Explore Melbourne, Philip Island and Tasmania
Day 1: Gourmet experiences in Melbourne and the Yarra Valley
Morning
Host a welcome breakfast for up to 110 people at Republica, overlooking popular St Kilda Beach on Port Phillip Bay, a short drive from the city centre. From here, it’s a 45-minute drive east to Belgrave Railway Station, where you can board the historic Puffing Billy steam train for the 30-minute ride to Menzies Creek. Afterwards drive 45-minute to Rochford Wines in the Yarra Valley. Take a Segway tour of the vineyards and try your hand at archery before sitting down to lunch paired with estate wines.
Afternoon
From here, travel five minutes by road to Domaine Chandon for a tour followed by a wine tasting of their cool-climate sparkling and still wines. Then it’s a 15-minute drive to the Yarra Valley Chocolaterie & Ice Creamery, where you can indulge your sweet tooth with a one-hour chocolate discovery class, which includes tastings and chocolate making. Return to Melbourne in a helicopter, on the back of a Harley-Davidson or in a sports car.
Evening
Tonight’s welcome dinner will be held at the State Library of Victoria in the city centre. Take a private tour of the heritage spaces while enjoying drinks and canapés. Then, sit down to a banquet in the 19th century Cowan Gallery or Ian Potter Queen’s Hall, two of several elegant venues in the library, that can accommodate 220 or 290 people seated respectively. After dinner, move to the library’s La Trobe Reading Room for a surprise opera performance.
Day 2: Wildlife encounters on Phillip Island
Morning
Start your day with breakfast at Alfred Place, a private two-storey venue in the heart of Melbourne. The Art Deco ballroom can accommodate 100 guests seated or 250 people for cocktail functions, while the library is ideal for intimate seated events for 30. Enlist top Australian chef Neil Perry to prepare a modern Australian breakfast. Take a 15-minute walk through the city and over the Yarra River to Eureka Tower, where you’ll ascend to the 89th floor for panoramic views of Melbourne.
Afternoon
Travel five minutes north of the city to Lygon Street. Known as Melbourne’s Little Italy, Lygon Street is lined with family-run restaurants, including Donnini’s, where you’ll share a lunch of antipasti and handmade pastas. Next, travel two hours by car to Phillip Island and head to Phillip Island Circuit for a team race around the track in go-karts. Up to 24 go-karts can race at the one time. Afterwards, visit the Koala Conservation Centre, where you can stroll along the treetop boardwalk, spotting koalas, birds and wallabies.
Evening
Dinner tonight is at the waterfront venue overlooking the Southern Ocean, The Cape Kitchen, which can host up to 120 people for a feast that includes ingredients sourced from all over Victoria. After dinner, drive 20 minutes to the Nobbies Centre in the Phillip Island Nature Park for the Antarctic Journey, an interactive multimedia experience, and the nightly Penguin Parade. For the best view of the penguins as they waddle along the beach, book the underground viewing venue, which can accommodate 70 people. Afterwards, transfer back to Melbourne by car.
Day 3: Fine art and wine in Hobart
Morning
After breakfast at your hotel, drive to Melbourne Airport, 30 minutes north-west of the city. Take a one-hour flight to Hobart Airport, then travel 10 minutes by road to Frogmore Creek. Enjoy a tour of the winery and a tasting at the cellar door, before sitting down to a lunch of Tasmanian produce paired with Frogmore Creek wines. The Tower Gallery can seat 22 people; the restaurant accommodates up to 45; and the Barrel Room can host 160 people for a banquet.
Afternoon
Take a 20-minute coach ride to the centre of Hobart. At the Brooke Street Pier, board the Mona Roma boat for the 30-minute cruise – including wine tasting – to the Museum of Old and New Art (Mona). Make the most of this cutting-edge gallery with a guided museum tour, then sample oysters and sparkling wine in the Wine Bar. From here, it’s a 20-minute coach ride to your accommodation at the Macq01 hotel on Hobart's scenic waterfront.
Evening
For pre-dinner drinks at the hotel, arrange a Tasmanian beer tasting or savour classic cocktails in The Lounge. Transfer to The Drunken Admiral Seafarers Restaurant, also the waterfront. Operating since 1979, this family run restaurant specialises in seafood dishes and can accommodate up to 110 people at one time.
Day 4: Sailing and seafood around Hobart
Morning
Breakfast this morning is served at The Henry Jones Art Hotel, a short walk from MACq 01. Book the Art Installation Suite for an intimate meal for 25 people or the light-filled IXL Atrium for up to 200. Take a four-minute stroll over the Constitution Dock Bridge to board meet the team at a Pennicott Wilderness Journeys boat for a three-and-a-half-hour private cruise along the Derwent River and D’Entrecasteaux Channel.
Afternoon
The boat will drop you off at Peppermint Bay for lunch. Located in the town of Woodbridge, overlooking the D’Entrecasteaux Channel, this striking venue can hold up to 200 people for a seated event or 350 for a cocktail function. Leading chef David Moyle will delight you with Tasmanian seafood, meats and dairy. After lunch, transfer 35-minutes by car to award-winning Lark Distillery in Hobart for a one-hour tour and tasting.
Evening
To sample Tasmanian seafood straight off the boat, book dinner at Mures on Victoria Dock. Mures Upper Deck offers a range of venues, catering for 25 to 150 people for a seated dinner. Treat your team to freshly caught rock lobster, oysters, scallops and fish, paired with premium Tasmanian wines.
Day 5: Oysters and abalone in Barilla Bay
Morning
After breakfast and Jam Packed cafe, that can accommodate up to 100 guests seated, if it’s Saturday, explore the nearby Salamanca Markets, home to 300 stalls selling gourmet foods, art and crafts. Then it’s just a 15‑minute drive to Barilla Bay.
Afternoon
Spend the afternoon at Barilla Bay Oysters. Begin with a one-hour oyster, abalone and ginger beer tour, with tastings. You’ll visit an oyster lease on the beach and Gillespie’s Ginger Beer brewery. Finish with a sumptuous seafood lunch in the Barilla Bay restaurant, which can host 110 people for a seated event or 250 for a cocktail function.
Evening
Return to Hobart for dinner at acclaimed waterfront restaurant The Glasshouse. Located on the floating Brooke Street Pier, book exclusive use for seated events up to 120 or stand up to 160 guests. Enjoy a menu of Tasmania’s finest produce, wine, spirits and cocktails.