Hafen
Melbourne

Ein sechstägiges Erlebnis mit fünf Übernachtungen in Australien, um die Skyline von Melbourne und die Pinguine an der Küste von Victoria zu bewundern und in die Wildnis von Cairns einzutauchen, mit Schnorcheln am Korallenriff und einem Besuch im Regenwald. Dann geht es weiter Richtung Westen nach Perth, wo Sie authentische Spezialitäten des Landes kennenlernen können: Gin, hausgemachter Kaffee und preisgekrönte Weine. Lernen Sie Australien intensiv kennen!

Tag 1* Panoramarundfahrt von Melbourne* Fitzroy Gardens und das Haus von James Cook: Innenbesichtigungen* Gedenkstätte Shrine of Remembrance Fotostopp* Panorama- und Gourmet-Mittagessen im 89. Stock des Eureka Towers* Panoramatour am Nachmittag entlang der Victoria-Küste nach Philipp Island* Pinguin-Parade* Übernachtung in einem exklusiven Hotel in Melbourne

Tag 2* Kurze Besichtigungstour durch Cairns* Kreuzfahrt bei Sonnenuntergang durch den Mangrovenwald* Mandingalbay: Begrüßungszeremonie mit traditionellen Häppchen* Abendessen in einem lokalen Restaurant* Übernachtung in einem exklusiven Hotel in Cairns

Tag 3* Schnorcheln im Korallenriff* Übernachtung in einem exklusiven Hotel in Cairns

Tag 4* Panoramafahrt durch den Wooroonooran National Park: Lake Barrine; Milla Milla Wasserfälle; Paronella Park* Abendessen im Cairns Aquarium* Übernachtung in einem exklusiven Hotel in Cairns

Tag 5* Panoramatour durch das Dorf Kuranda* Seilbahnfahrt über den Regenwald* Übernachtung in einem exklusiven Hotel in Perth

Tag 6* Handwerkliche Kaffeerösterei und Gin-Brennerei: Innenbesichtigungen und Verkostungen* Caversham Park: Innenbesichtigung* Mittagessen im Weinkeller und Weinverkostung im Swan Valley* Panoramabustour zum Fremantle Pier und Rückkehr zum Schiff

Tag 1 - Melbourne, die Stadt mit tausend Gesichtern
* Bei einem Spaziergang durch die Fitzroy Gardens erfahren Sie, warum Melbourne als die „Gartenstadt“ bekannt ist. Hier sehen Sie auch das englische Cottage von James Cook, das aus Yorkshire nach Australien gebracht wurde. Es ist das älteste Gebäude des Landes, und Sie haben die Gelegenheit, es von oben bis unten zu erkunden, während Sie mehr über das Leben des berühmten Kapitäns und seiner Familie erfahren.* Ein weiterer Halt ist die Gedenkstätte Shrine of Remembrance. Vom Aussichtspunkt aus erstreckt sich vor Ihnen ein beeindruckender Blick auf die viktorianischen Monumente, die sich neben den modernen Wolkenkratzern erheben – ein Bild von Melbourne, wie man es sich nicht besser vorstellen könnte.* Der Panoramablick wird noch besser, wenn Sie die 89. Etage des Eureka Towers erreichen. Hier erwartet Sie ein exquisites 10-Sterne-Gourmet-Mittagessen, das Sie genießen, während Sie die Skyline der Stadt aus der Vogelperspektive bestaunen.* Vor dem Abendessen erwartet Sie auf Phillip Island ein besonderes Erlebnis: Die Pinguine kehren nach einem Tag auf See wieder an Land zurück, und Sie können dieses beeindruckende Schauspiel aus nächster Nähe miterleben.

Tag 2 - In Cairns, die Traditionen der Mandingalbay hautnah erleben* Das Flugzeug landet in Cairns und Sie sind sofort mitten in der üppigen Natur der Mandingalbay-Bucht. Die Mandingalbay Aborigines leben hier seit Jahrtausenden und bewahren ihre Traditionen. Sie erleben sie bei der herzlichen Begrüßungszeremonie nach einer Kreuzfahrt durch die Mangroven bei Sonnenuntergang.* Anschließend erhalten Sie einen Einblick in die Küche der Aborigines mit typischen Häppchen, bevor Sie die modern interpretierte australische Küche in einem lokalen Restaurant kennenlernen.

Tag 3 - Schnorcheln am Great Barrier Reef* Mit Schnorchel und Taucherbrille gleiten Sie an der Wasseroberfläche entlang und bestaunen das Great Barrier Reef in all seiner farbenfrohen Pracht Über 1600 Arten tropischer Fische tummeln sich hier.

Tag 4 - Eintauchen in die grenzenlose Natur des Atherton Plateau* Auf dem Atherton Plateau tauchen Sie in die unendliche Weite der australischen Wildnis ein.* Zwischen riesigen Bäumen, Wasserfällen und Seen folgen Sie den Spuren der Vorfahren der Aborigines, die dieses Land einst bewohnten. Mit etwas Glück entdecken Sie das scheue Moschuskänguru oder ein Lumholtz-Baumkänguru.* Nach all den Erlebnissen können Sie im Paronella Park entspannen. Lauschen Sie den Geschichten über romantische Schlösser, geheimnisvolle Tunnel und versteckte Treppen.* Auch das Abendessen ist ein Erlebnis inmitten der Natur. Sie genießen Ihre Mahlzeit im Cairns Aquarium, umgeben von tropischen Meeresbewohnern.

Tag 5 - Kurunda: Der Regenwald von oben* Vom malerischen Dorf Kurunda schweben Sie mit der Seilbahn über den dichten Regenwald. Die Aussicht ist einfach atemberaubend.

Tag 6 - Kängurus und eine Kostprobe aus dem Swan Valley* Das Swan Valley ist ein wahres Paradies für Feinschmecker: Hier erwartet Sie eine Verkostung preisgekrönter Weine direkt im Weinberg, dazu die besten Kaffeemischungen und Gins in der Brennerei.* Und was wäre Australien ohne Kängurus? Im Caversham Wildlife Park, der über 2000 Tiere beherbergt, warten unzählige Fotomotive auf Sie, bevor Sie wieder zum Schiff zurückkehren.

Ein sechstägiges Erlebnis mit fünf Übernachtungen in Australien, um die Skyline von Melbourne und die Pinguine an der Küste von Victoria zu bewundern und in die Wildnis von Cairns einzutauchen, mit Schnorcheln am Korallenriff und einem Besuch im Regenwald. Dann geht es weiter Richtung Westen nach Perth, wo Sie authentische Spezialitäten des Landes kennenlernen können: Gin, hausgemachter Kaffee und preisgekrönte Weine. Lernen Sie Australien intensiv kennen!

