Make your own way to Mount Hotham on Friday in time for drinks in the lodge at 6:30 pm, followed by dinner prepared by Mick matched with fabulous local wines.

On Saturday we will complete the impressive Cobungra Ditch walk which traces the fascinating early mining history of the mountain and carves its way through Hotham’s lower ranges. Tasty picnic en route. (12 km + 6 km)  In-house dinner prepared by local chef Patrizia Simone.

Our hike on Sunday takes us to a couple of Mount Hotham’s historic cattlemen’s huts. Enjoy stunning views to Mount Feathertop, Mount Buffalo, and beyond with one of our signature picnics en route.  There is no vehicle access to the picnic spot so the guides will carry lunch for you today.  Enjoy another delicious dinner prepared for you by your hosts.   (12 km + 3 km)

The weekend ends after breakfast in the lodge on Monday.

Melbourne to Great Ocean Walk (3-hour drive) + Hike from Apollo Bay to Shelly Beach (9 km)

The tour starts in Melbourne at 9 am where we meet at the Flagstaff Gardens Hotel at 380 William Street in the Central Business District. We drive 3 hrs to Apollo Bay on the Great Ocean Road. After a picnic lunch, we set off on the first hike, following the coast on an easy track out of the town before climbing up into the Otway forests to finish the hike above Shelly Beach. From there we transfer to our Bed & Breakfast accommodation in Apollo Bay where we stay for 2 nights. Dinner this evening in Chris’s Restaurant.

Shelly Beach to Cape Otway (25 km)

Today we hike through towering mountain ash forests before descending to Blanket Bay where we have our picnic lunch. In the afternoon we walk through dry coastal forest with stunning views over Parkers Inlet, we descend and cross the river before climbing up to a clifftop path through manna gums which leads us to Cape Otway. Transfer back to Apollo Bay where we have dinner in a local restaurant.

Cape Otway to Castle Cove (17.7 km)

We depart Apollo Bay after breakfast. Drive to the start of the walk at Cape Otway, see the light station from a viewpoint on the trail and learn about its fascinating history. A sandy track winds through pretty coastal heath passing a secluded pioneer cemetery. If the sea conditions allow, we hike along a wild stretch of Station Beach. We climb up again to a path which winds along the coast before descending to Aire River for our picnic lunch. In the afternoon we hike along small paths above the coast to finish the walk at Castle Cove from where we drive to our accommodation near Moonlight Head. In-house dinner matched to local wines.

Castle Cove to Milanesia Beach (13.6 km)

Breakfast in your cottages. We drive to the start of the walk at Castle Cove.  We enjoy a gentle walk which undulates through coastal heath land with stunning ocean views before descending to Johanna Beach. We walk along the beach to reach our picnic spot. In the afternoon the trail follows the old coach road which gradually climbs away from the coast to where we finish the walk near Milanesia Beach. Transfer back to our accommodation. In-house dinner matched to local wines.

Milanesia Beach to The Gables (20 km)

We drive to the start of the day’s walk at Milanesia Beach. Today’s walk is the most remote of the walks, we ascend and descend for most of the day through woodland and open countryside. Fabulous views along the Shipwreck Coast. Lunch today is a hike-in picnic at Ryan’s Den which is carried by your guides. In the afternoon we continue our hike passing Moonlight Head to finish at The Gables lookout. A short drive takes us back to our accommodation. Dinner in a nearby restaurant.

Wreck Beach to Twelve Apostles (17.8 km)

Depart our accommodation and drive to the start of the hike. We start the day with a hike above Wreck Beach, passing a poignant memorial to one of the major wrecks along this coast. We follow a lovely track which hugs the coast affording fabulous ocean views before arriving at the Gellibrand River where we have our final picnic. This afternoon we have a more leisurely walk along coastal paths to the celebratory finish of our walk overlooking the Twelve Apostles. Transfer to the pretty town of Port Campbell where we stay for one night. Final dinner in Waves restaurant.

Return to Melbourne

We will arrive in Melbourne at the Flagstaff Gardens Hotel at 12:30 pm and then drop off at Tullamarine Airport at 1:30 pm.

