Touring Southern Australia - from Melbourne to Adelaide via the Great Ocean Road

The journey from Melbourne to Adelaide is one of the greatest road trips on the planet, taking in diverse terrain, rugged mountain ranges, jaw-dropping coastline, stunning beaches, unique wildlife, rainforests and innumerable other sights that no-one is ever likely to forget.

Melbourne

Beginning in Melbourne, you will be greeted by a city loved by those who call it home and always remembered by those who have visited it. Melbourne ranks as Australia’s largest city where excellent shopping, vibrant nightlife, worldwide cuisine and a trendy cafe culture vie for the attention in a city awash with European-esque architecture and locals who originate from all corners of the globe (namely Italy, China, Greece and other parts of eastern Asia) - reflected in the many different eateries and market places.

On arrival you cannot miss the tall, thin, ‘stacked domino’ type structure watching over the city which is the Eureka Tower. This oddly-designed tower is in fact a residential building which also includes the ‘Eureka Skydeck 88’ – the highest public vantage point in the Southern Hemisphere. Here you can enjoy unrivalled views of this great city, further enhanced by the 30 viewfinders that help you pinpoint all the important landmarks. Also part of the observation deck is ‘The Edge’ – a glass cube that extends out from the main building and hangs over the edge of the tower, giving visitors the feeling they are floating high above the ground, with only reinforced glass preventing their fall to the ground below!

Unavoidable and simply a ‘must-do’ part of any trip is a visit to the Melbourne institution that is the Queen Victoria Market. The market is a veritable dream for food lovers, where hundreds of outdoor and indoor stalls offer all kinds of delicacies from around the world as well as various crafts and clothes stalls. Hours can be sent perusing the goods. Food lovers should definitely consider the ‘Foodies Dream Tour’ where you are guided around the immense food section of the market, exploring its cultural routes and background.

Federation Square is another important focal point. Here you will find a collection of excellent tourist attractions that include The Australian Racing Museum Hall of Fame as well as the Australian Centre for the Moving Image which has two state of the art cinemas as well as open spaces for the public to congregate to view screenings. The design itself is post-modern in style, where bizarre geometric shapes clash with a glass atrium which is a spectacle in its own right. Whist here, take time out to watch a screening at the 400-seat amphitheatre or simply grab a coffee and relax along the banks of the adjoining Yarra River.

Another remarkable part of the city is St. Kilda. This fashionable suburb of Melbourne is one of the most beautiful parts of the city, sitting on a pretty bay boasting sandy beaches, with the city’s skyline sitting majestically in the background. The area has undergone much renovation in recent years after being known as a ‘problem area’. Now you will find some of the biggest and most grandiose houses in southern Australia as well as upmarket restaurants and a refined cafe culture.

Another favourite place to visit in Melbourne is the famous Old Melbourne Gaol. The ‘Crime and Justice Experience’ attraction sees visitors actually locked up in a cell as well as touring the historic and eerie corridors of this once notorious jail that was the scene of countless hangings including that of Australian folk hero Ned Kelly in 1880. The artefacts here are also fascinating – including the ‘death masks’ of those on death row as well as old guns, profiles of former inmates and a suit of armour which belonged to Ned Kelly’s gang.

Should time permit, also consider taking one of the many trips to be had from the city. From Waterfront Place, you are able to take an unforgettable ferry trip (cars allowed) to Tasmania – an island full of eye-catching natural beauty, including breathtaking mountain ranges and deep river gorges. The 11-hour crossing is aboard a modern, comfortable ferry which marks a pleasurable experience in its own right. With the benefit of car hire you can take your vehicle onboard and explore this compact island at your own pace.

Another excursion from Melbourne is the famous Phillip Island where you can enjoy the ‘Ultimate Penguin Tour’. The Phillip Island Nature Park ranks as one of the country’s most popular wildlife attractions with the Penguin Parade being the highlight.  Within the locality you can also go cycling, walking or simply relax on one of the many beaches, small inlets and bays dotted all around the island.

Wine lovers will be well aware that Melbourne provides the gateway to the Yarra Valley – home to some of Australia’s most famous vineyards. Be sure to stop at some of the famous wineries including Yering Station, Rochford, Yering Farm and Domaine Chandon (home to Moet & Chandon’s Australian production house) where you will slurp, swirl and taste some of the most exquisite wines the country has to offer as well as take in a spot of lunch.