Swain Destinations
OFFER ID 1504015
South East Sojourn
Chill out for a couple of nights at Jackalope Hotel, among the vines at Victoria's Mornington Peninsula, before exploring the vibrant city of Melbourne. Then, head over to South Australia to relax in the Adelaide Hills and enjoy some wine tasting at the renowned Barossa Valley. Indulge in the wonders of Kangaroo Island with a stay at Sea Dragon Kangaroo Island, returning to Adelaide before jetting over for a stay in iconic Sydney to complete your South East Sojourn.
Your Itinerary Includes:
14 nights from $11,815 per person
Swain Destinations: South East Sojourn
Day 1 Welcome to Melbourne, Australia
Welcome to Melbourne! Upon arrival you will be transferred to your accommodation on the Mornington Peninsula.
Jackalope Hotel
Day 2 Mornington Peninsula at Leisure
Today you are at your leisure to enjoy Jackalope.
The Mornington Peninsula has long been known as Melbourne's weekend playground. For international guests, the Peninsula is a perfect addition to a city stay, offering some of Australia's best food and wine, golf, adventure, beach and leisure activities. With a moderate, coastal climate, the Peninsula offers year-round opportunities to explore the region's wineries or tee off on its world-class golf courses. Over 50 cellar doors and restaurants dot the rolling hills around Jackalope's own 11-hectare vineyard, while 20 outstanding golf courses, of which three are rated in Australia's top 10, have cemented the Peninsula's position as Australia's number one golf destination. Framed by two spectacular coastlines, the Peninsula's unique array of dramatic surf and sheltered bay beaches, natural hot springs, and national parks contribute to the perfect mix of coastal and country reverie.
Jackalope Hotel
Meals: B
Day 3 Travel to Melbourne
You will be driven from Jackalope to Melbourne by private vehicle.
Crown Towers Melbourne
Meals: B
Day 4 Boroughs of Melbourne
Depart from your city hotel and spend some time getting to know your guide as you get a taste of inner Melbourne. Then, venture beyond the charms of the inner city along lovely tree-lined St. Kilda Boulevard past the Arts precinct and Royal Botanical Gardens. Seaside St. Kilda has a character all its own with influences from Eastern Europe to 80's punk rock; think Coney Island meets New Orleans meets Australia. See one of the world's oldest roller coasters, and sample one of Melbourne's best cheesecakes. Leaving St. Kilda, drive along the coast to South Melbourne where young professionals make deals over fresh pastries and fresher roasted coffee. Take a walk through South Melbourne Market and taste the famous dim sim - a local delicacy. Head on through the sports precinct to the city's North East to experience its once industrial heart. Richmond, Collingwood and Fitzroy have emerged from the humblest of pasts to become some of Melbourne's greatest treasures.
Crown Towers Melbourne
Meals: B, L
Day 5 Melbourne at Leisure
Melbourne is Australia's second largest city (after Sydney), but it is second to none when it comes to fashion, festivals and sport. Set around the shores of Port Phillip Bay, the city itself is laid out in a large rectangle. She boasts a lively, cosmopolitan pulse, sitting on the northern banks of the Yarra River, about three miles from the bay. Visitors come for its shopping, restaurants and nightlife. Residents stay for its cultural diversity, passion for the arts and enviable sports calendar. Melbourne is renowned for playing host to a number of nationally- and internationally-recognized events each year, including the Australian Open Tennis Grand Slam, the Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix and the ever-impressive two-mile horse race, The Melbourne Cup. This is a major event that spreads an addictive buzz through the city streets. You can be sure that locals and visitors alike will embrace the energy surrounding it.
Explore the famous lane-ways and arcades of the city, catch a tram to trendy Southgate, rub shoulders with locals at the Queen Victoria Market or take in a show at the ornate Princess Theatre. For a break from the hustle and bustle, cruise along the Yarra River, or head out to one of the many beautiful beaches just outside of the city. Go in search of the unique Australian animals like koalas, kangaroos and the little penguins, and see them in the wild just an hour or two outside Melbourne. Explore one of the premier wine regions in Australia exporting wines to the U.S. to find your Yarra Valley blend. It is the closest wine region to any major Australian city, just an hour out of the city, but worlds away from the bustling streets of Melbourne.
