Groovy Grape: Sparkling Trilogy Package (12 Days)

GREAT OCEAN RD & GRAMPIANS (MEL - ADL)

Day 1 We begin the ultimate road trip, cruising towards the Great Ocean Road and stop to watch surfers in action at famed beaches such as Bells Beach and Torquay (home of surf brands Rip Curl and Quicksilver). We also visit artistic beachside villages of Apollo Bay and Lorne to explore. We’ll stop at Kennett River Koalas to see the cuddly creatures in the wild and the historical section of the Great Ocean Road that was carved through cliffs by returned World War I servicemen. We take an walk (1 hour) through the Great Otway National Park, home to some of the world’s oldest temperate rainforest. There’s no better place to finish the day than the famed Twelve Apostles. This spectacular collection of limestone stacks is best appreciated at sunset from the boardwalk. The next morning you will have the opportunity to view it from the skies in a helicopter (at extra cost). Tonight we sleep in dormitory style accommodation in the dormitory rooms of a backpacker’s hostel on the Great Ocean Road.

 Day 2 We continue along the Great Ocean Road, stopping at several extraordinary rock formations along the Shipwreck Coast, such as the Bay of Martyrs, London Bridge and Loch Ard Gorge. We enjoy lunch at Tower Hill Reserve, the site of a dormant volcano, lake, wetlands and habitat to lots of wildlife: emus, koalas, kangaroos, possums, echidnas and many types of birds.

We enter the Grampians National Park in the afternoon, where we take an walk (40 minutes) to MacKenzie Falls. Just before sunset when the local wildlife, such as wallabies, kangaroos and kookaburras come out to play, we walk (an easy 1 hour) to The Balconies, which provides a magnificent viewpoint and photo opportunity of the surrounding ranges and valleys.  Tonight we sleep in shared wood cabin accommodation, with the mountains towering around us.

Day 3 We get up before dawn to hike (a challenging 2 hours) to the Grampians, but it’s worth the effort for such awe inspiring views at sunrise. We visit the Brambuk Cultural Centre to learn about local Aboriginal history. We marvel at the majestic Mt Arapiles, before hitting the highway and arriving into Adelaide city at approximately 7pm. 

SINGLE DAY BAROSSA VALLEY

After winding our way through the suburbs and scenic Adelaide Hills for an hour, we stop at Gumeracha, home to the World’s Largest Rocking Horse. It also boasts a café and Australia’s only remaining wooden toy factory, we also can hand-feed the remarkably tame kangaroos, goats and alpacas.
In Williamstown, the gateway to the Barossa, we visit the astonishing Whispering Wall*. As tall as a 9-storey building and constructed in a perfect semi-circle over 110 years ago, it’s possible to hear someone whisper from one end of the dam wall to the other end 140 metres away.
As the vine leaves replace the gum trees, we enter the largest and most celebrated wine region in Australia. Our first stop is the world-famous Jacob’s Creek, the largest wine exporter in the valley. A local guide will provide an informative explanation of their wines and offer a selection of their famed shiraz, merlot and rosé for tasting. Our next stop, Kies, is a family-owned boutique winery, where the setting is quaint and the service is personal. Their exquisite wines are not available for sale anywhere else in the world.
In a rotunda among the gardens at Kies, you’ll no doubt welcome the freshly-prepared barbeque lunch, which includes chicken skewers, steaks, sausages and a range of salads – as well as a local specialty, marinated kangaroo fillets.
We visit Mengler’s Hill lookout for superb views of the Barossa Valley before joining our last winery for the day: Wolf Blass. This world renowned winery created in 1966 is nowadays one of the world’s most awarded wine brands. We will get the chance to taste their wide range of wines before we pop in our fourth and mystery winery!
Finally, sit back, relax and take the views as we cruise into Adelaide, arriving at approximately 5pm.

