DAY 1 Gympie to Byron Bay
Tuesday 11 September, 2012
Welcome to our special Spring tour of the east coast of Australia featuring Phillip Island. Travelling south we arrive in Tweed Heads in time to enjoy our lunch at Twin Towns Services Club. This afternoon we arrive in Byron Bay and visit Matthew Farrell's glass blowing studio where we are warmly invited to browse the gallery and view the glass-working process. Next we make our way to Byron Bay Premium Brewery for a tour and tasting with the head brewer, giving us insight in to what it takes to make this premium beer. We will check into our accommodation in Ballina with time for a rest before dinner if you wish. (L D)
Stay: Hi Craft Motel, Ballina
Day 2 Byron Bay to Port Macquarie
Wednesday 12 September, 2012
After a hearty breakfast we continue south along the coast through Ballina, arriving in Coffs Harbour at lunch time. We enjoy lunch and a visit to the model Dutch Village with its miniature working windmills and garden railway before a clog making demonstration at the Clog Barn. Late afternoon we arrive in Port Macquarie for our overnight stay. (B L D)
Stay: Country Comfort Inn, Port Macquarie
Day 3 Port Macquarie to Wollongong
Thursday 13 September, 2012
Today we will continue our journey south along the East Coast stopping in Newcastle for lunch (own expense) before continuing through the Central Coast as we make our way to Sydney. Your coach captain will park the coach near the Sydney Harbour Bridge giving you time to explore Sydney's famous Rocks area and Circular Quay. Take advantage of the great shopping and cafes, take a look at the harbour and the famous Opera House or stroll around the Royal Botanical Gardens. We then re-board the coach and continue on to Wollongong, where we stay at the newly built Chifley. (B D)
Stay: Chifley, Wollongong
Day 4 Wollongong to Eden
Friday 14 September, 2012
After an early start we arrive in Batemans Bay where we board the MV Merinda for our luncheon cruise. We have a fish and chip lunch at the Boatshed before we make our way to Nelligen with time to have a brief look around, returning to Batemans Bay where our coach continues our travels south to Bega. Of course we pay a visit to the famous Bega Cheese Factory before ending the day at our accommodation in Eden, our base for the next two nights. (B L D)
2 Night Stay: Best Western Coachman's Rest Motor Inn, Eden
Day 5 Eden
Saturday 15 September, 2012
After breakfast we enjoy a sightseeing tour around this old whaling town. Eden's history is intertwined with the whales and the fishing industry and this morning we join the Cat Balou for a cruise on Twofold Bay. Upon returning to Eden we spend some time strolling around the wharf before visiting the famous Killer Whale Museum, home of the skeleton of "Old Tom" the killer whale. Afterwards we enjoy some free time in the town centre for lunch (own expense) then this afternoon head south to have a look at Boydtown and to enjoy afternoon tea at the Seahorse Inn, a famous landmark of this quaint village. (B L D)
Day 6 Eden to Melbourne
Sunday 16 September, 2012
Leaving Eden we express to Orbost where we have time for morning tea while we visit the Orbost Exhibition Centre. Continuing east we arrive in Bairnsdale, an idyllic garden town with many reminders of the booming goldrush days. We take in some of the architecture and visit St Mary's Catholic Church to see the stunning murals on the ceilings and walls. After lunch we complete our travel for the day when we arrive in Melbourne. (B L D)
2 Night Stay: Citigate Albert Park, Melbourne
Day 7 Melbourne
Monday 17 September, 2012
First this morning is a tour of the Old Melbourne Gaol. This iconic landmark is the site where the infamous bushranger Ned Kelly was hanged. Experience what life behind bars was like for some of our most notorious villains. Next we are at the Melbourne Aquarium, where we have a chance to look around the facility before noon when we take an “access all areas” tour, which shows us how it all works behind the scenes. The rest of the afternoon is free so why not venture across the bridge to Southbank shopping precinct or take a trip up 88 storeys to Eureka Skydeck? Tonight we have a special treat in store – dining aboard the Colonial Tramcar Restaurant. As we travel the scenic streets of Melbourne aboard the world’s first tramcar restaurant, we will enjoy fine cuisine and the very best of Australian wines. (B D)
Day 8 Melbourne to Phillip Island
Tuesday 18 September, 2012
We travel to Phillip Island this morning, our base for two nights. First call is the Vietnam Veterans Museum. This museum is dedicated to preserving and exhibiting memorabilia from Australia's longest war and currently has over 5000 artifacts, memorabilia and photographic material on display. Next stop is the Nobbies Centre where we discover the secrets of this incredible southern marine environment via interactive displays and cameras. This area offers spectacular coastal scenery as well as viewing of the offshore seal colony at Seal Rocks.
