itinerary
DAY 1. Brisbane to Goondiwindi (MT,L,D)
We board our luxury ‘Gold Class’ coach from the Brisbane Coach Terminal, and travel responsibly knowing all coach emissions are 100% offset. We travel through the rich fertile area of the Lockyer Valley, arriving at Bestbrook Mountain Farmstay for Devonshire morning tea. Our afternoon takes us to Goondiwindi where we join a local guide for a cotton tour. Discover the heart of the town’s cotton industry, showcasing the process of cotton farming from planting to harvesting. Visit a local cotton farm, see the crop (if in season) up close and learn about the irrigation systems and other farming practices used to cultivate the cotton.1 Night Stay: Best Western Ascot Lodge, Goondiwindi
DAY 2. Goondiwindi to Lightning Ridge (B,L,D)
Departing Goondiwindi, we travel through some picturesque landscapes and interesting towns breaking for cuppa at Moree. We continue on our journey via Walgettto Lightning Ridge, a unique outback town in New South Wales known for its opal mines and quirky attractions. 2 Night Stay: Wallangulla Motel, Lightning Ridge
DAY 3. Lightning Ridge (B,L,D)
This morning a local guide will join our coach and travel out to the opal fields to discover the many hidden gems of this fascinating town. We visit Fred Bodel’s Hut, Three Mile Flat, Lunatic Hill Open Cut Mine, Simms Hill and Amigo’s Castle, before breaking for lunch. After lunch we visit Chambers of the Black Hand, a national treasure in the making, in a 100-year-old mine shaft, before taking a therapeutic soak in the naturally heated thermal baths. We return to the hotel late this afternoon.
DAY 4. Lightning Ridge to Cobar (B,L,D)
This morning we make our way to Brewarrina for a short stop. In Bourke, we visit the Back O’ Bourke Information Centre which unveils legends of the back country and this region’s importance in Australian history. In Bourke, we travel to the outskirts of town to board the PV Jandra paddle boat for a leisurely cruise along the mighty Darling River. This afternoon we join a local guide for an in-depth insight on the town’s history, its isolation, the people who live here and the region’s current status before continuing on to Cobar. 1 Night Stay: Town & Country Motor Inn, Cobar
DAY 5. Cobar to Broken Hill (B,L,D)
We bid Cobar farewell and travel west along the Barrier Highway to Wilcannia, where we again meet the Darling River. After lunch we travel to the isolated mining town of Broken Hill. After check-in, there’s time to relax before we make a visit to the Living Desert Sculptures for sunset drinks and beautiful outback views. 2 Night Stay: Old Willyama Motor Inn, Broken Hill
DAY 6. Broken Hill (B,L,D)
Enjoy a gossip tour of Broken Hill, viewing heritage-listed architecture and discovering the famous art galleries, the Big Picture and the Line of Lode. Next we head to Silverton, almost a ghost town, and the setting for many famous movies. We return to Broken Hill via the vast Mundi Mundi Plains to visit the Pro Hart Gallery, then enjoy some free time downtown.
DAY 7. Broken Hill to Mildura to (B,L,D)
Departing Broken Hill, we travel south along the Silver City Highway, making our way to the New South Wales/Victorian border city of Wentworth, the junction of the Darling and the Murray. Our afternoon takes us to Old Wentworth Gaol where we enjoy a self-guided tour before travelling across the Murray River and on to the Victorian town of Mildura. 1 Night Stay: Best Western Chaffey Motor Inn, Mildura
DAY 8. Mildura to Echuca (B,L,D)
We follow the Murray River up stream through the town of Robinvale and take a break on the banks of the river at Tooleybuc. Back on the road, we travel to Swan Hill, visiting the Pioneer Settlement for a self-guided tour and lunch. We then continue through Lake Boga and Kerang, arriving in the twin cities of Echuca and Moama, the paddle steamer capital of Australia. 2 Night Stay: Mercure Port of Echuca
DAY 9. Echuca (B,L,D)
After breakfast we join a local guide for a tour that takes us around the district of Echuca, showing us the history of the Murray River and its paddle steamers .We board the iconic PS Pevensey, a lovingly maintained paddle steamer that will take us meandering between the red gum lined banks of the mighty Murray, we enjoy lunch after we disembark. The rest of the afternoon is at leisure to explore the town further.
DAY 10. Echuca to Albury (B,MT,L,D)
We start our day with an intriguing tour of the Great Aussie Beer Shed & Heritage Farm Museum. We then continue our way along the Murray River to Yarrawonga situated on Lake Mulwala, where we stop for lunch. Our afternoon takes us to Glenrowan for a visit to the Ned Kelly Museum where we witness ‘Ned Kelly’s Last Stand’, a light and sound show that is a re-enactment of the events that led up to the capture and hanging of Ned Kelly. We finish at the twin cities of Albury and Wodonga. 1 Night Stay: Best Western Plus Hovell Tree Inn, Albury
DAY 11. Albury to Bathurst (B,L,D)
This morning we travel to Gundagai, making a stop at the iconic ‘Dog on the Tuckerbox’. Our next leg takes us to Cowra’s Japanese Gardens for lunch and time to wander through the tranquil and inspiring displays. We finish our day at Bathurst. Tonight we don our glad rags for a night of elegance of the Georgian era, dining at historic Abercrombie House. 1 Night Stay: Mantra Bathurst
DAY 12. Bathurst to Armidale (B,L,D)
We hit the road today travelling through Gulgong to Gunnedah for lunch. We then continue on to Tamworth for a break at the Big Golden Guitar before ascending the Moonbi Range to pass through Uralla and arrive in Armidale. 1 Night Stay: Cotswold Gardens, Armidale
DAY 13. Armidale to Brisbane (B,L)
Bound for home today, we break at the Standing Stones in ‘Celtic ’Glen Innes, then stop for lunch at the Ballandean Estate Winery before our return to the Brisbane Coach Terminal.
B = Full Breakfast MT = Morning Tea L = Lunch AT = Afternoon Tea D = Two Course Dinner
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