THE GRAMPIANS
Departs: 8.45am Monday & Saturday
Returns: 9:00pm
The sheer majesty of the Grampians National Park is inspiring - rugged cliffs
and waterfalls form a spectacular vision. The surrounding wilderness yields thousands
of species of Australia's native flora and fauna, where visitors can mingle with kangaroos
and emus in their natural habitat. An easy walk to Mackenzie Falls reveals a spectacular
series of waterfalls. Enjoy incredible views at Boroka lookout and the Balconies. Visit picturesque
Halls Gap, a unique village tucked away in the heart of the Grampians. Your tour includes
an Aussie snack. This magnificent part of Victoria is famous for it's spring wildflowers,
fern gullies and birdlife.
ECHUCA & BENDIGO WITH PADDLE STEAMER CRUISE
ON THE MURRAY RIVER
Departs: 8.45am Friday and Sunday
Returns: 8.00pm
This tour includes Echuca, Tram Tour, Historical Port, Boat Cruise, Steam Engines
and Crafts. Discover the glory of Bendigo, a classic Australian township (following
the trail of the overland Cattle Drovers) and tour aboard the vintage 'Talking Tram.' Little
country towns marked with history, nostalgia and great stories. Visit historical Port of Echuca
and journey along the Murray River on an original Paddle Steamer Boat (1 hour cruise).
Enjoy great shopping with unique craft, art and antique shops and a choice of restaurants,
cafes and takeaway food venues. See the Wharf Museum along with mechanical steam engines
on a thriving River Port. See majestic old Rivergums (gum trees) along with our singing
cockatoos and galahs in a truly magic setting.
MACEDON RANGES AND DAYLESFORD SPA COUNTRY
Departs: 8.45am daily
Returns: 6.00pm
Departing Melbourne travel to Mount Macedon famous for its grand mansions,
wineries and gardens. Visit Hanging Rock, the Discovery Centre and after morning
tea Hanging Rock Winery for winetasting. We then head to Daylesford and Hepburn
Springs for lunch. After lunch visit Hepburn Spa Resort, Australia's only mineral
water spa, (where we drop those passengers who have chosen to have a 2 hour therapeutic spa).
We continue to the Convent Gallery where you can browse at leisure. Afternoon tea i
s served before heading to Daylesford's main street to explore an intriguing mix of shops,
from interesting antiques, second-hand bookshops, to coffee shops, cafes and bric-brac.
YARRA VALLEY WINE TOUR
Departs: 9.00am daily from selected pick up points only
Returns: 5.00pm (selected drop off points only)
This tour takes in some of Victoria's best wineries in the stunning region of the
Yarra Valley only one hour from Melbourne. Included are tutored tastings at 4 premium
wineries, a superb winery restaurant lunch with wine, finishing the day at the home
of Australia's No.1 bubbly, Domaine Chandon, for gourmet platters and a glass of sparkling.
You'll also learn how to taste wine like a pro and see the magic of making some of
Australia's top drops.
ABORIGINAL CULTURE HALF DAY TOUR
Departs: 8.15am Tues, Weds & Fri
Returns: 1.15pm approx (no hotel drop offs)
Aboriginal culture is alive today in Melbourne, enjoy many of its fascinating points
of interest as we take in the Royal Botanic Gardens Aboringal heritage. Discover traditional
uses of plants for food, medicine, tools, and ceremony. Enjoy a guided tour of Bunjilaka,
the Aboriginal Centre at Melbourne Museum and Jumbunna, the exhibition gallery. Listen
to Koori voices, telling stories of Aboriginal people in Victoria. This tour gives you the
opportunity to be involved and interact with Aboriginal people.
COLONIAL TRAMCAR DINNER
Departs: Tramstop #125, Normanby Road, near the corner of
Clarendon St, adjacent to the Melbourne Exhibition Centre
Enjoy dinner aboard the world's only working tramcar restaurant.
The tram travels leisurely along Melbourne's grand leafy boulevards, beneath century
old Dutch elms and is a delightful and novel way to experience the sights and tastes of Melbourne.
 
Small Group Day Tours
These tours have been specially selected to give your clients a very personalised tour,
ideal for the second or third visitor or for clients wanting to get off the beaten track.
