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OVERVIEW

Solos Only

Mornington Peninsula and Great Ocean Solo Travel Tour

Enjoy Victoria’s pretty Mornington Peninsula and eye-popping southern coastline, following the iconic Great Ocean Road before heading back to Melbourne via Victoria’s gold rush iconic town Ballarat.

 

PACKAGE DETAILS
  • Ages:
    40+
  • Duration:
    7 Days
  • Status:
    Bookings open
  • Region:
    AustraliaNZPacific
  • Destinations:
    Australia
  • Travel Style:
    Discovery
  • Accommodation:
    Quality hotels
  • Prices from:
    AUD3545 with own room
  • Transport:
    Coach, Boat
  • Pace:
    2
  • Max Group Size:
    18
REVIEWS

'I would highly recommend a holiday with Encounter Travel. My trip was well organised and the co-ordinator was fun and helpful and full of energy. I met some great people of all walks of life. There is a good mix of organised activities and free time. I had a blast.'

 Linda, Victoria

'Thank you for your organisation of a great holiday. As a first time traveller with Encounter, I didn't know what to expect. The Red Centre is indescribably beautiful and should be on every Australians' bucket list. We saw every sensational attraction in just the right order - each new experience was more incredible than the last. Thank you for recruiting such a great group of people for my travelling companions. The hotels were clean and very comfortable and it was a pleasure to be transported across such an amazing landscape so comfortably. I learnt so much about our wonderful country and wished I had done such a trip years earlier.'

 Sarah, 52 years, Sydney, Australia
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INCLUSIONS

ACCOMMODATION & MEALS

  • 7 nights quality hotel stays
  • 6 breakfasts
  • 1 lunch
  • 5 dinners 

SIGHTSEEING & GUIDES

  • Peninsula Hot Springs Entry
  • Private group driver-guide
  • All other sightseeing as per itinerary
  • English-speaking locally based guides 

TRAVEL

  • Return private group coach travel ex Melbourne 
  • Final day Melbourne Tullamarine Airport drop off option
  • One way ferry Sorrento to Queenscliff

ADDITIONAL SERVICES

  • Porterage in and out of hotels included where available

Small group, not more than 20 travellers

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Departure Dates for this tour

Departure
Status
Price from
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28 MAR - 3 APR 22
Bookings open
AUD3545 with own room
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PER PERSON AUD$

OWN ROOM

STANDARD Tour package

$3545

UPGRADE PACKAGE
3 night stay @ Peppers Moonah Links > upgrade to the Open Plan room or 1 bedroom suite (upgrade is one or the other and can’t be pre-selected)

UPGRADE Tour package

$3645

PRE TOUR: Vibe Melbourne urban room with breakfast.
rate applies: 26 & 27 March 2022

$235

POST TOUR: Vibe Melbourne urban room with breakfast
rate applies: 3 & 4 April 2022

$235

 


Trip Code: morn22-3

Itinerary

Departs Melbourne > Mornington Peninsula (3 nights) > Great Ocean Road (1 night) > Ballarat (2 nights)

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Relaxing 3 night resort stay, Mornington Peninsula
  • Indulgent visit to Peninsula Hot Springs
  • A winery lunch with tastings, Mornington Peninsula
  • Guided tour of Fort Queenscliff
  • Overnight stay, Great Ocean Road
  • Distillery visit and tastings
  • Relaxed 2 night stay in the home of the gold rush, Ballarat
  • Quality group dinners included

Pre Tour Stay
The tour sets off in the morning on day 1. If you are not local to Melbourne you will need to arrange to arrive to Melbourne the day prior in order to meet the morning departure on day 1 of the tour.  Ask our travel team about this option, and the additional costs.

DAY 1
Depart Melbourne. Mornington Peninsula. 

Set off from Melbourne this morning for the easy drive to the Mornington Peninsula. First stop is Mount Martha, home to the colourful bathing boxes – one of those fun pics not to miss on a visit to the peninsula.

Renowned as a formidable wine region we aptly stop for lunch at a local peninsula winery nestled amongst the rolling hills of Main Ridge. There are a few hours to enjoy this lovely spot, starting with wine tastings and followed by a relaxed lunch; a menu full of classic provincial-style dishes including Roman style wood-fired pizza, it's the perfect place to enjoy a taste of la dolce vita on the Mornington Peninsula. Farewell your winery visit with a take-home wine included and we make our way to for an eagle eye’s view across the peninsula; taking the gondola ride from Arthur’s Seat Eagle. Take in the scenic views of our Australian landscape across the peninsula, to Port Phillip Bay and towards Melbourne’s skyline.

