Abercrombie & Kent
OFFER ID 1516823
Tailor Made Australia: Wine Country & Culinary Delights
Travel with your private party on this Luxury Tailor Made Journey, departing when you choose and with expert local guides leading the way; you can even customize the itinerary to your interests.
Experience sumptuous food and wine offerings across Southern Australia, from the foodie capital of Melbourne and the wilds of Tasmania to wine-rich Adelaide and cosmopolitan Sydney, on a journey filled with wine tastings, fine dining and panoramic views of stunning natural vistas.
9 nights from $18,570 per person
Abercrombie & Kent: Tailor Made Australia: Wine Country & Culinary Delights
Day 1 Melbourne, Australia
Arrive in Melbourne, a lively city of beautiful tree-lined boulevards and Victorian terrace houses, where you are met and transferred to your hotel. This afternoon, join a renowned local guide for a revealing private tour of Melbourne. Venture on foot and by tram through the heart of the historic business district to admire the varied architecture, fabulous arcades and alleyways. Wind your way past trendy cafés and eclectic boutiques, checking out the vivid graffiti and street art as well as learning about the landmark buildings like the Block Arcade and the Old General Post Office. Stop at a local café for coffee, and then proceed by vehicle to view Melbourne's fine arts and sporting precincts as well as its incredible parklands. View icons like the stunning Shrine of Remembrance and the magnificent Royal Exhibition Building along the way, and finish at your hotel.
Join your guide for a private epicurean experience in the picturesque Yarra Valley wine region. Start with a progressive tour and tasting at one of the region's leading wineries, experiencing its vineyards and the terroir first-hand with samples of Riesling, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Shiraz. Proceed to the restaurant at another renowned winery, where you are treated to the chef's multi-course degustation menu served with carefully matched estate wines. This afternoon, enjoy time at leisure, free to sample boutique wines at local vineyards. You may also wish to nibble some local cheese or chocolates or perhaps visit an acclaimed local distillery. Your local guide will tailor the perfect afternoon to suit your tastes.
Fly to Hobart, where upon arrival you are met and privately transferred to your luxury coastal sanctuary nestled in the heart of Freycinet National Park, a spectacular reserve famed for its dramatic pink granite peaks, secluded bays, white sandy beaches, and abundant birdlife, on the east coast of the Australian island state of Tasmania.
Devote a day to enjoying one of the many activities offered by your luxury lodge. Choose from experiences that range from observing conservation work on behalf of the Tasmanian Devil to visiting a working oyster farm and sampling oysters fresh from the ocean. You may wish to take part in an interactive cooking demonstration or mixology masterclass. Or perhaps take advantage of more active pursuits such as kayaking, paddle boarding, or hiking or opt to simply relax and enjoy the lodge’s amenities.
Set out on a scenic drive along Tasmania’s sunny east-coast passing the seaside villages of Swansea, Triabunna and Orford. Stop for lunch served at Mount Nelson Signal Station, a local restaurant with beautiful views. This afternoon, travel to the seaside town of Kettering to visit the Raptor Refuge for an A&K-exclusive insider access experience with the refuge owner. Visit its aviaries and observe wedge-tailed eagle, falcon, owl and other species during their recovery from injury. Enjoy up-close encounters with various birds and witness behind-the-scenes procedures required to prepare them for their eventual return to the wild, at this project supported by Abercrombie & Kent Philanthropy. Return to Tasmania’s capital, Hobart, and visit Battery Point, viewing historic buildings ranging from grand homes to humble worker’s cottages.
Fly to Adelaide, touching down in some of Australia's best wine country. Settle into your accommodation in the Adelaide Hills. This afternoon, remain on site for an estate cellar wine experience at your lodge. Discover some hidden gems and iconic wines from South Australia as a sommelier showcases vintages from several local wine producers, each glass a delight to your palate.
Head out into the Barossa Valley, one of Australia's most iconic wine growing regions, for a private excursion to top local wineries. Begin at a winery with a sixth-generation owner whose wines are regarded as some of the very best of those produced from old-vine Barossa Shiraz grapes. Meet the winemaker and sample some of his very best vintages. Then, savor lunch with matched wine at a local award-winning restaurant. This afternoon, meet with another highly respected winemaker at his vineyard in Eden Valley. Explore the property and gather for private tasting on the estate’s veranda. It’s a don’t-miss opportunity to get to know a celebrated winemaker in his own home, to learn his philosophy and try some very limited release wines.
