Wine Tours : Best of Aust. Wine Regions Tour

DAY 1: Sydney
Be met upon arrival and transfer to your hotel for check-in. Join your city sights tour with a lunch cruise around the beautiful Sydney Harbour. Visit the Rocks, Sydney's birthplace, and see fascinating relics and buildings of the city's past. View the famous Sydney Opera House and stop at Mrs Macquaries' Chair for superb views of the Harbour. View the spectacular Pacific Ocean and entrance to Sydney Harbour from Watsons Bay and visit the world famous Bondi Beach. Return to your hotel via Paddington.

DAY 2: Hunter Valley
After breakfast, proceed on a comprehensive tour of the on-site winery. Guests walk through the vineyard and learn how and why a grapevine grows. Then it's off to the crusher and into the winery. The cellarmaster takes guests through a structured tasting of wines, all the guests will walk away with a newfound knowledge of winemaking and tasting. Join your driver and enjoy the Australian countryside as you taste your way around the Hunter Valley including lunch and wine tasting at three or more boutique wineries. Enjoy a specially selected menu from the best local seafood, game and beef.

DAY 3: Port Stephens - Dolphin Cruise
Today travel to Port Stephens and the Blue Water Wonderland. Join a memorable Dolphin Watch cruise including morning tea. Lunch at Salamander Shores before returning to the Sydney.

DAY 4: Sydney - Melbourne
Free at leisure until your transfer to the airport for your flight to Melbourne. Upon arrival in Melbourne be met and transferred to your hotel. This afternoon join your tour including a cruise along the Yarra River, a comprehensive look at Melbourne's highlights, a visit to the beautiful Blue Dandenongs National Park and fine cuisine aboard the Colonial Tramcar Restaurant.

DAY 5: Yarra Valley
Today visit the Yarra Valley, the premier grape growing region of Victoria. Start the day with St Hubert's Winery with their refreshing white wines before moving on to Eyton-on-Yarra for a Shiraz that can't be beat. Take in Badger Weir Park, home of Australian native birds and magnificent eucalypt trees. Travel over the Ridge Pass and view the valley from the ridge top on your way to DeBortoli Wines. Enjoy lunch at the lovely Fergusson's Winery before travelling on to Domaine Chandon, Australian home of Moet Chandon. Here you will taste their wonderful champagne-style wines, wander through the riddling halls, cellars and production lines and study the magnificent architecture of the complex. Set down at a charming B&B accommodation in the beautiful Mount Macedon. This evening enjoy a romantic dinner with a complimentary bottle of wine.

DAY 6: Macedon Ranges
Relax this morning before you continue your touring through Victoria's most stately and historic areas, the Macedon Ranges. Pass through the country village of Gisborne and beautiful Mount Macedon. Experience rolling uphill at Straws Lane Magic and the mysterious Hanging Rock where you will enjoy lunch. Visit Hanging Rock winery and the historic 1890's homestead winery of Cleveland. Other wineries include Glen Erin Grange, Knights Granite Hill and Romsey Vineyard. End the day at Mount Aitken Winery for a port before returning to Melbourne.

DAY 7: Melbourne at Leisure
Today you are free to explore Melbourne and it's surrounds. Perhaps take a tour to historic Ballarat and Sovereign Hill, take in the spectacular sights of the Great Ocean Road or visit the fairy Penguins on Phillip Island. If you would like to enjoy more of Victoria's great wines, why not join a tour to the Mornington Peninsula.

DAY 8: Melbourne - Adelaide
After breakfast transfer to the airport for your flight to Adelaide. Enjoy an orientation tour of Adelaide city before checking into your hotel.

DAY 9: Barossa Valley
Be chauffeur driven sipping champagne as you travel into the famous Barossa Valley. Travel via the Chain of Ponds, and the amazing Whispering Wall, a tranquil weir of beauty and mystery. Visit some of the boutique wineries, such as Grant Burge and Rockfords and several of the larger wineries such as Penfolds, Peter Lehmann, Seppeltfield and more. Also tour the Keg factory and visit the Angas Park Fruit Factory. Enjoy a gourmet 2 course lunch and take in panoramic views of the valley from Mengler's Hill lookout. Overnight at The Hermitage or similar. Dinner in hotel restaurant.

DAY 10: Barossa Valley - Adelaide
Enjoy a hearty country breakfast. Morning free at leisure until your limousine collects for more touring of this beautiful valley before returning to Adelaide in the late afternoon.

DAY 11: Adelaide at Leisure
Today you are at leisure to explore the wonders of South Australia. Why not join a tour to spectacular Kangaroo Island where you can experience Australian wildlife such as sea-lions, koalas and kangaroos face to face. Or travel into the McLaren Vale for more award winning wines and gourmet food.

DAY 11: Depart
After breakfast transfer to the airport for your flight home.

Price on application
Inclusive of private charter, expert driver guide, wine tasting and lunch

Tour costs are based on a minimum of 2 passengers
(tour costs for group sizes over 4 passengers are available on request)
SIC = Coach tour with other travellers
private charter = exclusive vehicle with personal driver/guide
Customised tour itineraries are available on request
Rates valid until 31 March 2000