Southern Capitals - City Meets Bush
Southern Capitals - City Meets Bush
$2130
Southern Capitals - City Meets Bush
5 Days Starting in Sydney, Australia and ending in Melbourne, Australia
Visiting: Canberra, Melbourne
Tour operator:
Tour code:
ESBM24
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Tour operated in:
EnglishInterests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on the "Southern Capitals - City Meets Bush" tour, a captivating journey through Australia's vibrant cities and serene countryside. Starting in Sydney, you'll explore the charming Georgian village of Berrima before heading to Canberra, where a knowledgeable guide will take you behind the scenes at Parliament House. Enjoy a unique BBQ experience on a 400-hectare sheep farm, then travel through Victoria's High Country to the historic gold rush town of Beechworth. Discover Melbourne's cultural and culinary delights, with opportunities to explore its hidden gems and vibrant neighborhoods. This tour offers a blend of urban sophistication and rural charm, with centrally located accommodations and private airport transfers included. Whether you're captivated by the stories of bushrangers or the allure of Melbourne's arts scene, this tour promises an unforgettable Australian adventure.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Sydney - Canberra
Location: Canberra
Accommodation Name: Crowne Plaza Canberra
Meals Included: Lunch, Dinner
It’s hard to believe that just 1.5 hours from Sydney lies a patch of countryside that could have been transplanted straight from the English Cotswolds. This is Berrima, the oldest Georgian village in Australia. Think atmospheric villages amid rolling hills of grape vines – the Southern Highlands is the closest wine region to Australia’s largest city, after all. And then there are the grand gardens and emerald farms, one of which you’ll visit to meet Craig Starr and his family. Their 400-hectare Gold Creek Station farm is your backdrop for a Be My Guest BBQ lunch and tales about life on the land. This is your start of your Sydney to Melbourne trip, and the entrée to the country’s cool little capital of Canberra, home to Parliament House, where you’ll go behind the political scenes. Tonight, join your Travel Director for a Welcome Dinner.
Day 2: Canberra - Wangaratta
Location: Canberra
Accommodation Name: Quality Hotel Wangaratta
Meals Included: Breakfast
Thanks to architect Walter Burley Griffin, Canberra is an urban planner’s delight – the city is that well laid out, as you’ll discover when you head to the summit of Mt. Ainslie for panoramic views. You won’t yet be able to see the mighty Murray River, but you’ll soon cross it en route to Beechworth. From Australia's longest river, travel through Victoria's High Country to the well-preserved gold rush town of Beechworth. Beechworth saw an influx of fortune-seekers from all over the world during the 1850s. Get the lowdown on Beechworth over a chat with the publican of the historic local pub and enjoy afternoon tea in the oldest hotel in town. Then you'll be set on your way to explore honey and gold shops, galleries and museums at your leisure, before Wangaratta beckons.
Day 3: Wangaratta - Melbourne
Location: Melbourne
Accommodation Name: Crowne Plaza Hotel Melbourne
Meals Included: Breakfast
Meandering south toward historic Glenrowan, you’re well and truly in Ned Kelly country – this is where the infamous bushranger and his gang were finally captured in 1880. The story is remembered on pretty much every city corner, whether in enormous statues or at the museum. We’ll tell you all the tales – some of them true, many of them hearsay. All of them entertaining. Then we’ll tell you a bit more about Melbourne, like how it’s the home of Aussie rules football, covets some of the country’s best arts institutions, and has a swag of stellar restaurants, cafés and bars. Small wonder it’s known as Australia’s cultural, culinary and sporting capital. After a city tour, immerse yourself in a guided galleries tour of our First Peoples arts and cultural centre, the Koorie Heritage Trust, a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, then head off to explore. Forget your map – one of the joys of being in Melbourne is getting lost. Discovering a hidden jazz bar. Stumbling upon a hole-in-the-wall restaurant or another gallery that catches your eye. Enjoy.
Day 4: Melbourne Free Time
Location: Melbourne
Accommodation Name: Crowne Plaza Hotel Melbourne
Meals Included: Breakfast
You could spend weeks exploring Melbourne and its surrounds and not tire of the attractions. But you just have today, so make the most of it. We wouldn’t hold it against you if all you want to do is jump on a tram and ride the rails to the city’s character-filled neighbourhoods. Perhaps bohemian Brunswick, or seaside St. Kilda for Polish cakes along Acland Street. But if you want to explore further afield, we’ve got you covered on an optional experience. For a bird’s-eye view of the bay, sign up to scale the Melbourne Skydeck at the Eureka Tower, offering dizzying vistas in every direction from almost 300 metres above the street. Or, perhaps exploring the city on foot with a History and Donuts Walking Tour is more your thing. If you’re an animal lover however, then you’ll want to venture to Phillip Island to see hundreds of little penguins waddle up from the sea along the sand en route to their burrows (all own expense). It’s a nightly attraction. The choice is yours.
