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Limestone Coast Escape: Caves, Cabernet, Coast

Relax - Explore - Delight

Experience the landscape and produce of South Australia’s Limestone Coast. Positioned half way between Adelaide and Melbourne, a continuation of the Great Ocean Road and only one hour flight from both cities.

Explore World Heritage Caves, lush farming country, local wine and food, stunning volcanic craters, jaw-dropping sinkholes and unique freshwater ecosystems. 

Each day you will enjoy a short walk. Relax, inhale the fresh cool air, listen to the peaceful sounds of the country, and tantalise your tastebuds. 

DAY 1  - NARACOORTE CAVES - COONAWARRA - MT GAMBIER

Your guide will pick you and fellow travellers up from your accommodation, ready to depart Mount Gambier at 9am.

A one hour scenic drive will take you through the Limestone Coast country-side to the World Heritage Naracoorte Caves National Park. This private transfer will take you north through the Coonawarra and Wrattonbully wine regions to the ancient coastal ridge-line in which the Naracoorte Caves reside.

Here at the Caves you will enjoy a tour into SA's only World Heritage listed site. This adventure takes you back in time, viewing a large fossil deposit containing the remains of extinct Australian mega fauna. 

After the tour its time for morning tea prior to driving back through the Wrattonbully wine region on our way to the Coonawarra. 

Here in the Coonawarra you will visit the beautifully revived historic shearing shed and boutique winery Bellwether. You will meet the wine maker and sample wines made from grapes grown in Wrattonbully and Coonawarra. Don't drink wine? Enjoy fresh herbal tea made from the garden or non alcoholic beverage.

Lunch in the heart of Coonawarra for a tantalising dining experience at Ottelia. This restaurant and cellar door provides the best lunch in the Coonawarra, they also make delicious wine!

After lunch, time to stretch your legs, walk alongside the vines to the iconic Coonawarra railway siding for a photo prior to making our way back to Mount Gambier. Here you have the opportunity to kick back and rest for an hour, view the Caves Gardens sinkhole or head to the local boutique brewery for a tasting.

This evening you will enjoy a sensational dining experience at Elementary by Soul.

DAY 2 -  VOLCANOS, SINKHOLES, COAST AND SEAFOOD 

Today you will enjoy a walk up one of Australia's youngest volcano's, peer into a giant sinkhole and head to the coast via world renown cave diving site Piccaninnie Ponds Conservation Park as we continue to explore this amazing Limestone Coast country. 

You will begin the day with a climb up Mount Schank’s cone-shaped form, Australia’s youngest volcano!  Strolling along the 2km trail around the crater rim you will have 360 degree views looking to Mount Gambier and the coast, this really is one of the greatest short walks in S.A.

Nibble some tasty morning tea and a short drive onto the sunken wonder of Hells Hole, a cenote/sinkhole hidden amongst a forest. A 750m wander through native scrub reveals the viewing platform to this gem, you may catch your breath as you walk out onto the viewing platform and peer into its depths.

Then it’s off to the coast and Piccaninnie Ponds Conservation Park, a wetland of international importance. Here you will meander along a 1.4km trail through coastal scrub to a unique freshwater ecosystem, follow crystal-clear spring water as it flows into the sea, and frolic on the beach breathing in the fresh, salty air.

With a hankering for lunch, we will head to the coastal town of Port MacDonnell rich with maritime history and home to South Australia’s largest lobster fishing fleet. Tour with us between October and May and opt to have an ultimate seafood experience of delicious *lobster for lunch fresh from the ocean.

With bellies full and satiated we head back towards Mount Gambier via Caroline Hills Winery a cool climate specialist with a reputation for excellent Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris. The Mount Gambier Wine Region is recognized as Australia’s newest wine region producing cool climate wines. 

You shall then be dropped off at your accommodation, refreshed and fulfilled.

Inclusions

• Tour of World Heritage Victoria Fossil Cave

• Wine tastings in the Coonawarra and Mt Gambier

• Two chef prepared lunches with regional produce

• One multi course regionally inspired dining experience

• Private vehicle transfer

• Pick up from accommodation

• Local experienced ecotourism guide

• National Park admission fees

• Ecological offset for your trip

• Locally owned and operated

*Please note, if you would like to order lobster for lunch there will be an extra charge, subject to availability.

Departure - Pick up from your Mount Gambier accommodation by 900am return by 4pm.

Min. 4 max. 10 people 18+ years

Note: Accommodation not included in tour price, assistance can be provided to book accommodation.