Wine Route of Australia – 14 days

Suggested itinerary

Australia has established itself in recent years as a safe bet for wine experience and has even become one of the world’s largest exporters. In this gigantic country (14 times France), Australian wines have enough diversity to satisfy all tastes. Historically the first Australian vineyards were born in New South Wales in the 1780’s before reaching the states of Victoria and South Australia. You will enjoy exploring these regions and meeting producers who will explain their know-how through tastings. This tour is designed for wine enthusiasts but we will also show you some of Australia’s highlights such as the Great Ocean Road, Kangaroo Island, Sydney…

Suggested duration: 14 days

Theme: Food & wine

Difficulty : For all public

Visited countries: Australia

Your tailor-made trip

Travelers reviews : 9,5/10

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Day 1 : Melbourne

Meet and greet with your guide at the Melbourne International airport and transfer to your hotel.

Free afternoon to chill and recover from jet-lag.

Night at the Alto on Bourke Hotel

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Day 2 : Melbourne - Wine Tasting

Departure from your hotel for a day exploring the city of Melbourne followed by your first introduction to Australian wine.

As you wander through its narrow alleys and arcades, Melbourne will reveal its charm and its secrets. A few must-see sites, such as the Victoria Library, will bring to life a unique history and give you the cultural basics to enjoy your Australian journey to the fullest.

You’ll have lunch in one of the oldest pubs in the city.

Later in the day you’ll meet Australian oenologist, David Lawler, president of the Australian Sommeliers Association, in his brand new establishment Comptoir. Wine tasting is of course part of the experience, served with a shared plate for you to enjoy.

Night at the Alto on Bourke Hotel

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Day 3 : Melbourne - Yarra Valley

Departure from your hotel for a full day in the Yarra Valley.

Its story begins in 1838 with the two Scottish brothers Ryrie who planted the first vines in Yering Station.

You will get to meet two wine connoisseur, the first one is Dominique Portet, who grew up in the wine world, as his father André was the director of Château Lafitte-Rothschild. He will welcome you on his estate. Even though his Australian experience is vast and well acknowledged, he still keeps in touch with his roots in Bordeaux.

Then you will have lunch in one of the many restaurants in the valley and get a taste of the Australian cuisine and its many international influences. The De B0rtoli Estate will open its doors, and give you a chance to taste the famous Noble One wine, which dethroned some of our Sauternes in international competitions and is not to be missed.

The day will end with Gary Mills, from Jamsheed Winery. His approach and philosophy represent the new Australian trend; he usually gets his inspiration in the Yarra Valley but can make you travel in many other Victoria’s terroirs.

Night at the Alto on Bourke Hotel

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Day 4 : Melbourne - Mornington Peninsula

Today you will depart your hotel and visit the Mornington Peninsula.

Growing Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, two of the favorite grape varieties, its terroir located between two seas, is nestled in a magnificent site.

Your first wine expert, George Mihaly, will greet you in his estate, Paradigm Hill, and take you on a quest for the perfect wine. He is regarded as the new master of the region. Do check out the photos in his property to discover the face of French Pinot Noir.

Lunch will take place in a typical local pub, maybe the lucky ones will spot actress Cate Blanchett, one of its regular.

The afternoon will be focused on the meeting with the queen of pinot gris: Kathleen Quealy who will welcome you in her estate, of course her talent goes beyond Pinot Gris vine… You shall get some good surprises in perspective.

You will end the day with a wine tasting of the local reference, served with a cheese platter at Main Ridge’s first estate, which was established in 1975 and is considered one of Australia’s best pinot noir.

Night at the Alto on Bourke Hotel

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Day 5 : Melbourne - Great Ocean Road

Today, get ready for one of Australia’s greatest highlights, The Great Ocean Road. Enjoy the opportunity to drive the legendary twisting coastal and incredibly scenic road of Victoria.

On the program of your exploration day you will see Bells Beach, the Mecca of Australian surfers and its local visitor, the eastern grey kangaroo.

You continue to the Maits Rest tropical rainforest and wonder at the world tallest plant: the mountain ash eucalyptus tree. A little further, on the Cape Otway lighthouse road, you will come across other locals, the koalas.

