10 DAY FULLY INCLUSIVE TOUR
WEDNESDAY 25TH MAY TO FRIDAY 3RD JUNE
Welcome to Port Stephens - a wonderful beach escape on a sparkling blue bay.
Offering sublime natural beauty, delicious places to wine and dine and a population of friendly bottle nosed dolphins, while the Hunter Valley is the place to indulge, escape and invigorate your senses. Port Macquarie is a charming seaside town which sits at the mouth of the Hastings River.
TOUR MAP
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
Nelson Bay and Tomaree Peninsula, Port Stephens, Stockton Bight Sand Dunes, Hunter Valley Gardens, Hunter Valley Cheese Factory, Newcastle Talking Tram Ride, RAAF Fighter World, Forster - Tuncurry, Nabiac, National Motorbike Museum, Koala Hospital, Sea Acres Rainforest Park, Cassegrain Winery, South West Rocks, Pub with No Beer, Wauchope- Timbertown, Baba Lila Handmade Chocolates and Bago Vineyards and Maze.
FLIGHTS
Melbourne to Newcastle
Newcastle to Melbourne
CRUISE
Port Stephens Cruise
Wallis Lake Cruise
River Hastings Cruise
MULTIPLE NIGHT STAYS
4 nights in Port Stephens
5 nights in Port Macquarie
TOUR COSTS
Twin Share Room First Tour: $5,685 per person
Twin Share Room Repeat Traveller 2 - 10 Tours: $5,635 per person
Twin Share Room Repeat Traveller 11 - 20 Tours: $5,610 per person
Twin Share Room Repeat Traveller 21+ Tours: $5,585 per person
Single Room Supplement: $780 per person
Deposit: $500 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).
MAP
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ITINERARY
DAY 1: Wednesday 25th May, 2022
MELBOURNE TO PORT STEPHENS
Welcome to our 10 Day tour to the North Coast of New South Wales – and two delightful “Ports” - Port Stephens and Port Macquarie. After our complimentary home pick up service, we head off to Melbourne Airport for our flight to Newcastle. We’ll be met on arrival by our O’Shannessy’s Quality Tours crew and Touring Coach for the short transfer to our accommodation, the Ocean Blue Resort, Port Stephens, with its magnificent volcanic headlands and spectacular bay. This will be our base for the next 4 nights as we explore the local area including Newcastle and the Hunter Valley.
Lunch at own arrangements and cost / Refreshments on flight
OVERNIGHT: Oaks Pacific Blue Resort, PORT STEPHENS
Welcome to our 10 Day tour to the North Coast of New South Wales – and two delightful “Ports” - Port Stephens and Port Macquarie. After our complimentary home pick up service, we head off to Melbourne Airport for our flight to Newcastle. We’ll be met on arrival by our O’Shannessy’s Quality Tours crew and Touring Coach for the short transfer to our accommodation, the Ocean Blue Resort, Port Stephens, with its magnificent volcanic headlands and spectacular bay. This will be our base for the next 4 nights as we explore the local area including Newcastle and the Hunter Valley.
Lunch at own arrangements and cost / Refreshments on flight
OVERNIGHT: Oaks Pacific Blue Resort, PORT STEPHENS
day 2: thursday 26th may, 2022
PORT STEPHENS
We take in the sights of Nelson Bay and the Tomaree Peninsula. It’s easy to see why the area is referred to as the “Blue Water Paradise”! We’ll see all the major attractions including Fingal Bay, Shoal Bay, Salamander Bay, Soldiers Point and the town of Salamander. Mid-morning, we board our cruise boat for a morning tea cruise on the spectacular waterways of Port Stephens - with any luck, we may meet some of the long time locals - the friendly dolphins! Lunch today is at nearby Port Stephens Wines. Established in 1984, this winery is nestled in the shade of beautiful Australian gums surrounded by the vineyard. Mid-afternoon, we head to the Stockton Bight Sand Dunes. Covering an area of over 2,500 hectares along a 32km stretch of Stockton Beach, the brilliant white sand dunes climb up to 30 metres high with slopes up to 60 degrees. We’ll take a drive through the dunes and along the beach aboard a specially designed 4WD vehicle. We’ll see “Tin City”, a small makeshift fishing village emerging from the dunes like a mirage and enjoy afternoon tea in a unique setting!
