seniors day trips melbourne

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The best melbourne activities for seniors and over 50s (updated may 2024).

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River Gardens Melbourne Sightseeing Cruise

Cruise up Melbourne's famous Yarra River and enjoy the sights of Melbourne's scenic gardens, parklands and famous sporting arenas. This one-hour sightseeing cruise is a... Read More

Highlights of Melbourne Cruise

Cruise the Yarra River and admire Melbourne's spectacular skyline on a two hour narrated city cruise. Your cruise includes both the down and up river... Read More

Shrine of Remembrance Cultural Guided Tour in Melbourne

Delve deeper into the Shrine by joining a 45-minute tour, led by an expert guide. Discover the fascinating history of this monument born by grief... Read More

Complete Melbourne Walking Tour

Join our tour guides for a walk through Australia’s culture capital and learn what makes this city great and so much more. When you arrive,... Read More

Melbourne Walking Tour: Uncover Hidden Laneway Bars

Join a local guide and discover 4 hidden bars in 3 hours. Get access to drink specials available only for our groups. Meet local bartenders and bar... Read More

Afternoon in Melbourne: Booze and History Tour

Forgot history textbooks and boring guidebooks, we’ll undercover the real characters and hidden history of Melbourne /Naarm (alongside a hidden bar or two!) that have... Read More

Hidden Bars & Laneway Legends Of Melbourne

Experience the best of the City in three hours: our famous laneways, our coolest bars and our fascinating history. Why do three different tours, when... Read More

Melbourne Street Art Tour

Melbourne Street Art Tours showcase the best of Melbourne's laneways and street art. As the tours are run entirely by street artists, they offer an... Read More

Melbourne Bites and Sights with Skydeck Entrance

Melbourne has so much to offer, it can’t be fully experienced in just three hours — but that won’t stop us from trying! Start at... Read More

Melbourne Dumpling Walking Tour

Discover the best dumplings in Melbourne’s Chinatown on a walking tour with an expert guide. Sample a variety of delicious dumplings at four different restaurants... Read More

Fitzroy Street Art Tour

Learn all about the stories behind the artists and explore the bustling urban hub of Fitzroy and Collingwood, Melbourne's most colourful suburbs on a guided street... Read More

Fitzroy True Crime Walking Tour

Join us on a 2 hour walking tour as we explore the streets of Fitzroy's old crime district and get to know the colourful characters... Read More

Melbourne Foodie Discovery Walking Tour

Melbourne is a mecca for food with an eating culture bordering on the obsessive. But many of these best places are hidden from first sight... Read More

Melbourne Lanes & Arcades Chocolate and Dessert Walking Tour

This walking tour is our premium experience for food lovers and sweet tooths alike. A delicious opportunity to uncover some of the finest couverture chocolate... Read More

Queen Victoria Market Ultimate Foodie Tour

A delicious and fascinating guided walking tour of the iconic Queen Victoria Market. Taste the freshest produce, discover unique ingredients, learn tips and tricks for... Read More

Multicultural Food Tour in Melbourne Markets

Discover Melbourne's multicultural heritage with your taste buds on a walking food tour that takes you where the city’s real culture thrives. Ride the tram... Read More

Perfect Beer Lovers' Guide in Melbourne: Beer Tastings at 3 Venues

Discover new beers and some of the best local breweries on this insider’s guide to Melbourne’s craft beer scene.... Read More

MCG Tour & Australian Sports Museum

Experience the tradition and heritage of the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground. Explore the inner sanctum of the MCG, walk on the hallowed arena and experience... Read More

Foodies Bucket List - Walking Tour

Think you’re a foodie? Do your travel plans lead to your best gourmand adventures?   Are you torn by delicious culinary choices?   If your answers... Read More

2-Day Great Ocean Road and Grampians Tour Roundtrip from Melbourne

Join this brilliant 2 day tour from Melbourne showcasing all the incredible highlights of the Great Ocean Road and Grampians. Travel the heritage listed Great... Read More

Small Group - 12 Apostles, Otways & Great Ocean Road Day Tour from Melbourne

Our small group (8 guests max) will depart Melbourne and head straight to the famous 12 Apostles before the masses of people arrive. Here we... Read More

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Accessibility

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• May 11, 2024

Compliance status

Screen-reader and keyboard navigation.

• Screen-reader optimization: we run a background process that learns the website’s components from top to bottom, to ensure ongoing compliance even when updating the website. In this process, we provide screen-readers with meaningful data using the ARIA set of attributes. For example, we provide accurate form labels; descriptions for actionable icons (social media icons, search icons, cart icons, etc.); validation guidance for form inputs; element roles such as buttons, menus, modal dialogues (popups), and others. Additionally, the background process scans all of the website’s images and provides an accurate and meaningful image-object-recognition-based description as an ALT (alternate text) tag for images that are not described. It will also extract texts that are embedded within the image, using an OCR (optical character recognition) technology. To turn on screen-reader adjustments at any time, users need only to press the Alt+1 keyboard combination. Screen-reader users also get automatic announcements to turn the Screen-reader mode on as soon as they enter the website.These adjustments are compatible with all popular screen readers, including JAWS and NVDA.
• Keyboard navigation optimization: The background process also adjusts the website’s HTML, and adds various behaviors using JavaScript code to make the website operable by the keyboard. This includes the ability to navigate the website using the Tab and Shift+Tab keys, operate dropdowns with the arrow keys, close them with Esc, trigger buttons and links using the Enter key, navigate between radio and checkbox elements using the arrow keys, and fill them in with the Spacebar or Enter key.Additionally, keyboard users will find quick-navigation and content-skip menus, available at any time by clicking Alt+1, or as the first elements of the site while navigating with the keyboard. The background process also handles triggered popups by moving the keyboard focus towards them as soon as they appear, and not allow the focus drift outside of it.Users can also use shortcuts such as “M” (menus), “H” (headings), “F” (forms), “B” (buttons), and “G” (graphics) to jump to specific elements.

Disability profiles supported in our website

• Epilepsy Safe Mode: this profile enables people with epilepsy to use the website safely by eliminating the risk of seizures that result from flashing or blinking animations and risky color combinations.
• Visually Impaired Mode: this mode adjusts the website for the convenience of users with visual impairments such as Degrading Eyesight, Tunnel Vision, Cataract, Glaucoma, and others.
• Cognitive Disability Mode: this mode provides different assistive options to help users with cognitive impairments such as Dyslexia, Autism, CVA, and others, to focus on the essential elements of the website more easily.
• ADHD Friendly Mode: this mode helps users with ADHD and Neurodevelopmental disorders to read, browse, and focus on the main website elements more easily while significantly reducing distractions.
• Blindness Mode: this mode configures the website to be compatible with screen-readers such as JAWS, NVDA, VoiceOver, and TalkBack. A screen-reader is software for blind users that is installed on a computer and smartphone, and websites must be compatible with it.
• Keyboard Navigation Profile (Motor-Impaired): this profile enables motor-impaired persons to operate the website using the keyboard Tab, Shift+Tab, and the Enter keys. Users can also use shortcuts such as “M” (menus), “H” (headings), “F” (forms), “B” (buttons), and “G” (graphics) to jump to specific elements.

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• Cognitive disorders – we utilize a search engine that is linked to Wikipedia and Wiktionary, allowing people with cognitive disorders to decipher meanings of phrases, initials, slang, and others.
• Additional functions – we provide users the option to change cursor color and size, use a printing mode, enable a virtual keyboard, and many other functions.

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OVER 50s ONE DAY TOURS

Join us, as we embark on another one of our memorable & enjoyable Day Tours! Whether you book on as an individual, or with friends you know you’ll be in good company – as we promote an inclusive environment; one of friendship, fun, and fellowship.

Our all-inclusive tours focus on providing you an engaging and memorable day out, whilst still allowing you time to relax & unwind, and be back home at a reasonable hour (5pm).

If you have a group of 10 or more people, talk to us about arranging a PRIVATE TOUR, just for you and your group!

The Pelican Post

Our Pelican Post is our monthly newsletter that we send out. In it, we showcases most of our upcoming Melbourne Day & Theatre bus tours for seniors, as well as some Short Stay tours we have on offer! We encourage you to sign up for our Pelican Post so that you stay up to date with all the great tours we have on offer. You can view this months edition by clicking below!

PICKUP INFORMATION

Not every location is available for every tour – check your Tour Details for your Pickup Location. PUBLIC TOURS – Our Main Pickups Points are OFFICER/PAKENHAM AND BERWICK  PRIVATE TOURS – Most Times, we allow YOU to choose your Pickup  Location

 OUR DAY TOURS & MATINEE SHOWS

If you need help making a booking our seniors bus tours, please dont hesitate to contact our office on 5941 8800 Otherwise, you are welcome to make a booking anytime, in your own time, online below

WE CAN’T WAIT TO SEE YOU ON ANOTHER MEMORABLE TOUR LOCAL DAY TOUR!

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Explore all that Melbourne has to offer retirees

Retired and looking for things to do in Melbourne? Want free or low-cost activities that are close to public transport? Insider tips on accessibility?

I’m exploring Melbourne with my retired parents, and together we’re curating a master list of inspiring things to do for and with oldies in Melbourne.

Read our reviews of the best activities, events, food and travel experiences across Melbourne for seniors and over 60s! 

A Journey of Migration, Identity and Joy at Melbourne’s Immigration Museum

Olde-World Rare and Old Books at Kay Craddock Antiquarian Bookshop

Using Your Seniors Myki and Navigating Public Transport in Melbourne (2024)

Pleasant Riverside Bar and Dining at Riverland Bar in Federation Square

Unexpected Finds on a State Library of Victoria Free Walking Tour

Soak Up Melbourne’s Spirit At The Art & Heritage City Collection

Stalactites & Souvlakis: Greek Delights in Melbourne CBD

31 Best Gluten-Free Melbourne CBD Lunch Spots 2024

Fitzroy Gardens Melbourne: Blending Nature & History in the Heart of the City

Melbourne Athenaeum Library: Find History & Literary Treasures

Old Treasury Building Melbourne: Step Back in Time for Free

Melbourne’s Indigenous Heart: Koorie Heritage Trust Walk, Gallery and Shop

Ballet For Seniors in Melbourne: Join The Flock Of Senior Swans

Mabu Mabu: Biggest Thank You For A Dining Experience Like No Other

Grand Organ Classical Music In A Historic Melbourne Church

Josh Muir, Powerful Aboriginal Art Exhibition On Now

City Circle Tram: A Free Journey Through Melbourne’s CBD

13 Free Walking Tours of Melbourne Attractions

Melbourne Botanic Gardens: 94 Acres Of Tranquil Bloomin’ Beauty

St Paul’s Cathedral Melbourne: Victoria’s Most Visited Sacred Site

Visit Melbourne Town Hall on a Free Guided Tour

Experience Artistic Brilliance at NGV International

Explore Melbourne Museum’s Timeless Collections

Deeply Moving Steve McCurry ICONS Exhibition

Breathtaking BBC Earth Experience in Melbourne

Get Your Toes Tapping at Newport Jazz Festival 2024

Melbourne’s Royal Exhibition Building Dome Promenade Tour

Transit Rooftop Bar at Federation Square

The Explorer – A Melbourne Botanical Gardens Tour By Minibus

Visiting the Shrine of Remembrance, Melbourne

15 Best Discounts Using Your Seniors Card: Melbourne Attractions

Melbourne Musicals 2024: It’s Showtime

Melbourne Winery, Shadowfax Wines: Elegance and Flavour

13 Art Galleries Melbourne Folk Must Visit

10 Melbourne Sunday Markets To Explore This Weekend

Victorian Seniors Festival 2024 – Everything You Need To Know

ACMI Presents Melbourne’s Fascinating Story of the Moving Image

Chocolate Buddha: Senior-Friendly Dining At Federation Square

11 Melbourne Gardens For A Tranquil City Escape

Joke of the day.

Deals of the Week   Solo is the new black   Up to 50% OFF

Victoria Tours for Seniors

Explore Victoria with other Seniors. These 12 tours include popular destinations like Melbourne and Grampians National Park.

