Boutique Kangaroo Island holiday with Twelve Apostles Walk

Itinerary in brief:

• 2 nights Adelaide
• 3 nights Kangaroo Island
• 2 nights Melbourne
• 3 nights Twelve Apostles Walk
• 3 nights Mornington Peninsula

Day 1: Depart UK

Depart the UK from your chosen airport.

Included: International flights

Day 2: Arrive Adelaide

On arrival in Adelaide, you'll be met at the airport and driven to your hotel in the city, checking in for two nights. Head out to explore this friendly city, you’ll be spoiled for choice on how to spend your time. Why not head to the Oval to visit the iconic cricket ground – you can even walk along the roof if you choose on the iconic Roofclimb – if you’d like us to book this, just ask! Wander through the heritage architecture of Adelaide Central Market, stroll through the Art Gallery of South Australia or visit the National Wine Centre to taste some local vintages. 

Included: Transfers, 4* hotel 

Day 3: McLaren Vale

Today we've included a trip to the McLaren Vale, a wine region just outside of Adelaide. The day will be very wine focussed, including tastings at 4 boutique wineries and a restaurant lunch. You’ll be visiting smaller vineyards but if you have any specific requests, it might be possible to be flexible with the itinerary. If you want something completely private that visits vineyards specific to your wine taste, we can build that too – just ask.  

Included: Two-hour walking tour, all day McLaren Vale Uncorked tour, 4* hotel              

Day 4: Fly to Kangaroo Island        

Spend the morning in Adelaide before being driven to the airport for the short flight to Kingscote in Kangaroo Island. On arrival in Kangaroo Island, you’ll be met and driven to the gorgeous Sea Dragon Lodge, on the eastern tip of the island. Once you have relaxed take a walk in the surrounding bushland or head to the secluded private beach at Pink Bay before settling in for a delicious dinner.

Included: Breakfast, hire car, transfers, internal flight, Sea Dragon Lodge         

Day 5: Kangaroo Island food and drink touring

After breakfast, head off for half a day of touring on Kangaroo Island. You’ll spend the day indulging in some of the island’s best food and drink providers – the day might include a visit to the organic honey farm to learn about Ligurian bees and taste their honey, a KI Brewery for a tasting paddle of their craft beer or a visit to Emu Bay Lavender Farm, home to an estimated 7,500 plants. One place you’ll definitely visit is Kangaroo Island Spirits, Australia’s first dedicated gin distillery. Join a guided tour of the garden with a distillery host, learning about the native botanicals that go into the specially crafted gin. Afterward, take some time to appreciate samples of gin and mixers and enjoy lunch in the garden. Come back to the lodge in the afternoon to relax on your deck, swim from the private beach at Pink Bay and enjoy an indulgent and delicious dinner.       

Included: Breakfast, dinner, shared touring with other guests, Sea Dragon Lodge 

Day 6: Kangaroo Island nature touring

Spend the day on a small-group tour with other lodge guests, exploring the diverse natural attractions and wildlife of Kangaroo Island. Enjoy short walks, a picnic lunch and close up wildlife encounters while learning about the history and nature of this amazing island.

First stop is the enormous Australian sea lion colony at Seal Bay, where you can wander along the pristine beach, learning about these beautiful mammals from your guide. After this, you’ll head to Flinders Chase and along the drive you’ll witness the remarkable regrowth of the island after the 2019 bushfires. A stop at Remarkable Rocks will give you the first views of the rugged coastline in this diverse national park. Learn about the early maritime history of this wild environment, all the while spotting other native animal species including long-nosed fur seals at Admirals Arch, echidnas, kangaroos, tammar wallabies and a range of birds and reptiles.

On the return to Sea Dragon, you’ll stop for a swim or a short walk at one of the many picturesque beaches (temperatures permitting), arriving back at approximately 5.30pm. Enjoy a rest in your room with a cold glass of wine before tucking into another sumptuous dinner. 

Included: Breakfast, dinner, shared touring with other guests, Sea Dragon Lodge

Day 7: Fly to Melbourne

After one last delicious breakfast, you’ll be driven back to the airport in time for the short flight back to Adelaide before connecting to your flight to Melbourne. On arrival, you'll be driven into the city and check into your hotel for two nights.

