ITINERARY  MELBOURNE TO VICTORIA HIGH COUNTRY SELF DRIVE ADVENTURE
Day 1   Healesville
Depart Melbourne CBD for Healesville (approximately 1 hr 15 min – 65kms)
Healesville is best known for its world famous wildlife sanctuary and it is also
a great country shopping spot for art and local pottery. It has a thriving food
and wine culture for a tempting morning tea or lunch
.
Activities
        1 Day Life in the Tall Eucalypt Forest (4WD and walking tour)
        1 Day Paddle with a platypus tour (Visit Healesville Sanctuary  and gentle raft trip)

Day 2   Healesville to Mansfield
Depart Healesville for Mansfield (approximately 1 hr 45 min – 135km)
A very picturesque drive through the Mystic Mountains and Black Spur that
has magnificent tall eucalypt trees and tree ferns. On the other side you
emerge into lush farmland and past many trout farms producing 80% of
Australia’s smoked trout and salmon product. You cross the Goulburn River
that flows from Lake Eildon and supplies Victoria’s Food Bowl in Central
Victoria on through the peaceful country town of Alexandra.
From Alexandra you head through Yark (top place for a coffee) to Mansfield
that sits as the gateway to the High Country.
Mansfield sits in the stunning Delatite Valley and the back drop of mountains
rise from the back of the valley. This area was made famous by the “Man from
Snowy River” movie in 1982 and is one of Victoria’s most popular domestic
destinations.

Day 3 Free day for optional activities

Activities
        ½ Day Winery Ride (Horse riding and local food/wine)
        1 Day 1 Night Downhill Demolition (Mountain biking – exp)
        2 Day Luxury Ride (Horse riding and local food/wine)
        2 Day 2 Night Downhill River Trail (Mountain biking – beg)

Day  4 Mansfield to Beechworth
Depart Mansfield for the King Valley (approximately 50 min – 63km) and drive
through Ned Kelly the bushranger country. Stop off for a visit to the ‘Kelly
Tree’ the site of the murder of 3 policemen by the Kelly gang in 1870 and or
take in the magnificent view at Powers Lookout where Harry Power the
bushranger used to hide from the authorities in the 1800’s.
Arrive in Whitfield in the King Valley one of the original wine growing regions
of Australia. Wineries lie side by side and are mostly owned by families with
generations of involvement on the land.

Activities
        1 Day Winery Walk in the King Valley

Another 40 min – 45kms along the road you enter the villages of Oxley and
Milawa Australia’s first proclaimed ‘gourmet region’ that produce specialty
cheese, mustards, bread, olives, nuts, berries, honey as well as jams, pickles
and preserves as well as famous wineries

Activities
        ½ or 1 Day Pedal to Produce (self guided easy cycling)

Visit Milawa Cheese Company. Wind you way up to Beechworth (30 min – 30kms) and you arrive at a
stunning town with many fine examples of 19th century architecture from the
gold boom in the 1850’s. Another gastronomic haven with chefs hat
restaurants and luxury accommodation.

Activities
         Evening ghost tours bought to life in the former May Day Hill Asylum
·
Day 5 Beechworth to Mt. Buffalo
Make sure you allow time for a wander around the town of Beechworth before
heading to Mt Buffalo (approximately 1 hr 15 min – 73km). Drive along
picturesque country side with rich soils where tobacco used to be grown
(some still is) and now producing local produce and wines
Mount Buffalo is a world famous destination for rock climbers and abseilers
(repelling) with incredible views and distinct granite boulders, perfect for
exploring by foot also.

Activities
        ½ to Full Day Abseiling (Repelling)
        1 Day Epicurian Adventure Walk
·
Food & Wine
       The Butter Factory in Myrtleford
       Bright Brewery

Day 6 Mount Buffalo to Dinner Plain
From Mount Buffalo you join the Great Alpine Road and travel across some of
Australia’s most breathtaking alpine scenery (approximately 2 hrs 30 min –
100km) to Dinner Plain.

