Accommodation
From Melbourne's chic city hotels to stylish country stays
Experiences
A continent of contrasts; from the outback to the ocean
Itineraries
Experience it all with epic Australian adventures
Compact and cosmopolitan, Victoria offers spectacular nature and decadent nurturing, epic road-trips and award-winning restaurants, wonderful wellness and world-class wines, magnificent Melbourne and so much more.
Wrapped around the winding banks of the Yarra River, Melbourne is a magnificent multicultural mix of lively laneway dining and grand arcade shopping, captivating theatre and a year-round calendar of events from the Australian Open Tennis in January, the Formula 1 Grand Prix in March and the Melbourne Cup horse-racing carnival each November.
The wonderful wineries of the Yarra Valley, the nightly Philip Island penguin parade and the Mornington Peninsula’s delicious foodie trails are all an easy day-trip from Melbourne; provided you can resist the many local temptations to stay a little longer!
Combine a stay in the picturesque Mornington Peninsula (with its combination of fabulous restaurants, fine wines and fresh regional produce; great golf courses and colourful local galleries) with a self-drive along the scenic Great Ocean Road by taking the car ferry from Sorrento to Queenscliff.
Traverse the scenic bends of the Great Ocean Road, one of Australia’s most iconic touring routes, to visit famous surf beaches, pretty seaside towns, stunning National Parks and the dramatic Twelve Apostles rock formations. Travel inland to take in the stunning Grampians National Park and delightful Daylesford Spa Country; both of which also offer some of Australia’s most highly-awarded destination dining experiences.
Luxury Destinations Victoria
Explore a selection of our favourite locations
Luxury accommodation Victoria
Experience some of our favourite places to stay
Luxury Experiences Victoria
Discover a few of our favourite activities
Itinerary Inspirations
Melbourne, Mornington Peninsula, Great Ocean Road or Yarra Valley: these itineraries have been designed to inspire you with a small selection of the many unique adventures to be had in Victoria. Once you have a feel for the destinations and experiences that best resonate with you, we will tailor every element of your perfect luxury travel itinerary in Victoria, exclusively for you.
Get a taste for Melbourne.
Escape to cosmopolitan Melbourne, where world class dining, lively laneways, colourful street art and fabulous shopping meet. Slip into the locals’ swing of things with a four-night stay at sleek and chic United Places Botanic Gardens in the trendy suburb of South Yarra. A guided walkingtour will introduce you to Melbourne’s labyrinth of laneways and arcades, taste handcrafted chocolates and discover the urban street art scene, followed by a private 90-minute cruise on the Yarra River.
Spend a day learning the secrets of success behind James Halliday’s 2019 ‘Winery of the Year’ at Seville Estate in the Yarra Valley, where elegance and finesse flows through their wines and the surrounding vistas of the upper Yarra Valley are breathtakingly beautiful. Join the estate winemaker for a tour and tasting and enjoy a private cooking demonstration with the chef.
- Inclusions
4 nights’ accommodation United Places Botanic Gardens. Daily breakfasts and 2 lunches, Return private airport/hotel transfers, Half-day private Melbourne touring and Full-day private Seville Estate Winemaker and Chef experience (available Friday, Saturday or Monday).
- Note
To take your Melbourne getaway to the next level, ask us about some of the other decadently tasty Melbourne diversions and day trips we can offer during your stay.
Get arty and go wild in Melbourne.
Experience Melbourne’s very liveable lifestyle staying at Pan Pacific Melbourne in the vibrant South Wharf district. A private guided cycling tour explores the city’s lively riverfront and colourful hidden laneways. Meet a local street artist and uncover Melbourne’s street art scene on a guided laneways tour; and unlock your arty side as you create your own masterpiece to take home on an expert-led spray-painting stencil workshop. Fun for the entire family!
A family trip to Melbourne wouldn’t be complete without a visit to Phillip island to view the famous sunset Penguin Parade, where the Little Penguins return to Summerland Beach after a day of fishing. Visiting the Koala Conservation and The Nobbies Centre along the way
- Inclusions
4 nights’ accommodation Pan Pacific Melbourne (two-bedroom apartment). Daily breakfasts, 1 lunch and 1 dinner per person. Return private airport/hotel transfers. Private cycling tour of Melbourne, Private Street Art tour with Melbourne street artist workshop, Private tour to Phillip Island including Koala Conservation Centre, Nobbies Centre and Penguin Parade.
- Note
To take your family friendly Melbourne escapades to the next level, ask us about the option of spending the day as a wildlife ranger with zoologist and TV personality Chris Humfreys.
Enjoy the good life; from the Yarra Valley to Daylesford.
A fabulous four day foodie’s folly starts in the Yarra Valley, staying at Yering Gorge Cottages adjoining the Eastern Golf Club and only moments from some of the region’s most celebrated cellar doors including de Bortoli where we have included a behind-the-scenes tour and tasting
experience with lunch.
Continue the self-drive journey to the heart of Victoria’s spa country to stay at the lovely Lake House in Daylesford where you can enjoy long country walks, healing spa treatments and hatted dining.
