MELBOURNE TO MOUNT GAMBIER

Welcome to our tour to stunning Kangaroo Island. With chauffeured pickup from home, we are transferred to meet our O’Shannessy’s Quality Tours coach and crew. Following our morning tea break, we travel to Wickliffe, where we stop for lunch at Narrapumelap Mansion an impressive French Gothic Mansion. This afternoon, our journey takes us across the border into South Australia to Mount Gambier for our first night’s accommodation. 

OVERNIGHT: Presidential Motel, MOUNT GAMBIER

SPIRIT OF THE COORONG CRUISE - FLEURIEU PENINSULA

Following breakfast, we travel along the Coorong, glimpsing the Younghusband Peninsula enroute. At Meningie we board the “Spirit of the Coorong” for an informative and relaxing luncheon cruise. Our cruise takes us across the Coorong National Park. Derived from an Aboriginal word ‘karangk’ meaning narrow neck, it is one of the most breathtaking national parks in Australia. Our coach will be waiting for us in Goolwa for the drive through Port Elliot to lovely Victor Harbor and the McCracken Country Club for our overnight accommodation.

OVERNIGHT:  McCracken Country Club, VICTOR HARBOR

KANGAROO ISLAND ENTERPRISES

This morning, we take the scenic drive to Cape Jervis where we board the Sea Link ferry  across Backstairs Passage to Penneshaw on the eastern end of the Island. It takes just 50 minutes to complete the crossing. As we disembark the ferry we board our coach and begin exploring the Dudley Peninsula. Our first stop is at Dudley Wines where we are spoilt with a wonderful outlook as we are lead in a tasting of their fabulous wines and enjoy a light lunch. Continuing on, we will be introduced to some unique Kangaroo Island ventures - the first one is Clifford’s Honey Farm for a honey ice cream and to learn about the unique Ligurian Bee. Close by is Emu Ridge Eucalyptus Oil Distillery where we take a very interesting tour of the plant and equipment involved in producing eucalyptus oil and product. We now head to Kingscote, the island’s main town, home for the next three nights.

OVERNIGHT:  Aurora Ozone Hotel, Kingscote, KANGAROO ISLAND 

KANGAROO ISLAND WILDLIFE

We start the day travelling to Seal Bay, Kangaroo Island's premier tourist attraction. Here we’ll learn about the amazing lives of these endangered animals as our experienced guide takes us on a tour into the colony. Next stop is Raptor Domain for their In-Flight Birds of Prey demonstration followed by lunch. This attractions offers an unique and entertaining experience while creating an understanding and appreciation for the bird’s role in the environment. On our way back to Kingscote, we stop to view the artwork of a giant kangaroo and red tailed black cockatoos on the town’s silo. We now have some free time to take a look at the shops to perhaps purchase a memento of our trip.

OVERNIGHT: Aurora Ozone Hotel, Kingscote, KANGAROO ISLAND

MORE OF KANGAROO ISLAND

After breakfast we can look forward to another interesting day on tour.  Our morning visit is to Emu Bay Lavender Farm. We will enjoy morning tea here as well as a tour. Making our way towards the centre of the island now, we arrive at the Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park.  There are approximately 600 animals in the park covering 150 species. Owners Sam and Dana have a long wildlife background and take pride in the opportunity to support conservation through the park. It is not often that the park is without young animals that have been injured, rejected or orphaned so there may be babies to cuddle or feed also.  We have time to wander around the area and eat our picnic lunches. There is also a café on site for anything else we may feel like. We end the day by seeing the iconic Remarkable Rocks, Cape du Couedic and Admirals Arch in Flinders Chase National Park. Today we find out how wide the island is and our afternoon is spent enjoying the scenery on the way back to our hotel.

OVERNIGHT:  Aurora Ozone Hotel, Kingscote, KANGAROO ISLAND

KANGAROO ISLAND TO VICTOR HARBOR

This morning we say farewell to Kangaroo Island and board the ferry at Penneshaw for our return journey to the mainland. Back on board our coach, we retrace our steps to Victor Harbor. After lunch, we take the horse drawn tram across the causeway to Granite Island. We now have some free time to explore “Victor”, as the locals know it.  Perhaps take the opportunity to visit the SA Whale Centre (own expense). Victor Harbor was originally a whaling centre with three whaling stations in the mid-1900s. An estimated 400 southern right whales arrived into Encounter Bay each season. Unfortunately these magnificent mammals were destroyed back then but they have returned to the bay in increasing numbers.

OVERNIGHT: McCracken Country Club, VICTOR HARBOR

VICTOR HARBOR TO HORSHAM

Today we begin our journey back to Victoria. We travel to the “Heritage Town” of Strathalbyn this morning. Settled more than 175 years ago by Scottish immigrants. Today the quaint town is popular for its boutique shops and beautiful heritage buildings in the historic main streets. At Tailem Bend we join the Dukes Highway through Coonalpyn - with a brief stop to view the silo artwork - to Keith for lunch. This afternoon, we make our way to Horsham for our final night on tour.

OVERNIGHT:  Horsham International Hotel, HORSHAM

HORSHAM TO MELBOURNE

Our last day together begins with a scenic drive through the spectacular Grampians National Park, before arriving in Ararat for lunch. This afternoon, we re-join the highway and travel via Ballarat home to Melbourne. What a great time away it’s been!  As always, our chauffeurs will be on hand to take us straight to our door – all part of the O’Shannessy’s Quality Tours superior service.