AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX

Thursday 25 or Friday 26 March

On arrival in Melbourne, make your way to the four stay Rendezvous Hotel where accommodation is reserved for you on bed and breakfast basis.

The weekend is then free to enjoy as you and to make your way to and from the circuit using the free tram service from the city centre to the track. Our hotel is well located, overlooking the Yarra River and just a few minutes walk to the tram stop. The downtown district with the shops and Chinatown is close by and opposite, on the lively south bank you will find an amazing selection of bars and restaurants and the Casino.

Monday 29 March

Check out at your leisure to return to the airport or to continue your holiday in Australia.

Hugging the contours of the south west coast of Victoria, the Great Ocean Road is a spectacular coastal drive. The wild seas of the Southern Ocean, sheer cliffs and beautiful beaches form stunning landscapes. The resort towns and quaint villages have a rich maritime heritage where you will hear tales of the many ships which have foundered off the rugged shipwreck coast.

Our five day itinerary includes car hire and overnight accommodation and gives you plenty of time to stop and enjoy the sights and places along the way.

Monday 29 March

115 miles - pick up your hire car in downtown Melbourne and make your way to Torquay, Australia's surf capital and the start of the Great Ocean Road. Visit Bells Beach and stop for lunch in the seaside resort of Lorne. Afterwards continue along the coastline to Apollo Bay where you stay overnight.

At the foot of the Otway hills Apollo Bay has a wide crescent shaped beach, ideal for swimming in the clear water, surfing, deep-sea fishing or perhaps to hire a kayak and mingle with the seals. Fishing is an important local industry and the restaurants always offer the freshest seafood. There are lookout points for panoramic views or you could head inland to the Otway ranges and explore the forests and waterfall walks.

Tuesday 30 March

120 miles - leave Apollo Bay at your leisure to continue your drive, meandering through the tranquil rainforests of Otway National Park. On this stretch you will see the famous Twelve Apostles - a series of towering rock stacks rising from the sea.

Your destination is Port Fairy, a charming old fishing village, where you spend this evening. Once a favourite hunting port for whalers and sealers, fishermen still unload their daily catch on the quay. Many fine examples of 19th century architecture remain - from grand public buildings to merchants' homes and whitewashed cottages. Stroll along the wharf and amongst the boutiques and antique shops before enjoying dinner in one of the many restaurants.

Wednesday 31 March

195 miles - leave Port Fairy and continue east to explore Portland, the birthplace of Victoria, and Cape Bridgewater with its large seal colony. Then you cross the border into South Australia and to Mount Gambier, built on the slopes of an extinct volcano. The mysterious Blue Lake fills the largest of the craters. Onwards then along the picturesque and wave beaten coastline to Robe, one of the historic ports on the Limestone Coast and where you spend this evening.

Thursday 1 April

220 miles - the route today takes you through Coorong National Park. Inland from the surf-swept coastal dunes and secluded beaches, the shallow lagoons throng with permanent and migratory birdlife including pelicans, swans and waders. Aboriginal burial sites give it archaeological significance too.

Reaching Adelaide you return your hire car and check into your overnight hotel. The capital of South Australia is a compact city surrounded by parkland and has a European flavour.

Friday 2 April

Explore Adelaide, continue your holiday in Australia or make your way to the aiport for your return flight to the UK.


Supplement £345 per person based on two people sharing a twin or double bedded room on room only basis.

Not included - fuel, parking charges, meals, attractions and National Park entrance fees

A six day tour taking you to some of the highlights of northern Queensland. Explore the tropical rainforest, the Great Barrier Reef and relax on beautiful beaches. The tour starts in Cairns and we can book flights for you directly from Melbourne or via Sydney where you may want to spend a couple of nights en route. The dates are flexible and the tour can be arranged to fit in with your preferred itinerary.

Day One

On arrival in Cairns make your way to your hotel where accommodation is reserved for you for one night. Cairns has untold attractions bringing together the history, culture and natural wonders of the region.

A seaplane or helicopter ride will fly you over the Great Barrier Reef. Staying onland you can swim in the city's lagoon and stroll along the boardwalk overlooking the mud flats - feeding grounds for pelicans, spoonbills and plovers. Shopping ranges from craft and produce markets to designer fashions and there's no shortage of excellent restaurants.

Day Two

60 miles - the distance to travel is not great giving you plenty of time to enjoy the sights.

Collect your car from downtown Cairns and head along the winding Kuranda Range Road to the picturesque mountain retreat of Kuranda Village. A market town in the heart of World Heritage rainforest you can explore the walking tracks or visit the Butterfly Sanctuary and Koala Gardens.

Afterwards return to the coast and continue northwards to Port Douglas where you stay for two nights.

Day Three

At leisure to relax on the long sandy beaches or to take a trip out onto the Reef. All manner of experiences are available from diving and snorkelling, semi-submersibles, glass bottomed boats, catamarans and sailing boats.

Day Four

90 miles - enjoy a short stroll at Mossman Gorge before heading off into the Cairns Highlands, a cool retreat and an area of outstanding natural beauty with lush mountains, green valleys, sparkling volcanic crater lakes, plunging waterfalls and a huge diversite of flora and fauna. In Mareeba you can try locally grown coffee and search for the elusive wild platypus.

Your hotel for tonight is in Malanda, a wilderness retreat where Malanda Falls, just outside town, is a popular swimming spot.

Day Five

80 miles - visit the stunning Millaa Millaa Falls before heading back to the coast. Driving through sugar cane plantations keep a close look out for the flightless cassowaries.

This evening is spent in Mission Beach where, in addition to the 14 kilometres of beach, rainforest walks and reef trips you can enjoy white water rafting, tandem skydiving, fishing, sailing and sea kayaking.

Day Six

90 miles - spend some time sightseeing in Mission Beach or take a slow drive along the coast back to Cairns where you drop off your car.

Supplement £440 per person based on two people sharing a twin or double bedded room on room only basis.

Not included - fuel, meals parking charges, attractions and entrance fees

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