Melbourne Laneways & Waterways Tour - Yarra | ILoveAU - I Love Australia

Melbourne's Laneways and Waterways

Tour

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Price range

From $376 To $847 per person

Snaking its way through the heart of the Melbourne, the sepia-coloured Yarra River is one of the stars of the Melbourne Laneways and Waterways tour. Before you take to water, first celebrate the city's unique laneway and market culture.

Begin your tour with a visit to the Queen Victoria or South Melbourne market, each offering insight into Melbourne's famed liveability. Wander bustling meat, fish, and dairy halls sampling fresh oysters, artisanal cheese, and pastries, or browse unique, locally designed merchandise. Take in the vibrant Arts precinct, Flinders Street Station, and the grand Victorian civic buildings of Spring Street before setting off on foot to explore Melbourne's labyrinth of laneways and arcades. Browse the boutiques of Block and Royal Arcades, admire Hosier Lane's urban art scene, or simply take a moment to soak up the Continental energy and atmosphere of Centre Place.

Step on board your private cruise, sit back and enjoy lunch with a glass of Australian sparkling wine as you glide along the Yarra River. Marvel at the city views including the gleaming new Docklands precinct, Federation Square, and the Royal Botanic Gardens as your dramatic backdrop.

What's Available

18 features

Customised

Half Day or Less

Land - Motorised

Land - Self Propelled

Water - Motorised

Adventure and Outdoors Tours

Other tours by Acacia Luxury Private Tours

Melbourne City Private Tour (half-day)

Join your local guide and uncover surprises from manicured botanic gardens and city beaches to intricately detailed Victorian arcades and graffiti daubed city walls. Begin your tour with a visit to the Queen Victoria or South Melbourne market, each offering insight into Melbourne's famed liveability. Wander the bustling meat, fish, and dairy halls and sample fresh seafood, artisan cheeses and pastries, or browse unique, locally designed merchandise. Explore the bayside playground of St. Kilda with its expansive views and exotic buildings such as the Palais Theatre and Luna Park. Stop for an iconic postcard photo with the colourful bathing boxes lining the foreshore of Brighton Beach before returning to central Melbourne via the Formula 1 Grand Prix circuit and the Shrine of Remembrance to take in panoramic views. View Melbourne's vibrant Arts precinct, Flinders Street Station, Federation Square, and the grand Victorian civic buildings of Spring Street before setting off on foot to explore Melbourne's labyrinth of laneways and arcades. Browse the boutiques of Block and Royal Arcades, admire Hosier Lane's urban art scene, or simply take a moment to soak up the atmosphere of Centre Place.

From $149 to $390 per person

Mornington Peninsula Private Tour

Your Mornington Peninsula experience begins with a visit to the spectacular coastal boardwalks at Cape Schanck. Offering awe-inspiring vistas of the historic lighthouse and rugged coast, watch as waves pound the dramatically shaped Pulpit Rock below. Breathe deep Cape Schanck's pristine air which also acts as the world reference standard for zero pollution. The region is home to more than fifty boutique wineries producing quality Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Shiraz. Visit one of the most awarded wineries for a structured tasting before settling in for a two-course lunch and glass of wine at a leading vineyard restaurant. As for the afternoon, your guide's intimate knowledge of the region puts you in the perfect position to explore breezy seaside villages, discover gourmet delights in the Red Hill hinterland, continue to sample boutique wines or perhaps see Australian Wildlife at Moonlit Sanctuary – the choice is yours. On return to Melbourne, admire expansive views of Port Phillip Bay and Melbourne's city skyline as you descend Arthurs Seat, the highest point of this beautiful region.

From $369 to $760 per person

Great Ocean Road Twelve Apostles Private Luxury Tour

Great Ocean Road Private Tour

Your Acacia journey along the Great Ocean Road begins in the township of Torquay, Australia's celebrated capital of surf culture and home of the legendary Bells Beach. The carved cliffs of the winding Great Ocean Road afford panoramic views of lighthouses, windswept beaches and sandy coves. Arriving at the picturesque seaside hamlet of Kennett River, guests can observe dozing Koalas in their natural habitat and brilliantly hued King Parrots and Crimson Rosellas. After a sumptuous lunch of local seafood and regional produce in the popular holiday village of Apollo Bay, the road forges inland through the verdant gullies of the Great Otway National Park. Finally, the road emerges on the dramatic Shipwreck Coast near the iconic Twelve Apostles, the scenic highlight of the day. Stroll cliff-edge boardwalks for the perfect vantage point of these limestone stack formations and the nearby Loch Ard Gorge. Adventurous travellers can descend all eighty-six of the Gibson Steps down to the beach.

Penguins Private Luxury Tour Phillip Island

Phillip Island Penguin Express Private Tour

The beauty of making a break for Phillip Island is that its proximity to Melbourne, compact size, and the fascinating diversity of the local wildlife allows you to make the most of even a fleeting visit. Join Acacia on this express tour and a late afternoon departure from Melbourne will have you strolling boardwalks atop the coastal cliffs of the Nobbies. You’ll be stunned by glorious views out to the great expanse and incredible power of the churning Bass Strait. Then avoid the hoi polloi as we invite you to a special underground vantage point from which to take in the Phillip Island Penguin Parade. A local ranger will teach you everything you need to know about these marvelous creatures as dusk sees them returning from the sea to their burrows. No need to worry about the weather with this enviable perch that offers an eye-to-bird’s eye view.