Tag 1* Panoramarundfahrt von Melbourne* Fitzroy Gardens und das Haus von James Cook: Innenbesichtigungen* Gedenkstätte Shrine of Remembrance Fotostopp* Panorama- und Gourmet-Mittagessen im 89. Stock des Eureka Towers* Panoramatour am Nachmittag entlang der Victoria-Küste nach Philipp Island* Pinguin-Parade* Übernachtung in einem exklusiven Hotel in Melbourne

Tag 2* Kurze Besichtigungstour durch Cairns* Kreuzfahrt bei Sonnenuntergang durch den Mangrovenwald* Mandingalbay: Begrüßungszeremonie mit traditionellen Häppchen* Abendessen in einem lokalen Restaurant* Übernachtung in einem exklusiven Hotel in Cairns

Tag 3* Schnorcheln im Korallenriff* Übernachtung in einem exklusiven Hotel in Cairns

Tag 4* Panoramafahrt durch den Wooroonooran National Park: Lake Barrine; Milla Milla Wasserfälle; Paronella Park* Abendessen im Cairns Aquarium* Übernachtung in einem exklusiven Hotel in Cairns

Tag 5* Panoramatour durch das Dorf Kuranda* Seilbahnfahrt über den Regenwald* Übernachtung in einem exklusiven Hotel in Perth

Tag 6* Handwerkliche Kaffeerösterei und Gin-Brennerei: Innenbesichtigungen und Verkostungen* Caversham Park: Innenbesichtigung* Mittagessen im Weinkeller und Weinverkostung im Swan Valley* Panoramabustour zum Fremantle Pier und Rückkehr zum Schiff

Tag 1 - Melbourne, die Stadt mit tausend Gesichtern
* Bei einem Spaziergang durch die Fitzroy Gardens erfahren Sie, warum Melbourne als die „Gartenstadt“ bekannt ist. Hier sehen Sie auch das englische Cottage von James Cook, das aus Yorkshire nach Australien gebracht wurde. Es ist das älteste Gebäude des Landes, und Sie haben die Gelegenheit, es von oben bis unten zu erkunden, während Sie mehr über das Leben des berühmten Kapitäns und seiner Familie erfahren.* Ein weiterer Halt ist die Gedenkstätte Shrine of Remembrance. Vom Aussichtspunkt aus erstreckt sich vor Ihnen ein beeindruckender Blick auf die viktorianischen Monumente, die sich neben den modernen Wolkenkratzern erheben – ein Bild von Melbourne, wie man es sich nicht besser vorstellen könnte.* Der Panoramablick wird noch besser, wenn Sie die 89. Etage des Eureka Towers erreichen. Hier erwartet Sie ein exquisites 10-Sterne-Gourmet-Mittagessen, das Sie genießen, während Sie die Skyline der Stadt aus der Vogelperspektive bestaunen.* Vor dem Abendessen erwartet Sie auf Phillip Island ein besonderes Erlebnis: Die Pinguine kehren nach einem Tag auf See wieder an Land zurück, und Sie können dieses beeindruckende Schauspiel aus nächster Nähe miterleben.

Tag 2 - In Cairns, die Traditionen der Mandingalbay hautnah erleben* Das Flugzeug landet in Cairns und Sie sind sofort mitten in der üppigen Natur der Mandingalbay-Bucht. Die Mandingalbay Aborigines leben hier seit Jahrtausenden und bewahren ihre Traditionen. Sie erleben sie bei der herzlichen Begrüßungszeremonie nach einer Kreuzfahrt durch die Mangroven bei Sonnenuntergang.* Anschließend erhalten Sie einen Einblick in die Küche der Aborigines mit typischen Häppchen, bevor Sie die modern interpretierte australische Küche in einem lokalen Restaurant kennenlernen.

Tag 3 - Schnorcheln am Great Barrier Reef* Mit Schnorchel und Taucherbrille gleiten Sie an der Wasseroberfläche entlang und bestaunen das Great Barrier Reef in all seiner farbenfrohen Pracht Über 1600 Arten tropischer Fische tummeln sich hier.

Tag 4 - Eintauchen in die grenzenlose Natur des Atherton Plateau* Auf dem Atherton Plateau tauchen Sie in die unendliche Weite der australischen Wildnis ein.* Zwischen riesigen Bäumen, Wasserfällen und Seen folgen Sie den Spuren der Vorfahren der Aborigines, die dieses Land einst bewohnten. Mit etwas Glück entdecken Sie das scheue Moschuskänguru oder ein Lumholtz-Baumkänguru.* Nach all den Erlebnissen können Sie im Paronella Park entspannen. Lauschen Sie den Geschichten über romantische Schlösser, geheimnisvolle Tunnel und versteckte Treppen.* Auch das Abendessen ist ein Erlebnis inmitten der Natur. Sie genießen Ihre Mahlzeit im Cairns Aquarium, umgeben von tropischen Meeresbewohnern.

Tag 5 - Kurunda: Der Regenwald von oben* Vom malerischen Dorf Kurunda schweben Sie mit der Seilbahn über den dichten Regenwald. Die Aussicht ist einfach atemberaubend.

Tag 6 - Kängurus und eine Kostprobe aus dem Swan Valley* Das Swan Valley ist ein wahres Paradies für Feinschmecker: Hier erwartet Sie eine Verkostung preisgekrönter Weine direkt im Weinberg, dazu die besten Kaffeemischungen und Gins in der Brennerei.* Und was wäre Australien ohne Kängurus? Im Caversham Wildlife Park, der über 2000 Tiere beherbergt, warten unzählige Fotomotive auf Sie, bevor Sie wieder zum Schiff zurückkehren.

Die perfekte Reiseroute, um die Wunder Australiens in vollen Zügen zu genießen! Starten Sie mit einem Besuch im Healesville Sanctuary, wo Sie Kängurus und Koalas hautnah erleben können. Danach erwartet Sie ein kulinarisches Erlebnis: eine Wein- und Käseverkostung in den Weinbergen des Yarra Valley. Abgerundet wird der Tag mit einer Panorama-Bustour durch Melbourne. Klingt nach einem perfekten Tag, oder?

• Healesville Sanctuary Zoo: Besuch im Zoo
• Wein- und Käseverkostung auf einem Weingut in der Region
• Typisches Mittagessen auf einem Weingut in der Region
• Panoramabusfahrt durch das Stadtzentrum von Melbourne

• Der Bus wartet am Pier in Melbourne auf Sie: Steigen Sie ein und starten Sie in einen ereignisreichen Tag voller Natur und kulinarischer Genüsse.
• Im Zoo des Healesville Sanctuary begegnen Sie den faszinierenden Tieren Australiens aus nächster Nähe Kängurus, Emus, Koalas und sogar den berühmten Tasmanischen Teufeln.
• Nach diesem Abenteuer in der Wildnis geht es weiter ins Yarra Valley, eine der renommiertesten Weinregionen des Landes. Hier wurden schon im 19.Jahrhundert die ersten Reben gepflanzt, und heute entstehen hier einige der besten Weine Australiens.
• Auf einem Weingut der Region werden Sie mit einer Weinprobe und Käseverkostung begrüßt. Welche Kombination wird wohl Ihr Favorit?
• Das Gourmet-Erlebnis geht in einem stilvollen Weinrestaurant weiter, wo ein typisch australisches Mittagessen auf Sie wartet.
• Bevor es zurück zum Hafen geht, wartet noch eine entspannte Stadtrundfahrt durch das Zentrum von Melbourne auf Sie – der perfekte Ausklang eines unvergesslichen Tages.