PENGUINS, KOALAS AND WILDLIFE ECOTOUR (D)
Departs: 1.00pm winter 2.00pm summer
Returns: 10.00pm winter 11.00pm summer
Travelling by luxury vehicle, arrive on Phillip Island and make a stop at the Koala
Conservation Centre. Here you can enjoy walking among the treetops with koalas.
Shortly after this, you are led into a secluded bushland area, where if you are lucky,
will be able to spot wallabies in the wild. Next it is onto dinner at the magnificent
Jetty Restaurant where you enjoy fish and chips overlooking the ocean and sipping a glass
of wine ( in the winter this is done after the Penguin Parade. Optional tour
(additional cost applies): You are taken to a
stunning secluded beach at sunset to witness the penguins coming ashore.
There are no lights on the beach and you wil be given night vision goggles as the penguins
waddle right by. If you dont choose the option you will still get to view the fairy penguins
from the western boardwalk. Note: Optional tour is not available for children under 16 years.
GREAT OCEAN ROAD - SCENIC FLIGHT
Departs: On app
Returns: 2-3 hours
The magnificent coastline stretching from Geelong to the South Australian border forms
the Great Ocean Road considered to be one of the most magnificent coastal seascapes in
the world. Breathtaking rock formations including the famous "Twelve Apostles" have
been carved from the shoreline by the driving winds and high seas of the Great Australian
Bight and have been the resting place of over 32 shipwrecks. Price includes aerial flight
of the Great Ocean road and Greater melbourne with in-flight catering.
GREAT OCEAN ROAD - FULL DAY TOUR BY AIR
Departs: On app
Returns: 8 hours
Tour departs in the morning for flights to the town of Warrnambool where you are met
by a local guide and private car for tour. After a brief tour of this historic seafaring town,
visit the "Shipwreck Coast" where, at Port Campbell, you stop for a gourmet lunch featuring
some of the superb local wines. From here it is on to the Twelve Apostles and Loch Ard Gorge
before returning to the aircraft for a flight along the Great Ocean Road
past some of Victoria's most sought after holiday retreats before a tour of the city
of Melbourne. Price includes roundtrip city transfers, scenic flight with in-flight catering,
private car ground tour with guide, gourmet picnic lunch with wine.
SHIPWRECKS AND WILD CLIFFTOPS ECOTOUR (L)
Departs: 9.00am
Returns: 6.00pm
Journey inland through rich volcanic plains to the wild Shipwreck Coast.
Sculptured cliffs merge with sea to form the 12 Apostles and Loch Ard Gorge.
Your guide shares the secrets of the sites of Shipwrecks, which bear stories of folly
and bravery. Next stop is Port Campbell National Park, which stretches along the
Shipwreck Coast, providing a haven for wildlife including kangaroos and the endangered
Rufous Bristle bird. Walk with
your expert guide through cool temperate rainforest with 300- year-old trees towering
overhead. Lunch is provided in the rainforest before returning inland to Melbourne
through the Otway Range National Park.
KOALAS, WINE AND FERN GULLIES (L)
Departs: 9.00am
Returns: 6.00pm
Depart to the forests of Warrandyte which are just a short drive from Melbourne,
here you can look for koalas in the treetops. Next stop is a short drive to the beautiful
Yarra valley, known for producing excellent wines; there is time for tastings before lunch
at one of the wineries. From the Yarra Valley head to the spectacular Dandenong Mountains
where the air is crisp and fresh. A variety of short walks are available through fern gullies
and tall mountain ash trees to where lyrebirds live. After the walk time is spent exploring the
towns in the Dandenongs, which are small and charming, and provide a choice of quaint shops
and beautiful views before heading back to Melbourne.
HOT AIR BALLOONING MELBOURNE/YARRA VALLEY
Departs: Half hour before sunrise daily
* Please note a minimum 4 pax is required
MELBOURNE FLIGHT
Melbourne is the perfect backdrop for an early morning flight over Australia's
second largest city. Depending on the winds we may fly over the CBD, which is laid
out in a large grid pattern rectangle on the northern banks of the Yarra River.