Phillip Island Koala Luxury Private Tour

Phillip Island Private Tour

With pristine white beaches and iconic wildlife experiences, there is so much to see and do on Phillip Island, just 90 minutes from Melbourne. Acacia recommends climbing to the treetops at the Koala Conservation Centre so you can visit the leafy abode of one of Australia’s most-loved mammals. You will be amazed at just how close you can get to these cuddly critters. Breath in the fresh, salty air as you stroll the shore of the rugged surf beach at Cape Woolamai where the lucky may catch the magical descent of the short-tailed shearwaters as they return from a day of fishing. Explore the boardwalks at Summerland Peninsula with views to Seal Rocks. This leisurely tour also allows time for a palette-pleasing dinner demonstrating the freshest seasonal produce the island and its surrounds have to offer. Then off to the penguin parade for an intimate Guided Ranger tour where you will be led on an informative journey through the penguin colony. Take your seat away from the crowds in the wonderfully located beachfront viewing stand, or if conditions allow, right on the sand, offering superb viewing of the penguins emerging from the water and crossing the beach.

Great Ocean Road Private Tour (two-days)

One of Acacia’s most exciting and ethereally beautiful tours, the Great Ocean Road deserves to be savoured. Why not make the most of your time travelling along Australia’s most scenic coastal route with this two-day trip, including an unforgettable overnight stopover in the township of Apollo Bay? Taken at a more leisurely pace, you can make the most of the stunning views along this rugged, sea-carved stretch of paradise. This memorable tour allows for extra insights, including a magical rainforest walk through lush rainforest at Melba Gully and the staggering natural beauty of the London Bridge Arch and Bay of Islands at the western end of the Port Campbell National Park. Epicurean adventurers will also appreciate the opportunity to take in the mouth-watering Great Ocean Road gourmet trail. Visit some of the region’s finest foodie hot spots, like the Timboon Railway Shed Distillery, where you can enjoy a nip of whisky, and the award-winning paddock to plate operation that is Apostle Whey Cheese.

Yarra Valley and Helicopter Private Journey

From the vineyards clinging to its undulating hills and tree-covered mountains to the river snaking through it, the Yarra Valley is one of Victoria’s most breathtaking regions, an emerald in the crown. It’s also one of the Australia’s finest food and wine destinations. Nowhere is this more evident than at the exquisite winery restaurant, Ezard at Levantine Hill where the food is only matched by the stunning architectural statement of its cellar door extending through to its dining room with barrel-shaped booths. Acacia will arrange a two-course lunch with estate wine following an exclusive structured tasting of five Levantine Hill wines from the Coldstream Guard range, Estate range and Family Paddock range. In the afternoon, why not make the most of the area’s rich local produce with a visit to Yarra Valley Dairy for a spot of cheese tasting. Or perhaps take tea and coffee in the gardens of Coombe Estate, once home to celebrated opera singer Dame Nelly Melba. Finishing on a high note, enjoy a 20-minute scenic helicopter over metropolitan Melbourne landing in the city centre at the riverside helipad.

Tarrawarra Estate Yarra Valley Winery Tour

Yarra Valley Private Tour

One of Australia's premier wine growing regions, the Yarra Valley is situated less than an hour from Melbourne. Despite its proximity to the bustling city, it feels a whole world away, with breathtaking scenery of rolling hills laced with vineyards against the backdrop of the Great Dividing Range. On arrival to the Yarra Valley, visit the award-winning Healesville Wildlife Sanctuary. This internationally renowned bushland haven offers the chance to see iconic Australian wildlife including kangaroos, koalas, wombats and more. Indulge your senses as you savour current vintage, museum, and limited release wines at a selection of boutique cellar-doors such as Oakridge, Yarra Yering, Medhurst Estate, TarraWarra Estate, Pimpernel Wines and more. Best known for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, the region also offers fine cool climate Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon. A fabulous 2 course lunch accompanied by a glass of estate wine will be served at one the region's leading vineyard restaurants. After lunch continue wine tasting, sample local cheese, visit the internationally acclaimed Four Pillars gin distillery or TarraWarra Museum of Modern Art or the award winning Alowyn Gardens. Your guide can tailor the perfect afternoon to suit your tastes.

Great Ocean Road and Helicopter Private Journey

From observing surfers ride the wild waves of Bells Beach to soaring high above one of Australia's natural icons in a private helicopter, there's so much to see and do on Acacia's adventurous Great Ocean Road and Helicopter journey. After morning tea set high on the clifftop at Split Point lighthouse, tour the Great Ocean Road in comfort as it winds along the coast. Get up close and personal with the local wildlife, from koalas to native parrots then flick through your Australian fauna selfies over a delicious two-course lunch at Apollo Bay's acclaimed La Bimba. Following lunch, the road turns inland through the towering rainforest of the Great Otway National Park emerging at one of nature's marvels, the Twelve Apostles limestone stacks and the breathtaking Shipwreck Coast. After an invigorating day touring the Great Ocean Road, indulge in the ultimate finale by boarding a private helicopter for the scenic 75-minute flight high above the dramatic coastline and fertile rainforests before touching down in the heart of Melbourne.

Melbourne's Laneways and Waterways

About

What's Available

Other tours by Acacia Luxury Private Tours

Melbourne City Private Tour (half-day)

Mornington Peninsula Private Tour

Great Ocean Road Private Tour

Phillip Island Penguin Express Private Tour

Phillip Island Private Tour

Great Ocean Road Private Tour (two-days)

Yarra Valley and Helicopter Private Journey

Yarra Valley Private Tour

Great Ocean Road and Helicopter Private Journey