Christmas Lights of South Australiea featuring Lobethal and Loxton 2024

MELBOURNE TO HORSHAM

Welcome to our “Christmas Cheer” tour to South Australia. With chauffeured pickup from home, we are transferred to meet our O’Shannessy’s Quality Tours coach and crew.  Our journey takes us west today to Beaufort where we break for lunch. Departing Beaufort we continue on to Ararat for our afternoon break and a walk around Alexandra Gardens, a spectacular park in Ararat, featuring an incredible multi-level walk-in fernery sloping down toward terraced lawns and an ornamental lake. An 800m pram/wheelchair-friendly walking track makes its way around the lake, across pretty bridges and through the Japanese themed islands. We arrive in Horsham for our overnight stop, with time to freshen up before dinner at the motel.

OVERNIGHT: Horsham International Hotel, HORSHAM

HORSHAM TO BERRI

One of the fascinating sights in the area is that of the Pink Lake located a few kilometres west of Dimboola. The pink colour of the water comes from a pigment secreted by microscopic algae. The intensity of the lake colour does vary throughout the year. Salt from the lake was harvested by hand for years and we may see some of the relics from that time near the edge of the lake. We’ll continue along the Western Highway to Nhill where we visit the Aviation Heritage Centre, that was established to capture Nhill’s proud aviation history, spanning more than 100 years. It’s a tribute to more than 10,000 young men and women who trained at the Nhill RAAF Base during World War II. We continue through Kaniva to Bordertown, where we’ll make a stop for lunch at the Morning Loaf Bakery. From here we’ll make our way along the Ngarkat Highway that bisects the Ngarkat Conservation Area, noted for its wildlife and vast Mallee landscape, through Pinnaroo, to Berri for overnight. Following dinner we make the short drive back to Loxton for the Loxton Christmas Lights. Loxton shines during this joyous Christmas festival with thousands of twinkling fairy lights, bright colourful banners, sparkling garlands and tinsel to create a magic spectacle. An enormous Christmas tree dazzles in the heart of town and from there, large clusters of residential streets feature homes adorned with over 350 illuminated Christmas scenes, paintings and coloured light displays.

OVERNIGHT:  Berri Hotel, BERRI

BERRI TO HAHNDORF, ADELAIDE HILLS

Leaving the Riverland this morning, we visit Monarto Safari Park, the largest open-range safari experience outside of Africa and is home to more than 50 species of exotic and native animals. The zoo plays a major role, nationally and internationally, in breeding programs for rare and endangered species. We’ll be joined on board our coach by a qualified guide for a safari tour of the park. After a light lunch we’re in for a real treat! The Lions 360 Experience, the only 360 degree lion experience in Australia. Walk through a tunnel and emerge within clawing range of one of Australia’s largest lion prides. Enjoy a jaw-dropping, absolutely safe encounter, giving a prey’s-eye view into the world of these awe-inspiring predators! After some time to view the exhibits and a poke through the Zoo’s gift shop we continue to Hahndorf with time to freshen up before dinner.

OVERNIGHT: Manna of Hahndorf, Hahndorf, ADELAIDE HILLS

HAHNDORF AND THE LIGHTS OF LOBETHAL FESTIVAL

We’re in for a treat this morning! Making our way to the Hahndorf Inn we join staff who will take us through the process of making our very own Apple Strudel! Once made, we’ll meet our guide for a unique tour of Hahndorf locations not available to the general public.  Inside the historic St Paul’s Lutheran Church we’ll hear about the early settlers of Hahndorf and their flight from Prussia in 1838 to escape religious persecution, plus admire the pioneering women for their faith and entrepreneurial spirit after hearing the story of the Pioneer Women’s Walk. Returning to the Inn we will enjoy our very own strudel served with vanilla bean ice-cream, cream and a hot beverage or soft drink! After time for lunch, we call into Beerenberg Strawberry Farm, fully Australian owned and all products are made at this farm. We will have the opportunity to purchase from their gift range and the large range of delicious preserves. You may not know but Beerenberg products can now be found in 24 countries, on major airlines and in more than 300 hotels! This evening we have an early dinner before we travel to the Lights of Lobethal Festival which has a long tradition of lighting up homes and businesses of this delightful Adelaide Hills town to evolve into the largest Community Christmas Light display in the Southern Hemisphere. Driving around the town, look out the window for the fantastic light displays.

Lunch at own expense and arrangement

OVERNIGHT: Manna of Hahndorf, Hahndorf, ADELAIDE HILLS

EXPLORING HAHNDORF AND THE HILLS

This morning we will spend exploring the Adelaide Hills. We head to Woodside for some local treats. At Cheese Wights, taste the superb hand-crafted cheese, some of which are seasonal and only made when the milk is perfect. Now, you can’t have something savoury without something sweet! The Melba’s Chocolate and Confectionery Factory produces old Australian favourite sweets using old era chocolate making equipment and is the perfect place to collect some delicious goodies before a delicious lunch at Grunthal Brew & Udder Delights Cheese Cellar. Returning to Hahndorf, this afternoon is free to explore this wonderful Adelaide Hills village.

OVERNIGHT:  Manna of Hahndorf, Hahndorf, ADELAIDE HILLS

HAHNDORF TO MOUNT GAMBIER

This morning we say farewell to our hosts and head south-east. Travelling on the freeway to Murray Bridge we then head to Meningie for our morning break on the shores of Lake Albert. We’ll see a different view of the Coorong National Park on our right. The whole area is a superb natural bird sanctuary with vast numbers of waterbirds. The movie Storm Boy, a film about a young boy’s friendship with a pelican, was shot on the Coorong. Arriving in Kingston we see The Big Lobster and stop for lunch at the Royal Mail Hotel. This afternoon, we continue along the coast with some time to enjoy the seaside town of Robe, enroute to Mount Gambier for our overnight accommodation.

OVERNIGHT: Presidential Motel, MOUNT GAMBIER

MOUNT GAMBIER TO MELBOURNE

This morning we travel back into Victoria and the very picturesque area of the great volcanic plain of Victoria’s Western District, surrounded by crater lakes and volcanic cones. As we cross the “great volcanic plain” we travel alongside miles of fascinating dry-stone walls which are a feature of the countryside and known as the stony rises. The walls were built in the 1860s by highly skilled “wallers” from Ireland and Scotland. We continue to Melbourne, where our chauffeurs will be on hand to take us straight to our door - all part of the O’Shannessy’s Quality Tours superior service.