12 trips for 'over 50s' in Victoria with 61 reviews

Great Ocean Road & Grampians Adventure

I have just filled in the review for Inspiration I am confused about which company organised it we have Intrepid., Inspiration and Tour Radar. I found the organisation poor and the amount of detail given to passengers lacking and confusing as other passengers had different details at times eg. the number of breakfasts some had 3 others had 5. The tour guide was not given enough details as he often had to ring the office for clarification eg. which motel we were booked into. We were not informed of the starting point and I had to ring to find out and then it was very vague eg told The Melbourne GAllery but we went there and it was closed so looked up the street to find the bus in a gutter with the doors open so assumed it was the one. The guide was excellent and deserves a pat on the back for his patience when he was not informed of details of motels or meal arrangements. We saw a great deal of very interesting views and places. Well worth the upsets and confusion .but very hesitant to use your company again due to lack of organisation .

• Coach / Bus
• Hiking & Trekking

3 Day Melbourne to Adelaide Overland (One Way)

I thoroughly enjoyed the tour. The small numbers meant we got to know each other. Darren set a tone of friendliness and communication so very quickly we became a group, helped by his willingness to participate in all we did. It was very efficiently organized - pick-up on time, food provided where needed, suggested eateries when required. I loved our visits to natural environments - the rain forest - the Ocean Rd beaches - the climb up the Pinnacles at Hall's Gap - tough for a 75 year old but manageable. It will remain one of my best experiences. Thank you

• Sightseeing

3 Day Adelaide to Melbourne Overland (One-Way)

Exciting varied trip. Thanks Jado!

South Australia, Melbourne & the Great Ocean Road

• Christmas & New Year

Melbourne to Kangaroo Island Adventure

• Mountain Hikes

3 Day Great Ocean Road & Grampians Loop

Jim is a perfect guide! We leave from Melbourne at 7 am and after that moment he started to explain a lot of interesting information about the area, the history of the place and was perfect to find the perfect spot to see koalas and cangaroos! We made the right choice!!!

Hike the Great Ocean Walk

Walk Victoria's High Country

Walk the Grampians Peaks Trail

• Ocean Cruise

Iconic Rockies and Western Canada (Base, With 7 Days Cruise, 20 Days)

• €100 deposit on some dates Some departure dates offer you the chance to book this tour with a lower deposit.

• In-depth Cultural

Melbourne to Adelaide Tour 3 DAYS

The scenery was spectacular. Guy was a fantastic guide, not only was he knowledgeable about the locations we visited, he was kind and considerate to the variety of people on the tour.

Great Ocean Road and Grampians 3 DAYS

The trip was really excelent . The guid was very good and kindly. I would like to have a map of the places we travvelled .

Destination: Australia

Small group tour of Australia

For Odyssey, our limited collection of Australia small group tours for seniors with a tour leader, provides a platform for you to safely and conveniently discover Australia on a small group coach tour, typically with a relaxed adaptable group of just 12 participants (Maximum 15 travellers). This type of authentic Australian holiday package is primarily for the senior traveler exploring as a couple or solo traveler and is offered with an excellent tour manager to a small group by this tour company since 1983. Odyssey has sought to capture those unique holiday packages Australia seeks to present in its escorted tours Australia 2022 portfolio, across a collection of some 30 small group tours. This travel package range for mature travellers of Australian tours are often guaranteed.

Our Destinations

New south wales 3 tours.

Northern Territory 1 tours

Queensland 2 tours

South Australia 2 tours

Tasmania 13 tours

Victoria 2 tours

Western Australia 2 tours

Specialised Tours

Explore Australia from a different perspective with a tour operator offering smaller group since 1983.

Australian Air tours

All Australian Tours

Crafted Tours for Mature World Travellers

Wildflowers tour of Western Australia

Visiting Western Australia

Escorted small group tour for senior and mature travellers as a couple of solo traveller. Upto 12 people of WA's Wildflower regions including Esperance and the Fitzgerald river National park. Local guides and program leader share knowledge about this fascinating region whilst in bloom.

From A$12,250 AUD

Long tour of Australia for a small group

Visiting New South Wales, Northern Territory

Small group tour for senior couples and solo travellers touring Australia. Travelling through the outback and visiting many of the famous sights as well as off the beaten track locations. Learn about the history of the people who explored the deserts, from indigenous communities to Europeans, as well as Burke and Wills , visit White Cliffs , Marree and far north Kakadu and the Kimberley.

From A$45,910 AUD

Small group tour; Broken Hill and back

Visiting New South Wales, Queensland

Small group tour of New South Wales, Queensland & South Australia deserts, from Broken Hill. Learn about the history of the people who explored the deserts, from indigenous communities to Europeans, as well as Burke and Wills, visit White Cliffs, Birdsville, Maree.

From A$11,550 AUD

Small group tour of Flinders Island

Visiting Tasmania

Explore and learn about Flinders Island on an escorted small group tour for mature and senior travellers who enjoy a walking holiday . For couples or solo travellers . We also explore Cradle Mountain and Launceston .

From A$6,950 AUD

Discovering Tasmania’s Wildlife

Small group tour of up to 15 mature and seniors travellers visiting and learning about Tasmania's wildlife and history. Visit Maria Island, Freycinet peninsula , Cradle Mountain , Strahan , Lake St Clair and Bruny Island over 16 days.

From A$11,450 AUD

The Darling River Run small group tour

Visiting New South Wales, Victoria

Small group tour for the mature and senior traveller of the Darling River. Learn about the history, culture and landscapes of the Darling, a key part of the Australian river system including Aboriginal trading routes and aquaculture . Suitable for mature and senior couples or solo travellers.

From A$10,750 AUD

Aboriginal history in Tasmania |Summer School in Launceston

Aboriginal Tasmania explores the deep history through to the contemporary period today. Colonial settlement is explored and the program is supplemented wit field trips.

For mature couples or solo travellers there are Sydney tour packages that start and end in this city, but we do so much more than that. You can travel with us on an outback tour of Australia that takes you as far north as Cape York and as far west as Broome . Contact us for more details about our small group Australia tour package dates for guaranteed departures . Although many of the programs are outback tours of Australia for seniors, we don’t neglect the coastal areas and the cities.

Odyssey’s collection of Australia tour packages with a tour manager enable you to explore each state with Odyssey’s escorted tours Australia 2022 portfolio as a city based tour or a Australia holidays package into the Western Australia outback of the Kimberley or South Australia‘s Flinders range or just spend a week on holiday in Hobart learning about a range of subjects on Odyssey’s Summer Schools tour package. This collection of some 70 scheduled small group holiday departures provides plenty of choice for an Australian holiday. These are holidays for solo travellers over 60 Australia or couples.You can make your booking direct for your Australia escorted tour with us or via your travel agent or travel consultant.

Tasmania Summer Schools

Convicts and Emigrants in Early Tasmania | Summer School in Hobart, Tasmania

The course focuses on Tasmania and its similarities and differences from the ‘mainland’ as a convict colony, with a particular focus on women's experiences.

The Great Philosophers and Us | Summer School course

This course takes you back to the birthplace of western philosophy and the basis for our inner growth as individuals, as communities and a civilisation that continues to question its values and our very being ever since. Our small group will explore these origins of thought , the masterpieces of literature and drama that reach far beyond their initial time and place and let them speak again to us today.

Tasmanian Colonial homes, centring on Hobart and Launceston | Summer School in Hobart, Tasmania

Summer School tour that examines the Historic homes and the history of their occupiers.

Tasmanian Wilderness | Summer School in Hobart, Tasmania

The Tasmania Wilderness summer school is held annually in Hobart in early January. This summer school allows you to experience the great western wilderness of Tasmania, while staying at a comfortable ‘base camp’ in a Hobart hotel!

Houses and Gardens of Southern Tasmania | Summer School in Hobart, Tasmania

Houses and gardens of Southern Tasmania runs for five days and takes in ten different gardens and three heritage-listed houses. We will step back into the past and experience life as it was two centuries ago.

Italian Renaissance | Summer School course

This Summer school course looks at the influence and contribution five key families in shaping today's Italy. In the 15th and 16th centuries the principalities that became Italy were alive with new ideas. The boundaries of art, architecture, music, science, politics, religion and literature were pushed. It was also riven by bitter rivalry and even open warfare between the numerous independent city states.

Romans settling Britain & Gaul | Summer School course

This course will investigate contemporary accounts of Roman of the path to occupation and then settlement in Britain and Gaul. This class will endeavour to consider and discuss the contribution Rome and the Romans had on the places controlled by these invaders.

Uncovering Ancient Greece | Summer School course

The Glory of Greece course examines the history of the Ancient Greeks from Mycenaean, Minoan and Homeric times until the commencement of the Peloponnesian War in 431BC. We discover the development of a classical, ancient people and culture.

Extraordinary Women from Medieval and Renaissance Europe | Summer School course

This Summer school course will examine the life and deeds of a number of strong women living in Medieval and Renaissance Europe. Women seldom wrote the history books in the period between 1050 and 1650.

Victorian Britain | Summer School course

This course will look at the life and times of Queen Victoria who reigned over the British Empire between 1837 and 1901. During that period Britain underwent what amounted to a revolution in industry, agriculture, transport, politics, science, medicine and the arts.

Some Articles about Australia

Iconic Animals of the Australian Outback

Explore the wildlife and natural heritage of Australia , with its iconic marsupials, birds, reptiles, and surreal monotremes in the Outback. Odyssey offers small group tours for mature and senior travellers, couples, and solo travelers to Australia.

The Kimberley: A Definitive Guide

This article supports the small group package tours for mature and senior travellers, couples and solo travellers to Western Australia 's Kimberley region . Learn about the wet and dry seasons and the fascinating Aboriginal history as well as the Bungle Bungles , Lake Argyle , Halls creek and resort of Broome.

What to pack for holidays

For mature solo and senior travelers what to pack for holidays in a post Covid-19 environment is packed with suggestions. Article for small group tour travellers to Europe or outback Australia to assist with packing advice for general trips and walking tours.

Responsible Travel Tips

Article to encourage and promote responsible travel. Article supports similar articles choosing shoes or maintaining health and fitness of travel advice for solo travellers. An Antipodean travel company serving World Travellers since 1983 with small group educational tours for senior couples and mature solo travellers.

Moonta, South Australia

Continued reading about South Australia and the "Copper Triangle" of Yorke Peninsula, Adelaide and British Settlement for senior couples and solo travellers on a small group tour by coach or air tour.

19th Century South Australian Copper Triangle

Learn on a small group tour for couples and senior travellers for couples and solo travellers about the history of South Australian copper. Explore the Eyre peninsula, Lake Gardiner as well as Burra and the Flinders ranges .

A unique small group journey into the outback

Odyssey offers a small group tour of Australia providing a journey between cities with just 250 years of European history, and an outback, which has some of the oldest known geologic material on earth. Importantly, it has one of the longest and most truly fascinating periods of human settlement, which we seek to convey through our collection of small group outback tour programs. This collection of outback tours for seniors takes the senior couple or solo traveller on a guided tour through the national park network, into the Flinders range including Wilpena pound, Birdsville, or beyond Broken hill. In the Northern Territory to Watarrka national park and King’s canyon or Tennant creek. Priority is given to sourcing indigenous guide to share their knowledge of outback Australia on these outback tours for seniors.

Indigenous Australians settled, possibly via a land bridge on the continent from Southeast Asia, at least 85,000 years before the first Europeans from Portugal and Spain began exploration in the 17th century. For senior and mature travellers, a small group outback tour of Australia is a unique experience, an outback adventure and an inspiration for the mature traveller interested in a small group journey. You can travel along the Oodnadatta Track , journey over the Nullarbor Plain, visit the Kimberley region or watch the sun set over the Indian Ocean from Broome. On an Odyssey outback tour you have the chance, not just to experience the amazing landscape, but to learn about indigenous culture from indigenous guides and from the physical evidence still available, including rock art in the Bungle Bungle Ranges and the fish traps at Brewarrina .

Australia is a country the size of America, but with a population of just 25 million, and one of the longest coastlines in the World. Some 80% of the population lives on Australia ‘s east coast, separated from what is known as the outback by the low mountains of the Great Dividing Range. Australia ‘s geographic diversity, in landforms, flora, and wildlife, is part of its charm, providing the back drop for a small group outback adventure in the winter period . Whilst the Great Barrier reef, kangaroos and koalas are well known, the great biodiversity of the native Australian wildlife is less well known, and an escorted tour, complete with a local guide into the outback, provides an amazing opportunity. The biodiversity present is often missed until a good tour guide or travel expert shares their knowledge with you. Our small group tours of Australia including any of chosen Australian outback tour or air charter allows you to travel on an epic journey across one of the world’s most beautiful and fascinating countries. Take a journey across the outback and experience a national park such as Purnululu National Park , the Blue Mountains , Kuku Yalanji, the Great Barrier reef and Kata Tjuta. These parks account for some 10% of the World’s biodiversity and on any tour of Australia, travellers can expect to meet unique wildlife, just waiting to be photographed.

