Day 1 FLY TO ADELAIDE
Saturday 3 November, 2012
Welcome to our 15 day tour of Kangaroo Island and the Limestone Coast. This morning we are transferred to Brisbane Airport to connect with our flight to Adelaide where we will meet our coach. Sightseeing around Adelaide is in order, featuring Montefiore Hill, St Peters Cathedral and the Adelaide Oval, one of the most beautiful cricket ovals in the world. We now arrive at our hotel to settle in before dinner. (D)
3 Night Stay: Chifley South Terrace, Adelaide
Day 2 TOURING ADELAIDE
Sunday 4 November, 2012
We begin today with a visit to The Monastery and its "Sacred Garden", featuring 14 stunning marble Stations of the Cross. Next is a guided tour of Carrick Hill, a Tudor manor set in almost 100 acres of scenic bush land. After enjoying morning tea here we travel to the bayside town of Glenelg for some free time for lunch and shopping. Finally we visit the Botanic Gardens and Bicentennial Conservatory. This historical garden features an exceptional Victorian gardenesque landscape, feature gardens, public art displays, cafes and museum. (B D)
Day 3 BAROSSA VALLEY
Monday 5 November, 2012
The Barossa Valley vineyards are just an hour north of Adelaide and we begin our touring today before the wineries open, starting with a drive to the Whispering Wall. Next is a stop at Maggie Beer's Pheasant Farm south of Nuriootpa, followed by lunch at Kaeslers Winery then a drive to Mengler's Hill, an excellent vantage point to appreciate the seemingly endless vineyards of the Barossa Valley. From here we visit the Angas Park Fruit Factory where we have the opportunity to sample some of their delicious, chocolate-covered dried fruit. And of course no visit to the Barossa would be complete without a wine tasting, so this afternoon we stop at the Grant Burge Cellar Door before returning to Adelaide. (B L D)
Day 4 KANGAROO ISLAND
Tueasday 6 Sunday 11 November, 2012
Today we travel to the winery district of McLaren Vale. We visit Hardy's Tintara Winery, or for those who would prefer otherwise, the Almond Train. Next is the Olive Grove and their wide range of olive products, then on to Victor Harbor where we have free time to explore, perhaps visiting the SA Whale Centre. After purchasing lunch we board the horse drawn tram for a unique ride across the causeway to Granite Island. Late afternoon we travel to Kangaroo Island via the luxury Sealink Ferry Service at Cape Jervis, a 40 minute sail across Backstairs Passage to Penneshaw. (B D)
3 Night Stay: All Seasons Kangaroo Island Lodge
Day 5 KANGAROO ISLAND
Wednesday 7 November, 2012
A local guide joins us this morning. We visit Clifford's Honey Farm - home to Kangaroo Island's own population of Ligurian Bees and Emu Ridge Eucalyptus Distillery where we take a product tour. In the centre of the island is Parndana, where the Andermel Marron Farm is located. Be introduced at close quarters to this wonderful freshwater crayfish then enjoy a light lunch with the opportunity to taste Two Wheeler Creek wines from the vineyard. Our final visit is to Island Pure - a local sheep dairy. (B L D)
Day 6 THE ZOO WITHOUT FENCES
Thursday 8 November, 2012
Our locally based guide joins us again as we travel to the famous Seal Bay for a walk on the beach amongst a colony of Australian Sea Lions. Guided by a National Parks Ranger, walk within metres of the bulls, cows and sea pups as they rest on the beach. After a picnic lunch en route, we travel to the south western end of the island for some incredible natural wonders, including the Flinders Chase National Park, Remarkable Rocks, Cape du Couedic and Admirals Arch where, via a spectacular board walk, we can see close up a colony of New Zealand Fur Seals. At Rocky River we should see plenty of Cape Barren Geese and maybe a Tamar Wallaby or two. (B L D)
Day 7 KANGAROO ISLAND TO HAHNDORF
Friday 9 November, 2012
We return to Cape Jervis via the ferry this morning, then head through the picturesque Adelaide Hills to the historic German settlement of Hahndorf. It is a superb "flashback" to the nineteenth century and we enjoy our lunch break in the main street with plenty of time to explore. Next we take a fascinating tour of “The Cedars,” the former home of world- renowned artist, Hans Heysen. (B D)
