5 DAY FULLY INCLUSIVE TOUR
16TH MARCH TO 20TH MARCH 2021
The silo art trails of Victoria and wider Australia have breathed new life into tiny regional communities. They showcase everything that makes us proud to be Aussies.
Traditionally a place for farming communities to come together at harvest time, exchange stories and re-connect, these silos are now a magnificent gallery and a visual feast.
From the lanky farmer “Noodle Hulland” at Patchewollock to the indigenous portraits at Sheep Hills and beyond, these incredible murals will leave you speechless.
TOUR MAP
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
Milawa, Benalla Street Art, Goorambat Silo, Devenish Silo, St James Silo, Tungamah Silo, Colbinabbin Silo, Rochester Mural Festival, Rochester Silo, Flying Boat Museum, Lake Tyrrell, Sea Lake Silo, Lacelles Silo, Patchewollock Silo, Brim Silo, Sheep Hills Silo and Rupanyup Silo.
CRUISE
PS Pyap Paddleboat
PRICE
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Twin Share Room First Tour: Twin Share Room Repeat Traveller 2 - 10 Tours: Twin Share Room Repeat Traveller 11 - 20 Tours: Twin Share Room Repeat Traveller 21+ Tours: Single Room Supplement: Deposit: |
$2,250 per person $2,225 per person $2,200 per person $2,175 per person $ 250 per person $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).
However, if this is not possible, you shall be provided with single accommodation at the twin share fare (no additional cost).
TOUR MAP
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ITINERARY
DAY 1: TUESDAY 16TH MARCH, 2021
MELBOURNE TO WANGARATTA
Welcome aboard our ultimate Silo Art Trails tour! Our destination today is Wangaratta and after personal pickup from home we are transferred to our O’Shannessy’s Luxury Coach and travel to Yea for our morning break before driving up to Milawa. This is home to Brown Brothers Vineyard which is our venue for lunch. Since 1889, Brown Brothers have been growing grapes and making wine at Milawa in rich country nestled on the western side of the Australian Alps, so it’s only appropriate that we enjoy a wine tasting too! Just “down the road” is the Milawa Cheese Company, located in the historic Murray Goulburn Butter Factory. We have a tasting here as well before making our way to Wangaratta for the night.
OVERNIGHT: Quality Hotel Wangaratta Gateway, WANGARATTA
Welcome aboard our ultimate Silo Art Trails tour! Our destination today is Wangaratta and after personal pickup from home we are transferred to our O’Shannessy’s Luxury Coach and travel to Yea for our morning break before driving up to Milawa. This is home to Brown Brothers Vineyard which is our venue for lunch. Since 1889, Brown Brothers have been growing grapes and making wine at Milawa in rich country nestled on the western side of the Australian Alps, so it’s only appropriate that we enjoy a wine tasting too! Just “down the road” is the Milawa Cheese Company, located in the historic Murray Goulburn Butter Factory. We have a tasting here as well before making our way to Wangaratta for the night.
OVERNIGHT: Quality Hotel Wangaratta Gateway, WANGARATTA
day 2: WEDNESDAY 17TH MARCH, 2021
WANGARATTA TO ECHUCA - SILO ART TRAIL
Street art and silos are drawing crowds to small country towns in Victoria and after breakfast, we drive to Benalla to take in some of the Street Art – artists from around the world were brought together to paint murals on bare walls, some over three stories high. We now commence our Silo Art hunt! Goorambat Silo – featuring the endangered Barking Owl and the “Sophia” mural in the Uniting Church, painted by the Melbourne-based artist Matt Adnate; Devenish, Cam Scale’s artwork of a First World War nurse and a modern-day combat medic; St James, a large mural of Sir George Coles, the founder of Coles Supermarkets; Tungamah, brolgas and a kookaburra. After lunch, we continue to Colbinabbin to see the latest addition to the Silo Art collection, where Benalla artist Tim Bowtell’s artwork features across six silos and depicts five different scenes from varying times through the town from the early 1900s to the 1980s. We’re in luck! Rochester hosts the annual Rochester Mural Festival, where 8 artists are invited to paint murals in the Mural Park for the town and visitors to enjoy. The festival is in its last days so we will be able to see the latest murals from this year’s artists. Our last silo today is also in Rochester where we see a sugar glider and a stunning azure kingfisher.