Melbourne's City Circle Tram is a free and convenient way to see central Melbourne and the Docklands. To catch the City Circle Tram, simply wait at any tram stop specially marked with a City Circle sign. Trams operate in both directions every 12 minutes between 10am and 6pm from Sunday to Wednesday, and between 10am and 9pm every Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Trams do not run on Christmas Day or Good Friday.
Crown Towers Melbourne
Meals: B
Day 6 Travel to Adelaide Hills
Today you will be transferred to Melbourne Airport where you will travel to Adelaide. Upon arrival you will be transferred to your accommodation in the Adelaide Hills.
Sequoia Lodge
Sequoia offers guests an unparalleled journey of discovery based around the region's iconic food and wine, wellness, history and vast nature experiences. While being seemingly removed from the hustle and bustle of the world, Sequoia sits on the side of Mount Lofty, high above the Piccadilly Valley in the Adelaide Hills, a region currently being considered for UNESCO World Heritage status. The area's significance highlights its working agricultural (food and wine) landscapes, historic settlements, abundant wildlife, pure environment and continuing culture and practice. Comprising fourteen luxury sustainably-designed suites boasting panoramic views over the majestic valley, an intimate lounge centered around social connection along with immersive nature-inspired experiences, natural artesian spring-fed stone hot pools, an infinity pool, new day spa and valley rim campfire amphitheatre - the retreat represents a new level of luxury in South Australia.
Sequoia Lodge
Meals: B
Day 7 Barossa Valley Tour
If you enjoy Australian wines or would like to try some, then a day in the renowned Barossa Valley will be one of the highlights of your visit to South Australia. This morning, begin a personally escorted journey that includes a city orientation before you travel through the scenic Torrens Gorge to the Barossa Valley. If time permits, a stop is made at the Lyndoch bakery to taste the fine German pastries. Travel over the Jacobs Creek for your first tasting of the fine wines at the Peter Lehmann winery. Visit Torbreck wine cellars, a small winery with rustic charm, and also enjoy visits to other small wineries to meet well-known wine identities. Stop for a stroll in the German town of Tanunda with time to discover the small shops - many of which specialize in crafts made by the locals. Before lunch, take the picturesque drive up to Menglers Hill for views over the entire valley. Lunch will be at a restaurant in the Barossa. The next stop may be Henschkes winery in Keyneton or historic Yalumba the biggest family run winery in Australia. If time permits, visit small boutique producers, such as Charles Melton or Turkey Flat. You may also have the option to include formal premium wine tasting at Penfolds in the morning (additional cost). A visit to Maggie Beer Farm shop is a must for food lovers. Alternatively, continue through the picturesque villages of Hills en route to Hahndorf, the German village, where you may taste the fine wines produced by Hahandorf Hill winery. The itinerary may change to accommodate special interests or seasonal highlights. Your private tour includes transportation from your hotel, lunch, wine tasting, entrance fees and private host/guide. Note: Henschkes is closed Sundays.
Sequoia Lodge
Meals: B, L
Day 8 Travel to Kangaroo Island
Today you will be transferred to Adelaide where you will then travel to Kangaroo Island.
On arrival to Kangaroo Island you will be collected and transferred to Sea Dragon Kangaroo Island. The transfer is shared with other guests of the lodge.
Today, enjoy a half day Taste of Kangaroo Island Tour that will focus on the farm gate and beverage industry on the island. Locations will vary seasonally but all entry fees and tastings will be included to such locations as a brewery, a honey farm and shop, the oldest gin distillery in Australia (KI Spirits) and the Emu Bay Lavender Farm. Tour is shared with other lodge guests.
Sea Dragon Kangaroo Island
Escape to Sea Dragon Lodge and Villas, and experience tranquility and relaxation like never before in the privacy of your own villa. At Sea Dragon, you will experience peaceful oceanview accommodation with spectacular vistas, access to a secluded beach, wildlife at your doorstep and delicious meals. Every accommodation enjoys stunning ocean views, surrounded by wildlife and it is ideal for couples or families with older children looking for a luxurious private retreat in a spectacular coastal setting. Sea Dragon Kangaroo Island is a destination in itself with onsite walking trails and extensive wildlife viewing on the property.
