Southeast Australia Active Honeymoon From Sydney to Adelaide - 14 Days

Highlights

• Take a scenic road trip from Sydney to Melbourne, stopping at your own pace
• Board a private plane for a three-course culinary experience in a national park
• Hike to the top of Mount Oberon for spectacular views of Wilsons Promontory
• Cycle around Melbourne with a local guide to see the sights, including Fitzroy
• Create your own wine-tasting itinerary on a self-guided Barossa Valley trip

Brief Itinerary

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Sydney, Free Time

G'day and welcome to Sydney! With a dazzling natural harbor, famous beaches, a cutting-edge restaurant and bar scene, and an enviable thirst for fun, you'll never get bored in this city—which is why it's the perfect honeymoon destination. Upon arrival at Sydney's 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.

If you wander through the gardens, be sure to stop at the iconic Mrs Macquarie's Chair for the best view of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Opera House. From here, wander down to see the famous sails of the iconic performing arts buildings and stop for a drink at the waterfront Opera Bar. Watch the ferries and boats go about their business, then find somewhere for dinner. Try Circular Quay or Darling Harbour, where you can take your pick of some of the city's best restaurants.

Day 2: Cottage Point Inn Fly & Dine, Twilight BridgeClimb

Day 3: Collect Rental Car, Drive to Jervis Bay via the Grand Pacific Drive

Your self-drive Aussie adventure begins today, so say goodbye to Sydney and collect a rental car. Today, you'll make tracks south, finishing in Jervis Bay. Take the scenic route, turning off after an hour to the Royal National Park, where the Grand Pacific Drive begins. This spectacular cliff-hugging road cruises along the coast and offers the chance to stop at different towns and outlooks en route. For instance, you could take a break at Stanwell Tops (Baldhill Lookout) to photograph epic coastal views, then drive over the dramatic Sea Cliff Bridge while suspended 727 yards (665 m) above the ocean.

From here, take a break in Wollongong for a coffee, perhaps at Diggies on North Beach, and then walk up to the lighthouse. Next, continue an hour south, past Shellharbour and Lake Illawarra to the pretty coastal town of Kiama. Watch the Kiama Blowhole propel water 200 feet (60 m) in the air, then continue to charming Berry, where the main street offers stylish boutiques and antiques. Queue up at the iconic Berry Donut Van or explore nearby wineries like Two Figs Winery before continuing an hour to beautiful Jervis Bay, where calm waters and white sands await.

Day 4: Jervis Bay Snorkel & Dive Boat Tour, Coastal Walk

The Great Barrier Reef isn't the only place you can snorkel or dive in Australia. Today, you'll get out with Dive Jervis Bay and spend most of today on the water. With access to more than 65 dive sites, there's always somewhere special in the Jervis Bay Marine Park where the conditions are just right. Today, you'll visit two with your skipper and dive master, depending on the weather. You can choose to snorkel or try diving with an in-water dive guide.

Later, return to shore and enjoy your afternoon by the coast. Walking trails in the beautiful Jervis Bay area offer wonderfully diverse experiences, from the spectacular national park and soft white sand to abundant wildlife and Indigenous heritage. The White Sands Walk is the most popular walking track, starting at the southern end of Nelsons Beach and finishing at Hyams Beach. This easy 1.5-mile (2.5 km) walk offers stellar views across Jervis Bay and plenty of options for a swim!

Day 5: Drive to Tathra with Optional Stops, Dinner at Hotel

Wind your way along the spectacular south coast of New South Wales on today's four-hour drive to Tathra. Along the way, pause in the pretty town of Milton for a treat at the Heritage Bakery, then pass through Ulladulla. Before you hit Batemans Bay, take a wildlife-spotting detour to Pebbly Beach. There's a good chance you'll encounter friendly kangaroos and wallabies as they hop along the beach. They are quite tame, so you might get one to pose for a photo! Return to the highway and along Beach Road, where you'll find a string of coves and gorgeous beaches to swim and sunbake.

