Kathleen Vieweg
Sample Itinerary
Day 1
ARRIVE MELBOURNE
On arrival into Melbourne, meet your representative in the arrivals hall and transfer to your hotel, the Park Hyatt Melbourne. Conveniently situated in one of Melbourne’s most historic areas, Park Hyatt is at the top of Collins Street, opposite St Patrick’s Cathedral and bordered by the delightful Fitzroy Gardens.
Meet your guide in the hotel lobby and commence your private Arcades & Alleyways walking tour through the heart of ‘Marvellous Melbourne’. This insiders look at Melbourne has been created by Kenneth Park, a museum and art curator by profession, who is a widely travelled and sought-after speaker and lecturer. This tour will be conducted by either Kenneth himself or a very knowledgeable historian recommended by Kenneth.
Your journey starts with a ride on one of Melbourne’s iconic and much-loved trams (trolley cars). Your guide will lead you through the city’s fascinating labyrinth of atmospheric arcades and alleyways. You will discover lanes filled with trendy cafes and eclectic boutiques, not to mention some ‘out there’ graffiti street art! Of course you will have plenty of time along on the way to admire landmark buildings like the Block Arcade with its dazzlingly high Victorian interior decoration or some truly grand 19th century commercial buildings like the Gothic Bank. You will see the hand of progress as you encounter buildings that have been renewed and transformed like old General Post Office. The Arcades and Alleyways tour is a wonderful way to discover Melbourne’s architectural and cultural heritage.
Overnight Park Hyatt
Day 2
MELBOURNE – KEEYUGA FARM TOUR
Meet your driver in the hotel lobby and commence your full-day private tour to Keeyuga Farm. Travel by private vehicle an hour and a half out of the city to rural Victoria, where you will be welcomed into the home of the Thomson family. Learn a little of what it is like to be an Aussie family ‘living off the land’ on Keeyuga Farm.
Keeyuga is the Aboriginal word for “High Places”. It is in these Glenaroua Hills of Victoria that the Thomson family runs a sustainable farm producing fine Merino wool, Angus beef and high quality olive oil. They are committed to improving the environment, and over the years have planted over 250,000 native trees, fenced off vulnerable areas to rehabilitate them and created wildlife corridors where native flora and fauna can thrive.
On arrival, you will be met by your host, and visit the wool sheds and stock yards for a shearing demonstration. Leaving the shearing sheds you will travel to a secret charming location to enjoy a lunch featuring local organic farm produce and local wines. Depending on the weather, lunch might be in an historical cattleman’s hut or under a shady tree near the river. Following lunch there will be an opportunity to further explore the property, taking in the native flora and fauna and perhaps catching sight of a mob of kangaroos.
Overnight Park Hyatt
Day 3
GREAT OCEAN ROAD AND SCENIC FLIGHT
Meet your driver/guide and commence your full day private tour of the greater Melbourne area. Get an insight into Australian surfing culture at Bells Beach, with rugged cliffs and big waves – a relaxing one and a half hour drive from Melbourne.
Visit and learn about the historic Split Point Lighthouse, located in the town of Aireys Inlet. This beacon of light is credited with saving hundreds of ships and thousands of lives along Australia’s treacherous ‘shipwreck coast’. Soak up the atmosphere of Victoria’s premier holiday town, Lorne, with freshly roasted coffee, delectable pastries and spectacular beach views. Visit the wild Koalas of Kennett River and get acquainted with some of Australia’s most colorful birds.
Marvel at the cliff-hugging road between Lorne and Apollo Bay. It’s one of the most spectacular in the world. This magnificent stretch of road is home to monstrous cliffs, roaring seas, tranquil coves, fern gullies and secluded beaches.
Climb aboard your light aircraft and take one of the world’s truly great scenic flights. For the rest of the road you’ll be flying high. Enjoy breathtaking aerial views of the 12 Apostles, Moonlight Head, The Cape Otway Light station, Gibson’s Steps and Loch Ard Gorge before a gentle touch down back in Apollo Bay. Your journey back to Melbourne is a relaxing drive that will take you through the majestic Otway Ranges.
Overnight Park Hyatt
Day 4
MELBOURNE TO TASMANIA
Transfer to the airport for your ongoing flight to Tasmania.
On arrival at Hobart meet your chauffeur at the luggage carousel and transfer to Peppers Seaport Hotel. Located where the North and South Esk Rivers meet to become the Tamar River, the hotel takes its character from the thriving waterfront location. Built in the shape of a ship on the site of an old dry dock, Peppers Seaport Hotel’s stylish, contemporary design has a distinctly nautical feel, accentuated by the extensive use of natural timbers and muted ocean tones. Most of the hotel’s 60 deluxe rooms and suites have views overlooking the Seaport marina or the historic town, with views to the mountains beyond. All suites have balconies.
Overnight Peppers Seaport Hotel
Day 5
TASMANIA UNCOVERED
Meet your driver/guide in the hotel lobby and depart on your private afternoon/evening tour. Discover the wilderness, wildlife and tastes of Tasmania.
