MELBOURNE TO LAKES ENTRANCE

Welcome to the first sector of our Coastal Roadtrip, travelling from Melbourne to Sydney. With chauffeured pickup from home, we are transferred to meet our O’Shannessy’s Quality Tours coach and crew. Our journey today has us driving through the Latrobe Valley and across Gippsland. After a morning tea break to stretch our legs and take in the scenery, we continue to Sale for lunch. Our destination today is beautiful Lakes Entrance and we have plenty of time for a stroll along the Esplanade to inspect the WW1 Memorial Sculptures, carved from the original Cypress trees planted as an Avenue of Honour for the servicemen that gave their life during World War 1. We check into our accommodation with a little time to freshen up before dinner.

OVERNIGHT: Bellevue on the Lakes, LAKES ENTRANCE

EXPLORING LAKES ENTRANCE

We’ll be back this afternoon to explore Lakes Entrance, but this morning, we drive through Bairnsdale to Paynesville, where we join the ferry linking the mainland to the nature-based Raymond Island. Here we meet a very special horseman with many years’ experience handling horses. Don’t forget the camera and of course, in true outback hospitality, the billy will be on the boil for us along with a lovely morning tea. Wayne’s passion is his horses and during the live Stockyard Show demonstration we’ll be enchanted by the skills and talents as the entertainment unfolds. The show has whip cracking, music and singing, working dogs and much more.  As Tommy Woodcock’s foreman of years gone by, we’ll be regaled with stories of Phar Lap and see the large collection of Phar Lap memorabilia. Departing Raymond Island we retrace our steps to Paynesville for lunch.  Back in Lakes Entrance, we meet our local expert for our town tour of the area. Boasting Australia’s largest inland network of waterways, Lakes Entrance has long been a popular holiday designation, situated on the edge of Ninety Mile Beach where the Gippsland Lakes meets the Southern Ocean. If anyone is up for a walk, there is a footbridge which will lead you to the magnificent beach.

OVERNIGHT:  Bellevue on the Lakes, LAKES ENTRANCE

LAKES ENTRANCE TO EDEN

This morning, we head to the Mallacoota Inlet.  The Mallacoota Inlet was formed by the drowning of the valley of the Genoa River when the sea level rose as the ice melted at the close of the last ice age.  We will learn more about this inlet on a guided sightseeing tour before enjoying lunch. This afternoon, we will take time to visit the Operation Bunker, a World War II RAAF operations bunker that has been restored by the Mallacoota RSL. It is of considerable significance in Victoria’s military history and was the headquarters of the RAAF coastal intelligence activity in the region as well as an important link in the chain of defence installations along the southeast of Australia. The last leg of today’s journey will see us continuing to Eden where we’ll settle in before dinner.

OVERNIGHT:  Coachman’s Eden, EDEN

EDEN, TWOFOLD BAY AND BOYDTOWN

This morning we discover the natural paradise Eden happens to be while aboard the Cat Balou. Enjoy the magnificent scenery of the coastline and surrounding hinterland as the cruise takes us through the spectacular waters of Twofold Bay. Back on dry land we are met by a local guide who will join our coach and enlighten us to the tales and history behind this seaside town. Then with our guide still leading the way, we travel just outside of Eden and visit Boydtown. Enjoying lunch at the stunning and historic Seahorse Inn, our tour then continues to Boyd Tower within the Beowa National Park. Here we can take a short walk down to the tower and enjoy commanding views across the bay. Returning to Eden, whose history is intertwined with the whales and the fishing industry, we visit the Killer Whale Museum with the skeleton of "Old Tom" the killer whale plus many other items of interest and history. Following a fascinating day, we head back to the motel for a rest before dinner.

OVERNIGHT: Coachman’s Eden, EDEN

KAMERUKA AND MERIMBULA

We explore a little further out of Eden this morning and set off to Kameruka. Established in 1843, Kameruka Estate is one of Australia’s more unique and beautiful properties. During the tour, we’ll drive past the gatehouse and formal English gardens as we travel through the village Main Street on our way to the original shearing sheds and cricket oval. During our visit here we enjoy a sheep dog and shearing demonstration with morning tea. We then head to Merimbula, where we are warmly greeted by our hop on guide. Together we discover that Merimbula is an enchanting seaside town on the sparkling Sapphire Coast that offers rugged ocean beaches and tranquil coastal lakes. We now have some free time in the township to purchase lunch and have a retail fix. This afternoon as we head back to Eden, we stop at Broadwater Oysters, on the shoreline of Pambula Lake for a tour and a tasting. After a fantastic day we return to our hotel.