OVERNIGHT: Oaks Pacific Blue Resort, PORT STEPHENS
We take in the sights of Nelson Bay and the Tomaree Peninsula. It’s easy to see why the area is referred to as the “Blue Water Paradise”! We’ll see all the major attractions including Fingal Bay, Shoal Bay, Salamander Bay, Soldiers Point and the town of Salamander. Mid-morning, we board our cruise boat for a morning tea cruise on the spectacular waterways of Port Stephens - with any luck, we may meet some of the long time locals - the friendly dolphins! Lunch today is at nearby Port Stephens Wines. Established in 1984, this winery is nestled in the shade of beautiful Australian gums surrounded by the vineyard. Mid-afternoon, we head to the Stockton Bight Sand Dunes. Covering an area of over 2,500 hectares along a 32km stretch of Stockton Beach, the brilliant white sand dunes climb up to 30 metres high with slopes up to 60 degrees. We’ll take a drive through the dunes and along the beach aboard a specially designed 4WD vehicle. We’ll see “Tin City”, a small makeshift fishing village emerging from the dunes like a mirage and enjoy afternoon tea in a unique setting!
OVERNIGHT: Oaks Pacific Blue Resort, PORT STEPHENS
DAY 3: friday 27th may, 2022
THE HUNTER VALLEY
We spend today in the nearby Hunter Valley – our first stop is the Hunter Valley Gardens, 25 hectares of stunning feature gardens nestled in the heart of the Hunter vineyards, at the foothills of the Brokenback Ranges. Glory in the lavish array of colour and scent of more than eight thousand roses on display in the Rose Garden; laze above the 10 metre waterfall and take in the superb views from the lookout or step back in time with all your favourite fairy tale characters in the Storybook Garden; enjoy a tractor train ride through the gardens. We have all morning and lunch here, so there’s plenty of time to enjoy! Early afternoon we visit the Hunter Valley Cheese Factory to taste their range of fine handmade and preservative-free cheeses, all available for purchase, as are their delicious preserves.
OVERNIGHT: Oaks Pacific Blue Resort, PORT STEPHENS
We spend today in the nearby Hunter Valley – our first stop is the Hunter Valley Gardens, 25 hectares of stunning feature gardens nestled in the heart of the Hunter vineyards, at the foothills of the Brokenback Ranges. Glory in the lavish array of colour and scent of more than eight thousand roses on display in the Rose Garden; laze above the 10 metre waterfall and take in the superb views from the lookout or step back in time with all your favourite fairy tale characters in the Storybook Garden; enjoy a tractor train ride through the gardens. We have all morning and lunch here, so there’s plenty of time to enjoy! Early afternoon we visit the Hunter Valley Cheese Factory to taste their range of fine handmade and preservative-free cheeses, all available for purchase, as are their delicious preserves.
OVERNIGHT: Oaks Pacific Blue Resort, PORT STEPHENS
DAY 4: saturday 28th may, 2022
NEWCASTLE
We head south this morning to take in some of the local sights of Newcastle, the state’s second largest city and one of Australia’s largest ports. Newcastle is a city of industry as well as history with its terraced houses, a majestic cathedral and ancient fort. A mixture of old and new! We take in both as we join the famous Talking Tram. The 45 minute ride through Newcastle’s streets, takes us past the sites of our convict past, fort and gaol, Australia’s oldest school, oldest restaurant and many other places of interest. After some free time for a wander and to purchase lunch we head to RAAF Williamtown for our visit to Fighter World, the world’s first fighter aircraft display centre. It’s here we see the history of the Australian Air Force close up.
Lunch at own expense and arrangement
OVERNIGHT: Oaks Pacific Blue Resort, PORT STEPHENS
We head south this morning to take in some of the local sights of Newcastle, the state’s second largest city and one of Australia’s largest ports. Newcastle is a city of industry as well as history with its terraced houses, a majestic cathedral and ancient fort. A mixture of old and new! We take in both as we join the famous Talking Tram. The 45 minute ride through Newcastle’s streets, takes us past the sites of our convict past, fort and gaol, Australia’s oldest school, oldest restaurant and many other places of interest. After some free time for a wander and to purchase lunch we head to RAAF Williamtown for our visit to Fighter World, the world’s first fighter aircraft display centre. It’s here we see the history of the Australian Air Force close up.
