At TravelEssence, we specialise in crafting custom-made holidays that take you off the beaten path and create memories to last a lifetime. We believe in connecting with the heart and soul of a place, introducing you to the locals who call it home. Engage in conversations with fascinating individuals who will share their stories, traditions, and way of life, leaving an indelible mark on your journey.
Would you like to discover the magical route between Sydney and Melbourne? Together with your family, you'll travel along the iconic Great Ocean Road. Stop by and marvel at the natural beauty of the Grampians. And eventually, visit the beautiful Kangaroo Island. You can experience the incredibly varied landscape at a relaxed tempo.
Quick facts about this sample itinerary
- This itinerary will be customised to suit your individual wishes
- Best travel time is between September and April
- Relaxed travel pace with 2-5 nights at each location
- The average drive between each accommodation is 2-4 hours
- Stay with locals at 9 locations, away from the crowds
- Choose from a diverse mix of activities with locals
- Collect rental car on last day in Melbourne and return in Adelaide
- 1 domestic flight, Sydney to Melbourne
Below, you can discover our suggested locations. Feel free to adjust your comfort level, add activity packages along the route, and indicate whether you would like us to arrange your flights. The price indication is based on travel in high season, so shoulder season travel will often give you a price advantage.
Route and Impressions
![australia](/img/maps/map-australia-fc.png)
![Explore the city by bike or on foot, take a boat or a train](https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/australia/example-itinerary/auz-sydney-opera-house-solo-easy-going-1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=750&q=80&w=1000&s=dbe2460175e40c9da2ead44c7ed20bfc 1000w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/australia/example-itinerary/auz-sydney-opera-house-solo-easy-going-1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=600&q=80&w=800&s=27bfe40d8668ea380f31ac82d26d2471 800w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/australia/example-itinerary/auz-sydney-opera-house-solo-easy-going-1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=450&q=80&w=600&s=a5a52abd42f0a5a110747a382459aafe 600w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/australia/example-itinerary/auz-sydney-opera-house-solo-easy-going-1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=300&q=80&w=400&s=e69de6117c8afdb26914d6da39a2c3ca 400w)
![Famous for funky street-art: Melbournes popular Laneways](https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/australia/friends/see-and-do/4380-Hidden-Secret-Tours-Melbourne-street-art.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=750&q=80&w=1000&s=a563605a8fa1273e279081d55b83e763 1000w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/australia/friends/see-and-do/4380-Hidden-Secret-Tours-Melbourne-street-art.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=600&q=80&w=800&s=64bad9080b340bf1bf344754c908c417 800w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/australia/friends/see-and-do/4380-Hidden-Secret-Tours-Melbourne-street-art.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=450&q=80&w=600&s=60ac00fa04b7a0537cd459720f0ac1f3 600w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/australia/friends/see-and-do/4380-Hidden-Secret-Tours-Melbourne-street-art.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=300&q=80&w=400&s=66e3484d3c6c58a3e571dfd34a136dba 400w)
![Discover deserted pearly-white sand beaches](https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/australia/family/see-and-do/auz-wilsons-promontory-day-tour-1-family-easy-going.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=750&q=80&w=1000&s=b4335ec9a82832cf6aa8e22b6b9c4538 1000w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/australia/family/see-and-do/auz-wilsons-promontory-day-tour-1-family-easy-going.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=600&q=80&w=800&s=c02e014ccd6d4567c044761c217cf4db 800w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/australia/family/see-and-do/auz-wilsons-promontory-day-tour-1-family-easy-going.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=450&q=80&w=600&s=1406cace5b5b449164e5d246134302b6 600w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/australia/family/see-and-do/auz-wilsons-promontory-day-tour-1-family-easy-going.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=300&q=80&w=400&s=13c1ce3f4afd5ca11eb75841163ad24c 400w)
![Say G’day to a parade of Fairy penguins](https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/australia/example-itinerary/AU075-Phillip-Island_200703_102847.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=750&q=80&w=1000&s=4f68c0fe9fb86ab4695c00871081aad7 1000w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/australia/example-itinerary/AU075-Phillip-Island_200703_102847.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=600&q=80&w=800&s=68a5bb1ad968d382f1836b0b722c840f 800w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/australia/example-itinerary/AU075-Phillip-Island_200703_102847.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=450&q=80&w=600&s=680c54bd91d6a25ef6b11d98dc05225b 600w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/australia/example-itinerary/AU075-Phillip-Island_200703_102847.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=300&q=80&w=400&s=955988c5fd5ec72fc91a97af88da13b0 400w)