And of course, not to be missed is the world famous 12 Apostles site. Can you spot them all?

Lunch at Apollo Bay at la Bimba, considered to be the best restaurant in the area, with seafood picked directly from locals fishmongers.

Night at the Royal Mail Hotel, Dunkeld

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Day 6 : Coonawarra - Adelaide

Departure for Adelaide.

Your Australian experience cannot be complete without a road trip. The landscapes gently settle along the windows and give a feel of the immensity of the continent.

The renown Coonawarra red land is on the way and a wine tasting will take place in one of the classic estates of this small region; Hollick. Its secret lies in the combination of its terra rossa with the limestones soil, and a source of pure groundwater, but we will say no more.

You will have lunch at the Ottelia Estate, the new gastronomic darling of the region.

Adelaide is known as the city of churches but also as the wine region with the world oldest vines.

While in the city you’ll meet the famous wine advocate, Tim White, the South Australian equivalent of Robert Parker, who’ll greet you in his restaurant for a wine tasting served with local products.

Night at the Mayfair Hotel, Adelaide

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Day 7 : Adelaide - Barossa Valley

Departure for the Barossa Valley.

Barossa’s history is rich and almost prehistorical in terms of English colonization as it begins in 1836. Its name is derived from the English victory at Barossa against the French citizens in Napoleon’s time, andthe valley is often compared to the Côte du Rhône region in France.

The first must-see visit is Yalumba, a family estate since 1849, all about terroir and tradition.

Lunch will keep in the theme of the region at Harvest Kitchen where you’ll be looked after you like a Barossian. This choice is particularly relevant as the next door is home to 6 independent winemakers and their distinctive style.

The afternoon will conclude on a different note, between tradition and sustainable culture, Damien Tsharke will welcome you in his estate.

Night at the Mayfair Hotel, Adelaide

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Day 8 : Adelaide - Kangaroo Island

3 DAYS DISCOVERY OF KANGAROO ISLAND BY 4WD

Day 1 – Early morning pick up from your Adelaide or Glenelg hotel for a scenic coach journey to Cape Jervis, taking in the picturesque Fleurieu Peninsula with its vineyards, coastal views and rolling hills.

You board the SeaLink Kangaroo Island ferry for the 45 minute crossing to Penneshaw on Kangaroo Island.

On arrival at Penneshaw you will be met by your local guide and your island nature experience begins with an introduction to Kangaroo Island. Tour through several island habitats and see wildlife in their natural environments. Kangaroo Island is a haven for Australian wildlife, which exists in its natural habitat without the threat of introduced predators. Listen to the distinct sounds of the native bird life as they chorus from the tall eucalyptus trees.

Kangaroo Island is home to some 250 bird species, many of which, through isolation from the mainland, have developed their own subspecies and are therefore endemic to Kangaroo Island. As you travel the island keep an eye out for echidna, wallabies, reptiles and wildflowers.

At the spectacular Seal Bay Conservation Park, your guide will escort you on a memorable walk along the beach. This bay is home to a healthy Australian sea lion colony. Walk among the sea lions as they bask on the beach or among the sand dunes after their extensive fishing expedition. With your guide, you are able to stand at a safe distance from these wonderful endangered creatures and hear them sigh or watch them play. This is a truly unforgettable experience — one that you will treasure forever.

Enter our exclusive Heritage-listed natural bush property to enjoy a delicious gourmet picnic style lunch with South Australian wine. Follow your lunch with a pleasant bush-walk or a stroll along the beach. Travel through the island’s interior keeping an eye out for koalas and echidna. Listen for Australia’s rarest cockatoo, the Kangaroo Island glossy black cockatoo and watch out for the tammar wallaby, with its small fine features, in its natural habitat.

Later in the afternoon, as the day draws to a close, see the kangaroos leave the safety of the bush to begin grazing on the open pastures.

The first day of your tour concludes at your accommodation on the island.

Night at the Aurora Ozone Hotel, Kingscote

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Day 9 : Kangaroo Island - Flinders Chase National Park

Day 2 – Travel to the western end of the island and discover the Flinders Chase National Park, one of the oldest and most important national parks in South Australia. The park incorporates almost 20 per cent of the island and much of it is a Wilderness Protection Area.

