Everyone has their own version of The Great Aussie Bucket List. The destination that happens to land on top for any given holiday break comes down to a combination of factors like availability, what has recently opened, ticket prices, seasonal concerns, and – if you have a family – the art of compromise.

Currently topping my own Great Aussie Bucket List is a holiday that I had originally been hoping to take over Easter in Melbourne. The itinerary for this trip, in particular, was initially led by my children, who have been dying to try the newly opened URBNSURF artificial wave pool, which led me to realise how many Melbourne must-dos (and re-dos) were on my own list. A solid family holiday itinerary that keeps everyone happy can be hard to come by, and this one took a little juggling, so please enjoy.

Day 1: Flights into Tullamarine, Melbourne followed immediately thereafter by a trip to Melbourne’s brand new artificial wave pool URBNSURF. My children are surf nuts and they’re dying to try their first endless wave. Meanwhile, the art of compromise puts me squarely in a winning position: poolside at my friends The Three Blue Ducks‘ new venue for a cocktail and some fresh, sustainable fare.

Day 2: We plan to set out on a road trip along The Great Ocean Road. Not only does this journey eventually take us to Bells Beach (which my surfer nut kids are desperate to surf), but it also allows me to revisit the Great Ocean Road produce trail, which I’ve not done for some time. From gourmet cheese makers to chocolate, wine and some of the country’s best distilleries, the Great Ocean Road gourmet food trail has plenty to offer.

Day 3: I promised Alla Wolf-Tusker that I would take a detour via her new Dairy Flat Farm in Daylesford. This incredible new venue combines a luxury lodge, farm house, cooking school, and bed and breakfast just 7kms from the site of the beautiful Lakehouse Daylesford. This is a little bit of a detour from Bell’s Beach, and requires around a two-hour drive inland, but a promise is a promise. I have wonderful memories of my first visit to the Lakehouse, not long after Alla bought the property, so it will be wonderful to revisit.

Day 4: From here, we essentially keep driving until we get to Adelaide. My brother lives nearby, and the Adelaide region is full of unmissable food and wine experiences that are all within thirty minutes of the city. There’s also plenty of other fun non-wine tasting related activities nearby, like strawberry picking, cheesemaking and Australia’s oldest German settlement. There’s also a chocolate factory, and whose inner child can say no to their very own Willy Wonka moment? Certainly, not mine.

Day 5: Presuming I’ve survived being in the car this long (and haven’t been left behind, buried under a large pile of sand), we’ll all probably collapse in a heap around a nice cosy, crackling fireplace. At some stage, we’ll eventually drag ourselves to the dining table to enjoy a nice big (simple) family dinner together, and the conversation will probably turn to discussions of our next great adventure. Because, that’s the best thing about The Great Aussie Bucket List –– you never stop adding to it.

Related: 27 of the best glamping experiences for food and wine lovers.