Highlights
- Sail across Sydney Harbour on a luxury yacht, enjoying lunch with local wine
- Visit wineries in the Hunter Valley and the Mornington and Bellarine peninsulas
- Experience Melbourne's cool laneway and café culture with fun local guides
- Journey along the Great Ocean Road, one of Australia's most beautiful drives
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Sydney, Half-Day Sightseeing Tour | Sydney |
| Day 2 | Full-Day Luxury Sailing Excursion, BridgeClimb Summit | Sydney |
| Day 3 | Full-Day Hunter Valley Scenic Wine & Dine Tour | Sydney |
| Day 4 | Fly to Melbourne, Lanes & Arcades Tour, Small Group Restaurant Tour | Melbourne |
| Day 5 | Full-Day Around The Bay Food & Wine Taste Trail | Melbourne |
| Day 6 | Full-Day Great Ocean Road Classic Tour | Melbourne |
| Day 7 | Café Culture Walk, Depart |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Sydney, Half-Day Sightseeing Tour
Welcome to Sydney! With a dazzling natural harbor, epic beaches, a cutting-edge restaurant and bar scene, and an unquenchable thirst for fun, you'll never get bored in this city—which is why it's the perfect honeymoon destination. Upon arrival at the airport, a driver will be waiting to transfer you to your city accommodation. Refresh, then set out to find lunch or go for a walk through the beautiful Royal Botanic Gardens and along the edge of Sydney Harbour.
This afternoon, you'll get to explore Sydney with a local. After lunch, you'll hear fascinating stories of early convict history in The Rocks area and see postcard-worthy views of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge. Shop until you drop at the Queen Victoria Building and explore the trendy Oxford Street district. Head east for a scenic walk around Tamarama and Bronte, and enjoy a refreshing drink at the famous Bondi Beach while admiring bronzed Aussie lifesavers. Then, wave goodbye to your guide and find somewhere for a relaxed sunset drink or dinner.
Day 2: Full-Day Luxury Sailing Excursion, BridgeClimb Summit
After breakfast, prepare to set sail on the harbor! At the appointed time, board your luxury yacht and cruise up Darling Harbour at a relaxed pace until you reach the main body of Sydney Harbour. Once you're past commuter traffic, it's time to hoist the sails and cut the engines as you set sail out to the harbor heads. Your captain will drop anchor in a calm bay allowing you time to relax as you feast on a gourmet lunch with Australian beer and wine. While here, enjoy plenty of free time to go fishing, take a swim, or just sit back and relax on the boat before returning to the city center.
When darkness falls on the city, you'll set out for a once-in-a-lifetime after-dark adventure—climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Strap on a harness and let a BridgeClimb leader take you 439 feet (134 m) above sea level for an adrenaline-pumping journey that provides stunning 360-degree views of the city. As you ascend to the summit of the world's largest steel arch, you'll hear insights into this world-famous icon's engineering and cultural history. After your descent, head to Circular Quay or Darling Harbour to take your pick of some of the city's best restaurants.
Day 3: Full-Day Hunter Valley Scenic Wine & Dine Tour
Australia's oldest wine-growing region is home to more than 150 vineyards, and today's full-day Hunter Valley tour allows you to sip, swill, and sample your way through all things local. These food and wine experiences will showcase the best of the Hunter, including the region's famous semillon wines. Your local guide and driver will take you to three hand-picked boutique wineries, where you'll enjoy extensive tastings of some of the 20 varieties grown in the Hunter.
Sit down for a beautiful lunch in the Hunter Valley Garden Village, then take your time browsing the small boutique shops and galleries nearby. You could sample more local produce at the Hunter Valley Chocolate Company, Kissofire Hunter Valley Liqueurs, or The Garden Cellars. After a huge day enjoying the Hunter Valley, return to Sydney in time for dinner.
Day 4: Fly to Melbourne, Lanes & Arcades Tour, Small Group Restaurant Tour
After breakfast, take a private transfer to Sydney airport for your 90-minute flight to Australia's other big city, Melbourne. On arrival in the cultural capital of Australia, another driver will transfer you to your accommodation. Drop your bags and set out to get lost in Melbourne's back streets and arcades with a guide who will show you the city's greatest secrets. This city is famous for its laneway culture, and on a three-hour walk, you'll discover local designers and specialty retailers, quirky cafés, and cool street art—all while hearing fascinating tales from your local guide.
Melbourne is known for its restaurant scene, with longtime favorites and new openings regularly popping up. Join a local food guide this evening and sample the best of Melbourne's impressive restaurant scene with a progressive dinner, squeezing a handful of restaurants and bars into one night. You'll sit down at three of Melbourne's hidden dining spots, enjoying savory dishes with carefully paired wines. Each venue has a different food style, with history and design as diverse as the city.
Day 5: Full-Day Around The Bay Food & Wine Taste Trail
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Today's food-themed day trip visits not one but two regions, stopping at cellar doors and tasting rooms scattered throughout the Mornington and Bellarine peninsulas. You'll taste a variety of wines, craft beers, and seasonal dishes, and take a sightseeing cruise on Port Phillip Bay. Your local guide will collect you in Melbourne, taking you first to Geelong for a walk along the waterfront esplanade for some fresh sea air and to see the historic sea baths. Then, you'll drop into Scotchmans Hill Vineyard and Jack Rabbit Vineyard to sample wines, wander the vines, and indulge in a seasonal winery lunch menu.
After, it's time to sail across Port Phillip Bay. Enjoy afternoon tea as you cross from the Bellarine Peninsula to the Mornington Peninsula, looking for dolphins and admiring the spectacular coastline. On the other side, your first stop is St Andrews Beach Brewery for a tasting paddle in the outdoor beer garden. Then it's time to take in the views from Murrays Lookout, where you might spot wildlife, too, and see the iconic and colorful Peninsula Bathing Boxes. Finally, return to Melbourne before dinner.
Day 6: Full-Day Great Ocean Road Classic Tour
Today, you'll journey along the spectacular Great Ocean Road, one of Australia's greatest coastal drives. Your small group eco-tour will meander along Victoria's Surf Coast, making several detours to experience pristine beaches and take in unrivaled views. You'll also head into the Great Otway National Park to spot wild koalas frolicking in the trees and snacking on eucalyptus leaves. Then, explore the cool temperate rainforest before continuing along the Surf Coast for a lunch stop in Apollo Bay.
After lunch, return from the Otway Ranges and make your way to the Shipwreck Coast with its scenic coastline and distinct limestone formations, including the world-famous Twelve Apostles. Walk along the boardwalks and take photographs of the awe-inspiring scenery before moving on to the spectacular Loch Ard Gorge. From here, you'll be able to descend to the beach once more at Gibsons Steps. This is a big day trip, and you likely won't return to the city until the evening, just in time for dinner.
Day 7: Café Culture Walk, Depart
It's your last day in Australia and the perfect opportunity to step deeper into Melbourne's world-famous coffee scene with a tour of the city's café culture. At the appointed time, meet your local coffee expert, who knows where to find the best sips and bites, and dive deep into the caffeine scene. You'll take a fun journey through the city's gastronomic hideaways, meeting dedicated artisans skilled in the art of tea, coffee, and gourmet food.
After that, it's time to wave goodbye to Australia. A private transfer will take you to the airport in time for your flight home or onward. Safe travels!
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