Reaching your Destinations

Travel in Australia can be a challenge. Once you leave the major cities of Sydney , Melbourne or Brisbane on a journey by car, or on an escorted tour by coach, the sheer scale of the country begins to reveal itself as the journey unfolds. It is on a scale often unrecognised when flying, for example, to Cairns or Port Douglas from Sydney to explore a UNESCO world heritage site such as the Daintree rainforest or the Great Barrier reef in far North Queensland. You may arrive in Cairns in less than three hours by plane, but on the road, through the outback, this journey for the tour group, becomes an outback adventure, that can run for days. It can become an epic journey, one that requires careful planning and destinations selected well in advance, if you are to arrive safely at your outback destination.

The same rules apply for the journey to Alice Springs and Uluru (Ayers rock ) in the Kata Tjuta National park. From Sydney, or any of the state capitals, this journey has much that will be missed by plane. When you travel as part of a small group tour of Australia with Odyssey, there is so much more to experience. The journey from Sydney to Uluru passes first through another UNESCO world heritage site, the Blue Mountains National Park with its extraordinary gorges and cliff faces, so easily missed unless you know where to look. Farmland and rural towns soon disappear as the drive takes us towards the Northern Territory, then three thousand kilometres away, we finally reach Uluru. This is the Australian outback!

The vast scale of the outback may not be missed on a solo journey by car, but there is so much more to experience than simply distance. When you travel as part of a small group tour of Australia with Odyssey, your programme leader, or your local guide for the day, will be sharing stories with you about the Australian wildlife, local legends or some of world’s most beautiful stories from the dreamtime of the indigenous Australian communities you visit. Aboriginal culture and colonial history both come to life in the sites and country museums we visit, and in the tales related by locals. The Odyssey Australian outback tour seeks to create programs that provide learning as well as enjoyment and adventure as you travel overland, off the beaten track through Central Australia.

Small group tours of Australia for seniors from Odyssey.

Odyssey has, over almost 40 years, put together a collection of Australia packages for air tours , coach tours and motorbike tours within Australia and overseas for the mature solo and senior couple. Our aim is to create Seniors holiday packages that older people from within Australia, and those from overseas, can enjoy. We have created a wide variety of itineraries for local and international travellers with the opportunity to take the journey, often into the Australian outback, that go beyond the icons of the Sydney Opera House or the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Uluru ( Ayers rock ) and the Great Barrier Reef. Our travel programs in Australia for seniors seek to take you off the beaten track on a road trip to explore some less well known, but still spectacular scenery. They are designed for older travellers, couples and those travelling solo. Your fellow traveller understands as does the tour manager leading the group about solo travel. There is a single supplement for solo occupancy of a hotel room. What is important though is that for both couples and the single traveller that you are with a like minded people seeking a similar travel style and experience.

We hope, like Robert Frost, to take the road less travelled. These may not be adventure Australia tours but they are wildlife Australia tours. We provide travel experiences in central Australia that follow the Birdsville track , or take the Canning stock route, camping each night. Another tour explores the Oodnadatta Track and continues into the Flinders Ranges and Brachina Gorge. We have coach tours in Australia that track the stunning scenery of the great Australian Bight or the wildflowers of Western Australia and the extraordinary Kimberley region.

This is a fascinating country and our collection of discovery Australia escorted tour(s) seek to show how its geographical isolation has allowed for an incredible biodiversity record unlike that of any other place on the planet. This can be seen in its unique Australian wildlife, from the the kangaroo, platypus, wombat, quokka, echidna and koala, to its plant diversity, expressed in the wildflowers of Western Australia . Of course not all our tours are wildlife tours, but once our outback tours of Australia leave the built up environment, then there will almost certainly be a wildlife experience at some time on your vacation.

Our group tours for seniors in Western Australia , give the traveller the opportunity to explore and learn about places such as Broome and the beautiful Kimberley coast, Kings Canyon, Kuranda the Bungle Bungle Ranges and Lake Argyll , while developing an understanding of the wet and dry climatic cycle of the Kimberley. The Aborigines have been present here for some 60,000 years in WA and we hope to come to some understanding of Aboriginal history and culture. They developed not only incredible storytelling, to pass on from generation to generation, but had the ability to manage the world’s most arid continent on a sustainable basis. The Aboriginal people also represented their life and understanding of the spirit world through their rock art and painting . We have the opportunity to explore Aboriginal rock art , particularly in the Kimberley region, on these Western Australia tours.

In South Australia , Europeans made their mark in the Flinders ranges, long after geologic processes commenced. Beautiful Wilpena Pound represents the stumps of mountains believed to have once been as tall as the Himalayas. Coober Pedy , with its unusual underground living, yielded opals to miners while other British settlers sought to develop agriculture, train lines and the telegraph through the Flinders ranges. The Oodnadatta track, also in South Australia, provides the traveller with the chance to learn more about both Aboriginal and colonial history.

A traveller with a curiosity and interest in outback Australia and fossils can join an Odyssey program in country New South Wales that ends in far North Queensland in the place where complete Dinosaur skeletons were uncovered by local people some 50 years ago or learn about Australia’s unique Megafauna . Our senior traveller can sit and consider that moment in time, just outside what is Winton today, when a herd of Dinosaurs stampeded through the mud to escape a larger Dinosaur, seeking lunch some 65 Million years ago. On our outback tour we can show you this in the exposed geological record.

What can be discovered in Australia, from the past and the current environment, is simply fascinating once the traveller escapes the cities and ventures into the outback. You can’t really capture the outback spirit from a seat in an aeroplane. You need to get out into the Northern Territory and Western Australia, or at least to drive across the Hay Plain on your way to Lake Mungo . We don’t, however, ignore the cities entirely as major cities, including Sydney , Brisbane, Melbourne, Adelaide, Canberra, Perth , Darwin & Hobart , where the vast majority of the population lives, each have their contribution to make to an understanding of modern Australia. Our Victorian Gold Rush and Gardens tour begins and ends in Melbourne, there’s a dedicated tour to Adelaide in South Australia or you can take a tour that concentrates on Canberra , the nation’s capital.

Odyssey wants travellers on an Australian small group tour to experience the extraordinary variety that this country has to offer. We want you to be surprised by information that has been recently discovered by Europeans but known to Indigenous Australian for thousands of years. In the outback of Western Australia, for example, just down the road (well only a few hundred kilometres), from the UNESCO World heritage site at the Purunululu National Park (home to the Bungle Bungle rock formation ) is the world’s second largest meteorite impact crater. A meteorite struck this part of the planet some 120,000 years ago at Wolfe Creek. This crater remained unknown to Europeans until it was spotted from the air in 1947, though the local indigenous community had been telling stories of the event for many thousands of years!

Is tipping customary in Australia?

If you’re on an Odyssey tour, we take care of tipping so you don’t need to give it a second thought. However, in your free time, or if travelling independently, it’s essential that you tip an appropriate amount for services. Tipping is common in Australia; A small tip of a few dollars in showing appreciation for services is greatly appreciated.

What is the time zone?

Australia has multiple time zones. Some of them are half-hour and quarter-hour time zones. Not all states and territories use Daylight Savings:

Australia has 5 standard time zones:

• UTC+8:00: Australian Western Standard Time (AWST)
• UTC+8:45: Australian Central Western Standard Time (ACWST)
• UTC+9:30: Australian Central Standard Time (ACST)
• UTC+10:00: Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST)
• UTC+10:30: Lord Howe Standard Time (LHST)

What is the best way to tour Australia?

For Odyssey Travellers who tend to be retirees and mature or older travellers travelling as a couple or as a solo travellers, we suggest an organised group tour as being the best way to tour Australia for senior travelers.

Odyssey’s collection of small group Australian vacation packages escorted tours of seek to be an organised tour that get off the beaten track whether on a regular escorted tour or a walking tour somewhere on Australia ‘s east coast . Odyssey’s Australian holiday packages are all inclusive, with the exception of some meals particularly when on an Australia holiday package tour of a city.

Odyssey’s Australia tour packages are for a small group tour of 12 people (Maximum 15) allows you the freedom to enjoy the journey on one of our small group escorted tours of Australia whilst your tour guide looks after the logistics of the tour operation and getting you and your fellow travellers to the next place of interest.

What destinations do Australia escorted tours visit?

An escorted Australia tour has a tour itinerary schedule that typically will visit all the popular destinations a traveller seeks when visiting Australia.

For Odyssey Travellers joining one of our seniors holiday packages , we seek to journey onto the road less travelled! small group escorted tours of Australia that explore.

Our Australian vacation packages ( senior holiday packages ) are small group tours for seniors that explore and provide opportunity to learn as you travel to the Kimberley , Tasmania, Flinders range, South West coast of Western Australia , Outback Queensland or the Canning stock route. Places where Aboriginal stories come to life, the wildlife can be seen, landscapes leave you in awe and the settlement history creates the time to pause and wonder. This is a package holiday offered by an experienced tour operator, though we ask you to arrange your domestic flights ensuring you get the best travel deals available to the start of the perfect holiday.

What are the best places to visit in Australia?

Australia is unique in that this vast island continent contains such a diversity of experiences to meet all types of interest that a traveller may have. It is recognised that for many it is seeking the icons.

For Odyssey Travellers a small group tour is getting beyond the “Best” but to reach the places of interest, to satisfy the curiosity and to learn. Our portfolio of small group escorted tours of Australia to each state seeks to achieve this in groups of typically 6 to 12 people, with a maximum of 15, plus an experienced leader to provide an Australian holiday package experience to be remembered.

Besides the historical towns and outback Aboriginal communities, which many of Odyssey’s tours include, we recommend that you don’t miss the following Australian highlights:

• Far north Queensland
• Barossa Valley
• Broken Hill
• The Kimberley
• Blue Mountains
• Southern Highlands
• Whitsundays

How far in advance should I plan a trip to Australia?

Bookings for an upcoming tour with Odyssey , open upto 2 years in advance to allow you book onto your preferred Australia tour .

A deposit will typically secure your place with final payments falling due between 90 to 60 days before departure.

A reputable travel company will allow you pay by credit card or direct bank transfers in the currency of your choosing.

How much does an Australia escorted tour cost?

For a small group tours for seniors of typically 12 people in this post pandemic environment you should considering an allowance of AUD$550-$600/day per person on a twin share basis. This should cover all travel , entrances, breakfast and one other meal a day, plus tipping. For holidays for solo travellers over 60 Australia should allow AUD$650-$675/day

A large group coach tour of up to 50 senior travelers will operate with a lower cost/ day.

How much does an average trip to Australia cost?

For a small group tour for seniors with Odyssey Traveller you should allow for AUD$3500 for a 8 day city coach tour to Adelaide and AUD$12,500 for a 16 day inclusive tour of the Kimberley .

Location, distance, sights and duration all influence the tour price of coach tours in Australia for seniors .

What is a holiday package to Australia?

Odyssey Traveller specialises in educational small group tours , for seniors , typically groups between 6 to 12 people. Odyssey has been offering this style of adventure and educational programs , since 1983.

We offer a wide range of educational, cultural and heritage journeys that expand horizons and broaden the mind. Our tours are designed for active , inquisitive travellers in a small group environment.

What are the public holidays in Australia?

• New Year’s Day – 1 Jan
• Australia Day – 26 Jan
• Good Friday
• Easter Saturday
• Easter Sunday
• Easter Monday
• Anzac Day – 26 April
• Queen’s Birthday – 14 June
• Labour Day – 4 Oct
• Christmas Day – 25 Dec
• Boxing Day – 26 Dec

This is a link to Australia’s School Holidays: https://info.australia.gov.au/about-australia/special-dates-and-events/school-term-dates

Including South Australia on a small group tour of Australia?

South Australia should not be missed during your Australian adventure – a state famous for its wine regions ( Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale and Adelaide Hills ), its wildlife and stunning nature. Do not miss Adelaide (state capital), the Eyre Peninsula and Kangaroo Island .

