Melbourne and the High Country in Autumn
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Tour Details
Start in Melbourne and enjoy a tramboat cruise, lunch at the Crown Casinos’ Conservatory restaurant and the view the sights of Melbourne from the Eureka Tower. Head to the Dandenong Ranges to unwind and relax. Ride through thick forests and fern-filled gullies on the Puffing Billy, Australia’s oldest steam railway.
Proceeding North to Victoria’s High Country , wander, relax and re-connect amongst elms and oaks, heritage architecture and boutique shopping. Indulge and discover fabulous food and hand-crafted wine. Discover historic gold-mining towns and stunning lakes and rivers and experience the Bright Rotary Autumn Festival, a ten day celebration of the wonderful autumn colours and autumn produce of the valleys of Victoria’s Alpine High Country.
Tour Highlights
Melbourne Tramboat morning cruise
Lunch at the Conservatory Restaurant, Crown Casino
View the sights of Melbourne from the Skydeck 88
Ride on the Puffing Billy from Belgrave to Lakeside
Self-Guided Tour at the Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden
Guided tour and a reenactment of Ned Kellys Trial at Beechworth Historic Courthouse
Locally guided tour of Beechworth and Bright
Historic tour and lunch at Billson's Brewery
Tasting and talk at Milawa Cheese Co Pty Ltd
Talk and lunch at Red Stag Deer and Emu Farm
Visit and tasting at Brown Brothers Winery, Milawa
Gala Day Bright Autumn Leaves
Explore the gardens at Shady Brook Gardens
Tour Includes
Home pick-up and return by Private Car
Fully Escorted by a Kings Tour Manager
Return economy airfares including taxes
3 nights accommodation at The Savoy Hotel on Little Collins
4 nights at the Hara House Boutique Hotel, Bright
Breakfast daily, 4 lunches, and 5 dinners
Luxury Coach with a Professional Driver
All sightseeing and entry fees as per the itinerary
Tour Conditions
A non-refundable/non-transferable deposit of $400 per person is due within 7 days of making your booking to secure your reservation on the tour. This deposit guarantees your reservation on the tour and acceptance of our terms and conditions.
Tours are based on reaching a minimum number. Home pick-up and return is included based on a set radius – surcharges will apply outside these areas. Other special conditions may apply to each individual tour, please contact the office for further details.
All itineraries are subject to change due to occasional restrictions in opening times/days of some attractions, e.g. churches, wineries etc. We cannot be held responsible for any changes due to closures, inclement weather etc.
Itinerary
Day 1PERTH TO MELBOURNE (D)
Your holiday begins when you are picked up from home and transferred to the airport in a private vehicle. Meet your Kings Tour Manager and fellow passengers and fly to Melbourne. Upon arrival, we will transfer you to the hotel, right in the heart of the city. Tonight, enjoy dinner at the hotel.
Hotel: The Savoy Hotel on Little Collins, Melbourne for 3 nights
Day 2PUFFING BILLY RAILWAY & OLINDA TEA HOUSE (BLD)
Following breakfast, we start the day with a ride on the historic Puffing Billy Steam Train. A fun way to travel through the Dandenong’s. Topping off a wonderful morning we have lunch at the Olinda Tea House in the midst of the Dandenongs – stunning! We continue our sightseeing at the Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden to also visit the National Rhododenron Garden. The Rhododendron Gardens were established in 1960. Cherries, oaks, maples, beeches, conifers and dogwoods are among the many other different plants to be found and the garden is alive with a variety of parrots, golden whistlers and many other beautiful birds.
Day 3MELBOURNE (BL)
Have you ever been on a tram that travels on the water? Well, that is how we spend the morning on the Tramboat for a relaxing morning cruise. We see the developing Docklands Precinct, under the Bolte Bridge into the mighty Port of Melbourne where large container ships load their wares. We cruise past the infamous Coode Island to the Westgate Bridge before returning to shore. Lunch today is in the opulent surroundings at Crown Casinos’ Conservatory restaurant. High ceilings and cool marble floors enhance the restaurant’s spaciousness, while statement lighting and vast windows lend warmth and natural light. Not to mention stunning Yarra views. Located on the southern banks of the Yarra River; Eureka Tower is perfectly positioned for 360-degree, floor-to-ceiling views encompassing Melbourne’s CBD, sports precinct, Port Phillip Bay, Docklands and everything in between. After our lovely day we have the rest of the afternoon and evening at leisure.
