Dave_Ohio

Four of us are going to be in Adelaide and Melbourne starting next week (Nov. 8-14). Would like to know if there are drivers with their own cars for hire who could take us up into the wine regions for a reasonable price. The prices of the established "wine country tours" seem exorbitant when multiplied by four. We could always hire a car and drive ourselves, but are wary of tasting and driving.

Would appreciate if anyone offers us thoughts or suggestions!

Bokhara2

Give Barton Limos a call. No idea of what they'd charge for a day, but we use them a lot for corporate work, airport & function transfers. They've been around for eons and always do a good job.


http://www.bartonchauffeurs.com.au/c...melbourne.html

Dave_Ohio

Thank you!
Will check with them.

ozgirl

http://www.mclarenvale.info/business...e-winery-tours
If it's not too late for you these guys do an excellent job in my local Southern vales region.
If I didn't have to work, I'd take you myself!!!

Dave_Ohio

A little belated, but I thought I'd tell you what we ended up doing about this question.

While in Adelaide, Mrs. Dave and I booked a day-trip to the Barossa Valley with "Taste the Barossa," which took us and about fourteen others to the cellar doors of four wineries (Peter Lehman, Langmeil, McGuigan (Chateau Yaldara) and Murray Street). We also took in some scenic overlooks, and, of course, lunch. It was a most enjoyable excursion, well worth the cost of $95 per person. I recommend it highly! http://www.winetoursbarossa.com/

In Melbourne we rented a car for a day through East Coast Car Rentals on A'Beckett Street. This was decidedly not a good experience. We'd planned on visiting the Healesville Sanctuary, checking out a couple of wineries in the Yarra Valley, and seeing some of the Dandenongs. Although we were supposed to pick up our car at 0845, the sole agent on duty spent an hour and a half with a group ahead of us. Speaking mostly French, they couldn't decide where they wanted to drop off their car, and finally left without one. We weren't able to get on the road until 1045, and scratched the wineries from the plan, since the car was due back by 1645. The sanctuary and the hills were wonderful, but the car rental soured the experience. Probably should have gone with Bokhara's recommendation here!

tt7

Sorry to hear about the Melbourne experience .... but I guess that's why people rent from Hertz, Avis etc.

If you ever make it back to the Yarra Valley, suggest you start your day with a cheese tasting plate at the Yarra Valley Dairy Company, then move on to Domaine Chandon, visit the art museum at Tarra Warra, have lunch there or at De Bortoli or Yering Station or perhaps Tokar Estate. Makes for a great day out.

Dave_Ohio

Lesson learned, I guess (but don't count on it). However, I was proud of myself for pulling off a couple of hook turns!

Next time in Melbourne, I'll head back up into the Yarra Valley and follow your suggestions. Thanks!