Sea Dragon Kangaroo Island
Meals: B
Day 9 Kangaroo Island
The full day Kangaroo Island Nature Tour, visiting primarily the Western end of the island including Seal Bay Conservation Park and all key attractions in Flinders Chase National Park; namely Remarkable Rocks, Cape de Couedic, Admirals Arch and Weirs Cove, as well as a swim at one of the stunning beaches (weather dependent). This is a shared tour with other guests of the lodge
Sea Dragon Kangaroo Island
Meals: B, L, D
Day 10 Travel to Adelaide
Today you will be transferred to Kingscote airport for the return flight to Adelaide. This is a shared transfer with other guests of the Lodge.
Upon arrival into Adelaide you will be transferred to your accommodation.
Mayfair Hotel
Meals: B
Day 11 Fleurieu Food, Wine & Wildlife
The Fleurieu has the land, the produce, the wildlife and its people living in harmony - the aboriginal Kauna people enjoyed the unspoiled habitat in ancient times. The rolling vine-covered hills in the McLaren Vale region feed over 60 small, very individual wineries. The vineyards snake down to the tumbling surf on the coast, where sea creatures such as whales and penguins thrive. The area enjoys a Mediterranean type climate influenced by the St. Vincent's Gulf only 4 miles away.
Today's tour departs Adelaide and first heads south to the picturesque McLaren Vale Wine Region with over 50 small to medium wineries. It is situated near the coast hence the area has a distinctly Mediterranean feel. Tours of the McLaren Vale wine region feature some of the most beautiful scenery in the state. Wineries include Wirra Wirra, d'Arenberg, Coriole and the historic Hardy's winery. Other attractions include the Olive Grove and Medlow Fine Gels. Then, head south to the coastal town of Goolwa, once a thriving paddle steamer port. Enjoy lunch at a local cafe, then travel alongside the beach up to the mouth of the River and travel to scenic lookouts in search of the Southern Right Whales that visit these shores with their newborn calves (seasonal - May to October). Call into Victor Harbor and take a ride on Australia's only horse-drawn tram along the causeway, which links the mainland to Granite Island. Return to Adelaide late afternoon.
Mayfair Hotel
Meals: B, L
Day 12 Travel to Sydney
Today you will be transferred to Adelaide airport for your flight to Sydney. Upon arrival you will be transferred to your accommodation.
Park Hyatt Sydney
Meals: B
Day 13 Sydney Supreme City Sightseeing
Depart your Sydney hotel to discover the fabulous city of Sydney. Begin the morning traveling through the business district and shopping areas. See Darling Harbour and the vibrant China Town, then drive along Oxford Street with its trendy terrace houses and boutique fashion shops. See Centennial Park, a 220-hectare urban parkland in Eastern Sydney. Reaching the coast, you will see the beaches of Bronte and Tamarama. You'll then move on to explore the famous Bondi Beach, stopping to spend 30 minutes to walk the promenade and enjoy a coffee overlooking the beach. From Bondi, continue along the coastal drive past Macquarie Lighthouse to experience the spectacular views from the Southern Headland at the entrance to Sydney Harbour. Visit Watson's Bay before following the harbor foreshore back into Sydney, passing some of Australia's most exclusive waterfront suburbs where harbor mansions may be seen. Driving through Vaucluse, Double Bay and the colorful Kings Cross, continue to Woolloomooloo and see the famous Harry's Cafe De Wheels. Visit Mrs Macquarie's Chair, and return to the CBD via Saint Mary's Cathedral, Historic Convict buildings, State Parliament House and the historical Rocks district. Next, cross the spectacular Sydney Harbour Bridge to head for a 2-course lunch in a harbor-side restaurant - soup or salad then a main course selection. A complimentary glass of wine or beer is included with additional beverages available for purchase. Your tour ends at the restaurant. A ferry transfer to Circular Quay is included at your leisure this afternoon.
