Victorian High Country & Gippsland

Welcome to Victoria and its vibrant, cosmopolitan capital city of Melbourne. A wonderfully diverse state, rich in history and culture and boasting a fascinating mix of stunning waterways, mountainous terrains and quaint country towns and ruins, a visit to Victoria's High Country and Gippsland will leave you wanting more! We'll meet our fellow travellers at the hotel at 2.30pm for a short briefing about what we can expect over the next 9 days.

Special Experience: Come prepared with your walking shoes on, as we begin our Victorian adventure with a walking tour of the historic laneways and decadent arcades of Melbourne. Delve into the true essence of the city, learning about its beguiling past via quaint cobblestone lanes, cosy boutique shops and cafes, and intriguing street art.

Later, we get to know our new travelling companions at a group welcome dinner. (D)

To begin our journey we travel east of Melbourne to the lively seaside resort and fishing port of Lakes Entrance, Gippsland. Originally named Cunninghame in 1870 – after a family of squatters who settled in the area – it was fittingly renamed to Lakes Entrance in 1915 to reflect its location as a gateway to the Gippsland Lakes for ocean-going vessels. Today, gorgeous swimming beaches, the romantic bliss of glistening lakes and a booming water sports and fishing scene have cemented the town as a prime holiday spot. En route to Lakes Entrance, we visit the historic township of Walhalla. Once a busy gold mining centre you'll need your camera at the ready as picturesque landscapes are aplenty.

We'll also go on an extended tour of one of the town's underground gold mining sites to learn more about its mining heritage. After some free time for lunch, we'll hit the road again to reach Lakes Entrance where you can spend the evening exploring the town at your leisure. (B)

Enjoy the early morning your own way to take in the local surroundings; why not take a stroll along the Esplanade to see the popular World War I Memorial sculptures? It's only a short walk. Once the morning's out we will take a Luncheon Cruise with a stop at the lakeside village of Metung. Spending a couple of hours there, we'll visit the Metung Pub for a full lunch and peruse the sights of the town at our own pace.

Then, we will continue the cruise through the Reeves Channel, Bancroft Bay and into Lake King to experience the complex Gippsland waterways. Keep your eyes peeled for dolphins, sea birds, eagles, kangaroos and other wildlife. This cruise is a nature lover's dream! Once disembarked from the cruise, the rest of the day is yours to take in the sights, smells and sounds of this dreamy coastal town. (B/L)

Swapping out coastal views for mountainous peaks and breathtaking deciduous expanses, we head north to Bright in Victorian High Country. This picturesque alpine village sits roughly 310 metres above sea level and was given its name in 1866 to honour the late MP for Birmingham in England, John Bright. To kick-off this leg of the tour we will stop at the Buchan Caves and venture underground to unearth its popular, Royal Cave. As we are guided through this 400 million year old limestone wonderland be sure to have your cameras charged as these surreal rock formations are too cool not to document!

For lunch, we'll stop at the Bullant Brewery in Bruthen. Don't be afraid to honour your hunger here with some of the best regionally sourced food available and a brew that, according to locals, has serious ‘bite'. Travelling along the Great Alpine Road we will stop at various lookouts such as Kosciusko Lookout, Danny's Lookout and Renes Lookout that offer magnificent panoramic views of Victoria's Mountain landscapes. After taking in some of the views, sit back, relax and watch the pretty scenery pass by as we make our way to Bright. Once there, we will check in to our hotel with the evening all yours to enjoy. (B/L)

Taking full advantage of Bright's location near the Victorian alps, today is dedicated to exploring Mt Buffalo National Park. Sheer cliffs, immense granite tor formations, waterfalls and scenic views await us as we enjoy one of the many walks the park has to offer. Mount Buffalo is also home to a charming array of Australian wildlife and 550 native plant species, some of which are not found anywhere else in the world, like the Buffalo Sallee tree - so keep your eyes peeled. Later, the rest of the afternoon is at leisure for us to enjoy in Bright. (B)

Located northeast of Victoria and roughly 236 kilometres from Melbourne, the bustling rural city of Wangaratta seamlessly blends old country hospitality with modern city vibes. First settled in 1837 by sheepherder, George Faithfull, it was not until 1959 that it was proclaimed a city. Regional produce is celebrated here with an eclectic mix of modern restaurants and farm gates nestled around the area. On the way to Wangaratta, we'll stop at the Milawa Cheese Co. We know no other dairy category can appease the mind's reward centre greater than cheese, so enjoy this delicious tasting from one of the region's leading cheese makers.

Special Experience: Soak up the King Valley sun as we enjoy a private picnic glamping experience at the renowned Brown Brothers Winery. Grazing on some of the finest local produce and wines, you'll quickly discover what makes this region and winery so famous.

Upon arriving at Wangaratta we'll check in to our hotel where the remainder of our evening is at leisure. (B/L)

Our destination today is Beechworth, one of Victoria's best preserved historical towns. Known for its thriving food and wine scene, this quaint little town was also once famous for its amazing growth during the gold rush era in the mid 1800's. We will begin the day relishing in a little musical number from local legend Lazy Harry, at the Beechworth Town Hall. Sit back as he regales us through song about the rich musical history of Beechworth, singing both genuine original and traditional melodies.

Special Experience: Dive into the pages of history with an interactive re-enactment of Ned Kelly's trial at the Beechworth Courtroom. Hear and see how justice was dispensed during this period and you never know, as this is an interactive experience, you might even have a chance to drop the gavel !

Ned Kelly, infamous outlaw and undoubtably Old Beechworth Gaol's most famous resident; he was once housed at this iconic facility three times! From the courtroom we will walk to the gaol and take a guided tour of this culturally significant site. We'll learn about its role in the chain of events that ultimately led to the final curtain call in one of the most colourful and controversial careers in Australia. After experiencing our little slice of Australia's history, enjoy some time at leisure to further explore this wonderful gold-rush town before making our way back to Wangaratta for the evening. (B)

Excitement this morning as we continue to unravel Ned Kelly's life with a guided tour in Glenrowan; home to the siege where one of the most dramatic scenes the notorious bushranger ever had with police played out. Hitting the road again, we will have some free time in the township of Yea before our final tasting experience in Badger Creek. To satisfy our palettes we find ourselves at Blueberry Winery Cellar Door for a tasting of delectable treats for lunch and its popular blueberry wine. At the same time, we'll take a moment to admire the expanse of the Yarra Valley hills that surrounds us. As we make our final stop in Melbourne we'll enjoy a group farewell dinner and reflect on the beautiful Victorian countryside. (B/L/D)

Our tour concludes after breakfast this morning. We bid farewell to our new friends and to the diverse and wonderful Victoria. (B)