- Inclusions
4 nights’ accommodation (2 nights Yering Gorge Cottages and 2 nights Lake House Daylesford) inclusive of daily breakfast and 1 lunch,, ultimate de Bortoli Winery Experience and 4 days rental vehicle with insurance (max. cover), unlimited kilometres and GPS.
The really great outdoors
Nature lovers get outdoors and active, from the Great Ocean Road to the Grampians.
Romance and adventure come together on this 4-day self-drive. Immersed in the serenity of nature on the grounds of the Cape Otway conservation ecology centre, the Great Ocean EcoLodge offers easy access to the great outdoors: beaches and sea cliffs, rainforests and pristine bushland – from the Great Ocean Road to the Great Otway National Park. Enjoy wonderful walks, a visit to the Cape Otway Lighthouse, a 15 minute scenic helicopter flight and a peaceful gourmet picnic lunch during your stay here.
Head inland to stay at the Royal Mail Hotel, renowned as one of Australia’s foremost destination dining venues, this country getaway is also at the gateway to the Grampians National Park. Follow your passions with the choice of a canoeing, stand-up paddle boarding or mountain
biking adventure in these spectacular surrounds.
- Inclusions
4 nights’ accommodation (2 nights Great Ocean Road EcoLodge and 2 nights’ Royal Mail Hotel), Daily breakfast, 2 lunches and 2 dinners per person. Admission to Cape Otway Lighthouse, choice of 3hr small group canoe/SUP or mountain bike adventure, 15 min scenic helicopter flight, rental vehicle including insurance (max. cover) unlimited kilometres and GPS.
Gourmet getaway
A decadent combination of wining and dining, including hands-on and behind-the-scenes foodie experiences.
Begin your gourmet getaway as you mean to continue, in style, sipping champagne at the famed Lake House in Daylesford. Then roll up your sleeves to enjoy an exclusive hands-on cooking class the with the acclaimed restaurant’s talented chefs. Enjoy the spoils of your labour, a fabulous three course meal, with matched premium wines. It would of course be remiss to visit Victoria’s spa country without a visit to the day spa, so spend the following morning soaking in 100% pure mineral waters. We have included a one-hour relaxing massage to help you really unwind.
Journey to the Grampians through beautiful farmlands and towering eucalypts, stopping for lunch in the grand gold-rush city of Ballarat. On arrival at the Royal Mail Hotel, join the sommelier for a tour and tasting in the hotel’s impressive wine cellar before a degustation dinner in Wickens Restaurant, another hatted regional Victorian restaurant. After breakfast, join one of the hotel chefs to learn the sustainable philosophies of Australia’s largest restaurant kitchen garden. Then journey through the Grampians National Park and take the opportunity to hike to scenic lookouts, admire waterfalls and wildflowers and learn about the region’s rich Aboriginal history.
Mt Langi Ghiran, regarded as one of Australia’s most celebrated producers of Shiraz, is the perfect spot to break up the return journey to Melbourne; and an exclusive tour and tasting experience is the perfect way to round off this escorted epicurean escape.
Continue to Melbourne by road, or finish on a real high with a scenic 75-minute scenic helicopter flight to the city.
- Inclusions
Private Cooking Class at Lake House Restaurant (3-course with beverages), one night accommodation, supper and breakfast in a Lodge Studio Room at Lake House Daylesford, Mineral Springs Bathing and 60-minute massage, one night accommodation in a deluxe mountain view room at the Royal Mail hotel including sommelier-led cellar tour and tasting, chef-led kitchen garden tour, breakfast and dinner in Wickens Restaurant, exclusive tour and tasting experience at Mount Langi Ghiran. 3 days private driver/guide and luxury vehicle (pick up/drop off within 10km Melbourne CBD)
- Note
Private charter tour can commence Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday or Friday year round, subject to availability.
Waves, walks & waterways
Feel the wind in your hair and the sand under your feet.
Begin your nature escape at the contemporary Lon Retreat, a seven-suite lodge and mineral spa set on a 200-acre private estate, on the beautiful Bellarine Peninsula. Explore the area’s natural surrounds with a 3.5-hour dolphin and seal swim or a surfing experience (the choice is yours!).
Continue along the iconic Great Ocean Road to join a guided three day/two night Twelve Apostles Lodge walk. Hike through beautiful forests and sandy pathways, enjoy stunning vistas of the Southern Ocean and iconic shipwrecks, and take to the skies on a 15-minute helicopter scenic flight over the Twelve Apostles.
Conclude with a two-night stay in the cosy, coastal town of Port Fairy, staying at Drift House, relax and unwind after the walk and enjoy the “most liveable community in the world”.
- Inclusions
6 nights’ accommodation (2 nights Lon Retreat, 2 nights 12 Apostles Lodge, 2 nights Drift House). Daily breakfast (provided as a gourmet hamper at Lon Retreat), 3 lunches, and 2 dinners per person. Choice of either a 3.5 hr Dolphin and Seal Swim cruise or a surfing experience (shared basis). 3 day shared small group walking tour of the Great Ocean Road, 15 min. scenic helicopter flight, rental vehicle including insurance (max. cover) unlimited kilometres and GPS.
