12 days of fine dining, wilderness and luxury

Set out to explore Melbourne’s hidden laneways, starting with the graffiti-coated Hosier Lane, Centre Place and Union Lane. After admiring the art, sip rich coffee at the leafy laneway café, Chuckle Park.

Sit down for lunch above the clouds at one of Australia’s most lauded restaurants. Vue de Monde offers a unique dining experience, serving plates of seasonally inspired flavours and panoramic views from the 55th floor.

Sample an ornate spread of sandwiches, scones and decadent desserts from a three-tier silver stand. Wash it down in true high tea tradition – which spans more than a century at The Windsor – with Champagne or speciality tea.

Wander around Collins Street, where boutique Australian brands meet international and emerging designers. Then head to the 18th-century Block Arcade for a unique shopping experience in a beautiful, historic building.

Book a table at one of Melbourne’s best restaurants. Savour Southeast Asian cuisine at Chin Chin or settle in for a multi-course fine dining menu at Attica, one of the world’s best dining establishments.

Head to the Flinders Lane precinct to seek out Eau-de-Vie’s secret door – a hidden whisky bar that pays homage to the 1920s era. Sip eclectic cocktails by the bar or level up your whisky knowledge with one of the bar’s masterclasses.

Make Jack Rabbit Vineyard, located on the beautiful Bellarine Peninsula, your first stop of the day. Perch in the sundrenched garden, tuck into brunch and sip cool-climate wines paired with panoramic views of the ocean.

The town of Torquay is considered the surfing capital of Australia, so a visit to the world’s largest surfing museum is a must. At the Australian National Surfing Museum, you’ll discover the history, fun and beauty of riding the waves.

Stretch your legs around the coastal towns of Anglesea and Lorne. If you’ve worked up an appetite, drive to Apollo Bay for a Greek-inspired lunch overlooking the ocean at the coveted Chris’s Beacon Point Restaurant.

Continue inland to Brae, named one of the world’s top 100 restaurants, where you can enjoy an ever-changing seasonal menu guided by the restaurant’s organic food garden. After dinner, sleep beneath a skylight of stars in one of Brae’s luxury suites.

Drive through the Great Otway National Park to hike the one-hour Beauchamp Falls track, which leads to a waterfall hidden within the rainforest. At nearby Hopetoun Falls, take the short but steep staircase to reach the base of the waterfall.

Take an enchanting walk through a forest planted with the world’s tallest tree species. Redwood trees have been growing in the Otways since 1936, and they tower over 60m (197ft), creating a fairytale-like landscape next to the Aire River.

Tick off one of Australia’s natural wonders today. Hop in a helicopter to see the giant limestone stacks of the 12 Apostles from above, or walk down the Gibson Steps to feel the pillars tower over you from the beach.

Get cultural at Tower Hill – Victoria’s oldest dormant volcano and a sacred site to the Gunditjmara Aboriginal People. Join a guided tour to learn age-old Aboriginal traditions and see native Australian wildlife up close.

Savour Merrijig Kitchen’s garden-grown cuisine in one of Port Fairy’s most historic dining rooms. Blending biodynamic produce, traditional European techniques and a celebrated wine list, the foodie within you will rejoice.

Check into a deluxe mountain view room at the Royal Mail Hotel, a gourmet treasure in the Grampians National Park. For total serenity, opt for the luxurious Mount Sturgeon Cottages, nestled on the 91-hectare (225-acre) reserve.

Tune into the region’s food, wine and wildlife during an immersive experience at The Royal Mail Hotel. Encounter native wildlife with the conservation team, tour the hotel’s organic gardens and taste award-winning wines from around the world.

Drink in panoramic views of Grampians National Park from The Pinnacle Lookout. Hikes range from beginner to advanced and you can expect to see Aboriginal rock art, native wildlife and extraordinary vistas along the way.

The wheelchair-accessible Boroka Lookout offers a breathtaking vantage point of the Grampians. It’s a leisurely drive to the top. For a real eyeful, time your arrival for sunrise and feel the tranquillity of dawn over the gold-tinted mountain range.

