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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. This visit has all the advantages of touring but with the added plus of relaxed three nights on the Mornington Peninsula and a weekend visit staying along the Great Ocean Road.

 

PACKAGE DETAILS
  • Ages:
    40+
  • Duration:
    6 Days
  • Status:
    Bookings open
  • Region:
    AustraliaNZPacific
  • Destinations:
    Australia
  • Travel Style:
    Discovery
  • Accommodation:
    Quality hotels
  • Prices from:
    AUD $3275 with own room
  • Transport:
    Coach, Boat
  • Pace:
    2
  • Max Group Size:
    20
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

  • 5 nights quality accommodation including 3 nights @ Peppers Moonah Links Resort
  • 5 breakfasts
  • 1 group winery lunch including wine tasting
  • 3 group 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 Avalon 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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11-16 OCT 2022
Bookings open
AUD $3275 own room
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PER PERSON AUD$

OWN ROOM

Package

$3275

PRE TOUR: Vibe Melbourne urban room with breakfast.
rate applies: 9 & 10 OCT 2022

$245

POST TOUR: Vibe Melbourne urban room with breakfast
rate applies: 16 OCT 2022

$245

Trip Code: morn22-10

Itinerary

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

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Superb 3 night resort stay @ Peppers Moonah Link, Mornington Peninsula
  • A weekend stay along the Great Ocean Road
  • St Andrews Beach Brewery visit
  • Indulgent visit to Peninsula Hot Springs
  • A winery lunch with tastings, Mornington Peninsula
  • Guided tour of Fort Queenscliff
  • Distillery visit and tastings
  • Quality group dining

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. Not far from Mt Martha, we take in an eagle eye’s view across the peninsula. We take the gondola ride from Arthur’s Seat Eagle to enjoy the sweeping views across the peninsula, to Port Phillip Bay and towards Melbourne’s skyline.

There’s a visit today to 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). After lunch it’s a short transfer to our resort where we check in for the next three nights of stay.

This afternoon, either opt to chill out and enjoy the resort facilities or otherwise join the transfer to nearby Cape Schank Lighthouse Reserve. The reserve includes the heritage listed lighthouse constructed from 1859, a small museum and former lighthouse keeper's residence. There’s time to take the 2.6 kilometre Bushrangers Bay Track, providing some of the best coastal scenery

This evening, we set a meeting time for some pre dinner drinks, followed by a beautiful dinner at Pebbles, the resort’s in house restaurant.

Meals: Dinner

SNAPSHOT – WHAT’S INCLUDED:

  • Bathing boxes photo stop
  • Entry/Ticket Arthur’s Seat Eagle
  • Brewery visit @ St Andrews Beach Brewery with time for lunch
  • Beautiful two course dinner (drinks on your own account)

    FREE TIME EXTRAS:
  • Visit Cape Schank Lighthouse Reserve

DAY 2
Mornington Peninsula 

This morning is all about relaxation and indulgence with a visit to Peninsula Hot Springs; an award winning natural hot springs, day spa and wellness destination. This is no ordinary hot springs, and is a ‘must visit’ for any stay on the Peninsula. We’ve set the morning aside for this experience, as most visitors like to have at least 2.5 to 3 hours to take advantage of this unique destination.

Enjoy a leisurely afternoon back at the resort, or take the option to join the return group transfer to nearby Sorrento, a beautiful and historic village. It’s delightful location by the water makes this one of the peninsula’s favourite spots and there are various ways to pass a few hours including a spot of shopping, meandering the local area or finding a spot to settle in for some lunch.

We arrange a meet up time for pre dinner drinks before our group dinner.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner 

SNAPSHOT – WHAT’S INCLUDED:

  • Peninsula Hot Springs experience including robe, towel and locker hire
  • Beautiful two course dinner (drinks on your own account) 

FREE TIME EXTRAS:

  • Afternoon visit with return transfer to nearby Sorrento

DAY 3
Mornington Peninsula

We set out mid morning to visit 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.

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!

This evening, enjoy the bar and dining offer of our resort

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

SNAPSHOT – WHAT’S INCLUDED:

  • Pt Leo Estate visit
  • Winery visit with leisurely lunch
  • A take home bottle of wine from your winery visit

DAY 4
Mornington Peninsula to Great Ocean Road

This morning we leave our resort for Sorrento, where the ferry departs for Queenscliff, the gateway to The Great Ocean Road.

Queenscliff, is 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 weekend 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:

  • One way ferry crossing Sorrento to Queenscliff
  • Guided tour of Fort Queenscliff
  • Group dinner

DAY 5
Great Ocean Road Discoveries

We journey along The Great Ocean Road enjoy a scenic day out. 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. 

Then, the anticipated stop at the Twelve Apostles, a visit to Loch Ard Gorge and a drive to see the London Bridge on the Great Ocean Road. There will be time for lunch at your own leisure while out today. As the day comes to an end we will back at our group hotel in Lorne with local options for dinner tonight at your leisure.

Meals: Breakfast

SNAPSHOT – WHAT’S INCLUDED:

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

DAY 6
Great Ocean Road - Melbourne (via Geelong)

Enjoy a relaxed breakfast at our hotel and some free time in Lorne. After lunch we return to Melbourne city via Geelong Airport (for anyone connecting with flights ex Avalon Airport) 

Meals: Breakfast

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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 view 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.

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 Lorne for Melbourne City via Avalon Airport. There is the option to disembark at the airport for an onward flight.  The scheduled arrival time to the airport is by 2:30PM. 

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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