4 DAY FULLY INCLUSIVE TOUR
WEDNESDAY 23RD TO SATURDAY 26TH DECEMBER 2020
Yuletide Greetings, Buon Natale, Felice Navidad or MERRY CHRISTMAS!
However you say it, Christmas is a magical time in any language. Come away with us and let us spoil you with breathtaking sights, indulge in some gourmet food, sip some of the finest quality wines and beers and relax with your feet up while someone else does the cooking. Hepburn Springs with its “healing waters” and historical Edwardian architecture is a wonderful place for some quiet indulgence. With Australia’s largest concentration of mineral springs, we might even get a taste test of the different mineral formulations as we wander this beautiful country town.
TOUR INFORMATION
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TOUR HIGHLIGHTS Mount Macedon, Riddell’s Creek, Castlemaine Art Gallery, Buda Historic Home and Garden, Mineral Springs Reserve, Woop-Woop Sculpture Garden and Gallery, Christmas lunch – with all the trimmings! Shire of Creswick Avenue of Honour, Creswick Woollen Mill, Overnewton Castle MULTIPLE NIGHT STAYS: 3 Nights in Hepburn Springs |
PRICE Twin Share Room: $2395 pp Twin Share Repeat Traveller 2 - 10 Tours: $2370 pp Twin Share Repeat Traveller 11 - 20 Tours: $2345 pp Twin Share Repeat Traveller 21+ Tours: $2320 pp Single Room Supplement: $230 pp Deposit: $200 per person upon booking O’Shannessy’s Quality Tours will match single travellers who wish to twin share with another single traveller of the same gender. However, if this is not possible, you shall be provided with single accommodation at the twin share fare (no additional cost). All prices are from Melbourne. Please contact our office for a price from your capital city. |
TOUR MAP
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WHAT'S INCLUDED IN YOUR TOUR
- Complimentary chauffeur driven transfers. Pick up from and return to your home from Greater Melbourne, Bendigo, Torquay, Ballarat, Geelong, the Bellarine and Mornington Peninsulas, Phillip Island and selected areas of Gippsland.
- O’Shannessy’s Quality Tours Touring Coach. Travel by O’Shannessy’s Quality Tours Luxury Touring Coach. Features include comfortable reclining seats with ample leg room, arm and foot rests, seat belts, large panoramic windows with blinds, overhead parcel shelf, onboard rest room, Road Cam TV Screens which display the view ahead in real time, a kneeling (coach lowering) device, a second door for ease of entry and disembarkation and full air suspension for a smooth and quiet ride.
- Tour Director. Dedicated O’Shannessy’s Quality Tours tour director and coach captain on board to ensure your travel experience is memorable.
- Best Available Quality Accommodation. Ensuite motel accommodation each night.
- Attractions. All tours and interest venues as per itinerary.
- All Meals. Full cooked breakfasts, morning tea lunches and two course restaurant dinners daily.
ITINERARY
DAY 1: Wednesday 23rd December, 2020
HOME TO HEPBURN SPRINGS
Welcome to our Christmas tour staying at beautiful Grange Bellinzona, Hepburn Springs. After we have loaded the coach and completed our home pick up service we are ready to go. We are off to the Macedon Ranges this morning for a visit to Dromkeen in the tiny hamlet of Riddell’s Creek. This country estate was once the estate of Judge Arthur Chomley and later became home to the world famous Dromkeen Picture Book Art Collection. This stately home has beautiful gardens with a range of Australian native and European plants, some more than 100 years old and listed on the National Trust register. We also have a chance to browse the galleries with original book illustrations. We have lunch here before we travel through Woodend and Daylesford to arrive in Hepburn Springs. We have plenty of time to settle into our accommodation before we meet up for our Welcome Dinner.
OVERNIGHT: Grange Bellinzona, Hepburn Springs
Welcome to our Christmas tour staying at beautiful Grange Bellinzona, Hepburn Springs. After we have loaded the coach and completed our home pick up service we are ready to go. We are off to the Macedon Ranges this morning for a visit to Dromkeen in the tiny hamlet of Riddell’s Creek. This country estate was once the estate of Judge Arthur Chomley and later became home to the world famous Dromkeen Picture Book Art Collection. This stately home has beautiful gardens with a range of Australian native and European plants, some more than 100 years old and listed on the National Trust register. We also have a chance to browse the galleries with original book illustrations. We have lunch here before we travel through Woodend and Daylesford to arrive in Hepburn Springs. We have plenty of time to settle into our accommodation before we meet up for our Welcome Dinner.
