MELBOURNE TO WAGGA WAGGA

Welcome to our spectacular 10-day tour to experience AIDA on Sydney Harbour. With chauffeured pickup from home, we are transferred to meet our O’Shannessy’s Quality Tours coach and crew. We’ll make a stop for morning tea enroute to Benalla where we enjoy lunch. This afternoon we continue to Wagga Wagga with time to freshen up before dinner in the motel.

OVERNIGHT: Mercure Wagga Wagga, WAGGA WAGGA

WAGGA WAGGA TO BATHURST

Continuing our journey we stop just outside of Young at Allambie Cherry Orchard. We take a wander through the orchard and enjoy morning tea before heading into Young for a demonstration at Poppa’s Fudge & Jam Factory. Back on board, we meander our way

through to Cowra to enjoy lunch and spend some time at the Japanese Gardens and Cultural Centre. Designed by landscape architect Ken Nakajima, the 5 hectare garden is the largest in the southern hemisphere. It was built because of Cowra’s special significance to the Japanese. The Cultural Centre displays art history and crafts and has become known as the centre of Japanese Culture in Australia. It’s now time to sit back and contemplate our time in Cowra as we continue through to Bathurst; our accommodation is the iconic Rydges Mt

Panorama, boasting uninterrupted views of Conrod Straight and the surrounding countryside.

OVERNIGHT: Rydges Mt Panorama Bathurst, BATHURST

BATHURST TO SYDNEY

We start the day with a spin around the Mount Panorama Race Track – at 60 kms/hour of course! We then head to Clarence where we step aboard the Zig Zag Railway, a heritage rail experience filled with rich history, breathtaking scenery and nostalgia. The railway was constructed between 1866 and 1869 and was acclaimed as a major engineering feat of its time, becoming the first rail link to the western regions of NSW. The highlight of our journey, apart from the magnificent scenery, is the sight, sound and smell of a hard-working steam locomotive which is sure to bring a touch of nostalgia to those who can remember when the nation travelled behind steam. From here we travel into Katoomba to Echo Point where we have a group photo opportunity at the mystical Three Sisters - a rock formation surrounded by Aboriginal Dreamtime Legend. This afternoon we arrive in Sydney, where we have time to relax and settle in for the next two nights.

OVERNIGHT: Parkroyal Darling Harbour, SYDNEY

AIDA ON SYDNEY HARBOUR

This morning we depart earlier than usual so that we can experience something special! Heading to the Hawkesbury River, known as one of Australia’s greatest scenic waterways, we will join The Riverboat Postman Cruise and enjoy magnificent scenery as we deliver the mail and other essentials. The first Riverboat Postman started the run in 1910 and the tradition continues today with Hawkesbury Cruises, the current custodian of this fabulous day trip. Our skippers are locals who have lived in the area their whole lives - be entertained by the stories of the river whilst cruising in comfort up this spectacular waterway. A long with a light Ploughman’s style lunch served during the cruise, it makes for a wonderful time! Thanking our skipper, we return to our hotel to freshen up before an early dinner and special evening ahead.

AIDA - Few stages in the world can match Sydney Harbour for a production of this scale: as city lights begin to sparkle and the Sydney Opera House is silhouetted against the setting sun. But amid all of the spectacle, there’s an emotional heart. Long after the fireworks have faded from the sky and Amneris sings her quiet, concluding prayer, you’ll see the true mastery of this opera: it is at once an historic epic and a profoundly moving human tragedy.

OVERNIGHT: Parkroyal Darling Harbour, SYDNEY

PLEASE NOTE: Due to traffic restrictions and regulations, which are completely out of our control, the coach may not be able to drop off or pick up close to the venue. You may need to walk a distance.