South Australia holds a lot of the history of Australia’ s outback and Kangaroo island is a popular destination . Geologically unique, Aboriginal culture , wildlife and European settlement is all part of the mix you can organise as part of a guided tour program in this state. Whilst Adelaide and its hills provide some of Australia’ s finest Victorian buildings and design collections from this era, as well as wines on a day tour , it is the outback of South Australia’s Flinders ranges National park, places like Brachina gorge and Lake Eyre National park , Wilpena pound , Coober Pedy and Woomera that can inspire you when on a escorted tour of this region.

What to see in New South Wales on a tour of Australia?

The oldest state in Australia, New South Wales (NSW) is home to one of the world’s most beautiful cities: the stunning harbor city and capital Sydney , with its unmissable Sydney Harbour Bridge, Opera House and sprawling natural harbor.

Odyssey concentrates our tours on the outback NSW – discover ancient landscapes, unique rock formations and rich Aboriginal culture in places like Broken Hill , Bourke , White Cliffs , Lightning Ridge , Cobar and Mungo National Park .

Odyssey offers easy, convenient and relaxed escorted small group tours to NSW outback. There are important authentic Aboriginal sites , historic colonial towns, World Heritage National Parks , large multi-cultural cities and spectacular scenery, all waiting to be explored on one of Odyssey’s NSW tour packages with a well-organized outback NSW itinerary designed for the senior travellers.

What to do in Tasmania as part of a tour of Australia?

Odyssey lets you explore the sights and history or Tasmania , from the cerulean waters on the east coast, to Cradle Mountain and the capital city if Hobart . With its distinct flora, fauna, geology and climate patterns, Tasmania is one of the most fascinating places you can visit and we are sure you will create memories you will never forget.

Tasmania is a scenic destination with many national parks to explore complete with pure stands of virgin bush, unique wildlife such as the Tasmanian devil to see and learn about in a rugged mountain and wilderness areas, particularly Cradle mountain national park . Our selections of c oach tours of Tasmania for seniors are typically for 15 days. For those interested in European and British history, Tasmania will readily share its often uncomfortable past, both social and the issues surrounding logging and mining. An escorted tour of either the wildlife or cultural history will always be a fascinating tour , the Tasmania tour (s) visit Tamar Valley , the Gordon river , Bruny Island and Lake st Clair .

The capital, Hobart is a pretty city with a vibrant waterfront and harbour built on reclaimed land. It is also associated historically with the convict era as depicted at the Port Arthur Historical site, an ex-convict prison. The contentious private art gallery MOMA is a good place to visit whilst in Hobart.

Should a traveller visit Western Australia as part of a tour of Australia?

During Odyssey’s escorted, small group tour for seniors to Western Australia , we will take you to sites of ancient Aboriginal history , World Heritage Sites , breath-taking Wildflowers blooms, all with spectacular scenes on the way.

The state of Western Australia is dominated by the city of Perth . Beyond Perth regional towns support Wheat farms, Mining and Tourism. Distances on any Western Australia tour are substantial, but the history goes back some 60,000 years and there is plenty to see that this is a destination for a planned tour of Australia on its own. It is Aboriginal history and culture , the wet and dry season of the Kimberley and the Australian outback landscapes of Rainforest, gorges and desert after the coastal town of Broome . But there is more with Ningaloo with its manta rays exploring the Indian ocean . The Kimberley region reveals the bungle bungle and the pinnacles desert . In the eastern part of Western Australia there is or was gold and the worlds second biggest meteorite crater at Wolfes creek that struck this spot 120,000 years ago. On the South West coast of Western Australia , just a few hours drive from Perth city , from June to November endemic Wildflowers come into bloom drawing enthusiasts from around the world to come and observe the season. Travellers explore from Esperance to the wine tasting in the Margaret river region on organised day trip as part of our Western Australia tours .

Should a traveller visit Queensland as part of a tour of Australia?

Queensland covers an area about 7 times the size of the U.K and has a rich and diverse landscape, featuring lush rainforests, beautiful beaches, coastal islands, deserts and the world-famous Great Barrier Reef, as well as the metropolitan state-capital, Brisbane .

For the majority of people on vacation, Queensland represents the beach in their minds. The Great Barrier reef , Cairns , East coast beaches at Noosa or the Gold coast , the Whitsunday islands , Fraser island , the worlds largest sand bank and Brisbane.

For the majority of visitors, they hug the east coast not venturing into the Australian Outback to discover the history of Aboriginal settlement, the river boat traffic down the Murray river or the impact the railway lines brought to regional towns at the begining of the 1900’s. But if you can get beyond Australia’s E ast coast and the G reat Barrier reef particularly in going inland into Queensland then the history is revealed from Winton with the discovery of complete dinosaur skeletons , the town where Waltzing Matilda was first played or where the airline Qantas was the germ of an idea in Longreach, then the stories and history are quickly exposed and become intriguing as they reveal the Australian character. However, the Great Barrier reef , is a UNESCO world heritage site and like Uluru Ayers rock , the Sydney Opera house and the Sydney harbour bridge or the Blue mountains the Great Barrier reef should be seen by the first time visitor to Australia’s east coast . Whilst you are in based in Cairns the Daintree rainforest is also ecologically important and should be visited. Many travellers will base themselves in Cairns when visiting the Great barrier reef , taking an escorted tour up to Port Douglas as a day tour .

Should a traveller visit the Northern Territory and Darwin as part of a tour of Australia?

During Odyssey’s escorted, small group tour for seniors to Darwin and the Northern Territory , you will learn about deep Aboriginal culture , the colonial history and the landscapes that inspire. There is enormous variety of spectacular scenery, history, wildlife and cultural activity.

The Northern Territory with its capital Darwin, has a small population of some 250,000. Famous for the natural waterholes in the Red Centre to the sprawling wetlands of Kakadu and Litchfield National Parks, the NT has more diverse landscapes to explore than most countries. This state is 75% arid even though is sits above the tropic of Capricorn. Kakadu N ational park and Uluru Kata Tjuta National park are both key places to visit in the Northern territory, though they are located at each end of the State. Uluru Kata Tjuta National park is associated with the red centre or Australian outback .

Darwin is small, yet cosmopolitan mainly due to the mix of different ethnic cultures which one finds here. It is handy for a visit to both the Charles Darwin National Park , one of Australia ‘s largest wetlands and the Kakadu National Park , the country’s largest national park with its crocodiles, unique birdlife and the largest collection of Aboriginal rock art .

Where should I go on the East Coast of Australia?

Odyssey offers a range of tours on the East Coast of Australia, including our Outback NSW tours – one to Western NSW and one to North East NSW.

What to do in Perth?

During Odyssey’s escorted, small group tour for seniors to Western Australia and its capital Perth, we will visit the new Perth Museum, the Mint Museum, art galleries and many grand Victorian buildings, i.e., the Government House. We will head out of the city to nearby historic Avon Valley, visiting towns such as Beverley, York, Northam and Toodyay. We cruise the Swan River to Fremantle where we take a guided tour of the historic centre and visit one of the world’s best-preserved examples of a 19th century port streetscape. You will explore National Trust properties such as Peninsula Farm and the grand Woodbridge mansion.

What are the best sights to see during your time in Sydney on a tour of Australia?

The UNESCO world heritage listed Blue Mountains , some 2 hours from the city of Sydney, is a great place to start a day tour . The unique formations of dramatic scenery encompass steep cliffs, some of Australia ‘s finest eucalyptus forests, waterfalls and small villages. The mountains include the Three Sisters, some of the world’s most beautiful awe-inspiring pinnacled peaks. In the Blue Mountains there are 140 kilometres of walking trails. However, the B lue mountains should be treated as a journey in to Australia’s outback . For the novice an escorted tour or guided tour onto any of the walking trails in the Blue mountains would be prudent. Should one wish to spend time here, beyond the day tour then the best place as a base in the Blue Mountains would be Katoomba, a small town offering arty boutique shops. Another region a two hour drive away from Sydney and a suitable day tour is the Hunter Valley , a wine producing region with over 120 wineries and some of Australia ‘s finest bloodstock. To the south of Sydney , just off the Hume highway, the road to Melbourne are the Southern highlands and the regional centre of Bowral. This regional town has a tulip festival each spring as well as an amazing National trust property to visit. The Southern Highlands and Bowral are also a suitable day tour from Sydney .

These are Odyssey top 10 recommendations for your Sydney visit:

Sydney Opera House

• Sydney Harbour Bridge
• Sydney Beaches
• Taronga Zoo
• Art gallery of NSW
• The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney
• The Sydney Tower Eye
• Barangaroo Reserve

Odyssey’s small escorted group tours for seniors are mainly transported by modern, air-conditioned coaches, however, we have recently developed a range of “ Air tours ”. Our scenic air tours, with privately chartered small aircrafts, enables the time restricted traveller to view some of the iconic destinations, more efficiently and also with a great view!

If you prefer travelling by land, our coaches used on our small group tours, are typically kneeling (the coach can be lowered to the ground upon embarking/disembarking vehicle), 14-to 21-seater, business style coaches with reclining chair, USB ports, Wi-Fi (when available) and an on-board toilet.

What to do on a Melbourne vacation as part of a tour of Australia?

During Odyssey’s escorted, small group tour for seniors to Melbourne , we enjoy a collection of day trips, based from Melbourne CBD . We explore Melbourne’s history and architecture through its labyrinth of laneways, guided by a knowledgeable tour leader and local guides. You will see the UNESCO World Heritage Listed Royal Exhibition building , as well as the Parliament House and the Old Treasury building, where you will learn how the Gold Rush transformed Victoria .

Melbourne , Sydney’ s “rival”, is a sophisticated metropolis and should also be included as part of the itinerary on a small group tour of Australia .

Central Melbourne is the most European of Australia’ s cities and is its cultural capital. Its unique character includes its trams and its Victorian-era architecture. Melbourne offers excellent shopping and cultural sites such as art galleries and museums. Central Melbourne has colourful neighbourhoods such as Fitzroy and the beach side suburb of St. Kilda, just a Melbourne tram ride away. A Day tour out of Melbourne can be to Daylesford for a spa or to Phillip Island to watch the Penguin activity at sunset. The gold rush towns of Ballarat and Bendigo are a comfortable day tour if Melbourne is your base during your time in Victoria. A long day tour would be along the scenic Great Ocean road including the unique rock formation of the Twelve Apostles, returning back to Melbourne along the inland route or onto Port Fairy.

Odyssey’s Australian escorted small group tours for seniors vary in costs. Please see all our Australian tours by clicking on this link:

https://www.odysseytraveller.com/destinations/australia/

What is the internet access like in Australia?

Residential broadband Internet access is available in Australia using ADSL, cable, fibre, satellite and wireless technologies. According to Okolo’s Speed test Global Index, Australia’s average download speed is 58.83Mbps with an average upload speed of 21.44Mbps (as of December 2020). That puts Australia 61st in the world.

Do you need a visa to travel to Australia?

Unless you are an Australian or New Zealand citizen, you will need a valid Australian visa to enter the country. New Zealand passport holders can apply for a visa upon arrival in the country. All other passport holders must apply for a visa before leaving home. You can apply for a range of visas, including tourist visas and working holiday visas, at your nearest Australian Embassy or Consulate.

What to do when visiting Adelaide as part of your small group tour of Australia?

Adelaide is an easy going, relaxed and garden-like city. The Adelaide Museum and the art gallery collections will surprise and delight the visitor seeking history.

Port Adelaide is also well worth a visit. A guided tour of the Barossa Valley or the McLaren Vale wine districts are suggested in order to appreciate the impact different nationalities have had on the settlement of South Australia. Kangaroo Island with its abundance of wildlife and Cleland Conservation Park where you can get up close to many of the country’s indigenous animals is best as a mulit-night stay rather a day tour .

For those with an interest in train journeys, you can catch a train from Adelaide to the Northern Territory capital Darwin through the outback to Alice Springs , where you join a guided tour to Uluru Ayers rock , before continuing on through the Northern Territory to Darwin. This journey puts any tour of Australia into context as the kilometres of rail pull you the traveler through Australia’s outback to Darwin.

What to do when visiting Australia’s capital, Canberra as part of your small group tour of Australia?