Erleben Sie die Atmosphäre der großen Sportereignisse Australiens: Steigen Sie in einen bequemen Minibus und besuchen Sie die berühmtesten Austragungsorte legendärer Sportereignisse, von der Formel-1-Strecke, auf der der Große Preis von Australien ausgetragen wird, bis hin zur historischen Pferderennbahn Flemington Racecourse. Weiter geht’s in die legendäre Arena des Melbourne Cricket Ground, das bekannteste Stadion des Landes!

• Panoramatour mit dem Minibus: Die Strecke des Großen Preises von Australien der Formel 1; Stadtteil Docklands; Arden Street Oval; Pferderennbahn Flemington Racecourse; Das Athletendorf der Commonwealth Games; Royal Park; Princess Park; Viertel Carlton und Lygon Street
• Stadion Melbourne Cricket Ground; Australian Sports Museum: Innenbesichtigungen
• Mittagessen in einem typischen Restaurant

• Steigen Sie in den Minibus und erkunden Sie die Stadt Melbourne auf einer Fahrt zu den berühmtesten Sportstätten Australiens.
• Schon vom Busfenster aus sehen Sie die Formel-1-Strecke im Albert Park, die seit 1996 Schauplatz des Großen Preises von Australien ist: eine Strecke mit 14 Kurven und spektakulären Ausblicken auf die Skyline der Stadt.
• Vom Autorennen geht es nun weiter zum Pferderennen: Die imposante Flemington Rennbahn, Heimat des Melbourne Cups, „dem Rennen, das die Nation stillstehen lässt“, ist seit 1861 eine der wichtigsten Sportstätten des Landes.
• Jetzt geht’s direkt aufs Spielfeld! Sie betreten das berühmte Melbourne Cricket Ground, das berühmteste Stadion Australiens. Hier fanden viele legendäre Cricket- und Australian-Football-Spiele statt. Auch die Olympischen Spiele 1956 und die Commonwealth Games 2006 wurden hier abgehalten.
• Sind Sie bereit für das große Finale? Den krönenden Abschluss bildet das Australian Sports Museum, das mit interaktiven und multimedialen Ausstellungen spannende Einblicke in die Geschichte des Sports in Australien bietet.

Nach einer atemberaubenden Panoramatour im Hubschrauber, bei der wir von oben die Kalkformationen „Zwölf Apostel“ und viele andere interessante Stellen bewundern, kehren wir zum Boden zurück, um eine örtliche Weinkellerei zu besichtigen, bevor wir dann wieder mit dem Hubschrauber nach Melbourne zurückkehren.

• Panoramatour im Hubschrauber
  
• Zwölf Apostel
  
• Regenwald Cape Otway, Apollo Bay, Promenade von Lorne, Bellarine Peninsula
  
• Weinkellerei Jack Rabbit
  
• Mornington Peninsula, Port Phillip Bay

• Wir lassen den Hafen im Bus hinter uns und erreichen nach kurzer Fahrt einen exklusiven Hubschrauberlandeplatz mitten in Melbourne.
  
• Nach einigen grundlegenden Hinweisen und einer Sicherheitseinweisung, steigen wir an Bord des Hubschraubers und beginnen unsere Panoramatour zu den Zwölf Aposteln, um aus nächster Nähe dieses außergewöhnliche Naturwunder zu betrachten. Die Zwölf Apostel sind mehrere Kalksteinsäulen, die aus dem Miozän stammen, und vor der australischen Küste des Port Campbell National Park zwischen Princetown und Peterborough an der Great Ocean Road stehen. Die Witterung des Südlichen Ozeans hat zu Erosionen des weichen Kalksteins geführt, sodass sich richtige Höhlen in den Felsklippen gebildet haben, aus denen bis zu 45 Meter hohe Säulen entstanden sind. Diese charakteristische Felsformation hieß früher „The Sow & The Piglets“ (die Sau und die Ferkel), bis sie 1922 in „Zwölf Apostel“ umbenannt wurde, obwohl sie nur aus neun Kalksäulen besteht.
  
• Auf dem Rückflug fliegen wir über den Regenwald von Cape Otway, Apollo Bay und der berühmten Promenade von Lorne, um dann auf der Bellarine Peninsula zu landen, wo wir in der Weinkellerei Jack Rabbit vorzüglich zu Mittag essen. Jeder Gang wird von einem in der Region hergestellten Wein begleitet.
  
• Nach dem Mittagessen kehren wir mit dem Hubschrauber nach Melbourne zurück und genießen dabei den unglaublichen Ausblick über die Mornington Peninsula, die Port Phillip Bay und die Wolkenkratzer von Melbourne.

Ein atemberaubender Ausflug an Bord eines Hubschraubers, um von oben die Zwölf Apostel und das gesamte Umland zu sehen.

• Panoramatour im Hubschrauber
  
• Zwölf Apostel
  
• Regenwald Cape Otway,
  
• Apollo Bay
  
• Promenade von Lorne

• Wir lassen den Hafen im Bus hinter uns und erreichen nach kurzer Fahrt einen exklusiven Hubschrauberlandeplatz mitten in Melbourne.
  
• Nach einigen grundlegenden Hinweisen und einer Sicherheitseinweisung, steigen wir an Bord des Hubschraubers und beginnen unsere Panoramatour zu den Zwölf Aposteln, um von oben dieses außergewöhnliche Naturwunder zu betrachten.
  
• Die Zwölf Apostel stehen vor der australischen Küste des Port Campbell National Park zwischen Princetown und Peterborough an der Great Ocean Road. Diese Kalksteinformationen entstanden im Laufe der Jahrtausendende durch von der besonderen Witterung des Südlichen Ozeans hervorgerufene Erosion.
  
• Auf dem Rückflug fliegen wir über den Regenwald von Cape Otway, Apollo Bay und der berühmten Promenade von Lorne.

Wir erkunden Melbourne mit seinen Hauptmonumenten der Stadt.

