Immerse yourself in the vivid autumnal colours of the Adelaide Hills and embark on a remarkable 7-day adventure! From May 26 to June 1, 2024, discover the awe-inspiring landscapes, culinary treasures, and cultural wonders that lie ahead.
What To Expect
Bookings and Full Payment Due 03 April 2024
Day 1 (D): SUNSHINE COAST TO MELBOURNE | Sunday 26 May 2024
Welcome to our 7-day Autumn getaway to the Adelaide Hills via the Overland. With our pick-ups complete we make our way to the Sunshine Coast airport for our direct flight to Melbourne. We depart early tomorrow morning, so on arrival, we express to the Quality Batman’s Hill on Collins, right across the road from Southern Cross Station. We have the remainder of the afternoon at leisure following check-in. We’ll re-group for our welcome dinner together and then it’s early to bed! (Dinner in hotel)
Flight: VA1036 DEP MCY 1240 / ARR MEL 1510
Overnight: Quality Batman’s Hill on Collins, Melbourne
Day 2 (BLD): ALL ABOARD FOR THE OVERLAND (MEL – ADL) | Monday 27 May 2024
Southern Cross Station is the starting point for our short break to Adelaide. There is nothing quite like travelling by rail, and The Overland operates a day-long service running between Melbourne and Adelaide in both directions. Onboard, you’ll experience a comfortable journey as you watch the diverse landscapes outside your window, from rugged mallee scrub to fields of green and gold. Our journey passes through country towns including Geelong, Ararat, Horsham, Dimboola, Nhill, Bordertown and Murray Bridge. On arrival at Adelaide’s Keswick Interstate Rail Terminal, our local touring coach will be waiting to greet us for a transfer to our accommodation. Settle in and unpack as we are here for the next 5 nights. (Breakfast and lunch included on the train / Dinner in the hotel)
Overnight: Adelaide Rockford Hotel, Adelaide
Day 3 (BD): EXPLORING ADELAIDE | Tuesday 28 April 2024
Today we will be spending the day exploring Adelaide. The city’s Central Business District is surrounded by Parklands, or the Green Belt as it’s known. For an excellent overview of the city and its Parklands, we make a stop at Montefiore Hill. It was from this spot that Colonel Light planned a great city of the future in the sweeping valley below. Easily seen from the Hill is Adelaide Oval, one of the most beautiful Cricket Ovals in the world. Another landmark close by is St Peters Cathedral, which overlooks the city from North Adelaide. Late morning, we arrive at the Adelaide Central Markets which are visited by more than 8.5 million people a year, making it one of the largest undercover markets in the Southern Hemisphere. Established in 1869 and still thriving, this is a true icon for South Australians, so is a must-visit during our program and a great location to buy our lunch. Later this afternoon, we have arranged a fascinating tour of the Adelaide Oval. The redeveloped oval offers a unique blend of new and old – from the latest in stadium design to the famous features such as the heritage-listed scoreboard, the century-old Moreton Bay Fig trees and the grassed northern mound. Our tour will take us behind the scenes to the inner workings of this iconic ground. We will see the old scoreboard that is still in use today. Following a great day out we make our way back to the hotel where we have some to freshen up before dinner. (Breakfast & Dinner in hotel, lunch own arrangements Central Market)
Overnight: Adelaide Rockford Hotel, Adelaide
Day 4 (BLD): THE SOUTH COAST | Wednesday 29 May 2024
Following breakfast, we make our way to the historic town of Strathalbyn. Over the past three decades, Strathalbyn has built a reputation as a home of exceptional antique shops, antique markets and places where collectables can be purchased. We stop to enjoy morning tea at the Soldiers Memorial Gardens. It’s now time to sit back and relax as our journey takes us via Currency Creek, Middleton and Port Elliot through to the laidback seaside village of Victor Harbor. After a brief sightseeing tour and a chance to stretch our legs along the foreshore, we enjoyed lunch at the Grosvenor Hotel. It’s aboard the Cockle Train* now for the one-way journey along the coast to Goolwa. The Cockle Train travels along the oldest steel-railed railway in Australia dating back to 1854 when it was constructed to provide a link between the River Murray and the ocean wharves at Pt Elliot and later at “Victor” as the locals call it. In the early days of settlement, the local residents would take a horse-drawn train to Goolwa to collect Cockles from the sandy beaches near the Murray’s mouth. It was a great day’s outing and thus gained its name. After a fabulous afternoon exploring the coast, we meander our way back to Adelaide. (Breakfast and dinner in hotel, lunch at the Grosvenor Hotel)
Overnight: Adelaide Rockford Hotel, Adelaide
Day 5 (BLD): BAROSSA VALLEY | Thursday 30 May 2024
