MELBOURNE TO LAKES ENTRANCE

Welcome to our tour through the beautiful Victorian High Country. With chauffeured pickup from home, we are transferred to meet our O’Shannessy’s Quality Tours coach and crew. Heading off, we travel east along the Princes Highway to Sale for lunch at the RSL Club. From here we continue to our first nights accommodation in Lakes Entrance.  A stroll to stretch the legs along the promenade will reveal some unique wooden sculptures. Carved from the original Cypress trees planted as an Avenue of Honour, they now stand as a permanent reminder of the sacrifice made during World War 1.

OVERNIGHT: Bellevue on the Lakes, LAKES ENTRANCE

GREAT ALPINE VIEWS

Following breakfast we head north through Omeo. The next part of our drive is spectacular – along the Great Alpine Road - which passes through the largest National Park in Victoria containing 10 of the 11 highest mountains in the State.  At a peak of 1825 metres, we will be travelling on the highest year-round accessible bitumen road in Australia.  It is here at Mount Hotham where we’ll feel like we’re on top of the world! Uninterrupted views over the alpine valleys surround us, with Mount Bogong, Mount Feathertop and Mount Buffalo all clearly visible on a fine day.  This afternoon, we drive into Wangaratta to settle in for the next three nights.

OVERNIGHT:  Quality Hotel Wangaratta, WANGARATTA

EXPLORING BRIGHT

Following breakfast we retrace our steps along the Great Alpine Road, stopping to see the Phoenix Tree in Myrtleford – this sculpture was carved out of the trunk and roots of a huge river red gum tree by Hans Knorr. In Bright, we enjoy a locally guided tour and we come to realise that Bright has managed to retain its character and charm, thanks to its old-fashioned guesthouses and historical buildings. Lunchtime now, so we farewell our guide and head to Whorouly for a delicious lunch at Remel 185. The ‘tobacco shed’ which once stored dried tobacco piled to the ceiling and bales ready for ‘sale day’ has been transformed into a Dining Area, the ‘grading shed’ where many hours were once spent sorting those golden coloured leaves, is now the Kitchen, where again many hours are spent, but now to produce an array of wonderful foods, and the ‘kilns’ have remained in their original form and are well used as storage space. After an enjoyable day, we meander back to our hotel to relax before dinner.

OVERNIGHT: Quality Hotel Wangaratta, WANGARATTA

GOURMET DELIGHTS

Our touring today takes us to Beechworth where 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. Next up is 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.  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 North East Victoria”. Our first stop this afternoon is the Olive Shop. Here at the tasting counter, we can sample the local olives, olive oils and olive oil-based dressings.  Keeping with the fabulous food theme of the region next up is Milawa Cheese Company which is located in the historic Murray Goulburn Butter Factory, for a tasting. Returning to Wangaratta, we have time to freshen up and relax before dinner at the property.

OVERNIGHT:  Quality Hotel Wangaratta, WANGARATTA

WANGARATTA TO MELBOURNE

Unfortunately, our holiday is coming to an end. We say farewell to our hosts this morning 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. Just to the south-west of Whitfield is Powers Lookout. This vantage point on the Wabonga Plateau was used by bushranger Harry Powers in the 1860s to keep an eye out for potential prey and predators.  It offers fabulous views across some truly scenic 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 at the Hotel Delatite. After lunch, we pass by Bonnie Doon on the edge of Lake Eildon. We continue, travelling via Yea to join the Melba Highway past the outskirts of Melbourne to home where our chauffeur service will drop us to our very door – all part of the great O’Shannessy’s Quality Tours service!