Itinerary - Kangaroo Island via The Great Ocean Road

28 April to 07 May 2025 – Fully Guided, All Transport, All-Inclusive, All Abilities

TRAVELWISE can organise your flights from any state to join this tour.

Day 01 - Mon, 28 April

06.30am - Depart Boomerang Beach

07.00am - Depart Forster

07.10am - Depart Tuncurry

07.30am - Depart Hallidays Point

07.50am - Depart Nabiac

08:50am - Depart Tea Gardens

09:30am - Arrive Heatherbrae Pies (rest stop)

10:00am - Depart Heatherbrae Pies

01:00pm - Arrive location of your choice:

Option 1

Bradman International Cricket Hall of Fame, Bowral (lunch at own leisure)

The Bradman Museum and International Cricket Hall of Fame is the definitive world cricket experience. Live footage from around the world, touch screen interactives, fascinating memorabilia and absorbing stories of cricket greats. The Hall of Fame is set in the beautiful surrounds of Bradman Oval and includes the Bradman Café and gift store.D

Option 2

Dirty Janes Antique Centre, Bowral (lunch at own leisure)

Located in the picturesque NSW Southern Highlands, Dirty Janes Bowral is the ideal destination for vintage lovers searching for unique finds. Step into our vast curated space and be transported to a world where retro, mid-century, and industrial styles blend seamlessly with antiques and artisan-made homewares. Brimming with the unparalleled vision of our expert sellers, Dirty Janes Bowral is a vintage lover's paradise where you can discover hidden gems that add character and charm to your home. Father-daughter duo Jane and Athol founded Dirty Janes Bowral over 14 years ago (read more in our books), and it has since grown to house 90 of the best individual artisans and sellers, including gorgeous fresh flowers from The Flowering Field. A sprawling vintage lovers paradise, Dirty Janes Bowral is a must-visit destination.

03.30pm - Depart Bowral

04.30pm - Arrive Mercure Goulburn NSW

07.00pm - Dinner Provided

Day 02 - Tues, 29 April
07.00am - Breakfast Buffet Provided

08.30am - Depart Mercure

11.45am - Arrive Holbrook Submarine Museum Tour (lunch at own leisure)

Look through the periscope for your car, fire a torpedo, see the amazing hologram or captain a submarine. Ever wondered why there is a life-sized submarine in the middle of rural NSW?

Take a stroll through the Holbrook Submarine Museum and find out how the HMAS Otway's final resting spot came to be in Holbrook. Learn all about the brave young Submariner whose exploits during the First World War earned him the honour of having a town named after him.

The Museum houses an amazing display of photos and submarine memorabilia including authentic submarine escape suits, a torpedo and even a genuine Jolly Roger flag. Watch the hologram show to learn how the submarine came to reside in Holbrook.

02.00pm - Depart Holbrook

03.30pm - Arrive Quality Hotel Wangaratta VIC

07:00pm - Dinner Provided

Day 03 - Wed, 30 April

07.00am – Buffet Breakfast Provided

08.30am – Depart Quality Hotel Wangaratta

10.00am – Arrive Caltex Service Centre Tallarook (comfort stop)

10.30am – Depart Tallarook

01.00pm – Arrive Great Ocean Road Chocolaterie and Ice Creamery (chocolate tasting provided, lunch at own leisure)

We’re the sweetest destination on the Surf Coast! Join us at the start of the Great Ocean Road, just 20 minutes from Geelong to discover a wonderland for chocolate lovers of all ages. There’re free tastings as you watch our European Chocolatiers handcraft our chocolates; marvel at our spectacular showroom choc-filled with hundreds of different couverture chocolate creations; enjoy amazing pastries, fondues and our very own house made artisan ice creams. Our all-day Cafe serves delicious savoury items with ingredients from our own kitchen garden to go with a decadent array of desserts, hot chocolates and classic milk shakes. When tastings are done, explore our magnificent, landscaped grounds and gardens.

03.00pm – Depart Chocolaterie and Ice Creamery

04.00pm – Arrive Mantra Lorne VIC

The only beachfront property in Lorne, Mantra Lorne offers wonderful accommodation in one of Australia's most sought-after destinations, the Great Ocean Road. Built around the oldest guesthouse in Victoria, Mantra Lorne is now a part of the rich history of Lorne and the surrounding region.

06.00pm – Dinner Provided

Day 04 – Thurs, 01 May
07.00am – Breakfast Buffet Provided

08.30am – Depart Mantra Lorne

11.00am – Arrive Twelve Apostles (lunch provided)

Witness the rugged splendour of the famous 12 Apostles, magnificent rock stacks that rise up majestically from the Southern Ocean on Victoria's dramatic coastline.