Australia’s capital city is Canberra , some 4 hours by road from Sydney and about 6 hours from Melbourne . The serene unhurried and purpose-built and planned capital, is located around the attractive artificial Lake Burley Griffin. Some of the major landmarks are the old Parliament House, the traditionally designed Parliament Building and the Australian War Memorial. Canberra is home to the National Art Gallery and National Museum which are worth visiting.

What to do in the Australian outback as part of a tour of Australia? 

The Australian Outback is actually a vast area which comprises most of Australia and which is made up of either semi-arid or desert land. It is not an exact location. One of the best-known towns is Alice Springs , and it`s the perfect place to explore the Australian Outback , which is also known as the “Red Centre”. It is also the home of the Royal Flying Doctor Service. Activities here can include camel rides from one of the many camel farms, stargazing as the town exists under amazingly clear skies and hot air ballooning. One can visit the nearby King’s Canyon and the MacDonnell Range of mountains located in National parks. There are escorted group tours out of Alice Springs along the Canning stock route or the trek of the Duracks across to the Kimberley. Trails and routes of endurance and often hardship in part of the most arid places in the world.

From Alice springs 450 kilometres/270 miles away is Uluru Ayers Rock in the Uluru Kata Tjuta National park . The huge sandstone monolith which stands out starkly in the surrounding desert is one of Australia ‘s iconic sites and is typically included on a overseas visitor first visit to Australian. Uluru is classified as a UNESCO world heritage site is 348 metres/1142 feet in height. To the Aboriginals, Uluru is a sacred site of spiritual significance and was an integral meeting point on ancient trading routes.

Touring Australia

The need to know

Getting around

Odyssey travels by coach and occasionally uses local transport, including trains and ferries. Specifics for your Australia trip are always outlined in your tour itinerary. Bus services are widely available, with long-distance buses and shuttle buses providing services across the country. The train services are somewhat more limited in terms of transportation coverage, though remain a comfortable and very scenic way of getting around Australia.

Accommodation

In major cities on your Australian tour, Odyssey stays in centrally located 3-4 star hotels, with easy access to public transport. In smaller towns or rural areas, we usually stay in family-run hotels or guesthouses. On our longstay tours, during which you spend the length of the tour in a single location, we use serviced apartments.

Tour guides

Odyssey always engages local guides with regional knowledge to ensure an authentic experience during which you can learn as much as possible about the history and culture of places you visit.

Geography, Environment, & Weather

Australia comprises a land area of about 7.692 million square kilometres.

Although this is just five per cent of the world’s land mass (149.45 million square kilometres), Australia is the planet’s sixth largest country after Russia, Canada, China, the United States of America and Brazil. It is also the only one of the largest six nations that is completely surrounded by water.

Australia is the smallest of the world’s continents. It is also the lowest, the flattest and (apart from Antarctica) the driest.

Due to the size of the country, Australia has serveral different climate zones. The northern section of Australia has a more tropical climate, hot and humid in the summer, and quite warm and dry in the winter, while the southern parts are cooler with mild summers and cool, sometimes rainy winters.

World Heritage Sites

There are 20 properties in Australia listed on the World Heritage List. You can view the listed properties here: (https://whc.unesco.org/en/statesparties/au). Australia listed properties include:

The Great Barrier Reef: a site of remarkable variety and beauty on the north-east coast of Australia. It contains the world’s largest collection of coral reefs, with 400 types of coral, 1,500 species of fish and 4,000 types of mollusc.

Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, formerly called Uluru (Ayers Rock – Mount Olga) National Park, features spectacular geological formations that dominate the vast red sandy plain of central Australia. Uluru, an immense monolith, and Kata Tjuta, the rock domes located west of Uluru, form part of the traditional belief system of one of the oldest human societies in the world. The traditional owners of Uluru-Kata Tjuta are the Anangu Aboriginal people.

Australian Convict Sites, includes a selection of eleven penal sites, among the thousands established by the British Empire on Australian soil in the 18 th and 19 th centuries. The sites are spread across Australia, from Fremantle in Western Australia to Kingston and Arthur’s Vale on Norfolk Island in the east; and from areas around Sydney in New South Wales in the north, to sites located in Tasmania in the south.

Festivals & Events

Whether it’s the adrenaline rush from the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne, a chilled-out break soaking up the music at the Byron Bay Bluesfest or experiencing history and culture at the Cairns Indigenous Art Fair in Queensland, Australia has an event that’s sure to feed your passions.

The Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras festival takes place in February every year with a colourful and happily chaotic street parade.

Australia has no shortage of riveting sports events, like the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race and the Australian Open, it’s no wonder sport-lovers come from all around to experience the adrenaline-inducing atmosphere and world-class athletes.

Melbourne Food and Wine Festival and South Australia’s Tasting Australia, are two of many events focused on the culinary side of what Australia has to offer.

Reading list

True Girt: The unauthorised History of Australia, by David Hunt.

A History of Australia, by Mark Peel.

Dark Emu: Aboriginal Australia and the Birth of Agriculture, by Bruce Pascoe.

The Biggest Estate on Earth: How Aborigines made Australia, by Bill Gammage.

Eating & Drinking

Australians love their food and this nation is built on a strong history of migration so it’s no wonder that we’ve become famous to the culinary world for our ‘fusion’ food. English and northern European cooking styles have been a part of Australian food since colonisation. Then in the 1970s many Asian cuisines including Chinese, Thai, Vietnamese, Japanese and Indian began to influence the Australian food landscape, as well as the many southern European and Middle Eastern influences such as Spanish, Balkan, Hungarian, Turkish and Lebanese.

Australians are the second largest beer drinkers in the world! Our beer is essentially a cold lager with a strength of around 5 per cent and the list of breweries is endless, including Tooheys, Carlton Draught, Coopers, Boags, Cascade (which is also the oldest that’s still operating), Hahn, James Squire, Victoria Bitter, Emu Export and Little Creatures.

With many great wine regions on the doorsteps of Australia’s largest capital cities, the international reputation of Australian wine has never been greater, currently being the fourth largest exporter of wine worldwide at around 750 million litres per year.

Health & Safety

Generally speaking, Australia is safe to travel in, though always exercise common sense while travelling.

You may wish to read this article on face masks and on being Covid safe when travelling

Electrical Supply

Whenever you travel overseas, it’s always wise to take an appropriate travel adaptor. The electricity supply in Australia runs at 230V and 50Hz. Australia uses the Type I electric plug, so make sure you have the right travel adaptor with you.

The best of Australia

The Great Barrier Reef

Located on the north east coast of Australia, the Great Barrier Reef is the world's largest coral reef system, visable from space.

One of the 20th century's most famous and distinctive buildings, located next to Sydney's famous Harbour Bridge.

Kimberley Mountain ranges

Western Australia’s sparsely settled northern region, known for large swaths of wilderness defined by rugged ranges, dramatic gorges, semi-arid savanna and a largely isolated coastline.

Tour Reviews

I had high expectations of all aspects of the school and they were met.

Participant 2018

Enjoyed the local knowledge from Pavel and especially loved his garden.

Very knowledgeable coach drivers, courteous and friendly (as were they all) but Stuart bent over backwards to show us various landmarks around Hobart on our last day.

Morning teas and lunches were superb.

Romans settling Britain & Gaul | Summer School course

Our leader, David Daintree, did a fantastic job. He was able to impart his knowledge and keep an easy-going vibe to the course. Most enjoyable. The two guest speakers were great. As I was reading Alison Alexander's book I was especially pleased to meet her and hear her talk on convicts in Tasmania.

I would like to do it again!

Was nice and leisurely

Mal's knowledge of her subject was outstanding and notes a great help.

Nick Mooney is an excellent leader. His knowledge in so many areas is extensive. It became obvious when meeting other local people that he is regarded very highly. As with Trevor, our driver, nothing was too much trouble for him when trying to make our trip memorable. 10 out of 10.

Nick had interesting comments and views on his field of expertise. Made me think about some of the things I took for granted.

It was my first time with Odyssey & I enjoyed it very much

I thoroughly enjoyed the whole program!

I thoroughly enjoyed the whole program

David is extremely knowledgeable, courteous and friendly. He wasn't rigid with the itinerary (times) as he wanted all the participants to enjoy and see what interested them the most. He did an excellent job.

Great course. Left me wanting to explore more. Plenty of variety in presentation methods. Continually engaging.

Very knowledgeable with a good sense of humour. Well prepared.

It was a first-rate program and fully met expectations

It all worked out very well - as usual!

Mal Bock was an Excellent Program leader & made it a very Pleasurable Experience. I would certainly like to attend further things led by her.

The leader had a great deal of knowledge and good sense of humour also.

Responsible travel tips for Australia

• Before departing, make sure you have a number of AU dollars in a range of denominations. You don’t want to be carrying around enormous amounts of cash, but take enough to make it easy to pay in locations that might not accept credit card. It will also help you avoid card transaction fees, and it makes tipping a breeze.
• Carry a card in your wallet or purse from your local hotel, to assist you with the return journey if you do become lost.
• Always ensure that you are covered by travel insurance. If you need advice on this feel free to contact Odyssey and we’ll be able to help.
• Before departing, make sure you have a number of AUD in a range of denominations. You don’t want to be carrying around enormous amounts of cash, but take enough to make it easy to pay in locations that might not accept credit card. It will also help you avoid card transaction fees, and it makes tipping a breeze.
• When travelling independently, make sure you check the opening hours of shops and museums so that you don’t miss out! Also be certain to check whether your trip coincides with any public holidays, so you can plan accordingly.
• Before departing on your trip, contact your bank to inform them that you may be making purchases overseas. Otherwise, they may flag any activity on your account as suspicious. Also, check which ATMs and banks are compatible with your cards, to ensure you can withdraw cash with minimal fees.

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Seniors Coach Tours

Welcome to Superb Tours, your premier seniors coach tour operator in Victoria, Australia. At Superb Tours, we specialise in creating unforgettable travel experiences for seniors groups, catering to a diverse clientele that includes Probus clubs, Rotary clubs, social clubs, retirement villages, and friendship groups. With a deep understanding of the unique preferences and needs of tours for over 60s, our crafted range of seniors coach tours and meticulously designed day bus trips for seniors are sure to delight and inspire.

Our offerings are as diverse as the interests of our cherished clients. Whether you're seeking a quick escape or an extended adventure, we have the perfect tour for you. Our Ready to Go seniors coach tours are carefully curated packages that take the hassle out of travel planning. These are already organised which means booking is as easy as checking in with your Probus or social club or friends group on whether the dates work, then calling us to book. It’s the easiest way to book a seniors coach tour because there’s no difficult decision making and the planning and coordination time is already done.

For a delightful day of exploration, our Day Trips   are ideal day bus trips for seniors who prefer shorter adventures. These excursions are perfect for discovering hidden gems and enjoying a change of scenery without the need for an overnight stay.

For those over 50s and over 60s who crave immersive experiences, our Extended Tours   offer seniors coach tours of deeper exploration of Australia's most captivating regions. These extended journeys of 2 or more days provide ample time to soak in the local culture, history, and natural beauty, all while traveling in the comfort of modern and spacious coaches.

At Superb Tours, we understand that each group has unique interests and desires. That's why we offer tailored senior bus tours -  Tailored Tours  that can be customised to suit your specific preferences. Whether you're interested in art and culture, wildlife adventures, or gourmet experiences, our team of experts will collaborate with you to create a personalised itinerary that fulfils your group's wishes.

Exploring the wonders of Australia has never been easier or more enjoyable than with Superb Tours. Join us on a journey of discovery, camaraderie, and relaxation. With our dedication to providing excellent genuine customer service and memorable experiences, we look forward to being your trusted travel partner for all your seniors coach tour adventures.

Contact us today to start planning your next unforgettable excursion with Superb Tours.  

Ready to go tours 

Extended tours 

Tailored tours 

Why choose us?

Experienced tour operators We’ve been operating for over three decades and know the lay of the land. We know how to squeeze the most out of a day trip and how to create a seamless coach tour. Our experiences with our customers have taught us how to create an  experience that every young at heart traveller can enjoy.

Value For Money tours We are dedicated to maximising the value of every journey. Our value-packed tours are meticulously designed to deliver outstanding experiences without compromise. We take pride in consistently exceeding expectations, ensuring that every adventure is rich in memorable moments. Your satisfaction is our top priority, ensuring that every dollar you invest results in a journey that's rich in adventure and experience.