• ightseeingtour im Bus
• Queen Victoria Market
• St Patrick's Cathedral
• Fitzroy Gardens
• Parliament House
• Flinders Street Station

• Wir verlassen den Hafen mit dem Reisebus und beginnen unseren Ausflug mit einer Einführungstour durch die Hauptstadt des Staates Victoria. Die Stadt liegt an der Nordseite der Port Phillip Bay und am Nordufer des Flusses Yarra. Melbourne mit seinen unendlichen, von herrlichen uralten Bäumen gesäumten Straßen, wunderschönen Parks und Gärten und einer Vielzahl an Restaurants, Cafés und Boutiquen gehört auf jeden Fall zum Pflichtprogramm eines jeden, der Australiens Südosten besucht. Auf der Tour können wir Sehenswürdigkeiten wie den Queen Victoria Market, die St Patrick's Cathedral, die Fitzroy Gardens, das Parliament House und den historischen Bahnhof Flinders Street Station bewundern.
• Anschließend begeben wir uns zum Aussichtspunkt Shire of Remembrance, wo wir die fantastische Aussicht auf die Stadt genießen und wundervolle Erinnerungsfotos schießen.

Atemberaubende Ausblicke und preisgekrönte Weine im Yarra Valley: Die Fahrt beginnt im Reisebus, durch eine sanfte Hügellandschaft mit Weinbergen, grünen Weiden und Tälern bis zum höchsten natürlichen Aussichtspunkt der Region. Danach steigen Sie um auf die offenen Waggons der legendären historischen Dampfeisenbahn: Und natürlich darf eine Kostprobe aus diesem Tal nicht fehlen: Ein Glas Rotwein – oder vielleicht auch mehrere!

• Panoramabustour durch das Yarra Valley
• Aussichtspunkt über die Gebirgskette der Dandenong Ranges: Fotostopp
• Weingut Rochford: Mittagessen und Weinprobe auf einem Weingut
• Panoramafahrt mit dem historischen Puffing Billy-Zug vom Bahnhof Lakeside nach Belgrave

• Das Yarra Valley gehört zu den ältesten Weinanbauregionen Australiens: Etwa 100 km von Melbourne entfernt, am Pazifik gelegen, bietet das Yarra Valley dank seines kühlen Klimas perfekte Bedingungen für außergewöhnliche Weine.
• Mit dem Bus geht es weiter durch Weinberge und abgeschiedene Täler, umrahmt von den blauen Bergen, durch die Hügellandschaft bis zum Gipfel des Dandenong, dem höchsten Punkt der Region: Von hier aus haben Sie einen spektakulären 360-Grad-Blick – er reicht von der Skyline Melbournes bis hin zur Port Phillip Bay. Ideal für tolle Fotos!
• Und was gibt es Schöneres, als nach all den Fotos den Wein zu probieren, den Sie zuvor in den Weinbergen gesehen haben? Auf dem Weingut Rochford, mit Blick auf den See, erwartet Sie ein köstliches Mittagessen, begleitet von einem Glas Rotwein. Währenddessen erfahren alle Geheimnisse des Weinguts und seines preisgekrönten Wein.
• Anschließend erleben Sie die Weinberge aus einer ganz anderen Perspektive – von den offenen Waggons des Puffing Billy aus. Diese historische Dampfeisenbahn schlängelt sich seit 1900 über die bergige Strecke der üppigen Dandenong Ranges: Mit Ihrem Guide fahren Sie durch subtropische Wälder und grüne Schluchten und aus den offenen Waggons genießen Sie das Panorama und die ganze Faszination von Reisen in der Vergangenheit: Fühlt sich fast an wie eine Filmszene, nicht wahr?

OVERVIEW

Depart your ship and travel to Sherbrooke Forest, home to some of the world’s tallest hardwood species. Here you will enter entering a fantastic rainforest of spectacular Mountain Ash, stringybark, lush tree ferns. Keep a keen eye for unique Australian wildlife such as lyrebirds who like to come out especially after a rainy day. Visit Olinda or another of the area’s charming townships. These small villages are renowned for excellent craft shops. Enjoy free time to browse the shops for the work of local artists that may include jewelry, glassware, pottery, leather goods, woodcarvings and even candy shops to remind you of yesteryear. Before returning to your ship, enjoy a brief city orientation and travel through suburban Melbourne.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Travel by coach into the unspoiled Dandenong region for a walk in Sherbrooke Forest.
• Marvel at sky-high hardwoods.
• Visit Olinda or another of the local mountain towns renowned for their excellent craft shops.
• Enjoy a panoramic orientation spin through Melbourne on the return.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Flat, comfortable walking shoes are recommended.
• Bring a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen as needed.

OVERVIEW

Behold the wonders of nature in Fitzroy Gardens and see other enlightening landmarks while driving through Melbourne, the engaging capital of the state of Victoria. The gardens were laid out in 1859 and follow a classic Victorian design. As you stroll the garden paths, the guide will describe the more unusual flora – perhaps the stump of a 300-year-old redgum tree adorned with fairy carvings– and show you the outside of the cottage once owned by the parents of Captain James Cook, the English explorer that mapped parts of Australia in 1770. Elsewhere in Melbourne, you will view the fashionable St. Kilda neighborhood, colonnaded Parliament House, grand Victorian-era Windsor hotel and the Princess Theatre, which is supposedly haunted by an opera singer that died on stage – literally – in 1888. Before transferring to the airport, you will drop by the Shrine of Remembrance, a memorial that honors the Australians that lost their lives in World War I.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Meander through serene Fitzroy Gardens as the guide describes the magnificent flora.
• See Melbourne’s architectural treasures on a panoramic drive through downtown.
• Pass the Parliament House, Princess Theatre and The Windsor, a grand Victorian-era hotel.
• Pause for photos at the Shrine of Remembrance, a National War Memorial.
• Transfer to the airport in plenty of time for your flight.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Kayak along the Yarra River as it winds through downtown Melbourne and discover how the city protects its fragile environment and local birdlife. The river is considered the social heart of Melbourne because so many attractions and popular parks line its banks. As your guide will explain, the Yarra’s water quality and ecology have improved significantly since the 1970s, when the river contained high levels of industrial waste. As you paddle along at a comfortable pace, you will pass under the Princes Bridge—a landmark on the Victorian Heritage Register—and skirt by the Flinders Street Railway Station, both extraordinary examples of 19th-century architecture. Melbourne also values its greenspaces, including verdant Alexandra Gardens and lush Batman Park, which you will find on opposite sides of the Yarra. Oases such as these attract a vast array of birds, so be sure to look for parrots, grey fantails and white-plumed honeyeaters, which thrive even in dense urban habitats.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Paddle a kayak along the Yarra River as it meanders through downtown Melbourne .
• Hear how Melbourne has protected its environment despite increased urban sprawl .
• Look for birds that thrive in dense urban settings.
• Pass some of Melbourne’s iconic architecture, some of it dating to the 19th century.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Sit back and enjoy this panoramic orientation drive through Australia’s ‘most livable city.’ It’s vibrant, multi-cultural, sporting, fashionable, food-and-culture-loving and the capital of Victoria – and all that’s just for starters. You’ll visit the bayside suburb of St. Kilda, with its lovely beaches, Esplanade and hopping café scene. See the F1 Grand Prix circuit wrapping around Albert Park Lake, and stop for photos at the landmark Shrine of Remembrance War memorial, maybe strolling across to the Royal Botanic Gardens’ gift shop. Drive past the Rod Laver Tennis Center, where the Australian Open is played each January, and the Melbourne Cricket Ground made famous as the venue for the 1956 Olympic Games, now home to thundering Aussie Rules Football and stadium concert crowds. In the heart of the city’s historic and governmental quarter, see The Treasury, Parliament House, the Windsor Hotel, Princess Theatre and the impressive Gothic buildings that line Collins Street. And travel through the Carlton district, where the rococo Royal Exhibition Building stands alongside the ultramodern Melbourne Museum. Throughout the drive, your professional guide’s commentary will bring the city’s history and backstories to life.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Enjoy a panoramic introduction to Melbourne, seeing the top sights and learning about their history.
• See everything from the beachside Esplanade in St. Kilda to the ornate Princess Theater built in 1854.
• Pass sporting icons like the Rod Laver Tennis Center, the Melbourne Cricket Ground and the lakeside Formula One race circuit in Albert Park.
• Visit the colonnaded Shrine of Remembrance, War memorial.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Wear casual, weather-appropriate clothing.
• Flat, comfortable walking shoes are recommended.
• Bring a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen as needed.

