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Day 01 Melbourne to Ballarat or Kyneton
Experience true Aussie country life and hospitality by choosing to stay with a farm host family in the Ballarta and/or Kyneton area. Stay with a real Australian family, 'on the land', joining in daily tasks and special seasonal farm activities. Enjoy delicious home-cooked meals, in the warm and friendly family atmosphere, typical of Aussie hospitality. You won't forget seeing ‘The Southern Cross' and ‘The Milky Way'. At sunrise and sunset you can often see the wild kangaroos or other native Australian animals on farm properties feeding.
Overnight: Farmstay
Day 02 Kyneton to Bendigo
DISTANCE: 140KM, APPROX. TRAVEL TIME: 2HR
Continue north-west from Melbourne along the Calder Highway for Bendigo, a city that provides a great snapshot of Australia's rich gold history. See the legacy of that period's influx of tens of thousands of Chinese gold diggers at the Golden Dragon Museum (home to the world's longest dragon), the Joss House temple, classic Chinese gardens and the Chinese section of the White Hills Cemetery to learn about the migration of Chinese people to the goldfields after gold was discovered here. Bendigo's early wealth is evident in its beautiful Victorian-era sandstone buildings, century-old gardens and established trees. The grand historic hotels provide sumptuous accommodation, and sidewalk cafés, art galleries and fine food, wine and antique stores line the streets. The Bendigo Regional Gallery, a former riflemen's orderly room, features an excellent collection of international and Australian work by artists including Sir Arthur Streeton, Tom Roberts and Arthur Boyd.
Tour the underground Central Deborah Gold Mine or take a short tour on the ‘Talking Tram' and learn about the discovery of gold and the subsequent boom in Bendigo.
Take a 60-metre elevator trip beneath the heart of Bendigo to experience the operating Central Deborah Gold Mine on a one-hour tour that follows a 400-metre underground circuit. Then catch the Bendigo Heritage Tram from the front door of the mine for a travelling commentary of Bendigo's major sights. Bendigo Pottery, Australia's oldest working pottery, has a sales gallery, interpretive museum, heritage-listed kilns, wheel throwing lessons, demonstrations and a Clay Play area for kids. A short detour before Bendigo to Castlemaine is well recommended. Visit the Castlemaine Art Gallery and Historical Museum. Time pemitting, you can also head to the nearby Bendigo and Heathcote wine regions, famous for their fine Shiraz.
Overnight: Bendigo
Day 03 Bendigo to Echuca-Moama
DISTANCE: 90KM, APPROX. TRAVEL TIME: 1.5HR
From Bendigo, travel northwards towards Echuca - a riverboat township famous for its paddlesteamers plying the Murray River. From Bendigo continue north to Echuca Moama, situated on the Murray River. Echuca Moama was Australia's largest inland port and today it remains the riverboat capital, with its original red gum wharf and port area being the focal points of the old town. Paddle-steamer cruises are available on a number of riverboats which depart from the Port of Echuca. Hire a houseboat and cruise the calm waters of the river, enjoy quality local produce and wine at first-class restaurants and explore the nearby Barmah Wetlands, where you can skipper a cruise boat or admire the largest single strand of river red gum left on earth.
Overnight: Echuca
Day 04 Echuca-Moama to Albury Wodonga
DISTANCE: 250KM, APPROX. TRAVEL TIME: 3HR
Travel along the Murray Valley Highway through dairying country and the green fields irrigated from the waters of the Murray River. Rutherglen is home to some of the best fortified wines such as Port, Muscat and Tokay but also produces some superb table wines. Spend time visiting wineries such as All Saints, Pfeiffers and Campbell's and taste some of their ‘big reds'. Rutherglen flourished during the gold rush and some of the fine old buildings still remain.
At Albury/Wodonga where the mountains meet the Murray is a great point from which to visit the alpine regions of Australia. Here access can be gained to adventure activities such as white water rafting, hiking and horse riding. Albury Wodonga is a thriving modern city with a leisurely country style. Featuring a mix of stately heritage buildings, parks and treelined streets, the famous Murray River flows between the twin cities and through a magnificent unspoiled landscape of rolling valleys, hills and lush farmlands. The sandy beaches and expansive 365-kilometre shoreline of nearby Lake Hume make it a popular destination for sunbaking, picnicking and fishing.