Now you'll turn inland, past lakes and over rivers. Wander through charming Moruya, stop at the historic town of Bodalla, and treat yourself to ice cream at Bodalla Dairy. Stop at tiny Tilba Tilba, a heritage town with much of its 1890s gold rush character. Taste some of the region's delicious cheeses, then drive by an area of rocky coves, bluffs, and inlets via Bermagui. From there, head into Mimosa Rocks National Park where you can swim in lagoons, then finally reach Tathra just in time for dinner at the Tathra Hotel.

Day 6: Drive to Lakes Entrance with Optional Stops, Explore

Today, you'll cross the state border into Victoria. Drive south from Tathra, through coastal Merimbula and neighboring Pambula, where you can grab a coffee at Toast. Pass Eden, the whale capital of Australia, where you can visit the killer whale museum. After roughly 45 minutes you'll reach the Victorian border. Continue for another 45 minutes to Cann River, where you can stop for a break, fuel, and lunch. Try the Wild Rye's or Cann River Bakery if you're yet to enjoy a classic Aussie meat pie.

If time allows, detour at the McKenzie River Rest area at Club Terrace for a lovely rainforest walk, or visit Cape Conran. In the midafternoon, you should arrive at Lakes Entrance. Check in to your accommodation, then set out to explore this relaxed holiday town. Lakes Entrance offers Australia's largest inland network of waterways, and it's a hub for seafood trawlers. Grab takeaway fish-and-chips from the local spot and enjoy a private picnic in the park, or get dressed up for a romantic dinner at Sodafish, a floating restaurant that takes local seafood up a notch.

Day 7: Drive to Wilsons Promontory via Raymond Island, Scenic Walk

Grab a coffee at Alberts & Co. before heading southwest on today's three-hour drive to Wilsons Promontory. Stretch your legs at Ninety Mile Beach, then continue to Paynesville, from where you can catch the free five-minute ferry to Raymond Island, famous for its koalas. Expect to find all your favorite furry, feathered, and spiky Australian friends across the island. There's a massive koala population on Raymond Island that thrives thanks to the safety of the island. Walk the 0.7 mile (1.2 km) Koala Walk, departing from Ferry Park—and don't forget to look up!

Continue on the road where you'll arrive in the afternoon at Victoria's largest coastal wilderness area, Wilsons Promontory. The Prom is threaded with walking tracks through cool fern gullies and eucalyptus forest, and bordered with orange lichen-covered boulders and sandy beaches. Keep an eye out for wildlife like kangaroos and emus in the north as you drive to Tidal River. Try the 30-minute Loo-Errn Track to Tidal River and Squeaky Beach for a short walk. You can add a short detour to Pillar Point for views over Norman Bay and the islands. 

Day 8: Wilsons Promontory Cruise, Mount Oberon Summit Hike

This morning, you'll discover pristine beaches and distinct rock formations (such as Skull Rock) and search for coastal and sea wildlife on this morning's coastal eco-cruise. Jump in a custom-built boat, designed for maximum fun and minimal environmental impact, and set off from Norman Beach to explore the sea. While on board, look for dolphins, seals, birdlife, and migrating whales depending on the time of year (September to December and May to July).

This afternoon, set off to scale the rocky granite peaks of Mount Oberon for one of the best views in Victoria. From the top of the 1,830-foot (558 m) summit you'll take in unrivaled views with 360-degree panoramas of Wilsons Promontory. The 4.2-mile hike takes about two hours to return, and the trek is well worth it for the views of the pristine coastline, offshore islands, lush gullies, and wild bushland. Bring a light jacket, even in the summer, and make it extra romantic by timing your hike for the sunset.

Day 9: Drive to Melbourne, Free Time

It's time to hit the road north through the charming Victorian countryside. If you're driving at dawn or dusk, keep an eye out for wild kangaroos who will come out to feed. Today's three-hour drive to Melbourne will take you through a handful of little towns en route, such as Fish Creek, Meeniyan, Loch, and Koonwarra. Loch has a great brewery, and Koonwarra has two excellent cafés, The Koonwarra Store and Milly & Romeo's. Time your trip to drop by for lunch on your way into the state capital.

Once in Melbourne, check into your accommodation and drop off your bags before returning the rental car. The rest of the afternoon is yours to explore the city. Melbourne's downtown is threaded with cobbled laneways, 19th-century arcades, and newer alleyways. Many are home to world-famous street art, cool cafés, and bars. Find a fantastic flat white coffee to fuel your afternoon, then keep exploring the corners of the city until it's time for dinner!