OVERVIEW

This excursion combines panoramic sightseeing, a historic garden walk, and sky-high Melbourne views from a 92-story skyscraper. The half-day begins with a drive to Fitzroy Gardens in the city center, its earliest plantings dating from 1860. Appreciate the showy Conservatory and of a charming two-story brick cottage hidden among the trees – the family home of famed explorer Captain James Cook, transplanted to this garden from Yorkshire. Rejoining your coach, settle in for a spin past landmark buildings including The Treasury, Parliament House, the Windsor Hotel, Princess Theatre and the marvelous Gothic lineup along Collins Street. A stop at the iconic Shrine of Remembrance, commemorating Australians who fought in wars and peacekeeping operations, allows time for photos and a climb up for balcony views if you’re feeling energetic. But the Melbourne views coming next will trump any others today as you visit Eureka Skydeck 88 atop one of the world’s tallest residential buildings. Lightning fast elevators whisk you from the ground to the Skydeck in a mere 40 seconds, and from the floor-to-ceiling windows up here you’ll have thrilling 360-degree views of the entire city, Port Phillip Bay and the mountains of the Dandenong Range.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Enjoy a narrated highlights drive through Melbourne City, passing many of its landmark sights.
• Stop at the colonnaded Shrine of Remembrance, commemorating those who served in wars and peacekeeping operations.
• Take a guided walk through Fitzroy Gardens, including the flower-filled Conservatory and Captain Cook’s Cottage. Zip to the top of the Eureka Tower in 40 seconds and gasp at the city-wide views from Skydeck 88.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Wear casual, weather-appropriate clothing.
• Flat, comfortable walking shoes are recommended.
• Bring a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen as needed.

OVERVIEW

Browse museum exhibits that reveal how the lives of the local indigenous people changed dramatically after Europeans arrived and view downtown Melbourne from a unique perspective while cruising the Yarra River. As you meander through the Bunjilaka Cultural Center within the Melbourne Museum, you will gain an understanding of the Aboriginal people that first settled in what became the state of Victoria. You may hear moving stories of resilience handed down from generation to generation, see artifacts that chronicle the ancient history of the area and view portrayals of early encounters between whalers and the Aboriginal people. A virtual guide will add even more insight. Later, you will cruise the lower reaches of the Yarra River, which cuts through the heart of Melbourne. Sights along the way include the Royal Botanic Gardens, the city’s modern sports and entertainment district, and Herring Island, a former basalt quarry that was filled with silt dredged from the river.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Become immersed in Aboriginal life while browsing the Melbourne Museum.
• Understand the dramatic impact that early Europeans had on the Aboriginal people.
• • See some of Melbourne’s most iconic attractions while cruising the Yarra River.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Explore some of the many landmarks Melbourne has accumulated, from its 1835 founding to the 21st century. Renowned as Australia’s ‘most livable city,’ Melbourne is a place of Old World charm and magnificent parks and gardens. It’s also a cosmopolitan, constantly-emerging hotbed of progressive cultural trends, artisan food, and passionate, world-class sporting events. There’s no way to see it all, though one stop on this tour comes close as you travel by lightning-fast elevator to the Eureka Skydeck 88. Clad in floor-to-ceiling windows atop one of the world’s tallest residential buildings, you can catch amazing 360-degree views of the entire city from here along with shimmering Port Phillip Bay and the Dandenong mountains in the distance. Less lofty but very moving, you’ll visit the city’s iconic Shrine of Remembrance, honoring those who served in wars and peacekeeping operations. Climb to the balcony if you like, or take a stroll toward the adjoining Royal Botanic Gardens. Additional sights seen include the modern Crown Casino complex and Convention Center along the Yarra River and several tony residential suburbs. Later, enjoy free time to explore the natural history collections of Melbourne Museum on your own, returning to the coach at a preset time.

HIGHLIGHTS

• See and visit highlights from Melbourne’s elegant past and vibrant present on this coach-driven tour.
• Zip to the top of the Eureka Tower in 40 seconds and gasp at the city-wide views from Skydeck 88.
• Stop at the iconic Shrine of Remembrance, a moving memorial to those who served in wars and peacekeeping operations.
• Travel past convention and casino complexes, though leafy riverside suburbs and along shopping boulevards. Enjoy free time to exploring the Melbourne Museum’s collections independently.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Wear casual, weather-appropriate clothing.
• Flat, comfortable walking shoes are recommended.
• Bring a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen as needed.