Phillip Island is also famous for being home to the World Superbike Championship and the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix. This afternoon we take a tour of the Grand Prix Circuit including a guided tour of the museum. We then head back to the motel for an early dinner before visiting the Phillip Island Nature Park for the Penguin Parade. Every day at dusk the fairy penguins come ashore - truly a unique spectacle! (B L D)
2 Night Stay: Kaloha Motel, Phillip Island
Day 9 Phillip Island
Wednesday 19 September, 2012
After a later start this morning our first stop is at Pannys Amazing World of Chocolate for a tour of the factory and a chance to stock up. We then visit A Maze'N Things which has unique and interactive puzzles, games and illusions for all ages. Finishing off our morning is a visit to the Koala Conservation Centre. We have free time in Cowes for lunch and some shopping before we meet up for our transfer to our afternoon cruise to visit Australia's largest fur seal colony at Seal Rocks. This is an amazing experience accompanied with educational commentary. (B D)
Day 10 Phillip Island to Wagga Wagga
Thursday 20 September, 2012
We have a travel day today to relax from the last few days that have been quite busy! We travel to Wagga Wagga, making convenience stops along the way, settling into our overnight accommodation late afternoon. (B L D)
Stay: Country Comfort, Wagga Wagga
Day 11 Wagga Wagga to Bathurst
Friday 21 September, 2012
We have a leisurely breakfast today before we meet our guide at the City Art Gallery for a tour. Our next tour stop is in Young where we have lunch and a brief tour of the Bluestill Distillery, Cafe & Gallery. Today’s final destination is Bathurst, where we stay for the next two nights. A visit to Bathurst is hardly complete without a visit to Mount Panorama, home of Australian Touring Car Racing. This afternoon we get to take a spin on the Mount Panorama Motor Racing Circuit. (B L D)
2 Night Stay: Citigate Mount Panorama, Bathurst
Day 12 Bathurst and Blue Mountains
Saturday 22 September, 2012
Our first stop this morning is the famous castle-like mansion, Abercrombie House, one of the finest historical mansions in Australia. Next we venture into the Blue Mountains and head for Jenolan Caves where we take a guided tour through the Imperial Cave. Here our enthusiastic guide explains about the stalagmites, stalactites and helictites, providing a fascinating and educational insight into these natural wonders. After our tour we have some free time to enjoy our picnic lunches before travelling to Clarence to ride the historic Zig Zag Railway. (B L D)
Day 13 Bathurst to Tamworth
Sunday 23 September, 2012
We farewell our hosts in Bathurst as we meander north to Scone. We make a stop at Belltrees Country House, a 52-room, heritage listed homestead, where we have arranged a tour and lunch. This afternoon we arrive in Tamworth where we enjoy dinner and an overnight stay. (B L D)
Stay: All Seasons Tamworth Towers
Day 14 Tamworth to Stanthorpe
Monday 24 September, 2012
After breakfast we begin our drive through Bendemeer, Uralla and Armidale, arriving in Glen Innes. Here we meet a local guide who will explain why this is such a significant area, before enjoying lunch at the RSL. Continuing our journey has us arriving in Stanthorpe where we spend our final night on tour. (B L D)
Stay: The Vines Motel, Stanthorpe
Day 15 Stanthorpe to HOME
Tuesday 25 September, 2012
After travelling to Ipswich we spend some time at the The Workshops Rail Museum, a site steeped in history. The rebirth of the site in 2002 as a world class rail museum, coupled with the oldest continually operating railway workshops in Australia, makes this a very interesting visit for us. We will also enjoy lunch here. Our afternoon has us expressing home, where we say our fond goodbyes after a fabulous 15 days together. (B L)
