This trip was done on the last week of Oct. The first week of Nov is all booked out in accommodations thanks to the Melbourne Cup. Big holiday for them.
First things first. The flight.
Don't take Jetstar. Not cheap and not environmentally friendly since the stopover is at Darwin before you take a connecting flight with Valuair.
Go to Melbourne direct with either SIA or Emirates. Both flights start at night in SG. Arrive in the morning in Melbourne. The flight is 7hrs. I believe SIA will arrive earlier. So your trip and accommodations should start a day later. This means if your flight is on Sat night, your 1st day accommodations should start on Sun.
Firstly, booking accommodations. Two options. www.wotif.com or www.hotels.com If you prefer self-contained units, either www.stayz.com.au or www.roamfree.com.au
The first day should have the accommodations in Melbourne. Since you will be landing early, ask for early check in. Choose the hotels in the CBD. Trust me. It is worth it. If not I recommend the Eastern Town House. It is next to Richmond so there is shopping for the lady but even the Aussies tell me SG has better shopping.
Next, book the car. Best you go to www.priceline.com.sg to go with Hertz. They got 10% discount. This is only the basic. This does not cover the zero excess which I recommend you to take. My Aurion costs AUD361 for 6 days but the zero excess cover is AUD31 per day. I opted for their full tank charge od AUD74, meaning I paid for the full tank they pumped into the car and I don't need to fill her up before returning. So the total became AUD658. I don't recommend taking a smaller car. You go there to relax and since there is driving, the car factors a lot. For fuel budget 150-200AUD. Since the full tank charge is taken, you need around AUD126.
FYI, if you don't take the zero excess, there is the AUD500 one. I think this cost AUD26 a day. Anything happen, pay AUD500. If you don't take any of this insurance, it is AUD5000 if anything happens to the car or even a single vehicle mishap that only involves your car like ramming a kangaroo. I know some travel insurance takes care of it but they need police report to make the claim. Troublesome. But take this zero excess. If anything happen, make sure got police report then claim from travel insurance.
Here is the thing. Book the car for the second day onwards. First day while in Melbourne you will be pretty much going around by public transport. Highly recommended. Buy the single day ticket. Don't trust the free Melbourne tourist bus and tram. It is quite limited. Just take the CBD zone ticket and travel on any bus and any tram for the day. Usually sold at their 7-11.
OK airport transfer. Take the Skybus at www.skybus.com.au Buy the ticket online and print it out. Do this because you don't need to queue to buy the ticket at the airport. The bus will bring you to Southern Cross Station. Once it arrives, go to the kiosk and tell them which hotel you are going and the minibus will bring you there. No need to pay a single cent more. Provided the hotel is in their list. Go to the website to check. Eastern Town House is served by Skybus so you know what to do.
Chances are you will either take the SIA or Emirates direct flight. In this case, you will arrive early and check in early. So what to see? If you have taken the weekend flight, go to Queen Victoria Market. Like our holiday pasar malam but more organized and got more stuff. In the late morning to early afternoon, go to the Melbourne Gaol to see their hero Ned Kelly's cell and where he is hanged. Then go to the police station next door to kenna charged and put into the slammer. Very good experience if you got kids. Show them going to prison isn't a good thing. My poor girl came out crying. Hehehehe....
Towards evening, go to Fitzroy Gardens to see Cook's Cottage. Must pay to go in and see. No need, just take picture outside. Walk the gardens and then at night take tram to Flinders Station to see the happenings at night.
Day two. Drive to Philllip Is.
Collect car from Hertz. Check Google Maps. They'll point out where it is. Take the car and pick up family at the hotel. Start early. Now whatever it is don't take the Citilink pass. That is their ERP of sorts. The Citilink is a toll highway. You will not encounter toll roads at all if you know how. If you got GPS, set the GPS to avoid toll roads. Chances are you will be advised to drive straight down Exhibition St and into Toorak Rd. Follow Toorak Rd until you turn right at a flyover into the highway towards PI.
So the real circuit starts from Day 2 which I term Day 1.
This is the course.
Day 1 To Phillip Island.
Reach San Remo by 11am, eat and watch pelicans fed at 12noon.
