Day 1 – Hidden Laneways & Lake Wendouree

• Arrive in Ballarat via train, (10:10 AM) catching the Melbourne 8:36am train from Southern Cross station (or optional private transfer) arriving in Ballarat station at 10:10am. Tour leader will meet you and assist with luggage.

• Cross road and walk 1 minute to drop luggage at the historic Lola’s at The Provincial Hotel or Craig’s Royal Hotel & rest in lounge area, enjoy coffee/chai.

• Secret Ballarat Tour (10:55 AM) – Discover hidden laneways & local stories.

• Lunch & Cocktail/Mocktail at Itinerant Spirits (12:15 PM). (optional cocktail mixing experience)

• Check-in to hotel rooms, rest/refresh.

• Afternoon at the Ballarat Botanical Gardens & Lake Wendouree. (2:30 PM) Take tour bus there

• Vintage Tram Ride & Victorian-Era Picnic afternoon tea (3 PM)

• Self explore or relax in the Botanical Gardens & Lake (4 PM) Take tour bus back and relax

• Dinner & Cocktail/Mocktail at Grainery Lane. (7 PM) Walk to the restaurant (5 minutes) for dinner

Day 2 – Historic Ballarat & Wildlife

• Breakfast – at Lola’s

• City Tales Tour (9:30 AM-12:00 PM) – Uncover Ballarat’s past through architecture & hidden gems. Includes coffee break

• Lunch at Fikka Coffee Brewers Cafe (12:10 PM)

• Rest/refresh at hotel (1 PM) at the hotel (optional explore Ballarat and Backspace Ballarat Art Gallery)

• Check out of room (1:50 PM) - Luggage at lobby concierge or on tour bus

• Ballarat Wildlife Park (2:15 PM) – Meet koalas, kangaroos & more! Hot drink/coffee. (optional koala encounter experience)

• Catch train (4:46 PM or 5:32 PM) from Ballarat to Melbourne – arrive at 6:28 PM or 7:07 PM

• Arrive at your Melbourne hotel, ready for your cruise tomorrow! Let Cruising Australia know your preference and they can quote on the additional costs. All recommended hotels have a pool, starting at an affordable price point.

• Hotel A Atlantis Hotel - Affordable, basic accommodation, breakfast included. 300 Spencer St, Melbourne. 4 stars with a Front Desk

• Hotel B The Savoy Hotel on Little Collins - Beautiful hotel in historic building. 630 Little Collins St, Melbourne. 4 stars with a Front Desk

• Hotel C The Ritz-Carlton, - Polished rooms, some with harbour views, feature floor-to-ceiling windows. 650 Lonsdale St, Melbourne. 5 stars with Concierge.

Ask Cruising Australia or your hotel to pre-book your transport from your Melbourne Hotel to the Cruise Terminal – options include Taxi’s, Shuttles or Private Limousine.

• Dinner - Guests are invited to explore the historic Melbourne night-life and select from one of our dinner recommendations below, or explore to find your own.

  La Cucina Melbourne - cosy and highly rated Italian restaurant
  Miss Mi Restaurant & Bar - highly rated Southeast Asian restaurant

Day 3 - Morning in Historic Melbourne and cruise start!

• Explore Melbourne’s Laneways & Arcades (8:30 AM) Walk to Collins Street and take any of the trams going East away from Southern Cross station. Get off at Swanston Street, and explore the Cathedral and back laneways and savour Melbourne’s famous coffee/ eat brunch. (Optional, for something more serene, explore Flagstaff or Fitzroy Gardens.)

• Check out of hotel (10:30 AM) and take your pre-booked transport to the port.

• Arrive Cruise Port (11 AM)