![Discover the charms of Mornington Peninsula](https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/australia/general/Mornington-Peninsula-museum-1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=750&q=80&w=1000&s=3791fc5d23377de1c6e13f1461fb95fd 1000w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/australia/general/Mornington-Peninsula-museum-1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=600&q=80&w=800&s=8339bbf3d86d4a8715f2e9bc4d4c92b3 800w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/australia/general/Mornington-Peninsula-museum-1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=450&q=80&w=600&s=dcf7acef210b99005c524eb5c51d25ec 600w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/australia/general/Mornington-Peninsula-museum-1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=300&q=80&w=400&s=95fc6f97889489fa99927a001e1ca2fd 400w)
![Discover one of Australia's most beautiful scenic drives](https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/australia/blog/discover-page/regions/aus-vic-12-apostles-Great-Ocean-Road.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=750&q=80&w=1000&s=b00588374cac72daad639d56329eb3a1 1000w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/australia/blog/discover-page/regions/aus-vic-12-apostles-Great-Ocean-Road.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=600&q=80&w=800&s=161a0e52b87c6b1fafa7cb082691a599 800w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/australia/blog/discover-page/regions/aus-vic-12-apostles-Great-Ocean-Road.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=450&q=80&w=600&s=e236613e1137ba9b00d28f2237bdf91a 600w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/australia/blog/discover-page/regions/aus-vic-12-apostles-Great-Ocean-Road.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=300&q=80&w=400&s=59047cac3d122bac6e7819d135042c74 400w)
![Spot Australia's unique wildlife](https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/australia/solo/length/au-koala-tree-personal-landing-page-solo-length-of-holiday-2.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=750&q=80&w=1000&s=45417967db4c596c3953fc95124ce9c4 1000w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/australia/solo/length/au-koala-tree-personal-landing-page-solo-length-of-holiday-2.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=600&q=80&w=800&s=3008e9c55a4044bd849eeecc315ee156 800w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/australia/solo/length/au-koala-tree-personal-landing-page-solo-length-of-holiday-2.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=450&q=80&w=600&s=2eb3994db9bcf0bb39bec14c57bd6045 600w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/australia/solo/length/au-koala-tree-personal-landing-page-solo-length-of-holiday-2.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=300&q=80&w=400&s=bc32278da18b2e55119fde3335d848b3 400w)
![Say G’day to seals sunbathing on the beach](https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/australia/example-itinerary/aus-sa-Kangaroo_Island_Wilderness_Tours_Seal_Bay_200703_102909.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=750&q=80&w=1000&s=cb57135a039b379fca48cf6128edba41 1000w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/australia/example-itinerary/aus-sa-Kangaroo_Island_Wilderness_Tours_Seal_Bay_200703_102909.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=600&q=80&w=800&s=aa2753bb4dd058af6f105ed59ff329b7 800w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/australia/example-itinerary/aus-sa-Kangaroo_Island_Wilderness_Tours_Seal_Bay_200703_102909.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=450&q=80&w=600&s=e4a0a6451a88c8217552cde80587b886 600w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/australia/example-itinerary/aus-sa-Kangaroo_Island_Wilderness_Tours_Seal_Bay_200703_102909.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=300&q=80&w=400&s=b9916a4f83581e3ae37541ecc12bca21 400w)
![Stroll along the Esplanade](https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/australia/example-itinerary/Glenelg-Adelaide-SA_cTourism-Australia_630117-3_200703_102718.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=750&q=80&w=1000&s=45c48aad8eb84921f70bbf31723c0e39 1000w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/australia/example-itinerary/Glenelg-Adelaide-SA_cTourism-Australia_630117-3_200703_102718.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=600&q=80&w=800&s=e347d0ccec1cb1b61b61e72b7d44ce97 800w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/australia/example-itinerary/Glenelg-Adelaide-SA_cTourism-Australia_630117-3_200703_102718.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=450&q=80&w=600&s=afe93c6e4b090dec25337615f6aca528 600w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/australia/example-itinerary/Glenelg-Adelaide-SA_cTourism-Australia_630117-3_200703_102718.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=300&q=80&w=400&s=617fbdb637a03cca9956a6fa00ef9787 400w)
£4,899 Per person
- 28 nights staying in small-scale accommodations
- Relaxed travel pace with 2-5 nights at each location
- Stay at 9 different locations
- Stay with locals, away from the crowds
- Your holiday is CO2 compensated
- Fully insured compact SUV
- Return economy class flights
- Average distance between each accommodation is 2-4 hours
- Choose from a diverse mix of activities in nature with locals
- We can alter this itinerary to suit your needs and interests
More sample itineraries
Ready for the holiday of a lifetime?
Discover a world beyond ordinary
At TravelEssence, we specialise in crafting custom-made holidays that take you off the beaten path and create memories to last a lifetime. We believe in connecting with the heart and soul of a place, introducing you to the locals who call it home. Engage in conversations with fascinating individuals who will share their stories, traditions, and way of life, leaving an indelible mark on your journey.
Contact us
Questions? Speak to one of our specialists by phone Mon - Sat 0900 until 2100. You can discuss your travel plans in detail where and when it suits you, also in the evenings and on weekends on a no obligation basis.