Leave and check in to the accommodations. Leave for Koala Sanctuary. Spend some time here walking the board walks.
Late afternoon, go to Nobbies. Take the board walk and see the sea birds nest their young and kill other competing family's young chicks.
Evening go to penguins center by 6.30pm. Eat there. It is cheaper than the Nobbies.
Drive in near dark back to accommodations. Make sure GPS got night mode. Found it helpful.
Day 2 Drive to Sorrento for ferry to Queenscliff and to Lorne.
Leave accommodations early and stop by at Cape Woolamai. It is a surfing beach. Quite awesome for pictures. Those Aussies from VIC must be tough. The water is cold and they are out surfing.
Go to Churchil Island. See the old houses and it's unique history. Milk a cow, let the kids play with young animals.
Leave and have lunch at San Remo. Just in case you didn't make it for the pelican feeding the day before, you can do it today if you want.
Leave for Sorrento. Board car ferry for Queenscliff. Carry on to Lorne. Check in at Lorne accommodations. I highly recommend the Allenvale. If you got time, stop by the Split Point Lighthouse along the way and snap some pictures. You can't miss this lighthouse as you are coming along the Great Ocean Road. Characteristically white with a red top. You can't admire much as you drive but your passengers can admire all those beach houses on the hillsides on the right of the road along the way. Whether you want to stop at the designated lookouts, it is up to you but too many stops and your entourage will suffer fatigue. Once at Lorne and there is still sun, go to Teddy's Lookout which is at Lorne itself.
Day 3 Drive to Otways and then Warrnambool.
Leave early. Around 9 and drive to Skenes Creek. Along the way stop at Mt Defiance Lookout and Cape Patton's Lookout to take pictures. Make the right at Skenes Creek and into the Otways. You will appreciate why you must have a powerful car. Winding and uphill. But the Otways are beautiful. Mark out Hopetoun Falls. You will travel on the Beech Forrest Tourist road. Ancient forest with ferns and strange ancient plants. There is a dirt road that will bring you to Hopetoun Falls. Spend some time here to admire the falls. Then go to see the Redwoods. I actually missed the Redwoods but it should be very near to Hopetoun Falls
Back track to the Beech Forrest Road to Lavers Hill. Have lunch at Lavers Hill. I recommend the Lavers Hill Roadhouse but if there are kids I recommend the Lavers Hill Motel and Bistro which has alpacas grazing outside.
Then blaze away to the 12 Apostles. First you will reach Gibsons Steps. Stop and go down to the Gibsons Steps. Highly recommended. Wear sandals. Chances are tide is high and you can still wade around. Don't get swept to sea. Then go to 12 Apostles. The kids will not want to walk. There is a lot of walking. You just work your way through from here to the Loch Ard Gorge, then to London Arch, then to the Grotto and then Bay of Martyrs and then Bay of Islands. All very rugged landscapes. You can skip anyone. Just be warned. After a while if you got kids they will suffer from sightseeing fatigue. Then all the way to Warrnambool. I recommend either Atwood (got free Wifi) and City Heart Motel. Dinner? I suggest Kermond's Burgers. Ask for anything with the lot and feel those arteries craving for air. This day will be very packed. I suggest you not miss the Otways especially the waterfall. You can skip London Arch or Bay of Islands since you need to walk even more.
Day 4.
Leave Warrnambool early after brekkie at McD's, head west towards Tower Hill. Take the tourist road to get to the lookouts that are on the side of the "crater" of Tower Hill. If you look into the map you will know why it is geologically interesting. Then head north towards the Grampians.
Now Mount William is optional. The walk is on a sealed road from the carpark but it is 1.8km uphill. With my kids took an hour up and 45min down to the carpark.
Else head straight for Halls Gap. Check in to your accomodation. I recommend the Kookaburra Motor Lodge. The backyard is great. Kangaroos in the evening. In fact kangaroos everywhere in the evening. Most likely you will reach by lunch or just before lunch if you skipped Mount William. If you did not skip Mount William, you will reach Halls Gap by 2pm.
Here is the one day circuit for the Grampians if you skipped Mount William.
