If you find yourself in Melbourne, you have a wonderful opportunity to combine several of the region's must-do excursions into one unforgettable journey around Australia, without retracing a single kilometre.

If you look at a map of Victoria, you'll see that this unique tour from Melbourne traces a genuine ring of natural treasures, strung with the jewels of the Great Ocean Road and Grampians National Park, the historic gold of Ballarat, and ancient Aboriginal culture.

The result of your two-day photo and video session will be an enormous collection of scenic landscapes, wildlife and birds, historic towns and memorable sights.

Day One

You will visit and see:

• a memorial arch to the builders of the Great Ocean Road and to those who fell in the First World War;
•  giant eucalypts and ancient tree ferns in the rainforest, where you may encounter the continent's unique fauna - sleepy koalas, timid kangaroos and colourful parrots;
• the historic Split Point Lighthouse (1891), fittingly nicknamed the "White Queen" for its elegant, distinctive design;
• golden, surf-swept sandy beaches;
• picturesque coastal towns;
• the idyllic scenery of Australian pastureland;
• the fishing village of Apollo Bay, whose waterfront features unusual wooden sculptures by local artisans (lunch stop, paid separately). Apollo Bay ranks 8th in Australia's top 100 towns;
• Great Otway National Park, with a walk among towering eucalypts - the tallest flowering trees in the world;
• Port Campbell National Park, tragically famous as the "Shipwreck Coast";
• lookout points with breathtaking panoramas of the famous Twelve Apostles and the striking rock formation of Loch Ard Gorge with the Razorback

Overnight stay in the mountain town of Halls Gap, amid the ancient rainforests of Grampians National Park;

Evening and morning wild kangaroo watching;

Day Two

You will visit and see:

• the Brambuk Aboriginal Cultural Centre - optional
• a drive along the scenic mountain road through the "Wonderland" range, a name that perfectly matches the landscape around you;
• mountain lookout points in Grampians National Park;
• MacKenzie Falls;
• a visit to historic wineries for wine tasting (optional);
• the historic "gold rush" city of Ballarat
• the charming heritage village of Sovereign Hill, where the atmosphere of mid-19th-century Australia has been beautifully recreated

Return to Melbourne

The price of the two-day tour does not include your guide's accommodation and meals, your own accommodation and meals, or any entrance tickets