8 Days National Cherry Festival with Hunter Valley Christmas Lights Spectacular 2020

itinerary

DAY 1 – Brisbane to Goondiwindi (L,D)

Board our luxury ‘Gold Class’ coach at Brisbane Transit Centre where we make our way via the rich fertile crop growing region of the Lockyer Valley. On arrival in Warwick, we take a brief tour of this pretty country town before breaking at the historic Abbey of the Roses ex convent. Enjoy a guided tour followed by lunch, then we are back on the road where our afternoon travels take us to Goondiwindi. We take time at Goondiwindi Cotton, a fashion house icon, before checking into our hotel in time to take a refreshing dip in the pool before meeting for dinner. 1 Night Stay: Best Western Ascot Lodge, Goondiwindi

DAY 2 – Coonabarabran, Dubbo (B,L,D)

This morning we venture though country townships of Moree and Narrabri before arriving in Coonabarabran in time for lunch. Our afternoon takes us to Dubbo, where we bed down for the night. 1 Night Stay: Dubbo RSL Club Motel

DAY 3 – Taronga Western Plains Zoo, Cowra (B,L,D)

First up, while it’s cooler, spend the morning at Taronga Western Plains Zoo and experience a guided wildlife zoofari. The zoo is an open-range design, with walls and fences replaced by concealed moats which divide the animals from the visitors. This creates the impression of actually being with the animals in the wild. Following lunch at the zoo, we are back on the road making our way to Cowra. 2 Night Stay: Breakout Motor Inn or Aalana Motor Inn, Cowra

DAY 4 – Cherry Festival (B,D)

Today the Cherry Festival in Young presents a fabulous full day of quirky and colourful festivities including farmers markets, car show, busking competitions and dog trials. We also visit Poppa’s Fudge and Jam Factory, then finish up our day at the Cherry Festival Street Parade, one of the largest in regional Australia. **Lunch is at own expense today.

DAY 5 – Bathurst, Hunter Valley (B,L,D)

We begin our day heading to Bathurst, where we take our coach on a spin of the Mt Panorama Circuit (events depending). We continue on from here travelling into the Goulburn River National Park, finishing our day checking into our hotel in the Hunter Valley. 2 Night Stay: Mercure Resort, Hunter Valley

DAY 6 – Newcastle, Christmas Lights Spectacular (B,MT,L,D)

This morning we visit Tocal Homestead for a guided tour of this beautiful heritage site. Hear stories of the characters and activities at Tocal over the past 200 years. See the famous barn the Colonial Architect designed, hear about a lad who went on to become Captain Thunderbolt, and learn about a wealthy businessman’s vision to change the lives of destitute children. Our afternoon is spent in Maitland where we take a guided tour of heritage listed Maitland Gaol. Once housing some of Australia’s most hardened and notorious criminals, today the Gaol has unlocked the gates for us to explore the site. Tonight we return to the gardens for the annual Christmas Lights Spectacular, when the gardens are transformed with over 2 million lights on display. Our evening includes a sumptuous Christmas dinner on the Garden Terrace.

DAY 7 – Port Macquarie, South West Rocks (B,L,D)

Today we pass the Great Lakes region then take in the stunning scenery of the Mid North Coast as we travel via Laurieton to Port Macquarie before arriving in South West Rocks. 1 Night Stay: Rockpool Motor Inn, South West Rocks

DAY 8 – Coffs Harbour, New Italy, Brisbane (B,L)

Heading for home today, we travel through picturesque Coffs Harbour and enjoy lunch at New Italy before our return to Brisbane Transit Centre.

B = Hot & Continental Breakfast; MT = M/Tea; L=Lunch; AT = A/Tea; D = Two Course Dinner

dates & pricing