Tour Introduction
Road trip into South Australia. Embark on a five-day expedition from Melbourne to the heart of South Australia's wilderness, where historic regional charm meets wildlife encounters. This curated journey blends country town highlights—like morning tea at Bacchus Marsh orchards, strolls through the historic Ballarat Botanical Gardens, and a scenic three-hour Sunday lunch cruise along the Murray River cliffs aboard the Captain Proud. The crown jewel of our adventure is a two-night luxury stay at the brand-new Monarto Safari Resort, where we will sleep in style overlooking the Wild Africa precinct and enjoy off-road adventures, including a Sunset Wildlife Safari and a Back Roads Tour to see the new Asian Elephant precinct. With premium dining and paced stops through iconic towns like Horsham and Bordertown, this journey offers a wonderful wilderness escape.Highlights
- 2 nights premium accommodation at Monarto Safari Resort
- Scenic Sunday lunch cruise along the Murray River cliffs aboard Captain Proud
- Sunset Wildlife Safari via an accessible Safari Truck
- Off-road Back Roads Tour including the brand-new Asian Elephant precinct
- Premium safari-style dining at the Monarto resort restaurant
- Curated country town stops
- At the brand-new luxury Monarto Safari Resort, we sleep in style directly overlooking the Wild Africa precinct, where exotic animals roam outside our windows.
Inclusions
- 4 nights of accommodation
- The Woolshed Inn, Bordertown (or similar)
- Monarto Safari Resort 2 nights
- The Capital Horsham (or similar)
- Daily breakfast - offsite in Bordertown
- 2-course Sunday lunch 3-hour cruise aboard Captain Proud
- Sunset Wildlife Safari at Monarto Safari Park
- Back Roads Tour at Monarto Safari Park
- 2 resort dinners at Monarto Safari Resort
- Last evening 2 course dinner in The Capital Dining room
Notice
* Luggage - Due to limited luggage space, please ensure you bring a small suitcase / cabin bag. Think standard carry-on aircraft dimensions.
* Fitness Level 2 – Easy - Suitable for travellers with a good basic level of fitness. Expect regular walking throughout the day, occasional stairs and gentle inclines. Most sightseeing is on paved surfaces, although some uneven paths and cobblestones may be encountered. You should be comfortable remaining on your feet for moderate periods and independently boarding and disembarking various forms of transport.
* Only for those who love a road trip. Travel days can have upto 5 hours on the Rosa Bus with regular stops.
Itinerary
Day 1 - Saturday 20 February 2027
Melbourne - Bordertown
At 9am we begin our five-day safari expedition from Melbourne’s Southern Cross Station, journeying through historic regional towns toward an incredible wilderness escape. Our first day winds along Victoria’s western highway, stopping for morning tea at Payne’s Orchards in Bacchus Marsh and a stroll through the Ballarat Botanical Gardens. After a sit-down lunch in Ballarat's café precinct, we continue past rural landscapes to the Horsham Regional Art Gallery for a light walk. As we sneak across the border, our group arrives at The Woolshed Inn in Bordertown to settle into our accommodation and enjoy a country dinner on site. Clocks back half an hour.
Day 2 - Sunday 21 February 2027
Bordertown - Monarto Safari Resort (B, L, D)
On Day 2, we drive to Murray Bridge and board the Captain Proud for a three-hour Sunday lunch cruise, enjoying a two-course meal alongside the scenic Murray River cliffs. By mid-afternoon, we check into our rooms at the brand-new, luxury Monarto Safari Resort overlooking the Wild Africa precinct. Just before dusk, we board a Safari Truck for a Sunset Wildlife Safari to observe and photograph roaming zebra, giraffes, rhinos, and cheetahs, ending the day with a premium dinner at the resort restaurant.
Day 3 - Monday 22 February 2027
Monarto Safari Resort (B, D)
Day 3 is entirely dedicated to wildlife encounters and relaxation at Monarto Safari Park and Resort. We start our morning on the Back Roads Tour aboard a custom, open-sided Safari Land Cruiser, using staff-only tracks to visit the new Asian Elephant precinct and travel alongside a female giraffe herd. After this excursion, we gather for lunch at the Safari Park Café and explore the rest of the grounds via an, air-conditioned safari bus. If the afternoon gets hot, we can head back to the resort early to relax by the pool or watch the animals before dinner.
Day 4 - Tuesday 23 February 2027
Monarto Safari Resort - Horsham (B, D)
After checking out of the resort, we cross back toward Victoria and stop for an early lunch among the local cafés in Keith. In the afternoon, we stretch our legs at the historic 1924 Kaniva Bakery to enjoy a snack and browse their nostalgic museum-style displays. We wrap up the day at The Capital Horsham on Firebrace Street, leaving us perfectly positioned for a stroll down the main street before our two-course group dinner.
Day 5 Wednesday 24 February
Horsham - Melbourne (B)
Our final day offers a relaxed return to Melbourne to finish our journey. After checking out of Horsham, we head to Ararat for a lakeside walk and coffee at Alexandra Gardens. Our lunch stop is nestled in the quiet township of Ballan, allowing us to enjoy a meal at a local bakery or cafe. We make one final stop in Bacchus Marsh before pulling back into Southern Cross Station at around 4:30 PM.