Today is all about exploring the Barossa Valley. We begin our touring before the wineries open, starting with a scenic drive to the Whispering Wall which is locally known as the “acoustic miracle”. It is the huge curved retaining wall of the Barossa Reservoir and is about 140 metres long. The acoustics are such that you can speak in a normal voice and people at the other end of the wall can hear you clearly. The effect is remarkable. It is one of those strange effects which are produced by a delightful accident! Our next stop is at Barossa Chateau. This is a baroque-style chateau surrounded by 30,000 roses and filled with one of the world’s great collections of Meissen porcelain, antique furniture, tapestries and paintings. We enjoy a guided tour of the gallery and enjoy an elegant High Tea at the Chateau. There will also be time for a wander around the rose garden and take a look around the great gift shop. A visit to the Barossa would not be complete without a winery visit. We make our way to the iconic Seppeltsfield Winery, established in 1851. The history of this winery and its owners is truly fascinating, which we will hear about on our tour after which we enjoy a tasting and a chance to take a look at the beautiful Jam Factory onsite with artisans’ workshops and bespoke retail outlets. Onsite we also find Vasse Virgin – producers of all-natural handmade skin and body care products. What a perfect way to end the day! We make our back to Adelaide for dinner at the hotel. (Breakfast & Dinner in the hotel, high tea lunch at the Chateau)
Overnight: Adelaide Rockford Hotel, Adelaide
Day 6 (BLD): THE ADELAIDE HILLS | Friday 31 May 2024
Today we will spend the full day exploring the Adelaide Hills. We head to Woodside for some local treats. At Melba’s Chocolate and Confectionery Factory, we find producers of Australia’s favourite sweets using old-era chocolate-making equipment. Now, you can’t have something sweet without something savoury and just next door is Cheese Wrights where we indulge in a tasting of superb hand-crafted cheese, some of which is seasonal and only made when the milk is just perfect. We farewell Woodside and call into the iconic Beerenberg Strawberry Farm. Beerenberg continues to be fully Australian-owned owned with all products being crafted onsite. We’ll learn about the history and have the opportunity to purchase from their constantly evolving range of delicious preserves. You may not know but Beerenberg products can now be found in 24 countries, on major airlines and in more than 300 hotels! Just down the road, we find Hahndorf, South Australia’s oldest surviving German settlement. A mouth-watering lunch has been arranged for us at The Haus today before we have a little free time to stroll the charming main street lined with eating houses, attractions and galleries housed in authentic surroundings. There will be something for everyone to enjoy! We finish our fantastic day out with a visit to “The Cedars”. Hans Heysen, settled in Hahndorf in 1908 and built his studio in the style of a Bavarian Chalet. We will enjoy a guided tour of the house, the studio (which has been kept just the way Hans Heysen left it, including some unfinished sketches) and the extensive gardens. Our farewell dinner will be at the hotel. (Breakfast & Dinner in hotel, lunch at The Haus)
Overnight: Adelaide Rockford Hotel, Adelaide
Day 7 (B): HEADING HOME: ADELAIDE TO SUNSHINE COAST | Saturday 01 June 2024
Sadly, our tour must come to an end today. With our bags packed full of memories AND plenty of gourmet South Australian goodies, we farewell our hosts and make our way to the beachside suburb of Glenelg (“The Bay” as it is affectionately known) for a brief sightseeing tour before making our way to the Adelaide Airport for our direct flight home to Brisbane. On arrival, we’ll be transferred to our very door having had a fantastic getaway to SA. (Breakfast at the Hotel, lunch own arrangements).
Tour Inclusions
- 6 night’s accommodation
- 5 motel Cooked Breakfasts
- 6 motel 2-course Dinners
- 4 included lunches
- One-way transfer from Melbourne Airport to Hotel
- One-way journey Melbourne – Adelaide aboard the Overland in Red Service Premium (breakfast and lunch included onboard)
- One-way transfer from Adelaide Parklands Railway Station to Adelaide Rockford Hotel
- Charter and Commentary Driver – for touring days 3/4/5/6
- 60-minute Adelaide Oval Stadium Tour including Afternoon Tea
- Lunch at the Grosvenor Hotel, Victor Harbor, day 4
- One-way journey Victor Harbor to Goolwa aboard the Cockle Train
- High Tea lunch including bubbles Barossa Chateau, day 5
- Private Grand Insight Tour and Tasting experience at Seppeltsfield Wines
- Entry and visit to Melba’s Chocolate Factory
- Entry and cheese tasting experience at Woodside Cheese Wrights
- Strawberry Lane Family History Guided Talk and Goodie Bag at Beerenberg Farm
- Premium 2 Course lunch at The Haus Restaurant, Hahndorf, day 6
- Entry and guided tour (including House and Garden at the Cedars
- One-way transfer from Adelaide Rockford Hotel to Adelaide Airport with a sightseeing tour to Glenelg prior to drop off.
Confirmed Accommodation
- The Batman’s Hill on Collins, Melbourne – 1 night
- Adelaide Rockford, Adelaide – 5 nights
Flights (Includes Door-to Door Airport Transfers)
26 May 24 Maroochydore to Melbourne VA1036 1240/1510
01 Jun 24 Adelaide to Brisbane VA1393 1150/1445
How much does it cost?
Inc. Airfares & Home Pick-up from the Sunshine Coast
- Double/Twin Room pp – $3645pp
- Single Room pp – $4165pp
Bookings and Full Payment Due 03 April 2024