5 DAY FULLY INCLUSIVE TOUR
18TH FEBRUARY TO 22ND FEBRUARY 2021
The Gippsland region of Victoria is vast and varied. It stretches from Melbourne’s eastern outskirts to the New South Wales border. West Gippsland offers lush farmland with mountains and lakes and amazing wildlife. While in the east, there’s rugged forest terrain, spectacular coastlines and pristine beaches. ​
One of the region’s best known attractions is the Wilsons Promontory National Park with its striking granite peaks and an array of local flora and fauna, forming the southern-most tip of mainland Australia.
TOUR MAP
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
Caldermeade Farm & Café, Yarram, Regional Maritime Museum, Wilsons Promontory National Park, Skull Rock, Blue Tree Honey Farm, Prom Country Cheeses, Burra Brewing Co. Wonthaggi, State Coal Mine, Celia Rosser’s Gallery, Ride the Wild Goat, Waratah Hills Vineyard and Beloka Kelpie Stud
CRUISE
Pennicott Wilderness Journey’s Amphibious Boat and Cruise
MULTIPLE NIGHT STAYS
4 nights in Foster.
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: |
$2,390 per person $2,365 per person $2,340 per person $2,315 per person $ 330 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: THURSDAY 18TH FEBRUARY, 2021
MELBOURNE TO FOSTER
No need for a taxi – we’re chauffeur driven from home to meet our O’Shannessy’s Quality Tours coach and crew for our tour to discover the beauty and people of South Gippsland. We arrive in Caldermeade Farm & Cafe an ideal place to begin our day. With our guide leading the way we learn, laugh and taste our way through the dairy. Then we head to Wonthaggi and visit the State Coal Mine. Here some of us might like to journey into the mine with an enthusiastic volunteer, while others may prefer their feet firmly on top soil uncovering the story through a presentation and self-guided surface tour. We enjoy lunch here before we journey deeper into the rolling hills, arriving at the Prom Country Lodge in Foster.
OVERNIGHT: Prom Country Lodge, FOSTER
No need for a taxi – we’re chauffeur driven from home to meet our O’Shannessy’s Quality Tours coach and crew for our tour to discover the beauty and people of South Gippsland. We arrive in Caldermeade Farm & Cafe an ideal place to begin our day. With our guide leading the way we learn, laugh and taste our way through the dairy. Then we head to Wonthaggi and visit the State Coal Mine. Here some of us might like to journey into the mine with an enthusiastic volunteer, while others may prefer their feet firmly on top soil uncovering the story through a presentation and self-guided surface tour. We enjoy lunch here before we journey deeper into the rolling hills, arriving at the Prom Country Lodge in Foster.
OVERNIGHT: Prom Country Lodge, FOSTER
day 2: FRIDAY 19TH FEBRUARY, 2021
ART, WINE AND THE WORKING DOG
This morning we explore the surrounding area by visiting Fish Creek. Here we pop into see the astonishing detail of botanical art at Celia Rosser’s Gallery - we may also have the chance to meet the artist herself! We will then have time to explore the village at our own pace. Enjoy morning tea at The Paddock Café (own cost) and discovering the eclectic works at Ride the Wild Goat made from recycled metals. Don’t forget the delightful works of Alison Lester, one of Australia's most beloved children's authors. Wander through her imagination, finding examples of preliminary working sketches and displays of how Alison forms ideas into stories. Continuing our day, we find nestled within a picturesque valley, Waratah Hills Vineyard. Be warmly greeted by Neil and Judy Travers who will enlighten us to their story while enjoying lunch, tastings and the surrounding vale. Then it is off to meet a true Gippsland identity at Beloka Kelpies Stud. Paul Macphail has been breeding and training dogs since the early nineties and here we’ll get to witness him and his four-legged co-workers in action. From veterans to pups it will be a fun and intriguing afternoon. Thanking Paul, we then return to our hotel and relax before dinner.
OVERNIGHT: Prom Country Lodge, FOSTER
This morning we explore the surrounding area by visiting Fish Creek. Here we pop into see the astonishing detail of botanical art at Celia Rosser’s Gallery - we may also have the chance to meet the artist herself! We will then have time to explore the village at our own pace. Enjoy morning tea at The Paddock Café (own cost) and discovering the eclectic works at Ride the Wild Goat made from recycled metals. Don’t forget the delightful works of Alison Lester, one of Australia's most beloved children's authors. Wander through her imagination, finding examples of preliminary working sketches and displays of how Alison forms ideas into stories. Continuing our day, we find nestled within a picturesque valley, Waratah Hills Vineyard. Be warmly greeted by Neil and Judy Travers who will enlighten us to their story while enjoying lunch, tastings and the surrounding vale. Then it is off to meet a true Gippsland identity at Beloka Kelpies Stud. Paul Macphail has been breeding and training dogs since the early nineties and here we’ll get to witness him and his four-legged co-workers in action. From veterans to pups it will be a fun and intriguing afternoon. Thanking Paul, we then return to our hotel and relax before dinner.