01.30pm – Depart Twelve Apostles

01.45pm – Arrive Loch Ard Gorge Lookout

The picturesque gorge is home to a smooth, pearlescent bay and an inlet of clear, blue water. It’s flanked by two yellow-washed cliff faces and tufts of vibrant greenery. Though it looks like something out of a storybook, Loch Ard isn’t just a pretty face. In fact, it has an interesting and colourful history that spans back hundreds of years.

02.15pm – Depart Loch Ard Gorge

02.45pm – Arrive London Bridge

Formed by the gradual erosion of the shoreline’s soft limestone due to the extreme weather conditions of the Southern Ocean, the collapse of the impressive rock formation was also a natural process. Today, London Arch has become a popular tourist attraction. When it fell down in 1990, two tourists were stranded on the outer span of the bridge until police helicopter came to a rescue. Thankfully, no one was injured during the incident.

03.15pm – Depart London Bridge

04.45pm – Arrive Olde Maritime Motor Inn, Warrnambool VIC

07.00pm – Dinner Provided

Optional

08.45pm – Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum Light and Sound Show

Here lie the stories of hundreds of ships, their crewmen and passengers whose lives were claimed by the Shipwrecked Coast in the 19th Century. Stories passed on by the lucky few who survived the journey to start a new life in a foreign land, vowing never to set foot on a ship again. Without the modern day comforts we take for granted today, their lives were challenging and tough as they relied on the ocean for resources and communication. Flagstaff Hill is a place to remember and experience the stories of these early battlers who laid the foundations for life as we know it today. Don’t just learn about history – experience it in our Living Museum and Spectacular Sound and Light Shows.

Day 05 – Fri, 02 May
07.00am – Buffet Breakfast Provided

08.30am – Depart Olde Maritime Motor Inn, Warrnambool

Crossing into SA, please adjust your watches back 30 minutes.

11.30am – Arrive St Mary’s Winery / Distillery / Gardens Coonawarra (tasting & tour)

Wines

St Mary’s Wines is owned by the Mulligan family who have lived in the Penola community for over 100 years.

The property is situated 15 kilometres west of the township of Penola in the South East of South Australia on land purchased by the family in 1937.

In 1984 Barry and Glenys Mulligan researched the establishment of a vineyard on a 200 acre section of the Terra Rossa ridge that runs through the property.

In 1985 plantings of Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Pinot Noir commenced. St Mary’s Wines first vintage was 1990.

Gardens

One of Penola’s most visited gardens.

Nestled among the vines is St Mary’s Homestead and Cellar Door, surrounded by four acres of garden that has evolved and developed over 70 years.

Dry stone walls, paths, borders and artworks compliment a kaleidoscope of colour created by hundreds of roses, flowers, shrubs and trees.

St Mary’s Garden has regularly participated in the Australian Open Garden Scheme.

12.45pm – Depart St May’s Wines

01.00pm - Arrive The Royal Oak Hotel Penola (lunch at own leisure)

02:00pm - Depart Royal Oak Hotel

02:15pm - Arrive Mary Mackillop Penola Centre & Petticoat Lane Tour

Penola is a special place, where Mary MacKillop and Julian Tenison Woods co-founded the uniquely Australian Sisters of Saint Joseph in 1866.

Listed as one of South Australia’s State Heritage Sites, Petticoat Lane in Penola attracts tourists from all over the world all year round. This Lane is among the oldest streets, and as such, visitors should expect an adventurous experience with an insight into the history of Penola.

One of the things that pique the interest of first-time visitors to this place is the interesting name. History has it that at one time, there used to be so many petticoats hung along the lane that it was only appropriate to call the street Petticoat Lane.

The Gammon Cottage is also an attraction for those visiting this part of Penola. The cottage is a lavender products outlet with a fantasy theme to it, ensuring that it is not just the fragrance which draws visitors to Gammon. Wilson’s Cottage is home to a linen and lace store. From the enterprise at this cottage, visitors can also get unique glassware with Portuguese heritage.

A visit to this historic lane would be incomplete without popping by the Mary Mackillop Interpretive Centre. The centre was opened in 1998 to teach visitors keen on learning about the history of the town as well as the role played by the Catholic Church in Penola.