You have the option to self-drive to Portland or meet the tour in Ballarat. We meet at Hotel QUEST Ballarat Station, 11 Nolan Street, Ballarat at 8.30 am. There is a good train service from Melbourne, or you could self-drive and enjoy a few days exploring this wonderful gold-rush town before or after the tour. The Quest Ballarat Station hotel has a multi-storey car park adjacent to it. If you are driving to the start of the tour, you can leave your car here. Quest Ballarat Station is a 300-metre walk from the train station. The journey to Portland is approximately 3 hours. For guests driving to Portland, we will meet you at our accommodation – ready to depart for our hike – at 12.30 pm.

From our guesthouse, a short drive takes us to Mount Richmond, known as Benwerrin or “Long Hill” in the Gundidjmara language. After lunch in a lovely shady picnic spot, we enjoy a short walk in the National Park, exploring the coastal forest which sits at the top of this extinct volcano. Grass trees flourish in the volcanic soil and our hike affords far-reaching views over lush farmland all the way to Discovery Bay. After our hike, we return to Portland and check in to our accommodation. The delightful and welcoming Victoria House guesthouse is close to the town centre. European settlement history for the Colony of Victoria began on the shores of Portland Bay with the arrival of Edward Henty in 1834. The city is often referred to as “the birthplace of Victoria.” During our stay, there is time to take a walk to discover many of the heritage-registered buildings, visit the charming museum, and stroll through the Botanical Gardens. After a welcome drink, we head out to a local restaurant for dinner.

(4 km)

Our hike starts from just outside Portland. We leave the bustling port behind and follow the first section of the Great South West Walk as it heads west, hugging the rugged coastline with stunning views from the cliffs. In the distance, we can see the lighthouse marking our destination. The trail meanders along the clifftops, passing through a magical stand of trees aptly named the Enchanted Forest. We duck inland to a sheltered picnic spot amongst the trees, and in the afternoon, the hike continues along the wild west coast of the promontory and leads to Cape Nelson Lighthouse – a welcome beacon to sailors since the late 19th century and the end of our hike today. (12.5 km + 5 km). A short drive takes us back to Portland, where there is time to relax before dinner in a local restaurant.

Our hike today again follows the long-distance trail of the South West Coast Walk. We start overlooking Discovery Bay, looking out at the Blowholes, before passing by the fascinating sandstone rock formations of the petrified forest. Our trail hugs the cliffs, with stunning views of the water below. We often see kangaroos and echidnas on the track and maybe a whale out to sea. We have our picnic lunch overlooking the ocean, and can often see the seal colony of over 600 Australian Fur Seals who lounge on the rocks and frolic in the bay throughout the year. Our trail then descends to exquisite Bridgewater Bay, a tiny settlement overlooking a lovely white-sand beach. We have a short drive back to Portland for our final evening there.

(9.5 km)

We depart Portland after breakfast (self-drive guests will follow in convoy today). Heading north, we stop at Budj Bim UNESCO World Heritage-listed landscape – one of the earliest examples of permanent settlement. We spend the morning with a First Nations tour guide and experience a culture that is over 60,000 years old. We see the remains of Australia’s first freshwater stone aquaculture system and the foundations of early dwellings. After the tour, we enjoy a light lunch featuring local foods prepared by the Budj Bim rangers.

We arrive in the Southern Grampians in the afternoon and check into Mount Sturgeon Homestead, a beautifully restored, historic 1800’s colonial house. The property is set on a working farm, and from the verandah and sitting room, we can enjoy the sweeping views of Wurgarri (Mount Sturgeon). Enjoy an in-house dinner this evening.

Today you can choose to curl up with a good book or just relax on the terrace. For the more energetic, after breakfast a short drive takes us to the base of Mud-dadjug (Mount Abrupt) – our hike for the day. The track climbs steadily up sandstone steps through a mixed forest of stringybarks, grass trees, banksias, and tea-tree before arriving at the ridge leading up to the summit. From here, there are panoramic views over woodland, farmland, the northern ranges of the Grampians, and south to Dunkeld. We descend back to the valley and head back to our Homestead for lunch on the verandah. (8.6 km)

In the afternoon, we join the sommelier from the Royal Mail Hotel to visit their award-winning wine cellar. It houses the largest privately owned collection of Bordeaux and Burgundy in the Southern Hemisphere and holds approximately 28,000 bottles! After the tour, we’ll enjoy a tasting before returning to the Homestead for dinner.