Or we may head over the inner suburbs, parks and gardens to discover why Melbourne
is labelled the Garden State. How about a bird's eye view of the Melbourne Cricket
Ground and Sports Precinct?
Complimentary city pickups are available.
YARRA VALLEY
The Yarra Valley is one of Victoria's most spectacular winery regions. Let the breeze
usher you along the corridors of grape vines and over the Yarra River as you take in the
breathtaking views of mountains that surround the valley. After the flight we return to
Fergussons Winery for a buffet "Chandon" breakfast. The Yarra Valley is situated only
50 min from Melbourne city centre. Complimentary city transfers are available.
* Important: Clients should contact Global Ballooning the evening prior to confirm departure times.
Festival Melbourne 2006
Art meets sport at Festival Melbourne 2006. In vivid sound, colour and performance, the
Commonwealth Games Cultural Festival will celebrate what makes the nations of
the Commonwealth different and what they have in common. Melbourne will buzz with film,
music, dance, street theatre, circus and exhibitions on every corner, as well as
record-breaking sporting performances.
Set to be the biggest cultural festival ever held in Australia, Festival Melbourne 2006
will be free and accessible to all during the Games period and will start in the weeks
leading up to the Games with events held in galleries, parks and public spaces in the
Melbourne's CBD and parts of regional Victoria.
Experience the Games from a 'live site'
Gather round with friends to watch the Games coverage broadcast on big screens and cheer
your teams on to Gold at live sites around the state of Victoria. Festival performances
and exhibitions will also be taking place at live sites, so they will be the places to
be during Games time.
City live sites will be located at Alexandra Gardens, Melbourne Museum, Docklands,
Queensbridge Square, Federation Square and South Beach Reserve, St Kilda. Regional
festivals and live sites will be set up in Ballarat, Bendigo, Geelong and Moe.
Showcasing the cultures of the Commonwealth
The festival will showcase music, circus, dance and outdoor street theatre as well
as colourful, innovative and captivating art exhibitions that embody the cultures
of the Commonwealth.
Head to Alexandra Gardens, the hub of performance for Festival Melbourne 2006,
to be entertained all day and well into the night. Marvel at the bravery of acrobats
and trapeze artistes, and laugh at the clowns under the magical Big Top.
There'll be plenty for kids to do with ArtPlay workshops for children, including building
a giant sculpture.
Run, rap or skip your way to the Docklands Shed 14, the place for all young people.
The Youth Festival - a diverse and colourful program of dance, music, fashion,
community art projects, street theatre and visual arts - will be for, by and with young people.
Head to Federation Square to learn the dances of the Commonwealth or find out all about contemporary
Indigenous Victorian culture and products through the Indigenous showcase.
Relax by the Yarra River with a glass of wine from one of the local bars and soak up
the atmosphere of Melbourne at games time.
See the daring Legs on the Wall aerial artists turn the world on its head as they perform
suspended on the wall of the NGV, while Urban Dream Capsule artists will take up residence
in the Myer department store windows.
Sidney Myer Music Bowl will host a series of free concerts, from to rock and percussion
to Bollywood sounds. And the streets will be populated by troupes of roaming artists,
who will entertain you as you move between sporting venues.
Commonwealth visual art comes to Melbourne 2006
See the best of painting, textiles, craft, design, sculpture, photography and multimedia
work from across the Commonwealth at Melbourne's premier arts institutions and the regional
centres of Ballarat, Bendigo, Geelong and the Latrobe Valley. Some artists will be present
to talk about their work, exhibitions during the Games will be free, and are a unique
opportunity to see Innovative and colourful work from countries as varied as Malta,
the Maldives, Sri Lanka, Canada, South Africa, Ghana, Kenya, India, Pakistan, Canada,
the UK and Australia.
New and emerging artists from across Australia will be featured in a variety of mediums
including installations, sculptures, sound, video photography and painting.
Join the festival buzz of Melbourne in 2006 and see surprising art and startling
performances around the city and the state of Victoria. Festival 2006 is free to all
and will kick off in the weeks leading up to and during the Melbourne 2006
Commonwealth Games.
For additional information on any of the hotels or the tours listed above, please call our Leisure Travel Department or use the Travel Reservations booking form on the left
side of this page to contact us.
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