This Australian folk festival is based upon the magnificent spectacle of the hundreds of lilac-blossomed trees which grow in Grafton’s broad tree lined avenues. Red November takes in the Red Cherries, Berries & Wine of Stanthorpe. Leave the cities behind and journey into country townships teaming with colour, culture, food and wine.
Departing from Roma Street Brisbane, we travel south through the green Tweed Valley breaking at Kingscliff for morning tea. We continue on arriving at the pretty seaside town of Yamba to enjoy lunch with a view. Our afternoon takes us on a scenic drive tour of Yamba, before making our way to Grafton. 2 Night Stay: Bent Street Motor Inn, Grafton
This morning we collect a local guide for an informative town tour. Grafton at this time of year is a canopy of colour with over 5000 Jacaranda trees in full bloom. Today is your own to enjoy array of events that Grafton’s Jacaranda Festival has to offer. The longest running floral festival in Australia, the Grafton Jacaranda Festival, is held under canopies of purple blossoms. Local arts, crafts and sporting groups showcase their work. The festival culminates with a float parade of enormous proportions on Saturday afternoon followed by a sunset concert on the Riverbank. Our day ends with the spectacular Grand Float Parade that travels down Prince Street.**Please note: Lunch is at own expense today at the festival. Festival program is guide only and is subject to change.
Departing Grafton, we travel through the rural town of Casino, then climb through the open grasslands toward the New England Plateau stopping for lunch at Tenterfield Golf Club. From here we collect a local Tenterfield guide to board our coach and take us on a trip down memory lane enlightening us with history of Peter Allen and the Tenterfield Saddler, how the town was a key battleground during WWII and hear and see many heritage listed sites and homes. Our day continues north along the New England Highway through the border town of Wallangarra, before finishing our day at Stanthorpe. 2 Night Stay: The Vines Motel & Cottages, Stanthorpe
Red November is Fun Over Fifty’s theme for Stanthorpe during November – Red Wine, Red Cherries and Strawberries. We start our day at Kent Saddlery for a behind the scenes guided tour for an insight to a handcrafted leather workshop, talk with Saddlers and hear the history of Saddlery. Next enjoy a wee bit of Christmas spirit, with a visit to the Granite Belt Christmas Farm. Step through the doors and capture the magic of Christmas in the Mistletoe Boutique Christmas Store. Taste, indulge and enjoy an extensive range of Belgian Chocolates which are all made onsite. Explore and feed Santa’s animals, including Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer and see the farm of 11,000real Christmas trees. We enjoy lunch at O’Mara’s Hotel, built in 1910 on the site of the original single story hotel. The hotel still has the olde world charm that made O’Mara’s a big part of Stanthorpe life. There is even a resident ghost that still makes an appearance now and again. Next we are off to Ashbern Farms Strawberry Fields to purchase freshly picked delights before taking a tour and wine tasting session at Ballandean Vineyard Estate – well known for its vintage red wines. Here we join an interesting guided tour to see how wine and port are produced and bottled. **Please note: Cherry stock is subject to weather conditions. Dinner tonight dress theme is RED for our finale dinner together.
We farewell our lovely hosts at Stanthorpe and travel via Warwick to Bestbrook Mountain Resort for morning tea and wagon ride around the property. You will enjoy the oldfashioned hospitality and magnificent mountain views. Wander around the property, check out the collection of old machinery and all the treasures from yesteryear hidden throughout the Coachhouse. Back on the road we take a scenic country drive via Boonah to Beaudesert where we enjoy a long lunch at The Overflow Estate -1895 with a surprise finale to this magical tour. The Estate is truly a special haven of mystic reverence and unsurpassed rural beauty.
B = Hot & Continental Breakfast; MT = M/Tea; L = Lunch; AT = A/Tea; D = Two Course Dinner
| Twinshare | Sole Use | Departs 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| $1940 | $2350 | Nov 4 |
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