Experience more of Australia’s natural wonders today on an early morning, before-hours visit to Cleland Wildlife Park, when the resident animals are coming to life and there are no crowds to hinder your enjoyment of them. Join your dedicated on-site host for a visit with koala rescued from the Kangaroo Island bush fires and learn how they are helping to secure the survival of the species. Next, meet and hand feed freely roaming kangaroo and emu as you walk among these iconic Australian species. Cap off your experience with a one-on-one encounter with a koala in a private session led by a koala keeper. Cuddle the adorable marsupial and receive a photo of the moment as a special memento to take home. Afterward, privately transfer, first to your hotel and then to the airport for your flight to Sydney. Upon arrival, you are met and transferred to your luxury hotel.
Set out on a sight-seeing experience that reveals some of Sydney’s best-kept secrets, starting in the historic Rocks precinct, the city’s birthplace. Listen as your guide shares stories of the cultural character of this area as you explore convict-built cottages, pubs and the very first church in Australia. Continue to the stunning Botanical Gardens and Macquarie Street, taking in Australia's first Parliament House, St Mary's Cathedral and panoramic views of Sydney Harbour. Stop for lunch at a local restaurant and afterward step behind the scenes at the iconic Sydney Opera House to discover insider secrets and stories on a privately guided experience. Afterward, embark from Circular Quay on an evening dinner cruise on Sydney Harbour. Sip sparkling wine as you cruise past the landmarks like the Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House. Nibble a canapé as you glide past Sydney Heads and dock at Balmoral Jetty for your entree and main course, served at the Balmoral Public Dining Room. Return to by boat to Circular Quay, disembarking for the short walk to your hotel.
After breakfast, privately transfer to Sydney Airport for your departing flight.
Sydney
Soak up Sydney’s gorgeous harbour, seductive outdoor lifestyle and great natural beauty. Kayak under the Sydney Harbour Bridge or wave at the Opera House as you ride a ferry across the harbour to Manly. Learn to surf at Bondi Beach or swim in the calm waters of Coogee. Lose yourself in the cobblestone cul-de-sacs of The Rocks or in the markets, boutiques, cafes and pubs of Paddington. As well as a world-famous harbour and more than 70 sparkling beaches, Sydney offers fabulous food, festivals and 24-7 fun.
Five Sydney Experiences Not to Miss:
1. Explore the historic Rocks
Discover Sydney’s colorful convict history in the harbourside quarter where it all began. Just five minutes from Circular Quay, you can hear stories of hangings and hauntings on a ghost tour, wander the weekend markets or climb the span of the Harbour Bridge. In amongst the maze of sandstone lanes and courtyards, you’ll find historic workman’s cottages and elegant terraces, art galleries, hotels with harbour views and Sydney’s oldest pubs. See people spill out of them onto a party on the cobblestone streets when The Rocks celebrates Australia Day on January 26th, Anzac Day on April 25th and New Years Eve.
2. Hit the world-famous harbour
Sail past the Opera House on a chartered yacht or paddle from Rose Bay in a kayak. Take a scenic cruise from Circular Quay or Darling Harbour, past waterfront mansions, national parks and Shark, Clark, Rodd and Goat islands. Tour historic Fort Denison or learn about the life of Sydney’s first inhabitants, the Gadigal people, on an Aboriginal cultural cruise. Watch the harbour glitter from the green parklands of the Royal Botanic Gardens, which curves around its edge. Or take in the view from a waterfront restaurant in Mosman, on the northern side of the bridge, or Watsons Bay at South Head. Walk from Rose Bay to Vaucluse or Cremorne Point to Mosman Bay, on just some of the 16 spectacular routes hugging the harbour foreshore.
3. Visit Manly on the ferry
Travel across Sydney Harbour on a ferry to Manly, which sits between beaches of ocean surf and tranquil inner harbour. Wander through native bushland on the scenic Manly to Spit Bridge walk, learn to scuba-dive at Cabbage Tree Bay or ride a bike to Fairy Bower. Picnic at Shelly Beach on the ocean and sail or kayak from Manly Wharf round the harbour. Hire a scooter and do a round trip of northern beaches such as Narrabeen and Palm Beach. Explore the shops, bars and cafes along the bustling pine tree-lined Corso and dine at world-class restaurants with water views.
