MELBOURNE TO THE CENTRAL COAST

Welcome to our tour to the Central Coast of NSW. With chauffeured pickup from home, we travel to Melbourne Airport.  Here we’ll be greeted by an O’Shannessy’s Quality Tours representative who will assist us with check in, and see us onto the plane for our direct flight to Sydney. Arriving at Sydney Airport, we will be welcomed by our coach crew who will assist us with our luggage, before we board the coach and head to Berowa for our late lunch stop. This afternoon, we make our way towards the Central Coast with a visit to Broken Bay Pearls, the only pearl farm on Australia’s East Coast. On our discovery tour, we’ll cruise to one of the oyster leases on the scenic lower Hawkesbury River and enjoy an immersive pearl grading session inside a restricted access Pearl Grading Room. We follow the story of the Australian Pearl from its ancient Indigenous beginnings, modern farming and grading techniques through to the finished product of unique pearl jewellery.  We will arrive at our lovely accommodation in Forresters Beach late afternoon. This is our home for the next five nights, so we have time to unpack and settle in before our first dinner together.

OVERNIGHT:  The Quarters Forresters Beach, FORRESTERS BEACH

CENTRAL COAST

Our first visit this morning is the spectacular Ken Duncan Gallery. We spend time here wandering through the spacious viewing rooms and enjoying a spectacular audio-visual presentation in the intimate theatre.  After this wonderful visual experience, we make our way to Gosford to visit the Henry Kendall Cottage and Museum. Between 1873 and 1875, the Fagan family cared for and provided employment for the Australian poet Henry Kendall. During this time, he wrote some of his poems. Next is a brief stop at Edogawa Commemorative Garden. The garden was a gift to the people of Gosford as a symbol of cultural exchange and friendship by their sister city, Edogawa in Japan. The garden is adjacent to the Gosford City Art Centre where the pond is full of bright Koi, some of them enormous. Next, we visit Distillery Botanica, set amongst three acres of tranquil  gardens. Independently owned by astute herbalist and distiller Phillip Moore, the botanicals grown onsite are the inspiration and ingredients for an array of award-winning spirits and liqueurs. We enjoy a delightful light lunch at Bar Botanica before a tasting of the distillery’s distinct variety of spirits!  We now take a scenic drive up the coast, stopping for a photo opportunity at The Entrance. We also take a look at popular Terrigal. This evening, a mystery guest will join us for dinner at the hotel.

OVERNIGHT:  The Quarters Forresters Beach, FORRESTERS BEACH 

GLOUCESTER AND BARRINGTON TOPS

Our touring today takes us to Gloucester– a small township in the Bucketts Mountains (the word Bucketts is derived from the aboriginal word Buccans meaning “Big Rock”, also known as the ‘Sleeping Giant’ - from some angles the formation does look like a sleeping giant). On arrival we will be joined on the coach by a local guide who will show us around Barrington Tops. On a clear day the views are spectacular as we travel to Polblue, approximately 5000 feet above sea level in the Mount Royal Ranges (subject to road and weather conditions). The view over the Moppy Valley and Scone area is breathtaking. Our tour takes us through the rainforest area, beech forests, snow gums and sub-alpine regions of Barrington Tops. We will enjoy a picnic lunch here before heading back towards Gloucester and the Central Coast.

OVERNIGHT:  The Quarters Forresters Beach, FORRESTERS BEACH

LAKE MACQUARIE

We head north today to visit to the Lake Macquarie Live Steam Locomotive Society for a ride on one of their meticulously crafted miniature steam trains!  The tracks wind through a picturesque landscape filled with native trees and bush and promises a delightful journey through time and nature, making it a unique and memorable experience for train enthusiasts and nature lovers alike. For lunch, we join Lake Macquarie Cruises for a BBQ lunch cruise.  Lake Macquarie is twice the size of Sydney Harbour and the largest permanent coastal saltwater lake in the southern hemisphere. Rounding out our day, we meander back to Forresters Beach, enjoying more coastal scenery.

OVERNIGHT:  The Quarters Forresters Beach, FORRESTERS BEACH

THE RIVERBOAT POSTMAN

After breakfast, we are off to Brooklyn on the Hawkesbury River to join the mail run! Meeting the Riverboat Postman at Brooklyn, we hop on board and begin cruising along the Hawkesbury River. It is known as one of Australia’s greatest scenic waterways, with its historically isolated communities, the Last Riverboat Postman has been servicing the region for over a century. Sitting back, we enjoy the tranquil scenery of sandy beach coves and fiord-like inlets while listening to the lively commentary from the Skipper as we make our all-important deliveries. Back on dry land, we have a of very interesting stop this afternoon. We make our way to Holgate, where we find Firescreek Botanical Winery.  Set on a lush farm and garden, they make award-winning wines from a wide variety of fruits and botanicals. Here we enjoy a wine tasting with a twist as we try four Firescreek Botanic Wines paired perfectly with four exquisite handmade chocolates. After a fantastic experience, we have time to wander the beautiful property.

OVERNIGHT:  The Quarters Forresters Beach, FORRESTERS BEACH

CENTRAL COAST TO MELBOURNE

After breakfast, we farewell our hosts and begin our journey back to Sydney Airport.  However, we have one more stop to make on the way! In Gosford, we visit the Chocolate and Nougat Factory, home of the renowned Australian confectionary producers Nougat Limar, Bon Bon Fine Chocolate and The Sydney Marshmallow Co. We’ll explore an immersive world of chocolate, nougat and much more on a fascinating guided tour of the factory floor. Before leaving, we of course have a chance to stock up on their wonderful products!  We now head back to Sydney where we enjoy lunch before making our way to the airport for our flight home.  Upon our arrival in Melbourne, our chauffeurs will be waiting to transport us home with many interesting stories to tell of our Central Coast adventure!

Refreshments inflight