Simple, smooth, and convenient We don’t force our guests to use technology they aren’t comfortable with. Instead, we operate at your pace, with processes you’re comfortable using. We know pulling together a coach tour group can be hard work, so we try to take as much of the stress out of the booking and payment process as possible.

Experience and Enjoyment We want our guests to come away from a Superb Tours coach tour with some spring in their step. Fun and enjoyment is at the heart of everything we do. We focus on feeding your sense of adventure with a great selection of sightseeing, culinary experiences, natural scenery, and enjoyable shared moments with others.

What our customers are saying...

Name withheld, Melbourne based Probus  Club

"The coach was superb and immaculately presented each day of the tour. It was with all mod cons and had easy and safe access for all age groups with two doors and well graded steps. It was enjoyed by all without any complaints arising - man thanks for this.  The coach driver Richard, was courteous, knowledgeable, punctual and always ready to assist...Our group enjoyed the tour immensely with an itinerary prepared together with Superb Tours Manager, Kim and included places suggested by our club events organiser. The accommodation was exemplary and all the meals included during the sightseeing tour were of a high standard" 

Yvonne C, St Thomas Social Club

"The Superb Tours representative is very easy to work with. Nothing is too much trouble. Keeps you abreast of circumstances. Well done Kim! Mick our driver was very sociable. Very knowledgeable. We have had two day trips recently with Superb Tours and both have gone very smoothly due to good organisation. I would recommend your company to anyone. Keep up the good work."

Name withheld, Melbourne based Probus  Club

"Superb Tours acted promptly to reschedule our tour when the Murray River flooded. The weather on our new travel dates was great and it was difficult to see any flood damage remaining as towns very very active to clean up and get back to almost normal."   

12 fun-filled day trips from Melbourne for families

Melbourne is a great place to visit with the whole family. It has a lot of cool activities for all ages and is a home city to the sporting teams for most major sports in Australia.

With pristine beaches, a rich history and culture, and a vibrant food scene, this city has something for everyone, but day trips from Melbourne for families are also a great idea.

Within a few hours of driving, there are many short family fun day trips from Melbourne where you can get out of the city and do some pretty exciting things with your family.

While we recommend these day trips from Melbourne CBD for families, anyone can go on a road trip to the amazing Victorian destinations and have a wonderful time. So, how many of these awesome day trips from Melbourne can you add to your must-do Melbourne itinerary list?

The best day trips from Melbourne for families

Getting out and about as a family is so important in these times and many of us parents are looking for the perfect activities in Victoria for families.

Finding something that everyone will like and for every budget is the hardest part so luckily we have this awesome guide for you to help you plan some of your most memorable day trips from Melbourne for families.

Fun Day trips in Victoria – Gumbuya World

Gumbuya World or as many people could remember it as Gumbuya Park is a brilliant day trip from Melbourne for families. It’s the perfect place to spend a hot summer’s day.

With water slides, wave pools and cabanas to shade you from the heat, you can easily spend an entire day at Gumbuya World. On-site you will also find a small amusement park and a wildlife sanctuary.

Gumbuya World opening times

Opening times do differ during the seasons and for the separate sections of the park. The timetable is at times difficult to read on the website but you should allow time from 10 am is to 4 pm for all the sections.

Gumbuya World entry prices

Below are the Gumbuya World Entry prices as of November 2021

GA = 120cm+ JA = 90cm – 120cm TA = below 90cm SA = 60+ years

Distance from Melbourne to Gumbuya World

Gumbuya World is located at 2705 Princes Highway Tynong, Victoria 3813 making it an easy family day trip. You can easily drive to Gumbuya World via the M1 and allow approximately an hour drive to get there for exhilarating water slide fun.

Tips for visiting Gumbuya World with kids

• Gumbuya World is NOT a BYO venue
• You can purchase snacks, food and drinks at the shops on site
• Lockers are available for hire to store your valuables
• Get there early to secure a lounge by the water. First in best dressed.

How much time do I need at Gumbuya World?

With the price of the tickets, I would plan to spend all day at Gumbuya World. If it is a hot day I would also consider spending the extra money on a cabana for the day which will make it an easy day trip from Melbourne for families and especially parents!

BOOK YOUR GUMBUYA WORLD TICKETS TODAY

This border town packs a punch and there are so many things to do in Echuca for families. You can easily spend the day here or if you have more time a perfect getaway from Melbourne. Echuca is the perfect place for day trips from Melbourne for families.

Things to do in Echuca for families

There are so many things to do we have put together a list of the most popular activities in Echuca on your day trips from Melbourne for families list.

• Echuca Paddlesteamers run cruises on the river at 10.15 am, 11.30 am, 1.30 pm and 2.45 pm 7 days a week
• Twisted Science runs 3 sessions 10 -11:30am, 12:30 – 2pm and 2:30 – 4pm. Open days are school term opening hours – Wednesday to Sunday.  School holidays opening hours – Monday to Sunday.

Places to eat in Echuca for families

There are some brilliant places to eat in Echuca for families as they wrap up their day trips from Melbourne.

• The Moama Bakery for a great pie or pasty
• The Curry Club
• Moama Bowling Club

Distance from Melbourne to Echuca

The drive from Melbourne to Echuca is approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes along the Calder Freeway (M79).

Parking around the Port of Echuca is free but has a 2-hour limit

How much time do I need at Echuca?

Being only 2 hours 45 minutes from Melbourne you can easily plan a wonderful day in Echuca with plenty of the activities mentioned. I would plan to start your day with the 11.30 am river cruise and then pop in the activities you would like to do from there.

Finish with an early dinner at one of the restaurants in town and head home down the highway on your day trips from Melbourne for families.

Cruise the Silo Art Trails: Discover 2 epic Silo Art Trails in Victoria

Places to visit near Melbourne by car – Sovereign Hill

The award-winning Sovereign Hill is one place kids and adults alike fall in love with and is one of the best day trips from Melbourne for families all year round. A completely immersive experience from the gold rush era where you can pan for gold, see old gold mines and wander streets from a forgotten era.

Take a walk around and see people dressed in period costumes, get photos and go on a horse and cart ride.

Located in Ballarat , a family day trip to Sovereign Hill is an epic day trip from Melbourne for families. If you have more time, stay in Ballarat and enjoy a weekend getaway.

Sovereign Hill opening times

Sovereign Hill is open on Tuesday to Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm

Sovereign Hill entry prices

Here are the entry prices to Sovereign Hill valid as of November 2021

• For concession to be given a valid concession card must be used
• Prices are for entry, it does not include extra activities like mine tours or carriage rides
• For a brilliant addition, there is also Aura at Sovereign Hill which is a nighttime activity.

Distance from Melbourne to Sovereign Hill

Sovereign Hill is located approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes from Melbourne along the Western Freeway.

Parking at Sovereign Hill is free and there is a short walk to the entry if it is busy.

How much time do I need at Sovereign Hill?

For anyone that wants a great day out, I would plan on arriving at around 11 am from Melbourne. This will give you time to do mine tours, have some old-time photos taken together, pan for your wealth in gold, have some lunch, rider the carriage, have some lunch and wander the grounds easily.

If you leave at around 5 you can pick up some dinner in Ballarat and be home for bed before 9 with memories of the perfect day trips from Melbourne for families.

Need more time in Ballarat?  Discover 7 amazing places to stay near Sovereign Hill for a hassle-free visit

Places to visit around Melbourne – Kryal Castle

Step back into the medieval past at Kryal Castle. This one is definitely one of the best day trips from Melbourne for families of younger kids. For some Aussie kids, they have not seen a castle so this is a great opportunity for them to experience one.

Many people think that Kryal castle is a real castle but unfortunately, this is a theme park and there are no medieval castles in Australia, however, it does provide good family entertainment.

Kryal Castle opening times

The family-friendly Kryal Castle park is open 10 am-4 pm (last entry at 3 pm) every weekend and daily during the school holidays.

Kryal Castle entry prices

Entry prices to Kyral Castle are correct as of November 2021

Tips for visiting Kryal Castle with kids

• There are activities like jousting, potion making and axe throwing throughout the day. Get a timetable and plan to see them when they are on
• Kids’ birthday parties can be organised in advance
• There are Murder Mystery Nights held throughout the year. While aimed at adults, older kids may find these brilliant to experience

Distance from Melbourne

Kryal Castle is an easy day trip from Melbourne and takes approximately 1 hour to arrive along the Western Freeway towards Ballarat.

How much time do I need at Kryal Castle?

I would aim to arrive around 10 am at the opening. This will give you time to plan out your day and organise what themed shows you would like to see while you are at Kryal Castle. I would expect to be there for around 4 hours with a lunch break in there too. You can also easily visit Ballarat while at Kyral Castle.

Book Kryal Castle entry tickets

Drives from melbourne – puffing billy.

A Victorian institution that not many older kids missed out on as they were growing up. It was the place to go at least once in your life and now it is time to pass it on to the next generation on your day trips from Melbourne for families.

So much fun is to be had on Puffing Billy this old steam train can bring new life to old, memories and make new family ones.

Puffing Billy’s opening times

While there are technically no opening times for Puffing Billy we have included the running times.

Puffing Billy departs Belgrave Station at 10 am. Your ticket will tell you what time you will depart and arrive at your chosen destination. Allow 4 hours for the full Belgrave to Gembrook journey with a short stopover.

Puffing Billy entry prices

Below are the Puffing Billy prices as of November 2021

Tips for Puffing Billy for families:

• Tickets must be pre-booked
• Children under 4 ride free
• A valid concession card must be held to receive the discount price
• Tickets are set for return journeys. You must ride on the time your ticket is booked to leave each station

Distance from Melbourne to Puffing Billy

Puffing Billy is one of the best short trips from Melbourne, located in the Dandenong Ranges approximately 1 hour from Melbourne via the M1 freeway.

How much time do I need at Puffing Billy?

You should allow at least 5 hours for the full experience of Puffing Billy. If you are short of time you are able to book shorter rides on Puffing Billy.

Budget travel in Melbourne? Yes!   Here are the best free things to do in Melbourne

Day trips in Victoria – Healesville Sanctuary

One of the best day trips from Melbourne for families who love animals, The Healesville Sanctuary is a wonderful place to visit with kids . You can find so many animals to see here and you may even be able to have an animal experience if your budget allows.

Healesville Sanctuary opening times

Healesville Sanctuary is open daily from 9 am – 5 pm

Healesville Sanctuary entry prices

Healesville Sanctuary prices as of November 2021

Tips for visiting Healesville Sanctuary

• Tickets can be booked 30 days in advance
• ALL VISITORS MUST HAVE A PRE-BOOKED TICKET TO ENTER, even infants
• Children under 16 receive FREE entry on weekends, Victorian public holidays and Victorian Government school holidays
• Discounts are available to child disability concession card holders, an Australian pensioner concession card, a full-time student card, a healthcare card, a disability concession card, a DVA Gold Card, to a carer accompanying a person with a disability who is a holder of a child disability allowance health care card, or a disability pension card. 
• Valid concession cards must be presented on entry

Distance from Melbourne to Healesville Sanctuary

Healesville Sanctuary is located approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes from Melbourne vis the M3 freeway and the Maroondah Highway.

How much time do I need at Healesville Sanctuary?

The Healesville Sanctuary day trips from Melbourne for families can take you all day. If you decide to do an animal experience or see the Ranger talks you need to make sure you have enough time to experience the whole park.

Short drives from Melbourne – Werribee Open Range Zoo

Why head to the Savannah when you can visit the Werribee Open Range Zoo. With all the top African animals on display, you can visit the Werribee open range Zoo to get your safari fix! This is one of the best day trips from Melbourne ideas for families.

Werribee Open Range Zoo opening times

The Werribee Zoo opening times are 9 am – 5 pm daily with the last entry at 3.30 pm

Werribee Open Range entry prices

Werribee Zoo entry prices are correct as of November 2021

Tips for visiting Werribee Zoo for families:

• Children aged 15 and under must be accompanied by an adult at the zoo

Distance from Melbourne to the Werribee Open Range Zoo

The Werribee Open Range Zoo is a short road trip from Melbourne, located approximately 45 minutes from Melbourne via the M1. You will get a great view of the animals.

How much time do I need at the Werribee Zoo?

To have one of the best day trips from Melbourne for families at the Werribee Zoo you should set aside 5 hours.