Lunch at own expense and arrangement

OVERNIGHT:  Coachman’s Eden, EDEN

EDEN TO NOWRA

Departing the sparkling Sapphire Coast we pop into the Cobargo Farm, on the outskirts of Central Tilba.  Here we find this property to be a unique garden farm. Not only does it produce fresh fruit and vegetables, but also stocks a large variety of ferns, plants and seedlings to beautify your own garden. We’ll spend time with the animals and exploring the beautiful gardens a long with a most enjoyable morning tea. Continuing to wind our way up the coast, we stop at Batemans Bay to enjoy lunch, then meet a local guide who will uncover the stories behind this costal town. From here, we travel to Nowra.

OVERNIGHT:  Springs Shoalhaven, NOWRA

JERVIS BAY AND MIGRATING WHALES

This morning we head to Jervis Bay where we join a Whale Watching Cruise. The Winter Whale Cruise gives you the rare opportunity to witness the majestic beauty of our migrating Humpback Whales. On the Northern migration we sight Whales within a few miles of the towering sea cliffs on Jervis Bay’s peninsula which makes it one of the most exciting whale watching experiences on the east coast of Australia.  Back on dry land we enjoy lunch before a visit to Jervis Bay Maritime Museum. Featuring a world-renowned collection of maritime artefacts and navigational and surveying instruments, the exhibits include models, photographs and objects relating to the history and heritage of the area. The museum is also home to the historic Lady Denman ferry and other historic vessels. After an interesting day we return to Nowra.

OVERNIGHT: Springs Shoalhaven, NOWRA

NOWRA TO SYDNEY

Today we head further up the coast. Take in the sights of Kiama including a visit to the famous “Blowhole” which can spurt water up to 60 metres high. Next stop is Wollongong.  Here we visit the Australian Motorlife Museum. The museum’s collection includes everything from motor vehicles and bikes to petrol pumps, radios and of course classic cars. After some time to explore the extensive and interesting displays, we enjoy a delicious lunch. This afternoon we uncover a most popular coastal tourist drive, Sea Cliff Bridge.  Enjoy an amazing driving experience, witnessing the stunning views of the Illawarra Escarpment plunging into the South Pacific Ocean. Now arriving into Sydney we settle into our next three nights accommodation and freshen up before dinner.

OVERNIGHT:  Park Royal Darling Harbour, SYDNEY

EXPLORING SYDNEY

Today we discover Sydney with a local guide on a sightseeing tour of the stunning city. Firstly, explore cobblestone lanes and colonial buildings in The Rocks before driving to Mrs. Macquarie’s Chair on the harbour foreshore. The chair was carved out of sandstone by convicts for Governor Lachlan Macquarie’s wife in order for her to watch the activity on the harbour and await the arrival of ships from England. The point provides us with wonderful views of the Sydney Opera House, the Harbour Bridge and Fort Denison. From here we head around to North Head for our tour of the Q Station. On arrival we enjoy a light lunch before we take a guided tour of the facility. The Quarantine Station was used from 1833 to 1984 for migrant ships carrying passengers with suspected contagious diseases. These passengers and crew were off-loaded into quarantine to protect residents. As we explore the history of the Quarantine Station, its historical buildings and stunning grounds we’ll hear the personal stories of passengers quarantined and the dedicated staff who lived and worked on site.  We can see how far we have come when it comes to quarantining people today. After an interesting historic day we return to our hotel to freshen up before a special dinner cruise where we enjoy incredible night views as we cruise around Sydney Harbour.

OVERNIGHT: Park Royal Darling Harbour, SYDNEY

THE RIVERBOAT POSTMAN

Our touring today takes us to the Hawkesbury River. Known as one of Australia’s greatest scenic waterway’s today we will join The Riverboat Postman Cruise and enjoy the magnificent scenery of the lower Hawkesbury River as we deliver the mail and other essentials. The first Riverboat Postman started the run in 1910 and the tradition continues today with Hawkesbury Cruises, the current custodian of this fabulous day trip. Our skippers are locals who have lived in the area their whole lives - be entertained by the stories of the river whilst cruising in comfort up this spectacular waterway. Tea, Coffee and traditional Australian ANZAC biscuits, along with a light Ploughman’s style lunch are served during the cruise. This afternoon we return to Sydney to visit the iconic Sydney Tower Eye. Located 250 metres above the Sydney streets, we’ll enjoy unrivalled 360-degree views of the city and beyond from the Observation Deck and spot the iconic landmarks and hidden gems of this beautiful harbour city. We may even see the Blue Mountains or Bondi Beach in the distance.

OVERNIGHT:  Park Royal Darling Harbour, SYDNEY

SYDNEY TO MELBOURNE

We can enjoy a leisurely morning—perhaps take a walk around Darling Harbour, it’s just across the road! Later this morning, we check out and head to an early lunch before arriving at Sydney Airport to connect with our flight to Melbourne. What a great time away it’s been!  As always, our chauffeurs will be waiting to take us straight to our very door – a delightful way to finish our holiday and all part of the great O’Shannessy’s Quality Tours service!

Lunch at own expense and arrangement.