Included: Breakfast, transfers, internal flights, 4* hotel        

Day 8: Melbourne 

You now a full day to explore Melbourne. We've started the day with a tour of the iconic Melbourne laneways - stroll around with your guide, learning about the rich history of the city and the tiny businesses that make this unique area tick. You'll get insight into the soul of Melbourne from a true local, tasting the famous flat white coffee and some delicious chocolate, as you explore the cosy cafes, galleries and historic shopping arcades. Lunch is included, but after you've eaten the rest of the afternoon is yours to explore further. 

Take a ride up the Eureka Sky deck to experience uninterrupted 360-degree views of the skyline, you can even enjoy a cocktail at the top! Explore Chinatown for delicious Asian food and stop into Queen Victoria Market for the iconic hot jam donuts. Finish at one of Melbourne's many sensational restaurants - your guide will be able to recommend something you'll love. 

Included: Walking tour, 4* hotel 

Day 9: Start the Twelve Apostles Signature Walk 

Leaving Melbourne behind today, you'll be picked up and driven out to the Great Ocean Road, ready to begin this iconic Australian walk. You'll start the first section of the walk at Blanket Bay, following the coastline of Great Otway National Park. Hike along the cliff tops and stroll barefoot on the golden sand beaches as you look for wildlife along the way. Spot koalas, kangaroos and even echidnas as you learn from your guide about the history of the region. You'll finish at the Cape Otway Lighthouse, before we driven over to your lodge in Johanna, where you'll sip a glass of fizz while enjoying a delicious dinner as you get to know your walking companions better. 

Included: Transfers, guided walking, lunch, dinner, Twelve Apostles Lodge

Day 10: Twelve Apostles Signature Walk 

It's a long day of walking along the coast today, with 14.5km of rolling landscape, starting as you descend down onto Milanesia Beach. Here you'll admire the natural rock wall before following the trail through deep gullies, lined with tree ferns and towering eucalyptus trees and heading out of the forest to Ryans Den. Laze on the grass as you eat your lunch and soak up the views over Cape Otway before continuing on your journey, stopping for the odd moment to really admire the forest around you, and the wide sweeping views of this wild coastline. Today is the hardest day of walking but also one of the most spectacular, with sea views and the feeling of triumph when you complete the day. Spend the evening relaxing, enjoying regional food and some of Victoria's best wines.

Included: Transfers, guided walking, all meals, Twelve Apostles Lodge

Day 11: Twelve Apostles Signature Walk

Start today with a gentle meander through the native forest, up towards the Gables, one of Australia's highest cliff-top lookouts. Depending on the tide, you'll head down onto Wreck Beach, exploring the historic shipwreck before carrying on to Devil's Kitchen for lunch. After finishing your sandwiches, you'll carry on along the Devil's Kitchen Track, through fern gullies and into the grass trees forest, finishing at the Wreck Beach carpark. As you're driven back to the lodge you'll stop in at Melba Gully, an enchanting place with towering tree ferns and waterfalls. After returning to the lodge, you'll celebrate your final night of the walk, enjoying a relaxing foot spa, a long table dinner and plenty of excellent wines!

Included: Transfers, guided walking, all meals, Twelve Apostles Lodge

Day 12: Back to Melbourne, drive to the Mornington Peninsula 

Enjoy your final morning at the Twelve Apostles Lodge - after another delicious breakfast, you'll head out for your final walk from Princetown, along the coast to the Twelve Apostles visitor centre. You've completed the walk! After a lunch at the local dairy, you'll be driven back to Melbourne. From here, you'll pick up your hire car and head down to the town of Sorrento, in the Mornington Peninsula, checking into your hotel for three well deserved nights of rest and relaxation. 

Included: Breakfast, lunch, transfers, car hire, 4* hotel 

Days 13 & 14: Mornington Peninsula 

The next couple of days are yours to relax in the beautiful Mornington Peninsula. Whether you want to chill at the hotel, enjoy long lunches at local vineyards or explore a little further, it's your choice. If you do want to explore, there is so much to do - whether you enjoy a walk along the coast or through the national parks or head out to do some kayaking or paddleboarding. Spend lazy afternoons touring the local vineyards and sampling some of the region’s best grapes - it's the perfect end to your trip. 

Included: Car hire, 4* hotel 

Day 15: Depart Melbourne 

This morning you'll drive back up to Melbourne and drop your car off at the airport, in time for your flight home. 

Included: Car hire, international flights

Day 16: Arrive UK