Southern Australia Self-Drive: Melbourne to Adelaide

Start your holiday in style with included airport lounge access before boarding your overnight flight to Melbourne, arriving on day 3. 

Cosmopolitan yet relaxed, Melbourne brims with laneway cafés, elegant Victorian architecture and a thriving arts scene. Over the next three days, you’ll find your niche among the stylish boutiques of Collins Street, the hole-in-the-wall eateries of Chinatown, and the traditional cuisine of the Greek Quarter, before unwinding in the leafy parks of the Yarra Precinct. Hop aboard the vintage City Circle Tram for a charming way to explore the city, uncovering hidden cafés, seaside esplanades and creative galleries along the way. And for an unforgettable encounter with Australian wildlife, we recommend an optional excursion to Phillip Island, where at sunset you can watch the world’s largest colony of little penguins waddle ashore to their burrows.

Stay: Hotel Indigo Melbourne Little Collins, Melbourne (Superior)

Today, following a final breakfast in Melbourne, you’ll collect your hire car and embark on one of the world’s most scenic drives – the 283 km Great Ocean Road. There are plenty of ways to break up your journey, beginning with a stop in the trendy surf village of Torquay, the birthplace of Australian surfing. Browse the shops for surfing bargains and watch as beginner and expert surfers catch the waves. As your journey continues, take time to admire the magnificent coastal vistas, and be sure to pause at the many viewpoints along the way. Perhaps stop for lunch in Lorne, where a variety of cafés provide the perfect refuel, or visit the koalas at Kennett River before continuing to Apollo Bay. Spend the rest of the day settling into your guesthouse and exploring this picturesque coastal town. Venture into Otway National Park to admire lush rainforests and cascading waterfalls, enjoy a scenic coastal walk, and sample fresh seafood in the town’s restaurants and cafés.

Your journey along the Great Ocean Road continues today, leading you first to Port Campbell, where the iconic Twelve Apostles rise majestically from the Southern Ocean. These limestone pillars were once connected to the mainland cliffs, and today they can be admired from several viewing platforms along the road. For a truly spectacular perspective, consider taking a scenic helicopter flight to appreciate the sheer scale of this natural wonder. Later, arrive in Port Fairy and spend the rest of the day exploring this quaint, historic town. Wander past beautifully preserved 19th-century cottages, admire the charming churches, and soak up the relaxed coastal atmosphere that has made Port Fairy a favourite stop along Victoria’s Shipwreck Coast.

Stay: Merrijig Inn, Port Fairy (Superior)

Today, you leave the charming coastal town of Port Fairy and continue your journey east along Victoria and South Australia’s rugged coastline. As you drive, the road reveals stunning beaches, rolling farmland, and dramatic cliffs, offering plenty of opportunities to pause and take in the scenery. Stop in Mount Gambier to admire the striking Blue Lake, a volcanic crater lake renowned for its vibrant turquoise colour and explore the surrounding gardens and limestone caves. Continuing on, the landscape gradually opens to the serene coastline of Limestone Coast, dotted with quiet seaside towns perfect for a leisurely coffee or lunch break. Arrive into Robe, a picturesque fishing village with a rich maritime history, where you can wander the historic jetty, heritage-listed cottages, and boutique shops, or stroll along the golden sands of Long Beach as the sun begins to set.

Stay: Harbour View Motel, Robe (Superior)

Bid farewell to the tranquil fishing village of Robe and continue your journey along South Australia’s scenic Fleurieu Peninsula. The drive offers a delightful mix of coastal vistas, rolling vineyards, and charming rural towns, each inviting a pause to stretch your legs or enjoy a coffee. As you approach Victor Harbour, the landscape opens to sweeping beaches and rugged cliffs, heralding your arrival at this iconic seaside town. Stroll along the historic Granite Island Causeway, perhaps spot the resident little penguins at dusk, and take in views across the Southern Ocean before settling in to enjoy the relaxed charm, vibrant cafés, and inviting restaurants of Victor Harbour.

Today, you’ll make your way towards the adventure and natural beauty of Kangaroo Island, travelling through the rolling countryside of South Australia. Pass quaint towns and sweeping coastal landscapes before arriving at Cape Jervis, the departure point for the ferry to the island. Board the ferry and enjoy a scenic crossing over the Backstairs Passage, keeping an eye out for playful dolphins and seals along the way.

Upon arrival, Kangaroo Island reveals rugged coastlines, pristine beaches and abundant wildlife. Spend your time discovering some of the island’s natural highlights – wander through Flinders Chase National Park, marvel at the striking Remarkable Rocks, walk among the sea-lion colony at Seal Bay, and look out for native animals including koalas, kangaroos and echidnas.

Stay: Providence Guesthouse, Smiths Bay (Superior)

This morning your journey continues as you depart the wild beauty of Kangaroo Island and return to the mainland by ferry. On arrival at Cape Jervis, begin your journey north through the rolling vineyards and olive groves of the Fleurieu Peninsula, a region known for its fine wines and artisanal produce. Pause in McLaren Vale to visit one of its celebrated cellar doors or enjoy a leisurely lunch paired with a local shiraz before continuing inland. As you ascend into the Adelaide Hills, the landscape shifts to cool-climate vineyards, orchards and charming heritage villages. Arrive in Crafers, a charming hillside township surrounded by native forest and elegant gardens. Spend the evening settling into your accommodation where you’ll spend the next two days exploring Adelaide Hills. Taste your way around the local wineries and don’t forget to embark on a hike up to Mount Lofty summit for panoramic views across the Adelaide plains. 

Today, leave the leafy lanes of Crafers and travel north through the rolling countryside toward the world-renowned Barossa Valley. The drive takes you past vineyards, orchards and charming country towns, with an opportunity to pause in Birdwood to visit the National Motor Museum for an insight into Australian motoring history. As you arrive in the Barossa, the landscape opens to a patchwork of vine-covered hills and heritage stone buildings, home to some of Australia’s oldest and most celebrated wineries. Spend the afternoon exploring a few cellar doors, sampling bold shiraz and gourmet produce before settling into your accommodation for the next two nights.

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast on your final morning, before making the journey to Adelaide airport to drop off your car and catch your overnight flight to the UK, arriving the following day.