04.30pm – Depart Petticoat Lane

04.45pm – Arrive Coonawarra Place Motor Inn, Coonawarra

07.00pm – Dinner Provided

Day 06 – Sat, 03 May

07.00am – Breakfast Buffet Provided

08.00am – Depart Coonawarra

11.00pm – Arrive Cosi’s Rhino, Tailem Bend (lunch provided)

11.45pm – Depart Tailem Bend

02.00pm – Arrive Cape Jervis (03.00pm Sealink Ferry Crossing)

06.00pm – Arrive Aurora Ozone Hotel Kangaroo Island

07.00pm – Dinner Provided

Day 07 – Sun, 04 May

07.00am – Buffet Breakfast Provided

09.00am – Depart Aurora Ozone Hotel

09.30am – Arrive Clifford’s Honey Farm

Kangaroo Island is the only place in the world where a pure strain of the Ligurian bee exists, and at Clifford’s Honey Farm discover this successful local industry. Visit the honey room and see the bees in a glass hive, learn about the extraction process and taste the many different honey flavours produced at the farm.

11.00am – Depart Clifford’s Honey Farm
11.15am – Arrive Emu Ridge Eucalyptus Distillery (lunch provided)

Emu Ridge is the only commercial distillery still in operation in South Australia. The technology of this operation may surprise you – the rustic outlook hides some clever bush engineering and processes which are simple yet effective. Enjoy a 2 course BBQ lunch and then the tour takes you through stages of distillation and concludes with an outline of just what might be possible in pursuing the development of other products from the Island's natural assets. An extensive range of unique Kangaroo Island souvenirs and eucalyptus oil products are available.

01.00pm – Depart Emu Ridge Eucalyptus Distillery

01.30pm – Arrive Raptor Domain – Bird of Prey Show

An amazing and inspiring experience where the birds are flown to display their individual flight and hunting characteristics. The display involves various birds representative of those found on the Island including; Wedge Tailed Eagles, Osprey, Sea Eagle, Australian Kestrel, Australian Hobby, Tawny Frogmouth and Barn Owls.

03.00pm – Depart Raptor Domain

03.15pm – Arrive Seal Bay Tour

The stunning views of the Australian sea lion colony and the neighbouring coastline are what make Seal Bay an essential experience for visitors to the island. One of only two places in the world where you can stroll with your guide through a wild seal colony, Seal Bay is home to around 1000 of the rare Australian Sea Lions.

04.45pm – Depart Seal Bay
05.30pm – Arrive Aurora Ozone Hotel Kangaroo Island

07.00pm – Dinner Provided

Day 08 – Mon, 05 May

07.00am – Buffet Breakfast
08.30am – Depart Aurora Ozone Hotel

10.15am – Arrive Remarkable Rocks, Flinders Chase National Park (morning Tea Provided)

Travel through the park, enjoying breathtaking views of Yacca Flat and coastal scenery on your way to the spectacular Remarkable Rocks. Take a walk around these huge rocks, which have been carved into many different weird and wonderful shapes by the wind and the ocean spray over many centuries.

11.15am – Depart Remarkable Rocks

11.30am – Arrive Admirals Arch

Drive past the ruins of an early settlement at Weirs Cove before going on to the Cape du Couedic Lighthouse built in 1906, and the natural land bridge that is “Admirals Arch”. Look out for the New Zealand Fur Seals frolicking in the water and on the rocks under the arch.

12.30pm – Depart Admirals Arch

01.30pm – Arrive Vivonne Bay Café (lunch provided)

02.30pm – Depart Vivonne Bay

03.15pm – Arrive Kangaroo Island Spirits Tasting

Specialising in handcrafted premium Australian Spirits, Kangaroo Island Spirits (KIS) is South Australia’s only boutique distillery. Their high-quality products are clean, additive and preservative free and made using Native Australian Botanicals and locally grown or sourced ingredients. Although their vodka and liqueurs are exceptional, it is their KIS Wild Gin, made from native Juniper berries, that is an international multi-award winner.

04.30pm – Depart Kangaroo Island Spirits

05.00pm – Arrive Aurora Ozone Hotel Kangaroo Island

07.00pm – Dinner Provided

Day 09 – Tues, 06 May

from 07.00am – Breakfast Buffet Provided

09.30am – Depart Aurora Ozone Hotel

10.00am – Arrive Penneshaw Sealink Terminal- Ferry Crossing (sails at 10.30am)

02.00pm – Arrive Ibis Adelaide (lunch and dinner & explore Adelaide at own leisure)

Day 10 – Wed, 07 May
06.30am – Depart Ibis Adelaide

07.00am – Arrive Adelaide Airport, Various Flights to Home Cities (Virgin Flight 08:40am)

02:00pm – Arrive Newcastle Airport

02.30pm – Depart Newcastle Airport (Mid Coast Cruise Transfers)