OVERVIEW

Visit contemporary and historical attractions that present a captivating look at Melbourne’s evolution since its founding in 1835. One of the most stunning city views will be from the Melbourne Skydeck on Eureka Tower, a 92-story building that was once the world’s tallest residential tower. Although a modern engineering marvel, it was named for a watershed past event – the Eureka Stockade, a rebellion that occurred during the mid-19th-century Victorian gold rush. After meandering about the Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria, which opened in 1846, you will gain an understanding of the role of Australian soldiers in war and peacekeeping at the neighboring Shrine of Remembrance, a national memorial to the country’s veterans. You will delve deeper into Australian history while independently browsing the Melbourne Museum, a building so architecturally important that UNESCO declared it a World Heritage site. Afterwards, you will transfer to the airport in plenty of time for your flight.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Enjoy the ultimate view of Melbourne from the skydeck on the soaring Eureka Tower.
• Visit the Shrine of Remembrance, a national memorial that honors Australia’s soldiers.
• Spend free time strolling about the Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria, a serene urban oasis.
• Browse the Melbourne Museum on your own for an in-depth look into the past.
• Transfer to the Melbourne Airport at the end of the excursion.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Savor lunch and a tasting at an esteemed winery in Yarra Valley and ride a narrow-gauge railway through the countryside with a stop at a wildlife sanctuary. While touring the Rochford Winery, you will learn a bit about its winemaking techniques and sample several wines that perfectly reflect the terroir. The selections may include a vegan Pinot Noir varietal and perhaps a Prosecco with hints of honeydew. An equally delightful two-course meal prepared with locally sourced ingredients will follow. While pausing at the Healesville Sanctuary, you will see many of the indigenous animals that live in the surrounding bush such as kangaroos, koalas and emus.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Enjoy a wine tasting and lunch at the Rochford Winery in the beautiful Yarra Valley.
• Observe a collection of iconic Australian animals at the Healesville Sanctuary.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Take a full-immersion trip back to Gold Rush days in a town that never left them, and tour a wildlife park where the fauna roams free. This adventurous day begins with a 90-minute drive to the town of Sovereign Hill, a true living museum where the shops, miners’ huts, cottages, hotels and other buildings all carefully replicate the style of the 1850s, when gold dust and nuggets were how you paid your bar bill. Informative displays document daily life in the era and the craft and jewelry shops offer similar goods to those sold during the Rush. Lunch will be served at a popular local eatery before moving on to historic Ballarat – it’s a larger city, full of showy architecture built with the considerable wealth hauled out of the ground after the first strike was discovered nearby in 1851. On a drive through the charming city center, your driver will point out Ballarat’s most notable highlights, including impressive botanical gardens planted along the shore on Lake Wendouree at the peak of the era. Later, on a visit to Ballarat Wildlife Park, you’ll encounter free-roaming kangaroos, koalas, emus, Tasmanian devils, wombats and other iconic Aussie animals.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Travel by coach across scenic Victoria terrain to the area where the Gold Rush of the 1850s began.
• Step into a living time capsule in Sovereign Hill, a perfectly recreated gold mining town – right down to the stagecoaches and spittoons.
• Wander period streets, browse period shops, and enjoy lunch served with modern utensils at a popular restaurant.
• Enjoy a guided drive through the historic center of Ballarat, the actual town where the Rush began.
• Visit Ballarat Wildlife Park and stroll among kangaroos, koalas, wombats and other native Aussie fauna.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Flat, comfortable walking shoes are recommended.
• Bring a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen as needed.

OVERVIEW

Enjoy two vastly different guided tours through Werribee Zoo – one featuring indigenous Australian animals, the other focused on animals that roam the African savannah. The zoo provides an open-range environment that emulates a variety of habitats that allow the animals to live freely as if they were in the wild. As you follow the trail through the outback, you may spot iconic Australian creatures such as kangaroos, koalas, Tammar wallabies and emus, flightless birds that can run up to 30 miles per hour. After a cup of tea and fresh-baked scones in the zoo’s historical bluestone shearing shed, you will board an open-sided safari train and ride through the savannah. Elands, nyalas waterbucks and other antelopes are plentiful, but you can also expect to see rarer animals that are extinct in the wild. They include scimitar-horned oryxes and stocky Przewalski’s horses, a naturally skittish equine species that humans have never tamed.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Learn how Werribee Zoo fights wildlife extinction through its captive breeding program.
• Observe indigenous Australian animals while following a trail through the outback area.
• Ride a safari train through a savannah where African animals roam freely.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Discover Melbourne's architectural treasures and cultural heritage on-foot during this scenic, half-day sightseeing excursion.

Beacon Cove, Tram-Ride & Melbourne City on Foot

Depart the pier on-foot with your guide for the short walk to Beacon Cove, then board a tram for the short ride into the city. Upon arrival, begin your guided walking tour through the city's fascinating labyrinth of atmospheric arcades and alleyways. Discover lanes filled with trendy cafes and eclectic boutiques, along with graffiti street art and a host of landmark buildings that arose from the city's Gold Rush boom during the 1850s.

Historical Landmarks

Highlights include the Block Arcade with its dazzlingly high Victorian-style interior décor, as well as grand, 19th-century commercial buildings. Renowned architectural gems include the stunning Gothic Bank, ornate Old Melbourne Stock Exchange, restored General Post Office and the city's oldest arcade, the Royal Arcade. Your walk continues past the delightful Town Hall, City Square precinct, and beautiful lime-and-sandstone building of St Paul's Anglican Cathedral.

Refreshments

Next, sit back, relax and enjoy the atmosphere of your surrounds during a refreshment stop at a local café. Afterward, resume your walking tour through tiny laneways. At the conclusion of your walking tour of Melbourne City, you can take the historic public tram back to the pier for a local taste of life with your guide or opt to remain in the city for independent exploration and return to the ship on your own.

Explore one of Australia's premiere wildlife reserves and view a wide array of iconic Australian animals. Discover the splendid beauty, flavours and wine estates of the fertile Yarra Valley during this scenic, full-day excursion with lunch ending at the airport.

Healesville Sanctuary, Australian Wildlife, Feedings, Wildlife Health Centre

Depart the pier for the scenic, approximately 1 hour and 45 minute drive to the Healesville Sanctuary, a must-see for animal lovers. Regarded as one of Australia's leading parks, Healesville features over 200 species of native wildlife in a natural bush setting. Here, you can get acquainted with the kangaroos, koalas, lyrebirds, platypus, emus, and other uniquely Australian animals that inhabit the bush-like surroundings. Explore the park and wander along the tranquil tracks at your leisure.

Yarra Valley

From your Sanctuary visit, re-board your coach for a short ride into the farmlands of the Yarra Valley, famous for its exquisite beauty and award-winning wines. From architectural statements to rustic tin sheds hidden among the vines, the Yarra Valley has a wonderful range of cellar doors, all reflecting the diversity of styles and approaches in this beautiful, cool-climate region.

Rochford Winery, Wine Tastings & Two-Course Lunch

Your first stop in the Yarra Valley is at the family owned Rochford Winery. Rochford uses traditional winemaking practices to create intense characters that express the vineyard's unique terroir and its two great passions are Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Upon arrival, proceed for a private wine tasting followed by a two-course lunch.

Huberts Estate & Wine Tasting  

Among the charming valleys of Coldstream in the Yarra Valley lies Hubert Estate, established in 1966.  From our humble beginnings in winemaking, we’ve now broadened our table, bringing together culture in all its forms under one roof.  Enjoy a wine tasting at this fantastic estate.

Your tour concludes with a transfer to the Melbourne Airport for your flight home.

Explore one of Australia's premiere wildlife reserves and view a wide array of iconic Australian animals during this self-guided, half-day sightseeing excursion.