Enjoy Adelaide’s nightlife at one of the city’s rooftop bars. From hipster hangouts to luxe establishments, you can indulge in an evening of live music, South Australian drinks and sunkissed views at any one of these brilliant bars.

After arriving in Adelaide, check into a ritzy hotel. The heritage-listed Mayfair Hotel makes a superb stay. Alternatively, soak in the unparalleled views at the sky-high Crowne Plaza – complete with a rooftop infinity pool.

Adelaide hasn’t been dubbed the wine capital of Australia for nothing. Pick from the collection of charming wine regions on the city’s doorstep – the Barossa Valley, Adelaide Hills and Clare Valley – and let the good times flow.

Spotting wild dolphins is pretty magical, but watching them glide beside you in the ocean is simply unforgettable. Sail from Adelaide on the eco-certified Temptation Sailing catamaran to meet these magnificent marine animals.

Spend your evening at one of Australia’s most celebrated vineyards, Penfolds Magill Estate. Its restaurant produce is sourced from some of South Australia's finest farms, while the wine has a history that goes as far back as 1844.

Feel on top of the world from the summit of Mount Lofty, standing 710m (2,329ft) above sea level. Enjoy the fresh mountain air on a hike, or walk leisurely around the vibrant cool-climate Botanic Gardens.

On a balmy summer’s day, nothing beats an ice-cold drink and the sound of ocean waves lapping on the sand. Kick back at Moseley Beach Club; enjoy DJ tunes and watch the golden sunset blend into the blue hues of the ocean.

For a taste of KI's highlights, take an Island Life Tour. Wander through the bush to spot koalas snoozing in the trees, enjoy fresh seafood at a private picnic and wander on the sand among Australia’s largest sea lion colony.

Kangaroo Island’s fertile farmland lends itself to a bounty of artisan eateries and nature's best produce. Join a Fine Flavours Tour to taste golden honey made by local bees and seafood sourced from the pristine Southern Ocean.

Explore the island’s delicious drops of wine, spirits and cider at boutique establishments. With French-style wines and botanical gin on offer, you could easily spend a whole day tasting Kangaroo Island’s beautiful beverages.

The aptly named Remarkable Rocks – a geological spectacle that sits on the edge of the Flinders Chase National Park – is a work of nature’s art, sculpted across 500 million years. See it during the late afternoon to watch it glow with the sunset.

There are several world-class places to stay on Kangaroo Island. Try the five-bedroom One Kangaroo Island, which perches above one of the island’s most beautiful beaches, or book the truly remarkable Southern Ocean Lodge.

Head to Hobart's subversive and stunning art gallery, Mona (Museum of Old and New Art). You'll need a few hours to take in its quirky collection, not to mention the architecture of the subterranean gallery, which is carved into cliffs.

Book dinner and a stylish night’s stay at Mona Pavilions, which are nestled along the bank of the Derwent River. Each room is unique, named after an Australian artist or architect, and is decorated with artworks from the Mona collection.

Take a seat at a moss-and-herb-coated table overlooking the river at Mona’s Source restaurant. Pick a dégustation menu and leave yourself in the hands of the chef, who will make use of Tasmania’s seasonal ingredients.

Tasmania’s climate is perfectly primed to produce single-malt whisky. Visit Lark Cellar Door on the banks of Hobart’s waterfront to taste warming whiskies from one of Australia’s most distinguished distilleries.

Journey to nearby Bruny Island to meet some of Tasmania’s master makers and their artisan produce. On the Bruny Island Traveller tour, you’ll try handcrafted fudge, freshly shucked oysters and local cheeses.

If romance is in the air, take to Tasmania’s skies on a scenic flight. You’ll land on a pristine private beach to enjoy a gourmet lunch hamper. You’ll struggle to decide which you love more – the fresh produce or the awe-inspiring coastline.

Join chef and foraging enthusiast Mic Giuliani on a foodie treasure hunt through Tassie’s wilderness. Once you’ve mastered the art of foraging, indulge in a lavish six-course meal crafted with your forest finds.

