Melbourne and The Great Ocean Road lie in the temperate zone which means we typically have hot dry summers and cool wet winters. But don’t let the prospect cool, wet winter days stop you from visiting our spectacular Great Ocean Road for a wonderful Melbourne day trip.

One of the great things about touring The Great Ocean Road in winter (June, July and August) is that this coastline is exposed to the power of the raging Southern Ocean. Huge seas and massive waves can smash into this coastline during the winter months proving to all just how powerful mother nature really is. Actually, this coastline has been shaped by these powerful seas over thousands of years creating some of the most dramatic coastal vistas the world has to offer. Waves of up to 9 meters (almost 30 feet!) crash into this coastline regularly over the winter months slowly carving away the sandstone cliffs to create such iconic formations as the 12 Apostles and Loch Ard Gorge. On days like this you can almost sense mother nature shaping our ancient continent, very powerful stuff.

Winter in Melbourne means shorter daylight hours, making stunning sunset opportunities possible.

Winter on the Great Ocean Road is also whale season. From early June to late September the majestic Southern Right Whale migrates up from Antarctica to give birth along our coastline. Sightings of these beautiful and massive creatures occur regularly along the road, so keep those eyes open and fingers crossed!!

Another great advantage is that crowds are down in winter giving you the opportunity to witness the full power of the southern ocean with less people around, add to that a Great Ocean Road Small Group Tour with a maximum of only 11 guests, experienced guides with a love and passion for the area will show you exactly why The Great Ocean Road is one of Australia’s most popular destinations.

So, if you’re visiting our beautiful city in winter, don’t let the prospect of wet and windy days stop you from visiting the Great Ocean Road. All you need to do is to be prepared because I like to say that there’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing choices! Bring a good waterproof/windproof jacket, a few layers of warm clothing, warm beanie and scarf and you be prepared to have your breath taken away on the Great Ocean Road in Winter.

Dont wait for your chosen day to sell out, reserve your seat today.

We love nothing more than making people’s holiday extra special! To hear what people are saying about our Great Ocean Road Tour, check out our Trip Advisor page.

The post Visiting the Great Ocean Road in Winter appeared first on Melbourne Small Group Tours.

The Yarra Valley is one of Australia’s premier wine and food destinations. Located just one hour north-east of the city it’s the perfect day tour for those who want to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and to indulge in some of Australia’s finest wineries while taking in breathtaking views and mouth-watering food and be back in Melbourne in time for dinner at one of the city’s world class restaurants. 

We are regularly asked “can you recommend any good Yarra Valley Small Group Tours?”.  

Being in the industry, we have a good insight to other operator’s tours and the answer is always –Vinetrekker 

Recently we have partnered with Paul and his company Vinetrekker and you can now book his tour direct from our website.  

Follow the below links and you can view live availability, read all about the tour and book online. 

Why we love Vinetrekker tours: Vinetrekker shares a similar philosophy to us which is genuine small groups (a maximum of 11 guests), personalised service with passionate, knowledgeable guides who want to make your day the most memorable of your holiday! 

Vinetrekker’s Yarra Valley Food And Wine Tour takes in the best the Yarra Valley has to offer, visiting 5 of the finest wineries in the valley. Including a magnificent a-la-carte lunch at the stunning Yearing Station with its world class cuisine and one of the best views in the valley followed by cheese and wine tasting at the Italian inspired DeBortoli Wines which produces Australia’s most awarded wine, the divine Noble One. This is a tour for both serious wine buffs or the casual wine lover. Also, keep your eyes open for wild Kangaroos during the scenic drive back to Melbourne! 

Vinetrekker also offer their Yarra Valley Food Wine And Wildlife Tour A tour for those who want to see what else the Yarra Valley has in store for you. The tour starts with a visit to the famous Healesville Sanctuary where you can immerse yourself in the unique wildlife of Australia. Set in a beautiful bush setting, you can get up close and personal with our most iconic wildlife as well as many of our rare and endangered species. Healesville Sanctuary is heavily involved in breeding programs and conservation work to ensure the survival of many of our rarest species so a visit to the Sanctuary you are directly helping the future survival of some of the most unique animals on the planet. The Sanctuary is a true Aussie gem, loved by locals and visitors alike. After the Sanctuary you are whisked away to the beautiful Yearing Station, one of the oldest wineries in the Valley (Circa 1859) for a sumptuous a la carte lunch, flowed by cheese and winetasting. A great tour for lovers of wildlife and scenery who enjoy excellent food in historical surroundings with a splash of wine on the side. 