From Halls Gap, get to Mount Victory Rd. Go straight to Boroka Lookout and snap pictures. Leave and then head to Reeds Lookout. Snap pictures of Reeds Lookout and then go out to walk towards the Balconies. 1hr return.
I suggest you skip McKenzies Falls if you have visited Hopetoun Falls. Go straight to Zumsteins. Walk around there and read the history of the place. There are wild kangaroos. Observe them quietly. You can stay until dusk and then drive back very carefully. Restaurants close at 8pm at Halls Gap. There is only one that opens until late.
Day 5. To Ballarat.
Head out towards Stawell for breakfast at the McD's. Then from there head towards Ararat. Along the way you will come to Great Western. Look out for that brown sign for Best's Vineyard. Go in there. Make sure you are there not too early. They open for cellar sales at 10am. So around 9.55 will be good. Look around the vineyard and snap the picts. They will open for cellar sales and take your pick on what is on offer.
Drive onwards to Ararat and to One Tree Hill scenic lookout. You can see the whole town from there. Drive off and head towards Ballarat. Spend time at the Eureka Stockade. Learn more about the uprising. I won't say much about Sovereign Hill but if you want to give it a try, I suggest booking the family package at their website and stay at the Sovereign Hill Lodge. Night should end with the show Blood on the Southern Cross.
Day 6 Going home.
Breakfast at one of the cafes at Sturt Street. Take pictures of the old buildings.
Head out again but this time to the Ballarat Wildlife Park. Spend the whole day here for all I care. The kids deserve their time with the animals. I think family needs AUD69.
Lunch at the McD's or some place that doesn't blow the budget. Then head straight for airport to dump the car there and fly back. Flight is in the evening. Reach SG at 12mn.
FYI we did enquire about such an itinerary with a tour driver bring us around. Meals and accommodations inclusive is AUD4300. A self drive is cheaper but more headache on your planning in a place you know nothing about. Learn from Trip Advisor and Virtual Tourist.
The self-drive cost us SGD3000 including accommodations and food, car rental and petrol, park entry fees. The flight is around 2250 (2A2C) so the trip cost us around 5250. I'll get some pictures up.
First things first. The flight.
Don't take Jetstar. Not cheap and not environmentally friendly since the stopover is at Darwin before you take a connecting flight with Valuair.
Go to Melbourne direct with either SIA or Emirates. Both flights start at night in SG. Arrive in the morning in Melbourne. The flight is 7hrs. I believe SIA will arrive earlier. So your trip and accommodations should start a day later. This means if your flight is on Sat night, your 1st day accommodations should start on Sun.
Firstly, booking accommodations. Two options. www.wotif.com or www.hotels.com If you prefer self-contained units, either www.stayz.com.au or www.roamfree.com.au
The first day should have the accommodations in Melbourne. Since you will be landing early, ask for early check in. Choose the hotels in the CBD. Trust me. It is worth it. If not I recommend the Eastern Town House. It is next to Richmond so there is shopping for the lady but even the Aussies tell me SG has better shopping.
Next, book the car. Best you go to www.priceline.com.sg to go with Hertz. They got 10% discount. This is only the basic. This does not cover the zero excess which I recommend you to take. My Aurion costs AUD361 for 6 days but the zero excess cover is AUD31 per day. I opted for their full tank charge od AUD74, meaning I paid for the full tank they pumped into the car and I don't need to fill her up before returning. So the total became AUD658. I don't recommend taking a smaller car. You go there to relax and since there is driving, the car factors a lot. For fuel budget 150-200AUD. Since the full tank charge is taken, you need around AUD126.
FYI, if you don't take the zero excess, there is the AUD500 one. I think this cost AUD26 a day. Anything happen, pay AUD500. If you don't take any of this insurance, it is AUD5000 if anything happens to the car or even a single vehicle mishap that only involves your car like ramming a kangaroo. I know some travel insurance takes care of it but they need police report to make the claim. Troublesome. But take this zero excess. If anything happen, make sure got police report then claim from travel insurance.