Ovenight: Albury
 Day 05 Albury Wodonga to Canberra
Leave the Murray River and the twin towns of Albury Wodonga and head to the historic town of Yass. Settled in the 1800s by explorer Hamilton Hume and the poet Banjo Paterson, Yass today is a centre for many rural and adventure activities.
Canberra, the Australian capital, is home to national institutions and attractions, most of which are located near or around Lake Burley Griffin. Parliament House's 81-metre flagpole on top of Capital Hill is visible as you approach the city from all directions. Take a tour through the art collection and architecture of this magnificent building, and see Parliament sitting from the public galleries. Visit the Australian War Memorial, regarded as one of the most impressive war museums in the world, and see exhibitions and the collection of more than 100,000 artworks at the National Gallery of Australia.
And if you find yourself in Canberra in spring, make sure you join the month-long floral extravaganza, Floriade.
Overnight: Canberra
 Day 06 Canberra
Full day tour of Canberra, starting with the National Capital Exhibition (www.nationalcapital.gov.au), which tells the story of how Canberra became the capital of Australia. Through interactive displays, the Exhibition illustrates Canberra's vital role as a symbol of Federation. It features the people, events, history and design which contributed to the development of this unique, modern, fully planned capital city.
Take a picture of yourself with the famous Captain Cook Memorial jet in the background. Do visit Parliament house and join a free tour. The lively debates at 2pm when Parliament is sitting, attracts wide interest and proceedings may be observed from the public galleries. Have lunch at one of the many cafes in the city centre, like Anise which is an award-winning modern Australian cuisine restaurant, or Boat House By The Lake, set on the foreshore of Lake Burley Griffin.
You might want to walk off lunch shopping at the Canberra Centre or the recently opened DFO outlet shops. Or, proceed to the National Museum of Australia and join a guided tour which appeals to a wide range of audiences.
If you enjoy sports, the Australian Institute of Sport is a must for you! A tour of the complex with an athlete as your guide, you fill find a world class sporting facility where athletes train - you might even see one of the country's sporting heroes training! Don't miss Sportex - an exhibition of interactive sports displays, videos and tributes and learn about the latest sports technology. Head to the Australian War Memorial (www.awm.gov.au) to catch the closing ceremony held daily at 4.50pm with the haunting tones of a piper or bugler playing the Last Post.
Return to hotel for a short rest before dinner. There are over 300 restaurants in Canberra, so download a copy of Gourmet Guide from www.visitcanberra.com.au.
Overnight: Canberra
 Day 07 Canberra
Full day in Canberra. Start the morning with a hot air balloon tour and see Canberra city from above (www.balloonaloft.com) Head to Questacon for those with families for interesting and interactive science exhibits (www.questacon.edu.au) or drive to Cockington Green Gardens (www.cockingtongreen.com.au) - 20 mins from city-to see intricate miniature buildings.
In the Rose Room, don't miss the 'Waverley', a 34-room dollhouse! Have lunch at Gold Creek Village area or do a winery visit and lunch at a winery cafe/restaurant (e.g. Pialligo or Poachers Pantry). Return to the city in the late afternoon, and drive through the embassy row to see if you can identify the various flags and countries they represent. Visit Canberra Glassworks, where you can take an introductory glass course from glass artists, or just watch artists at work. Catch the sunset with a drive up Mount Ainslie and get a bird's eye view of Canberra city at dusk. If you're hankering for some Asian food tonight, try the beef rendang at Abell's Kopi Tiam in Manuka, or one of the Chinese restaurants in Dickson.
Overnight: Canberra
Day 08 Canberra to Southern Highlands
Commence your Journey from Canberra to Southern Highlands, stopping by at mysterious Lake George. It is renowned for emptying and filling on a cyclical basis and is believed to be more than a million years old. Along the lake, stop at Lerida Estate Wines, whose adjourning courtyard offers good views of the often dry Lake George. Pick up a bottle or two of the winery's Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Rose, Shiraz and Merlot. Travel on to Goulburn and catch sight of the world's largest cement sheep, The Big Merino.
