A 10-day Melbourne tour gives you time to experience Victoria properly: not just one rushed day trip, but a carefully connected journey through city laneways, dramatic coastlines, ancient rainforest, rugged mountains, native wildlife, vineyards and regional food.

Our published packages currently run from 1 to 8 days. This 10-day / 9-night itinerary is therefore created as a custom private charter or extended package, designed around your arrival dates, interests, accommodation preferences and group size. If you have less time, we can also shape the experience into a 5-, 6-, 7- or 8-day Victoria multi-city tour.

We take care of the route, transport, accommodation planning, entries and timing, so you can concentrate on the adventure.

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Before You Start: What This Custom Tour Includes

A 10-day itinerary is quoted individually rather than sold as one fixed departure or fixed-price package. Depending on your selections, your custom tour may include:

• 9 nights of arranged accommodation
• Airport transfers to and from Melbourne
• Comfortable private charter or suitable small-group transport
• Expert local guides and commentary
• Breakfast and selected meals, where included in your package
• National park and attraction entry fees
• Wildlife experiences and carefully timed sightseeing
• Optional activities such as hot air ballooning, skydiving, surfing, cycling, seal swims and dolphin swims

Our existing 8-day packages are offered in an all-inclusive style with accommodation, breakfast, entry fees and airport transfers. We use that same practical approach when building longer private itineraries, then confirm every inclusion clearly in your personalised proposal.

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Day 1: Arrive in Melbourne, Federation Square, Laneways and Street Art

Your journey begins in the heart of Melbourne. After your airport transfer and hotel check-in, we introduce you to the city through Federation Square, the Yarra River promenade and the historic centre around Flinders Street Station.

From there, we walk into Melbourne’s famous laneways. Hosier Lane, Degraves Street and the surrounding arcades reveal a city of murals, hidden cafes, independent galleries and unexpected architectural details. Melbourne’s street art is constantly changing, which means every visit feels slightly different.

Today’s highlights:

• Airport transfer and accommodation check-in
• Federation Square and the Yarra River
• Laneway coffee and street art
• Optional evening dining in Chinatown, Southbank or Fitzroy

We keep the first day flexible, allowing you to recover from international travel without missing the city’s atmosphere.

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Day 2: Markets, Gardens, Sport and Melbourne from Above

We begin with the lively atmosphere of Queen Victoria Market, where local produce, street food, souvenirs and fresh coffee create an authentic Melbourne morning. It is a favourite stop for visitors who want to see the city beyond its headline attractions.

Later, we explore the Royal Botanic Gardens, a peaceful contrast to the CBD’s vertical energy. Depending on your interests, we can also include the Melbourne Cricket Ground, an MCG tour or a visit to one of the city’s major cultural institutions.

For a spectacular finish, we head to Eureka Skydeck. From the viewing level, Melbourne’s grid of streets, sports precinct, suburbs and distant ranges unfold beneath you.

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Day 3: Dandenong Ranges, Puffing Billy and a Personal Melbourne Experience

Today takes us east of the city into the cool, fern-filled Dandenong Ranges. We follow winding roads through tall mountain ash forest before boarding the famous Puffing Billy steam railway. The historic train is one of Victoria’s most memorable experiences, especially for families and first-time visitors.

We then tailor the afternoon to your interests. You might choose:

• A Melbourne photography workshop
• Shopping at Chadstone, one of Australia’s largest shopping destinations
• A visit to Chandon for sparkling wine and regional scenery
• Additional city time, galleries or neighbourhood exploration

This is one of the advantages of a private charter: we can adjust the pace rather than asking everyone to follow an inflexible schedule.

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Day 4: Melbourne to the Great Ocean Road, Bells Beach to Apollo Bay

We leave Melbourne and begin our Melbourne to Great Ocean Road multi-day tour. The first coastal section includes Torquay and the famous surf break at Bells Beach, followed by the historic Memorial Arch.

The road curls through Aireys Inlet, Lorne and Wye River, with the Southern Ocean appearing and disappearing between forested hills. Around Kennett River, we look for koalas resting in eucalyptus branches, along with colourful parrots and other native wildlife.

By afternoon, we reach Apollo Bay. Rather than returning to Melbourne after a long day, we stay locally, giving you time to enjoy the coastal atmosphere and ocean air.

Overnight: Apollo Bay or Port Campbell, depending on the final route.

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Day 5: Otway Rainforest, the 12 Apostles and Shipwreck Coast Sunset

After breakfast, we enter the green world of the Otways. A guided rainforest walk reveals towering trees, ferns, moss and cool freshwater gullies before we return to the coast.

The afternoon brings the defining moment of any 12 Apostles tour from Melbourne: the limestone stacks rising from the Southern Ocean. We also explore Gibson Steps, Loch Ard Gorge and London Bridge, each shaped by the region’s powerful waves and long geological history.

The Shipwreck Coast has claimed hundreds of vessels, and the cliffs around Loch Ard Gorge carry stories of survival as well as tragedy. Our guides add that local history to the scenery, so the stops become more than photo opportunities.