OVERNIGHT: Mercure Port of Echuca, ECHUCA
Street art and silos are drawing crowds to small country towns in Victoria and after breakfast, we drive to Benalla to take in some of the Street Art – artists from around the world were brought together to paint murals on bare walls, some over three stories high. We now commence our Silo Art hunt! Goorambat Silo – featuring the endangered Barking Owl and the “Sophia” mural in the Uniting Church, painted by the Melbourne-based artist Matt Adnate; Devenish, Cam Scale’s artwork of a First World War nurse and a modern-day combat medic; St James, a large mural of Sir George Coles, the founder of Coles Supermarkets; Tungamah, brolgas and a kookaburra. After lunch, we continue to Colbinabbin to see the latest addition to the Silo Art collection, where Benalla artist Tim Bowtell’s artwork features across six silos and depicts five different scenes from varying times through the town from the early 1900s to the 1980s. We’re in luck! Rochester hosts the annual Rochester Mural Festival, where 8 artists are invited to paint murals in the Mural Park for the town and visitors to enjoy. The festival is in its last days so we will be able to see the latest murals from this year’s artists. Our last silo today is also in Rochester where we see a sugar glider and a stunning azure kingfisher.
OVERNIGHT: Mercure Port of Echuca, ECHUCA
DAY 3: THURSDAY 18TH MARCH, 2021
ECHUCA TO SWAN HILL
Farewelling Echuca we take a look at the Torrumbarry Weir which helps to control flooding along the river and provides water for the Kerang Lakes, an internationally recognised wetland. Just south of Swan Hill we stop at Lake Boga, home to the famous Catalina Flying Boat A24-30 - one of only 4 in Australia. The Catalina Flying Boat played an integral part in the allied defence of the South Pacific during World War 2. Lake Boga was an ideal stretch of water on which the mighty flying boats could alight. There is now a Flying Boat Museum and an interactive map with an informative 20 minute film in the theatrette. Arriving in Swan Hill we head straight to the Pioneer Settlement Museum for a short cruise on the PS Pyap – an historic paddleboat. This evening there will be the opportunity to return to the Pioneer Settlement for a sensational after dark sound and light show. A special transporter moves off into the darkness and back through 150 years of history. It’s a dramatic experience!
OVERNIGHT: Comfort Inn Campbell Motor Inn, SWAN HILL
Farewelling Echuca we take a look at the Torrumbarry Weir which helps to control flooding along the river and provides water for the Kerang Lakes, an internationally recognised wetland. Just south of Swan Hill we stop at Lake Boga, home to the famous Catalina Flying Boat A24-30 - one of only 4 in Australia. The Catalina Flying Boat played an integral part in the allied defence of the South Pacific during World War 2. Lake Boga was an ideal stretch of water on which the mighty flying boats could alight. There is now a Flying Boat Museum and an interactive map with an informative 20 minute film in the theatrette. Arriving in Swan Hill we head straight to the Pioneer Settlement Museum for a short cruise on the PS Pyap – an historic paddleboat. This evening there will be the opportunity to return to the Pioneer Settlement for a sensational after dark sound and light show. A special transporter moves off into the darkness and back through 150 years of history. It’s a dramatic experience!
OVERNIGHT: Comfort Inn Campbell Motor Inn, SWAN HILL
DAY 4: FRIDAY 19TH MARCH, 2021
SWAN HILL TO HORSHAM - SILO ART TRAIL
We continue our investigation of the unique art trail of the area today but not before we arrive at Lake Tyrrell, just 80 kilometres from Swan Hill. It’s a must for any nature enthusiast or budding photographer. The lake is dry most of the year, although at times it may be covered by shallow water. Evaporation leaves a salt crust which is commercially extracted by the Cheetham Salt Works at the northern end of the lake. The unique salty formation on the lake bed has also become a mecca for international visitors looking to capture that once in a lifetime photo opportunity, over the shallow lake's reflective surface. At nearby Sea Lake the local silo has been adorned with an artwork by Drapl and The Zookeeper. The mural depicts a young girl swinging from the branch of a Mallee Eucalyptus, looking out over the reflective surface of the lake. A Wedge-tailed eagle flies overhead, and a trio of emus cluster nearby. We continue our way to Lacelles, where the world renowned artist Rone’s mural depicts the faces of long term local couple, Geoff and Marrilyn Horman, whose families have lived and farmed in the area for four generations. At Patchewollock, Fintan Magee ‘s giant mural depicts local sheep and grain farmer, Nick ‘Noodle’ Hulland, chosen for his ‘classic farmer looks’ and his strong connection to the farming community. It is not only the size but the shape of a silo that presents unique challenges for the artist. After lunch at the Hopetoun Community Hotel we take a look at the large and colourful wall mural in the centre of town depicting aspects of local history and the memorial fountain erected in 1929. Continuing south we arrive in Brim to look at the magnificent work of Guido van Helten. He is not depicting specific personalities but an impression of Brim and its people after spending weeks touring Wimmera farms and getting to know the locals. At Sheep Hills, Melbourne street artist Matt Adnate used 300 litres of house paint and 100 spray cans on the project! This work stands at 30metres high and 40metres wide, a massive undertaking. Adnate spent time with the Barengi Gadjin Land Council and other indigenous people to inspire his artwork. What a day it’s been looking at the longest open air art gallery in Australia! We make our way to Horsham, in time for a well-earned pick-me-up before dinner at the motel.
