Hunter Valley Gardens
Visit the beautiful Hunter Valley Gardens and a special treat is the Hunter Valley Christmas Light Spectacular. Immerse yourself in this magical world with its stunning display of more than three million lights. In Eden, enjoy a whale watching cruise aboard the ‘Cat Balou’ and cruise through amazing coastal scenery with various wildlife that inhabit the area. Arriving in Melbourne delight in the beauty and tranquillity of William Ricketts Sanctuary. Enjoy a delicious smorgasbord lunch at the Bavarian styled Cuckoo Restaurant. Visit the magnificent National Rhododendron Gardens.
Departing: Thursday, 10th November 2022
COACH/FLY
Fitness Level: M – Moderate
Meals: B = Breakfast, M = Morning Tea, L = Lunch, A = Afternoon Tea, D = Dinner
DAY 1 MARYBOROUGH – COFFS HARBOUR D
Thursday, 10th November: Pick up passengers from Hervey Bay to Brisbane. Continue through the Gold Coast to Coffs Harbour. Stay Opal Cove Resort.
DAY 2 COFFS HARBOUR – MAITLAND BMLD
Friday, 13th October: Depart Coffs Harbour, travel to Urunga for a visit to the Honey Place, then on to Kempsey for lunch and some free time at the Slim Dusty Centre. Pause for an afternoon break at Bulahdelah before arriving in Maitland. After dinner, embrace the Christmas spirit and experience a fairytale wonderland! Hunter Valley Gardens will dazzle with sparkling lights, immersive displays and delightful entertainment at the Christmas Lights Spectacular. Stay Old Maitland Inn
DAY 3 MAITLAND – HUNTER VALLEY – BOWRAL BD
Saturday, 12th November: Make our way to the Twenty-3-Twenty Chocolate & Fudge Factory for a tasting, then visit the Hunter Valley Gardens. Enjoy a train tour around the gardens followed by some free time to explore. After lunch (own expense), make our way to Bowral. Stay Briar’s Country Lodge
DAY 4 BOWRAL – EDEN BMLD
Sunday, 13th November: A day of scenic splendour as we make our way to Kiama’s Blowhole Point with its magnificent view of the coastline. Kiama Blowhole is the largest in the world and the spectacular plumes of water can spout 20 metres or more into the air. Near the blowhole is the Kiama Lighthouse established in 1887. Pause at beautiful Bateman’s Bay for lunch, then continue to Eden where we take a scenic drive before settling into our motel. Stay Coachman’s Eden
DAY 5 EDEN – LAKES ENTRANCE BLD
Monday, 14th November: All aboard the ‘Cat Balou’ for a fantastic whale watching cruise this morning. Admire amazing coastal scenery and the various wildlife that inhabit the area. After lunch, make our way to Lakes Entrance which Is known for its vast system of inland waterways. Stay Bellevue on the Lakes
DAY 6 LAKES ENTRANCE – MELBOURNE BLD
Tuesday, 15th November: This morning take a walk across the pedestrian bridge to Ninety Mile Beach, which stretches along the town’s Tasman Sea shoreline. Leaving Lakes Entrance, travel into the Latrobe Valley to Old Gippstown. Step back in time to the 1850s at this heritage park. Stroll along the streets with authentic old buildings, horse-drawn carriages, agricultural machinery and general store. After lunch, continue onto Melbourne. Three night stay Crest on Barkly Hotel
DAY 7 MELBOURNE SIGHTSEEING BLD
Wednesday, 16th November: Today we head into the Dandenong Ranges, visiting William Ricketts Sanctuary, a place of beauty and tranquillity, with its natural setting and the mystical sculptures half hidden amongst the ferns. Continue onto Olinda, in the heart of the stunning Dandenong Ranges, to enjoy a delicious German smorgasbord lunch at the Bavarian styled Cuckoo Restaurant. With the staff dressed in traditional Bavarian costume and with live entertainment, music and a floor show, cow bell rings and some pretty fancy yodelling, it’s sure to be a fun filled visit. Reluctantly, we move on to the National Rhododendron Gardens with its unparalleled variety of brilliantly coloured blooms, mainly rhododendrons, azaleas, camellias, cherries and daffodils. Returning to Melbourne, visit the Shrine of Remembrance and Botanical Gardens before returning to our motel.
DAY 8 MELBOURNE FREE DAY BD
Thursday, 17th November: A free day in Melbourne to explore the city at leisure before a farewell dinner together.
DAY 9 MELBOURNE – HOME B
Friday, 18th November: Transfer to the Melbourne Airport to join a return flight to home port.
Adult: $3896 pp
Pensioner: $3878 pp
Past Passenger: $3869 pp
Single Supplement: $672 pp
Final Payment Due: Monday, 26th September 2022
Bookings Close on Wednesday November 9th, 2022