. You find everything from galleries, quality art and craft outlets with local products which will add to your vacation experience.

The Great White Expedition gives 3 days diving and 3 nights onboard the Rodney Fox. This is the perfect trip for anyone who has ever wanted to jump into the cage and experience the thrill of seeing Great White Sharks up close. Even watching them from the boat is amazing. It is an Expedition for all ages, although we recommend children are at least 8 years old, and able to cope in an adult environment.

Day 1

We’ll meet you outside of the Marina Hotel, Port Lincoln at 6.15 pm and escort you to the MV Rodney Fox. Welcome aboard at 6:30 pm. Formal inductions and safety talk will begin, followed by being shown to your cabins to unload your belongings. Anchors away and we head off to Hopkins Island or the Neptune Islands. Please note that dinner is included onboard on this first night.

Day 2

It’s worth getting up at day-break for the rest of the journey down to the Neptune Islands. The scenery is spectacular – we pass through the stunning Thorny Passage and stop by the Hopkins Islands for an hour so you can snorkel with Australian Sea Lions. Anchor at the Neptune Islands (our destination), where you’ll no doubt spot a few dorsal fins. Divers are briefed, and the cages hit the water, ready for action!

Relax, unwind, talk about the day while feasting on the buffet, check out the amazing night-sky, retire to your cabin.

Day 3

Diving resumes in the Surface Cage and the Ocean Floor Cage. We also like to hop in the tender boat, check out the New Zealand Fur Seals and go walking around the Neptune Islands. By now, you’ll be getting to your sharks and the Rodney Fox Shark Presentation in the evening will share even more information about these wonderful animals.

Day 4

More time to spend Surface and Ocean Floor diving – there is no time limit in the cages, as long as everyone has their fair share. You can also do some Shark and Wildlife watching from the observation deck, relax with a book – anything that floats your boat. Leave the Neptune Islands by 3:00 pm and enjoy some lovely local South Australian ‘wine on the bow’ usually with common dolphins joining us for company.

We arrive back in Port Lincoln by 8.00PM for guests to disembark. Dinner is provided onboard.

*Itinerary is indicative only (subject to weather and any other circumstances that may affect the scheduling of events).

Optional Extras: Dive gear, Ocean Floor Cage Dive SCUBA (Open Water Certification required)
Gear & Camera Hire is Available

Travel within Australia by light aircraft flight from Port Lincoln to Adelaide.

Travel within Australia by domestic air from Adelaide to Sydney

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

Travel via shuttle to your vacation accommodation in Sydney, Australia.

Travel to your accommodation in Sydney, Australia, where you will be staying whilst on vacation for 1 night in your studio room apartment.

Just 30 minutes from Sydney Airport, your accommodation is conveniently located between Darling Harbour and the Sydney CBD.

The friendly staff at your accommodation can attend to your every need with 24 hour guest reception. Enjoy a scrumptious breakfast at their signature restaurant.

Relax in a stylish and comfortable haven whilst being in close proximity to shopping at Westfield’s Pitt St Mall and Darling Harbour. Don’t forget to take a stroll down Pitt St towards Circular Quay to take in more of Sydney’s world famous sites- like the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge.

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

Travel within Australia by domestic air from Sydney to Lord Howe Island.

Travel to your Lord Howe Island accommodation where you will be staying whilst on vacation for 5 nights.

Lord Howe Island is the ideal location for visitors wanting to explore and discover the natural attractions that have made this island famous. Enjoy a leisurely stroll to popular Neds Beach where you can hand feed the fish, swim and snorkel; or wander down to the beautiful reef fringed lagoon, where you can swim in the crystal clear water and laze on the white sandy beach.

Your vacation accommodation units are nestled in subtropical palm groves alive with splashes of colour from Hawaiian hibiscus and fragrant frangipani flowers. The grounds are well planned, with tracks meandering through the palms and gardens, giving a sense of seclusion and tropical mystery.

Accommodation facilities include outdoor and undercover gas barbecues on paved, well-lit areas, small library with a selection of books and magazines, and also internet connection for laptop computers.

Pushbike is the main form of transport on the Island however, complimentary bus services are available in the evenings to transport you to and from the restaurants.

Includes courtesy bus for airport transfers.

Serviced rooms upgrade available

Enjoy Six Dives in the New South Wales Marine Park off the coast of one of the worlds most beautiful World Heritage listed islands. Warm tropical waters and cooler currents have created a diverse range of marine life, A unique mix of both tropical and temperate water fish…a diving paradise.

Morning double dives depart at 9am from the Boatshed and return approximately 1pm. Dive Sites are determined on the day of diving. We welcome suggestions of dive sites with particular diver’s interests. With over 60 dive sites available we will not dive the same twice when possible unless requested. If diving boat diving is unavailable arrangements will be made for shore dives when possible. Dive Packages include any local dives with the exception of Ball’s Pyramid which is an additional cost.

Although only 11km long and 2km wide, Lord Howe is laced with dozens of delightful, well-marked walking trails: nearly two thirds of the island is a Permanent Park Preserve. The choice ranges from easy strolls at sea level through lush Kentia palm and banyan forests, to moderate cliff-top hikes where you’ll see seabirds wheeling on the thermals, to the challenging 875 metres.

The choice ranges from easy strolls at sea level through lush Kentia Palm and Banyan Forests, to moderate cliff-top hikes where you’ll see seabirds wheeling on the thermals, to the challenging 875 metres MT GOWER CLIMB.

Maps and guides to the Lord Howe Island Park Preserve are available.

Travel within Australia by domestic air from Lord Howe Island to Sydney

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

Travel via shuttle to your vacation accommodation in Sydney, Australia.

Travel to your accommodation in Sydney, Australia, where you will be staying whilst on vacation for 1 night in your studio room apartment.

Just 30 minutes from Sydney Airport, your accommodation is conveniently located between Darling Harbour and the Sydney CBD.

The friendly staff at your accommodation can attend to your every need with 24 hour guest reception. Enjoy a scrumptious breakfast at their signature restaurant.

Relax in a stylish and comfortable haven whilst being in close proximity to shopping at Westfield’s Pitt St Mall and Darling Harbour. Don’t forget to take a stroll down Pitt St towards Circular Quay to take in more of Sydney’s world famous sites- like the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge.

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

Depart Sydney from the International Airport and fly to Los Angeles. 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.