Day 10: Private Great Ocean Road & Twelve Apostles Experience

Today's epic road trip includes wild kangaroos and koalas, charming coastal towns, national parks, and native forests along the Great Ocean Road. Your local guide and driver will collect you at 8 am, so you can relax while exploring this beautiful area of Victoria. First up, you'll pause at an Indigenous center to sip local tea. Then, listen to the didgeridoo, learn the art of throwing a boomerang, and check out Indigenous art from around the country.

From here, cruise to Torquay to admire world-class surfers at Bells Beach. Enter native eucalyptus forests, where you'll learn about 700 different varieties of gum trees, not to mention wildlife and local history. You'll have some time to spend with the parrots, koalas, and kangaroos. Then, sit down for a cafe-style lunch in Apollo Bay and take a guided walk at the Twelve Apostles. Your driver will then make a stop for afternoon tea and Aussie treats. You'll return to Melbourne around 7 pm, just in time for dinner. 

Day 11: Classic Bike Tour, Explore Melbourne

Today, you'll explore the best of Melbourne, starting with a relaxed bike tour. Jump in the saddle and pedal past the city's top landmarks with a guide who will share stories and tales of the city. You won't just see the city but also learn about its colorful history, from the Indigenous people to the Eureka Stockade, Australia's war history, and why sport is so significant. Partway through, you'll pause for lunch at a favorite café in trendy Fitzroy.

The rest of the day is yours to explore Melbourne's pulsating city center. Start with the free City Circle tram at Flinders Street Station and pass must-see attractions such as St Paul's Cathedral, Parliament House, and the Royal Exhibition Building. Hop off at Flagstaff Station and stroll to Queen Victoria Market, a landmark for more than a century. Or, after the bike tour, stay in hip Fitzroy and explore the cafés, boutiques, bars, and restaurants that make Melbourne's inner-city suburbs so cool.

Day 12: Fly to Adelaide, Collect Rental Car, Drive to the Barossa Valley

This morning, you'll jump to your third Australian state: South Australia. A driver will pick you up from your accommodation and transfer you to Melbourne's airport for the 80-minute flight to Adelaide. Upon arrival, pick up your rental car and get ready for your self-drive wine adventure. Drive 90 minutes toward the Barossa Valley, renowned for wine, with over 150 wineries and 80 cellar doors. It's also known for its German heritage, so stop in historic Hahndorf and be charmed by its quaint 19th-century architecture.

Use the afternoon to taste the region. The scenic drive between Lyndoch, Tanunda, and Nuriootpa is dotted with cellar doors of top wineries, such as Chateau Tanunda and Penfolds. It's easy to drop in and taste wines at most cellar doors; no reservations are needed. For lunch, try the acclaimed restaurant at Hentley Farm Wines in Seppeltsfield for a special treat, or enjoy more casual fare at Harvest Kitchen in Tanunda.

Day 13: Explore Farmers' Markets & Wineries in the Barossa Valley

If you're here on a Saturday morning, take yourself to the local farmer's market to pursue what local fruits and vegetables are in season, shop for artisanal olive oils, and so much more. Lucky for residents, the fertile land around the Barossa provides quality produce all year long. After that, it's time to sip world-class wines! No trip to the Barossa Valley is complete without a visit to a few (or more) cellar doors. The Barossa offers bold shiraz and vibrant grenache at a couple of favorite varietals grown in the wine region.

Perhaps best of all, the landscape is as beautiful as the wines themselves. Today, you're on your own, so plan a route to drop by a handful of cellar doors, such as Jacob's Creek, Wolf Blass, St Hugo, and Henschke. Each offers a different experience, and some have beautiful restaurants—perfect for a romantic lunch on your final day in Australia—or offer gourmet picnic hampers to enjoy between the vines. If you'd prefer to cycle—hire bikes and follow the Barossa Trail.

Day 14: Drive to Adelaide, Depart

Linger over your final breakfast in Australia, then jump back in the rental car and make the one-hour drive to Adelaide's airport. Make sure you leave enough time to refuel and return your rental ahead of your departing flight home or onward. Safe travels!

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