(Drive Time: 1.5 hrs)
Upon arrival, collect your car rental at the airport and travel to the living museum of Sovereign Hill. Step back into 1851 as you ride a horse and carriage, dress up for a sepia portrait and pan for gold, immersing yourself in local history. There is also a short stroll of the historic local streets will lead you to the Art Gallery of Ballarat, with an eclectic mix of classic, Indigenous and modern artworks. Explore the ground floor for ever-evolving exhibitions, and upstairs for the permanent collection.

Accommodation: Craigs Royal Hotel or similar 

(Drive Time: 2 hrs)

This morning, you may visit the Ballarat Wildlife Park. You’ll see kangaroos, meerkats, penguins, tigers and even the most enormous saltwater crocodiles! But the highlight is getting to cuddle a koala! The greatest of the great wildlife experiences right there! make a wine tasting stop or two along the way, as the region is home to some of the world’s oldest vines. Blue Pyrenees, Fallen Giants, Grampians Estate and Mount Langi Ghiran, and Seppelt Great Western all have excellent shiraz and sparkling – the varietals the region is famous for. Time to get out into the natural beauty The Grampians is famous for. Head out for a guided walk along the Grampians Peaks Trail with the guys from Absolute Outdoors, or go chasing waterfalls – MacKenzie Falls, to be precise. One of the largest waterfalls in Victoria, It’s also the only one in the Grampians that flows all year ‘round. If you’ve been blessed with good weather, there’s one thing you don’t want to miss, a Grampians sunset. Head up to Reed Lookout and walk the 1km to reach The Balconies. There you’ll enjoy epic, panoramic views of Victoria Valley and the surrounding ranges in beautiful, golden hour light. Later, check in at Halls Gap Lakeside Tourist Park. Here you can stay in a cosy cabin, or glamp under the stars. Just remember to take the time to say hello to your friendly neighbours… the hundreds of kangaroos who are permanent residents of the park!

Accommodation: Halls Gap Lakeside Tourist Park or similar

(Drive Time: 2 hrs)

It’s time to wave goodbye to your kangaroo friends and head for the coast! Do keep an eye out for more wildlife as leaving Halls Gap, especially curious koalas and emus. In just over an hour, you’ll reach Tower Hill Reserve. Tower Hill is an inactive volcano and major natural landmark just outside Warrnambool. You may join their 90-minute interactive tour with an experienced local guide. Lose yourself in the incredible landscape as you learn about traditional Aboriginal lifestyles and meet even more furry and feathered friends like emus, kangaroos, wallabies, echidnas and black swans. Next, check into your accommodation in the lovely seaside town of Warrnambool.

Accommodation: Deep Blue Hotel & Hot Springs or similar

(Drive Time: 3 hrs)

Get ready for great heights when you arrive at Port Campbell to visit the 12 Apostles. Don’t miss these storeys-high, limestone rock stacks rising majestically from the Southern Ocean at sunset – quite simply, epic. There’s a viewing platform to see them and take photos from, and you can also wander down Gibson Steps to the beach to see them from a different angle. Although wherever you’re snapping from, they really don’t have a bad side as one of the most incredible natural wonders of the route! From sea to tree, stop at Wildlife Wonders for a 75-minute, guided walk through The Otways. Your conservationist guide will share the secrets of the plants and animals that call this bushland home. And it’s wonderful to know that this is a sustainable wildlife experience, with all profits going directly to conserving the unique flora and fauna of the area.

Accommodation: Great Ocean Road Resort or similar

(Drive Time: 3 hrs)

The Sea All Dolphin Swims experience is waiting for you in Queenscliff. The friendly and experienced crew will take you out onto Port Phillip Bay for 3.5 hours, where you’ll swim with baby fur seals and look out for playful dolphins along the way. When you can bear to tear yourself away from the view, head into Geelong for a stroll along the sparkling waterfront. If the sun’s still out, take a dip at Eastern Beach or a ride on the Giant Sky Wheel. Then, pop into the Café Narana for a coffee. It’s a café that incorporates indigenous and non-indigenous ingredients and the painted ceiling speaks the stories of the Dreamtime. Werribee Open Range Zoo is a fitting way to finish your five days by going on an African Safari, just 30 minutes from Melbourne. With over 200 hectares of beautiful natural surrounds that are home to giraffes, zebras, rhinos and much more, a fun way to end your Great Southern Touring Route nature and wildlife adventure.

Accommodation: Oaks Premier Melbourne or similar

Spend the day at leisure.

• Queen Victoria Market is more than just Melbourne’s shopping mecca – it’s an historic landmark, a tourist attraction and an institution for Malburnians. This vast and vibrant centre of trade and commerce was officially opened on 20 March 1878. Spread over 7 hectares, it is the largest open air Market in the southern hemisphere. Almost one thousand traders sell everything from exotic Australian fruit and vegetables and local and imported gourmet foods, meat, fish and poultry to hardware, manchester, clothing and authentic Australian artifacts and souvenirs.
• South Melbourne Market opened in 1867, making it Melbourne's longest continually running market.With almost 150 stalls operated by small business owners, the market features a huge range of products including; fresh fruit and vegetables, butchers, poultry, seafood and delis, groceries and specialty foods, pet food and supplies, men's and women's fashion, footwear, accessories and children's wear, manchester and fabric, homewares and kitchenware, books and stationery, giftware and cards, restaurants, cafes, speciality coffee stores and take-away food, cakes and confectioneries, plans and flowers and much more.
• Melbourne’s laneways and arcades - There’s always an exhilarating thrill to be had when entering Melbourne’s hive of bustling, creative laneways with their covert boutiques, famed restaurants, hole-in-the-wall cafes and astonishing bars. Never forget those tried and true laneways, favoured for their reliability.