Hobart’s top restaurants showcase Tasmania’s fresh produce at its best. Enjoy a seafood lunch with brilliant views of Hobart’s harbour at Aloft, or dive into seasonal shared plates next door at The Glass House.

Just when you thought Hobart couldn’t be more beautiful, the views from the top of kunanyi/Mount Wellington are there to surprise you. Gaze over the city and mountain-meets-coast landscape.

A short stroll from the centre of Hobart is the artsy Salamanca Place. If it’s a Saturday, you’re in luck; the famed Salamanca Market is on your doorstep. Browse over 300 stalls selling everything from whisky to designer garments.

On your way to Freycinet, stop in the Coal River Valley Region, where you’ll find boutique vineyards serving cool-climate wines. Take in lakeside views at the family-friendly Puddleduck or delve into Bordeaux-inspired reds at Domaine A.

Stretch your legs around Richmond’s 18th-century streets lined with picturesque Georgian houses, cafés and antique shops. Take a photo by Heritage-listed Richmond Bridge – Australia's oldest surviving stone arch bridge.

Hop on the ferry to Maria Island, a patch of wilderness on the Tasman Sea. With no vehicles or (human) residents, the island’s wildlife runs the show – and you’ll want front-row seats. Watch wombats graze and catch sight of the elusive Tassie Devil.

Drive towards the spectacular Saffire Freycinet, perched on the edge of the Freycinet National Park. An award-winning and all-inclusive hotel, Saffire’s 20 private suites were designed to blend into the surrounding natural environment.

Get suited and booted today for a sweet experience with a difference. During Saffire Freycinent’s beekeeping experience, you’ll get to taste butterscotch-flavoured honey harvested fresh from their on-site hives.

We can thank the Freycinet Peninsula’s pristine waters for its delicious Pacific oysters. Put on your waders, step into the water and taste them straight from the ocean with a glass of local riesling at Freycinet Marine Farm.

Follow the pathway up to Wineglass Bay Lookout to be rewarded with a view that’s straight out of a postcard. Think dazzling white sand and an azure ocean that stretches to the horizon. Continue walking the 11km (6.8mi) Hazards Beach Track.

Continue your Australian wine journey at Devil’s Corner Winery. Wines here take on unique flavour profiles due to the challenging landscape. Try a tasting paddle overlooking the Hazards mountain range, or pair your wine with hand-made chocolates.

Find your own slice of solitude at Binalong’s Bay of Fires, where the ocean laps white sand and rocks dusted with orange lichen. If you have a few days to spare, embark on the deeply meaningful wukalina Walk with an Indigenous guide.

See master cheese-makers at work at Pyengana Dairy, where traditional cloth-matured cheddars and blues are available to sample and shop. After meeting the farm’s friendly cows, enjoy the countryside air at the café with hand-made ice cream.

Warm up your body in a woodland sauna before taking an almighty plunge into the idyllic Lake Derby. Known to awaken your senses and your mind, the Floating Sauna evokes a deeper connection to both nature and yourself.

Check into the manor-like Quamby Estate for country hospitality in a gorgeous heritage building of just 10 rooms. Play a round of golf on the beautifully manicured nine-hole course, dine on Tasmanian produce and soak in your grand spa bath.

Stroll through Cataract Gorge, the cliff-lined ravine that runs like a seam through Launceston. Float above the forest on the world’s longest single-span chair lift, spot wallabies grazing between the eucalypts and enjoy lunch at the Gorge Restaurant.

Dedicate the afternoon to wine tasting in the Tamar Valley. Start on the west bank with lunch in the Barrel Room restaurant at Vélo Wines, then cross the river and sample the sparkling wines at the Jansz Wine Room.

Return to Launceston and choose from the city’s best restaurants. Stillwater is set inside a once-derelict 1830s flour mill and is regarded as one of Tasmania’s finest restaurants. Enjoy a meal that pays tribute to local ingredients.

If you have more time, take a four-day guided journey along Tasmania's most colourful stretch of coast on the Bay of Fires Lodge Walk. Connect to the coast’s extraordinary landscape by day, and be rewarded with its luxuries by night.