Melbourne YA R R A VA L L E Y & D A N D E N O N G R A N G E S P H I L L I P I S L A N D M O R N I N G T O N P E N I N S U L A G E E L O N G & T H E B E L L A R I N E L I NK I NG FOUR EXTRAORD I NARY REG IONS F A M I L Y F U N Full-on fun together 5 Day Itinerary Family holidays don’t get any better than this! Adventures, Australian wildlife, fantastic beaches and aquatic activities, farm life, mazes and magic in four exciting regions. You can pick your own fruit, sweeten up at a chocolate factory, have lunch at fun cafés. Lots of holiday parks and spacious family apartments for your overnight stays too. FOR KIDS OF ALL AGES Rediscover your inner child when you take your family on this fantastic five-day self-drive tour. You can choose your route – drive from Melbourne to Geelong and the Bellarine Peninsula, across Port Phillip Bay by ferry to the Mornington Peninsula, then drive to Phillip Island and the Yarra Valley. Or you can head for the Yarra Valley, and do the whole circuit in reverse. This touring route is so compact with so many attractions – it’s perfect for families because the kids will never have time to say ‘Are we there yet?’ You’ll find places to visit and explore within about 30 minutes of each other all along the route. And best of all, you don’t need to come back to the city each night because there’s a huge choice of accommodation along the way. You can arrange your itinerary to take in all your kids’ interests and even sneak in a little education as you travel… Australian history, wildlife in sanctuaries and natural habitats, national parks, water sports including snorkelling with seals, diving with dolphins or sea kayaking. And land adventures from tree surfing to an aerial gondola, an historic steam train to bike hire in a national park. Every night there’s a different accommodation option… self-contained cottages, family villas, beach-side holiday parks, glamping and more.
PASSENGER FERRY VEHICLE FERRY PASSENGER FERRY Melbourne Werribee Portarlington Queenscliff Bellarine Sorrento Fingal Cowes Mornington Moorooduc Red Hill San Remo Marysville Kinglake Healesville Koo-wee-up AVALON AIRPORT MELBOURNE AIRPORT Warburton Grantville FRENCH ISLAND CAPE SCHANCK PHILLIP ISLAND NATURE PARKS Arthurs Seat Belgrave Dixons Creek Yarra Glen Coldstream Forest Hill Wandin Olinda Pt Lonsdale Jarra Junction PHILLIP ISLAND MORNINGTON PENINSULA BELLARINE PENINSULA DANDENONG RANGES GEELONG YARRA VALLEY CHOOSE YOUR OWN THEMES You can easily make Australian history and wildlife front and centre of your travels. There’s a 100-year-old vintage steam train and a working farm of the same era, wildlife sanctuaries where you see a platypus and handfeed wallabies, a koala reserve and Phillip Island’s famous penguin parade each night. Just outside Geelong, an Aboriginal cultural centre has lots of hands-on activities including boomerang throwing, bush tucker tasting and hand-feeding animals. Indeed, Geelong was once the centre of a huge wool boom, and a museum in a restored 1872 bluestone wool store tells many intriguing stories. DIAL UP THE ADVENTURE When there’s energy to burn, the Mornington Peninsula’s tree adventures with bridges, nets, tight ropes and tunnels are set to go. Out in the ocean from the Mornington Peninsula and the Bellarine, sea creatures intrigue and entertain. Diving or kayaking with dolphins, snorkelling with curious weedy sea dragons, swimming with seals, or just enjoying the sea spray and fresh air from a comfortable boat while the kids get right in amongst it. Fun is the name of the family game too, and there’s plenty of it. Tractor rides on a tulip farm in the Yarra Valley, whip cracking on an historic farm, enjoy interactive experiences on an immersive Antarctic journey, getting lost in mazes on Phillip Island and the Mornington Peninsula. Feeling hungry? Make your own chocolate masterpiece on Phillip Island, take a fruit tasting tractor tour through an orchard, pick your own cherries in summer. And there’s a huge range of cafés, wineries, ale houses and restaurants, including family-friendly bistros, BBQs and stone-cooked pizzas. 1 2 3 4 1. Phillip Island Nature Parks Penguins Plus, Phillip Island 2. Puffing Billy Steam Railway, Yarra Valley & Dandenong Ranges 3. Rocky Creek Strawberry Farm, Mornington Peninsula 4. Point Lonsdale Rockpools and Lighthouse, Geelong & The Bellarine It is so easy to design your own journey linking the four extraordinary regions Beyond Melbourne. 1 Decide the order in which you wish to link each region. 2 Select EACH attraction and accommodation you wish to experience in your rst regional destination, adding them to Trip Planner as you go. Then move on to add options from your second regional destination and so on. 3 Note you can add up to 23 options (MAX) in total. 4 Once you have selected all the places you want to visit Beyond Melbourne, click on the TRIP PLANNER button at the top of your screen. 5 Once you are happy with the order of your choices, click on DOWNLOAD TRIP PLAN to see your entire journey both pictorially and mapped out with times and distances between attractions. DESIGN YOUR JOURNEY WITH TRIP PLANNER