Activities
        2 Day 2 Night High Country Legends Walk (Bushwalking)

Day 7 or 8 Sydney Melbourne Coastal Route
To join the Sydney Melbourne Coastal Route you travel to Bairnsdale
(approximately 2 hrs – 155km).

GREAT OCEAN ROAD WALKING TOUR
3, 4 , 6 Day Walks  and special Photographic Workshops

About the Great Ocean Walk

Opened in 2006, the Great Ocean Walk covers 104km of one of the World’s most scenic coastlines – a walk that has to be experienced to be believed. Diverse coastal and forest scenery in the  Otways provides amazing opportunities to see native Australian wildlife. The trail itself passes through two national parks, over looks a marine national park and a marine sanctuary and although the region is one of the most popular for visitors to Victoria, you will have the opportunity to experience it in a way most people don't.
Bothfeet walking lodge is a 4 star walking retreat located half way along the Great Ocean Road in a serene bush setting
Fabulous regional food prepared onsite and some of Victoria's best wines.

6 Day Itinerary offered by Bothfeet

Day One: Melbourne to Apollo Bay (transported); Apollo Bay to Shelly Beach

This morning we travel to Apollo Bay via Anglesea, Lorne and the Great Ocean Road. The journey will take about 3.5 hours. Today we walk for about 3.5 hours from Apollo Bay itself past the Marengo Reefs Marine Sanctuary and conclude at sheltered Shelly Beach.
Walking distance: 7.9km Walking time: 3.5 hours Grade: Easy to Moderate

Day Two: Shelly Beach to Cape Otway

This morning we return to Shelly Beach and follow the Elliot River Track down to the mouth of the river, crossing on well define stepping stones. There is a steep climb up the ridge to Blue Gum and Wet Forests before joining the Elliot River Road. The descent to the coast begins when we turn onto Johnson Track. The changes in vegetation give clues to the return of the coast well before we alight onto the beach at Blanket Bay (tide dependent) or into the Blanket Bay picnic ground. The afternoon will be spent discovering the Parker River Estuary and Cape Otway Lightstation itself.
Walking distance: 19.6km Walking time: 6 hours Grade: Easy to Moderate

Day 3: Cape Otway to Castle Cove

The next section of trail includes some walking that is soft underfoot on the journey to the river mouth. From a lookout, you will see the Aire River and enjoy beautiful views back up the inlet to the Aire Valley. The flood plains of Lake Craven and Lake Costin are a stunning sanctuary for birdlife, fresh water fish and are in various stages of regeneration. After lunch we cross the river and continue on to Castle Cove. Taking a short side trip to the beach it is possible to see dinosaur fossils in the limestone cliffs behind, and surfers tackling the daunting southern ocean waves.
Walking distance: 15.5km Walking time: 5 hours Grade: Easy to Moderate

Day Four: Castle Cove to Milanseia via Johanna Beach

One of the most diverse days, today’s walk rejoins at the cliff tops of Castle Cove, the trail head for a lovely coastal path that meanders through heath land, wildflowers and grasstrees before dropping onto Johanna beach itself. The last 2km before lunch are beach walking, with the Southern Ocean crashing only metres away from each footstep. At Johanna Beach, the trail crosses into farmland where some of the most contented cows graze only metres from the Beach. A change of pace, sees us finish the day on Old Coach Road, ready for the “Wild Side” of the walk.
Walking distance: 17.2km Walking time: 6 hours Grade: Easy to Moderate

Day Five: Milanesia Beach to Moonlight Head “The Wild Side”