OVERNIGHT: Best Westlander Motel, HORSHAM
We continue our investigation of the unique art trail of the area today but not before we arrive at Lake Tyrrell, just 80 kilometres from Swan Hill. It’s a must for any nature enthusiast or budding photographer. The lake is dry most of the year, although at times it may be covered by shallow water. Evaporation leaves a salt crust which is commercially extracted by the Cheetham Salt Works at the northern end of the lake. The unique salty formation on the lake bed has also become a mecca for international visitors looking to capture that once in a lifetime photo opportunity, over the shallow lake's reflective surface. At nearby Sea Lake the local silo has been adorned with an artwork by Drapl and The Zookeeper. The mural depicts a young girl swinging from the branch of a Mallee Eucalyptus, looking out over the reflective surface of the lake. A Wedge-tailed eagle flies overhead, and a trio of emus cluster nearby. We continue our way to Lacelles, where the world renowned artist Rone’s mural depicts the faces of long term local couple, Geoff and Marrilyn Horman, whose families have lived and farmed in the area for four generations. At Patchewollock, Fintan Magee ‘s giant mural depicts local sheep and grain farmer, Nick ‘Noodle’ Hulland, chosen for his ‘classic farmer looks’ and his strong connection to the farming community. It is not only the size but the shape of a silo that presents unique challenges for the artist. After lunch at the Hopetoun Community Hotel we take a look at the large and colourful wall mural in the centre of town depicting aspects of local history and the memorial fountain erected in 1929. Continuing south we arrive in Brim to look at the magnificent work of Guido van Helten. He is not depicting specific personalities but an impression of Brim and its people after spending weeks touring Wimmera farms and getting to know the locals. At Sheep Hills, Melbourne street artist Matt Adnate used 300 litres of house paint and 100 spray cans on the project! This work stands at 30metres high and 40metres wide, a massive undertaking. Adnate spent time with the Barengi Gadjin Land Council and other indigenous people to inspire his artwork. What a day it’s been looking at the longest open air art gallery in Australia! We make our way to Horsham, in time for a well-earned pick-me-up before dinner at the motel.
OVERNIGHT: Best Westlander Motel, HORSHAM
DAY 5: SATURDAY 20TH MARCH, 2021
HORSHAM TO MELBOURNE
The final set of silos we are about to see are located in Rupanyup painted by Julia Volchkova. The giant silver-painted steel bin grain silos feature two local residents, both members of the local Football and Netball Club. We have a couple of hours travelling ahead of us so we board the coach and make our way to Ballarat where our lunch has been arranged for us at the Flying Horse Bistro at the Ballarat and District trotting club. From here we make our way home – no need for a taxi as our chauffeurs will be on hand to take us straight to our door – all part of the O’Shannessy’s Quality Tours superior service!
The final set of silos we are about to see are located in Rupanyup painted by Julia Volchkova. The giant silver-painted steel bin grain silos feature two local residents, both members of the local Football and Netball Club. We have a couple of hours travelling ahead of us so we board the coach and make our way to Ballarat where our lunch has been arranged for us at the Flying Horse Bistro at the Ballarat and District trotting club. From here we make our way home – no need for a taxi as our chauffeurs will be on hand to take us straight to our door – all part of the O’Shannessy’s Quality Tours superior service!
TOUR INCLUSIONS
Complimentary chauffeur driven transfers
Victorian passengers from Greater Melbourne, Bendigo, Torquay, Ballarat, Geelong, the Bellarine and Mornington Peninsulas, Phillip Island and selected areas of Gippsland will be picked up from home in a private chauffeured vehicle by one of our professional drivers.
For Victorian passengers not within this pick up zone, or our interstate passengers a quote can be provided for home pickup in extended areas. At the end of your tour, you will be safely returned home with memories of a sensational tour.
Luxury Touring Coaches
Our full size 3 axle luxury coaches have only 34 -36 passenger seats allowing you even more personal space and huge leg room. Our coaches are fitted with comfortable reclining seats with aisle arm rests, foot rests, seat belts, panoramic windows with blinds, refrigerator for passenger use, Climate control air conditioning & Road Cam monitors which display the road ahead in real time. Each coach also has a second door for easier entry and exit and touchless hand sanitizer dispensers at each entry to help keep everyone safe. The coaches have full air suspension delivering a smooth and quiet ride which also allows us to lower the coach closer to the ground, making boarding and disembarking even easier. Tour Director. Dedicated O’Shannessy’s Quality Tours coach crew (tour directors) on board to ensure your travel experience is memorable.
Tour Director
Dedicated O’Shannessy’s Quality Tours coach crew (tour directors) 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.
No Hidden Extras
O'Shannessy's Quality Tours are fully inclusive.
“... The Silo Art Trail is Australia’s largest outdoor gallery. Providing an insight into the true spirit of the Wimmera Mallee, the trail recognises and celebrates the region’s people...”
siloarttrail
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.