itinerary
DAY 1. Depart Brisbane to St George (MT,L,D)
Departing on our opulent ‘Diamond Class’ or luxury ‘Gold Class’ coach from Brisbane Coach Terminal travelling responsibly knowing all coach emissions are 100% offset. We travel through the rich fertile area of the Lockyer Valley, breaking at Picnic Point in Toowoomba for a cuppa. Our afternoon takes us through country towns arriving at St George, where we bed down for the night. 1 Night Stay: Riverland Motor Inn, St George
DAY 2. St George to Lightning Ridge (B,L,D)
This morning we are joined by a local cotton farmer to showcase the towns irrigated agriculture and wine growing industry. On tour you will learn about cotton planting, growing, irrigation, harvesting and marketing. We then take a tour of Riversands Vineyards and learn about table and wine grape growing. Enjoy lunch and wine tasting before we leave St George making our way to Lightning Ridge for a visit to the Australian Opal Centre. 2 Night Stay: Lightning Ridge Wallangulla Motel
DAY 3. Lightning Ridge (B,MT, L,D)
Our local guide shows us many hidden gems in this fascinating town. We visit Fred Bodel’s hut, the oldest miner’s camp in the area and the Historic Three Mile Flat, the site of the early miners’ settlement. We travel back to town for morning tea and an opal cutting demonstration. Later we learn about the historic opal mining techniques at Lunatic Hill Open Cut. Next, we see the Astronomers’ Monument, the hand built Amigo’s Castle and Bevan’s cactus gardens. After lunch we visit ‘Chambers of the Black Hand’ a national treasure in the making in a 100 year old mine shaft. After a day of sightseeing we take a therapeutic soak in the naturally heated thermal baths.
DAY 4. Lightning Ridge to Dubbo (B,L,D)
Our travels today take us through Walgett a regional hub for the wool, wheat and cotton industries. We break at Coonamble before making our way to Dubbo, visiting the Taronga Western Plains Zoo for lunch followed by a guided wildlife tour. 1 Night Stay: Dubbo RSL Motel
DAY 5. Dubbo to Cobar (B,L,D)
Leaving Dubbo we head to the prosperous cattle and sheep farming region of Nyngan on the Bogan River. We then traverse the Barrier Highway to the copper mining town of Cobar, arriving in time for lunch. We pay a visit to the Great Cobar Heritage Centre, built to commemorate those who lost their lives in the town’s mines. 1 Night Stay: Town & Country Motor Inn, Cobar
DAY 6. Cobar to Broken Hill (B,L,D)
On the highway for the first part of our day today, we break at Wilcannia for an early lunch before continuing on to Broken Hill. We arrive into Broken Hill early afternoon, giving you time to mix with the locals and enjoy some souvenir shopping before transferring to our accommodation. 2 Night Stay: Old Wilyama Motor Inn OR Broken Hill Outback Resort
DAY 7. Broken Hill (B,L,D)
Enjoy a gossip tour of Broken Hill, viewing heritage-listed architecture and discovering the famous art galleries. Next we head to Silverton, almost a ghost town, and the setting for many famous movies. We head back to Broken Hill via the vast Mundi Mundi plains to visit the Pro Hart Gallery before visiting the Living Desert Flora & Fauna Sanctuary, taking a 2.2km walking trail. We then wait for sunset to witness the ‘Living Desert Sculptures’ nestled amongst the Barrier Ranges. This outlook takes in the magnificent colours of the desert at sunset, along with views of the distant horizon.
DAY 8. Broken Hill to Mildura (B,L,D)
We depart Broken Hill and travel south along the Silver City Highway, making our way to the New South Wales/ Victorian border city of Wentworth, the junction of the two mighty rivers; the Darling and the Murray. Our afternoon takes in historic Old Wentworth Gaol before travelling across the Murray River and on to the Victorian town of Mildura. 1 Night Stay: Mildura Inlander Resort
DAY 9. Mildura to Echuca (B,MT,L,D)
We follow the Murray River upstream through the town of Robinvale and on to our morning tea break on the banks of the Murray River at Tooleybuc. Back on the road, we travel to Swan Hill, visiting the Pioneer Settlement for a guided tour and lunch. We then continue through Lake Boga, finishing our day at Echuca paddle steamer capital of Australia. 1 Night Stay: Mercure Port of Echuca
DAY 10. Echuca to Melbourne (B,MT,L,D)
After breakfast we join a local guide for a coach tour that takes us around the district of Echuca, showing us the history of the Murray River and its paddle steamers. Next we board an iconic paddlesteamer which will take us meandering between the red gum lined banks of the mighty Murray. Then we make our way to Melbourne for our last night together. 1 Night Stay: Crown Metropol, Melbourne
DAY 11. Flights home (B)
Enjoy a free morning for retail therapy. Please meet back at the hotel where a local tour operator will provide transfers to the airport.
B = Hot & Continental Breakfast; MT = M/Tea; L = Lunch; AT = A/Tea; D = Two Course Dinner
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