Gems of South Australia – Solo

Enjoy breakfast this morning before we begin our city sights tour. Once considered a sleepy city, Adelaide has undergone a rapid transformation with world-class art, music and sporting facilities to discover. Our day is going to be full of rich history starting with a leisurely stroll along Adelaide’s tree lined boulevard, North Terrace with our local expert. If you enjoy cricket, AFL or sport in general our next guided tour will be a highlight at the Adelaide Oval, as we are taken into the ground’s inner sanctum. Afterwards, we visit the Bradman Collection, a private collection of memorabilia from Australia’s great Sir Donald Bradman. We have free time this afternoon. You may like to take in the beauty and diversity of the Adelaide Botanic Gardens, see giant pandas at the Adelaide Zoo* or wander the Art Gallery of South Australia* and neighbouring South Australia Museum*. Your tour host will be on hand to assist with arranging activities if needed. This evening we will come together for dinner in the hotel.

*During free time any activities are at own expense

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Today after breakfast we will check out, board the coach and head to the beautiful Adelaide Hills region to uncover some wonderful local produce. We make our way to Woodside for some local treats. At Cheese Wrights, they have superb hand-crafted cheese, some of which are seasonal and only made when the milk is perfect. Now, you can’t have something savoury without something sweet! The Melba’s Chocolate and Confectionery Factory, produces old Australian favourite sweets using old era chocolate making equipment and is the perfect place to collect some delicious goodies before a delicious lunch at Stanley Bridge Tavern. This afternoon we arrive at our accommodation for the next two nights, in the gorgeous township of Hahndorf, Australia’s oldest surviving German settlement. Settle into your room and have the evening at leisure.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Stay: The Manna of Haus or similar – 2 nights

After breakfast this morning we discover Beerenberg Farm and enjoy a tasting of the delicious jams and preserves. Next, we enjoy a visit to The Cedars. Lovers of fine art and charming gardens will enjoy this country property known as the home to iconic landscape painter and early conservationist, Sir Hans Heysen. Be captivated by the original works displaced in the furnished home. We then have free time in Hahndorf for the afternoon. The town is a superb “flashback” to the nineteenth century with its smallgoods shops, bakeries, pubs, eateries and attractions housed in authentic surroundings along the main street. Meet this evening for dinner in the hotel restaurant.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

We’ll be up at sparrows’ call this morning for quick breakfast before checking out, boarding the coach and then travelling to Cape Jervis for our ferry crossing to Kangaroo Island. Once we disembark the ferry, we will travel to the most eastern point of the island, the Cape Willoughby Lighthouse. Being the first lighthouse to be built in South Australia, it has a rich maritime history and spectacular panoramic views across the Backstairs Passage from the top of the lighthouse. There are 101 steps to navigate to the top if you wish, but the view from the ground is also pretty with excellent views of the remote island coastline. Our majestic views don’t end here as we stop at Dudley Wines where we are spoilt with a wonderful outlook as we enjoy a local produce platter for lunch. We then travel to the main town on the island, Kingscote, where our hotel is located. Enjoy a stroll along the beach or relax in our hotel before dinner.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Stay: Aurora Ozone Hotel or similar – 3 nights