4. Enjoy café culture and top shopping in Paddington
Meander through the Saturday markets, browse fashion boutiques on bustling Oxford Street or discover the antique shops and art galleries in upmarket Woollahra. Visit the 1840s Victoria Barracks Army base, open to the public once a week, and see restored Victorian terraces on wide, leafy streets. Ride or roller-blade in huge Centennial Park, then stop for coffee and lunch on Oxford St or in the mini-village of Five Ways. Catch a movie at an art-house cinema or leaf through a novel at midnight in one of the huge bookstores. Crawl between the lively, historic pubs. They hum even more after a game at the nearby stadium or a race day, when girls and guys arrive in their crumpled trackside finery.
5. Walk from Bondi to Coogee
Take in breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean as you walk the winding, sea-sculpted sandstone cliffs between Bondi and Coogee. Swim in the famous Bondi Icebergs rock pool or just watch the swimmers with a sunset cocktail from the restaurant above. See wild waves in Tamarama, nicknamed Glamarama for the beautiful people who lie on its golden sand. From mid-October to November, the stretch from here to Bondi is transformed into an outdoor gallery for the Sculptures by the Sea exhibition. You can surf, picnic on the grass or stop for a coffee at family-friendly Bronte. Or swim, snorkel or scuba dive in Clovelly and tranquil Gordon’s Bay. See the graves of poets Henry Lawson, Dorothea Mackellar and aviator Lawrence Hargrave in Waverley Cemetery, on the edge of the cliffs. Finish your tour in the scenic, backpacker haven of Coogee.
Adelaide
This elegant city is known for its colonial stone architecture, expansive parklands, lively festivals and incredible sense of space. Explore the museums and libraries of North Terrace, dine on dedicated 'eat streets' or picnic in gardens that sprawl over almost half the city. Go bike riding in Botanic Park or row past rose gardens in Rymill Park. Swim with dolphins or learn to sail in Glenelg or fish from the jetty in Henley. Just beyond the city centre you'll find the picturesque Adelaide Hills and the world-class wineries of the Barossa Valley.
Five ways to immerse yourself in Adelaide:
1. Hit the eat streets
Sample everything from Asian fusion to Argentine cuisine in the exotic, bustling foodhalls of Chinatown. Embrace the alfresco ambience of Rundle Street in Adelaide's East End or live it up in one of the city's many elegant wine bars and fashionable restaurants. Enjoy a beach sunset with your meal in the coastal suburbs of Glenelg and Henley Beach or wind down with a wine at the National Wine Centre. If you're a fresh food addict, Adelaide Central Markets offer premium produce from growers across the state.
2. Feel green and serene in Adelaide's parks
Hire paddleboats and bikes in Elder Park or row past formal rose gardens in Rymill Park. Picnic in the local's beloved Botanic Park or cycle from the hills to the coast in River Torrens Linear Park. For serious tranquility, head to the classic Japanese oasis of Adelaide-Himjei Garden. Adelaide's 29 parks take up almost half of the city, and come with walking trails, quiet spaces and sporting fields for everything from football to archery.
3. Head for the coast
Swim with dolphins or learn to sail in Glenelg, which bustles with sidewalk cafes, alfresco dining and summer entertainment. In the beach suburb of Henley, you can fish from the jetty or go on a culinary world tour at the ethnic food stores and eateries. Explore the museums, markets and historic harbour of Port Adelaide, the city's maritime heart. Or see heritage buildings and colourful summer sideshows in family-friendly Semaphore. Further along the spectacular Le Fevre Peninsula, you can swim on protected beaches and walk one of the state's few heritage-listed jetties at Largs Bay.
4. Soak up Aboriginal and European heritage
Do a cultural tour of the Adelaide Botanic Gardens with traditional custodians the Kaurna people. You'll learn how native plants have been used for sustenance, shelter, ceremonies and medicines for thousands of years. Browse the world's largest collection of Aboriginal antiquities at the Aboriginal Cultures Gallery at the South Australian Museum and visit Tandanya, the National Aboriginal Cultural Institute. Adelaide also has a proud European heritage for you to explore -in the museums and libraries of North Terrace, in Adelaide Town Hall and in Port Adelaide, the state's first declared heritage area.
