Hatted hideaways & hot regional dining
The Great Australian Gourmet Adventure
Explore and experience a collection of Victoria’s tastiest treasures on a 6-night self-drive through the Grampians high country and Daylesford’s spa country.
Settle in behind the wheel of your AUDI Q5 for an epicurious Victorian road trip in style. Head for Gariwerd (The Grampians) renowned for wonderful wilderness, wildlife and walking trails. Stay (and go behind-the-scenes) at the Royal Mail Hotel renowned for its hatted dining, abundant kitchen gardens and 30,000 bottle cellar! In Daylesford’s picturesque spa country, indulge in the Lake House’s decadent degustation dining and enjoy a private guided introduction to the flavours of the region. An overnight in Melbourne’s trendy South Yarra rounds out a road trip to be savoured.
Itinerary
On arrival in Melbourne, collect your luxury rental car to hit the road in comfort and style. Head west for the hills (we can highly recommend taking up the opportunity to lunch at Brae which regularly makes the World’s Best Restaurants list).
The Grampians are the first port of call on this delicious regional Victoria road trip. Overnighting at the southern end of Gariwerd (Grampians National Park), the Royal Mail Hotel is the gateway to pristine wilderness, abundant wildlife, wonderful walking trails and exceptional regional dining experiences.
The property’s Parker Street Project casual dining option is our recommendation for this evening’s meal.
Accommodation: The Royal Mail Hotel, Grampians (2 nights)
Included with your stay at the Royal Mail Hotel is a chef-led tour of the property’s productive kitchen garden and a sommelier-led wine tutorial in the Royal Mail’s impressive 30,000 bottle wine cellar. We can also highly recommend stretching your legs on one of the wonderful walking trails in the area; and for this evening’s dinner it would be remiss to miss the opportunity to dine at the highly-awarded hatted Wickens at Royal Mail.
Accommodation: The Royal Mail Hotel, Grampians
On the drive between the Grampians and your next destination, Daylesford; a lunch stop in Ballarat is well rewarded with recommendations ranging from Moon and Mountain’s Asian fusion and Winner Winner’s fried chicken to the Provincial’s paddock to plate refined dining at Lola.
.. but be sure to leave room for the Lake House’s six-course degustation dinner that we have included with your stay at this revered regional destination dining venue.
Accommodation: Lake House, Daylesford (3 nights)
Daylesford’s magnificent distractions are many. Today we can recommend treating yourself to treatment in the Lake House treetop spa, or venture out to browse the nearby Daylesford village’s boutiques and galleries, sample handcrafted Daylesford cider, sip lavender Champagne at Lavandula Swiss Italian Farm and enjoy a leisurely long lunch at Sault.
For this evening’s dinner we can also recommend Kadota Japanese-inspired fine dining.
Accommodation: Lake House, Daylesford
Loop back to Melbourne and check in to the Lyall Hotel and Spa surrounded by South Yarra’s shops, restaurants and bars.
We suggest you try Melbourne’s Matilda 159 Domain on the edge of the beautiful botanic gardens for your dinner this evening.
Accommodation: The Lyall Hotel & Spa, Melbourne
Return your rental car to Melbourne Airport to connect with your onward travel arrangements,
Or continue the Great Australian Gourmet Adventure in Tasmania.
Important Information
Price – From $8,830 for two people on a double/twin share basis
Inclusions:
- 6 nights' accommodation as per itinerary above
- Meals: 4 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 2 dinners, and selected beverages
- Prestige (Audi Q5) rental vehicle
- Chef-led kitchen garden tour at Royal Mail Hotel
- Sommelier-led wine tastings at Royal Mail Hotel
- Six course Lake House degustation dinner
- Full-day private Daylesford & Macedon Ranges tour with lunch
- Australian Goods & Services Tax (GST) at 10%
- Southern Crossings VIP privileges and a contribution to our philanthropic initiatives
Exclusions:
- Flights to / from Melbourne (as required)
- Meals and Beverages not specified in the itinerary or at dinner suggestions
- Travel Insurance
- Personal Expenses
- Excess baggage charges
- Tips and Gratuities
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.
