Grand Australia Circumnavigation

Explore two of Melbourne’s most important sights and admire the city’s beauty, culture and history. You will visit the Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria, a striking green oasis in the heart of Melbourne. Covering 38 hectares, it features more than 31 collections of plants presented as living works of art. Take a guided tour, then enjoy free time to explore on your own. Cross the street to pay your respects at the revered Shrine of Remembrance, one of the city’s most stunning landmarks. Discover the real-life stories of Australians in wartime and view breathtaking vistas of the memorial gardens and the city. Afterward, set out on a scenic drive through Melbourne. Pass magnificent buildings, such as the fortress-like Old Treasury Building and Parliament House, and the marvelous string of High Victorian Gothic buildings along Collins Street while en route to your ship.

Ride a vintage narrow-gauge steam train through mountainous vistas to a picturesque winery and a wildlife refuge. Meet your guide and drive to the quaint township of Belgrave. Here, you will board the century-old steam train affectionately known as “Puffing Billy” and head into the striking fern-covered valleys and magnificent eucalyptus forests of the Dandenong Ranges. Upon arrival in Menzies Creek, you will reboard your motor coach and proceed to Rochford Wines or a similar winery. Savor a two-course lunch here prepared with fresh, locally sourced ingredients and enjoy a delicious tasting of some of Australia’s finest wines. Continue across the scenic Great Dividing Range and stop at the Healesville Sanctuary. More than 200 species of native wildlife thrive here in a natural bush setting. Get acquainted with kangaroos, koalas, lyrebirds, platypus, emus and other unique Australian species. After time on your own, you will return to your ship.

Immerse yourself in local culture and cuisine as our Executive Chef leads you on an interactive culinary adventure. Journey by mini-coach to the local market to handpick ingredients under the guidance of our Chef. Later this evening, you will dine on regional dishes prepared by our experienced culinary team, using produce from the market. As you and your fellow guests enjoy this delicious creation at The Kitchen Table, you will also observe the art of plating with each dish. From fresh market fare to cooking techniques and elegant presentation, experience firsthand how your ship’s world-class culinary staff brings distinct, local flavors from the market to your taste buds. It is an unforgettable, one-of-a-kind opportunity to shop, interact and dine with the masters.

Explore the colorful culture of Melbourne during a small-group excursion through its iconic alleys and arcades. A lively atmosphere, vibrant street art and distinctive cafés await you along these celebrated backstreets. Meet your knowledgeable guide and catch a ride on a city tram; established in 1885, this iconic characteristic of Melbourne is the world’s oldest continuously operating tram system. At your stop, disembark and follow your guide through the narrow streets decorated with an ever-changing canvas of stencil art and graffiti as you make your way to one of the city’s famous hidden arcades, as well as the old General Post Office. Enjoy a late-morning coffee at a local café, after which you can remain in the city to perhaps visit a museum and further explore other sights on your own, or board the tram with your guide and return to your awaiting ship.

Visit key sites of the Kulin people to learn about their rich history, contemporary culture and art. Embark on a panoramic drive through the city of Melbourne to the Koorie Heritage Trust, an Aboriginal-owned and operated center, dedicated to presenting and celebrating the contemporary art of Victorian First Peoples. Here, you will meet your Aboriginal cultural guide, who will lead you through Birrarung Marr or “river of mists,” a park that runs along the Yarra River, and tell you about the history of the land and the Kulin Nation. Visit the Birrarung Wilam or “river camp,” an art installation and gathering place where cultural practices help maintain the Kulin Nation’s connection to the land. Return to the Koorie Heritage Trust to see its collection of Aboriginal artwork and exhibitions. After, enjoy lunch inspired by Indigenous flavors before returning to your ship.

Discover Melbourne’s proud history of sports during a small-group experience at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Located in the heart of the city, the MCG was opened in 1853. Since then, it has grown into Australia’s largest stadium; today it is listed on the Victorian Heritage Register and is a Melbourne institution. It has hosted many sporting events like rugby matches, but maintains strong ties to Australian rules football, becoming the primary venue for Australian Football League matches, including the AFL Grand Final. Enjoy an entertaining tour of the stadium, including a behind-the-scenes look at the locker rooms. Your guide will share stories of some of the greatest sports matches in Australia’s history. Cap your day at the Australian Sports Museum, where interactive exhibits highlight the important place that sports have in Australian society, before returning to your ship.