5. Escape to the hills
Drive to the Adelaide Hills, where the picturesque farmlands and charming villages have inspired many generations of artists. Stay in Bavarian-inspired chalets and browse the bakeries, craft shops and galleries of Hahndorf, Australia's oldest surviving German village. Visit The Cedars, once the gracious old home and studio of famous landscape artists Sir Hans Heysen. Then hit the markets of Lobethal, a fairytale town which celebrates Christmas with metres and metres of colourful lights.
Hobart
Don't miss this small, scenic capital, famous for its Georgian buildings and crisp air. Browse bustling Salamanca Markets and run your hands over the sandstone buildings in Salamanca Place. Climb craggy Mount Wellington for sweeping views over Hobart and the wide Derwent River. Do a ghost tour in Battery Point, walk across Australia's oldest bridge in Richmond and visit the cute coastal hamlet of Kettering. Wind past forest and farmland to the cool-climate wineries of the Coal Valley. See bright spinnakers on the water and dine on fresh seafood from one of Hobart's waterside restaurants.
Five must-have Hobart experiences:
1. Wander Salamanca Place
Step back in time in Salamanca Place, the captivating cobblestone square on Hobart's waterfront. On Saturday mornings, you can wander through bustling Salamanca Markets and see glassblowers, potters and painters selling their wares. Buy a one-off piece of craft or pick up organic fruit and vegetables, farmhouse cheeses and freshly-cut flowers from the friendly local growers. Drink coffee under the sun umbrellas while listening to the slap of sails on masts and busking string quartets. Explore the galleries, theatres, craft shops and restaurants in the 1830s Georgian warehouses, once the haunt of sailors, whalers and workmen.
2. Climb Mount Wellington
Take in panoramic views over Hobart, Bruny Island, South Arm and the Tasman Peninsula from the interpretation centre at the top of windswept Mount Wellington. Stroll through cool forested gullies along the historic Pipeline Track or traverse Wellington Range on the back of a horse or mountain bike. Climb Sphinx Rock and see the Octopus Tree, the forest's tallest tree. Abseil or climb the Organ Pipe's craggy dolerite towers. Camp under the stars, four wheel drive along rough mountain trails or bike-ride down the mountain on an exhilarating tour. Mount Wellington's wilderness experience is 1,270 metres above sea level but just 20 minutes from the city centre.
3. Stay in Hobart's oldest suburb
Stay in bed and breakfasts next to grand old mansions and simple fishermen's cottages in Battery Point, named after a battery of guns put on the point in 1818. The guns have long been dismantled but Battery Point has retained its original seafaring charm. Visit elegant old buildings such as Arthur Circus Cottages, St. George's Anglican Church and Van Diemen's Land Folk Museum, a Georgian building on landscaped grounds. Check out Kelly's Steps, built by legendary adventurer James Kelly in 1839. Or walk in the footsteps of convicts, bushrangers, whalers, sailors, barmaids and prostitutes on a ghost tour.
4. Visit Richmond and Kettering
You can walk across Australia's oldest bridge and stand in the cell of its oldest jail in picturesque Richmond, a 30-minute drive north-east from Hobart. Explore the cobblestone streets by the lantern light of a ghost tour or picnic on the banks of the Coal River. Check out local art and craft in the galleries and cafes. On your way back to Hobart, stop off at one of the Coal Valley's many wineries. South from Hobart, you'll find the sleepy seaside town of Kettering on the shores of the D'Entrecasteaux Channel. Have lunch watching the yachts and fishing boats bob on the sheltered harbour or take the ferry to Bruny Island.
5. Fill up on seafood and fine wine
Savour classic cool-climate wines at the cellar doors and wineries of the Coal River Valley, Derwent Valley and Huon Valley, all a short drive from Hobart. You can team them with a plate full of fresh produce in a sunny vineyard restaurant. Feast on freshly shucked oysters at Barilla Bay and fresh-off-the-boat fish from Salamanca Markets. Or you can watch the catch being unloaded from the balcony of one of Hobart's waterside restaurants. Wrap yourself in the aroma of ground coffee in the cafes of Salamanca Place. Or spice up your holiday with a meal at one of Hobart's many great Indian eateries.
Jutting out from the sea on Tasmania ’s mild east coast is the rugged and beautiful Freycinet Peninsula. The Freycinet National Park, reserved in 1916, consists of knuckles of granite mountains,surrounded by azure bays and white sandy beaches.The mountains create a spectacular sight from numerous vantage points along the east coast.