Park Hyatt Sydney
Meals: B, L
Day 14 Sydney Harbour Cruise
Today, cruise on a luxury cruiser as you discover the beauty of Sydney Harbour and dine at iconic restaurants on a progressive long lunch. You will cruise past all of Sydney Harbour's famous icons and harbor-side mansions. Then, enjoy a progressive lunch at selected waterside restaurants. Beverages are included on board for the duration of the harbor cruise, and at additional cost in the restaurants. Depart from Circular Quay Eastern Pontoon for the cruise out to Watson's Bay for appetizers at Doyles on the Beach restaurant. From here, cruise around Middle Head and into the Middle Harbor to arrive at Balmoral for lunch at The Public Dining Room. After lunch, cruise back to Sydney Harbour while indulging with your cheese platter with wines to match. Return to your pick up location is at around 3.30pm.
Park Hyatt Sydney
Meals: B, L
Day 15 Depart Sydney
Ahead of your flight you will be transferred to Sydney Airport.
Meals: B
Sydney
Soak up Sydney’s gorgeous harbour, seductive outdoor lifestyle and great natural beauty. Kayak under the Sydney Harbour Bridge or wave at the Opera House as you ride a ferry across the harbour to Manly. Learn to surf at Bondi Beach or swim in the calm waters of Coogee. Lose yourself in the cobblestone cul-de-sacs of The Rocks or in the markets, boutiques, cafes and pubs of Paddington. As well as a world-famous harbour and more than 70 sparkling beaches, Sydney offers fabulous food, festivals and 24-7 fun.
Five Sydney Experiences Not to Miss:
1. Explore the historic Rocks
Discover Sydney’s colorful convict history in the harbourside quarter where it all began. Just five minutes from Circular Quay, you can hear stories of hangings and hauntings on a ghost tour, wander the weekend markets or climb the span of the Harbour Bridge. In amongst the maze of sandstone lanes and courtyards, you’ll find historic workman’s cottages and elegant terraces, art galleries, hotels with harbour views and Sydney’s oldest pubs. See people spill out of them onto a party on the cobblestone streets when The Rocks celebrates Australia Day on January 26th, Anzac Day on April 25th and New Years Eve.
2. Hit the world-famous harbour
Sail past the Opera House on a chartered yacht or paddle from Rose Bay in a kayak. Take a scenic cruise from Circular Quay or Darling Harbour, past waterfront mansions, national parks and Shark, Clark, Rodd and Goat islands. Tour historic Fort Denison or learn about the life of Sydney’s first inhabitants, the Gadigal people, on an Aboriginal cultural cruise. Watch the harbour glitter from the green parklands of the Royal Botanic Gardens, which curves around its edge. Or take in the view from a waterfront restaurant in Mosman, on the northern side of the bridge, or Watsons Bay at South Head. Walk from Rose Bay to Vaucluse or Cremorne Point to Mosman Bay, on just some of the 16 spectacular routes hugging the harbour foreshore.
3. Visit Manly on the ferry
Travel across Sydney Harbour on a ferry to Manly, which sits between beaches of ocean surf and tranquil inner harbour. Wander through native bushland on the scenic Manly to Spit Bridge walk, learn to scuba-dive at Cabbage Tree Bay or ride a bike to Fairy Bower. Picnic at Shelly Beach on the ocean and sail or kayak from Manly Wharf round the harbour. Hire a scooter and do a round trip of northern beaches such as Narrabeen and Palm Beach. Explore the shops, bars and cafes along the bustling pine tree-lined Corso and dine at world-class restaurants with water views.
4. Enjoy café culture and top shopping in Paddington
Meander through the Saturday markets, browse fashion boutiques on bustling Oxford Street or discover the antique shops and art galleries in upmarket Woollahra. Visit the 1840s Victoria Barracks Army base, open to the public once a week, and see restored Victorian terraces on wide, leafy streets. Ride or roller-blade in huge Centennial Park, then stop for coffee and lunch on Oxford St or in the mini-village of Five Ways. Catch a movie at an art-house cinema or leaf through a novel at midnight in one of the huge bookstores. Crawl between the lively, historic pubs. They hum even more after a game at the nearby stadium or a race day, when girls and guys arrive in their crumpled trackside finery.
