Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
Australia – Sydney – Melbourne – Grampians National Park – Great Ocean Road – Kangaroo Island – Torquay
100% customisable for you
Your two-week family adventure in southern Australia begins today. Head to the airport, whizz through security and settle into the lounge for some pre-flight snacks. Your connecting flight to Sydney means the trip takes just over a day, so (if the children allow it) try to get some rest on board. When you land, a private driver will be waiting to take you to your centrally-located hotel – your base for the next two nights.
This afternoon, everyone will likely need some time to shake off the jet lag and stretch their legs. So, the rest of the day is yours to do just that, whether this means cannonballing into the pool, taking a leisurely stroll around the area or (if the plane was anything but restful) squeezing in some quiet time in your room or at the spa while tag-teaming child watching duties.
Today, take a private tour of Sydney, choosing to explore either the city side or the beach side – or both, it’s entirely up to you (well, your children). Along the way, discuss daily life in Australia with your local guide, giving your youngsters free(ish) rein to exercise their insatiable curiosity.
Still keen to explore later on? If it’s a sunny day, don your sailing caps and cruise around the bay or splash about along the most beautiful beaches in Sydney. When little tummies start to rumble, enjoy a delicious lunch of freshly caught fish at the Fish Market. Then, head to the Royal Botanic Gardens, crane your neck up at the skyscrapers in the Central Business District or watch the comings and goings of the ferries at Circular Quay.
This evening, with your collective curiosity satiated and the children focused on dinner, head out for a delicious dinner in ‘The Emerald City.’ Spoilt for choice? Your local Concierge will be happy to recommend the best family-friendly spots.
This morning, you’ll be privately transferred to the airport for your two-hour internal flight to Adelaide, the capital of South Australia. When you land, collect your rental car, agree (or try to) on a playlist and set out on the hour-and-a-half-long drive to Cape Jervis.
From here, take the ferry to Penneshaw on the eastern shore – the clue was in the name – of Kangaroo Island. Home to nearly 20 national parks, this is an adventurous child’s paradise, combining wild landscapes and abundant wildlife. Your home for the next two nights here is a sea view villa with a barbecue on the terrace which is just waiting to be used.
To settle in this evening, gather around the fire pit, tuck into some tasty treats and enjoy the warm, intimate setting – sure to spark excitement in little ones and encourage participation from teens.
Today on Kangaroo Island, you’re seeing... sea lions. Yes, contrary to its name, Kangaroo Island is also a great place to spot sea lions, thanks to Seal Bay Conservation Park, which boasts the third-largest sea lion colony in Australia. Organised around the dunes where these marvellous mammals gather, the conservation centre is all about authentic and respectful observation. Accompanied by a private guide, embark on one of the most exceptional wildlife experiences in the world (even the teens won’t be able to hide their delight).
It's been a day of animal-named destinations, so why not continue the streak? This afternoon, head to Emu Bay for a family sand-castle competition, or Stokes Bay to witness ‘the most beautiful beach in Australia’ – quite the endorsement. Alternately, swap the creature-centric names for a creature-centric place with Snellings Beach, where the whole family can splash about with dolphins. Or, if there’s a budding explorer among you, search for penguins at the port of Penneshaw or whales in Pennington Bay. And if all of this is simply far too wildlife-heavy, enjoy a wine tasting while the little ones fill their cup with the next best thing: grape juice.
Pry the children away from Kangaroo Island this morning to catch the ferry to Cape Jervis (don’t worry, there’s plenty more wildlife to come). Once you’re back on the mainland, drive up the coast to reunite with Adelaide. You’ll only be staying here for one night, so don’t bother unpacking. Instead, drop your bags, freshen up and put the topic of dinner to a family debate. Your hotel is right in the city centre, so you (and your Concierge) should have no problem finding a spot that everyone agrees on.
This morning, drive to the airport, return your hire car and board a one-and-a-half-hour flight to Melbourne. When you arrive, collect your new hire car – cue a surge of excitement from your youngsters – and drive three hours northwest towards Grampians National Park. You'll be staying in the scenic village of Halls Gap for the next two nights, a natural wonderland known for its mountain views, hiking trails and animal encounters (we did promise there’d be more).
This evening, tuck into a tasty dinner and rally the family to scope out your surroundings, accompanied by the wallabies that roam freely in the grounds.
Grampians National Park, with its spectacular sandstone cliffs, roaring waterfalls and Aboriginal rock art, is a picturesque playground which covers an impressive 656 square miles. Today, it’s time for a full-blown family adventure, so lace up your hiking boots, lather on the bug repellent and stuff a backpack full of snacks.