OVERNIGHT: Grange Bellinzona, Hepburn Springs
DAY 2: Thursday 24th December, 2020
CASTLEMAINE
Today we head out to Castlemaine and nearby districts. Settlement of the area dates back to the 1830s when most of the land was actually taken up for farming. The discovery of gold radically altered the “agricultural’ based landscape as 30,000 diggers worked a number of gold fields. The centre of Castlemaine has been virtually unaltered since the 1860s when the surface gold was exhausted. We stop to visit the Castlemaine Art Gallery to view the impressive collection of Australian artworks and objects. The Gallery is housed in a heritage listed deco building and is one of the earliest examples of modernist architecture in regional Victoria. We enjoy morning tea then head to Buda Historic Home and Garden, set high above Castlemaine. The gracious historic home is surrounded by one of the most important large 19th century suburban gardens surviving in Victoria. The house was built in 1861 and from 1863 it was the home of noted gold and silversmith Ernest Leviny and his family. Complete with the family’s art and craft collections, furnishings and domestic effects, Buda is a unique record of this creative family who occupied it for the period of 118 years. We enjoy a guided tour here. After lunch in Castlemaine, we have something a little different in store as we head to Woop-Woop. Woop Woop is a unique sculpture garden and gallery based on Australian colloquialisms and humour. The extensive garden is adorned with over 100 sculptures depicting Australian sayings, unusual native plants, and 'Galvo Country', where three-dimensional figures mix with the 'local wildlife'. If we feel inclined we can join in the lizard races', and 'bush billiards', or relax on the seats provided throughout the garden.
OVERNIGHT: Grange Bellinzona, Hepburn Springs
Today we head out to Castlemaine and nearby districts. Settlement of the area dates back to the 1830s when most of the land was actually taken up for farming. The discovery of gold radically altered the “agricultural’ based landscape as 30,000 diggers worked a number of gold fields. The centre of Castlemaine has been virtually unaltered since the 1860s when the surface gold was exhausted. We stop to visit the Castlemaine Art Gallery to view the impressive collection of Australian artworks and objects. The Gallery is housed in a heritage listed deco building and is one of the earliest examples of modernist architecture in regional Victoria. We enjoy morning tea then head to Buda Historic Home and Garden, set high above Castlemaine. The gracious historic home is surrounded by one of the most important large 19th century suburban gardens surviving in Victoria. The house was built in 1861 and from 1863 it was the home of noted gold and silversmith Ernest Leviny and his family. Complete with the family’s art and craft collections, furnishings and domestic effects, Buda is a unique record of this creative family who occupied it for the period of 118 years. We enjoy a guided tour here. After lunch in Castlemaine, we have something a little different in store as we head to Woop-Woop. Woop Woop is a unique sculpture garden and gallery based on Australian colloquialisms and humour. The extensive garden is adorned with over 100 sculptures depicting Australian sayings, unusual native plants, and 'Galvo Country', where three-dimensional figures mix with the 'local wildlife'. If we feel inclined we can join in the lizard races', and 'bush billiards', or relax on the seats provided throughout the garden.
OVERNIGHT: Grange Bellinzona, Hepburn Springs
DAY 3: Friday 25th December, 2020
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
We have a leisurely breakfast this morning with time to attend church services for those who wish to. Mineral Springs Reserve, at the northern end of Hepburn Springs, is home to the iconic Hepburn Bathhouse & Spa. The park has a collection of mineral springs, some flowing continuously and others operated with a hand pump. Visitors are able to freely bottle their own bubbling mineral water from the springs. We’ll make a visit to the Reserve before sitting down to enjoy a delightful Christmas lunch – with all the trimmings! – back at our hotel. We have the rest of the afternoon to relax at the resort, and there will be a light supper available for those still a little peckish!
OVERNIGHT: Grange Bellinzona, Hepburn Springs
We have a leisurely breakfast this morning with time to attend church services for those who wish to. Mineral Springs Reserve, at the northern end of Hepburn Springs, is home to the iconic Hepburn Bathhouse & Spa. The park has a collection of mineral springs, some flowing continuously and others operated with a hand pump. Visitors are able to freely bottle their own bubbling mineral water from the springs. We’ll make a visit to the Reserve before sitting down to enjoy a delightful Christmas lunch – with all the trimmings! – back at our hotel. We have the rest of the afternoon to relax at the resort, and there will be a light supper available for those still a little peckish!
OVERNIGHT: Grange Bellinzona, Hepburn Springs
DAY 4: Saturday 26th December, 2020
HOME
We farewell our host and after a relaxed start we head off. At Blampied, we’re going to drive in the direction of Kingston to join the Kingston Road so we can travel along the magnificent Shire of Creswick Avenue of Honour, leading into Creswick. This majestic Avenue of Honour of Dutch Elm trees which stretches for four kilometres, is dedicated to those who served in World War I. Set amongst majestic eucalypts, Creswick's broad elegantly curved main street is lined with buildings that owe their existence to the region's common benefactor - gold. Driving down the main street we’ll see a number of historic buildings. Here we’ll visit the Creswick Woollen Mill. “A Very Fine Yarn” is the mill’s interactive experience showcasing the journey of fibre all the way from its source on the animal, through the manufacturing process and how it finishes up on the shop shelf. We then drive to Overnewton Castle near Keilor, a miniature Scottish Baronial Castle built in the 1850’s with over 35 rooms including 7 bedrooms (the master room included a small circular room and a dressing room) schoolroom, library, drawing room, 2 kitchens, 5 servants rooms and the Billiard room. We enjoy a tour and have a delicious lunch, then head for home late afternoon where our chauffeurs will be waiting to take us to our very doors!