5. Walk from Bondi to Coogee
Take in breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean as you walk the winding, sea-sculpted sandstone cliffs between Bondi and Coogee. Swim in the famous Bondi Icebergs rock pool or just watch the swimmers with a sunset cocktail from the restaurant above. See wild waves in Tamarama, nicknamed Glamarama for the beautiful people who lie on its golden sand. From mid-October to November, the stretch from here to Bondi is transformed into an outdoor gallery for the Sculptures by the Sea exhibition. You can surf, picnic on the grass or stop for a coffee at family-friendly Bronte. Or swim, snorkel or scuba dive in Clovelly and tranquil Gordon’s Bay. See the graves of poets Henry Lawson, Dorothea Mackellar and aviator Lawrence Hargrave in Waverley Cemetery, on the edge of the cliffs. Finish your tour in the scenic, backpacker haven of Coogee.
Enjoy one of the world's most beautiful and unique wilderness holiday destinations in which the locals include wallabies, goannas, koalas, kangaroos, echidnas, dolphins,
sea lions, penguins, fur seals, eagles, whales and ospreys.
Share with them the pure air and clean water that makes Kangaroo Island one
of the last unspoiled wonders of the world. The people of Kangaroo Island see prosperity in tourism but know the value
of what they have and are working hard to find the right balance between development
and conservation.
Adelaide
This elegant city is known for its colonial stone architecture, expansive parklands, lively festivals and incredible sense of space. Explore the museums and libraries of North Terrace, dine on dedicated 'eat streets' or picnic in gardens that sprawl over almost half the city. Go bike riding in Botanic Park or row past rose gardens in Rymill Park. Swim with dolphins or learn to sail in Glenelg or fish from the jetty in Henley. Just beyond the city centre you'll find the picturesque Adelaide Hills and the world-class wineries of the Barossa Valley.
Five ways to immerse yourself in Adelaide:
1. Hit the eat streets
Sample everything from Asian fusion to Argentine cuisine in the exotic, bustling foodhalls of Chinatown. Embrace the alfresco ambience of Rundle Street in Adelaide's East End or live it up in one of the city's many elegant wine bars and fashionable restaurants. Enjoy a beach sunset with your meal in the coastal suburbs of Glenelg and Henley Beach or wind down with a wine at the National Wine Centre. If you're a fresh food addict, Adelaide Central Markets offer premium produce from growers across the state.
2. Feel green and serene in Adelaide's parks
Hire paddleboats and bikes in Elder Park or row past formal rose gardens in Rymill Park. Picnic in the local's beloved Botanic Park or cycle from the hills to the coast in River Torrens Linear Park. For serious tranquility, head to the classic Japanese oasis of Adelaide-Himjei Garden. Adelaide's 29 parks take up almost half of the city, and come with walking trails, quiet spaces and sporting fields for everything from football to archery.
3. Head for the coast
Swim with dolphins or learn to sail in Glenelg, which bustles with sidewalk cafes, alfresco dining and summer entertainment. In the beach suburb of Henley, you can fish from the jetty or go on a culinary world tour at the ethnic food stores and eateries. Explore the museums, markets and historic harbour of Port Adelaide, the city's maritime heart. Or see heritage buildings and colourful summer sideshows in family-friendly Semaphore. Further along the spectacular Le Fevre Peninsula, you can swim on protected beaches and walk one of the state's few heritage-listed jetties at Largs Bay.
4. Soak up Aboriginal and European heritage
Do a cultural tour of the Adelaide Botanic Gardens with traditional custodians the Kaurna people. You'll learn how native plants have been used for sustenance, shelter, ceremonies and medicines for thousands of years. Browse the world's largest collection of Aboriginal antiquities at the Aboriginal Cultures Gallery at the South Australian Museum and visit Tandanya, the National Aboriginal Cultural Institute. Adelaide also has a proud European heritage for you to explore -in the museums and libraries of North Terrace, in Adelaide Town Hall and in Port Adelaide, the state's first declared heritage area.