Our final hike starts from the back gate! We cross the creek before following a private track through bushland – with wonderful views to the Homestead and the adjoining farm property – which brings us to the National Park and the start of our climb of Wurgarri (Mount Sturgeon). A steady climb on a rocky trail leads us to the summit with magnificent views, before descending via a different track to our picnic. This is the final section of the new Grampians Peaks Trail which will be launched in early 2021. After lunch, we leave the National Park and follow a pretty trail along the river through the estate’s property to return to our Homestead. (16 km)

Our final dinner is at the celebrated Wickens Restaurant at the Royal Mail. Robin Wickens is an innovative chef, and The Royal Mail is home to Australia’s largest working restaurant kitchen garden. The farm where Mt Sturgeon Homestead is located supplies beef and lamb, which are born and bred for use specifically in the Royal Mail Hotel dining rooms, and further produce is grown and foraged for in surrounding orchards, olive groves, and wild pastures. Our menu is matched to wines from the wonderful cellar we have visited the previous day.

The tour ends after breakfast, and we return to Ballarat for 11 am.

Make your way to Beechworth on Friday and be ready to join us for drinks and dinner at 7:00 pm. This evening is a degustation menu at the award-winning Provenance restaurant, situated in a historic former bank building, and which has been an Age Good Food Guide two chef’s hat restaurant for the last 5 years running.

We meet at 9 am in front of the Visitor Information Centre at 103 Ford Street. A short drive takes us to the Mount Pilot National Park. Today’s hike starts with a visit to the Yeddonba aboriginal heritage site before following wide tracks through ironbark forest to the summit of Mount Pilot. Take in the magnificent views from the top before our picnic lunch. In the afternoon, we continue our hike through the National Park and return to Beechworth by minibus (16 km). Dinner tonight is at the “New” Empire Hotel on the corner of Camp and High Streets.

We meet at 8:30 am and drive to the start of our hike near Woolshed Falls. The hike starts with a short steep climb through the forest to emerge from the trees with spectacular views towards Beechworth and beyond to Mount Buffalo. We follow a wide trail alongside a paddock with open views of the countryside. Alfresco lunch amongst the trees, with a tasting of some renowned Beechworth wines – namely Chardonnay and Nebbiolo. After lunch, we drive to Traviarti winery to meet the winemaker and visit the cellars for a private tasting. (11 km) We return to Beechworth at 4 pm.

We meet you at the Visitor Information Centre in Bright at 10 am. A pretty drive takes us over the Tawonga Gap – with stunning views of Victoria’s highest mountain, Mount Bogong – through Mount Beauty to Falls Creek Alpine Village (2 hrs). After a picnic lunch, we enjoy an easy hike which takes us past the historic Wallaces Hut, built by cattle grazers in 1889. After the hike, we settle into our cosy accommodation before we gather for a welcome drink and a delicious home-cooked dinner in our private lodge, served with award-winning local wines. (10.5 km)

As there is the opportunity for a short walk before we check into the accommodation, please ensure you are in your hiking gear.

After breakfast, we head out onto the Bogong High Plains. We start our hike on the shore of Rocky Valley Dam. The trail climbs gently, with lovely views to the dam and Mount Nelse before heading across the snow plains to a couple of remote huts where we have our picnic which is hiked in for you by your two guides. On a clear day, we can see Mount Kosciuszko, 180 km to the distance. In the afternoon, we follow an easy aqueduct trail which brings us to the end of the hike. Time to relax before pre-dinner drinks and a delicious and well-deserved dinner.

(19 km)

We leave Falls Creek after breakfast and a short drive takes us to the start of our hike. It is a challenging hike with no vehicle access at any point on the route. We start by visiting pretty Cope Hut and then we follow the iconic Falls to Hotham Alpine Crossing trail which takes us across the flower-filled Bogong High Plains with panoramic views to Mount Feathertop and beyond. We descend on a stepped trail to cross the Cobungra River by charming Dibbins Hut where we enjoy our picnic. After lunch, we climb steadily to reach Derricks Hut. From here the gradient eases and we soon arrive at Mount Hotham where our hike ends. A short drive takes us to our accommodation. We stay in a spacious private lodge for the next three nights. Dinner this evening at a lively local restaurant.

(23 km)

Today we have a more leisurely hike which follows the historic Cobungra ditch trail, discovering the fascinating history of this water race. The gradient is gentle and we have wonderful views over the mountains. We enjoy our gourmet picnic near a former gold mine. In the afternoon, we continue our hike on an easy trail to arrive back in Hotham. (12 km + 6 km) Dinner this evening is prepared for you in the lodge by us and the menu is matched to wonderful local wines.