KANGAROO ISLAND WILDLIFE ADVENTURE 2 days/1 night

From our comfortable bus you’ll appreciate the fantastic coastal views as we head towards Kangaroo Island along the Fleurieu Peninsula. After driving for 90 minutes, we hop aboard the massive ferry for the 45 minute cruise to the picturesque beachside village of Penneshaw, where we stock up on supplies.
Our first stop is Prospect Hill, where a moderately easy climb offers magnificent 360-degree views of Australia’s third-largest island.
The highlight for many is the guided tour along the pure-white beach of Seal Bay, where you can walk within metres of countless Australian Sea Lions snoozing on the sand or frolicking in the surf. Or maybe your favourite part will be the Flinders Chase National Park in the far west of the island, which hosts two extraordinary geological features: the Remarkable Rocks and the Admirals Arch, which is also home to a colony of New Zealand Fur Seals.
Our dormitory style accommodation is located within a farm on the edge of the national park. After dinner, we sit around the campfire swapping stories and maybe spotting wildlife, such as kangaroos and possums.
After breakfast our wildlife adventure continues! In the cooler morning weather, we can hike one of the many walking trails on the island where you can watch kangaroos hopping about the bush, koalas nesting in their favourite gum trees and possibly, spot a shy echidna shuffling past. In the summer months we spend some time swimming and snorkelling in search of the elusive leafy sea dragon which resides off the coast. You can laze about Vivonne Bay, Hanson Bay, Stokes Bay or one of the other superb beach spots with their pristine sand and clear water, or alternatively you can follow the nearby trail along the beach and river to search for more wildlife.
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The action packed afternoon starts with sand-boarding down the Little Sahara dunes. We leisurely paddle with kayaks along the Harriet River, but if you do crave something more adventurous, quad-biking along rocky paths through dense scrub is an optional extra.
From Penneshaw, we reluctantly take the ferry to Cape Jervis for the short drive back to Adelaide to arrive at around 8:30pm.

ROCK PATROL 6 days/5 nights

Day 1 We start our adventure travelling through the vineyards of the Clare Valley wine region, but soon enough we’re heading into the rugged Outback through the historic town of Melrose, gateway to the Flinders Ranges. We enjoy an easy stroll through the awesome Alligator Gorge, which is sometimes bursting with wild flowers.  We’ll head to Quorn where we’ll settle in our dormitory style accommodation for the night before taking a quick dip in the swimming pool or walking around the town.

Day 2 Along the way to Coober Pedy – the Opal Capital of the World – you’ll notice the incredible changing landscapes. Wildlife, such as kangaroos, emus and eagles, will scatter as road trains thunder across a landscape that resembles Mars or the Moon. On a tour of an underground mine and Opal Mining Museum you’ll learn about the history of Coober Pedy.  A highlight for some is visiting Josephine’s Kangaroo Orphanage, where you can meet the rescued kangaroos and baby joeys and admire (or buy) Aboriginal art and didgeridoos. Tonight we sleep like the locals do – underground, in bunkhouse accommodation. 

Day 3 It’s a big day driving up the Stuart Highway, with several pit stops en route. Our mission today is to reach Uluru –nothing will prepare you for the sight of The Rock. We quickly set up camp before learning about the local aboriginal History at the Uluru Kata Tjuta Aboriginal Cultural Centre, soon after we’ll  experiencing our first awe-inspiring Uluru sunset, taking time to absorb the beauty and majesty of this place.

Day 4 We start the day at dawn taking an (3 ½ hour) walk around the base of Uluru. Hiking through acacia woodlands and grassy clay pans, you’ll spot wildlife at waterholes, marvel at The Rock’s geological wonders and learn more about Aboriginal interpretations from your Culturally Accredited Groovy Guide. We relax back at our campground or join one of our Adrenalin Plus Options before witnessing another brilliant Uluru sunset.

Day 5 After devouring yet another scrumptious breakfast  we’ll experience a glorious sunrise over Kata Tjuta, before we hike to lookouts around Kata Tjuta (The Olgas) and visit the majestic Valley of the Winds with its ancient rock formations and extraordinary views. The hikes here can be challenging at times, with steep sections and duration of about 3 ½ hours.  After the walk we hit the road to reach Watarrka National Park (Kings Canyon) where we’ll camp for the night. 

Day 6 Our last day is spent exploring Watarrka (Kings Canyon), where you’ll need to stop to admire and photograph the massive sandstone walls, vast canyon floor and stunning gorges. On the Canyon Rim Walk (3-4 hours), you’ll experience the beautiful Garden of Eden and learn more about the local Aboriginal culture. After lunch we begin our journey into Alice Springs and arrive at approximately 6:30pm.

GREAT OCEAN ROAD AND GRAMPIANS - Melbourne to Adelaide - 3 Days / 2 Nights

Every Tuesday, Friday & Sunday DECEMEBER - MARCH 

Every Tuesday & Friday APRIL - NOVEMBER 

Pickups from City 6:45am, Arts Centre 7:15am and St Kilda 7:30am

KANGAROO ISLAND WILDLIFE ADVENTURE - From Adelaide and return - 2 Days / 1 Night 

Every Wedesday & Saturday from May to October

Every Monday Wedesday & Saturday in April and November

Daily from December to March

Pickups form 5:30am in Adelaide 

BAROSSA VALLEY - From Adelaide amd return - Single day tour

Every Monday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday all year

Pickups form 7:30am in Adelaide 

ROCK PATROL - Adelaide to Alice Springs - 6 days / 5 Nights

Every Tuesday & Saturday from April to November

Every Tuesdays, Tursdays and Saturdays from December to March

Pickups form 6:30am in Adelaide 

 Optional Sleeping Bag Hire $20 (Rock Patrol tour only)