4 Day Yamba & Jacaranda Festival
Departs: Thursday 30th October 2008
SUPER SAVER FARE: $795 pp twin share
What a combo we have in store for you...sightseeing in the beautiful seaside town of Yamba plus all the festivities of the Jacaranda Festival. In Yamba enjoy a relaxing scenic cruise on the Clarence River, a fascinating visit to Glen Ian Ostrich Farm and we have also included bonus sightseeing in the nearby “Scottish” town of Maclean and the historic village of Ulmarra. “But there’s more”...the brilliance of Grafton’s Jacarandas emblazoned in colour and the whirl of the Festival activities concluding with the spectacular Grand Parade. On the homeward journey still lots to enjoy including Currumbin’s Superbee Honeyworld and Maleny sightseeing. This four day holiday is packed with colourful contrasts and we know you’ll have “a blooming great time!”
DAY 1 HERVEY BAY - YAMBA (D)
Thursday 30th October: A wonderful combo of scenic delights to be enjoyed at Yamba and Grafton—there is nothing else like it! We make an early start on our tour south to Yamba, the popular holiday town at the mouth of the Clarence River in New South Wales. The parks and gardens are a visual feast and an inspiring salute to spring. Begin by departing bright and early—Hervey Bay at 6.15am and Maryborough at 7.00am. All aboard for the first day of our Discovery Tour.
Brisbane passengers join at Roma Street Transit Centre at 10.00am, Gold Coast passenger join enroute through the Gold Coast. Travel in air conditioned comfort through glorious countryside with ever changing colours. Enjoy a lunch break just south of the border before continuing on to the beachside town of Ballina with time to stretch your legs and enjoy the ocean views. On to Yamba, situated at the mouth of the Clarence River. Yamba is surrounded by pristine beaches, unspoilt national parks and picturesque waterways. Enjoy a three night stay at the Oyster Shores Resort, Yamba.
DAY 2 YAMBA CRUISE & SIGHTSEEING (BLD)
Friday 31st October: Today experience the natural beauty of Yamba. Start the morning with a relaxing scenic cruise on the Clarence River. Our cruise boat, Emendee is a custom made cruiser with a shallow draught which allows our captain to take us to most places on the river. Enjoy the commentary and the serenity and beautiful wildlife of one of Australia’s largest rivers. Back on shore we set off to journey across the northern reaches of the river, touring up to Tullymorgan to visit the Glen Ian Ostrich Farm.
Here learn all about ostrich farming from incubation to retailing. Enjoy a barbecue lunch with our hosts Glenys and Ian before returning across the river to Maclean, a community proud of its Scottish Heritage celebrated at the annual Highland Gathering held at Easter. We collect our guide, of Scottish descent of course, for a tour of the town highlights including the unique tartan telegraph poles and the Scottish Shop. There will also be time to browse through the gallery displaying work by many local artisans. Return to our motel mid-afternoon to rest and relax or stroll to the nearby Boat Harbour Marina. Dine at our motel.
DAY 3 JACARANDA FESTIVAL (BD)
Saturday 1st November: A leisurely start to the day with a visit to the village of Ulmarra. It is a town classified by the National Trust and one of the finest examples of a 19th Century river port in Australia. The lovely old buildings are now occupied by antiques, arts and crafts enterprises. We now head to Grafton to witness first hand the superb Jacaranda trees. Grafton at this time of year is emblazoned in colour. Over 5,000 Jacarandas make for a canopy of lilac clouds and a soft carpet of purple. Enjoy a short town tour that reveals the brilliance of the Jacarandas in full bloom.
The day is now ours to take in the events of Grafton’s Jacaranda Festival. Browse through the markets and enjoy the whirl of bagpipes while the Scottish, Irish and Highland dancers perform in the Market Square. Enjoy lunch (own cost) at one of the many colourful cafés or eateries throughout the town. Make sure you visit the Anglican Cathedral Floral Display and Schaeffer House to view the heritage pieces on display (own expense). Our day ends with the spectacular Grand Float Parade that travels down Prince Street. We then return to our motel in Yamba for a late dinner.
DAY 4 YAMBA - HERVEY BAY (B)
Sunday 2nd November: Farewell to our Yamba hosts, we now follow the Pacific Highway north back through Ballina crossing the border at Tweed Heads to Currumbin. Call into Superbee Honeyworld, a working honey factory which exports to over 25 different countries all over the world, for our morning break (Gold Coast depart as required). Continue to Brisbane with passengers departing as required.
Journey via the Bruce Highway to Caboolture for lunch (own cost). We then take the Glass House Mountains Tourist Drive through the scenic Sunshine Coast hinterland and up to the charming mountain township of Maleny for a break. Our afternoon tour continues through the Mary River region surrounded by the Blackall and Conondale Ranges via Kenilworth to rejoin the highway at Gympie. The final leg of our Yamba and Jacaranda Festival Combo sees us arrive back in Maryborough at 7.00pm and Hervey Bay 7.30pm, after a “blooming great time.”