5 DAY FULLY INCLUSIVE TOUR
MONDAY 21ST MARCH TO FRIDAY 25TH MARCH
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, Brown Brothers Vineyard, Wangaratta, Goorambat Silo, Devenish Silo, St James Silo, Tungamah Silo, Colbinabbin Silo, Rochester Mural Festival, Flying Boat Museum, Swan Hill, Lake Tyrell, Sea Lake Silo, Lascelles Silo, Patchewollock Silo, Brim Silo and Rupanyup Silo
CRUISE
PS Pyap Paddleboat
TOUR COSTS
Twin Share Room First Tour: $2,520 per person
Twin Share Room Repeat Traveller 2 - 10 Tours: $2,495 per person
Twin Share Room Repeat Traveller 11 - 20 Tours: $2,470 per person
Twin Share Room Repeat Traveller 21+ Tours: $2,445 per person
Single Room Supplement: $260 per person
Deposit: $300 per person
As a thank you for travelling with O'Shannessy's Quality Tours, you will automatically receive a saving on the total tour price for your second and subsequent tours.
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).
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).
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ITINERARY
DAY 1: mondAY 21ST march, 2022
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 for a relaxing drive 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 nearby Wangaratta for our overnight stay.
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 for a relaxing drive 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 nearby Wangaratta for our overnight stay.
OVERNIGHT: Quality Hotel Wangaratta Gateway, WANGARATTA
day 2: tuesday 22nd march, 2022
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 in Shepparton, 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 in Shepparton, 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: wednesday 23rd march, 2022
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. 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. 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: thursday 24th march, 2022
SWAN HILL TO STAWELL - 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. At nearby Sea Lake the local silo has been adorned with an artwork by Drapl and The Zookeeper. 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 a local sheep and grain farmer. 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! 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 Stawell, in time for a well-earned pick-me-up before dinner at the motel.
OVERNIGHT: Magdala Motor Lodge, STAWELL
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. At nearby Sea Lake the local silo has been adorned with an artwork by Drapl and The Zookeeper. 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 a local sheep and grain farmer. 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! 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 Stawell, in time for a well-earned pick-me-up before dinner at the motel.
OVERNIGHT: Magdala Motor Lodge, STAWELL
DAY 5: friday 25th march, 2022
STAWELL 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 32-36 passenger seats allowing you even more personal space and extra 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, restroom, climate control air conditioning and Road Cam monitors which display the road ahead in real time. Each coach has a second door for easier entry and exit and touchless hand sanitizer dispensers at each entry to help keep everyone safe. Our 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 Directors
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.
Meals
All full cooked breakfasts, morning teas most days, all lunches and two course restaurant
dinners daily.
No Hidden Extras
O'Shannessy's Quality Tours are fully inclusive.
PAYMENT AND CANCELLATION POLICY
Receipt of payment of funds will be taken as acceptance of O’Shannessy’s Quality Tours conditions of travel for this tour. Prices include GST and all taxes.
Deposit is fully refundable until 46 days prior to departure date.
Balance due on invoice approximately 45 days prior to departure.
Cancellation 45 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.
If a tour is cancelled for any reason by O’Shannessy’s Quality Tours before the departure date, all passengers will be offered the option of transferring to another tour of their choice, hold the funds in trust for a future tour or a full refund. There is no time limit as to when this must be used. If a lockdown is implemented while a tour is in progress, our first priority is the safety and wellbeing of our passengers and ensuring that we get each and every one of them home safely, and therefore we treat every situation individually. Travel insurance is not compulsory, however we highly recommend our passengers take out comprehensive travel insurance with a reputable provider at the time the balance of the tour is paid. Our office can provide contact information for companies we know are now providing travel insurance. It is a condition of travel that all passengers must be fully vaccinated against COVID19 unless medically exempt, and confirmation must be provided to our office upon payment of your invoice/booking.