MELBOURNE TO THE CENTRAL COAST

Welcome to our holiday to the beautiful Central Coast. 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 lunch stop. This afternoon, we make our way towards the Central Coast with a visit to 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 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

EXPLORING THE CENTRAL COAST

This morning, we visit 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. 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 Terrigal. This evening, a mystery guest will join us for dinner at the hotel.

OVERNIGHT:  The Quarters Forresters Beach, FORRESTERS BEACH

HUNTER VALLEY PRODUCE

Today, we travel to Australia’s oldest wine growing region, the Hunter Valley. Known for its charming vineyards, beautiful landscapes and gourmet treats, we are sure to have a wonderful day. A warm welcome awaits us at Twenty 3 Twenty. On arrival we are met by a friendly staff member for a talk and sample of their famous chocolate and fudges. We may even see some being made through the windows.  From here we visit Hunter Valley Cheese Company for some delicious tasters. Their cheese range is preservative free and manufactured on site to traditional cheese making recipes. Following our cheese sampling we relax in the beautiful sandstone walls and exposed antique timber rafters of Peterson Champagne House. We enjoy a delicious lunch overlooking the spectacular vineyards. Our final visit is to The Hunter Olive Centre showcasing some of the finest gourmet foods produced in the Hunter Valley.  The Olive Centre has grown to be one of the largest speciality food outlets in the Hunter Valley, displaying a range of over 400 locally made products of which up to 60 are on tasting at one time.  Onsite is also the Pokolbin Estate Vineyard where we can finish our day with a wine tasting. After a glorious day sampling all the Hunter Valley has to offer, we return to our motel.

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 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

HISTORY OF THE CENTRAL COAST

Embarking on a scenic coastal drive, we travel via the charming area of The Entrance. This beloved holiday retreat is encircled by the sparkling waters of the ocean, leading us toward the Norah Head Lighthouse, the final manned lighthouse ever constructed in the state. It now serves as a testament to the enduring legacy of our coastal heritage. Meandering towards Wyong, we stop at the hidden gem of Alison Homestead. Settled on a pastoral expanse spanning two hectares, the Homestead traces its roots back to the earliest land grant of 1825. Wander the buildings, all paying homage to the pioneers who settled in Wyong and its surrounds with displays of memorabilia, household items, equipment, machinery and tools. We stay for lunch then head out to visit Iris Lodge Alpacas, a working grazing property. We’ll have the extraordinary opportunity to get up close and personal with the alpacas in the paddock and the pleasure of feeding these magnificent creatures too. From here we head to Gosford, where we pop into the Chocolate & Nougat Factory, home of the renowned Australian confectionery producers Nougat Limar, Bon Bon Fine Chocolate and The Sydney Marshmallow Co. We’ll explore an immersive world of chocolate, nougat and have a chance to stock up on their wonderful products. We return to our accommodation for dinner.

OVERNIGHT:  The Quarters Forresters Beach, FORRESTERS BEACH

CENTRAL COAST TO MELBOURNE

After breakfast this morning we head north today to visit 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. We’ll also enjoy a light lunch hosted by the Society, before making the return trip to Sydney and 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