9 DAYS IN MELBOURNE AND THE KING VALLEY - SIGNATURE EXPERIENCES OF AUSTRALIA

At a glance:

• 4 nights Melbourne
• 3 nights Milawa
• 1 night Nagambie

The Journey

• Nearest Major City: Melbourne
• Duration: 9 days
• Mode of Transport: On Foot, Taxi, Car, Touring Vehicle, Bicycle 

DAY 2

Make your way to the Arts Centre Melbourne for a VIP All Access Tour.   

Journey underground and explore the hidden corridors, stages and exclusive backstage spaces at Australia’s largest performing arts centre. Finish with breakfast in an exclusive VIP lounge.

This afternoon make your way to the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) for a Legends Package tour*.

Step out onto the hallowed MCG turf and go behind the scenes of the prestigious Melbourne Cricket Club (subject to availability) on this exclusive, fully guided tour of the MCG including the Australian Sports Museum.

*Tour runs Thursdays only

This evening, soak up the exciting atmosphere of Southbank. Dine at a riverside restaurant or try your luck at the Crown Towers Casino.

Highlights:

• Enjoy exclusive backstage access at the Arts Centre Melbourne.
• Go behind the scenes on a personalised tour of the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
• Explore Melbourne’s vibrant Southbank area.

DAY 3

Today enjoy an Echidna Walkabout Nature Tours Koalas and Kangaroos in the Wild tour.

Walk through natural bushland to meet wild koalas and join mobs of Eastern Grey Kangaroos on the plains and open forests. The natural environments visited are also home to parrots, fairy-wrens, emus, honeyeater birds, possums, wallabies and lizards.

Highlights:

• See Australian wildlife in its natural environment.
• Help create new koala habitat for future generations of baby koalas.

DAY 4

Transfer to the Royal Melbourne Golf Club for a round of golf. Home of the 1998 President’s Cup, the Composite course is often ranked amongst the top 10 in the World.

In the late afternoon make your way to Federation Square from where the Hidden Secrets Progressive Degustation Walk will depart.

Tour Melbourne’s hidden and local favourite dining spots. Visit three unique venues, with carefully chosen wine tastings and tantalising savoury tastes from their menus.

Highlights:

Follow in the footsteps of some of golf’s greatest players at the Royal Melbourne Golf Club.

Sample the flavours of Melbourne’s hidden restaurants on a walking degustation tour.

DAY 5

Depart Melbourne and travel to Milawa and King Valley. Stop at Brown Brothers Milawa Vineyard one of Australia’s oldest and most loved wineries. With four generations of wine making experience the Brown family are producing some of Australia’s most innovative wine from their King Valley

Winery in the stunning Victorian high country.

With the rugged and beautiful Victorian Alps as the backdrop and the surrounding green pastures of the King Valley on its doorstep; Brown Brothers Milawa offers a unique and exhilarating location to experience Australian wine.  Sit back, relax and unwind with a “feed me” style menu of the chef’s favourite dishes, with or without matched wines. 

Check into boutique hotel Lancemore Milawa for a 3-night stay.

Highlights:

• Discover the history behind four generations of winemakers at Brown Brothers.
• Switch off and savour a Slow Lunch (approximately 3 hours)

DAY 6

Travel to Pizzini Wines for a hands-on cooking class* at A’ Tevola! Cooking School.

Join Katrina Pizzini and learn to master the art of making 'Pastries and Puds' or create the perfect 'Pasta, Gnocchi and Risotto'!

*Set dates throughout the year.

Stay on at Pizzini Wines for the Barrels and Prosciutto experience.

Enjoy a private barrel tasting in the beautiful kiln tasting room accompanied by a plate of freshly sliced prosciutto.

Highlights:

• Take an Italian-inspired hands-on cooking class.
• Taste wines straight from the barrel accompanied by freshly sliced prosciutto

DAY 7

Take a drive to the town of Bright in the Victorian Alpine region. Explore the main street boutiques and enjoy morning tea at one of the quaint coffee shops. 

Travel to Feathertop Winery for a Pedal and Picnic in the Vines.

Select your picnic spot then wander or cycle around the vineyard as your picnic is getting set up and your wine is poured. Learn some vineyard insights and secrets from one of the Feathertop team.

Highlights:

• Discover the village charms of Bright.
• Enjoy a scenic bike ride and picnic amongst the vines at Feathertop Winery.

DAY 8

Travel to the Nagambie Lakes region, stopping at Glenrowan for tales of Ned Kelly or discover one of the country’s best regional art collections at Benalla.

This afternoon, make your way to Tahbilk winery and learn the Winemaker’s Secret Art.

Guided by a Wine Ambassador start with individual wines and blend them to create a wine that is truly yours. Take home a bottle of your own blend.

Stay overnight in the township of Nagambie.

Highlights:

• Discover the site of the final siege and capture of Ned Kelly and his gang at Glenrowan.
• Learn the art of winemaking and blend your own wine at Tahbilk.

DAY 9

Return to Melbourne via De Bortoli wines and enjoy a Locale Restaurant Premium Experience.

Sample the latest vintage at the cellar door that overlooks the picturesque vineyards then enjoy a seasonal Chef’s Menu lunch with wine matches.

Make a stop at Healesville Wildlife Sanctuary – a bushland haven for Australian wildlife, including koalas, kangaroos, platypus, dingoes, wombats, emus and more.

Make a final stop at the Yarra Valley Chocolaterie and Ice Creamery before returning to Melbourne.

Highlights:

• Enjoy a cellar door tasting and premium lunch at De Bortoli.
• Find your favourite animals along the trails at Healesville Sanctuary.
• Indulge in sweet treats at the Yarra Valley Chocolaterie and Ice Creamery.