MORNING ACTIVITIES LUNCH ACTIVITIES WHERE TO STAY AFTERNOON ACTIVITIES Puffing Billy Steam Railway – Share the sense of wonder of steam train travel with the whole family aboard! Puffing Billy is a thrilling experience. Board the 100-year old heritage steam train and journey through winding forests and fern gullies, across historic timber bridges to Gembrook, the perfect family picnic spot. puffingbilly.com.au Healesville Sanctuary – Explore a bushland haven for Australian wildlife. Wander tranquil tracks to meet iconic Australian animals. Don’t miss the Spirits of the Sky show, Tales from Platypus Creek (world-first interactive show) or meeting vets and nurses who care for more than 1,500 native animals each year. zoo.org.au/healesville Tesselaar Tulip Festival – Tesselaar hosts the famous Sep/Oct tulip festival as well as the Mar/April KaBloom festival, both family favourites. Enjoy live entertainment, tractor rides, treasure hunts, sculpture exhibits plus food and wine. Be immersed in Dutch culture with clog dancing performances and workshops, staff in traditional Dutch costumes. tulipfestival.com.au Rayner’s Orchard – This boutique orchard grows 450 varieties of fruit and has fruit all year round! Take a fruit tasting tractor tour through the orchard and enjoy the best tree ripened fruit varieties depending on the season. U-Pick available on fruit tasting tours. Have lunch in the Peach Café, explore the retail shop and extensive fruiting plant nursery. raynersorchard.com.au Cherryhill Orchards – Cherryhill Orchards is a third generation family orchard with a passion for growing the world’s greatest cherries. It is open every day through cherry season (Nov-Jan) for pick-your-own cherry adventures. After, get into gourmet cherry delights in the farm shop. Cherry ice-cream anyone? cherryhill.com.au Paradise Valley Hotel – A true local hero. Convivial hotel with the best regional beers on tap, award-winning bistro, leafy beer garden close to Puffing Billy’s railway. Local produce and sustainability are key. paradisevalleyhotel.com Big4 Yarra Valley Park Lane Holiday Park – Set in 60 acres of bush, a magnet for wildlife. Spacious family villas sleep up to 8, go glamping in luxury tents or sleep in a refurbished tram (sleeps 8)! parklaneholidayparks.com.au/yarravalley Olinda Tea House – A gorgeous spot for lunch, high tea, or dinner in the heart of the lush Dandenong Ranges. Friendly alpacas, wildlife and peaceful gardens are an absolute delight. olindateahouse.com.au Yering Gorge Cottages – Cottages perfect for family getaways of all sizes. Beautifully appointed, guests enjoy selfcontained facilities and a private deck – perfect for a favourite pastime – kangaroo counting! yeringcottages.com.au Yarra Valley Chocolaterie & Ice Creamery – Indulge in a delicious selection of housemade ice creams or relax in the all-day 300 seat café serving breakfast, lunch and specialising in decadent sweet treats. yvci.com.au Yarra Gables in Healesville is a 4 star property nestled in 3 acres of pictureperfect gardens. Offers a variety of room types plus two delightful self-contained cottages, a villa and family suites. yarragables.com.au YARRA VALLEY & DANDENONG RANGES © Dean Gifford Warratina Lavender Farm– Let the kids frolic through fields of blooming lavender (in season). Learn about the different varieties and uses of lavender, the plants’ life cycle, and how and when Warratina harvest and dry the flowers. Soak up the view and fragrance from the Lavender Cottage Tearooms, where a menu of lavender-themed morsels beckons. warratinalavender.com.au
MORNING ACTIVITIES LUNCH ACTIVITIES WHERE TO STAY AFTERNOON ACTIVITIES Phillip Island Nature Parks Koala Reserve – See koalas in their natural environment, explore the tree top boardwalks. Wander extensive trails through the natural Australian bushland and enjoy the abundant birdlife. The woodland is home to many animals including wallabies, echidnas and bats. penguins.org.au Phillip Island Nature Parks – Churchill Island – A tiny gem off Phillip Island. A 19th century working farm, it’s magnificently preserved with heritage equipment, farm animals, beautiful gardens and historic buildings. Get involved in the daily farm activities of blacksmithing, milking, sheep shearing, whip cracking and working dog demonstration. penguins.org.au Phillip