Great
Ocean Road 5 Day Tour
See the natural coastal wonder of the Great Ocean Road,
the Coorong wetlands, Mount Gambier and the Limestone
coast, Tantanoola and Naracoorte Caves, Warrnambool and
the ship wreck coast, Apollo Bay and the Coonawarra wine
region.
Day
One
Depart Adelaide at 9am for Mount Gambier, travelling via
the South Eastern Freeway to Murray Bridge then on to
the Princess Highway.
Travel along the Coorong wetlands area, an inland sea
of shallow lagoons where the River Murray meets the sea
to Kingston South East. At Kingston visit the Analemmetic
Sun Dial (one of only eight in the World).
After lunch continue to Mount Gambier visiting the South
East towns of Robe, Beachport, Millicent and Tantanoola.
At Tantanoola visit the Tantanoola Caves (at own expense).
Overnight historic Mount Gambier Gaol.
Day
Two
Today visit the Little Blue Lake, Allendale East Sinkhole,
Dingley Dell (restored cottage housing personal effects
of the Australian Poet Adam Lindsey Gordon), Port MacDonnell
to see the Petrified Forest, where the Southern Ocean
once used to be.
After lunch travel along the coastline to Ewin Ponds and
Piccannie Ponds. Next stop is Nelson for a cruise on the
Glenelg river. Explore this premium waterway of high limestone
cliff gorges in comfort cruising to the spectacular Princess
Margaret Cave (at own expense, if time permits).
In the afternoon head to Warrnambool and the region known
as the Shipwreck Coast, so called for the number of ships
that came to grief in the surrounding waters (more than
1,500 ships have foundered and only 500 wrecks have been
discovered). Overnight Warrnambool.
Day Three
After breakfast discover more about the history of ship
wrecks in the area at the Warrnambool Flagstaff Hill Maritime
Museum. This life size village reflects the atmosphere
of a coastal Port in the 19th Century where many of the
original buildings can be seen. An optional helicopter
flight is available (at own expense) from the Warrnambool
breakwater.
Depart for Apollo Bay on the Great Ocean Road travelling
through Port Campbell, Lavers Hill and the Otway National
Park. It is along this section of the Great Ocean Road
that the flat coastal plains end in a series of vertical
cliffs, caverns, archways, blowholes and offshore rock
stacks.
See the spectacular rock formations of the Twelve Apostles,
Loch Ard Gorge, The Grotto, London Bridge, Sentinel Rock
and the Blow Hole. Climb to the top of Tower Hill for
magnificent ocean views of Warrnambool and surrounds.
Visit Cape Otway Lighthouse in the Otway National Park,
first operated in August 1848. Overnight Apollo Bay.
Day Four
Two tour options available today.
Option One: Depart Apollo Bay at 9am approximately and
travel to Lorne. Visit Erskine Falls, Henderson Falls
and Won Wondah Falls. Return to Mount Gambier via the
Great Ocean Road.
Option two: Travel inland to the Great Ocean Road hinterland,
a region of contrasts from lush temperate forests to massive
volcanic plains, soaring cliffs, rugged mountains giving
way to rolling hills with pine plantations, wide expanses
of farmland around ancient landmarks from blunted caps
of extinct volcanoes to floating islands and massive lakes.
See the mysterious floating islands in a pool at Stony
Rises just past Colac. Stop at Laura Lookout for wonderful
views of the lakes district. Overnight Mount Gambier Gaol.
Day Five
Today depart at 9am approximately for return journey to
Adelaide, travelling via the Coonawarra wine region. Sample
local wines en route and visit the Naracoorte Caves World
Heritage area and Bool Lagoon wetlands area.
Follow the Dukes Highway to Murray Bridge then continue
on to Adelaide via the South Eastern Freeway, arriving
at 6pm.
