Overnight Trips from Melbourne by Private Luxury Coach or Mini Coach

Australia is a large country and there is a lot to see. Melbourne in southern Australia is a days drive to many great locations and today we are going to look at the city of Adelaide. Many people travel from Melbourne to Adelaide and one of the most economic ways to do so, as well as one of the most environmentally friendly is to travel in groups by bus or mini bus.

The drive takes about 8 hours and can be done overnight while you sleep saving you a night in a hotel, and taking care of your travel time all at the same time. This can be an especially great way for students and school groups to make educational excursions, or for families to travel to other cities on a budget. There are many things to see and do in Adelaide and we are going to look at three places, the National Aboriginal Centre, the South Australian Museum, and The National Wine Centre. A little bit of culture, a little bit of wine, and a dash of art will fill a day or two in Adelaide.

The South Australian Museum

The finest opal ever found was acquired by the to the South Australian Museum in 2013 and it is now going to be displayed to the public for the first time in September of 2015. The name of the stone is the Virgin Rainbow and is a full 6 cm across or 2.4 inches. It literally looks like there is fire inside the stone. The museum is going to display the stone to celebrate the anniversary of the discovery of Opals.

At one time southern Australia was covered by a sea and it created the perfect environment to produce the stones. A young man named Willie first discovered opals in 1914 when he was on a gold mining expedition with his father. He was told to go get some water for the camp. He was instructed to stay near the campground, but being a teenage boy he ignored the advice and went off on his own to find the water. When he returned to camp he not only had plenty of water but his fortune in stones as well. He discovered what is now known as the opal capital of the world.

See the million dollar opal on display at the South Australian Museum for the first time ever in September 2015 to celebrate the centenary of opal mining for the country. Very fitting as this opal was found in Coober Pedy the same town where they were first discovered and what is believed to have 90% of the world’s opal stock.

 

National Wine Centre

The National Wine Centre is any wine lover’s dream come true. The ‘Wined Bar’ & Cellar Door have the largest selection of wines to taste in one place in all of Australia. 120 distinct bottles are available for tasting from boutique vineyards, to larger scale products, reds, whites, sparkling, dessert, and rose, every type of wine you can imagine. Definitely something to suit every palate, even the pickiest of drinkers. Perfect for groups that include those that claim not to like wine and wine connoisseurs alike.

If you are going to be making a day of it, and why wouldn’t you then you will want to explore the tapas bar. The menu has been specifically paired with the wines on offer by the chef Patrick White. The location is not so bad either, it overlooks the botanic gardens of Adelaide. The National Wine Centre has all the best Cellar Doors all in one place, no where else will you enjoy such a vast variety of Australian wines.

Fun facts, up to 38,000 bottles of wine can be stored onsite at any given time, and there are always at least 12,000 bottles on hand for tastings, functions, and being served at the Tapas bar. This makes for a pretty awesome venue for just about any type of event whether corporate or social. A lovely place for weddings, team building events, product launches, birthday parties, social gatherings, or just for the fun of tasting wine with your nearest and dearest friends.

The National Centre for Indigenous Excellence is also in Adelaide. Founded in 2006 the centre has raised over $30,000,000 in social value. The centre has set up programs for after school, and holidays for students, as well as classes for adults. In addition there are arts & culture classes, and a magnificent sporting facility. Up to 110 people can lodge at the centre at one time, and the sports centre can be used for a number of different activities all while learning about Australia’s indigenous people.

There are many reasons to visit Adelaide, and these are some of the best places we can think of to visit while you are there. The Southern Australian Museum, the National Wine Centre and the National Centre of Indigenous Excellence all provide educational opportunities for all ages, and provide unique venues for special events. Team building, educational excursions, or family outings, consider Adelaide for a day or a week, only an 8 hours drive from Melbourne, the most cost effective way for a group to travel there is by private minibus hire with driver.