Later in the afternoon, we make our way to our lovely resort for the next three nights and a relaxed evening and dinner in house. 

Meals: Lunch, Dinner

SNAPSHOT – WHAT’S INCLUDED:

  • Bathing boxes photo stop
  • Winery visit with leisurely lunch
  • A take home wine from your winery visit
  • Entry/Ticket Arthur’s Seat Eagle
  • In house dinner

DAY 2
Mornington Peninsula 

This morning make a choice to chill and enjoy your resort facilities or opt for our return transfer to another local village to make your own discoveries.

From the resort, we depart at lunch time at St Andrews Beach Brewery, located on a 38-hectare property and where Australia’s horse racing greats were trained.  Formerly stables for some champions (Makybe Diva, Mummify, and Miss Andretti ) it is now the home to this craft beer brewery. It was once a racetrack and now where you’ll find hops and 8000 apple and pear cider trees. We’ve got a group booking and we can all settle in for a few hours, enjoy some lunch (and the local brews).

The rest of the afternoon is at your leisure to return to the resort our make your own local discoveries.  You may like to visit the local beach or Cape Schanck Light House for a guided tour. 

Meals: Breakfast 

SNAPSHOT – WHAT’S INCLUDED:

  • Optional morning visit of a local peninsula village
  • Brewery & Lunch time visit @ St Andrews Beach Brewery

DAY 3
Mornington Peninsula

This morning is all about relaxation with a visit to Peninsula Hot Springs; an award winning natural hot springs, day spa and wellness destination, this is a highlight visit of relaxation and indulgence.  This is no ordinary hot springs, and is an absolute must visit for any stay on the Peninsula. We’ve set the morning aside for this indulgence and you can stay for as long or as little as you like at the hot springs – whatever your soul desires!

This afternoon opt to join a visit to Pt. Leo Estate; a coastal winery with a modern Sculpture Park that draws the attention of many visitors to the Mornington Peninsula. There is time at the estate to enjoy a walk of the park and wine tastings.

This evening, enjoy the bar and dining offer of our resort for a relaxed evening in house and dinner together.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

SNAPSHOT – WHAT’S INCLUDED:

  • Peninsula Hot Springs
  • Pt Leo Estate visit
  • Dinner at our resort 

DAY 4
Mornington Peninsula to Great Ocean Road

This morning we set out for Sorrento, one of the last coastal towns along the Peninsula. We make a photo stop at the London Bridge Lookout – the most northern beach in the Mornington Peninsula National Park.  There’s time to wander Sorrento and enjoy this historic coastal town at your leisure.


From Sorrento we take the ferry to arrive to Queenscliff, a seaside town that has its own unique history.  We take a guided tour of Fort Queenscliff, one of Victoria’s most important historic sites and one of the largest and best-preserved forts in. You will see historic Fort features covering activities of an artillery garrison and hear about an artillery soldier’s life between 1860 and 1946 as well as the activities of the Department of Defence to the current date.

From Queenscliff we drive onto Lorne for our overnight stay along the Great Ocean Road.  Once arriving to Lorne, make your own plans for the rest of the afternoon until our lovely group dinner in house this evening.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

SNAPSHOT – WHAT’S INCLUDED:

  • Stop at the London Bridge Lookout
  • Time to wander Sorrento
  • One way ferry crossing Sorrento to Queenscliffe
  • Guided tour of Fort Queenscliff
  • Local dinner, Lorne

DAY 5
Great Ocean Road to Ballarat

An earlier start to make sure we have the time for all the highlights on offer as we make our way along The Great Ocean Road, before ending in Ballarat for the day.

First stop this morning is a visit to Australia’s oldest working lighthouse, Cape Otway Lightstation operating since 1848. To truly appreciate this icon we take a historic guided tour and discover its colourful maritime history. You can also climb to the top of the lighthouse for dramatic views of the so-called Shipwreck Coast. 

