First Choice

Southern Capitals - City Meets Bush

5 Day Guided Vacation | Sydney to Melbourne

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.

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$1979

Adult Twin i A person 16 years and over (note a person 16–17 years must be accompanied by a person 18 years and over). All prices are per person, land only unless otherwise indicated.
Above lowest price is based on 2024-03-05 departure

$2724

Single i A person, who must be 18 years and over, travelling alone, must pay the single room price. All prices are per person, land only unless otherwise indicated.
Above lowest price is based on 2024-03-05 departure
Prices above are per person in USD
Single rooms are limited and subject to availability
Child prices may be available on request

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Trip Details

trip-details-whats-includedWhat's included

  • • Specialist team of two highly experienced Travel Director and Driver Guide
    • Centrally located premium 4 & 4.5 hotels
    • Arrival and departure private airport transfers

trip-details-diningDining

  • • 1 Be My Guest Lunch
  • • 1 Dinner with Wine
  • • 4 Full Breakfasts

trip-details-flight-infoFlight Information

  • Day Prior – flights to arrive anytime into Sydney Airport
    Day 5 – flights to depart anytime from Melbourne Airport
    Flights are not included in the holiday price
    Return airport to hotel transfers are included in the holiday price

trip-details-what-to-bringWhat to Bring

  • • Warm layers in cooler months
  • • Camera
  • • Comfortable walking shoes
  • • Sunglasses, sunscreen and hat
  • • Water bottle

trip-details-fitness-level-requirementsFitness Requirements

    Low level of fitness required

Itinerary Generating PDF...

image map

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. 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. Gold Creek Station farm is your backdrop for a Be My Guest BBQ lunch and tales about life on the land. This is your entrée to the country’s cool little capital of Canberra, home to Parliament House, where you’ll go behind the political scenes. Tonight, join your Travel Director for a Welcome Dinner.

  Hotel: Crowne Plaza Canberra

  Included Meals: Be My Guest Lunch, Dinner with Wine

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. You won’t yet be able to see the 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 during the 1850s. Your Travel Director will give you the Beechworth lowdown, then set you on your way to 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

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 museum. We’ll tell you all the tales – some of them true, many of them hearsay. 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 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. Enjoy.

  Hotel: Crowne Plaza Hotel Melbourne

  Included Meals: Breakfast

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. 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 Melbourne Skydeck, offering dizzying vistas in every direction. Animal lover? Venture to Phillip Island to see hundreds of little penguins pad along the sand en route to their burrows. 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 choice is yours.

  Hotel: Crowne Plaza Hotel Melbourne

  Included Meals: Breakfast

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

Please note: This itinerary may be subject to change.


Southern Capitals - City Meets Bush

First Choice

5 Day Guided Vacation

Sydney to Melbourne

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

Local Connection

There’s not much your guide through Canberra’s Parliament House doesn’t know; it’s a similar story for Craig Starr, who hosts a BBQ on his 400-hectare sheep farm.

Cultural Immersion

Gold rush towns always come with stories about infamous bush rangers and love scandals. Hear them when you arrive in historic Beechworth.

Wildlife & Nature

More than 32,000 little penguins live around Phillip Island, and some 4,000 of them pitter patter from the sea to their sandy burrows every evening. Say goodnight.

Sustainable Footprints

Our Take 3 for the Sea program helps conserve our oceans through small collective efforts of rubbish collection.

Accommodation

Your Guided Holiday includes a range of quality accommodation for your comfort.
The accommodation you will enjoy on this tour includes:

Optional Experiences

Please note, prices for Optional Experiences are subject to change.

To ensure your holiday is filled with memorable experiences, we have included a range of quality Optional Experiences for you to choose from and partake in, if you wish, during your holiday. The experiences can be booked on tour through your Travel Director.

Great Ocean Road & Twelve Apostles (Melbourne)

Adult Price: AUD 189.00
Child Price: AUD 129.00

Take a breath and enjoy a relaxed and unhindered view of the Twelve Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge and London Bridge all before lunch, beating the traditional afternoon rush. En route let us take you on a journey inland, reaching Port Campbell National Park to marvel at the iconic limestone stacks in the morning. Spend the afternoon with your experienced Driver Guide, meandering along the winding Great Ocean Road, taking in the spectacular coastal scenery, the Otway Rainforest and seaside townships.

FIND OUT MORE
Great Ocean Road & Twelve Apostles

Melbourne Skydeck (Melbourne)

Adult Price: AUD $30.00  

Child Price: AUD $20.00

 

Experience the awe-inspiring 360 degree floor-to-ceiling views of Victoria's capital city at the Melbourne Skydeck, Eureka Tower. This viewing platform is the highest in the Southern Hemisphere!

Melbourne Skydeck

Phillip Island - Penguins, Koalas & Wildlife (Melbourne)

Adult Price: AUD $199.00 

Child Price: AUD $139.00

If you’re curious about our native wildlife or just love animals, we’ve got you covered today! Start the day off with a visit to the Koala Conservation Reserve where you’ll join an experienced park Ranger and explore the tree top boardwalks to see the koalas up close in their natural habitat. Then there is the main attraction – The little penguins waddling up the sand to their dune burrow homes returning from their daily fishing excursion. Arrive at Phillip Island Parade Visitors Centre and learn about the life cycle of the little penguins and learn of the environmental and conservation initiatives in place to ensure the wildlife and vulnerable geology of Phillip Island remains protected.  As the sun goes down, head to the beach and watch as the Little Penguins battle the surf and make their way to their dune burrows. See the Little Penguins up close as they return to their nests to greet their families.

