Southern Capitals: City Meets Bush

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 the 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. (L) Stay: Crowne Plaza Canberra

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 mighty Murray River, but you'll soon cross it en route to Beechworth.

From Australia's longest river, travel through Victoria's High Country to the well-preserved gold rush town of Beechworth. Beechworth saw an influx of fortune-seekers from all over the world during the 1850s. Get the lowdown on Beechworth over a chat with the publican of the historic local pub and enjoy afternoon tea in the oldest hotel in town. Then you'll be set on your way to explore honey and gold shops, galleries and museums at your leisure, before Wangaratta beckons. (B) Stay: Quality Hotel Wangaratta

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.

After a city tour, immerse yourself in a guided galleries tour of our First Peoples arts and cultural centre, Koorie Heritage Trust, then 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 or another gallery that catches your eye. Enjoy. (B) Stay: Crowne Plaza Hotel Melbourne (2 nights)

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. Or, perhaps exploring the city on foot with a History and Donuts Walking Tour is more your thing. Animal lover? Venture to Phillip Island to see hundreds of little penguins pad along the sand en route to their burrows (all own expense). The choice is yours. (B)

Wait, how did you just pack so much action into such a short amount of time? Cities, countryside, farms … This Sydney to Melbourne trip has been quite the adventure. (B)