Epicurean Adventure

Days

From (per person)

Journey

Independent Tour + Private Touring

Visit

Melbourne, Great Ocean Rd, Yarra & Barossa Valley's (Wine Regions), Adelaide, Kangaroo Island, Sydney & Blue Mountains

$13,199

Perfect for

Food and wine lovers who want to experience Australia beyond the cellar door. Ideal for couples and friends, this journey pairs boutique wine tastings and memorable dining with native wildlife, spectacular coastal scenery, and iconic city experiences. Enjoy a blend of private touring, comfortable stays, and time to explore independently.

Trip Highlights

Discover the Yarra Valley’s boutique wineries, local produce, and vineyard dining.
Meet Australian wildlife and watch Phillip Island’s little penguins return ashore at sunset.
Explore Melbourne’s hidden laneways, historic arcades, and specialty shops with a private guide.
Travel the Great Ocean Road to the dramatic Twelve Apostles.
Taste traditional and contemporary Barossa wines, with a seasonal lunch at FINO.
Experience Kangaroo Island’s wildlife and rugged landscapes over two days of guided touring.
Explore the Blue Mountains and enjoy lunch overlooking rainforest valleys and sandstone cliffs.
Tour the Sydney Opera House with a private guide.
Enjoy a private Sydney Harbour cruise with a progressive lunch and waterfront dining.

Map

Starting point: Melbourne

Ending point: Sydney

"This sample itinerary is designed to inspire. Most of our clients customize their journey by adding destinations, upgrading accommodations, adding touring, or incorporating special interests such as hiking, wellness, food and wine, golf, cycling, wildlife, or luxury lodge experiences."

Itinerary

Epicurean Adventure

Day 1 | Arrive in Melbourne & transfer to the Yarra Valley
Arrive in Melbourne and travel by private transfer to the Yarra Valley. Settle into wine country and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure, surrounded by vineyards and rural scenery.

Day 2 | Yarra Valley wine, food & wildlife
Explore the Yarra Valley on a private tour tailored to your wine preferences. Visit boutique wineries, enjoy a private tasting featuring local produce, and savor a two-course vineyard lunch.

Day 3 | Wildlife encounters & Phillip Island penguins
Begin with a private ranger-led experience at Healesville Sanctuary, including VIP seating at the Spirits of the Sky bird show. Continue to Phillip Island for koala encounters, coastal scenery, and dinner. At sunset, watch little penguins return from the sea with the Penguins Plus viewing experience, before traveling to Melbourne.

Day 4 | Melbourne’s hidden lanes & arcades
Discover Melbourne’s character on a private walking tour through its laneways and historic arcades. Explore specialty shops, local designers, and striking architecture, with a chocolate salon stop along the way. Enjoy lunch with a glass of local wine or beer, plus free time for your own discoveries.

Day 5 | Great Ocean Road & the Twelve Apostles
Follow the Great Ocean Road past surf beaches, seaside villages, and dramatic coastal scenery. Look for wild koalas near Kennett River, enjoy a two-course lunch in Apollo Bay, and travel through the Otways to see the Twelve Apostles and the rugged coastline of Port Campbell National Park. Return to Melbourne this evening.

Day 6 | Melbourne to the Barossa Valley
Transfer privately to Melbourne Airport for your flight to Adelaide, then continue by private transfer to the Barossa Valley. Settle in and enjoy an evening at leisure in one of Australia’s celebrated wine regions.

Day 7 | A taste of the Barossa
Enjoy a private wine experience exploring both the Barossa’s heritage and its innovative winemakers. Taste classic regional wines alongside less conventional varieties and blends, pause for a seasonal multi-course lunch at FINO, and finish with a tasting showcasing Barossa Shiraz.

Day 8 | Barossa Valley to Adelaide
Travel by private transfer to Adelaide and spend the remainder of the day exploring at your own pace. Discover the city’s galleries, parklands, shops, and restaurants, or take the tram to the beachside suburb of Glenelg.

Day 9 | Kangaroo Island wildlife & coastal encounters
Fly to Kangaroo Island and meet your guide for a day exploring its wildlife and natural landscapes. Walk through native bushland in search of wallabies, kangaroos, and birdlife, then enjoy lunch featuring local fish, fresh salads, and South Australian wines. At Seal Bay, join a guided beach experience among Australian sea lions. Dinner is included this evening. Note: touring for your time on Kangaroo Island is based on 'shared touring' with others in a small group.

Day 10 | Remarkable Rocks & Flinders Chase National Park
Explore Kangaroo Island’s dramatic western landscapes, learning about the regeneration of its bushland. Visit the sculpted granite formations of Remarkable Rocks and Admirals Arch, where long-nosed fur seals gather along the rugged coastline. Enjoy a picnic lunch in a scenic setting and return for dinner.

Day 11 | Kangaroo Island to Sydney
After breakfast, transfer to Kingscote Airport and fly to Sydney via Adelaide. A private transfer takes you to your accommodation, with the rest of the day free to enjoy Sydney’s harbor, waterfront dining, or historic Rocks district.

Day 12 | Blue Mountains scenery & dining
Head into the Blue Mountains on a private guided excursion. Meet native animals at Calmsley Hill Farm, take in views of the Three Sisters and Jamison Valley, and enjoy lunch at Echoes Restaurant overlooking the mountains. Visit Govetts Leap and other scenic lookouts before returning to Sydney.

Day 13 | Sydney icons & a harbor long lunch
Discover the architecture and stories of the Sydney Opera House on a private guided tour. Then board a luxury cruiser for a private harbor experience, enjoying a progressive lunch with stops at Watsons Bay and Balmoral, followed by cheese and wine aboard.

Day 14 | Depart Sydney
Enjoy breakfast before your private transfer to Sydney International Airport for your onward journey.

Epicurean Adventure

What's included ✓

13 nights’ accommodation: two nights in the Yarra Valley, three in Melbourne, two in the Barossa Valley, one in Adelaide, two on Kangaroo Island, and three in Sydney.
Daily breakfast: 13 breakfasts, including continental breakfast in the Yarra Valley.
Nine lunches and three dinners, with selected beverages included as specified.
Private airport and destination transfers as outlined in the itinerary.
Private Yarra Valley touring, including boutique winery tastings, a local produce tasting, and vineyard lunch.
Private Healesville and Phillip Island wildlife touring, including a VIP sanctuary experience, Koala Conservation Centre admission, and Penguins Plus viewing.
Private Melbourne lanes and arcades walking tour, including refreshments and lunch.
Private Great Ocean Road touring, including morning tea and lunch.
Private Barossa Valley wine touring, including standard wine tastings and lunch at FINO.
Two full days of shared guided touring on Kangaroo Island, including airport transfers, admission fees, two lunches, and two three-course dinners.
Private Blue Mountains touring, including Calmsley Hill Farm admission, national park fees, morning tea, and lunch.
Private one-hour Sydney Opera House tour.
Private Sydney Harbour long lunch cruise, including a progressive two-course lunch and beverages.

Also Included: Detailed travel documentation, personalized recommendations, and the expert planning and support of the Active Downunder team before and throughout your journey.

Domestic flights within Australia are not included.

Note: Melbourne has blackout dates at certain times of the year due to events, such as the Australian Open, F1 Grand Prix, Spring Festival, AFL Games and more.