So, what are you waiting for, avoid all those big tour groups with their assembly line wine tastings and book your Yarra Valley Small Group Tour today.

Don’t just take our word for it, guest genuinely love this tour, its been ranked at number 1 on Trip Advisor for food and wine tours in Melbourne since 2004!

The post Yarra Valley Small Group Tours appeared first on Melbourne Small Group Tours.

Why visit the Yarra Valley?

The Yarra Valley is one of Australia’s premier wine and food destinations. Located just one hour north-east of the city it’s the perfect day tour for those who want to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and to indulge in some of Australia’s finest wineries while taking in breathtaking views and mouth-watering food and be back in Melbourne in time for dinner at one of the city’s world class restaurants.

The Yarra Valley has a plethora of boutique wineries, some 150 vineyards will surely offer something for everyone.  Personally, we love the type of quaint, high quality vineyards that the locals love to visit.

The Yarra Valley is known for its cooler climate wine varieties. Yarra Valley Pinot Noir and Chardonnay is known world over for its exceptional quality. Also, the exceptional Domaine Chandon is also famous for producing some of the finest sparkling wines made to exacting French standards, also set in magnificent grounds, this is one of the must see vineyards in the Yarra Valley.

Along with wine, the Yarra Valley also produces some of the best and freshest produce in Australia. Apples, pears, stone fruits including the valleys famous Cherries, berries of all kinds, artisan meats and cheese just to name a few. Many of the restaurants within the Yarra Valley use this bounty to enhance your dining experience. The valley also attracts some of the countries best chefs so you can be assured your dining experience is as fine as the wines this famous valley is known for.

Why join an organised tour?

So you can sit back, relax and enjoy the wine! Forget the stress of organising your own day. Your guide will entertain you with stories, history and facts you wouldn’t otherwise know.

Secondly, as there are 150 vineyards, how do you know what ones are the best? What are the best times to arrive for tastings to avoid the crowds? Best lunch? How long should you spend at each winery? Your guide will take care of all that.

A good locally owned tour operator should have built up wonderful relationships with these establishments so that when you arrive you will be greeted like old friends.

When visiting wineries and partaking in wine tastings, the last thing you want is to be sharing your experience with hordes of people.

We offer a genuine Small Group Tour, with a maximum of only 11 guests to give you a relaxing, intimate experience where you feel like a true guest as opposed to just another number on a wine tasting conveyer belt.

Besides wine, what else is at the Yarra Valley?

One of the other major attractions in the Yarra Valley is the famous Healesville Sanctuary. A gem for those wanting to experience Australian Native Wildlife up close and personal. Located in a beautiful bush setting here you can see many rare and endangered Australian animals. The sanctuary is heavily involved in breeding programs and conservation programs of our native fauna helping to protect our beautiful wildlife for future generations.

Reserve your seat today! For wine lovers there is the Yarra Valley Winery Tour

Or want to experience Australian native wildlife? Yarra Valley Winery & Wildlife Tour

With a maximum of only 11 guests on these popular tours don’t miss your chance and book today!

The post Why visit the Yarra Valley? | Day Trips From Melbourne appeared first on Melbourne Small Group Tours.

Melbourne is one of the most multi cultural cities in the world, we are a cultural melting pot. In the last century there has been a huge influx of immigrants from every corner of the globe and our sheer variety of food options reflects this. Then we have some of the freshest and best quality local produce grown in this region, add the two together and we have a foodie culture that’s second to none. Everything from 5 star dining right through to hawker style gems can be found, something for every taste, style and budget.

I’ve attempted to compile a list of a few restaurants and eateries that show the diversity of our celebrated food culture. Note that this is just a sample of what’s on offer, there are over 20,000 food outlets here and I know there are many others who deserve to be on this list but here goes….