We aim for late afternoon or sunset when conditions allow. The low light turns the cliffs gold, while the ocean shifts from blue to deep steel.

An optional scenic helicopter flight can add a completely different perspective over the apostles and coastline. See our Twelve Apostles scenic helicopter flight for the experience.

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Day 6: Grampians (Gariwerd), Lookouts, Culture and Kangaroos

We travel inland to the Grampians, known as Gariwerd, a place of dramatic sandstone ranges and deep cultural significance to Aboriginal communities.

Our base is Halls Gap, where kangaroos are often visible around dawn and dusk. During the day, we visit Boroka Lookout, Reed Lookout and The Balconies, each offering a different view across forests, valleys and distant plains.

We also include MacKenzie Falls, time at the Brambuk cultural centre, and Aboriginal rock art sites where accessible. For active travellers, the Pinnacle hike provides one of the region’s most rewarding walks.

This is the heart of our Great Ocean Road and Grampians tour package: coast, rainforest, mountains and culture connected into one continuous route.

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Day 7: Phillip Island and the Penguin Parade

We continue towards Phillip Island, beginning with a visit to a koala conservation reserve before exploring the island’s coastal landscapes.

At Cape Woolamai, sea cliffs and surf beaches create a dramatic setting. The Nobbies boardwalk looks across Bass Strait towards Seal Rocks, where Australian fur seals gather offshore.

At dusk, we settle in for the famous Phillip Island Penguin Parade. As daylight fades, little penguins emerge from the water and waddle up the beach in family groups. We watch quietly from the viewing areas, allowing the wildlife to set the pace.

Overnight: Phillip Island or San Remo.

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Day 8: Yarra Valley Wine, Wildlife and Sunrise Ballooning

An early start offers the possibility of sunrise hot air ballooning over the Yarra Valley, when vineyards, mist and surrounding ranges are illuminated by the first light.

After breakfast, we visit Healesville Sanctuary for close, respectful encounters with Australian wildlife. The afternoon becomes a gourmet journey through cellar doors such as Chandon, Yering Station, TarraWarra or De Bortoli.

For something different, we can add Four Pillars Gin, the Yarra Valley Chocolaterie or a long regional lunch featuring local produce. This is our classic Yarra Valley wine tour day, but the route is adjusted to suit your tastes rather than forcing you through a standard list of stops.

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Day 9: Flexible Adventure Day, Daylesford or Cycling

Your final full day is deliberately flexible.

Option 1: Daylesford and the Macedon Ranges

We travel through spa country, forest and country towns, with time for mineral springs, gardens, galleries, local produce and a relaxed lunch. This option works beautifully for couples, families and travellers who want a slower finish.

Option 2: Murray to Mountains Rail Trail Cycling

Active travellers can choose a cycling experience along the Murray to Mountains Rail Trail, combining exercise with country scenery, regional food and cellar doors. We can adapt the distance to your group’s fitness and confidence.

In winter, this day can also be reshaped around suitable Melbourne winter day trips, seasonal waterfalls, mountain scenery or indoor food and wine experiences.

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Day 10: Depart Melbourne or Continue to Sydney

After breakfast, we arrange your return transfer and departure from Melbourne, or extend your journey further.

Travellers continuing east can ask us about extending the itinerary into a Melbourne-to-Sydney journey via Canberra. We can also add extra Melbourne nights if your international flight departs later in the day.

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How to Choose Between 5, 7 and 10 Days

Duration	Best for	What it allows
5 days	First-time visitors with limited time	Melbourne, Great Ocean Road and one major regional experience
7 days	Travellers wanting variety	Melbourne, Great Ocean Road, Grampians and Phillip Island or Yarra Valley
10 days	Visitors wanting the complete experience	Melbourne plus coast, mountains, wildlife, wine, cycling and flexible pacing

For a shorter trip, explore our published package tours. For maximum flexibility, enquire about a private or group charter.

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Practical Planning Advice

We recommend booking three to six months ahead for spring and summer, school holidays and other peak periods. Accommodation in Apollo Bay, Port Campbell, Halls Gap and Phillip Island can be limited, particularly when several regional events overlap.

From 16 October 2026, the main Twelve Apostles Visitor Centre precinct requires an advance timed booking. Current guidance indicates that the booking applies to the visitor centre, parking and primary viewing precinct, while access arrangements for places such as Gibson Steps and Loch Ard Gorge remain different. We monitor the latest official requirements and handle the required timed-entry booking for our guests.

Before booking, ask:

• Is the itinerary private, small-group or fixed departure?
• Which accommodation towns and room types are included?
• Are breakfast, entry fees and airport transfers included?
• How much luggage can the vehicle carry?
• What walking and fitness level is required?
• Which activities cost extra?
• Can the route change for weather, wildlife or seasonal closures?
• What happens if a flight or international connection is delayed?

Ready to see more of Victoria without spending months planning every transfer? Contact Great Ocean Road Trip Melbourne and tell us your dates, group size, interests and preferred travel style. We will build a custom 10-day Victoria multi-city tour, or a shorter 5- to 8-day version, that connects the places you most want to experience.