Once you’re in the park, don’t miss a stop at the majestic Mackenzie Falls, where an observation deck and staircase allow you to get as close as possible to the cascading water. Keen hikers – and hyper children – are also sure to enjoy the walk to the Pinnacle, which (as the name suggests) is an elevated viewpoint with sweeping panoramic views. Reed Lookout is another must-visit, boasting brilliant views of the Balconies (impressive rock platforms that jut out of the cliff in the shape of an open mouth). The cherry on top? Kangaroos, emus, koalas and opossums will be your constant companions, bound to appear at various bends in the trail.
Bid the mountains farewell this morning and hop back in the car for the drive to Apollo Bay, a scenic stop along the Great Ocean Road. The journey takes about four hours, meaning plenty of car games, sightseeing and sing-alongs (check out our Sounds of Australasia playlist if you need a switch up).
Today, (excuse the cliche) it's about the journey, not the destination. The Great Ocean Road is an iconic route, offering over 124 miles of spectacular views along the coast of Victoria. So, before you nestle into Apollo Bay for the night, head to Great Otway National Park, where you can walk through a stretch of rainforest, past towering eucalyptus trees and prehistoric looking ferns.
Then, make another detour to Cape Otway Lighthouse, where you can spot koalas perched in the trees along the road. And for some coastal curiosities, don’t miss the Twelve Apostles (iconic limestone stacks teetering just offshore) and London Bridge, which, unlike its British cousin, is not a bridge at all, but another spectacular rock formation.
This morning, buckle up and set off on the two-and-a-half-hour drive to the capital of Victoria. Along the way, take the opportunity to reconnect with the splendours of the Great Ocean Road and enjoy your last stretch of road trip antics.
Do you have a budding surfer among your troops? You’re in luck, because today, you’ll be stopping off in the seaside resort of Torquay, considered the Australian capital of surfing. While here, enjoy a private lesson led by one of the most recognised surf schools in the country (expert guidance, to say the least). Wet-suit up, grab a board and take to the waves – it’s time to see who can claim bragging rights as the best surfer in the troupe.
Once little legs have grown weary, bundle back into the car and continue on to Melbourne, where you’ll stay for two nights in a centrally located hotel.
Having brushed shoulders with Melbourne earlier on, now’s the time to dive in. Today you’ll explore the 'most pleasant city in the world’ (another shining endorsement) on a half-day tour with a private guide. Visit the four corners of this celebrated city, experiencing everything from pedestrian streets and pretty passages to – in true Melburnian style – public transport. Round the experience off by seeing some of the city’s best street art.
After fuelling up with a tasty lunch, the rest of the afternoon is yours for the taking. Visit the open-air cinema in the Royal Botanic Gardens; soak up the bohemian atmosphere of the Fitzroy district; burn off some of the children’s seemingly endless energy with a ride on the merry-go-round at Luna Park; engage the teens with a spot of shopping on Acland Street; or simply admire the penguins at the end of the pier in St. Kilda.
Trade one iconic city for another this morning with a private transfer to the airport for your one-and-a-half-hour flight to Sydney. When you arrive, another private transfer will take you to Taronga Zoo, where you’ll spend the final night of your Aussie adventure among – you guessed it – even more animals. Overlooking Sydney Harbour and the zoo itself, your accommodation is straight out of a child’s dream, with enough whimsy to captivate adults and teens alike.
Of course, you won’t just be staying in the zoo, you’ll be exploring it. This afternoon, enjoy a tour with an experienced guide, full of intimate animal encounters and fascinating keeper talks (better snap a photo while they’re distracted).
Sadly, your family adventure down under comes to an end today. This morning, dine in true Aussie style with a brilliant buffet breakfast before your private transfer to the airport. The flight home is another two-parter, so stock up on snacks and settle in for the 24-hour trip. Thanks to the time difference, you’ll gain a little bit of time when you touchdown in the UK, but you’ll have gained even more in unforgettable memories.
Everything in this itinerary is entirely customisable, down to the smallest details. Here are some more suggestions of what could be included
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
ENQUIRE NOW
Our team of destination experts will get to know you and your unique requirements for your holiday
We work with you to build an ultra-personalised holiday itinerary with your choice of accommodation, experiences and activities
All of our holidays include little extras designed to make a big difference to your trip, from fast-tracking you through airport check-in and security to our network of local Concierges
