Excursion Mid-voyage land adventure: yarra valley wine & tassie indulgence tour at Melbourne

Welcome to Melbourne, the 'Garden City' and capital of the south-eastern Australian state of Victoria. The Yarra Valley is the name given to the region surrounding the Yarra River in Victoria. The Yarra Valley is host to a thriving wine growing industry. The area's relatively cool climate makes it particularly suited to the production of high-quality chardonnay, pinot noir and sparkling wine. During this Mid-Voyage tour, you will spend some quality time in the Yarra Valley sampling some of the wine and food from this region. You will then fly south to the state of Tasmania and visit Hobart as well as historic Port Arthur and the natural beauty of the Tasman Peninsula. Port Arthur was originally known for the former penal settlement but is now an open-air museum. A visit here will give you insight into the life of the prisoners transported from England in the late 1700' and early 1800's. The Tasman Peninsula itself has evolved into a popular tourist hub, with wonderful, rugged coastline, exquisite beaches, abundant flora and fauna, waterfalls, rock formations, archways, deep-sea caves, and the highest vertical sea cliffs in the Southern Hemisphere at Cape Pillar. The spectacular natural beauty, wildlife and flavours of Melbourne, the Yarra Valley and Tasman Peninsula are yours to discover during this unforgettable, two-night overland excursion.

02MIDMEL-A Yarra Valley Wine & Tassie Indulgence

Duration: 3 Days/2 Nights

Departs from: Melbourne

Re-join ship: Hobart

Reserve by: At least 90 days prior to sailing

IMPORTANT NOTE

This Silver Shore Mid-Land Adventure requires advance booking through Silversea Reservations no later than the 10th December 2019. Requests received after this date may be accommodated on a space-available basis. Tickets are available in limited quantities, and participation cannot be guaranteed for those guests not booking well in advance. A minimum number of participants is required to operate this programme. If this minimum number is not met, Silversea reserves the right to offer the programme at a different rate based on private arrangements, or to cancel the specific departure. Cancellation fee, unless otherwise advised, 90 - 0 days prior to the initial sailing date: 100% of the programme fare per person is due.

Payment in full is due at time of final payment. Bookings made within 120 days of sailing require full payment within seven days of booking or sooner, as specified by Silversea.

All Land Adventure fares are subject to change, and not guaranteed until payment is received in full by Silversea. All Land Adventures are non-transferable, and non-refundable, within 120 days of sailing. Minors under the age of 18 must be accompanied by someone 18 years of age or older. All Land Adventures are owned by independent contractors, and Silversea makes no representations and assumes no responsibility for the services provided by these operators. Land Adventures may be modified by the operators at their sole discretion.

VISA INFORMATION:

Please check with your travel professional for details regarding visa requirements for Australia. It is the responsibility of each guest to obtain all appropriate visas before cruising.

LOCAL CURRENCY:

The local currency is the Australian Dollar; local ATMs are available in some locations visited, and credit cards are accepted in larger shops and hotels.

The spectacular natural beauty, wildlife and flavours of Melbourne, the Yarra Valley and Tasman Peninsula are yours to discover during this unforgettable, two-night overland excursion.

DAY ONE - Sunday, December 8, 2019 - Melbourne/Yarra Valley

Take an Aboriginal Heritage Walk at the Melbourne Botanic Gardens

After disembarking the ship in Melbourne, meet your guide and transfer to the Melbourne Botanic Gardens, an important cultural site for the local Koolin people. Upon arrival, participate in an Aboriginal Heritage Walk. Along the way, explore their ancestral lands and rich, thriving culture.

Experience a traditional smoking ceremony and Lemon Myrtle tea

Escorted by your indigenous guide, experience a traditional smoking ceremony, and discover traditional uses of plants for food, tools and medicine. In addition, develop an understanding of, and respect for, the customs and heritage of the local Boon wurrung and Woi wurrung people. Your tour concludes with a cup of Lemon Myrtle tea.

Exquisite views over the city, Port Phillip Bay and Dandenong Ranges from the Eureka SkyDeck 88

Next, continue on to the Eureka SkyDeck 88. This impressive, 92-storey-tall tower is one of the tallest apartment buildings in the world. Upon arrival, the building's high-speed elevators whisk you from the ground to the Level 88 Sky Deck in a mere 40 seconds. From this towering vantage point, you are afforded unparalleled, 360-degree views of the city, Port Phillip Bay and the Dandenong Ranges through the Sky Deck's floor-to-ceiling glass windows.