Savor a taste of Melbourne while learning about its people, history and architecture on this culinary excursion. The capital of the state of Victoria, Melbourne’s food scene is a mix of Indigenous and European influences, resulting in a diverse and innovative food culture. Transfer by motor coach to the heart of Melbourne, where you will set out on foot to sample an array of local cuisine. On your journey, you will have an opportunity to sample traditional local dishes along the banks of the Birrarung, alongside decadent chocolates, Spanish tapas, mouthwatering South American flavors served with a Melbourne twist and gelato. Interspersed between your stops, venture along the city’s famous alleys and arcades, learning more about the rich history and eclectic architecture of Melbourne.

Pedal with ease as you explore Melbourne’s sights by electric bicycle. Meet your guide and transfer by motor coach to a local bike shop. Here, after a short safety briefing, you will don your helmet and set off on two wheels for a ride that will take you through city laneways toward St. Kilda. Pass by the Yarra River and the Melbourne Cricket Ground and enjoy the area’s Victorian architecture as you cycle along. During your ride, your guide will share stories about Melbourne’s history and provide insight into Australia’s cultural capital. Pause to enjoy a coffee at the St. Kilda Pavilion; perhaps sample a flat white, which is said to have originated on Australian shores when a local barista failed to achieve foam with a cappuccino while using low-fat milk. Complete your leisurely ride back at the pier and your awaiting ship.

Learn about Australia’s native wildlife at the Melbourne Zoo and its world-leading conservation program. During your transfer, you will receive information about the work that is dedicated to the protection of 27 native species, including possums, butterflies, bandicoots, wallabies and the Tasmanian devil. You will then set off to explore the Australian Bush Trail to witness some of Australia’s most recognizable wildlife and a whole range of birdlife, as well as native flowering plants as you pass by. Knowledgeable volunteers are stationed throughout to provide assistance or share their love of wildlife with you. Viking is proud to sponsor the important work conducted here; you will each receive a tote bag to commemorate your visit with proceeds being donated to the zoo. Cap your visit with free time to see your favorite animals, before returning to your ship.

Journey to the picturesque Yarra Valley for a tailor-made tasting experience with knowledgeable enthusiasts. Embark on a scenic drive to Rochford Winery and gain an insider’s view of a busy working vineyard. View the estate’s operation and taste the wine directly from the tanks in the cellar before they are bottled. Afterward, settle down for a delicious two-course lunch with wine pairing from the Single Vineyard Range. Next, you will head to the Yarra Valley Chocolaterie and Ice-Creamery to sample a variety of artisan chocolates, including the Bush Tucker Range—a unique offering featuring flavors that have been "wild" harvested. Create your own chocolate bar using local ingredients, then head to your final stop of the day for a walk through a food forest brimming with edible and medicinal plants from around the world. After learning about their benefits, return to your ship.

Discover the history of Melbourne during visits to Australia’s oldest library and the Melbourne Museum. Embark on a short drive by motor coach to the State Library Victoria, featuring a collection of over five million items, including books, manuscripts, paintings and more. Established in 1854, it is the oldest public library in Australia and one of the first free libraries in the world. Explore with your guide, pausing in the domed La Trobe Reading Room and glimpsing the historic card cataloging systems in the catacombs. Then, transfer to the Melbourne Museum, where you will enjoy a guided tour. See the Bunjilaka Aboriginal Cultural Centre and learn about the First People. Discover their history and achievements through performances, storytelling and traditional artwork. You will have free time to explore the museum further on your own, before returning to your ship.

Discover the Yarra Valley as you pedal with ease through farmland and forests on an e-bike ride. Depart the pier by motor coach and drive through central Melbourne, headed toward the Yarra Valley, Victoria’s premier wine-growing region. Your destination is the township of Seville, where you will meet your guide at a café housed in a restored railway carriage. After a short safety briefing, you will receive your e-bike and set out to explore. Travel along a gently graded trail reserved for cyclists and walkers, following a former railway line through grazing land and eucalyptus forest that is home to kangaroos, wombats and kookaburras. Pause at a private wine estate for a tasting experience, then continue your ride to a historic country pub. Next, follow the Yarra River into Warburton, where you will have lunch at a local hotel before returning to your awaiting ship.