Osteria Ilaria

Distinctly modern 5 star Mediterranean and Italian cuisine located at 367 Little Bourke St. Modern dining atmosphere with mains priced in the $20 – $40 range

Prawn Oil Infused paccheri pasta at Osteria Ilaria

Ishizuka

Ishizuka is not your typical Japanese restaurant specialising in the pinnacle of Japanese cuisine Kaiseki. This is a dining experience that is second to none. Not easy to find though via a maze of non descript doors, elevators and laneways that finds you somewhere under Bourke St (Follow directions posted on their website) but absolutely worth the effort. Their 10 course, 2 hour degustation at $220 per head is worth every cent.

Ishizuka

Vue De Monde

French inspired cuisine with an Australian twist. Owned by celebrity chef Shannon Bennett this is one of Melbourne’s most loved fine dining restaurants with a view to match its glamorous reputation. Lunch degustation tasting menu starts at $230 per person and is absolutely worth every cent.

Vue De Monde Degustation

Chinese

Chinese cuisine has come along way since the days of Australianised Sweet and Sour Pork served up to us in the 1980’s. And its popularity continues to soar. No distinct recommendations here because the choice of Chinese dining experiences in Melbourne is endless. You don’t need to go far to get a quality Chinese food fix. Chinatown, on Little Bourke St, offers a plethora of dining options of course but it doesn’t end there. Small dumpling and noodle houses abound everywhere like ShanDong MaMa right through to the opulence of Flower Drum

To put it another way, I love Chinese food, absolutely love it. But in Melbourne I have yet to go to the same place twice. Why? Because I just don’t have to, there’s that much choice. Go for a short walk in the city and you will know what I mean.

Mamasita

After nearly 9 years since opening, every Friday and Saturday night there will still be a long line waiting to get into Melbourne’s most well known Mexican Restaurant Mamasita, such is it’s popularity. And it is well worth the effort to get a seat here. Authentic Mexican at its finest. Weekend bookings essential.

Mamasita

400 Gradi

Winner of the best pizza at the World Pizza Championships in 2014! If that doesn’t satisfy the pickiest pizza lovers out there, nothing will!! Located in the Crown Casino complex.

Izakaya Den

Izakaya Den is best described as modern hipster Japanese dining. Funky relaxed atmosphere with an emphasis on Sake and traditional Japanese flavours with a modern twist. Most mains in the $13 – $23 range with a great selection of small snacky items or set menus that start at $55 per person. Try their famous Den Fried Chicken!

Izakaya Den

French Saloon

Serving high end French cuisine at affordable prices with a relaxed Melbourne atmosphere the French Saloon is the talk of the Melbourne dining scene.

Garfish Toast, pickled onion & espelette at French Saloon

Lentil As Anything

Lentil As Anything is another Melbourne institution. A vegan/vegetarian eatery with a distinctly Indian/Sri Lankan influence. Lentil As Anything is unique as it has a “Pay-As-You-feel” policy. Basically, you pay what you think your food is worth. It is a not for profit organisation with all proceeds going to disadvantaged community members. The atmosphere is friendly and totally unpretentious, and the food is spectacular. And it’s also great to know that your money is going to a great cause. Located at beautiful The Abbotsford Convent in Abbotsford, just a short tram ride east of the city

The American Doughnut Kitchen

The American Doughnut Kitchen is a Melbourne institution. This food van located in the middle of The Queen Victoria Market has been serving its piping hot jam doughnuts for over 60 years and their recipe has remained unchanged. There is almost always a line for these hot, crispy balls of sugary goodness. Brave the long line of locals because the wait is absolutely worth it.

The American Doughnut Kitchen in the 1950’s

The Colonial Tramcar Restaurant

Possibly one of the most unique dining experiences and best places to eat in Melbourne. Eat in 5 star luxury on a specially modified old W class tram as it cruises the tram lines of Melbourne and the inner suburbs. 3 course set menu and silver service are the highlights of this unique experience. Bookings are essential, especially on weekends where it can be booked out several months in advance. Get in and book early!!