Before lunch we will make our anticipated stop at the Twelve Apostles and a visit to Loch Ard Gorge. After a full morning, we head to nearby Port Campbell for a lunch break. After lunch we change route, a head towards Ballarat. On the way we visit a burgeoning local distillery, before the final stretch on the road to reach Ballarat.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

SNAPSHOT – WHAT’S INCLUDED:

  • Cape Otway Lightstation visit and guided tour
  • Twelve Apostles
  • Lochard Gorge
  • Distillery visit and tastings

DAY 6
Ballarat

Enjoy a relaxed breakfast at our hotel. Mid morning we visit the Eureka Centre; learn about one of Australia’s most significant foundation stories – the Eureka Rebellion.  The visit explores the social history and cultural impact of the Victorian gold rush and honour the stories of the men and women who risked their lives in the fight for miners’ rights.

Today there is time to make your own local discoveries; take the option to visit Sovereign Hill or choose your own visits around Ballarat Town Centre.  Ballarat has a lot on offer including the Ballarat Art Gallery and their beautiful Botanical Gardens.

Tonight, we come together for a farewell group dinner in town.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

SNAPSHOT – WHAT’S INCLUDED:

  • Eureka Centre visit
  • Farewell group dinner

DAY 7
Ballarat to Melbourne

By 10am we depart Ballarat for Melbourne Tullamarine Airport drop off or continue on to Melbourne city drop off at our nominated group hotel. If booking flights departing Melbourne, book for departure after 1:00PM. 

Meals: Breakfast

 

View Full Itinerary
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ACCOMMODATION

 

Destination

Hotel Name

Nights of Stay

Mornington Peninsula

Peppers Moonah Links Resort

3

Lorne, Great Ocean Road

Mantra Lorne (resort rooms with garden views)

1

Ballarat

Mercure Ballarat (lodge rooms)

2


Hotels may be subject to change, due to circumstances outside of our control. Should this occur, a hotel of a similar standard will be provided.

 

HOTEL CHECK IN /CHECK OUT TIMES
If we arrive before the hotel check in time, the hotel will store our luggage until check in time. If luck is on our side, it’s possible hotels may have our rooms (or some of the rooms for our group) ready before the official check in time. If that happens, you’ll be head straight to your room if we arrive before the hotel check in time.  As a guide, hotel check in times for most parts of the world range between 2pm to 3pm.

Moonah Room

Moonah Room, Peppers Moonah Links Resort

Open Room, Peppers Moonah Links Resort

Open Room, Peppers Moonah Links Resort

PEPPERS MOONAH LINKS RESORT, FINGAL, MORNINGTON PENINSULA
Peppers Moonah Links Resort offers deluxe rooms and suites, all with balconies or terraces overlooking the stunning golf courses or central putting green. Each room features natural materials, clean lines and earthy Australian tones with the stylish furnishings and fittings Peppers is renowned for. Open and contemporary, the charm and peaceful ambience you feel at Peppers Moonah Links Resort is all part of a careful plan designed to harmonise the resort with the land.

Moonah Rooms, One Bedroom Suites and Open Rooms feature stylish décor with a natural palette and modern appliances. Look out over the golf course to Cups Estate Vineyard, nearby Peninsula Hot Springs and neighboring farmland. Rest and relax in contemporary and spacious surroundings.

Wi-Fi: Free

MANTRA, LORNE, GREAT OCEAN ROAD 
Lorne is situated right on the famous Great Ocean Road, leading to picture-postcard attractions such as the 12 Apostles and the Great Otway National Park. The property offers a great mix of modern style and rich history. Having been built around the oldest permanently operating guesthouse in Victoria, Erskine House, there is a range of modern apartments and heritage hotel rooms to suit all tastes.

Facilities including broadband internet, croquet lawns and tennis courts, day spa, and an indoor heated mineral pool. The resort room contains includes a king bed (zip) that can be divided into two single beds. With tea and coffee making facilities and a bar fridge in your room, enjoy your break with all the entertainment options at your fingertips, such as TV including Foxtel, and broadband internet access. These rooms are available with garden views or filtered ocean views.

MERCURE BALLARAT
A 4 star hotel located within the Goldfields region of Victoria, opposite award winning tourist attraction Sovereign Hill. With warm hospitality, beautiful landscaped gardens and a Day Spa, the hotel offers a relaxing and memorable experience.

Lodge Room consists of one King Bed, free WIFI, work desk, mini bar and fridge, shower over bath, iron and ironing board, flat-screen TV and safe. Non smoking rooms with direct ground floor access to garden. Courtyard Room is newly refurbished in leather and oak furnishing with one King Bed and one Single Bed offering space for multiple occupancy. Includes free WiFi, flat screen TV, safe, ensuite with shower and access to landscaped gardens.