See at close range some of the 10,000 healthy Long-nosed Fur Seals in their colony at Cape du Couedic and discover the formation of Remarkable Rocks. These large granite boulders balance dramatically on the cliff edge, which plunges 75 metres into the turbulent Southern Ocean below. At Admirals Arch see where the powerful forces of nature have cut through the headland to create this natural geological formation. A delicious gourmet style picnic lunch with South Australian wine will be served in a secluded bush setting.

During the day koalas can be observed peacefully living in their treetop habitat.

By special permit, enter the Kelly Hill Conservation Park to see kangaroos and other native wildlife emerge from the safety of the bush land to graze on the open plains.

The second day of your tour concludes at your accommodation on the island.

Night at the Aurora Ozone Hotel, Kingscote

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Day 10 : Kangaroo Island - Adelaide

Day 3 – Early morning departure from Penneshaw for the return journey to Adelaide.

*Notes:

– Small group tours (max: 12 people)

– Reach the island and come back by Ferry

– Tour will be in English, with daily departure

– Luggage limited to 15 kg

– Departure: 6:45 am (from Adelaide) and return 11:30 am. FREE TIME IN ADELAIDE

Adelaide is a quiet city with museums, small restaurants, and its Central Market. Its green spaces are ideal in summer, as they allow everyone to find some shade and cope with the high temperatures of the region. Adelaide is also the starting point for excursions to various wine valleys: Barossa Valley, Clare Valley, Mc Laren Vale

During this day, you will be able to enjoy the capital of South Australia in complete freedom.

Night at the Mayfair Hotel, Adelaide

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Day 11 : Adelaide - Sydney

Private transfer from your accommodation to Adelaide Airport. *Domestic flight Adelaide – Sydney (not included)

Private transfer from Sydney Airport to your accommodation.

WINE & CHEESE PAIRING – TASTING EXPERIENCES

A six-glass wine tasting experience will take you on a tour of Australia, four of which are regional selections (classic, daily drinkable varieties) and two of which are Premium Collection wines.

Explore the aromas, structure and taste sensation of each wine as you sample some cheese.

*Note: Duration: 1 hour

Night at the QT Sydney Hotel

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Day 12 : Sydney - Hunter Valley Wine tasting

A TRIP TO THE HUNTER VALLEY WITH A GUIDE

Wine and gourmet food lovers, the Hunter Valley vineyards will seduce you! Among the oldest vineyards in Australia (1828), they are renowned throughout the world for their varieties of Semillon and Syrah. You will pay a visit to a first renowned wine estate and taste some of its wines.

We will then take you to another winery, Leogate Estate, where you will have another tasting served with local cheese. After that, you will have lunch in the restaurant of the estate (2-course menu with a glass of wine).

In the afternoon, you will go to the village of Hunter Valley where you can discover the chocolate workshop and have a final wine tasting.

In a nutshell, the perfect day for the epicureans!

Night at the QT Sydney Hotel

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Day 13 : Sydney

GUIDED CITY TOUR OF SYDNEY & OPERA HOUSE IN A SMALL GROUP 

Meet your guide at Queen Victoria Building and start your visit of Sydney. Learn about the city’s fascinating history and how Sydney has developed into a thriving metropolis over the past 200 years, and you will see the imposing and elegant Victorian-era buildings that perfectly define Sydney’s architectural heritage.

Your guide will take you back in time, as you discover the historic Rocks district. It is the birth place of Sydney and your guide will share with you the stories and legends of this trendy hub as you explore its secret little alleys and its architecture.

For about an hour, your guide will take you to the heart of Sydney’s Opera House, the icon of the city but also of Australia as a whole. Walk around the interior of the building and its various rooms, and learn about its eventful history and the architectural challenge of its construction.

*Notes:

– departure daily with an English-speaking guide

– small group (10 people maximum)

– duration 4 hours (from 08h30 to 12h30)

TIME OFF IN SYDNEY

In the afternoon, you will have time to explore Sydney on your own. We will advise you on the best places to visit.

Night at the QT Sydney Hotel

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Day 14 : Sydney

Private transfer from your accommodation to Sydney Airport. Connection with your international flight.

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