The Colonial Tramcar Restaurant

Prefer to see where all of this wonderful produce comes from? Join our Melbourne Food & Wind Small Group Tour

See Regions to Visit around Melbourne Here

The post Places To Eat In Melbourne appeared first on Melbourne Small Group Tours.

I like many, rely on Google to find say, the best cafe closest to me. Then I use Google Maps to get there!

Take away my Internet and I aimlessly wander around asking strangers for the way back to my hotel.

When travelling in a different country where your mobile Internet provider charges a small fortune for International roaming and it’s an added expense you don’t need.

We’ve sussed out the free WIFI spots in Melbourne for you to do a bit of travel planning and of course, bragging online about your fabulous travels to your friends!

Free WIFI hotspots in Melbourne City provided by the Victorian Government

Note: no personal information is needed to use these and no pop-up advertising. You can use up to 250MB per device per day. Just select “VicFreeWiFi” and accept terms and conditions

Outdoor free WiFi in Melbourne CBD

• Bourke Street Mall
• Queen Victorian Market
• Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre
• Melbourne Museum
• Platforms at CDB train stations
• Federation Square

Indoor free WiFi in Melbourne CBD

• City Library
• Melbourne Airport
• NGV International
• State Library Victoria
• The Hub Docklands

Looking to have some food while Googling? Some restaurants and eateries have WIFI. If the WiFi belongs to the establishment, you usually have to ask the staff for the password at the time of ordering food.

Cafes and eateries with WiFi in Melbourne city CBD

• Mr Tulk
• The Gallery
• 1000 £ Bend

Just remember to stay safe and use mobile internet security, no public WIFI network is 100% secure.

Also, public WiFi can be slow depending on how many users are connected, so less people around = faster internet, so a small café can be faster than say, the public library at times.

These lists are correct at time of writing, but just be away, eateries can change hands and no longer offer WiFi.

Up Next: Free things to do in Melbourne

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Melbourne is ideal for receiving cruise ships– it is situated on a deep, protected bay which allows even the large Cruise ship to dock at Station Pier in Port Melbourne.

Port Melbourne is a lovely bay-side suburb about 6kms from Melbourne CBD (or a 20 min drive, depending on traffic).

Being an experienced local tour operator, we understand the difficulties of organising cruise excursions – often you have a limited time to explore which doesn’t fit in with existing tours; most tours depart too early and arrive back too late for the boat and therefore not appropriate for Cruise schedules.

Many cruise lines have pre-organised tours that you can purchase whilst on your cruise, yes they do fit in with the ships arrival and departure times, but these are often inflexible, expensive, usually in large coaches with 50 or more other guests and often have only a small selection of destinations to visit.

This is why we recommend a local private tour.

Benefits of booking your shore trip with us –

• We pick you up directly from Station Pier
• Flexible – we can fit into your cruise ship shore excursion itinerary
• Locations you choose – see what you want in the time you have
• Escape the crowds! – we are a genuine small group tour, maximum 11 guests. This also means we can all board the bus and get going quicker.
• We are locals and will provide you with live commentary, local knowledge and answer your questions
• Affordable – our standard private day tours with driver/guide, comfortable air-conditioned vehicle, from $900. We charge for the tour, not per person, so if you have 10 friends on board with you, that’s only AUD $81 each! Only thing you need to pay for is food for the day or you can bring a packed lunch from the ship.

When you choose a private cruise ship to shore excursion you can have flexibility to see what you want and where you can go. Its as simple as getting in touch with us, the tour operator directly. We can build an itinerary that will take you where you want to go and make sure you are safely back at port before your ship departs.

There are many destinations that can easily be reached on your day excursion from Port Melbourne.