Things to see and do:
Tour Old Goulburn Brewery and taste beer brewed to the original recipe. The Old Goulburn Brewery is Australia's oldest surviving brewery. Here you will discover great food and fine ales to ensure a very memorable experience. Indigenous Australian foods feature on the menu alongside traditional old-fashioned favourites.
Take a guided tour of St. Saviour's Cathedral, one of the most beautiful Gothic Cathedrals in Australia. St. Saviour's has been a place of worship and ministry since the 1830s and continues to serve the city of Goulburn. (Tours between 10am and 2pm).
Come and see the 97 tonne, giant life-like Ram, occupying the The Big Merino Gift Shop. There is a range of quality gift wear, cosmetics, crafts, souvenirs and beautiful knitwear made from fine Australian merino wool. On 26 May 2007 he was transported 800 metres down Hume Street to his new location just off Goulburn's Southern exit from the M5 Hume Expressway.
Explore the many galleries, antiques and art and craft shops located around the region.
Continue on to Southern Highlands and stay at the many charming resorts at Bowral.
 Day 09 Canberra to Southern Highlands
Today's visitor to Berrima can experience the quiet charm and romance that comes from those features of the village which remained frozen in time and which now so wonderfully portray those earlier times. The village is no longer merely a stopping point on the way to somewhere else. Today's Berrima is a delightful destination in its own right - Shop, eat, drink and enjoy the ambience of Berrima. www.berrimavillage.com.au
Treat Your Senses to the Magnificient Gardens
The Southern Highlands revels in some of the most magnificent private gardens in Australia. Grand old gardens planted from the middle of last century were established by Sydneysiders who came to their country estates to escape the heat and humidity of coastal summers. They are part of the region's heritage and visitors return each year to enjoy their beauty.
Take home giant bunches of beautiful fresh proteas
look out for them at the Bou-saada Vineyards & Wines cellar door. A visit to one of our beautiful private gardens when they are open to the public is a must. Don't miss gardens like Red Cow Farm, Back O' The Moon and Chinoiserie.
Shop at the charming Bowral & Berrima
Scour these charming historic townships for the many unique antique stores, barn barns, and fresh produce shops etc. A few we discovered are the Peppergreen Antique Shop, Grandpa’s Shed and the Little Hand Stirred Jam Shop.
White Horse Inn
Renowned in the Southern Highlands region for its food & service, White Horse Inn serves an excellent traditional high tea set in a old world inn setting. This is also a great lunch stop if you are tired from all the shopping. Be sure to ask the friendly staff about "Jimmy the Ghost"!
Bowral Tulip Festival
If you are visiting Southern Highlands in spring time, you will be treated to the grandeur of the full bloom of its elegant gardens that the region is known for. You can either just relax and enjoy the colourful flowering sight in the comfort of a courtyard café or you can visit the popular Corbett Gardens to catch the Tulip Festival display for you.
Stay another night in the charming accommodation here in Southern Highlands or a farmstay near Moss Vale.
Day 10 Southern Highlands
Visit the Bradman Museum of Cricket at the Bradman Oval to learn about Australia's greatest cricketer. The Museum is for lovers of history, art and sport and provides hours of entertainment for all ages. Whilst the Bradman Museum of Cricket obviously celebrates the life of Sir Donald it is more than just that. The buildings house a wonderful collection of art works, trophies and ephemera, all of which highlight how sport and the game of cricket has influenced generations of Australians. There are fascinating audiovisual displays showing archival film footage and you can take time out to sit in the 100 seat theatre and watch the players of yesteryear
Stop by Centennial Vineyards Winery and Restaurant and Greenbrier Park Vineyard for their cool climate wines.
Pick a book from the 200,000 collection at Berkelouw Book Barn's just 3km from Berrima.
Fitzroy Falls Visitor Information Centre - Timber boardwalks, spectacular lookouts over sandstone escarpment with waterfalls cascading into rainforest valleys below are the special features of this centre. There are 15 lookouts to view the falls, 6km of constructed walking tracks with interpretive signs and environmental and cultural heritage displays. An education room has interactive displays for children and an exhibition on plants and animals of the region.
Enjoy your leisurely drive back to Sydney from the Southern Highlands.
For more information:
www.capitalandcountry.com.au
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