Island Nature Parks Antarctic Journey – Immerse yourself in the handson family fun and interactive experiences in the Antarctic Journey at the Nobbies Centre. It’s all the fun of the world’s most extreme continent, without leaving the island. Get into interactive, hands-on fun and virtual wildlife close-ups. penguins.org.au Wildlife Coast Cruises The waters surrounding Phillip Island teem with wildlife. Immerse yourself in all-season fun. Year-round tours showcase Australia’s largest wild fur seal colonies at Seal Rocks. For even more wildlife magic, book ahead for summer twilight cruises and winter whalewatching cruises. wildlifecoastcruises.com.au A Maze ‘N Things – Offers hands-on family sharing activities including illusions, puzzles, mini-golf, giant 3D maze, amazing interactive magic displays, mysterious caves and SkyTrail, a thrilling high ropes course. This exciting world of optical illusions, mazes, puzzles and magic will astound, intrigue and confuse for hours. amazenthings.com.au Phillip Island Nature Parks Penguin Parade – As dusk falls, witness these endearing little penguins emerge from the sea and waddle to their burrows. The Penguins Plus experience offers upclose viewing and a private boardwalk, while the Underground viewing area offers world-first eye level viewing. Ranger Guided tours offer an exclusive, experience. penguins.org.au Beach HQ Restaurant & Bar – Features the region’s best: local beef, wines, beers and top local produce. And the best views of Cowes’ foreshore, Western Port, French Island and the Mornington Peninsula. beachhq.com.au Anchor Belle Holiday Park – Set in bushland just 100 metres from the beach. Book a deluxe self-contained cabin or three bedroom villa and set the kids loose on the giant jumping cushion and playground. anchorbelle.com.au Phillip Island Chocolate Factory Observe the chocolate factory in action! See the entire production facility in full view with Panny’s team creating chocolates non-stop. phillipislandchocolatefactory.com.au Kaloha Holiday Resort – A tropical beachfront haven, just five minutes’ walk to the town centre. Relax in the hot tub, dip into the heated swimming pool or gather the kids for a play in the playground. kaloha.com.au Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit Home to world-class motor sport and daredevil action. Buckle Dad in for adrenalin-pumping hot laps or let the kids race around the go kart track for full-on thrills. phillipislandgokarts.com.au Phillip Island Park Lane Holiday Park Motel rooms, cabins, caravanning, camping. A Maze ‘N Things right next door, Koala Reserve over the road. Onsite restaurant and brewery. parklaneholidayparks.com.au/phillipisland/ PHI LL IP ISLAND
MORNING ACTIVITIES LUNCH ACTIVITIES WHERE TO STAY AFTERNOON ACTIVITIES Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne Explore the diversity and wonder of Australian landscapes. Book a ride on the electric, open-air Explorer bus around the Australian Garden and hear stories of the landscape. Then visit the BoonWurrung Café for something sweet or savoury with views over the Garden. rbg.vic.gov.au Rocky Creek Strawberry Farm Discover the biggest, sweetest, most delicious strawberries. Take to the fields and pick-your-own (Nov-Apr) or head to the café for choc dipped strawberries and strawberry ice-cream. Buy seasonal fresh produce or peruse the retail shop for tempting local gourmet products and a variety of strawberry themed gifts. rockycreek.com.au Arthurs Seat Eagle Board a state-of-the-art gondola at the Arthurs Seat Eagle and fly over the state forest to the highest point of the beautiful Mornington Peninsula where the views will take your breath away. Wander walking trails in Arthurs Seat State park spotting wildlife then relax in the family-friendly café at the summit. aseagle.com.au Moonraker Dolphin Swims Snorkel with dolphins, swim alongside fur seals, explore underwater marine parks and join the search for weedy sea dragons. Suited to all ages and experience levels providing the chance to view some of Australia’s marine animals in their wild natural habitat. Sightseeing option also available. moonrakercharters.com.au The Enchanted Adventure Garden Explore a wonderland of hedge mazes, artistic garden design and adventure activities. Nestled over 22 acres in the beautiful hinterland of Arthurs Seat, this adventure garden offers seven mazes, bushland obstacles, a Canopy Walk, Tube Slides and adventure activities such as Tree Surfing for nippers and Sky Scramble. enchantedadventure.com.au Moonlit Sanctuary A brilliant spot to hand-feed kangaroos, wallabies and emus, and get up close to koalas. The sanctuary is awesome by day but comes alive by night when the wildlife is ready to play. Take a