Roos & Views: The Best of Australia's South

Touch down in Melbourne, a buzzing metropolis combining excellent shopping, a lively foodie and nightlife scene, quirky street art and epic beaches. Pick up your car and set about exploring this colourful city, whether that be St Kilda’s laid-back beach scene and charming cake shops, or hip Fitzroy and Collingwood’s eclectic bars, restaurants and vintage stores. You’ll even embark on a walking tour to discover the city’s iconic lanes and arcades on foot.

4* The Victoria Hotel Melbourne

Drive the scenic Great Ocean Road, taking in rugged coastline views, beaches and mountains as you go. Arrive at Apollo Bay, a seafood village perched on the Great Otway National Park and a great jumping-off point for exploring the surrounding region. Whilst here, don’t miss the majestic 12 Apostles; what better way to view these statuesque limestone rock formations than by soaring above in a helicopter? Our Experts can organise this for you.

4* Apollo Bay Motel & Apartments BW Signature Collection

Continue your journey along the Great Ocean Road to Port Fairy, a quaint fishing village with a fascinating maritime history. Take the family on the Shipwreck Heritage Walk, admire the fortifications on Battery Hill, or do a spot of whale and dolphin-watching from the harbour. You could also meet koalas, emus, kangaroos and waterbirds roaming freely in Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve, which sits inside an extinct volcano formed some 30,000 years ago.

4* The Victoria

You can’t miss this leafy little town, which serves as the gateway to the magnificent Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park, known for its sandstone mountains, abundant wildlife and extensive park trails. There’s ample opportunity for rock climbing here, as well as hiking and wildlife watching. Pay a visit to Brambuk Cultural Centre to learn about the local Indigenous people and check out the numerous Aboriginal rock art sites.

3* Grampians View Cottages & Units

Drop your car off and fly from Melbourne to Launceston, Tasmania – one of Australia’s oldest non-Indigenous settlements. Pick up your new hire car, then explore the town, full of Georgian and Victorian architecture, or head slightly further afield to Cataract Gorge Reserve, complete with scenic hiking trails, gardens and eateries. It’s also the gateway to the Tamar Valley wine region, should you fancy a tipple or two.

4* Hotel Grand Chancellor Launceston

Drive down towards the breathtaking Cradle Mountain, a rugged wilderness of alpine forests, craggy peaks, and glimmering lakes, with the opportunity to spot all manner of wildlife including wallabies, wombats or platypus. You may wish to book a Day Keepers tour of the Devils@Cradle wildlife sanctuary to learn about its conservation work, walk through the breeding facility, and learn about the Tasmanian devil’s day-to-day antics.

4* Cradle Mountain Hotel

Make your way to Strahan on the west coast of Tasmania, a small town and former port surrounded by rainforests, coastline, and the 24-mile-long Ocean Beach. We recommend seeing Australia's longest-running play, The Ship that Never Was, while you're here. Spend a day sun-soaking before climbing to the top of the Cape Sorell Lighthouse for views across the ocean. Enjoy a fresh crayfish lunch down at the harbour, or explore the town and its quirky gift shops. 

4* Strahan Village

Drive to Hobart, a charming sailing port full of life, where you can explore Salamanca Markets, hip music and foodie scenes, and sample beers at the Cascade Brewery. We also recommend a visit to MONA, a cutting-edge art museum where you could enjoy a guided vineyard tour before a spot of wine tasting, all while taking in an incredible collection of contemporary and classic artwork.

4* Mantra One Sandy Bay Road

Fly to Adelaide and pick up your new vehicle before heading into the city to explore. Get to know this foodie destination with a walking tour led by an expert local guide who will show you Adelaide’s food and wine gems. Got some time to spare? We recommend taking the tram to Glenelg beach - just 20 minutes away and perfect for some downtime, relaxing on the white sand. You can even join a tour to swim with wild dolphins.

4* Mantra Hindmarsh Square

Take in the coastal views as you embark on the 90-minute drive from Adelaide to Cape Jervis. Here you'll catch the ferry across to Kangaroo Island, one of the best places to see Aussie wildlife in its natural habitat. Keep your eyes peeled for sea lions, koalas, echidnas, over 260 bird species, and, of course, kangaroos. The landscapes won’t fail to impress either; make sure Remarkable Rocks, Admirals Arch and Stokes Bay are all on your list and don’t miss the opportunity to try some of the delicious local produce too, from fresh oysters and honey to wine, gin, and olive oil. 

4* Mercure Kangaroo Island Lodge

Catch the ferry back to Cape Jervis and, on your return to Adelaide, stop off in McLaren Vale - one of Australia’s most sustainable wine regions set amongst rolling hills. If you like, get your pulse racing with a 4X4 beach tour. Once back in Adelaide, we’d recommend trying the Adelaide Oval RoofClimb experience. Led by an experienced guide, you could find yourself sitting at the top of this iconic stadium, soaking up breathtaking views of the city skyline. Alternatively, head to the famous Barossa wine region for the day, just an hour's drive from the city.

4* Mantra Hindmarsh Square