6 Day - Ballina & Northern Rivers Exploration
Departure Date: Tour Completed
Tour Cost: from $1132 per person twin share
Are you looking for a relaxed start to the New Year? Then come and join this exploration holiday to Ballina and the Northern Rivers of NSW. Ballina on the banks of the mighty Richmond River is a "holiday mecca" and the ideal seaside location to enjoy a wonderful six day break. Spend five comfortable nights at the Ballina Islander Motor Inn with lots of wonderful sightseeing. This exploration tour has so much to offer, read the full itinerary and come and enjoy with your fellow National Seniors travelling companions.
DAY 1 HERVEY BAY—BALLINA (D)
Monday 2nd March 2009. Welcome aboard our luxury coach for our first day on tour to the Northern Rivers area of New South Wales. Passing through Gympie (with pick ups as required enroute to the Sunshine Coast), we reach Caboolture for a morning tea break. Our tour bypasses Brisbane City (pick ups in Brisbane on request) and we cross the border (watches forward 1 hr) for our lunch break (own cost) in Tweed Heads.
Enjoy the lush coastal scenery as we cruise further south through rolling hills to Macadamia Castle. This well known landmark contains all sorts of treasures including fresh hot macadamias. Take your time here before we complete the day’s tour into Ballina and our comfortable accommodation, the Ballina Islander Motor Inn for the next five nights.
DAY 2 BALLINA AREA ATTRACTIONS (BL)
Tuesday 3rd March 2009. Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before we board our coach and travel the short distance to Australian Seabird Rescue, established in 1992 following the rescue of a pelican hooked in fishing tackle. Since then volunteers have been involved in the rescue and rehabilitation of seabirds, shorebirds and marine turtles and we are given a tour of this wonderful operation. Continue north through lush undulating country and turn off the highway to reach the popular tourist destination of Byron Bay. See the lighthouse at Cape Byron and take advantage of the outstanding panoramic views for some great photo opportunities.
Return to Ballina by the coast road in time to board the MV Richmond Princess for a delightful lunch cruise along the Richmond River. The river was the lifeblood of this region from the days of first settlement until the 1950’s. Relax and enjoy the environment while we have our lunch and the skipper relates a light hearted commentary that brings to life the vibrant history of the river. Back on shore we call in at the Ballina Naval and Maritime Museum displaying the maritime history of the NSW North Coast. It also houses the La Balsas raft, one of the three that made the epic voyage from Ecuador to Australia in 1973. Return to our motel to relax before going out for dinner at the Ballina RSL (own expense).
DAY 3 COFFS HARBOUR TOURING (BLD)
Wednesday 4th March 2009. An early breakfast before our departure south along the Pacific Highway to Coffs Harbour. On arrival we visit the Clog Barn and experience a little slice of Holland with all its colour and charm and see a clog making demonstration. Tour the Botanic Gardens and, if time permits, enjoy a stroll along the mangrove boardwalks through rainforest, exotic plants and even an endangered species sensory garden. Coffs has a great Marina area and we head there for our lunch at the Fisherman’s Co-op (included).
Our next stop is the Pet Porpoise Pool and we arrive in time for the 1pm show to enjoy the talents of these amazing animals. No visit to Coffs Harbour is complete without a visit to the famous Big Banana. You have the opportunity to make your own explorations. Fancy a thrilling Toboggan ride or perhaps the more sedate “World of Bananas” interactive educational experience and plantation tour? It’s your choice (own expense) before we meet again for the trip back north to Ballina in time for a late dinner at our motel.
DAY 4 ALSTONVILLE ATTRACTIONS (BL)
Thursday 5th March 2009. Today enjoy a more relaxing day today as we visit some nearby attractions. A short uphill drive will bring us to Alstonville, renowned for its beautifully tended gardens and distinctive Tibouchina trees. It also has some interesting attractions which we will discover. Our first stop is to Father Mac’s Heavenly Puddings. It is located on school premises which were partly funded by father Darcy McCarthy and his volunteers. Hear his story as we are shown around. Nearby is Crawford House which was built in 1910 and now features many interesting household objects dating from the turn of the last century to 1960.
A change in pace now with a visit to Dave Buckell and Kevin Rowland who recently opened their Northern Rivers Brewery. They are proudly locally owned and independent and very keen for us to sample their liquid amber. Suitably fortified we move on for lunch at Summerland House with No Steps. This is a wonderful facility run for and by disabled people. After lunch we are given a tour and can perhaps buy some of their home grown produce. Our last visit for the day is to Amaze-n-Place, a popular local Coffee Shop. We can watch our colleagues find their way through the maze and work on the many puzzles in the shop before we return down the hill to our motel in Ballina. Dinner tonight has been arranged at the Cherry Street Bowling Club (own expense).
DAY 5 COFFEE, OSTRICHES & TRAIN RIDE (BLD)
Friday 6th March 2009. Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before we tour down to Woombah to visit the Woombah Coffee Plantation. This is one of the world’s southern-most coffee plantations and our tour will reveal the procedures in processing and roasting coffee. As one would expect they have a coffee shop and an adjoining arts and crafts shop. We move on the short distance to Tullymorgan to meet Ian and Glenys at their Glen Ian Ostrich and Emu Farm. You will see ostriches, alpacas, emus, goats, cows, horses and caged birds. You name it and Ian or Glenys will tell you the full story!
A great barbecue lunch is served before we are farewelled and cross the river back to the highway where we return via Woodburn and Coraki to Casino to meet the dedicated train buffs of the Casino Mini Railway. All aboard for a fun ride through Richmond Park and the Jabiru Geneebeinga Wetlands before arriving at the Old Casino Station which has been developed into a railway museum. We can get a glimpse of Casino’s rail roading past before our return trip to Ballina. Dine at motel.
DAY 6 BALLINA HOME—HERVEY BAY (B)
Saturday 7th March 2009. Farewell our friendly hosts and begin our journey home to Queensland. We travel up the coast with an early morning tea break on the Gold Coast (off coach, put your watches forward 1 hour to QLD time). On then to Brisbane for lunch (own cost). This afternoon passenger drop offs as requested on the Sunshine Coast.
A short break in Gympie (passenger drop offs) before we pass through Maryborough and arrive back in Hervey Bay at the end of our relaxing Ballina & Northern Rivers Exploration holiday.