The Mornington Peninsula – family day trips

A day trip to the extremely popular and stunning region of the Mornington Peninsula for families is a fun way to spend a day.

Start your day by exploring the breathtaking Port Phillip Bay, where you can enjoy various water activities such as swimming, snorkelling, or even hiring a paddleboard or kayak.

Next, head over to the enchanting Enchanted Adventure Garden at Arthurs Seat, where a thrilling Flying Fox awaits. Zip through the lush treetops and marvel at the panoramic views of the Peninsula. For some relaxing family time, visit the family-friendly beaches scattered along the coastline.

Sorrento Back Beach and Safety Beach are perfect options for outdoor activities, offering calm waters and picturesque surroundings. Build sandcastles, have a picnic, and soak up the sun while creating precious memories with your loved ones.

The mineral springs at Peninsula Hot springs provide a unique experience, or take a walk at Point Nepean National Park.

A day trip to the Mornington Peninsula promises endless fun, natural beauty, and quality time for the entire family.

Great Ocean Road

One of the most iconic places in Victoria that everyone should witness at least once in their life. People travel for hours from near and far to witness this natural breathtaking masterpiece along the Great Ocean Road and it’s on our back doorstep! This has to be one of the most scenic day trips from Melbourne for families.

Places to visit along the Great Ocean Road

The Great Ocean Road has many stops along the way, so we will only focus on the larger ones, the 12 Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge and Gibsons Steps, for our day trips from Melbourne for families post.

Opening times

These areas are all managed by Parks Victoria, and being part of the natural environment, there are no such opening and closing times. In saying that, there would be no use going after dark as you would not see any of these amazing natural attractions on your day trips from Melbourne for families.

Entry prices

There are no entry fees into the Great Ocean Road attraction near Melbourne.

Distance from Melbourne to the Great Ocean Road

The 12 Apostles Visitors Centre is 226 kilometres from Melbourne.

How much time do I need at each of these Great Ocean Road attractions?

Depending on how much time you want to stare in awe, the 12 Apostles can be done in 30 minutes, while Gibsons Steps and Loch Ard Gorge will take longer if you want to walk down the cliffs (paths provided by Parks Victoria) to the actual beach area of these sites.

At Loch Ard Gorge, you also have the bonus of being able to see the famous blowhole. You could see all 3 and drive the short distance between them in around 3 hours.

This is an epic day trip from Melbourne for families, so take the whole day, stopping at gorgeous towns along the way!

Autumn in Victoria: 13 spectacular places to see the autumn colours

Places to see around Melbourne – Phillip Island

This little island is famous for its Little Penguins that call Phillip Island home, but there is so much more to do there. From Australian native wildlife such as Koalas to Chocolate factories, you can find so much to do on Phillip Island that you actually may find this a day trip from Melbourne for a family destination that needs so much more time. There are no more popular attractions near Melbourne for family day trips.

Things to do on Phillip Island for families

There are so many things to do on Phillip Island for families that your whole day can easily be spent having a wonderful time.

Tips for visiting Phillip Island with family:

• There are different viewing sections at the penguin parade. Rug up as it can get cold
• Purchasing a 4 park pass when you visit Phillip Island will save you on entries to Phillip Island attractions
• The 4 Park Pass includes Arctic Journey, Penguin Parade, Churchill Island and the Koala Conservation reserve
• Entry to the Phillip Island Chocolate Factory Cafe and Shop is free but you must pay for a tour of the Chocolate factory

Free things to do on Phillip Island with kids

There are so many wonderful free things to do on Phillip Island that can be incorporated into your day there. A mix of these free and paid Phillip Island activities will give you a great budget-friendly trip to Phillip Island.

• Watch the feeding of the Pelicans at the San Remo jetty at noon daily
• Spend some time watching the huge stingrays glide through the water at the San Remo jetty
• Find the shipwreck S.S Speke at Kitty Millers Bay
• If the day is warm take a swim at Kitty Millers Bay too
• Walkthrough amazing Aussie bush and look for wallabies at the Oswin Roberts Reserve
• Wander the local markets and maybe even take some local produce home

Places to eat on Phillip Island

There are some great places to eat with kids on Phillip Island and just off the Island too. Here are some of the ones we have checked out over our time there.

• Fresh fish and chips at the San Remo co-op
• The Haven Wave Cafe
• The Spicy Duck

Distance from Melbourne to Phillip Island

Phillip Island is approximately 90 minutes from Melbourne via the M1

How much time do I need on Phillip Island?

Depending on what you choose to do while you are visiting Phillip Island with family your should really try to spend the whole day there. Phillip Island is absolutely perfect for day trips from Melbourne for families.

You can buy a 4 Park Pass for entry to Phillip Island nature parks

Explore Victoria: The detailed guide on things to do on Phillip Island

Adventure Park Geelong (Geelong Water Park)

Adventure Park is the biggest water park in Victoria and is on top of day trips from Melbourne for families list in the summer! Featuring water slides and water playgrounds this is a brilliant family day trip in Victoria.

Geelong Water Park opening times

At this time the park is not due to open till the summer and the times have not been released.

Geelong Water Park entry prices

Entry prices to the family-friendly Adventure Park are correct as of November 2021.

Top tips for visiting Adventure Park with family:

• Children under 90 cm tall are free
• ID and valid concession cards must be presented on entry
• All rides are included in the entry price
• You are able to bring your own food to Adventure Park Geelong

Distance from Melbourne to the Geelong Water Park

Adventure Park Geelong is approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes from Melbourne via the M1.

How much time do I need at the Geelong Water Park?

Day trips from Melbourne for families to Geelong Water Park should be a full-day experience.

Family day trips – The Grampians

If you love nature, then a trip to the Grampians has to be one of the top of your day trips from Melbourne for families list! To get the best out of your day, I would base myself in the amazing town of Halls Gap and plan your activities from there.

There is also a great number of activities for families in Halls Gap, so if you tire out of the hiking and pure scenic beauty you can do some of the top-rated activities in Halls Gap .

Things to do in Halls Gap

There are so many wonderful things to do in Halls Gap for families. Day trips from Melbourne for families to Halls Gap will become a regular occurrence.

Free things to do in Halls Gap

Being one of the biggest nature hubs in Victoria there are so many free things to do in Halls Gap with kids. Some are nature-based and some are visiting places where you chose if you spend money or not.

• Visit the Pinnacles
• McKenzie Falls
• Watch the kangaroos on the footy oval
• Visit a winery with epic views
• Silverband Falls
• The Balconies
• Visit 5 Ducks farm for homemade jams
• Hike some of the trails

Distance from Melbourne to Halls Gap

Melbourne to Halls Gap is approximately 3 hours via the National Highway M8

How much time do I need at Halls Gap?

For all of the amazing activities in Halls Gap, you should expect to spend around 5 hours in total on your day trips from Melbourne for families to the Grampians.

Planning to explore Victoria more?  Here are the best things to do in Halls Gap, the gateway to the Grampians!

Day trips from Melbourne for families are a great way to get out and visit Victoria. There are so many wonderful day trips from Melbourne for families in both the summer and winter months and they all will make lasting memories of your time together.

We hope this article from us here at Explore Victoria has inspired you to embark on your adventure in Victoria, Australia, from popular  caravan parks  and  pristine beaches  to drives along the  Great Ocean Road . Enjoy weekends away on the Mornington Peninsula and discover the cosmopolitan charm of  Melbourne, Victoria ,  with a range of experiences for every traveller who wants to visit Victoria.

Whether you’re drawn to the rugged beauty of the Grampians, the cultural richness of Ballarat , or the autumn colours of  Bright  and  Northern Victoria , there’s no shortage of hidden gems waiting to be discovered in Victoria.

Even if you love  exploring Gippsland  or driving the  Great Alpine Road , Victoria has something special for you, and there is so much more for you to discover. If you are looking for more incredible and best places to  visit in Melbourne  or more travel in Victoria destinations,  Explore Victoria  has some more articles below for you to check out. Expand your horizons and get out and about in Victoria, Australia, for an unforgettable experience. 

If you have an idea, attraction, or top spot in Victoria, please comment or email us at  [email protected] .

More Explore Victoria’s inspiration

21 best places to visit in Victoria

12 awesome things to do on the Mornington Peninsula

10 of the very best caravan parks in Victoria

Bec Wyld is the creative force behind the words, blending Explore Victora with a touch of wanderlust. With an innate ability to tell a story that resonates, Bec invites readers on a journey through her home of Victoria Australia. Beyond the keyboard, Bec works in Aged Care helping people to live a better life. With a pen in one hand and on the road in front Bec is on a quest to inspire those looking to explore Victoria through words, images and lifestyle

10 excellent day trips from Melbourne by train

Horrified by rising petrol prices but keen to get out of the city? Here are some fun day trips from Melbourne by train. Sit back, relax and watch the world slip by as you travel onward for a new adventure.

While nothing beats an Australian road trip, the price of petrol is definitely a hot contender.

Fortunately, here in Victoria, there are plenty of options for day trips from Melbourne by train.

To sweeten the deal, V/Line (our country link trains) tickets have been massively reduced.

This makes train travel in Victoria not only the most eco-friendly option for getting around – it’s currently the cheapest.

Read on to discover the best train journeys from Melbourne and start planning your own adventure.

Day trips from Melbourne by train

This guide to Melbourne’s best day trips by train contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may make small commission, at no extra cost to you.

What you need to know about catching trains in Victoria

To access train travel across Victoria you will need a myki travel card .

You can purchase these directly from:

• myki machines at selected stations and stops
• some shops, including 7-Elevens
• online (your myki may take up to two weeks to arrive).

See a full list of locations where you can buy and top up a mykI .

How much does a myki cost, you might ask? Annoyingly, the physical card does have a price:

• Full-fare: $6
• Concession/child/senior: $3.

These cards also expire, unless you keep them regularly topped up with ‘myki money’. This is simply money you add to your card via cash or debit/credit card payment.

Note: myki cards are valid for train travel in Victoria only . Public transport is managed by state governments in Australia, so each separate state and territory has their own cards, fares and system.

Now, let’s explore some of the best day trips from Melbourne without a car.

Ballarat is an excellent choice for a day trip from Melbourne by train.

For starters, it’s a quick journey. You can hop on the V/Line train from Southern Cross or Footscray and be stepping off onto the platform of Ballarat station in around 1.5 hours later.

The station is located centrally, so you’re a stone’s throw from many of the regional city’s best sites, such as the Art Gallery and the gorgeous gold rush-era architecture along its main streets.

Sovereign Hill, another main attraction is a little bit of a walk, along with the Botanic Gardens. Buy a ticket for Sovereign Hill in advance .

If the gardens are indeed your destination, I recommend getting off one stop later at Wendouree.

Belly rumbling? I recommend heading to Armstrong Street. There are plenty of food options there. The Spanish tapas at Meigas are excellent. If you fancy a wee stroll, Clothesline Cafe put on a great spread too.

For the perfect day trip, check out this extensive list of things to do in Ballarat .

Bendigo is another great place in Victoria to visit by train.

It’s around a two hour trip, departing from Southern Cross or Footscray.

There are plenty of things to do in Bendigo once you get there. Drop into another great regional art gallery or ride the talking tram .

Learn about the town’s gold rush history at Golden Dragon Museum and Central Deborah Gold Mine .

For food, you’re spoiled for choice. Bendigo was named a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy in 2019 and the eating options are certainly next level. Grab delicious croissants at Harvest . Settle in for lunch at Hoo-gah , or Old Green Bean . If you’re vego or vegan, you’ll love Adam & Eve , the city’s only vegan cafe.

How to spend a week in Melbourne

The best places to visit in Victoria

Amazing day hikes near Melbourne

Dandenong Ranges (via Belgrave)

The Dandenongs as they’re known, are an excellent spot for a day trip from the city, particularly by train.

There are some excellent walks to do, gardens to explore and places to eat, such as the Pig & Whistle Tavern , Cognoscenti and Olinda Tea House .

To get to the Dandenong Ranges by train, catch a metro train from Flinders Street Station to Belgrave.

Popular attraction Puffing Billy departs from Belgrave Station, so if that’s what you want to do, you’re right where you need to be. Buy a ticket in advance for Puffing Billy .

From Belgrave, hop on bus 694 to travel further into the ranges, to townships like Olinda and Sassafras.

Just make sure you don’t catch a train to the suburb Dandenong, which confusingly has the same name as the mountain range while being a good half hour drive away from them.

