Our Team 
Our Tour Experts 
Heroes and Heroines Cruise Sydney Harbour
Cruise Sydney Harbour with a local skipper and understand the cities layout from the water.
-
![Amy snow biking]()
Our Team Steppes Travel is made by the people who work here. Incredible holidays are made possible because of their vast travel experience and the great enthusiasm they bring to their work.
-
![William Dalrymple]()
Our Tour Experts We carefully select our experts based on their knowledge, companionship and influence, ensuring that you can travel with the most knowledgeable leaders in the field.
-
![Liz Bonnin]()
Heroes and Heroines The people who lead the way when it comes to those things which matter to us: exploration, the environment, women’s empowerment and education.
Lord Howe and The Great Ocean Road
This varied itinerary showcases two of Australia’s cities, Sydney and Melbourne, a stay on the World Heritage listed island of Lord Howe plus a self-drive adventure along the Great Ocean Road and into the ancient mountain ranges of the Grampians National Park.
Key Highlights of this Itinerary
1
2Lord Howe Island
Stay on World Heritage-listed Lord Howe Island – experienced by few.
3Koala and Kangaroo
See these iconic Australian residents in the wild and aid in conservation efforts.
4Drive the Great Ocean Road
Take two days to drive this dramatic coastal route via the 12 Apostles.
Why we like it
Lord Howe Island is one of those special places, almost untouched by time and a stay here will surely be a highlight of this holiday. This is combined with two takes on city life; the glamour of Sydney combined with the bohemian feel of Melbourne, plus a relaxed self-drive adventure along the Great Ocean Road. A flexible way to end your trip following your own timetable, stop for picnics on deserted beaches, spot whales out at sea and kangaroo and koala amidst the native bush before heading inland to explore ancient aboriginal rock art.
Day 1
Sydney
Day 2 - 3
Sydney
Day 4
Sydney - Lord Howe Island
Day 5 - 6
Lord Howe Island
Day 7
Lord Howe Island - Sydney - Melbourne
Day 8 - 9
Melbourne
Day 10
Melbourne - Apollo Bay
Day 11
Apollo Bay - Port Fairy
Day 12
Port Fairy - The Grampians
Day 13
The Grampians - Melbourne
Day 14
Melbourne
Day 1
Sydney
Day 2 - 3
Sydney
Cruise Sydney Harbour with a local skipper and understand the cities layout from the water.
Day 4
Sydney - Lord Howe Island
Day 5 - 6
Lord Howe Island
Stay on World Heritage-listed Lord Howe Island – experienced by few.
Day 7
Lord Howe Island - Sydney - Melbourne
Day 8 - 9
Melbourne
See these iconic Australian residents in the wild and aid in conservation efforts.
Day 10
Melbourne - Apollo Bay
Day 11
Apollo Bay - Port Fairy
Take two days to drive this dramatic coastal route via the 12 Apostles.
Day 12
Port Fairy - The Grampians
Day 13
The Grampians - Melbourne
Day 14
Melbourne
Now for the details
Be One of Few
Fly two hours east of Sydney to Lord Howe Island, a World Heritage-listed archipelago located 700 kilometres off the coast between Sydney and Brisbane. This pristine island accepts a maximum of 400 visitors at any given time. Birdlife abounds and the island is surrounded by a reef-fringed lagoon plus the world’s southern-most coral reef.
Do as little or as much as you wish during your stay, with plenty of activities on offer such as swimming, bushwalking, fishing and snorkelling directly from the beach. Fishing or diving excursions at Balls Pyramid, the remains of a once giant volcano, complete a stay at this amazing island.
Read More
Wildlife and Conservation
Spend a day in the eucalypt gum forests of the You Yangs Ranges, located just 45 minutes from Melbourne and a haven for koala and kangaroo. The koala in this area are studied by researchers and guests are given the chance to learn about their family groups and behaviours as well as get involved in conservation efforts.
Join in with tree planting and the removal of invasive weeds which threaten the koala’s habitat. Birdlife in this area is also abundant with kookaburra, cockatoo, emu and fairy wrens to name a few. The photography opportunities are superb, and a picnic lunch is enjoyed under a gum tree during the day.
Read More
An Iconic Drive
Self-drive in Australia is a lovely addition to any holiday and there are few more iconic drives than the Great Ocean Road. Spend two days hugging this spectacular coastline stopping to overnight in Apollo Bay, beneath the slopes of the Otway Ranges, and at the charming fishing village of Port Fairy. Midway between these two towns are the famous Twelve Apostles, craggy limestone spires which rise from the Southern Ocean.
Let’s chat
Speak to our experts
Our team is waiting to help you tailor a trip that will leave you with stories for a lifetime. Call us on
01285 601 784A note on price
Prices will vary depending on the time of year you are travelling. Prices do not include international flights. Please ask one of our Travel Experts for an accurate quote. Flights purchased through Steppes Travel departing from the UK are ATOL protected.
This Itinerary
Price
From £7,800 Per person
When to travel
The states of Victoria and New South Wales have a great climate for most of the year although the best time to visit is from October to March. Into April and May it should still be lovely although the nights will be cooler and it may be a little too chilly to swim. Between June and September, it can be cold and wet.
Holiday Inspiration
Our experts have created and curated these tailor-made holiday ideas to get you started. Take the time to search through them and find something that is the spark for your unique adventure.