Healesville Sanctuary

Depart the pier for the scenic, approximately 1 hour and 45 minute drive to the Healesville Sanctuary, a must-see for animal lovers. En route, pass through the Yarra Valley foothills, a beautiful wine region of Victoria. Upon arrival at the Healesville Sanctuary, begin your self-guided walking tour.

Australian Wildlife, Feedings, Wildlife Health Centre

Explore the park and wander along the tranquil tracks at your leisure. Along the way, get up-close and personal with a variety of Australia's most beloved wildlife, including kangaroos, koalas, Tasmanian devils, wombats, and dingoes all within their natural surrounds. Enjoy several demonstrations and feedings, including the majestic 'Spirits of the Sky' and popular 'World of the Platypus' exhibits. You can even visit the Wildlife Health Centre to chat with the vets or nurses as they treat sick, injured or orphaned wildlife in-need of care. During your visit, refreshments and/or meals are available for purchase at kiosks or cafés located throughout the sanctuary.

At the conclusion of your visit, re-board the coach for your return drive back to the pier.

Explore the Great Ocean Road and stunning Twelve Apostles in an exciting new way during this panoramic flight-seeing excursion with lunch.

Melbourne, Helipad, Helicopter Flight-Seeing Tour, Great Ocean Road, Coastline

Depart the pier for the short drive to Melbourne helipad. Upon arrival, board your helicopter, and receive your safety and flight instructions, then begin your helicopter flight-seeing tour. After lift-off, begin your breath-taking, approximately 90-minute helicopter flight-seeing tour along the Great Ocean Road as it winds along the picturesque coastline.

Twelve Apostles, Visitor's Centre, Bellarine Peninsula

Next, fly over the Twelve Apostles, the remnants of an ancient volcano plain and one of Victoria's most stunning landmarks, before landing at the Visitor's Centre for free time to explore the lookouts. Leaving the Twelve Apostles, fly to the Jack Rabbit Winery, one of the Bellarine Peninsula's famous wineries.

Jack Rabbit Winery, Three-Course Lunch with Wine

Upon arrival at the Jack Rabbit Winery, proceed for a three-course lunch accompanied by complementary wines. After lunch, re-board your helicopter for the short flight back to the helipad, then re-board your luxury car and commence the short drive back to the pier.

Play a relaxing round of golf on a championship course in the famed 'Sandbelt' region of Melbourne during this spectacular, half-day golfing excursion.

Woodlands Golf Club or Yarra Yarra Golf Club

Depart the pier for the scenic, approximately 40-minute drive via luxury coach to either the Woodlands Golf Club or Yarra Yarra Golf Club, depending upon the availability of tee times at the time of guest booking. Both clubs are situated in the renowned Melbourne Sandbelt, and are renowned by golf purists for their championship layout, immaculate course presentation and a spectacular golfing experience. Depending upon available of tee times at the time of guest booking, guests will play at the Woodlands Golf Club or Yarra Yarra Golf Club.

Clothing Change, Club Selection, Pre-Game Warm-Up, Motorised Golf Cart, Personal Golf Pack

Upon arrival, change into your golf attire, select your premium clubs and receive driving range balls for your pre-game warm-up. Your shared, motorised golf cart with in-cart refreshments awaits your arrival, along with a personal golf pack containing a sleeve of three golf balls, custom golf towel, golf tees, divot tool, and scoring pencil to be taken home.

Eighteen-Hole Round of Golf, Narrow Fairways, Hazards, Small Greens, Challenging Layout

Next, begin your 18-hole round of golf. Grace the narrow fairways, cunningly-placed hazards and small greens that are the hallmarks of their challenging metropolitan layouts. During your visit, gifts, additional refreshments, and food are available at the Pro Shop or Clubhouse at your own expense.

At the conclusion of this unforgettable golf outing, re-board your luxury coach and commence the approximately 40-minute drive back to the pier.

Experience the splendid beauty and landmarks of Melbourne during this picturesque, half-day sightseeing excursion ending at the airport.

Panoramic Drive & Shrine of Remembrance

Depart the pier and ride through the bay suburbs of Melbourne as you enter the city itself to see some of its most notable sights. Pass through the southern suburbs of Melbourne to the inspiring Shrine of Remembrance. The memorial is a permanent and lasting memory to the ANZAC spirit, the men and women of Victoria who served and those who died in the Great War.

Fitzroy Gardens

Afterward, re-board your coach and pass some of the city's most notable buildings, including Federation Square, Flinders Street Station, Town Hall, Parliament and the ornate Princess Theatre.  Built in 1857, it's regarded as Melbourne's home for international musical productions. Melbourne is hailed as Australia's 'Garden City', famed for the parks and gardens surrounding it. Your next stop on your tour is the lush Fitzroy Gardens, a fine example of a grand city garden. Stroll within its 64 acres of huge formal garden beds, walking paths, a superb collection of trees and see the outside of Cook's Cottage brought to Melbourne in 1934.

Melbourne Sights

After your time in the gardens, re-board your coach once again and to continue with your sightseeing. Travel through Melbourne's Famed Sporting precinct to see Melbourne Park, the Melbourne Cricket Ground, site of the 1956 Olympics, the beautiful St Paul's Cathedral and the Old Customs House which is now the home of the Immigration Museum.

Your tour concludes with a transfer to the Melbourne Airport for your flight home.

Relax and take in the scenic sights of Melbourne, visiting the Eureka Skydeck and the Shrine of Remembrance. This half-day tour is a perfect way to discover Melbourne from the comfort of a coach. Take in notable sights, landmarks, buildings, and parks and learn about the city and its history and culture.

St. Kilda & Panoramic Drive

Depart the pier for the scenic drive into Melbourne, which is renowned for its grace, Old World charm, and the magnificent parks and gardens that surround the city. On the way the coach travels along the Esplanade, passing through St. Kilda, a trendy and well-known inner city suburb with an eclectic history.

Eureka Tower & Shrine of Remembrance

Stop at the Eureka Tower and venture high up to the 88th floor, you will get a bird's eye view of the CBD and of Melbourne's sprawling suburbs. After a short drive, visit the monumental Shrine of Remembrance located in the peaceful gardens, just minutes away from the bustling city centre.

Carlton District

Continue the journey through the city, where you can admire the historical architecture of the first churches of the area to the fascinating terrace homes in the Carlton District. Alongside these historical landmarks there are just as many modern structures, cultural landmarks and sporting venues to set your sights on until your return to the pier.

Learn about the traditional uses for food, tools and medicine on an Aboriginal Walking tour at the Botanic Gardens. This half-day excursion allows you to see some of Melbourne's highlights as well as learn about the Aboriginal history of the region.

Panoramic Drive

Depart the pier for a panoramic drive. Sit back, relax and enjoy an informative narrative as you travel past many magnificent buildings including The Treasury, Parliament House, the Windsor Hotel, the Princess Theatre and the marvellous Gothic buildings that are found along Collins Street.

