Wilson's PromontoryPHILLIP ISLAND Tiny Phillip Island provides a delightful diversionon your coastal journey, and is famous for itsnightly penguin parade. Each day at sunsetdozens of fairy penguins emerge from theocean at Summerland beach and shufflethrough the spiky, clumpy grass to their nests.Shearwaters fly annually between here andAlaska, seals cavort around the rocks at TheNobbies and koalas can be seen at theconservation centre. The rugged southerncoastline facing Bass Strait has roaring surfbeaches and every morning the pelicans are fedat San Remo, a display of leaps, flutters andsquabbles. Cowes is the main town and offers arange of lively restaurants specialising in freshlobster and shellfish.Glen Isla Homestead, CowesIdeally located on a pristine sandy beach, Glen IslaHomestead is a mile from Cowes and ten minutesdrive from Summerland beach, with its nightlypenguin parade. Set in the grounds of this historichomestead are six spacious and elegantly furnishedguestrooms each offering modern comforts andprivate verandas with glorious garden vistas. Themain homestead is surrounded by a shady deckwhere your hosts, Madeleine and Ian, providebreakfast every day and dinners by arrangement. 72WALHALLA In the forested mountain countryside ofGippsland, the historic town of Walhalla istucked in a steep, sheer-sided valley. During theboom days of the goldrush some 5,000 peopleresided here, today things are quieter as just 21people live in the perfectly preserved town.Excellent walking trails link the town's manyhistoric buildings, including the old fire stationand corner store, and you can also ride therestored steam engine of the Walhalla GoldfieldsRailway. The town is surrounded by giant gumtrees perched precariously on steep hills, creeksand an abundance of local wildlife, perfect forbushwalks. At night the peace is spectacular,when the town is virtually empty apart from afew friendly locals and an occasional wombat.Walhalla's Star Hotel, WalhallaFaithfully reconstructed following a fire in 1951, theoriginal Star Hotel was Walhalla's most famousgoldrush hostel. Located in the centre of the historictownship the hotel incorporates all the modernamenities yet in comfortable surroundings: a lovelyguest lounge, á la carte restaurant with wine barand twelve spacious rooms. This small, friendly hotelis the perfect mountain retreat that evokes thegoldrush era in a peaceful environment.WILSON'S PROMONTORYNATIONAL PARK Panoramic views, spectacular ocean beachesand rugged mountains make the 'Prom', as it isknown, one of Victoria's best loved nationalparks. Clear waters lap on dazzling beaches ofwhite quartz sand, framed by smooth cliffs ofpink granite that shelter a distinctive collectionof native plants and wildlife. From the mainhighway a road leads to the small town of TidalRiver, where you'll find information on thebushwalking trails that range from short amblesto Picnic or Whiskey Bays to more challengingtrails to Cotters' Beach. The walk to the top ofMount Oberon presents awesome coastal viewsover the Bass Strait, at its best at sunset. Thepark is home to wombats, emus and kangaroos.Take care when driving through the park,particularly at dawn and dusk when Australia'swildlife is most active. Vereker House,Wilson's PromontoryIn a quiet rural setting of rolling lawns and prettybush, Vereker House looks over the Yanakie Valleytowards the Vereker mountain ranges of the 'Prom'.With just four guestrooms and a spacious loungewith a conservatory overlooking the gardens, thistraditional guesthouse offers a friendly welcome.With the lovely, pristine national park right on yourdoorstep this is the ideal place to base yourself.Walhalla's Star HotelFairy penguinsGlen Isla Homestead

VICTORIA73The Gippsland LakesTHE GIPPSLAND LAKESGentle sea breezes, mountain air, villages dozingin the sun and lakes flanked by endless whitesand beaches. This area is a beautiful andexpansive network of inland waterways. Quietcanals and light winds make this a great placeto take to the water for a day with just dolphinsfor company. There are three coastal parks inthe region. At Gippsland Lakes Coastal Park youcan cross the slim arm of dunes that separatethe inland waterways from the magnificent,oceanfront Ninety Mile Beach. Lakes NationalPark is home to Lake Victoria and supports anetwork of bush trails draped with seasonalwildflowers and orchids. The least populated ofthe three parks, Lake Tyers State Park, has loftyeucalypt forests and calm waters, perfect for aday's canoeing. METUNGIn the heart of the natural beauty of theGippsland Lakes, life at the village of Metungproceeds at a gentle, slow pace and yetpossesses a smattering of sophistication. Sandybeaches circle bushclad hills and the picturesquemarina at its heart make this a favourite place tobreak the journey between Melbourne andSydney, or as a base for those who wish toexplore the Gippsland Lakes by boat or on foot. Clovelly House, Metung From the moment you arrive and are presented witha glass of wine by your hosts, Graham and Polly, youknow that Clovelly House is special. Set inlandscaped grounds overlooking Bancroft Bay, thislovely property dates back to 1881 but has beenlovingly updated: each of the three bedrooms havedouble spa baths and there is a new cottage withglorious views. Graham, a trained chef, ensures thatbreakfasts are sensational, with daily-changingmenus often served on the sunny veranda with justthe birds for company.tailor-made travelAll our travel arrangements are on a private,individual basis to offer you complete freedom ofchoice. The itineraries and accommodation optionsthroughout the brochure are designed to give you aflavour of what is possible and can be tailor-made tosuit your preferences. Prices vary according toselected accommodation and season. Please callour Australia specialists on 01869 276 345 todiscuss your individual requirements.CROAJINGOLONGNATIONAL PARK This extraordinary park, at the border betweenVictoria and New South Wales, was declared aUNESCO World Biosphere Reserve because of itswhite beaches, rocky coastal headlands,rambling heathlands and towering eucalypts.Hundreds of bird and plant species flourish heremaking it a paradise for bushwalking and birdwatching. The peaceful estuary at Tamboon isknown for wading birds and at Clinton Rocksgranite boulders line the shore, dyed a vividorange by lichen. Mount Everard Lookout hasmagnificent coastal views, while some of themost beautiful walks are at Lake Elusive,through silvertop ash and fern gulleys to theWingan Rapids. The ideal base to explore thispark is Gipsy Point at the Mallacoota Inlet.Gipsy Point Lodge, Gipsy PointSurrounded by the Croajingolong National Park, thislodge has a peaceful, secluded atmosphere. It is acomfortable base to explore the area's remarkableforests, rivers, lakes and coastline. Each of the sevenguestrooms and three self-contained cottages arespacious and comfortable. Extensive gardenssurround the property and the lodge offerscomplimentary use of rowing boats and canoes, withmotorised launches available for hire.Clovelly HouseHidden Treasuresof VictoriaSome of Australia's most fascinating wildlife andquirky goldrush towns are to the east of Melbourne,from Gippsland onwards. Discover penguin coloniesand wildlife on Phillip Island, the far stretches oflush, untouched forests on Wilson's PromontoryNational Park and the fascinating old gold-miningtown of Walhalla.Day 1:Leave Melbourne for Phillip Island andwatch hundreds of penguins leave the seaand waddle across the dunes to nest.Day 2:Leave Phillip Island and continue to thepristine National Park of Wilson'sPromontory.Day 3:Spend the day exploring the manywalking tracks.Day 4:Head inland for Walhalla and a taste ofthis historic mining township.Day 5:Spend the day in and around the town,exploring above ground and below.Day 6:Leave Walhalla and return to Melbournethrough the Dandenong Ranges.EXTENSIONTake a detour through the lovely Dandenong Rangesand on into the wine regions of the Yarra Valley for afew days of food and wine indulgence beforereturning to Melbourne.Thomson River, Walhalla