Enjoy breakfast today we visit some interesting attractions unique to the island. We travel to nearby Emu Bay where the number of holiday homes equal the number of permanent residents. The beach ranks among the best due to its clear waters and long shoreline. Here we visit Emu Bay Lavender Farm, where the farms story began in 2001 when a small lavender garden was first planted. Now, 20 years later, the farm runs over 51 acres of land and has an estimate of 7500 lavender plants including 12 different varieties. Close by is the Kangaroo Island Brewery, a new addition to the island’s food and drink culture. This rustic, yet neat and modern complex has an amazing story to tell and not just about the beer, which we will taste during our time here. Next we visit Emu Ridge Eucalyptus Distillery where we take an interesting tour of the equipment used to manufacture eucalyptus oil and products. Also a family owned business, and a popular Kangaroo Island tourist attraction, they’ve been operating since 1991. They are the only commercial Eucalyptus Oil distillery in South Australia, and produce 100% pure Australian Eucalyptus Essential Oil from the Kangaroo Island Narrow Leaf Mallee, along with a range of natural products that are available through the farm gate shop. Whilst here we will enjoy a delicious lunch. Our final visit is to Clifford’s Honey Farm – home to the island’s own population of Ligurian Bees (the only pure strain in the world). This family business run by Dave & Jenny Clifford started off with just a couple of hives as a hobby in 1973. During the late 1980’s when the wool prices dropped, Dave and Jenny diversified their sheep farm by expanding the small honey business. They opened the farm-gate store in 1993 and continue to run the farm with the help of their daughters and grandchildren. Returning to the hotel we have time to refresh before meeting for dinner.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Kangaroo Island has an abundance of incredible wildlife and today after breakfast we have a chance to get up close and personal. Our local guide will join us on the coach today as we travel to the world famous, Seal Bay. We’ll be taken into the heart of the colony where our experienced guide will teach us about the wonderful Australian Sea Lion. There is nowhere else in the world where you can listen to an expert give their unique insight while walking amongst the colony. We visit Raptor Domain and see the interactive and inspiring Birds of Prey demonstration before lunch. Raptor Domain is an Environmental, Educational, and Rehabilitation Centre set on a beautiful 150 acre property. Here at the Centre there are many orphaned, injured and sick Birds of Prey that come into care each year. Unfortunately not all birds are able to go back to the wild so they become ambassadors for their kind, to create awareness and appreciation. Some of the birds have been bred in captivity and are quite rare, like the White Goshawk, Black-breasted buzzard and the Sooty owl. This afternoon, we explore all that Flinders Chase National Park has to offer. The park’s coastal scenery includes Admirals Arch, Remarkable Rocks and an excellent boardwalk where we see a colony of New Zealand Fur Seals below. What a day of truly exceptional wildlife experiences! Returning to our hotel, we’ll have time to freshen up before meeting this evening for dinner.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

This morning, enjoy breakfast before we check out and say farewell to stunning Kangaroo Island and head across to the Fleurieu Peninsula to the town of Victor Harbour. Located on Adelaide’s southern doorstep, the Fleurieu Peninsula offers a peaceful Mediterranean feel. There are dozens of white sandy beaches, rolling vineyards and farmlands, and scenic towns on the coast near the entrance to Australia’s longest river. There are plenty of opportunities to see kangaroos and local birdlife as well as dolphins, seals, pelicans, sea lions and whales. The area is also known for its surf beaches, fishing and winter sightings of the Southern Right Whale. Arriving at our hotel we will check in and have time at leisure this afternoon before we come together for dinner in the hotel.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Stay: McCracken Country Club or similar – 2 nights

After breakfast today we will take an interesting town tour, of Victor Harbour, with a local guide. We then ride the historic Horse Drawn Tram across the Causeway to Granite Island. Feel the ocean breeze as the beautiful Clydesdale horses draw us along the jetty bridge. The Tramway commenced operation in 1894 and is one of two remaining in the world that operate a daily service. Granite Island is around 62 acres and is one of the most recognised ecological attractions in Victor Harbour due to its unusual granite formations with crashing white waves, elevated views, flora and fauna, and walking trails that provide outstanding panoramic coastal views. Enjoy free time to explore the rugged coastline or spot the little penguins that inhabit this island before returning to the hotel. Meet this evening in the hotel for dinner.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Enjoy breakfast this morning before we board the coach and make our way to McLaren Vale, known as the birthplace of South Australia’s wine industry. We have time to explore the McLaren Vale township. Here you might like to indulge your sweet tooth at Medlow Confectionery* (famous for the South Australian favourite Fruchocs) or enjoy one of the many coffee shops* dotted along the main street. *own expense. We visit Lloyd Brothers, home of delightful wines, olives and lifestyle products and have time here for a tasting whilst admiring the grounds. Set amongst the gorgeous vines is Shingleback Winery.  Relax in this beautiful location as we enjoy a wine tasting over a delicious lunch. We return to Adelaide, check into our hotel and have the evening at leisure.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Stay: Adelaide Rockford Hotel or similar – 2 nights

Have an early breakfast before we board the coach and make our way to the picturesque Murray River. Sit back and relax as we are welcomed aboard the PW Mayflower – the oldest original paddle steamer in South Australia. Get up close with unique birdlife, towering cliffs and gorgeous flora and fauna of the riverbanks viewed through panoramic windows or from the surrounding deck. Enjoy interesting commentary about the history of the Murray, the significance of the paddle steamer and the Mannum Township before lunch at the Pretoria Hotel. Returning to Adelaide we will have time to freshen up before we come together for our farewell dinner.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Sadly our time in South Australia has come to an end. A final breakfast together and then with our bags packed, we say our goodbyes and transfer* to the airport for our flights home.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Please do not book departure flights before speaking to us about the group transfer time.