12 Day - Bright & High Country Autumn Colours
Departure Date: Tour Completed
Tour Cost: from $2915 per person twin share
The tour everyone’s been waiting for...experience the beautiful changing colours of Autumn when the leaves on the trees in Bright and surrounds create a magnificent spectacle. It is an area that produces countryside not experienced anywhere else in Australia. The area abounds in history dating back to the mid 1800’s. From our base in Albury venture every day in a new direction, discovering the remarkable, unforgettable world of Autumn scenery and panoramic views. Experience quaint Yackandandah, historic Beechworth, the breathtaking Corryong region, “The Man from Snowy River” country, the scenic Alpine Way and the glorious alpine views from Thredbo. Of course all of this happens against a kaleidoscope of Autumn colours: nature’s palette of golds, reds, russet and siennas. And of course also included is the beautiful Blue Mountains, magical in any season but more breathtaking during Autumn’s falling leaves. This is one tour you won’t want to miss! What better season to experience the splendour of Bright and the High Country than Autumn.
DAY 1 HERVEY BAY—GOONDIWINDI D
Monday 27th April 2009: A leisurely start for passengers joining between Hervey Bay and Caloundra. Brisbane and Gold Coast passengers join at Brisbane Roma Street Transit Centre at 11.00am. Travel west to Toowoomba for lunch (own cost), then continue on through the heart of the Central West of QLD along the Cunningham Highway to Goondiwindi on the Macintyre River for our first night on tour at the Goondiwindi Motel.
DAY 2 GOONDIWINDI—GILGANDRA BD
Tuesday 28th April 2009: Cross the border into NSW and tour south along the Newell Highway to Moree, centre of a prosperous agricultural shire. The dry climate allows for the production of a range of produce, including cotton, pecan nuts and olives. Free time for lunch in town (own cost) before touring through the cotton town of Narrabri to Coonabarabran which fancies itself as the astronomy capital of Australia. At the excellent Visitors Centre see the remains of the excavated Diprotodon dinosaur that once roamed Australia. Our overnight stay is in Gilgandra famous as the starting point of the World War I recruitment drive, the “Coo-ee March”, in 1915. Stay at the Silver Oaks Motel and dine tonight at the adjacent Bowls Club.
DAY 3 GILGANDRA—ALBURY BD
Wednesday 29th April 2009: Away early to travel to the border city of Albury, along the Newell Highway. Pass through Dubbo, well known for its Western Plains Zoo and reach Parkes for a morning break in town. Continue through Forbes to West Wyalong with free time for lunch. Time to stretch our legs and explore the winding main street which follows the old time bullock tracks. The afternoon tour takes us via Ardlethan and Coolamon to Wagga Wagga for a break and then to Albury on the banks of the Murray River. Stay at the Quality Siesta Resort, our base for the next four nights.
DAY 4 GOLDFIELDS EXPLORING BLD
Thursday 30th April 2009: Today discover a quaint old town, learn a little goldfields’ history and sample some gourmet delights. Tour to the National Trust town of Yackandandah, surely one of the prettiest towns in Victoria, with its avenues of English trees. Take your time and capture some of the nostalgia the town evokes of a long gone pioneering era. A little further on we reach the old goldfields town of Beechworth, founded in 1852. Visit the old Courthouse, the Powder Magazine, the Burke Museum and the Telegraph Station, where we can try our hand at sending a message!
Time for lunch at the Beechworth Bakery, where we will taste one of their renowned gourmet pies. But don’t eat too much as we have more treats in store. At Milawa enjoy a tutored tasting on the process of cheese production at Milawa Cheeses. And what goes well with cheese – wine! Time for an interesting tour and tastings at the well known Brown Brothers Winery. Return to Albury via Wangaratta and the Hume Freeway.
DAY 5 HIGH COUNTRY TOURING BLD
Friday 1st May 2009: Today we explore the High Country! Travel along the Murray arm of the Hume Weir to the small township of Granya for morning tea at the Granya Pioneer Museum. Time to explore the exhibits, featuring the history of the Bungil and Thologolong Stations and the birthplace of Murray Grey Cattle. On to the township of Tintaldra, a favoured retreat of keen anglers and nestled beneath the Snowy Mountains on the Victorian banks of the Murray River. In olden days the Tintaldra General Store was the meeting place of the district and it is still the centre of village life! Admire the unique timber and slab construction building that is now classified by the National Trust.
Enjoy lunch with our hostess Betty and over stew, damper and billy-tea she will regale us with bush poetry and old time songs to the accompaniment of her organ. On to Corryong on the edge of the High Plains settled in the 1830’s by mountain pioneers who brought cattle and sheep to graze the lush pastures. This area was home to the legendary horseman Jack Riley who inspired Banjo Paterson to write his ballad, “The Man from Snowy River”. Jack, who died in 1914, is buried in the New Corryong Cemetery. A visit to The Man from Snowy River Folk Museum will reveal the lifestyle of the early pioneers. Next, travel west along the Murray Valley Highway to see the highest railway station in Australia (now closed) at Shelley and stop at the Lawrence Alpine Lookout for spectacular views of the Snowy Mountains before returning to our base in Albury after a wonderful day in the High Country.