Transfer to the Yarra Valley for lunch with wine at the Rochford Winery

Leaving the Eureka SkyDeck 88, transfer to the Yarra Valley for an exclusive food and wine sensation. Upon arrival, proceed for a two-course lunch with wine at the Rochford Winery.

Enjoy a guided wine-blending session, and a unique opportunity to create your own signature taste

After lunch, you are treated to a guided wine-blending session, and a unique opportunity to blend your own signature taste; tasting charts and aroma kits are provided to help you with this task.

Head for a wine tasting with cheeses at Yering Station, and check-in at the adjacent Chateau Yering

Armed with greater knowledge of the winemaking process, transfer to Chateau Yering and Yering Station. Upon arrival, proceed for a wine tasting session accompanied by a selection of cheeses; the ideal way to end the afternoon. Leaving Yering Station, walk to the adjacent Chateau Yering, your stunning accommodations for the evening. After check-in, some free time is made available to freshen-up before dinner.

Dinner is at the hotel's Elenore's restaurant.

Overnight accommodations in a Melba Room at Yering Station - Yarra Valley

DAY TWO - Monday, December 9, 2019 - Yarra Valley/Melbourne/Hobart

Early-morning wake-up call, and a sunrise, hot-air balloon adventure over the Yarra Valley

After an early-morning wake-up call, meet your guide and depart for a sunrise, hot-air balloon adventure over the Yarra Valley. Your approximately one-hour flight offers magnificent panoramic views of the vineyards, mountain ranges and meandering Yarra River below, and distant views of the Melbourne CBD skyline.

Transfer back to the hotel for breakfast and some free time to freshen-up before check-out

Following your sky-high experience, transfer back to Chateau Yering. After breakfast, some free time is made available to freshen-up before check-out.

Drive to the Great Dividing Range, and a guided tour of the Healesville Wildlife Sanctuary

After check-out, meet your guide and depart for the Great Dividing Range, and a stop at the Healesville Wildlife Sanctuary. Regarded as one of Australia's leading parks, Healesville features over 200 species of native wildlife in a natural bush setting. Here, you can get acquainted with the kangaroos, koalas, lyrebirds, platypus, emus, and other uniquely Australian animals that inhabit the bush-like surroundings.

Lunch with wine at Levantine Hill

Following your Aussie animal encounters, transfer to Levantine Hill for a relaxing lunch accompanied by wine; the ideal way to end your time in the Yarra Valley.

Transfer to Melbourne Airport for your scheduled flight to Hobart

After lunch, depart for the approximately one-hour transfer to Melbourne Airport, and a scheduled, approximately 75-minute flight to Hobart.

Hotel transfer and some free time

Upon arrival, meet your guide and transfer to the Macq 01 Hotel. Located on the waterfront, it is one of the newest and best boutique hotels in Hobart. After check-in, some free time is made available to freshen-up before dinner.

Dinner is at the hotel's Old Wharf restaurant.

Overnight in a Standard Room at the Macq 01 Hotel - Hobart

DAY THREE - Tuesday, December 10, 2019 - Hobart/Port Arthur/Hobart

Breakfast, check-out, and a transfer to Port Arthur via outer-Hobart and Tasman National Park

After breakfast at the hotel and check-out, meet your guide and depart for the scenic, approximately 1.5-hour drive to historic Port Arthur. En route, travel through the outer suburbs of Hobart and Tasman National Park.

Guided walking tour of Port Arthur, with some free time for independent shopping and exploration

Upon arrival at historic Port Arthur, proceed for a visit to the 19th-century penal settlement. It is now an open-air museum, with ruins that include the huge penitentiary and the remaining shell of the Convict Church, which was built by inmates. During your exclusive walking tour of the site, visit many of the ruins and maybe even see the solitary confinement cells in the separate prison building, which were used to inflict mental punishment in place of floggings. Following your tour, some free time is made available for independent exploration.

Lunch at the Gabriel's on the Bay restaurant

Next, proceed for a casual lunch at the nearby Gabriel's on the Bay restaurant.

Tassie Wilderness Cruise with waterfalls, rock formations, archways and deep-sea caves

After lunch, take an award-winning Tassie Wilderness Cruise via RIB-boat. Your route travels beneath the highest vertical sea cliffs in the Southern Hemisphere at Cape Pillar. Explore waterfalls, rock formations, archways and deep-sea caves. The coastline is part of Tasman National Park, and home to a variety of wildlife including hundreds of seals, migrating whales and thousands of seabirds.