After a delicious breakfast, we drive to the start of our walk near Mount Hotham from where we walk the breathtaking Razorback Ridge climbing steadily towards Mount Feathertop, the second highest mountain in Victoria at 1922 m. Enjoy fabulous unbroken views across the High Country. After our picnic, we descend 1000 m down Bungalow Spur to the town of Harrietville in the valley. (19 km). Final fabulous dinner in Mount Hotham.

After breakfast, we depart Mount Hotham and drive back to Bright for 11:00 am.

We meet you at 8:45 am at the Radisson Hotel on Flagstaff in Melbourne and drive 1 hr 30 mins up the Calder Highway to the start of our hike near Castlemaine. Please ensure you are in your hiking gear, as we start hiking as soon as we arrive.

We set out along the heritage-listed Coliban water channel, a masterpiece of 19th-century engineering, and enjoy wonderful views across lush open farmland with plenty of kangaroos for company. We climb steadily to the summit of Mount Alexander, the highest point on our route at 725 m above sea level. The views from the summit, strewn with boulders of pink granite, are spectacular. We descend through fabulous bushland of manna gums and yellow box to arrive at our picnic spot. After lunch, we climb to a viewpoint known as Ed’s Seat before descending into open farmland. We follow an easy farm track to the end of the hike, and a short drive takes us to Castlemaine. We check into our comfortable accommodation in the centre of town and there is time to settle in before we head out to dinner at a local restaurant.

(12.5 km)

After breakfast, we return to the end of yesterday’s walk to resume our trail. Wide tracks meander through the forest before climbing up to a ridge. As we get nearer to Castlemaine we start to see evidence of the rich gold rush era that left its mark on the region. We pass water races, disused mines, and remnants of housing from this bygone age when Castlemaine was one of the richest goldfields in the world. We picnic by the Garfield water wheel and, in the afternoon, continue through the Castlemaine Diggings Heritage Park to arrive back in town. Dinner in a local restaurant.

(14.2 km)

In the morning, our hike explores more of the extensive gold diggings including once one of the most famous mines in the district at Spring Gully. It is hard to imagine how vibrant this area would have been when thousands of hopeful men headed here to find their fortunes in the late 19th century. We picnic in the heritage town of Fryerstown, once home to an amazing 15,000 people! In the afternoon, we follow easy trails through native forest to arrive at Vaughan Springs, from where we drive back to Castlemaine for our final evening there.

(19.5 km)

After breakfast, we leave Castlemaine and pick up the Goldfield Track once more. We follow gently undulating trails through the bush, passing remnants of the mining industry, including one of the few 1850s alluvial gold diggings not obliterated by later workings – and always keeping an eye out for a gold nugget! After our picnic lunch, we continue through the forest before emerging into farmland where our hike ends. We drive to our charming period private house in Hepburn Springs or Daylesford depending on the departure, which is where we stay for the next 3 nights. Dinner is prepared by your private chef, Mick, showcasing wonderful local produce and served with excellent local wines.

(17.8 km)

After breakfast at our accommodation, we drive to the start of our hike. We follow a quiet dirt road through open farmland before entering the bush. A short climb affords wonderful views of the cone of the region’s best-known volcano, Mount Franklin, which was formed half a million years ago. Our path continues to wind through woodland to emerge at Hepburn Springs in time for our picnic lunch. In the afternoon, there is the opportunity to relax at the historic Hepburn Bathhouse and Spa which draws mineral-rich waters directly from the natural source. Time to explore the lovely town of Daylesford in the afternoon before another delicious home-cooked dinner.

(9 km)

Our final hike is a picturesque walk which follows a lovely gorge alongside beautiful Sailors Creek. We pass some spectacular features with evocative names such as Breakneck Gorge, The Blowhole, and Tipperary Springs. We picnic at tranquil Bryce’s Flat by the creek before the final section of this magnificent walk brings us to the shores of Lake Daylesford. Our final dinner is at the celebrated Lake House in Daylesford – a restaurant with 2 Chefs Hats. An icon in regional dining, this has long been considered one of Australia’s best restaurants, championing local seasonal cuisine long before it became a mantra for many.

(16.6 km)

Return to Melbourne airport for 11 am and Radisson for 11:30 am.