Visit Ben Lomond, a spectacular mountain of dolerite columns and scree slopes and home to eight of the twenty highest peaks in Tasmania. Awesome views and a magnificent array of alpine vegetation are on offer. The park plays an invaluable role in regional wildlife conservation. Ben Lomond is the highest drivable point in Tasmania.
Dinner is a four-course campfire Tasmanian bush tucker affair consisting of Tasmanian cheese platter with Tasmanian smoked chicken, salmon and wallaby mountain burgers. Settle back and relax with a Tassie beer or wine, and watch the sun set to experience one of the best after dark shows on offer.
Be amazed by a nocturnal encounter with some of Tasmania’s unique and endearing wildlife species: Eastern quolls, pademelons and Bennett’s wallabies, wombats and brush tail possums all within reach. Owls, bandicoots, & tawny frogmouths are some of the other local residents.
Overnight Peppers Seaport Hotel
Day 6 - 7
TASMANIA’S EAST COAST
Saffire is a luxury coastal sanctuary on Tasmania’s East Coast, capturing the essence of this unique region and connecting with its environment to generate an authentic, enriching, rejuvenating and uplifting experience. Distinct in its design, exclusive in its features and set apart by its approach to tailored, one-on-one experiences and service, Saffire’s approach is not constrained by traditional five-star ratings and standards, but instead sets a bold new direction for holidays and accommodation in Australia.
Enjoy days at your leisure to participate in Lodge activities, or to simply relax and enjoy your spectacular surrounds.
Saffire experiences may include:
- A 1.5-hour quad bike interpretive adventure tour guided through the Freycinet National Park to the crystal white sands of southern Friendly Beaches.
- Snorkeling over hundreds of Freycinet sea rays.
- Join the culinary team for a morning foraging experience from native forest foraging to our dealings with local suppliers.
- Get in touch with your inner child! Experience the fun and freedom of learning the art of flying a stunt kite.
- Join a world-class chef to learn the methods behind some innovative and award-winning culinary delights.
- Venture out on mountain bikes to the site of the original tin mines and the location of the odd precious stone.
- Explore the Coles Bay waterfront or walk over the saddle to Wineglass Bay, with experienced and knowledgeable guides who will lead you on an historic and interpretive experience.
- Comb Muir’s Beach on an educational journey to the unique sea life of the Freycinet National Park.
- Learn to sail a dinghy and fish for local flathead using a handline, or even try your hand at beach sailing.
- A gourmet picnic hamper for two can be enjoyed as you absorb the atmosphere of a quiet, relatively untouched paradise.
- Take some time out and relax in the comfort of our hammocks with a good book.
- Star gazing and campfire story-telling.
Rates include all meals including breakfast, lunch, dinner, Complimentary mini bar and selected deluxe beverages, Saffire activities and a complimentary 60 minute spa treatment per suite.
Overnight Saffire Lodge
Day 8
TASMANIA – ART INSIDE AND OUT
Enjoy a ferry ride to the Museum of Old and New Art.
The Museum of Old and New Art (MONA) is an art museum located within the Moorilla winery on the Berriedale peninsula in Hobart, Tasmania, Australia. It is the largest privately funded museum in Australia. The museum presents antiquities, modern and contemporary art from the David Walsh collection. Walsh has described the museum as a “subversive adult Disneyland.”
After your visit, transfer to the Henry Jones Art Hotel, Australia’s first and only dedicated Art Hotel. Standing on Hobart’s waterfront where Europeans first stepped ashore 200 years age, a row of historic warehouses dating from the 1820’s and a former Jam factory have been transformed into an enthralling first-class hotel showcasing the work of Tasmanian’s finest visual and performing artists. The hotel is located in the perfect position to explore Hobart and sample the island’s fine cuisine and world-class wines in this unique temperate climate.
Overnight Henry Jones Art Hotel
Day 9
PRIVATE HUON EXPLORER AND PEPPERMINT CRUISE
Meet your driver/guide in the hotel lobby and depart on your full day private Huon Valley tour. We drive the short distance to Sullivans Cove in Hobart to meet your luxurious 23-meter catamaran for your journey to Peppermint Bay. Traveling along the stunning d’Entrecasteaux Channel and Derwent River, keep on the lookout for dolphins and seals. The area is teaming with birdlife as well. Sit back and enjoy as you travel the pristine and calm waters.
On arrival at Peppermint Bay you will be treated to a magnificent lunch of local produce. Afterwards your private guide will meet you for the picturesque drive through the Huon Valley towards Tahune. Arriving at the spectacular Tahune Forest Airwalk, walk high above and through the treetops some 20 meters above the forest floor.
Afterwards rejoin your vehicle for the drive back to Hobart along the banks of the Huon River. Time permitting you may like to stop at one of the local villages. You will arrive back in Hobart at around 6pm.
Overnight Henry Jones Art Hotel
Day 10
Departure
Meet your chauffeur in the hotel lobby and transfer by private vehicle to Hobart Airport for your onward flight.