- Note
This itinerary is available September through to April, commencing on Thursdays.
Country to coast
Fine wine, spectacular scenic drives and fabulous food come together.
Hit the road to reunite with family or friends and begin your self-drive journey in the marvellous Mornington Peninsula. Enjoy wonderful wines and fabulous food at Jackalope with its intoxicating combination of contemporary sophistication and classic country charms. A private tour of the region combines an introduction to the local art and wines.
Continue across the Bay to follow the scenic Great Ocean Drive, past iconic surf beaches to sleep surrounded by the Great Otway National Park at Alkina Lodge. From here it’s just a short hop to join your heli-scenic flight over the famous 12 Apostles. Follow the iconic shipwreck coast and sandstone stacks to Port Fairy where the delightful Drift House is your home for the next two nights. Return to Melbourne via the Grampian National Park, enjoying two delicious nights at the Royal Mail Hotel, home to some of the state’s finest destination dining experiences.
- Inclusions
8 nights’ accommodation (2 nights Jackalope, 2 nights Alkina Lodge and 2 nights Drift House and 2 nights Royal Mail Hotel), full-day private touring in the Mornington Peninsula and a 25 minute Great Ocean Road scenic helicopter flight). Daily breakfast. Rental vehicle.
Wilson’s Prom wilderness, Philip Is wildlife and Mornington Peninsula Wines.
Just 3 hours from Melbourne feels like worlds away. Hit the road and for Wilsons Promontory. With the Church House boutique retreat as your base, explore the southern-most coast of the Australian mainland with a full-day guided tour of the Prom’s wildest wonders including a spectacular wilderness cruise.
The wilderness adventures continue on Philip Island, where your stay includes wildlife encounters with penguins, koalas, wallabies and more, while enjoying the heritage charms of Glen Isla house
Wilderness and wildlife give way to wines in the Mornington Peninsula. Enjoy a behind thescenes tour and tastings at the award-winning Pt Leo Estate winery and sculpture park. Continue the culinary indulgences, staying at the super-chic Jackalope vineyard escape.
- Inclusions
6 nights’ accommodation (2 nights The Church House, 2 nights Glen Isla House, 2 nights Jackalope). Daily breakfast and 1 lunch per person. Full-day private Wilsons Promontory tour with lunch and (shared basis) wilderness cruise, Entry to Phillip Island Penguin Parade, Entry to Bushland Escape Koala Reserve, Churchill Island entry, entry to Antarctic Journey at Nobbies Ocean Discovery Centre, Behind-the-scenes wine tasting and tour at Pt Leo Estate, rental vehicle including insurance (max. cover) unlimited kilometres and GPS.
- Note
Itinerary is available for travellers 12 years of age and older (ask us for details if travelling with younger children).
Follow the path less travelled, from Melbourne to Sydney.
Head south from Sydney to explore Canberra’s star attractions and the city’s coming of age with the chic and quirky QT Canberra as your base. During your stay in the capital, enjoy a private tour of the Australian War Memorial with behind-the-scenes access and captivating insights into heroic tales of service and sacrifice, courage and camaraderie.
Cross the border into Victoria and delve into the State’s gold-rush heritage from Beechworth to Bendigo. A full-day private tour in Bendigo invites you to roll your sleeves up and get creative. Combining great coffee, fine chocolate, gnocchi making and the chance to create your own pottery masterpiece, you’ll discover it’s not just the gold that shines here!
Unwind in spa country, with a stay at the award-winning Lake House Daylesford before reaching the city. Round off the overland adventure with a night on the town, wining and dining with an engaging local guide and staying at United Places Botanic Gardens in trendy South Yarra.
- Inclusions
8 nights’ accommodation (2 nights QT Canberra, 2 nights The Graces Beechworth, 2 nights Alexandra Place, 2 nights Lake House Daylesford). 8 breakfasts, 1 lunch and 1 dinner. Private tour of Australian War Memorial, Private full-day tour Bendigo including gnocchi making and pottery class, Melbourne private guided progressive dinner tour, rental vehicle including insurance (max. cover) unlimited kilometres and GPS.
many many many thanks!!!!!!
We have been blown away by everything - hotels, food, people, golf, wine - the list is endless. You did an amazing job
Planning a 7 week trip is daunting enough without the complications of COVID cancellations, rebookings, and closures. Yet every connection, every transportation detail, every accommodation, every meal, everything was flawless.
From our arrival in Sydney .. to our last stop in Queenstown .. we will carry with us the best memories of our trip and all of your efforts. The incredible private boat tours .. the bespoke wine tours with the best guides .. our accommodations .. and the excellent itinerary and pacing, made for a perfect trip.
We can't thank Southern Crossings enough for making this trip all, and more, than we had imagined. You allowed us to see the best of your countries: the people, the beauty, the culture. Five stars, a blue ribbon, and a gold medal to everyone at Southern Crossings!
Your country, its people and your team could not have made us feel more welcome.
Thank you for all the special moments you enabled us to experience.