Discover more things to do in the Dandenong Ranges .

Warburton (via Lilydale)

This is a day trip from Melbourne by train and bus which takes a bit of time, but can be very rewarding.

Warburton is a township, a village really on the edge of Melbourne. It’s close to some beautiful nature trails, a waterfall and home to an interesting range of boutique stores.

It’s also a great spot to visit for autumn leaf chasing in Victoria .

To get there, catch a train from Flinders to Lilydale. Hop on bus 683 to travel onward to Warburton.

Alternatively, bring your bike and ride from Lilydale to the village, via the Lilydale to Warburton rail trail.

Once you’re there, grab a cup of joe at Silva Coffee Roasters , poke around town, then hike to La La Falls.

Let’s get back to the basics now. Train journeys from Melbourne, where you travel from A to B and you’re there.

Geelong is a very easy train ride out from Southern Cross, taking around an hour on the V/Line.

There’s a ton of stuff to do in this beachside city. Indeed, if the weather is fine, go to Eastern Beach, admiring the quirky bollards along the way.

It’s a great destination for kids, with a dedicated pool, fun fair activities and a hop on, hop off train.

Adults can head into town to grab Asian-fusion dumplings at Bahjong or southern American cuisine at Pistol Pete’s .

For a cheeky tipple, check out Geelong Cellar Door .

For more, check out the local art gallery , or perhaps pay a spooky visit to Geelong Gaol , now a museum.

You can have a great day out in Werribee, especially with the kids.

To get to Werribee, simply jump on a metro train. Most are express to the area.

From there, you can catch buses out to most destinations. Werribee Park Mansion feels very ‘two for the price of one’, as it is right next to the State Rose Garden .

Werribee Zoo is a day trip in itself. Catch bus 439 straight there from the train station. Spend the day, or perhaps even stay overnight .

Buy a zoo ticket in advance .

Things to do in the Yarra Valley

Small towns in Victoria worth visiting

An in-depth guide to the Great Ocean Road

Daylesford (via Woodend)

While I’d recommend Daylesford as a weekend getaway , it is possible to travel there by train and bus, for an ambitious day trip.

To get to Daylesford, travel along the V/Line to the town of Woodend.

From there, you can board a bus to Daylesford. The journey takes around two hours.

Daylesford’s town centre has plenty of interesting stores to poke around in, containing boutiques, books and antiques. Manteau Noir and Eclectic Notions are both delightful to have a rummage through for the latter.

If the weather is nice, head out to Lake Daylesford. For something very special, have a meal at renowned restaurant Lake House .

In town, Larder does a decent coffee and I like Cliffy’s Emporium for lunch.

Wombat Hill House is also rather lovely. And Daylesford Cider Co does great, well, cider and woodfire pizzas.

Discover more things to do in Daylesford and surrounds .

Day trips from Melbourne by train: Kyneton

Kyneton is another very easy day trip from Melbourne by train. Jump on the V/Line at Southern Cross or Footscray and you’ll be there in just over an hour.

Once there, there are plenty of things to get up to .

If you like the finer culinary things in life, stroll on to Piper Street. Feast at Fook Shing , Home Grown on Piper , or drop into Miss M’s Lounge for Spanish tapas.

Head to Animus Distillery for a gin masterclass or grab a vino from Musk Lane .

Castlemaine

Castlemaine is a very underrated destination in Victoria, which is also accessible via train journey from Melbourne.

Hop on the V/Line at Southern Cross and travel straight to the town. It’s around 1.5 hours.

Once there, ramble through secondhand wares at The Mill . Order pastries and pies from Johnny Baker .

For something special, head to Wild Food and Wine or Bar Midland for a menu focused on local produce.

If independent cinemas are your jam, catch a flick at the Theatre Royal . It’s also a bar, and live music venue.

French Island

French Island is a largely forgotten destination in Victoria.

A national park, it’s a sanctuary for both koalas and birdlife. The island is also completely off-grid, has no local council and is home to less than 150 people.

Once there, you can go say hi to the koalas (many of them hang about in the trees up the road from the General Store), or go for a cycle or a hike.

I do thoroughly recommend taking a set of two wheels with you to the island. Alternatively, you can rent a bike for the day from the General Store.

To get to French Island, catch a train from Melbourne’s CBD to Frankston. Once there, swap onto the train to Stony Point. The train journey takes around 1 hour 45 minutes.

The island itself is only accessible by ferry, which leaves from Stony Point and travels across to Tankerton jetty, a journey of around 15 minutes.

It costs around $30 per person (plus if you’re a Senior Card holder, you can travel on the weekend or on public holidays for free). This can be booked in advance or on the day.

This same ferry heads on to Cowes on Phillip Island.

You can take your bike on both the train and then, the ferry (for a few dollars more).

Discover more things to do on French Island .

What should you pack for a day trip from Melbourne by train?

Here’s what I recommend packing for a train journey from Melbourne:

• reusable drink bottle filled with water
• snacks for the train (none are sold onboard)
• sunscreen and hat
• something to read
• a light jumper
• spare emergency cash (most places accept card but just in case, it’s always smart to have a spare $20 in cash on your person).

See a full list of Australian travel essentials .

In conclusion: is it easy to take a day trip from Melbourne by train?

With petrol prices being quite frankly, through the roof, taking a train for a day trip from Melbourne is a much more economical alternative for travel.

And with so much of the state being accessible by public transport, well – why wouldn’t you?

What are your favourite destinations by train in Victoria?

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This guide to the best day trips from Melbourne by train may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may make small commission, at no extra cost to you. This goes towards the cost of running this blog. I only recommend goods and services I think are helpful and use myself. Thank you – I absolutely appreciate the support!

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Cuyana Easy Travel Tote Review: Soft, Durable And Built To Last

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In our wider review of the best travel totes on the market, we named Cuyana’s System Tote our best overall option. After the brand’s recent debut of the Easy Travel Tote, we decided to test it to see how it compares.

As a frequent traveler, I’m always looking for a tote that is both durable enough to carry heavy items like my laptop, chargers and tablet as well as stylish enough to bring to lunch or dinner after getting off a plane or train. Cuyana, a women-owned clothing and accessories brand known for its long-lasting quality, wearability and design, has been a staple of my travels for the past few years (the Travel Beauty Roll comes with me on every trip), so my ears perked up when I heard of the brand’s latest release, the Easy Travel Tote .

The Easy Travel Tote is the latest travel bag from women-owned clothing and accessories brand ... [+] Cuyana.

I had heard raves from friends and coworkers about Cuyana’s bags, including the System Tote , which we named the best travel tote in our larger review. Made from double-sided Italian leather that softens over time, Cuyana’s bags are investments that are built to last. With multiple trips each month, I often burn through luggage and bags (airport baggage carousels can really do some damage), so I was especially into the idea of having a bag that can withstand my heavy travel schedule, and decided to put the Easy Travel Tote to the test on a weekend road trip.

Cuyana Easy Travel Tote

Dimensions:  14.2 x 25.3 x 6.3 |  Materials: Italian leather |  Weight:  2.9 pounds |  Accessories:  Detachable crossbody strap; easy tote insert; zipper pouch; flap bag (all sold separately) |  Care:  Wipe clean with damp cloth

• Weekend getaways and road trips
• Those seeking a spacious bag made out of high-quality Italian leather
• You need exterior pockets
• You’re looking for a bag to slide over your suitcase; this tote does not come with a trolley sleeve

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Like many of Cuyana’s bags , the Easy Travel Tote is made from buttery, pebbled Italian leather. I’m a big fan of leather bags since faux leather can often give off a very chemical or plastic smell. The Easy Travel Tote has a warm, earthy and high-quality leather scent that I noticed as soon as I opened it.

The tote has a deep interior with two large pockets on each side that are spacious enough to hold a pair of headphones, chargers or tablet case. While the interior pockets are not zippered, I do appreciate that this bag has a zippered top, which means I don’t have to worry about items flying out of my bag during bumpy rides or flights (yes, this has happened to me before).

The Easy Travel Tote is the newest travel tote from women-owned clothing and accessories bag Cuyana.

Functional, Versatile And Durable

Because I was only going on a weekend trip, I decided to use the Easy Travel Tote as my primary bag and see how much I could fit inside of it. After inspecting its interior, I knew I could easily put all of its 37 liters of volume to good use. It’s several inches larger and wider than the Classic Easy Zipper Tote , which is the next size down, so I could seamlessly slide in my 16-inch laptop, tablet, all of my chargers, several tops and bottoms, a denim jacket, a pair of shoes and my purse, meaning I didn’t need to bring a suitcase on this trip. Better yet, the tote didn’t feel clunky or look oddly shaped when I picked it up, so I was able to bring it with me to a restaurant for lunch without any issues.

Another great feature of this bag is its versatility. I used a wide shoulder strap , which is sold separately, to sling the bag over my shoulders, making it easy to carry around everywhere. I could also see myself using this tote on commuter days when I’m bouncing around from the gym to dinner and need to bring along my laptop; its chic exterior lets it blend into different environments, from a train station to hang-outs with friends.

For those who prefer a tote they can sling over their shoulder, Cuyana offers adjustable straps that ... [+] are sold separately.

Cuyana Easy Travel Tote: The Final Verdict

After testing Cuyana’s Easy Travel Tote, I can attest to its quality, durability and style. I was able to fit so much inside of it, and it didn’t take up too much space in the trunk of my car. I also found it to be incredibly comfortable: its straps made it easy to sling over my shoulder and carry around shops and restaurants. However, for flights, I would have loved to see this bag include at least one external pocket for easy access to my passport. I also fear that with as much as I packed in it, its lack of trolley sleeve would make it balance very precariously on the top of my suitcase. And at $428, this bag is certainly a splurge, especially when you consider that all of its accessories are sold separately (the adjustable wide strap I used is $88).

The tote's interior is spacious with two large interior pockets that can hold a 16-inch laptop, ... [+] chargers, headphones or other items.

Yet for frequent travelers like myself, this bag delivers. It can easily be used as a gym bag, diaper bag, commuter bag and a personal item on a flight, which means you’ll get a lot of use out of it. And its high-quality leather exterior not only allows it to hold plenty of items while still looking stylish (no easy feat), but it will keep its shape and luster for years to come, making this tote a worthy investment.

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Ellis Road widening project in Melbourne faces $40 million shortfall. What's its status?

F unding for the long-anticipated widening of Ellis Road from John Rodes Boulevard to Wickham Road is still millions of dollars short, despite efforts by State Rep. Tyler Sirois , who has made the project a priority.

The shortfall was nearly $47 million before Sirois said he was able to get it down to around $40 million during this year's legislative session, pending the governor's approval of the proposed budget.

"My No. 1 appropriations priority this session was getting more funding for Ellis Road," Sirois said. "You know, that project, just because of inflation and other economic factors, is getting more and more expensive by the day. We've got to get that project done."

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The lawmaker is not alone in that assessment.

Georganna Gillette, executive director of the Space Coast Transportation Planning Organization , puts the Ellis Road widening atop a long list of priority road projects the agency would to see come to fruition sooner than later.

Gillette said the projects needed are "extremely critical for safety, mobility and quality of life."

"It's a long road to implement, and it takes longer and costs more than many people realize," Gillette said. "I am concerned about the lack of state and federal funds to meet our transportation needs. We're doing the very best that we can with the funding that we have."

More: Here's how your state legislators want to spend tax money on Brevard projects

Partners for the project — which entails widening to four lanes, with 12-foot travel lanes, 7-foot bike lanes and 6-foot sidewalks — include Brevard County, the Florida Department of Transportation, the city of Melbourne, the city of West Melbourne and the Melbourne Orlando International Airport.

In recent years, an increase in both commuter and freight traffic has resulted in one of the most congested roads in the area. A new interchange at Interstate 95 and Ellis Road opened up in 2020, resulted in an increase in traffic.

Sirois called the infrastructure project "critical," and said it would serve generations to come.

"In my remaining years in the House, I want to try to pay off that project so we can, you know, have it shovel-ready and and get started," Sirois said. "We need to get that done."

Grant development is underway to fund the construction shortfall. The hope is that construction could begin in the 2026 budget year.

Contact Torres at [email protected]. You can follow him on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter @johnalbertorres.

This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Ellis Road widening project in Melbourne faces $40 million shortfall. What's its status?