Bird-, wildlife- and dolphin-watching along the spectacular coastline of the Tasman Peninsula

At any time of year, you are likely to see the feeding frenzy of diving gannets, albatross and sea eagles wheeling on the wind, cliff-nesting cormorants and peregrine falcons, or a pod of playful dolphins surfing the bow-wave of the boat. The custom-built, yellow boats are ideal for viewing the spectacular coastline and wildlife of the Tasman Peninsula.

Transfer to the pier and ship

Following your cruise, disembark your RIB-boat, re-board your coach and commence the approximately 1.5-hour transfer to the port in Hobart. Upon arrival at the pier, embark the ship.

Please note: This Mid-Voyage Land Adventure requires an extensive amount of walking for approximately 1.24 miles-2.5 miles (about two kilometres-four kilometres) per day, at times over uneven, rocky, sandy, grassy, and natural surfaces and inclines, with a few steps to negotiate to get on/off the coach, board/de-board the airplane, helicopter and hot-air balloon, embark/disembark the RIB-boat, and many steps at the sites visited. This tour is not suitable for pregnant guests, guests with back and/or neck problems, guests with heart and/or respiratory conditions, guests prone to motion sickness, guests with a fear of heights, guests with limited mobility, and guests who utilise a wheelchair. Guests are advised to bring lightweight, comfortable clothing with flat, closed-toe walking and beach shoes, sun protection, insect repellent, a sweater or light jacket, raingear, swimwear, a camera, towel and approximately one-quart (about one-litre) water bottle from the ship; pants and long sleeves are recommended for the evening. Although frequently encountered on this type of tour, animal sightings are not guaranteed. Guests must carry their passports and ship's ID at all times. A signed waiver is required to participate on this tour. The tour sequence and itinerary may vary. Operation of this tour is subject to weather conditions. Space on this tour is extremely limited; we suggest you book well in advance to avoid disappointment.

Programme Includes:

• One-night stay in a Melba Room at Yering Station - Yarra Valley
• One-night stay in a Standard Room at the Macq 01 Hotel - Hobart
• Scheduled flight: Melbourne/Hobart (Economy-Class). Business-Class is available upon request at an additional charge and subject to availability, as most aircraft do not offer business seating.

Airlines restrict baggage to one bag at approximately 44 pounds (about 20 kilograms) per person; hand-luggage cannot exceed 15.4 pounds (about seven kilograms) in weight, and smaller aircraft may be utilised (at the discretion of the airline). Additional bags can be checked in at the service desk, and the fee is payable at the check-in counter at the time of booking.

• Two breakfasts, three lunches and two dinners with drinks included
• Guided tour, a traditional smoking ceremony & Lemon Myrtle tea at the Melbourne Botanic Gardens
• Visit the Eureka SkyDeck 88 for splendid views over city, Port Phillip Bay and the Dandenong Ranges
• Lunch with wine, a guided wine-blending session, and a unique opportunity to create your own signature taste at the Rochford Winery - Yarra Valley
• Wine tasting with cheeses at Yering Station
• Sunrise hot-air balloon adventure - Yarra Valley
• Guided tour of the Healesville Wildlife Sanctuary
• Lunch with wine at the Levantine Hill
• Exclusive walking tour, with some free time for independent exploration - Port Arthur
• Lunch at the Gabriel's on the Bay restaurant - Port Arthur
• Tassie Wilderness Cruise - Port Arthur
• Bird-, wildlife- and dolphin-watching along the spectacular coastline of the Tasman Peninsula
• All sightseeing and transfers as per itinerary

Not Included:

Any meals and drinks not specified above, charges incurred by the airlines for excess or overweight luggage, gratuities to drivers and tour guides, laundry, telephone calls, cancellation insurance, and other personal items.

Note

Please note: This tour involves a moderate amount of walking for approximately 219 yards (about 200 metres), at times over uneven and gravel surfaces, with three-four steps to negotiate to get on/off the coach and at the sites visited. This tour is not suitable for guests prone to motion sickness, guests with limited mobility and guests who utilise a wheelchair. Guests are advised to wear lightweight, comfortable clothing with flat, closed-toe walking shoes, and bring sun protection and a light jacket from the ship. Guests must be at least 18 years old to participate in tastings of alcoholic beverages. The driving distance between the pier and wineries visited is approximately 1.75 hours in each direction. The tour sequence may vary. Space on this tour is very limited; we suggest you book in advance to avoid disappointment. In case Bortoli Winery is not available, guests will visit Rochford Winery instead.