Lunch at own expense and arrangement
OVERNIGHT: Oaks Pacific Blue Resort, PORT STEPHENS
DAY 5: sunday 29th may, 2022
FORSTER AND NABIAC
We depart Port Stephens this morning and head to Forster Tuncurry, where we have the opportunity to see one of Australia’s cleanest lakes - Wallis Lake. The lake stretches for 25 kilometres between Walling at State Forest and a sliver of land separating the lake from the sea. Our luncheon cruise will take us on a tour of these crystal clear, pristine waters, home to a rich seafood harvest including the famous Wallis Lake oyster. After disembarking we head across to the nearby town of Nabiac to visit the National Motorcycle Museum of Australia. This is a purpose-built complex housing some 800 motorcycles together with an enormous array of motorcycle memorabilia, toys, an extensive private library and a motorcycle orientated gift shop. Among the favourite machines on display are a Kenilworth scooter (1919), a twin cylinder water-cooled 2 stroke Scott, and a Vincent Black Knight. There is an excellent range of vintage bikes from the early nineteen hundred and of course many interesting later machines. From here we continue north towards Port Macquarie – our base for the next 5 nights.
OVERNIGHT: Waters Edge, PORT MACQUARIE
We depart Port Stephens this morning and head to Forster Tuncurry, where we have the opportunity to see one of Australia’s cleanest lakes - Wallis Lake. The lake stretches for 25 kilometres between Walling at State Forest and a sliver of land separating the lake from the sea. Our luncheon cruise will take us on a tour of these crystal clear, pristine waters, home to a rich seafood harvest including the famous Wallis Lake oyster. After disembarking we head across to the nearby town of Nabiac to visit the National Motorcycle Museum of Australia. This is a purpose-built complex housing some 800 motorcycles together with an enormous array of motorcycle memorabilia, toys, an extensive private library and a motorcycle orientated gift shop. Among the favourite machines on display are a Kenilworth scooter (1919), a twin cylinder water-cooled 2 stroke Scott, and a Vincent Black Knight. There is an excellent range of vintage bikes from the early nineteen hundred and of course many interesting later machines. From here we continue north towards Port Macquarie – our base for the next 5 nights.
OVERNIGHT: Waters Edge, PORT MACQUARIE
DAY 6: monday 30th may, 2022
PORT MACQUARIE AND THE BEST OF THE HASTINGS
From our hotel, we take a sightseeing tour of the historical sites of “Port” including its oldest building, St Thomas’ Anglican Church built by convicts in 1826. We view the old Court House, Allman Hill, The Garrison building and historic town green. We then visit Roto House, built in 1890 for John Edmund Flynn, a land surveyor who settled in Port Macquarie in 1885. The house, built of red mahogany, has been restored and is classified by National Trust. Right next door is the Koala Hospital and view the great work done by volunteers. (You can make a gold coin donation if you wish). We have our morning tea here amongst the gum trees. Next is a visit and lunch stop at Ricardoes Tomatoes & Strawberries farm. The greenhouses boast five varieties of hydroponic strawberries and eight varieties of tomatoes. Our final visit for the day is to Sea Acres Rainforest Park, 72 hectares of rare coastal rainforest. We take a tour in the company of a local expert through this magnificent area and visit the Enviro-Theatre and the Ecology display.
OVERNIGHT: Waters Edge, PORT MACQUARIE
From our hotel, we take a sightseeing tour of the historical sites of “Port” including its oldest building, St Thomas’ Anglican Church built by convicts in 1826. We view the old Court House, Allman Hill, The Garrison building and historic town green. We then visit Roto House, built in 1890 for John Edmund Flynn, a land surveyor who settled in Port Macquarie in 1885. The house, built of red mahogany, has been restored and is classified by National Trust. Right next door is the Koala Hospital and view the great work done by volunteers. (You can make a gold coin donation if you wish). We have our morning tea here amongst the gum trees. Next is a visit and lunch stop at Ricardoes Tomatoes & Strawberries farm. The greenhouses boast five varieties of hydroponic strawberries and eight varieties of tomatoes. Our final visit for the day is to Sea Acres Rainforest Park, 72 hectares of rare coastal rainforest. We take a tour in the company of a local expert through this magnificent area and visit the Enviro-Theatre and the Ecology display.
OVERNIGHT: Waters Edge, PORT MACQUARIE
DAY 7: tuesday 31st may, 2022
THE HINTERLAND
We head off for a cruise on the River Hastings through the everglade rainforest, navigating through 3 river systems seeing water lilies, pristine rainforest, huge elk horns, bird and wildlife in this fascinating environment. We’ll enjoy morning tea underway. Back on dry land, we head down the coast to Lake Cathie then onto Laurieton taking in the spectacular scenery of this coastline. After lunch in Laurieton we travel up North Brother Mountain for a magnificent view of the Camden Haven area. As we’re returning to the Port, we’ll stop in at Cassegrain Winery for a tasting.