Some suggestion for Cruise Ship to Shore excursions in Melbourne are

• Yarra Valley Wine region and Healesville Sanctuary
• Mornington peninsula wineries
• City Sights
• 12 Apostles and Loch Ard Gorge
• Great Ocean Road tour (please note that a full Great Ocean Road itinerary takes 12 plus hours. We can do a limited itinerary that will fit in with your schedule)

Check your cruise ship itinerary to make sure you are docking at Station Pier in Port Melbourne, but most cruise line use this pier, including –

• Royal Caribbean Cruises
• Celebrity Cruises
• Carnival Cruises
• Princess Cruises
• Holland America Line
• Noble Caledonia
• P&O Cruises
• Regent Seven Seas Cruises
• AIDA Cruises
• Seabourn Cruises
• Norwegian Cruise Line
• Viking Cruises
• SilverSea cruses
• Oceania Cruises
• Azamara Club Cruises
• Cunard Cruises

Handy hint- make sure you have travel insurance before going on your cruise and ensure it includes problems that may arise from shore excursions, ie unexpected road closures, mechanical failure, health issues, etc.

For more information, visit our Private Tour page or contact us

The post Cruise Ship to Shore Excursions From Melbourne appeared first on Melbourne Small Group Tours.

Melbourne is blessed to be located very close to several world class food and wine regions, including the Yarra Valley, Mornington Peninsula & Bellarine Peninsula.

We also love our local craft beers and ciders, with new breweries popping up all the time!

No matter where you are staying in Melbourne, you will find excellent local restaurants, cafes and bars.

Melbourne is truly a multicultural city and you can see that with our diverse variety of cuisines.

Short on time but want to experience some fine cuisine? We have compiled a list of exceptional places to eat in Melbourne.  

If you have time, why not immerse yourself in what our region has to offer? Sit back, relax and join our food and wine tour…

Melbourne is also surrounded by lush farmland, which produces 40% of our food. These farms range from large farms which supply supermarkets to family run berry farms and orchards and boutique cheese producers.

Some of these farms even have farmgates or cafes where you can buy or sample their produce.

Melbourne, known as the “city by the Bay” sits at the apex of Port Phillip bay, with 2 excellent wine Regions on either side, separated by the mouth of the Bay- the Mornington Peninsula and the Bellarine Peninsula.

Normally people would either choose 1 of these regions to visit…what a shame, we thought..and then a brilliant idea emerged…our Melbourne Food & Wine Small Group Tour! So once you have sampled the delights of 1 peninsula…we make the scenic journey across to the other peninsula by Ferry.

Even on a rainy day, you will visit see some beautiful coastal towns, farm land, city and beaches.

Not to mention sample some gourmet delights on this unique, fully-guided food and wine adventure!

We can also tailor a private food and wine tour to suit your budget and preferences and we can build a package to suit your needs.

So that concludes our Top 10 things to do in Melbourne on a rainy day. Don’t let rain ruin your holiday, grab an umbrella, get out there and explore!

And always remember, there’s no such thing as bad weather, there’s only bad clothing choices…..

The post #1 – Food, Wine & Beer appeared first on Melbourne Small Group Tours.

And as you might have noticed…we take food very seriously!! Our food and wine culture is second to none.

So it makes perfect sense to combine the two, hence, The Colonial Tramcar Restaurant.

This Melbourne institution serves a set a-la-carte menu in a beautiful old W class tram modified with special suspension to prevent your champagne glasses tipping over.

Several sittings per day for both lunch and dinner. Bookings are essential especially on weekends.

This is a truly unique experience to do regardless if its raining or not!!

Next – #1

The post #2 – The Colonial Tram Restaurant appeared first on Melbourne Small Group Tours.

Features include –

• Tropical coral Reef
• Colourful Reef fish (you can find Nemo!)
• Penguins – watch them play in the snow and ice
• Saltwater Crocodile – meet a large crocodile named Pinjarra
• Interactive rock pool- touch a sea star!
• Sharks
• Stingrays
• Seahorses
• Snakes
• Turtles
• Ocean fish

Optional experiences include diving in the massive shark tank, a genuinely unique experience or glass bottom boat ride of the aquarium.

Next – #2

The post #3 – The Melbourne Sea Life Aquarium appeared first on Melbourne Small Group Tours.

Melbourne’s Crown Casino isn’t just for gambling, it’s a whole entertainment complex which sprawls along the Yarra River.

It features –

• Cinemas
• Casual dining as well as restaurants by famous chefs
• An entertainment complex with arcade games, bowling and laser tag
• Designer shopping
• Bars
• Clubs
• Pubs & Sports Bars
• Live theatre
• Concerts

Next #3

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