Christmas in the Gold Country

2026

5 DAY FULLY INCLUSIVE TOUR

Thursday 24th DECEMBER TO Monday 28th DECEMBER


Yuletide Greetings, Buon Natale, Felice Navidad or MERRY CHRISTMAS!


However you say it, Christmas is a magical time in any language. “Christmas with O’Shannessy’s is like celebrating Christmas with family” is a quote we hear again and again. Come away with us and enjoy some of your favourite Christmas carols and indulge in some delectable traditional Christmas fare with all the trimmings. Hop on board our luxury coach, relax, sit back and stretch your legs while we take care of everything for you as we whisk you away for a few days of R&R and celebration!



TOUR HIGHLIGHTS


Maldon, Christmas Day Lunch, Bendigo Botanic Gardens, Mt Moliagul, St Arnaud Silos, Wedderburn Murals, Maryborough Guided Tour and Convent Gallery Daylesford.

MULTIPLE NIGHT STAYS
4 nights in Bendigo


TOUR COSTS

Twin Share Room First Tour: $2,895 per person
Twin Share Room Repeat Traveller 2 - 10 Tours: $2,870 per person
Twin Share Room Repeat Traveller 11 - 20 Tours: $2,845 per person
Twin Share Room Repeat Traveller 21+ Tours: $2,820 per person
Single Room Supplement: $370 per person
 
Deposit: $300 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, in most cases you shall be provided with single accommodation at the twin share fare

(no additional cost).


If you are willing to twin share but are a smoker, have a CPAP machine or snore, you will need to pay a single supplement for a sole use room.

​O'Shanessy's Quality Tours are now providing travel insurance through Nib Insurance.


Travel insurance is not compulsory, however the Australian Government (see www.smarttraveller.gov.au) recommends all travellers no matter where you are going, obtain comprehensive travel insurance from a reputable provider at the time the balance of the tour is to be paid. It may enable you to claim back the cost of your tour if you are unable to travel or must cancel at late notice.

​Always read the PDS provided, to ensure the cover meets your needs.

MAP

ITINERARY

  • DAY 1: THURSDAY 24TH DECEMBER, 2026

    MELBOURNE TO BENDIGO


    Welcome to our 5 Day Silo Art and a Gold Country Christmas tour in Bendigo! We’re collected from home this morning by our chauffeur service and transferred to meet our O’Shannessy’s Quality Tours coach and crew. We’ll enjoy morning tea then set off into the heart of Goldrush country. We arrive at Maldon, an historic village which was christened the "First Notable Town in Australia" by the National Trust because of its authenticity. Today cottage gardens, pavements overhung by verandahs, tailing dumps and old mining structures are the essence of Maldon. We will enjoy lunch together before spending some free time to explore this charming historic town at one’s own pace. When we are all ready, we will hit the road again and head to Bendigo where we settle in for the next four nights.


    OVERNIGHT: All Seasons Resort Hotel, BENDIGO


  • DAY 2: FRIDAY 25TH DECEMBER, 2026

    CHRISTMAS DAY


    Merry Christmas! It’s a gentle start today with transfers on hand to take anyone who would like to attend a Christmas day church service before we sit down to enjoy a delicious traditional Christmas Day lunch at the hotel. In Bendigo we are surrounded by amazing displays of colour.  After lunch perhaps we could spend some time at the Botanic Gardens, known for its eclectic mix of shade trees and lush green turf.  We then take time to see the displays at Rossiland Park, right in the centre of town. After today’s wonderfully filling festive lunch, we enjoy a picnic Christmas supper, so that tomorrow we are well rested for more exploring!


    OVERNIGHT: All Seasons Resort Hotel, BENDIGO


  • DAY 3: SATURDAY 26TH DECEMBER, 2026

    LARGE ARTS OF THE GOLDFIELDS


    We’re off hunting large arts today! Our journey begins in Moliagul, a ghost town in the Golden Triangle—Australia’s richest gold nugget region. It’s best known as the site of the world’s largest gold nugget, the Welcome Stranger, discovered in 1869. After taking in views from Mt Moliagul, we head to St Arnaud, a former gold mining town. The silos at St Arnaud were transformed under the skilled hands of Kyle Torney. It is reported that he devoted over 800 hours to completing the artwork in August 2020. ‘Hope’, Kyle’s masterpiece narrates the tale of three pioneer Set in the 1800s, the theme of ‘Hope’ resonates deeply with the viewer as it portrays the aspirations of a miner searching for a speck of gold in his pan, the hope of his wife to provide sustenance and clothing for their family, and the hope for a prosperous future for their young child. Next, we travel through Gold Country to Wedderburn for lunch. The town features the Birds Eye View murals—five large bird-themed artworks celebrating local species like the Mallee Fowl and Swift Parrot. These murals highlight Wedderburn’s unique biodiversity and the community’s commitment to sustainability and resilience. After a wonderful day uncovering the large arts of the gold fields we head back to our hotel to relax before dinner.


    OVERNIGHT: All Seasons Resort Hotel, BENDIGO


  • DAY 4: SUNDAY 27TH DECEMBER, 2026

    GOLD! GOLD! GOLD!


    Today, we journey through central Victoria’s historic Goldfields region, starting in Clunes, site of Victoria’s first gold strike in 1851. Its well-preserved heritage buildings, especially along Fraser Street, offer a glimpse into gold rush history. Next is Talbot, a charming town with winding bluestone streets and cottage gardens. During the height of the gold rush, it had up to 15,000 people and dozens of businesses scattered along its six streets. On the outskirts of Maryborough are the Box-Ironbark forests home to native wildlife and Aboriginal culture the Jajawurrong people. In Maryborough a guided tour with a local expert takes us past the town's splendid cluster of heritage buildings, plus views of the town from Bristol Hill lookout. No visit to Maryborough is complete without seeing the historic Maryborough Railway Station once admired by Mark Twain. We then enjoy lunch before heading to Timor, where remnants of the Grand Duke Mine recall its rich gold history. Then it’s on to Dunolly, once a booming town of 35,000 during the 1860s gold rush. Though quieter today, it retains historic charm and is still part of the Golden Triangle—Australia’s most gold-rich region. We now make our way back to Bendigo for our last night on tour.


    OVERNIGHT: All Seasons Resort Hotel, BENDIGO


  • DAY 5: MONDAY 28TH DECEMBER, 2026

    BENDIGO TO MELBOURNE


    Following breakfast and our checkout procedures, we board the coach and start our journey home. Travelling to Daylesford we find that nestled on the crest of Wombat Hill Botanical Gardens is the Convent Gallery. Boasting views of the countryside and township below this historic country boarding school for girls is now a feast for the senses with a gallery of fine art displayed with its 19th century walls. Meeting our guide, we are led on a tour of the gallery before enjoying lunch. This afternoon we travel back to Melbourne where our chauffeurs will be waiting to take us home to our very doors  -  all part of the O’Shannessys Quality Tours superior service!


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.


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 most days, all lunches, one picnic supper and 3 two course restaurant dinners.


No Hidden Extras

O'Shannessy's Quality Tours are fully inclusive.

 

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.


Cancellation 60 to 46 days before tour departure date 20% Refund of Tour Cost

Cancellation within 45 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. The Australian Government (see www.smarttraveller.gov.au) recommends all travellers no matter where you are going, obtain comprehensive travel insurance from a reputable provider. It may enable you to claim back the cost of your tour if you are unable to travel or have to cancel at late notice. Always read the PDS provided, to ensure the cover meets all of your needs. We are able to provide travel insurance through Nib Insurance. If you would like a quote

please call our office toll free on 1800 354 352.