We farewell our host and after a relaxed start we head off. At Blampied, we’re going to drive in the direction of Kingston to join the Kingston Road so we can travel along the magnificent Shire of Creswick Avenue of Honour, leading into Creswick. This majestic Avenue of Honour of Dutch Elm trees which stretches for four kilometres, is dedicated to those who served in World War I. Set amongst majestic eucalypts, Creswick's broad elegantly curved main street is lined with buildings that owe their existence to the region's common benefactor - gold. Driving down the main street we’ll see a number of historic buildings. Here we’ll visit the Creswick Woollen Mill. “A Very Fine Yarn” is the mill’s interactive experience showcasing the journey of fibre all the way from its source on the animal, through the manufacturing process and how it finishes up on the shop shelf. We then drive to Overnewton Castle near Keilor, a miniature Scottish Baronial Castle built in the 1850’s with over 35 rooms including 7 bedrooms (the master room included a small circular room and a dressing room) schoolroom, library, drawing room, 2 kitchens, 5 servants rooms and the Billiard room. We enjoy a tour and have a delicious lunch, then head for home late afternoon where our chauffeurs will be waiting to take us to our very doors!
"Rest and rejuvenate in the enriching natural waters of Hepburn Springs, sample the bounty of the early Swiss Italian migrants, and discover a vibrant community of artists, healers, gardeners, writers and musicians”
Visit Melbourne website
CONDITIONS OF TRAVEL
These terms and conditions form the basis of the contract between You and O’Shannessy’s Quality Tours (O’Shannessy’s Quality Tours “We”, “Us”, or ”Our” contract). It is important that You read these terms and conditions carefully and that you understand your rights and obligations. By agreeing to participate in a tour arranged by Us, You are deemed to have accepted these terms and conditions in full.
Any special requests, dietary/personal must be notified to Our office at the time of booking. All efforts will be made to accommodate any special requests. It is your responsibility to advise O’Shannessy’s Quality Tours of any pre-existing medical conditions that may affect your ability to participate on the tour.
No passenger will be permitted to embark on or continue the tour while their physical or mental condition is, in the opinion of any representative of O’Shannessy’s Quality tours, such as to render them incapable of caring for themselves, or whereby they become objectionable to other passengers or they become a hazard to themselves or other passengers. Whilst on tour with O’Shannessy’s Quality Tours should a passenger require medical attention, discharge papers must be provided to a representative of O’Shannessy’s Quality Tours before you are able to re-join the tour.
O’Shannessy’s Quality Tours has a passenger code of conduct. O’Shannessy’s Quality Tours representatives/crew or any associated carrier, reserves the right at its discretion to exclude from a tour or to terminate the travel arrangements of any person during the course of the tour without refund, of anyone who:
- Presents on the day of the tour departure as ill or unwell in any way, including but not limited to: cough, runny nose, sneezing, vomiting or temperature above 37.5 deg C
- Resides in an Australian suburb, which is the subject of a lockdown order by Your state government, Your request to book on one of Our tours may be denied
- Is incapable of caring for themselves without a minder/carer
- Is unable to cope with the requirements of the tour or who may need or require services or facilities that are not available
- Fails to comply with the reasonable instructions of O’Shannessy’s Quality Tours crew
- Engages in undesirable behaviour or interferes with the enjoyment of other passengers
- Is a hazard to themselves or other passengers and/or is likely to become objectionable to other passengers, O’Shannessy’s Quality Tours staff and or third party suppliers
If you are bringing a mobile device on tour, for the safety of all passengers and crew, we highly recommend that the Official Government COVIDSafe App is downloaded.
You must notify our office if you have returned from overseas in the last 21 days or if you have been in contact with anyone who has returned from overseas in the last 21 days.
This is NOT a complete list of O’Shannessy’s Quality Tours Conditions of Travel. A complete list will be provided upon invoice, alternatively they are available via the below link.
PAYMENT AND CANCELLATION POLICY
Balance due on invoice approximately 30 days prior to departure.
Deposit is fully refundable until 31 days prior to departure date.
Prices include GST and all taxes.
Cancellation 30 to 8 days before tour departure date, 20% Refund of Tour Cost
Cancellation within 7 days of tour departure date, No Refund
On or after tour date departure, No Refund
Travel Insurance is not compulsory, however we highly recommended you take out comprehensive travel insurance with a reputable insurer at the time you pay for your tour.