lanternlit tour to glimpse night birds, gliders swooping, endangered quolls foraging and more. moonlitsanctuary.com.au Green Olive at Red Hill – An exciting small farm experience. Let the kids loose on the trampoline, take a sustainable farm tour, see sheep and hens, enjoy lunch from farm and other local produce. greenolive.com.au Iluka Group Retreat & Glamping Village – Offers a range of kid-friendly accommodation options. Let the kids choose from group lodge accommodation or family glamping at Iluka Retreat. ilukaretreat.com.au Red Gum BBQ – Is a little slice of South Georgia set up for families and socialising with craft beers on tap, indoor and outdoor dining, children’s play area, and seriously mouthwatering BBQ. redgumbbq.com.au Carmel at Sorrento – Six huge 3-bedroom apartments – or spoil the family with the penthouse! Close to main street shops, cafés, the ocean and bay beaches and Searoad ferries. carmelatsorrento.com.au St Andrews Beach Brewery – Enjoy a variety of craft beers and a bite to eat in the former stable of group one winning horses. The delicious menu offers a variety of small plates, salads, pizzas and burgers. standrewsbeachbrewery.com.au Rye Hotel – Located opposite the beach. Choose from award-winning poolside and beachfront suites, some with magnificent bay views. Dine in the onsite bistro or select a dining venue just steps away. ryehotel.com.au MORNINGTON PENINSULA
MORNING ACTIVITIES LUNCH ACTIVITIES WHERE TO STAY AFTERNOON ACTIVITIES Sea All Dolphin Swims Specialises in awesome outdoor experiences ideal for the whole family. Snorkel, swim or sightsee with wild seals and dolphins or catch a wave at one of the best beaches in Victoria. Ride the boom-net hammock, jump from the boat’s roof, enjoy a duck spa! All equipment provided. dolphinswims.com.au The Carousel This recently restored work of art is fully operational and fun for the whole family. Constructed circa 1892 and is one of only 200 in operation around the world. Enjoy views of the dazzling waterfront while being serenaded by an original Band Organ. geelongaustralia.com.au/carousel/ National Wool Museum Housed in a beautifully restored 1872 bluestone wool store on the Geelong waterfront. The Museum showcases the Geelong region’s wool story from the sheep’s back to the clothes rack. Learn about wool, fibre and textiles. Enjoy contemporary exhibitions and special events, including sheep shearing days! nwm.vic.gov.au Baywalk Bollard Trail Bring history to life! Download a guide, stroll the trail and get to know more than 100 sculptures depicting characters galore who’ve shaped Geelong throughout history. Including a Koori family, a group of lifesavers, explorer Matthew Flinders and more geelongaustralia.com.au/bollards Narana Aboriginal Cultural Centre Is an award-winning attraction centred on the world’s oldest living culture. Learn to throw a boomerang, get a taste for bush tucker and learn about ancient dreaming stories. Resident emus, kangaroos and wallabies nestle amongst native trees, walkways and gardens and can be hand fed. narana.com.au Jack Rabbit Vineyard A restaurant, vineyard and cellar door boasting unrivalled panoramic views. Devour a menu that’s a gastronomic showpiece for the Bellarine Peninsula. jackrabbitvineyard.com.au BIG4 Ingenia Holidays Queenscliff Offers luxury villas set amongst native gardens. Chill out just 500 metres from the beach, dip in the indoor pool and let the kids explore the family-friendly resort. ingeniaholidays.com.au Little Malop Street Precinct – Merges a flourishing arts and cultural precinct with a lively zone packed full of eateries. It is emerging as Geelong’s coolest spot to eat, drink and enjoy the good things about a city. visitgeelongbellarine.com.au Rydges Geelong – With sweeping views of the bay and minutes from the lively Geelong Waterfront, this centrally located hotel offers stylish and affordable accommodation. rydges.com/geelong Queenscliff Harbour Take a walk along the boardwalk and you will find a number of foodie options that can be enjoyed alongside the amazing water views. visitgeelongbellarine.com.au Werribee Open Range Zoo Slumber Safari Unique overnight experience with fully hosted safari tour, exclusive animal encounter, African inspired dinner and family lodge accommodation. zoo.org.au/werribee/ GEELONG & THE BELLARINE Werribee Open Range Zoo Offers a unique opportunity to encounter magnificent animals of the African savannah where they are given space to behave as they would in their natural habitats. Jump on board a guided safari tour across the unique open range savannah spotting rhinos, zebra, giraffes, and endangered African antelopes. zoo.org.au/werribee
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NDk4Njk=