MELBOURNE TO WANGARATTA

Welcome to our 5 day Christmas in July tour. With chauffeured pickups from home, we are transferred to meet our O’Shannessy’s Quality Tours coach and crew. We stop enroute for our morning break before travelling to Euroa, nestled at the foot of the Strathbogie Ranges where we enjoy lunch. The hotel dates back to 1884 and Euroa has a colourful history with links to the infamous Ned Kelly. Further up the road is Glenrowan, scene of the Kelly Gang’s last stand. We’ll visit Kate’s Cottage (named after Ned's sister), situated opposite the “Big Ned Kelly” Statue. Wander the cottage featuring a huge range of interesting and exciting Ned Kelly and Australiana gifts and souvenirs, as well as a fascinating museum. From here we

continue to Wangaratta, home for the next four nights.

OVERNIGHT: Quality Hotel Wangaratta Gateway, WANGARATTA

SUN COUNTRY

Today we head up to Yarrawonga, located on Lake Mulwala in a region of the Murray often referred to as “Sun Country”. It is one of the Murray River’s most beautiful stretches with

towering River Red Gums and dozens of sandy beaches features of the area. Here we join the Paradise Queen for a morning tea cruise on Lake Mulwala. The lake was developed in 1939 by the completion of the Yarrawonga Weir, which was part of the massive Lake Hume project to harness the waters of the Murray for irrigation purposes. The Lake is home to hundreds of thousands of ghostly dead gums, tall grey sentinels that remain as a reminder of the past when they drowned with the filling of the Lake. Back on dry land, we travel to Koonoomoo and visit The Big Strawberry. Anything you can think of that has strawberries in it, they make it here - jams, ice creams, liqueurs, milkshakes - you name it! After enjoying lunch, drive to nearby Strathmerton for our visit to Cactus Country. The Hall family run business has been a labour of love for many years, which we will hear about before a self-guided walk through this large garden with over 4,000 different species of cacti from Africa, North America, Mexico and South America. Back at the hotel, we have time to relax before enjoying a welldeserved dinner.

OVERNIGHT: Quality Hotel Wangaratta Gateway, WANGARATTA

BEECHWORTH AND CHRISTMAS IN JULY

Our touring today takes us to Beechworth where we enjoy a tour of the historic Courthouse. Built in 1858 and in continuous service for 131 years, the Beechworth Courthouse retains its original furniture and fittings. It has been the setting of some of the most fascinating court cases in Victoria’s history. It was here that Australia’s most famous bushranger, Ned Kelly, was committed to stand trial for murder. His mother Ellen, brothers Dan and Jim and Uncle Jim Kelly also faced charges in this courtroom. Next, we will be joined on the coach by our local guide. This imposing historical town will remind us of those exciting gold rush years, with many landmarks still surviving. Returning to Wangaratta, we’ll have time to freshen up before our delicious Christmas in July lunch with all the trimmings! This afternoon, we enjoy some sightseeing with a local guide. The Wangaratta Water Tower Art mural which was painted in March 2021 is inspired by the Bpangerang concept “Dirrawarra”, meaning together or united, paying respect to an ancient and continuing Indigenous practice of gathering people to tell a story.

OVERNIGHT: Quality Hotel Wangaratta Gateway, WANGARATTA

BRIGHT AND MILAWA

Following breakfast, we travel along the Great Alpine Road to Bright. Greeting our local guide, we come to realise that Bright has managed to retain its character and charm, thanks to its old-fashioned guesthouses and historical buildings. After our tour enjoy morning tea from the coach before some time at leisure to wander the beautiful township. Our next stop is in Eurobin where we visit the Red Stag Deer Farm. This is our lunch venue and our hosts will give us a talk about the farm and there’ll be an opportunity to hand feed the animals. We now start making our way back through what is known as the “gourmet food area of Northeast Victoria”. We stop at Milawa Cheese Company which is located in the historic Murray Goulburn Butter Factory, for a talk and sit-down tasting. Afterwards we will return to our hotel in Wangaratta.

OVERNIGHT: Quality Hotel Wangaratta Gateway, WANGARATTA

HOMEWARD BOUND

Unfortunately, our holiday is coming to an end. We farewell our hosts and travel via Moyhu to Whitfield, a very pretty and very small town situated in a dairying and tobacco growing district in the highly scenic King River Valley where lush river flats are surrounded by some magnificent high country. From here we continue onto Mansfield which also has a colourful history of squatters, selectors, bushrangers, gold miners, packers, coachbuilders etc. It is famous for its magnificent scenery, farms, cattle, horses and hospitality. We have time to take a wander along the main street before lunch. This afternoon, we pass by Bonnie Doon on the edge of Lake Eildon and continue to join the Melba Highway which will take us to the outskirts of Melbourne. As always, our chauffeur service will drop us to our very door – all part of the great O’Shannessy’s Quality Tours service!