Day One
Begin: Naarm/Melbourne
Experience: Aboriginal Heritage Walk
Step into the tranquil Royal Botanic Gardens amidst the bustling city of Melbourne. Wander through this significant cultural site for the local Kulin Nation with your knowledgeable guide to learn the culture and customs of the region. Listen to the rich history and thriving cultures of the five Indigenous Nations that make up the Kulin Nation alliance as you witness important native plants and hear their connection to culture. Experience a ceremonial acknowledgement of this country and sip lemon myrtle tea amidst the peaceful gardens.
Leg: Melbourne to Geelong
Drive: 89.6km, approx. 1 hour 7 minutes
Stay: Geelong
Day Two
Experience: Discover Narana – Guided Cultural Tour
Nestled amongst native trees, walkways and gardens, Narana Aboriginal Cultural Centre has a vision to promote reconciliation between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people through cultural understanding. Join your knowledgable cultural guide to enjoy a leisurely experience beginning with a Welcome to Narana. Learn the significance of incredible art and artefacts during a cultural talk with Didgeridoo performance. Then, enjoy a delicious tasting plate of lemon myrtle or wattleseed scones with coffee, or try a bush tucker tasting of kangaroo, dips inspired by native ingredients and damper. Later, take a stroll through the native garden with your guide, stopping to feed the friendly wildlife or try your hand at boomerang throwing. End your experience with a walk through the incredible art gallery and take time to relax in Café Narana.
Leg: Geelong to Colac
Drive: 70km, approx. 50 minutes
Stay: Colac
Day Three
Experience: Enjoy a stop at the charming town of Colac and spend a day by the lake. Lake Colac is the largest natural freshwater lake in Victoria, the perfect destination for a swim, a picnic and a stroll. Visit the wetland’s bird reserve to witness a wide diversity of stunning birds who call the lake home and wander to the foreshore to view the Tachyglossus mosaic, a beautiful piece created to represent native flora and fauna of the region using the shapes and symbols of the Gulidjan and Gadubanud peoples.
Leg: Colac to Tower Hill
Drive:120 km, approx. 1 hour 30 mins
Stay: Tower Hill
Day Four
Experience: Guided Bush and Cultural Walk
Explore the crater of a dormant volcano with Worn Gundidj at Tower Hill. Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve offers a unique opportunity to experience unspoilt Australian bush amongst stunning landscapes and scenery. Join your cultural guide to get up close and personal with stunning wildlife, such as iconic native birds, emus, koalas, kangaroos, echidnas and wedge-tail eagles. Learn the volcanic history of Tower Hill and hear stories of the local Indigenous culture. Examine ancient artefacts, learn to identify native bush tucker and even have a taste during this incredible experience.
Leg: Tower Hill to Port Campbell
Drive: 76.2km, approx. 1 hour 5 minutes
Stay: Port Campbell
Day Five
Experience: Spend a day soaking in the sun amidst the lively seaside village of Port Campbell. Choose from an abundance of restaurants and cafes or wander to the Port Campbell Jetty to witness the stunning sea and limestone cliffs. Take a short drive from the town to view the world famous 12 Apostles, magnificent limestone structures that rise from the sea. Wander along the coastal tracks to experience the cultural significance of the 12 apostles and surrounding area, with cultural sites, middens and stone artefacts dotting the coastline.
Stay: Port Campbell
Day Six
Leg: Port Campbell to Naarm/Melbourne
Drive: 2 hours 48 minutes, 229 km
Experience: Return to Naarm (Melbourne) and finish your incredible road trip with a stop at Mabu Mabu’s Big Esso restaurant. Mabu Mabu is a proudly Torres-Strait Islander owned organisation located on the land of the Wurundjeri and Boonwurrung peoples. Their incredible cuisine offers an unparalleled celebration of Indigenous food and culture, with incredible dishes inspired by bush foods and native ingredients. Take a seat at a communal table as you listen to Mabu Mabu’s ‘Island Radio’, sip delicious drinks from Indigenous-owned businesses and yarn with new friends.
Stay: Melbourne
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