Southern Capitals: City Meets Bush
In between Australia’s two largest cities on this epic Sydney to Melbourne trip, take in the dreamy landscapes of the Southern Highlands, the country’s cool little capital on Canberra guided tours, and historic gold rush towns.
Members from: $2,500 P.P Twin ShareNon-members from: $2,525 P.P Twin ShareSolo traveller from: $3,347
Type
Escorted Touring
Destination
Australia
Supplier
AAT Kings
Booking Code
ESBM
Departs
21 February 2023
21 March 2023
11 April 2023
2 May 2023
19 September 2023
17 October 2023
You can drive between Melbourne and Sydney in a day. But what fun would that be? In between Australia’s two largest cities on this epic Sydney to Melbourne trip, take in the dreamy landscapes of the Southern Highlands, the country’s cool little capital on Canberra guided tours, and historic gold rush towns. With plenty of time for fun-fuel adventures, like a Melbourne laneway tour or Phillip Island penguin tour, of course.
Highlights
Insider Knowledge
The Australian capital holds some of the country’s greatest stories, whether of politics at Parliament House (your guide knows the secrets) or history at the humbling War Memorial.
Local Connection
Crisp air, blue skies, the melody of sheep… there’s nothing like being on a 400-hectare working farm. Meet Craig Starr and his family for a BBQ and a yarn or two.
Cultural Immersion
Gold rush towns always come with stories about infamous bush rangers and love scandals. Hear them when you arrive in historic Beechworth.
Day 1 Sydney - Canberra
It’s hard to believe that just 1.5 hours from Sydney lies a patch of countryside that could have been transplanted straight from the English Cotswolds. This is Berrima, the oldest Georgian village in Australia. Think atmospheric villages amid rolling hills of grape vines – the Southern Highlands is the closest wine region to Australia’s largest city, after all. And then there are the grand gardens and emerald farms, one of which you’ll visit to meet Craig Starr and his family. Their 400-hectare Gold Creek Station farm is your backdrop for a Be My Guest BBQ lunch and tales about life on the land. This is your start of your Sydney to Melbourne trip, and the entrée to the country’s cool little capital of Canberra, home to Parliament House, where you’ll go behind the political scenes, as well as the Australian War Memorial. Hearing the Last Post is a moving experience, and this Canberra guided tour will linger long after you leave the capital.
Hotel: Crowne Plaza Canberra
Day 2 Canberra - Wangaratta
Thanks to architect Walter Burley Griffin, Canberra is an urban planner’s delight – the city is that well laid out, as you’ll discover when you head to the summit of Mt. Ainslie for panoramic views on a Canberra guided tour. You won’t yet be able to see the mighty Murray River, but you’ll soon cross it en route to Beechworth. From Australia’s longest river to Victoria’s best-preserved gold rush town, Beechworth saw an influx of fortune-seekers from all over the world during the 1850s. Your Travel Director will give you the Beechworth lowdown, then set you on your way to further explore character-filled antiques stores, galleries, leafy parks and gardens, and museums at your leisure. There are plenty of charming cafés and restaurants to refuel in as well, before Wangaratta’s cathedrals beckon.
Hotel: Quality Hotel Wangaratta
Included Meals: Breakfast
Day 3 Wangaratta - Melbourne
Meandering south toward historic Glenrowan, you’re well and truly in Ned Kelly country – this is where the infamous bushranger and his gang were finally captured in 1880. The story is remembered on pretty much every city corner, whether in enormous statues or at the town’s well-curated museum. We’ll tell you all the tales – some of them true, many of them heresy. All of them entertaining. Then we’ll tell you a bit more about Melbourne, like how it’s the home of Aussie rules football, covets some of the country’s best arts institutions, and has a swag of stellar restaurants, cafés and bars. Small wonder it’s known as Australia’s cultural, culinary and sporting capital. Once you have your bearings after a city and Melbourne laneway tour, head off to explore. Forget your map – one of the joys of being in Melbourne is getting lost. Discovering a hidden jazz bar. Stumbling upon a hole-in-the-wall restaurant. Finding a gallery that catches your eye. Spending too much in that independent boutique. Enjoy.
Hotel: Crowne Plaza Hotel Melbourne, 2 Nights
Included Meals: Breakfast
Day 4 Melbourne Free Time
You could spend weeks exploring Melbourne and its surrounds and not tire of the attractions. But you just have today, so make the most of it. We wouldn’t hold it against you if all you want to do is jump on a tram and ride the rails to the city’s character-filled neighbourhoods. Perhaps bohemian Brunswick, or seaside St. Kilda for Polish cakes along Acland Street. But if you want to explore further afield, we’ve got you covered on an optional experience. For a bird’s-eye view of the bay, sign up to scale the Eureka Skydeck, offering dizzying vistas in every direction from almost 300 metres above the street. If you’re an animal lover, then you’ll want to venture to Phillip Island to see hundreds of little penguins pad from the sea along the sand en route to their burrows. It’s a nightly attraction. Want to get back to nature? Chug through the lush Dandenong Ranges on the Puffing Billy Steam Train, followed by a sip or two of wine in the Yarra Valley. The flight of cool-climate drops enjoyed here is all you need to ease into the evening. The choice is yours.
Included Meals: Breakfast
Day 5 Farewell from Melbourne
Wait, how did you just pack so much action into a working week? Cities, countryside, farms, wineries, islands… this Sydney to Melbourne trip has been quite the adventure.
Included Meals: Breakfast
Eyre Peninsula Whale Seafood Discovery
Members from: $6,926 P.P Twin Share
Legendary Longreach & Winton
Members from: $4,216 P.P Twin Share
All prices are per person in Australian Dollars unless specified. Prices are based on costs,
charges, tariffs, rates, prices, taxes, levies, exchange rates and other considerations.
All are subject to change. For up-to-date pricing contact your Travel Agent or check on
AATKings.com.
No surcharges regarding cost or currency fluctuations will be made to the land only price
once the deposit is received. No refund will be made on account of reduction of any of the
above. If the total holiday price increases by more than 10% guests will have the option to
cancel the holiday within 7 days of notification of the surcharge without penalty