Here is the thing. Book the car for the second day onwards. First day while in Melbourne you will be pretty much going around by public transport. Highly recommended. Buy the single day ticket. Don't trust the free Melbourne tourist bus and tram. It is quite limited. Just take the CBD zone ticket and travel on any bus and any tram for the day. Usually sold at their 7-11.
OK airport transfer. Take the Skybus at www.skybus.com.au Buy the ticket online and print it out. Do this because you don't need to queue to buy the ticket at the airport. The bus will bring you to Southern Cross Station. Once it arrives, go to the kiosk and tell them which hotel you are going and the minibus will bring you there. No need to pay a single cent more. Provided the hotel is in their list. Go to the website to check. Eastern Town House is served by Skybus so you know what to do.
Chances are you will either take the SIA or Emirates direct flight. In this case, you will arrive early and check in early. So what to see? If you have taken the weekend flight, go to Queen Victoria Market. Like our holiday pasar malam but more organized and got more stuff. In the late morning to early afternoon, go to the Melbourne Gaol to see their hero Ned Kelly's cell and where he is hanged. Then go to the police station next door to kenna charged and put into the slammer. Very good experience if you got kids. Show them going to prison isn't a good thing. My poor girl came out crying. Hehehehe....
Towards evening, go to Fitzroy Gardens to see Cook's Cottage. Must pay to go in and see. No need, just take picture outside. Walk the gardens and then at night take tram to Flinders Station to see the happenings at night.
Day two. Drive to Philllip Is.
Collect car from Hertz. Check Google Maps. They'll point out where it is. Take the car and pick up family at the hotel. Start early. Now whatever it is don't take the Citilink pass. That is their ERP of sorts. The Citilink is a toll highway. You will not encounter toll roads at all if you know how. If you got GPS, set the GPS to avoid toll roads. Chances are you will be advised to drive straight down Exhibition St and into Toorak Rd. Follow Toorak Rd until you turn right at a flyover into the highway towards PI.
So the real circuit starts from Day 2 which I term Day 1.
This is the course.
Day 1 To Phillip Island.
Reach San Remo by 11am, eat and watch pelicans fed at 12noon.
Leave and check in to the accommodations. Leave for Koala Sanctuary. Spend some time here walking the board walks.
Late afternoon, go to Nobbies. Take the board walk and see the sea birds nest their young and kill other competing family's young chicks.
Evening go to penguins center by 6.30pm. Eat there. It is cheaper than the Nobbies.
Drive in near dark back to accommodations. Make sure GPS got night mode. Found it helpful.
Day 2 Drive to Sorrento for ferry to Queenscliff and to Lorne.
Leave accommodations early and stop by at Cape Woolamai. It is a surfing beach. Quite awesome for pictures. Those Aussies from VIC must be tough. The water is cold and they are out surfing.
Go to Churchil Island. See the old houses and it's unique history. Milk a cow, let the kids play with young animals.
Leave and have lunch at San Remo. Just in case you didn't make it for the pelican feeding the day before, you can do it today if you want.
Leave for Sorrento. Board car ferry for Queenscliff. Carry on to Lorne. Check in at Lorne accommodations. I highly recommend the Allenvale. If you got time, stop by the Split Point Lighthouse along the way and snap some pictures. You can't miss this lighthouse as you are coming along the Great Ocean Road. Characteristically white with a red top. You can't admire much as you drive but your passengers can admire all those beach houses on the hillsides on the right of the road along the way. Whether you want to stop at the designated lookouts, it is up to you but too many stops and your entourage will suffer fatigue. Once at Lorne and there is still sun, go to Teddy's Lookout which is at Lorne itself.
Day 3 Drive to Otways and then Warrnambool.
Leave early. Around 9 and drive to Skenes Creek. Along the way stop at Mt Defiance Lookout and Cape Patton's Lookout to take pictures. Make the right at Skenes Creek and into the Otways. You will appreciate why you must have a powerful car. Winding and uphill. But the Otways are beautiful. Mark out Hopetoun Falls. You will travel on the Beech Forrest Tourist road. Ancient forest with ferns and strange ancient plants. There is a dirt road that will bring you to Hopetoun Falls. Spend some time here to admire the falls. Then go to see the Redwoods. I actually missed the Redwoods but it should be very near to Hopetoun Falls
Back track to the Beech Forrest Road to Lavers Hill. Have lunch at Lavers Hill. I recommend the Lavers Hill Roadhouse but if there are kids I recommend the Lavers Hill Motel and Bistro which has alpacas grazing outside.