DAY 6 BRIGHT FESTIVAL DAY ‘GOLDEN LEAVES’ BD
Saturday 2nd May 2009: This morning we head for Bright and the Autumn Festival. Capture some of the magic of the Kiewa Valley during our pleasant morning tour through Dederang and Tawonga. Time for a quick visit to the township of Mount Beauty, then up and over the mountain pass. Time to admire the views from the Mount Bogong Lookout before our descent into Bright. The town will be adorned with golden autumn leaves and buzzing with excitement.
Enjoy a visit to the Old Tobacco Shed, originally used for grading and storing tobacco. The sheds have been tastefully restored into a maze of boutique shops with something of interest for everyone. Free time in the main street of Bright which has been converted to a market. Absorb the atmosphere and get a bite of lunch before the Grand Parade starts at around 1.45pm. Enjoy the fun and afterwards wander down to the park to hear the bands playing the old favourites. Our big day in Bright must come to an end when we reboard our coach for the scenic tour via Myrtleford back to our accommodation in Albury.
DAY 7 ALPINE WAY TOURING BD
Sunday 3rd May 2009: Today the scenic beauty of the Alpine Way beckons. Traverse the southern shores of Lake Hume and travel through Corryong and the picturesque little town of Khancoban to visit the Murray 1 Power Station and Visitors Centre. It is the second largest power station in the scheme and the Visitors Centre offers an interactive experience. Resume our tour along the Alpine Way to the Thredbo Alpine Village. Free time for lunch in the village and you can ride the chairlift to the top for fabulous views (own expense). Next, travel through Jindabyne to Berridale to taste the welcoming delights at the Snowy River Winery Showroom. Purchase a bottle or two then travel to Cooma to complete our day’s tour. Stay at the Marlborough Motor Inn.
DAY 8 COOMA—PENRITH BD
Monday 4th May 2009: A change in scenery travelling to the coast along the Monaro Highway. The flat, wind swept plains give way to verdant rainforests as we descend to the Princes Highway near Bega. Head north, passing through the boutique town of Cobargo to reach Central Tilba, a National Trust listed town which has retained its old and traditional charm. Free time to explore: don’t miss the ABC Cheese Shop at the end of town. All aboard for Batemans Bay at the head of the Clyde River, our lunch stop. This afternoon sit back and enjoy the scenery through Ulladulla, Milton and Nowra for an afternoon break near Wollongong. Then travel via Appin, Campbelltown and Bringelly to Penrith on the banks of the Nepean River. Stay at the Log Cabin Motor Inn.
DAY 9 PENRITH—BLUE MTS SIGHTSEEING BLD
Tuesday 5th May 2009: A wonderful day exploring the Blue Mountains! At the resort town of Leura enjoy a guided tour of the famous Everglades Gardens, resplendent in autumn colours. Next, visit the Three Sisters at Echo Point and take the scenic Cliff Drive, passing through Blackheath and Mount Victoria to Lithgow. At Clarence Station enjoy an early light lunch before boarding the historic Zig Zag Railway train for a thrilling ride. Back on board the coach travel to the Norman Lindsay Gallery for a chance to admire this famous artists work and the picturesque landscaped gardens. Return to Penrith in time to enjoy a wonderful dinner.
DAY 10 PENRITH—PORT MACQUARIE BLD
Wednesday 6th May 2009: Travel the Newcastle Freeway to Raymond Terrace for a morning break. Divert from the highway to journey along Buckett’s Way, passing through historic Stroud which was first established in 1826. The good rich black soils and fresh running streams attracted a farming community and many fine buildings were constructed, some of which have survived to this day.
A little further on, just short of Gloucester, we visit Trudgalong Farm, set on the banks of the Gloucester River. Trudgalong is an alternative farm. To make a living on just 130 acres Trudgalong has had to diversify. You will see and hear about raising Australian Native Silver Perch, the Boer goat stud, miniature ponies, free range hens, Labrador breeding and more. Enjoy the tour and then a delicious lunch will be served. The afternoon tour takes us through Gloucester, base camp to World Heritage listed Barrington Tops, and down the Buckett’s Way to Taree on the Manning River. Complete the day’s tour into Port Macquarie in time to take a stroll in town after checking in to our accommodation. Stay at the El Paso Motor Inn.
DAY 11 PORT MACQUARIE—BALLINA BLD
Thursday 7th May 2009: An easy day touring the Pacific Highway. Enjoy the scenery through the prosperous towns of Kempsey, Macksville and Nambucca Heads before arriving for a break in Coffs Harbour. Coffs is the centre of a thriving tourism area, with so much to see and do, both on land and sea. But we have to continue north through Grafton to the nearby location of Tucabia to visit the Squatters Rest Private Museum.
Enjoy a guided tour of their fascinating range of rural memorabilia including a bushman’s lunch, a sing-a-long, great yarns and poetry. Reboard our coach for the historic village of Ulmarra, classified by the National Trust as one of the finest examples of a 19th century river port in Australia. Explore the arts, crafts and antique shops which now occupy these charming old restored buildings. Our mid afternoon tour then continues up to Ballina for our last night together on tour. Stay at the Ballina Island Motor Inn.
DAY 12 BALLINA—HOME B
Friday 8th May 2009: Another leisurely breakfast before we bid farewell to Ballina and start our tour back home. Follow the Pacific Highway to the border at Tweed Heads for a morning break (passenger drop offs on the Gold Coast as required). Back in our home state travel up to Brisbane arriving at approximately 3.00pm (passengers drop offs as requested). Passengers north enroute to Hervey Bay stay on the coach. Thank you for joining us on this wonderful and colourful autumn holiday.