Tastes of Southern Australia

The Tastes of Southern Australia 11-day journey brings together gourmet cuisine, cool-climate wines, Indigenous culture, and wild coastal landscapes between Sydney and Adelaide. Operated by AAT Kings, this curated route immerses travelers in Australia's rich heritage and diverse eco-regions.

Detailed Day-by-Day Itinerary Day 1: Sydney to Canberra & Country Hospitality

Depart Sydney for Southern New South Wales, taking in the rolling countryside. Stop at Gold Creek Station for a "Be My Guest" barbecue lunch hosted by local sheep farmers, accompanied by a sheep-shearing demonstration. Continue into Canberra, Australia's capital, to explore the historic grounds surrounding Parliament House.

Day 2: Canberra Vistas & Gold Rush Heritage to Wangaratta

Ascend Mt. Ainslie for sweeping 360-degree views over Canberra's planned urban grid. Journey across the Murray River into Victoria's High Country to explore the 1850s gold rush town of Beechworth. Chat with the publican at a local historic pub over afternoon tea before continuing to Wangaratta.

Day 3: Wangaratta to Melbourne Cultural Immersion

Travel south through Glenrowan, famous for bushranger Ned Kelly's last stand. Arrive in Melbourne for an orientation tour before embarking on a guided walkthrough of the Koorie Heritage Trust, exploring First Peoples art, heritage, and stories along the Yarra River.

Day 4: Independent Melbourne & Optional Excursions

Enjoy a day at leisure in Melbourne. Explore famous hidden laneways, coffee artisans, and boutique shops, or select from optional excursions including the Melbourne Skydeck, a historic Puffing Billy steam train ride through the Dandenong Ranges, or an evening tour to watch the Little Penguins at Phillip Island.

Day 5: Great Ocean Road & Coastal Wonders

Set out along the iconic Great Ocean Road. Pass seaside fishing towns like Apollo Bay before reaching the soaring limestone pillars of the Twelve Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge, and London Bridge before settling in Warrnambool for the evening.

Day 6: Budj Bim World Heritage Site & Naracoorte Caves

Visit the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Budj Bim Cultural Landscape at Tae Rak (Lake Condah) alongside a local Indigenous Specialist to learn about ancient Gunditjmara eel aquaculture systems. Cross into South Australia to see the vibrant Blue Lake in Mount Gambier, sample cool-climate wines in the Coonawarra wine region, and explore stalactite formations inside Alexandra Cave at Naracoorte.

Day 7–8: Fleurieu Peninsula & Kangaroo Island Wilderness

Cross the Murray River, travel through the Fleurieu Peninsula, and take the ferry to Kangaroo Island. Spend two days discovering the island’s pristine coastline and native animals. Spot Australian sea lions at Seal Bay Conservation Park, gaze over the sculpted granite monoliths at Remarkable Rocks, and walk to the natural stone archway at Admirals Arch.

Day 9–11: Historic Hahndorf, Barossa Valley & Adelaide

Ferry back to the mainland and travel to Adelaide. Visit the historic 1839 German settlement of Hahndorf in the Adelaide Hills, sample world-renowned shiraz in the Barossa Valley, and end the journey on Day 11 following a farewell breakfast in central Adelaide.