Royal Botanic Gardens & Aboriginal Heritage Walk                  

Upon arrival at the Royal Botanic Gardens, participate in an Aboriginal Heritage Walk. The garden is an important cultural site for the local Koolin people. Journey into their ancestral lands to gain an understanding of their rich history and thriving culture, and discover their connection to plants in a 90 minute walking tour.

Lemon Myrtle Tea & Free Time

Conclude your walk with a refreshing cup of lemon myrtle tea while you share stories and reflect on the significance of Aboriginal culture in Australia. Followed by some free time in the gardens, continue the panoramic drive back to the pier.   

In an industry often criticized for its lack of diversity and representation, Nornie Bero's inviting smile combined with the comforting aroma of traditional food prepared with native ingredients, reminds us of the inherent power in embracing one's heritage. At her restaurant Big Esso by Mabu Mabu, join Nornie for deep dive into traditional Indigenous cooking and the use of local produce. Experience the unique interactive Damper masterclass run by Nornie before an incredible meal during this S.A.L.T. Program culinary experience.

Drive to Fed Square, Big Esso by Mabu Mabu

Board your coach and enjoy the short drive to Federation Square (Fed Square) on the land of the Wurundjeri and Boonwurrung peoples; known for arts, culture and public events on the edge of the Melbourne central business district.

At the heart of Melbourne in Fed Square is Chef Nornie Bero's restaurant, Big Esso by Mabu Mabu, which means “the biggest thank you” and “help yourself.” Mabu Mabu paints a picture of the islands: seafood that evoke the azure waters of the Torres Strait, spiced game meats that summon the wild essence of Australia's untamed landscapes, and the uniquely delicious, pickled watermelon made right in the restaurant.

Damper Masterclass and Chef Prepared Lunch

Upon arrival be greeted by Chef Nornie and take a deep dive into traditional Indigenous cooking and the use of local produce. Nornie will personally meet with guests and tell her story, where she is from and how Mabu Mabu began. From there, Nornie will invite everyone to their own kit to learn how to make Damper. Damper symbolizes cultural restoration for First Nations people and is a food tradition that's been shared among First Nations peoples for thousands of years. Beyond its crusty exterior and spongy interior, damper represents cultural identity through food.

After the fun Damper class, Nornie welcomes all for a 5-course lunch with drinks. The menu uses local ingredients and traditional cooking methods. Drinks are completely Australian-owned, featuring Australian terroir and native botanicals.

Lunch concludes with a short walk back to board the bus to return to the ship.

Chef Nornie Bero

As the undisputed champion of Australian Indigenous cuisine, Chef Nornie Bero is an "island girl at heart." She embodies a heartwarming tale of creativity, identity, and passion with an unwavering connection to her roots. Bero from the Komet Tribe of the Meriam People on Mer Island in the Torres Strait, her journey in the culinary world is far more than a series of successful businesses. In an industry often criticized for its lack of diversity and representation, Bero's inviting smile combined with the comforting aroma of traditional food prepared with native ingredients, reminds us of the inherent power in embracing one's heritage.

Bero's pioneering spirit extends beyond the kitchen as she engages in community-building through food-centric events and initiatives, advocating for the sustainability and recognition of native ingredients.

Explore Melbourne at your leisure during your full-day (8-Hour) sightseeing tour via private car. Customise your own itinerary or choose to see an overview of the area's highlights.

Depart the pier with your English-speaking guide in an air-conditioned car and discover the city and surrounding areas at your own pace. Your exclusive tour concludes back at the pier.

Explore Melbourne at your leisure during your half-day (4-Hour) sightseeing tour via private car. Customise your own itinerary or choose to see an overview of the area's highlights.

Depart the pier with your English-speaking guide in an air-conditioned car and discover the city and surrounding areas at your own pace. Your exclusive tour concludes back at the pier.

Explore Melbourne at your leisure during your full-day (8-Hour) sightseeing tour via private van. Customise your own itinerary or choose to see an overview of the area's highlights.

Depart the pier with your English-speaking guide in an air-conditioned van and discover the city and surrounding areas at your own pace. Your exclusive tour concludes back at the pier.

Explore Melbourne at your leisure during your half-day (4-Hour) sightseeing tour via private van. Customise your own itinerary or choose to see an overview of the area's highlights.

Depart the pier with your English-speaking guide in an air-conditioned van and discover the city and surrounding areas at your own pace. Your exclusive tour concludes back at the pier.

Discover the coastal beauty and sights of Melbourne's bay side in an eco-friendly new way during this invigorating, sightseeing excursion via electric bike.

Guided Electric Bicycle Tour

Meet your guide at the pier, receive your safety and riding instructions, then don your helmet and practice using your easy-to-operate and environmentally-friendly electric-assisted bike, which features a comfortable gel seat. Afterward, depart the pier for your scenic, approximately two-hour guided bicycle tour.

Melbourne Bay, Local Piers and Landmarks, St. Kilda Pier Kiosk, Refreshment Stop

Begin with a scenic ride along Melbourne's bay-side bicycle path towards Brighton. Along the way, experience the exhilaration of effortless cruising, and take in the local piers, history, culture and landmarks. Next, a visit is made to the St. Kilda Pier, an UNESCO World Heritage Site. Following a refreshment stop at the St. Kilda Pier Kiosk restaurant, commence the return ride back to the pier.

Embrace the stunning natural beauty of the Dandenong Ranges during this panoramic, half-day excursion aboard a vintage steam train.

Dandenong Ranges & Puffing Billy Train

Depart the pier for the scenic, narrated drive past Melbourne's eastern suburbs and into the Dandenong Ranges, where the beautiful scenery of the tall mountain forests come into view. Upon arrival at the Belgrave Train Station, board the Puffing Billy, a vintage steam train built in the early-1900s that was originally used to aid commuters in the then-remote Dandenong Ranges. Today, this antique train has been lovingly restored and operates with the aid of many volunteers as a well-known attraction. The train still runs on its original mountain track, which offers picturesque views of the countryside and rolling hills through the lush, green fern gullies surrounding the track.

Train-Ride

After boarding the Puffing Billy, begin your approximately 30-minute ride to Menzies Creek. En route, travel through the magnificent ranges, then pass through the temperate rainforest and over a beautiful, approximately 300-foot-long (about 91-metre-long) timber Trestle Bridge.

Grant's Reserve & Morning Tea

Upon arrival in Menzies Creek, de-board the Puffing Billy and board a coach for the short drive to Grant's Reserve, nestled within Sherbrooke Forest. A stop is made here for morning tea amidst your beautiful surrounds. The forest is home to towering mountain ash trees, a wide variety of ferns and abundant wildlife.

At the conclusion of your visit, re-board your coach for the approximately 75-minute drive back to the pier.