FIND OUT MORE
Phillip Island - Penguins, Koalas & Wildlife

History & Donuts Walking Tour (Melbourne)

Adult: $79.00 AUD
Child: $79.00 AUD

Discover the sweeter side of Melbourne on Fit City Tour’s History and Donuts Walking Tour. This two-hour walking tour is best started on an empty stomach. The adventure begins at Federation Square. From there, you'll immerse yourself in the stunning laneway street art of Hosier Lane before stopping for the first coffee of the tour at a favourite laneway cafe. The tour continues to weave through city laneways sharing the story of Melbourne, its history and culture, while stopping off for donuts at some of Melbourne's most iconic donuts shops. After the second donut, you'll explore former city slums, and learn about the character of Melbourne – and the characters that made their name here. The tour finishes at State Library where you can stay on to explore one of Melbourne's finest buildings.

History & Donuts Walking Tour

Trip Details

trip-details-whats-includedWhat's included

  • Specialist team of two highly experienced Travel Director and Driver Guide
  • Local Specialists (Guides)
  • Centrally located premium hotels
  • Arrival and departure private airport transfers

trip-details-diningDining

  • • 4 Full Breakfasts
  • • 1 Dinner with Wine
  • • 1 Be My Guest Lunch

trip-details-flight-infoFlight Information

  • Day Prior: Flight to arrive any time into Sydney Airport

trip-details-what-to-bringWhat to Bring

  • • Camera
  • • Comfortable walking shoes
  • • Sunglasses, sunscreen and hat
  • • Water bottle
  • • Warm layers in cooler months

trip-details-fitness-level-requirementsFitness Requirements

  • • Canberra Parliament House Tour - Low level fitness required
    Comfortable walking pace tour of Parliament House. Lift options available moving between floors.

Itinerary    Download Itinerary

image map

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

  Included Meals: Be My Guest Lunch, Dinner with Wine

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

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 hearsay. 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

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 Melbourne Skydeck at the Eureka Tower, offering dizzying vistas in every direction from almost 300 metres above the street. If you’re an animal lover however, then you’ll want to venture to Phillip Island to see hundreds of little penguins waddle up from the sea along the sand en route to their burrows. It’s a nightly attraction. The choice is yours.

 

  Included Meals: Breakfast

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

Please note: This itinerary may be subject to change.


Southern Capitals: City Meets Bush

First Choice

5 Day Guided Vacation

Sydney to Melbourne

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.

Wildlife & Nature

More than 32,000 little penguins live around Phillip Island, and some 4,000 of them pitter patter from the sea to their sandy burrows every evening. Say goodnight.

Accommodation

Your Guided Holiday includes a range of quality accommodation for your comfort.
The accommodation you will enjoy on this tour includes:

Optional Experiences

Please note, prices for Optional Experiences are subject to change.

To ensure your holiday is filled with memorable experiences, we have included a range of quality Optional Experiences for you to choose from and partake in, if you wish, during your holiday. The experiences can be booked on tour through your Travel Director.

Great Ocean Road & Twelve Apostles (Melbourne)

Adult Price: AUD 189.00
Child Price: AUD 129.00

Take a breath and enjoy a relaxed and unhindered view of the Twelve Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge and London Bridge all before lunch, beating the traditional afternoon rush. En route let us take you on a journey inland, reaching Port Campbell National Park to marvel at the iconic limestone stacks in the morning. Spend the afternoon with your experienced Driver Guide, meandering along the winding Great Ocean Road, taking in the spectacular coastal scenery, the Otway Rainforest and seaside townships.

FIND OUT MORE
Great Ocean Road & Twelve Apostles

Melbourne Skydeck (Melbourne)

Adult Price: AUD $30.00  

Child Price: AUD $20.00

 

Experience the awe-inspiring 360 degree floor-to-ceiling views of Victoria's capital city at the Melbourne Skydeck, Eureka Tower. This viewing platform is the highest in the Southern Hemisphere!

Melbourne Skydeck

Phillip Island - Penguins, Koalas & Wildlife (Melbourne)

Adult Price: AUD $199.00 

Child Price: AUD $139.00

If you’re curious about our native wildlife or just love animals, we’ve got you covered today! Start the day off with a visit to the Koala Conservation Reserve where you’ll join an experienced park Ranger and explore the tree top boardwalks to see the koalas up close in their natural habitat. Then there is the main attraction – The little penguins waddling up the sand to their dune burrow homes returning from their daily fishing excursion. Arrive at Phillip Island Parade Visitors Centre and learn about the life cycle of the little penguins and learn of the environmental and conservation initiatives in place to ensure the wildlife and vulnerable geology of Phillip Island remains protected.  As the sun goes down, head to the beach and watch as the Little Penguins battle the surf and make their way to their dune burrows. See the Little Penguins up close as they return to their nests to greet their families.

FIND OUT MORE
Phillip Island - Penguins, Koalas & Wildlife

History & Donuts Walking Tour (Melbourne)

Adult: $79.00 AUD
Child: $79.00 AUD

Discover the sweeter side of Melbourne on Fit City Tour’s History and Donuts Walking Tour. This two-hour walking tour is best started on an empty stomach. The adventure begins at Federation Square. From there, you'll immerse yourself in the stunning laneway street art of Hosier Lane before stopping for the first coffee of the tour at a favourite laneway cafe. The tour continues to weave through city laneways sharing the story of Melbourne, its history and culture, while stopping off for donuts at some of Melbourne's most iconic donuts shops. After the second donut, you'll explore former city slums, and learn about the character of Melbourne – and the characters that made their name here. The tour finishes at State Library where you can stay on to explore one of Melbourne's finest buildings.

History & Donuts Walking Tour
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