Day 4MELBOURNE TO BRIGHT (BD)
After breakfast this morning we hit the Kelly Trail, travelling north to Beveridge, Ned Kelly’s birthplace. Located on the corner of Kelly Street and Stewart Street is the weatherboard cottage that Ned lived in as a child. Ned’s father John ‘Red’ Kelly built the home using local materials including bluestone. While in town you can also see Beveridge Catholic School which the Kelly kids attended. We now head to Avenel, where the Kelly family moved after they sold their Beveridge home. Avenel is also the town where John ‘Red’ Kelly died, Ned, only a 12-year-old boy, registered the death himself. We will see the grave in Avenel cemetery. Leaving Avenel, we continue north where we’ll see the bank the Kelly Gang held up in Euroa as well as the Euroa Inn, the oldest building in Euroa, where Ben Gould stayed whilst reconnoitring for the bank raid. We then make our way to Benalla, located on the banks of the Broken River noted for its public gardens. We enjoy the sights including the bootmaker’s shop in Arundel Street where Ned hid after being charged with drunkenness and riding his horse on the footpath! When he gave himself up to Constable Fitzpatrick after a fracas, he was taken in handcuffs across the road to the old court house. Ned’s cell is situated behind the building and is open to the public. We also visit the Costume and Pioneer Museum. Here we can view period costumes and two permanent exhibitions. ‘The Ned Kelly Story’ is housed in a portable cell in which Ned was once imprisoned on his journey to Melbourne by train. It contains memorabilia such as Ned’s sash and bridle, the bloodstained silk cumme*rbund he was wearing when he was captured at Glenrowan, the witness box from the old Benalla courthouse and the door of the old Benalla Gaol Joe Byrne’s body was tied to for photographs after the Glenrowan siege in 1880. Not far away is Glenrowan, the heart of Kelly Country where the Kelly Gang made their last stand against the police and the town where Joe Byrne, Dan Kelly, Steve Hart and a local man Martin Cherry lost their lives. Here we see plaques around town denoting where some of the events surrounding the siege took place, including the site where the Glenrowan Inn stood before it was burned down and the gully where the troopers took cover. Our stop also includes a visit to Kate’s Cottage (named after Ned’s sister), interestingly rooms and farming equipment of how life way, also a gift and souvenir shop focusing on Kelly memorabilia. From Glenrowan we make the journey to Bright home for the next 4 nights.
Hotel: Hara House Boutique Hotel, Bright for 4 nights
Day 5EXPLORING THE REGION (BLD)
Today we will explore the charming townships of the high country. Begin your journey at Red Ramia Trading in Myrtleford, a treasure trove of antiques, artisan crafts, and unique finds from around the world. After browsing and enjoying morning tea, head to Eurobin to visit Red Stag Deer Farm, where you can interact with deer, emus, and ostriches amidst breathtaking alpine views. Lunch is served with a scenic backdrop at the farm. Next, venture to Harrietville for a tour of Lavender Hue Farm and the picturesque Shady Brook Gardens, known for their stunning beauty and featured on the ABC Gardening Show. Travel along the scenic Wandiligong Valley, a National Trust-registered area, and visit Nightingale Bros Apples to sample fresh local produce. After a day of discovery, return to your hotel for a delicious dinner.
Day 6LEGENDARY BEECHWORTH AND GOURMET MILAWA (BL)
Awaken to the crisp mountain air and join a local guide after breakfast for insights into our picturesque town. Explore Beechworth’s rich history at the Beechworth Historic Courthouse, where you can immerse yourself in dramatic re-enactments. Then, indulge in a treat at Billson’s Beechworth Breweries, established in 1865 during the Gold Rush era. Enjoy a historic tour, tastings, and lunch featuring gourmet cordial mixers. In the afternoon, venture into the Milawa gourmet region, beginning with a tasting at Milawa Cheese Company housed in the historic Murray Goulburn Butter Factory. Conclude the day with wine tasting at Brown Brothers Vineyard, renowned since 1889. Return to the hotel with delightful goodies and the evening free for relaxation.
Day 7BRIGHT AUTUMN LEAVES FESTIVAL (BD)
Experience the vibrant hues of autumn at the Bright Autumn Festival, a ten-day celebration of Victoria’s Alpine High Country. We’re lucky enough to be here for Rotary Gala Day, featuring markets, live bands, and entertainment. Join a town tour of Bright with our local guide before immersing ourselves in the festivities. Later, witness the Grand Parade, the festival’s highlight. After a day of excitement, reconvene at the hotel for our final dinner together.
Day 8BRIGHT TO MELBOURNE ONTO PERTH (B)
With our bags packed full of wonderful memories we reboard the coach for our transfer through to the Melbourne airport for our flight home to Perth. Upon arrival in Perth your driver will be waiting to take you home.
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