SYDNEY TO SOUTHERN HIGHLANDS

What an amazing night! A later start this morning as we begin travelling towards the Southern Highlands. On arrival in Bowral, we visit Retford Park Garden, an elegant Victorian Italianate homestead and heritage garden. Gifted to the National Trust of Australia by James Fairfax AC, Retford Park Garden has magnificent gardens that showcase a collection of rare and unique evergreen and deciduous trees. While here we’ll enjoy lunch before exploring the world of bees, beekeeping and honey through an immersive tour. This afternoon, wander the enchanting Red Cow Farm Garden taking in the spectacular display of colour. Garden lovers have such an amazing choice with a cottage garden, walled garden, vegetable garden, an orchard and woodland all on display. Afterwards we head to Mittagong where we settle in for the next two nights.

OVERNIGHT: Springs Mittagong, SOUTHERN HIGHLANDS

EXPLORING THE SOUTHERN HIGHLANDS

We wake to a fresh Southern Highlands morning; anyone wishing to attend the Dawn Service for ANZAC Day can do so. After breakfast, we head off on our day’s sightseeing. First is the historic mining village and now “ghost town” of Joadja. We are taken through streets and ruins where 120 years ago some 1,400 people lived and worked. We hear of the cultural, social and industrial history of the valley. We enjoy morning tea and lunch here, then farewell our guide and drive to Bowral. Here, prepare to be enchanted, all while enjoying afternoon tea, by the sights and sounds of Fairground Follies, akin to visiting an old-fashioned amusement park with its collection of self-playing instruments and mechanical music, fair organs, street organs and a 100-year-old steam carousel. It will be a fun afternoon, cherishing memories of the local fair. Returning to our accommodation in Mittagong, we have time to refresh before dinner this evening.

OVERNIGHT: Springs Mittagong, SOUTHERN HIGHLANDS

SOUTHERN HIGHLANDS TO NOWRA

This morning we can appreciate the beauty of this area as we travel to the exciting Illawarra Fly Tree Top Walk. There is some walking involved, but the views over the treetops and down the Illawarra coastline are magnificent. We head towards the coast to take in the sights of Kiama including a visit to the famous “Blowhole” which can spurt water up to 60 metres high. Next, we make our way to the charming village of Berry to the Treat Factory where we enjoy lunch and then have the opportunity to see the chocolates being made. Have some time to browse the main street full of unique boutique shops. Leaving Berry behind, we make our way to Nowra and check in to our accommodation.

OVERNIGHT: Springs Shoalhaven, NOWRA

NOWRA TO EDEN

Today we make our way to the sparkling Sapphire Coast. In Narooma, we enjoy lunch perched atop cliffs jutting over the Pacific Ocean at the Narooma Golf Club, overlooking some of the most spectacular views in Australia. This afternoon we continue to Pambula, stopping at Broadwater Oysters, on shoreline of Pambula Lake for a tour and a tasting. After a fantastic day we continue to Eden, a natural paradise with an interesting whaling history.

OVERNIGHT: Coachman's Eden, EDEN

EDEN TO LAKES ENTRANCE

Leaving Eden behind us, just across the Victorian border Mallacoota beckons. The pretty coastal town sits on the Mallacoota inlet surrounded by the magnificent wilderness of the Croajingolong National Park. Following morning tea from the coach we visit the interesting Bunker Museum. Restored by the local RSL, this World War II RAAF operations bunker was where anti-submarine operations were conducted and is of considerable significance in Victoria’s military history. Lunch follows prior to departing for Lakes Entrance. Travelling via

Cann River and Orbost we will arrive in Lakes Entrance where we’ll be welcomed into our accommodation and have time to freshen up for dinner.

OVERNIGHT: Bellevue on the Lakes, LAKES ENTRANCE

LAKES ENTRANCE TO MELBOURNE

Sadly, our tour is coming to an end! Our first stop is in Maffra where we visit the Gippsland Vehicle Collection. The “Maffra Shed” provides Gippsland with an outstanding rotating display of vehicles: cars, motorbikes, machinery, historic vehicles, carriages, trucks and auto memorabilia. Travel to Morwell to enjoy lunch before continuing home to Melbourne, where our chauffeurs will be waiting to take us straight to our very door – a delightful way to finish our time away and all part of the great O’Shannessy’s Quality Tours service!