This is the most challenging section of the Great Ocean Walk. We drop down a path of Manna Gum and Stringybarks to beautiful Milanesia Beach before turning upwards for a short, but steep climb to the top of the ridge. Once on the saddle, we follow the contour of the hillside about 50 metres above sea level. There is then an ascent of 138 steps then the trail continues in a westerly direction until a steep climb leads us out of the forest and into a clearing. Be rewarded with superb views of the coast leading back to Cape Otway; then from Cape Volney there are breathtaking views of the western coast.
Walking Distance: 13.8km Walking Time: 6 hours Grade: Moderate to Hard

Day Six: Moonlight Head Road to the 12 Apostles

The views of the Southern Ocean just get better and better and the Gables Lookout showcases the best the coastline has to offer. If tides permit, Wreck Beach will be the trail for the morning, otherwise it’s inland to the coastal hamlet of Princetown. The final stretch leads to the 12 Apostles before a 3.5 hour return road journey to Melbourne.
Walking Distance: 17km Walking Time: 5 hours Grade: Moderate to Easy

© bothfeet 2009

3 DAY GRAMPIANS AND GREAT OCEAN ROAD TOUR

This tour starts and finishes in Melbourne - perfect for those wanting a short break to the major sights a short distance from Melbourne. Spend a night in the Grampians mountain range and a night in Princetown on the Great Ocean Road in comfortable hostel accommodation or upgrade.

ITINERARY
Day 1: Melbourne to the Grampians National Park

You’ll be awestruck by the Grampians; one of the world’s oldest and most spectacular mountain ranges, rich in the history and culture of the Gariwerd Aboriginal people. We’ll travel straight into the heart of the Grampians National Park to the delightful town of Halls Gap before hiking through the breathtaking Wonderland Range. Grab some lunch at Halls Gap (at own expense) before we visit the Brambuk Aboriginal Cultural Centre, where you’ll learn about the Indigenous history and culture of the area. Hike to the remarkable Jaws of Death and Balconies Lookout, where you’ll experience sweeping views of the surrounding ranges. We’ll cool off at the base of inspirational MacKenzie Falls before arriving at our overnight Grampians accommodation. (D)
Day 2: Grampians National Park to Princetown via the Great Ocean Road

Get your heart pumping this morning with a challenging hike to the ‘Pinnacle’, where breathtaking views of the national park stretch out into the distance. From here, we head towards the coast where at Warrnambool there’s a chance to spot whales (seasonal). The Great Ocean Road has gorgeous views around every bend, including the Bay of Islands, Bay of Martyrs, London Bridge and Loch Ard Gorge. Another top finish to the day as the sun sets over the Twelve Apostles. Stay overnight in the coastal town of Princetown. (BD)
Day 3: Princetown to Melbourne

Start the day with optional helicopter ride over the amazing 12 Apostles or walk down the Gibson Steps to get another angle of the limestone stacks before visiting the Otway Fly, a tree top walk elevated to 25 metres above the forest floor. We’ll pass through the magnificent cool temperate rainforests of the Otway National Park, before stopping for lunch in Apollo Bay. Out trip back to Melbourne hugs the coastline and we pass through Lorne, before stopping to search for koalas. We check out world famous surf spot, Bells Beach, and even stop for shopping at Torquay, home of surf labels Quiksilver and Rip Curl. After grabbing a bargain or two, it’s back to the city in the early evening. (B)

Cost From 445 AUD

YARRA RIVER BIKE RIDE
4.5 to 5 Hours
Enjoy the most comprehensive Melbourne tour around with Bonza's Yarra River Ride. We combine a relaxing ride beside the Yarra River, Melbourne's heart and soul, with all the major sites and eclectic neighbourhoods of the city. From Docklands to Fitzroy, Bonza will give you a great orientation to the city while giving you a bit of history and plenty of hints for places to eat, drink, and be merry while you're in town. After a light lunch at a laneway café, we'll take in some beautiful parks, the Royal Botanic Gardens, the Shrine of Remembrance, and the Yarra River in all of its splendor. Included - Lunch, beverage, bikes, and a fun, informative guide are included on this amazing tour

Cost 129 AUD.
 

 

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