OVERNIGHT: Prom Country Lodge, FOSTER
DAY 3: SATURDAY 20TH FEBRUARY, 2021
YARRAM ART AND HISTORIC PORT ALBERT
We have a fascinating day today, featuring some exciting street art and absorbing history – new and old! We head to Yarram, a small East Gippsland town where muralist and fine artist Heesco Khosnaran has transformed the town into a gallery of murals, reflecting the town’s history and people. We have time to view the murals before continuing back to the coast to Port Albert, where we’ll enjoy lunch at the Wild Fish Restaurant before meeting Warren Curry. A local artist in his own right, this afternoon Warren will tell us more about Port Albert including a visit to the Regional Maritime Museum for afternoon tea and a guided tour of its extensive collection. Feeling that we have relived the history of this seaside village we head back to our Lodge.
OVERNIGHT: Prom Country Lodge, FOSTER
We have a fascinating day today, featuring some exciting street art and absorbing history – new and old! We head to Yarram, a small East Gippsland town where muralist and fine artist Heesco Khosnaran has transformed the town into a gallery of murals, reflecting the town’s history and people. We have time to view the murals before continuing back to the coast to Port Albert, where we’ll enjoy lunch at the Wild Fish Restaurant before meeting Warren Curry. A local artist in his own right, this afternoon Warren will tell us more about Port Albert including a visit to the Regional Maritime Museum for afternoon tea and a guided tour of its extensive collection. Feeling that we have relived the history of this seaside village we head back to our Lodge.
OVERNIGHT: Prom Country Lodge, FOSTER
DAY 4: SUNDAY 21ST FEBRUARY, 2021
WILSONS PROMONTORY CRUISE
Today is going to be a spectacular day! Winding our way through the Wilsons Promontory National Park, we arrive at Tidal River. Board Pennicott Wilderness Journey’s amphibious boat and cruise a rugged and raw coast like no other, marvelling at its prehistoric boulders. Become speechless by the iconic granite monolith that is
Skull Rock. Sculpted by waves and surrounded by crystal blue waters, Skull Rock's eerie facade becomes even more mysterious the closer we get. After an amazing morning cruising the inspiring coastline, we return to dry land where a welcoming picnic lunch awaits. There will also be plenty of time to explore Tidal River Reserve before returning to our lodge.
OVERNIGHT: Prom Country Lodge, FOSTER
Today is going to be a spectacular day! Winding our way through the Wilsons Promontory National Park, we arrive at Tidal River. Board Pennicott Wilderness Journey’s amphibious boat and cruise a rugged and raw coast like no other, marvelling at its prehistoric boulders. Become speechless by the iconic granite monolith that is
Skull Rock. Sculpted by waves and surrounded by crystal blue waters, Skull Rock's eerie facade becomes even more mysterious the closer we get. After an amazing morning cruising the inspiring coastline, we return to dry land where a welcoming picnic lunch awaits. There will also be plenty of time to explore Tidal River Reserve before returning to our lodge.
OVERNIGHT: Prom Country Lodge, FOSTER
DAY 5: MONDAY 22ND FEBRUARY, 2021
GOURMET DAY, FOSTER TO MELBOURNE
Today is all about the wonderful produce that the fertile land of South Gippsland has to offer. Situated on the hills overlooking the Tarwin River we visit Blue Tree Honey Farm. Get to know these busy bees and taste the sweetness they produce before a wonderful Devonshire Tea. Discover another iconic gourmet product at Prom Country Cheeses. This modern cheesery set amongst the dairy pastures is a great place to experience the flavours of unique regional cheeses. Continuing on we travel to Korumburra, where from a lad’s golf weekend the idea for a microbrewery was born. At Burra Brewing Co. we meet one of these lads, Phil Dempster and discover that he not only has a passion for fine craft beers but also all things South Gippsland. Be enlightened to his passion, while enjoying lunch with a tasting or two. From here we make our way home, where our chauffeurs will be waiting to take us to our very door.
Today is all about the wonderful produce that the fertile land of South Gippsland has to offer. Situated on the hills overlooking the Tarwin River we visit Blue Tree Honey Farm. Get to know these busy bees and taste the sweetness they produce before a wonderful Devonshire Tea. Discover another iconic gourmet product at Prom Country Cheeses. This modern cheesery set amongst the dairy pastures is a great place to experience the flavours of unique regional cheeses. Continuing on we travel to Korumburra, where from a lad’s golf weekend the idea for a microbrewery was born. At Burra Brewing Co. we meet one of these lads, Phil Dempster and discover that he not only has a passion for fine craft beers but also all things South Gippsland. Be enlightened to his passion, while enjoying lunch with a tasting or two. From here we make our way home, where our chauffeurs will be waiting to take us to our very door.
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.
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.
“... From the lush hills of the hinterland to dreamy coastline, this region offers gourmet eats and pinot from dirt worth tasting....”
visitgippsland
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.