Day 5: Farewell From Melbourne
Location: Melbourne
Meals Included: Breakfast
Wait, how did you just pack so much action into such a short amount of time? Cities, countryside, farms … This Sydney to Melbourne trip has been quite the adventure.
What's Included
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Specialist team and transfers
The tour includes a specialist team of two highly experienced Travel Director and Driver Guide, centrally located hotels, and arrival and departure private airport transfers.
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Accommodation
Your Guided Holiday includes a range of quality accommodation for your comfort, including Crowne Plaza Canberra, Quality Hotel Wangaratta, and Crowne Plaza Hotel Melbourne.
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Dining
The tour includes 1 Be My Guest Lunch, 1 Dinner with Wine, and 4 Full Breakfasts.
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Cultural experiences
The tour offers cultural immersion experiences such as stories about infamous bush rangers and love scandals in historic Beechworth.
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Sustainable initiatives
The tour includes participation in the 'Take 3 for the Sea' program, which helps conserve oceans through small collective efforts of rubbish collection.
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Guided tours
The tour includes a guided walk through the galleries of Koorie Heritage Trust, a First Peoples arts and cultural centre at Federation Square.
What's Not Included
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Flights
Flights to and from the start/end of your trip are not included in the trip price.
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Personal items
Items such as sunglasses, sunscreen, hat, water bottle, warm layers in cooler months, camera, and comfortable walking shoes are not included.
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Optional experiences
Optional experiences such as scaling the Melbourne Skydeck, History and Donuts Walking Tour, and visiting Phillip Island to see penguins are at your own expense.
Dining Summary
- 1 Be My Guest Lunch (BGL)
- 1 Dinner with Wine (DW)
- 4 Full Breakfast (B)
Cultural Immersion
- Gold rush towns always come with stories about infamous bush rangers and love scandals. Hear them when you arrive in historic Beechworth.
Fitness Requirement
- Low level of fitness required
Flight information
- Flights to and from the start/end of your trip are not included in the trip price. Day Prior – flights to arrive anytime into Sydney AirportDay 5 – flights to depart anytime from Melbourne Airport Return airport to hotel transfers are included in the holiday price
Local Connection
- There’s not much your guide through Canberra’s Parliament House doesn’t know; it’s a similar story for Craig Starr, who hosts a BBQ on his 400-hectare sheep farm.
Sustainable Footprints
- Our Take 3 for the Sea program helps conserve our oceans through small collective efforts of rubbish collection.
What to Bring
- Sunglasses, sunscreen and hat Water bottle Warm layers in cooler months Camera Comfortable walking shoes
World Class Nature
- Travel through Victoria's High Country to Beechworth heritage town, surrounded by the majestic Chiltern-Mount Pilot National Park.
Mode of Transport
The tour includes private airport transfers upon arrival and departure. Flights to and from the start and end of the trip are not included in the holiday price. Transfers from Sydney Airport to the hotel and from the hotel to Melbourne Airport are provided.
Check out our Q&As
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What kind of experiences can I expect during the tour?
During the tour, you can expect a variety of experiences including a guided tour through Canberra's Parliament House, a BBQ hosted by Craig Starr on his 400-hectare sheep farm, and a visit to the historic gold rush town of Beechworth. You'll also have the opportunity to explore Melbourne's cultural and culinary scene, and participate in a guided tour of the Koorie Heritage Trust.
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Is there a specific fitness level required for this tour?
The tour requires a low level of fitness, making it accessible for most travelers.
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Are flights included in the tour package?
Flights to and from the start and end of the trip are not included in the tour package. However, return airport to hotel transfers are included.
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What kind of accommodation is provided during the tour?
The tour includes a range of quality accommodation for your comfort, including stays at Crowne Plaza Canberra, Quality Hotel Wangaratta, and Crowne Plaza Hotel Melbourne.
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What should I bring with me on the tour?
It is recommended to bring sunglasses, sunscreen, a hat, a water bottle, warm layers for cooler months, a camera, and comfortable walking shoes.
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Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
The beauty of taking a holiday with us is you’ll have the opportunity to meet and travel with people from all over the globe.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
It is important to adhere to departure times while on tour for the comfort of everyone on-board, and to make sure no one misses out on the planned experiences. The coach will not be able to wait for you, and in some instances, if you miss a departure time you will need to make your own way to the next destination to re-join the tour.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
AAT Kings operated Guided Holidays have competitive single supplement rates available if you prefer to confirm your own room. Or we can match you to share with a guest of the same gender at no extra cost. If we fail to match you, we will accommodate you in a single room at no extra cost.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Over 100 years
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
We will email your documents to you approximately four weeks before your departure date provided you have completed your pre trip registration using the My Travel Portal. If you’ve booked through a travel agent, your documents will be emailed directly to your agent.
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Low Deposit
AAT Kings requires a minimum deposit of 100 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of aat kings charges.
Up to 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 59 days before tour starts: Forfeit 30% of booking price.
At 15 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 7 days before tour starts: Forfeit 90% of booking price.
At 1 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.