Then blaze away to the 12 Apostles. First you will reach Gibsons Steps. Stop and go down to the Gibsons Steps. Highly recommended. Wear sandals. Chances are tide is high and you can still wade around. Don't get swept to sea. Then go to 12 Apostles. The kids will not want to walk. There is a lot of walking. You just work your way through from here to the Loch Ard Gorge, then to London Arch, then to the Grotto and then Bay of Martyrs and then Bay of Islands. All very rugged landscapes. You can skip anyone. Just be warned. After a while if you got kids they will suffer from sightseeing fatigue. Then all the way to Warrnambool. I recommend either Atwood (got free Wifi) and City Heart Motel. Dinner? I suggest Kermond's Burgers. Ask for anything with the lot and feel those arteries craving for air. This day will be very packed. I suggest you not miss the Otways especially the waterfall. You can skip London Arch or Bay of Islands since you need to walk even more.
Day 4.
Leave Warrnambool early after brekkie at McD's, head west towards Tower Hill. Take the tourist road to get to the lookouts that are on the side of the "crater" of Tower Hill. If you look into the map you will know why it is geologically interesting. Then head north towards the Grampians.
Now Mount William is optional. The walk is on a sealed road from the carpark but it is 1.8km uphill. With my kids took an hour up and 45min down to the carpark.
Else head straight for Halls Gap. Check in to your accomodation. I recommend the Kookaburra Motor Lodge. The backyard is great. Kangaroos in the evening. In fact kangaroos everywhere in the evening. Most likely you will reach by lunch or just before lunch if you skipped Mount William. If you did not skip Mount William, you will reach Halls Gap by 2pm.
Here is the one day circuit for the Grampians if you skipped Mount William.
From Halls Gap, get to Mount Victory Rd. Go straight to Boroka Lookout and snap pictures. Leave and then head to Reeds Lookout. Snap pictures of Reeds Lookout and then go out to walk towards the Balconies. 1hr return.
I suggest you skip McKenzies Falls if you have visited Hopetoun Falls. Go straight to Zumsteins. Walk around there and read the history of the place. There are wild kangaroos. Observe them quietly. You can stay until dusk and then drive back very carefully. Restaurants close at 8pm at Halls Gap. There is only one that opens until late.
Day 5. To Ballarat.
Head out towards Stawell for breakfast at the McD's. Then from there head towards Ararat. Along the way you will come to Great Western. Look out for that brown sign for Best's Vineyard. Go in there. Make sure you are there not too early. They open for cellar sales at 10am. So around 9.55 will be good. Look around the vineyard and snap the picts. They will open for cellar sales and take your pick on what is on offer.
Drive onwards to Ararat and to One Tree Hill scenic lookout. You can see the whole town from there. Drive off and head towards Ballarat. Spend time at the Eureka Stockade. Learn more about the uprising. I won't say much about Sovereign Hill but if you want to give it a try, I suggest booking the family package at their website and stay at the Sovereign Hill Lodge. Night should end with the show Blood on the Southern Cross.
Day 6 Going home.
Breakfast at one of the cafes at Sturt Street. Take pictures of the old buildings.
Head out again but this time to the Ballarat Wildlife Park. Spend the whole day here for all I care. The kids deserve their time with the animals. I think family needs AUD69.
Lunch at the McD's or some place that doesn't blow the budget. Then head straight for airport to dump the car there and fly back. Flight is in the evening. Reach SG at 12mn.
FYI we did enquire about such an itinerary with a tour driver bring us around. Meals and accommodations inclusive is AUD4300. A self drive is cheaper but more headache on your planning in a place you know nothing about. Learn from Trip Advisor and Virtual Tourist.
The self-drive cost us SGD3000 including accommodations and food, car rental and petrol, park entry fees. The flight is around 2250 (2A2C) so the trip cost us around 5250. I'll get some pictures up.
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