The scenic grandeur of Freycinet has long been admired,with the size and barren composition of the granite peaks of the Hazards rising from the low lying coastal vegetation. Freycinet National Park offers a range of opportunities that provide full immersion into the Tasmanian coastal environment. Wildflowers,birds and native animals can be seen,along with various marine creatures.
There are so many things you can do within this beautiful coastal park. You can take a explore the miles of unspoiled, white sandy beaches, go kayaking, sailing, snorkeling, scuba diving or rock climbing.
It's important to be prepared while exploring the park. Bring in plenty of water, sun protection, insect repellent, sturdy walking shoes and wear weather-appropriate clothing.
Melbourne
Melbourne is a maze of hidden laneways, opulent bars, exclusive restaurants and off-the-beaten-track boutiques. Here you can soak up culture, hit the sporting grounds, taste the dynamic food and wine scene, dance til dawn or wander the parks and leafy boulevards. Visit Federation Square, the city's landmark cultural space, and enjoy a sunset beer on the St Kilda promenade. Shop till you drop on funky Brunswick Street or upmarket Chapel Street. Wander Southbank's cafes, bistros and bars and get a world tour of cuisines in Carlton, Richmond and Fitzroy. Take an Aboriginal Heritage Walk through the Royal Botanic Gardens and cheer with a capacity crowd at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
Five Must-Have Melbourne Experiences:
1. Shop till you drop
Bag a bargain at the Rose Street Artist's Market and browse the funky boutiques on Brunswick Street. Buy designer labels such as Akira Isogawa and Zimmerman on Chapel Street in Prahran or in the historic Melbourne General Post Office, which covers an entire city block. For everything from fashion to furnishings at fantastic value, visit Bridge Road in Richmond. Melbourne is a shopper's haven, offering eclectic boutiques, high-end fashion, funky homeware stores and European style piazzas in the city's arcades and hidden laneways.
2. Bar hop and dance till dawn
Sip a cocktail in a converted sea container in Chinatown, enjoy a sunset beer in a St Kilda pub or listen to cabaret in lush retro surroundings in jazz bars in the city. Linger over exquisite tapas and exotic wine in a Little Collins Street bar and mingle in a pink parlour with fake grass in Bourke Street. You can party from dusk in the bars of Brunswick Street. Or dance till dawn in bars in the city's lantern-lit laneways, secret apart from the spill of coloured light under heavy brass doors.
3. Get into the gourmet goodness
Let the aroma of good coffee waft over you in Melbourne's gothic European laneways. The city is famous for its coffee and old-world café culture but there's so much more to explore. Once you've downed a 'short black' or taken an afternoon aperitif, try tea in a nineteenth-century hotel or salivate over your silver spoon in acclaimed restaurants like Nobu, Botanical and Becco. Pick up fresh fruits, vegetables and seafood at the Queen Victoria Market on a Saturday, known for its bustling crowds and buskers. Try out the restaurants, cafes, bistros and bars in Southbank or Federation Square. Make your way around Melbourne's multicultural cosmos of cuisines: Carlton for Italian classics, Richmond for budget-friendly Vietnamese and Fitzroy for Spanish tapas.
4. Fill up on culture
See a performance by the Australian Ballet, which is based here in Australia's cultural capital. Or enjoy a dazzling musical at the Princess Theatre. Browse the Southern Hemisphere's best collection of international art at the National Gallery of Victoria. Or visit the Australian Centre for the Moving Image in Federation Square, a landmark cultural 'space' for Melbournians. Challenge yourself with the creative collections in the Australian Centre for Contemporary Art in Southbank. To learn more about Melbourne's Aboriginal cultural heritage, see contemporary and dreamtime art or take an Aboriginal Heritage Walk through the Royal Botanic Gardens.
5. Go sports mad
Cheer for an Australian Rules Football game with a capacity crowd at the Melbourne Cricket Ground over winter. Go cricket mad in summer, when the city hosts the Ashes and one day internationals. Or join the huge crowds watching the Australian Tennis Open at Melbourne Park. Rev heads head to Melbourne in March for the Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix in Albert Park. And whether you are a racing fan or just a casual punter, you won't want to miss the Melbourne Cup - the world's richest horse race on the first Tuesday in November.
All fares are quoted in US Dollars.