Stay: Manna of Hahndorf
Day 8 HAHNDORF TO MOUNT GAMBIER
Saturday 10 November, 2012
Travelling on the freeway to Murray Bridge we head to Meningie for our morning break on the shores of Lake Albert. Arriving in Kingston we make our way to The Big Lobster where we can stretch our legs and have some lunch. This afternoon we continue along the coast with some time to enjoy the seaside town of Robe, then arrive in Mount Gambier for our overnight stop. (B L D)
Stay: Quality Inn, Presidential, Mt Gambier
Day 9 MOUNT GAMBIER TO NARACOORTE
Sunday 11 November, 2012
Today we visit Umpherston Cave and take a drive around the Blue Lake - the largest of the many crater lakes in the area. Further up the road at the delightful village of Penola we tour the St Mary Mackillop Interpretative Centre and Petticoat Lane, a portrayal of the pioneer living standards of the 1890's. After lunch we travel to the fascinating Wonambi Fossil Centre located in the Naracoorte Caves National Park. After looking at the fossil displays we enjoy a tour of Alexander Cave before heading to our overnight accommodation. (B L D)
Stay: Comfort Inn William Macintosh Motor Lodge, Naracoorte
Day 10 NARACOORTE TO MILDURA
Monday 12 November, 2012
Crossing the border into Victoria we drive through Edenhope and Natimuk then arrive in Horsham for our morning break at the Botanic Gardens. From here we head north through Warracknabeal and Hopetoun to join the Sunraysia Highway. Arriving in Ouyen at lunch time we have some free time to explore before continuing to Mildura, where we have more free time to explore before dinner. (B L D)
2 Night Stay: Best Western Boulevard Motor Inn, Mildura
Day 11 WENTWORTH
Tuesday 13 November, 2012
Today we travel across to Wentworth which sits at the junction of the Murray and Darling Rivers. On arrival we make our way to that junction and the lovely parkland area with a viewing tower for a bird's eye view. A short walk to the weir and Lock 10 along the river can be commenced from the park. Next we visit the Old Wentworth Gaol, and following a lunch break head back to Mildura to visit the Carringbush Glass Gallery for a demonstration of lead lighting and a look through the gallery. From here we travel to Homwood Estate. Located on a native flower farm, it specialises in furniture and rare woodworking from local native timbers. We see a woodworking demonstration before returning to Mildura. (B D)
Day 12 MILDURA TO GRIFFITH
Wednesday 14 November, 2012
We stop this morning in Robinvale for morning tea at the historic Robinswood Homestead. Late morning we continue on the Sturt Highway through Balranald and into Hay. Shear Outback provides us with a contemporary and innovative museum experience, showcasing the Australian shearing industry. We have lunch and a demonstration then head to our final destination of Griffith. (B L D)
Stay: Bagtown Inn Motel, Griffith
Day 13 GRIFFITH TO MUDGEE
Thursday 15 November, 2012
Today we make our way to the Mid Western Highway at West Wyalong and continue through Grenfell to Cowra. We have some free time in Cowra to purchase lunch and have a wander. After arriving in the village of Lue we visit Lue Pottery for a tour and pottery demonstration before heading to Mudgee to check in to our overnight accommodation. (B D)
Stay: Mudgee Parklands Resort, Mudgee
Day 14 MUDGEE TO TENTERFIELD
Friday 16 November 2012
Today is a travel day so sit back and relax as we continue our journey north. We will stop to stretch our legs and enjoy a picnic lunch en route, arriving at our destination of Tenterfield for our last night on tour. (B L D)
Stay: Tally Ho Motel, Tenterfield
Day 15 TENTERFIED TO HOME
Saturday 17 November, 2012
All good things must come to an end and today we make our way home. We have organised lunch today at the Warwick RSL. After lunch we complete our journey home arriving late afternoon with some wonderful memories of our fantastic holiday. (B L)