Wi-Fi: Free 

Note: Some twin share rooms may have single beds.

 


More About Accommodation
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GETTING THERE

Starts In:
Ends In:

Starts In:  Melbourne, Victoria
The group departs our nominated pre tour group hotel around 9AM. Timing finalised closer to time of departure and advised with documentation.

Ends In:  Melbourne, Victoria  
The group departs Ballarat for Melbourne City via Melbourne Tullamarine Airport. There is the option to disembark at the airport for an onward flight.  The scheduled arrival time to the airport is by 11:15AM. We recommend not booking flights prior to 12:45PM departure.


HOTEL CHECK IN /CHECK OUT TIMES
Consider the hotel check in time on arrival and the hotel check out time on departure. Hotels are usually 2PM or 3PM check in time, and 10am or 11am check out time.
Early check in or late check out can be requested but without payment cannot be guaranteed.

ABOUT AIRFARES
On request we provide an airfare quote. If joining the tour from outside Australia it is usually most economical if you make your own flight arrangements or use the service of a travel agent located within your country of residence. 

TRANSFERS
ARRIVAL Airport to hotel transfers are not included and are by your own arrangement.
If you are making your own flight arrangements, we require your flight itinerary no later than 28 days priors to travel, even if you are not making airport transfer arrangements with us.

PASSPORTS
If travelling/joining from outside your home country, most countries require visitors to hold a valid passport with a minimum of 6 months validity from your return date to your home country. Ensure you have at least two blank pages in your passport.

See 'VISA' information in our MORE INFORMATION section below.

Always check your destination country for their Customs policies for prohibited or restricted items. Products or legal medications in your country may not always be permitted in other countries.

 

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DETAILS

Read on for other key trip information that you should know before you decide on joining the group.

TRIP AVAILABILITY
If this trip seems right for you then we encourage you to book early and secure your place with a deposit.  Tour space is limited. Also, many services on this tour must be booked well in advance. To ensure your place, please check trip availability at your earliest convenience. 

FELLOW TRAVELLERS 
You will enjoy this group experience with a maximum of 20 travellers. This is a Solos Only tour; you are welcome to join with a friend, but couples do not join this tour.

THE PACE  [2 out of 5]
Travellers of 75 years or over will be required to return a Fit to Travel form that is completed by their doctor.  
See MORE INFO > General Information for more about fitness.

An easy pace tour or mix of easy paced with some more moderately paced touring. This pace requires at least average fitness levels. The first 3 days on Mornington Peninsula are very easy paced; can opt out of activities on day 2 and 3 if more time at the resort is preferred. The tour package includes a morning at the indulgent Peninsula Hot Springs.

ABOUT THE MEALS   
It’s regular that our trips include welcome dinners and farewell dinners for our groups. In addition, we include other group dining experiences to ensure that everyone can enjoy the benefit of travelling and dining as a group.  There’s nothing better than to share a meal with new friends and discuss the day’s adventures.

If there’s information about the meals, quantity of meals, type of meals, add the information here.

GROUP DRIVER-GUIDE
This is a private group tour with one driver-guide, leading the group. The trip suits an independent style traveller, content with travelling without the additional services of a tour escort. Your driver-guide will give direction on daily meeting times.

TRANSPORT
A midi size coach (32 seater) for exclusive use of our group is used for a group of 13 or more passengers.

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MORE INFORMATION

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TRAVELLER REVIEWS

'I would highly recommend a holiday with Encounter Travel. My trip was well organised and the co-ordinator was fun and helpful and full of energy. I met some great people of all walks of life. There is a good mix of organised activities and free time. I had a blast.'

 Linda, Victoria

'Thank you for your organisation of a great holiday. As a first time traveller with Encounter, I didn't know what to expect. The Red Centre is indescribably beautiful and should be on every Australians' bucket list. We saw every sensational attraction in just the right order - each new experience was more incredible than the last. Thank you for recruiting such a great group of people for my travelling companions. The hotels were clean and very comfortable and it was a pleasure to be transported across such an amazing landscape so comfortably. I learnt so much about our wonderful country and wished I had done such a trip years earlier.'

 Sarah, 52 years, Sydney, Australia

'Did a Red Centre solo 7 day tour absolutely fantastic, Uluru and Kata Tjuta (the Olgas), Kings Canyon, Palm Valley you have to see it and experience it. The coach drivers were professional, excellent knowledge and with a great sense of humor.'

 David, Eschol Park, Sydne, New South Wales
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