OVERNIGHT: Waters Edge, PORT MACQUARIE
We head off for a cruise on the River Hastings through the everglade rainforest, navigating through 3 river systems seeing water lilies, pristine rainforest, huge elk horns, bird and wildlife in this fascinating environment. We’ll enjoy morning tea underway. Back on dry land, we head down the coast to Lake Cathie then onto Laurieton taking in the spectacular scenery of this coastline. After lunch in Laurieton we travel up North Brother Mountain for a magnificent view of the Camden Haven area. As we’re returning to the Port, we’ll stop in at Cassegrain Winery for a tasting.
OVERNIGHT: Waters Edge, PORT MACQUARIE
DAY 8: wednesday 1st june, 2022
NORTH COAST AND THE PUB WITH NO BEER!
We make our way north to South West Rocks where we take a sightseeing tour of the area and visit the Trial Bay Goal and the Arakoon National Park. Work on the Trial Bay Gaol commenced in 1877 as an experiment in penal reform. Following our guided visit of the museum, we drive out to Taylors Arm and the Pub With No Beer, an Australian icon immortalised by Slim Dusty in the biggest selling single of 1958. We’ll enjoy lunch here (and maybe taste a growing range of onsite-brewed beer), plus time to view an array of artefacts and memorabilia, adorning the pub walls!
OVERNIGHT: Waters Edge, PORT MACQUARIE
We make our way north to South West Rocks where we take a sightseeing tour of the area and visit the Trial Bay Goal and the Arakoon National Park. Work on the Trial Bay Gaol commenced in 1877 as an experiment in penal reform. Following our guided visit of the museum, we drive out to Taylors Arm and the Pub With No Beer, an Australian icon immortalised by Slim Dusty in the biggest selling single of 1958. We’ll enjoy lunch here (and maybe taste a growing range of onsite-brewed beer), plus time to view an array of artefacts and memorabilia, adorning the pub walls!
OVERNIGHT: Waters Edge, PORT MACQUARIE
DAY 9: thursday 2nd june, 2022
WAUCHOPE
This morning we make our way to Wauchope and Timbertown, an authentically re-created timber-getters village, showcasing life as it was over 100 years ago. They were the days when man worked with his hands - the smithy, shingle splitter, sleeper cutter and wood turner. This is also our lunch venue. Our last visit in the area is for an indulgent chocolate tasting at Baba Lila Handmade Chocolates located at Bago Vineyards and Maze – mmm, lovely!
OVERNIGHT: Waters Edge, PORT MACQUARIE
This morning we make our way to Wauchope and Timbertown, an authentically re-created timber-getters village, showcasing life as it was over 100 years ago. They were the days when man worked with his hands - the smithy, shingle splitter, sleeper cutter and wood turner. This is also our lunch venue. Our last visit in the area is for an indulgent chocolate tasting at Baba Lila Handmade Chocolates located at Bago Vineyards and Maze – mmm, lovely!
OVERNIGHT: Waters Edge, PORT MACQUARIE
DAY 10: friday 3rd june, 2022
PORT MACQUARIE TO MELBOURNE
After breakfast this morning we transfer back to Newcastle Airport for our return flight to Melbourne. On arrival, our chauffeurs will be waiting to return us home to our very door. All part of the fantastic O’Shannessy’s Quality Tours service!
Lunch at own arrangements and cost / Refreshments on flight
After breakfast this morning we transfer back to Newcastle Airport for our return flight to Melbourne. On arrival, our chauffeurs will be waiting to return us home to our very door. All part of the fantastic O’Shannessy’s Quality Tours service!
Lunch at own arrangements and cost / Refreshments on flight
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.
Return Flights
Economy flights departing and returning to Melbourne included.
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 and lunches most days and two course restaurant dinners daily. 3 lunches at your own expense as per itinerary.
No Hidden Extras
O'Shannessy's Quality Tours are fully inclusive.
“... Lovely clear water
with lots of birds and sea life around…”
Dalton, Melbourne
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 61 days prior to departure date.
Balance due on invoice approximately 60 days prior to departure.
Cancellation 60 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.