5. Escape to the hills
Drive to the Adelaide Hills, where the picturesque farmlands and charming villages have inspired many generations of artists. Stay in Bavarian-inspired chalets and browse the bakeries, craft shops and galleries of Hahndorf, Australia's oldest surviving German village. Visit The Cedars, once the gracious old home and studio of famous landscape artists Sir Hans Heysen. Then hit the markets of Lobethal, a fairytale town which celebrates Christmas with metres and metres of colourful lights.
Melbourne
Melbourne is a maze of hidden laneways, opulent bars, exclusive restaurants and off-the-beaten-track boutiques. Here you can soak up culture, hit the sporting grounds, taste the dynamic food and wine scene, dance til dawn or wander the parks and leafy boulevards. Visit Federation Square, the city's landmark cultural space, and enjoy a sunset beer on the St Kilda promenade. Shop till you drop on funky Brunswick Street or upmarket Chapel Street. Wander Southbank's cafes, bistros and bars and get a world tour of cuisines in Carlton, Richmond and Fitzroy. Take an Aboriginal Heritage Walk through the Royal Botanic Gardens and cheer with a capacity crowd at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
Five Must-Have Melbourne Experiences:
1. Shop till you drop
Bag a bargain at the Rose Street Artist's Market and browse the funky boutiques on Brunswick Street. Buy designer labels such as Akira Isogawa and Zimmerman on Chapel Street in Prahran or in the historic Melbourne General Post Office, which covers an entire city block. For everything from fashion to furnishings at fantastic value, visit Bridge Road in Richmond. Melbourne is a shopper's haven, offering eclectic boutiques, high-end fashion, funky homeware stores and European style piazzas in the city's arcades and hidden laneways.
2. Bar hop and dance till dawn
Sip a cocktail in a converted sea container in Chinatown, enjoy a sunset beer in a St Kilda pub or listen to cabaret in lush retro surroundings in jazz bars in the city. Linger over exquisite tapas and exotic wine in a Little Collins Street bar and mingle in a pink parlour with fake grass in Bourke Street. You can party from dusk in the bars of Brunswick Street. Or dance till dawn in bars in the city's lantern-lit laneways, secret apart from the spill of coloured light under heavy brass doors.
3. Get into the gourmet goodness
Let the aroma of good coffee waft over you in Melbourne's gothic European laneways. The city is famous for its coffee and old-world café culture but there's so much more to explore. Once you've downed a 'short black' or taken an afternoon aperitif, try tea in a nineteenth-century hotel or salivate over your silver spoon in acclaimed restaurants like Nobu, Botanical and Becco. Pick up fresh fruits, vegetables and seafood at the Queen Victoria Market on a Saturday, known for its bustling crowds and buskers. Try out the restaurants, cafes, bistros and bars in Southbank or Federation Square. Make your way around Melbourne's multicultural cosmos of cuisines: Carlton for Italian classics, Richmond for budget-friendly Vietnamese and Fitzroy for Spanish tapas.
4. Fill up on culture
See a performance by the Australian Ballet, which is based here in Australia's cultural capital. Or enjoy a dazzling musical at the Princess Theatre. Browse the Southern Hemisphere's best collection of international art at the National Gallery of Victoria. Or visit the Australian Centre for the Moving Image in Federation Square, a landmark cultural 'space' for Melbournians. Challenge yourself with the creative collections in the Australian Centre for Contemporary Art in Southbank. To learn more about Melbourne's Aboriginal cultural heritage, see contemporary and dreamtime art or take an Aboriginal Heritage Walk through the Royal Botanic Gardens.
5. Go sports mad
Cheer for an Australian Rules Football game with a capacity crowd at the Melbourne Cricket Ground over winter. Go cricket mad in summer, when the city hosts the Ashes and one day internationals. Or join the huge crowds watching the Australian Tennis Open at Melbourne Park. Rev heads head to Melbourne in March for the Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix in Albert Park. And whether you are a racing fan or just a casual punter, you won't want to miss the Melbourne Cup - the world's richest horse race on the first Tuesday in November.
All fares are quoted in US Dollars.
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