MELBOURNE TO SHEPPARTON

Welcome to our autumn tour filled with art, history and natural wonders! With chauffeured pickup from home, we are transferred to meet our O’Shannessy’s Quality Tours coach and crew to start our journey north. Our first stop is Colbinabbin, where we will be amazed by the artwork across six silos. Artist Tim Bowtell's work depicts five different scenes from varying times through the town's history, from the early 1900s to the 1980s. We have lunch in the small town of Rochester, provided by the Rochester Historical Society, after which we have a chance to take in some of the amazing wall art. But the highlight of Rochester is the Rochester GrainCorp silos, where we can view the artwork featuring the endangered Squirrel Glider, the largest of three gliders that inhabit this region. We'll also be mesmerized by the radiant Azure Kingfisher with its blue head and body, and keep an eye out for the elusive Platypus, one of the most unusual and interesting animals in the world, which can be found at various locations along the Campaspe River. We arrive into Shepparton, home for the next two nights where we can relax and rejuvenate for more exciting adventures to come!

OVERNIGHT: Quality Hotel Parklake Shepparton, SHEPPARTON

SHEPPARTON AND THE SILO ART TRAIL

We start our day with a scenic drive to Katamatite where we can see a new silo art mural painted by Tim Bowtell. The artwork depicts the area's pioneering history, indigenous cultural significance and the natural beauty of the Broken-Boosey State Park. The mural is part of the Silo Art Trail, a 700km-long collection of massive street artworks celebrating the people and culture of Victoria’s northwest. Next on today’s art trail is Tungamah, a small town known for its stunning silo art. We'll be greeted by the towering Tungamah Silo, which features breathtaking murals of the local wildlife, including the graceful brolgas and the iconic kookaburra. We'll marvel at the intricate details and vibrant colors of these murals, which bring the beauty of the Australian bush to life. From Tungamah, we'll make our way to St James, where we'll be treated to a large mural of Sir George Coles, the founder of Coles Supermarkets. This impressive artwork pays tribute to the entrepreneurial spirit and legacy of Sir George Coles, and we'll learn about his contributions to the Australian retail industry. Next, we'll visit Devenish, a town with a powerful artistic presence. We'll be moved by Cam Scale's artwork of a First World War nurse and a modern-day combat medic, which pays tribute to the selfless service and sacrifices of healthcare workers. We'll appreciate the emotive storytelling and the artistic skill that has gone into creating this meaningful mural. Continuing our journey, we'll head to Goorambat where we'll be captivated by the Goorambat silo art. These impressive silos feature murals of the endangered Barking Owl, showcasing the local biodiversity and the need for conservation efforts. We'll also have the opportunity to admire the "Sophia" mural, painted by the renowned Melbourne-based artist Matt Adnate, which adorns the Uniting Church in Goorambat. "Sophia" symbolizes the feminine embodiment of the Holy Spirit, as manifested in the Old Testament. We'll make our way to Benalla, known for its vibrant street art scene. We'll explore the town, marvelling at the murals painted by artists from around the world on bare walls, some of them over three stories high. We'll be amazed by the creativity and talent on display, and we'll have the opportunity to learn about the stories and inspiration behind the murals. After a day of exploring and immersing ourselves in the local art and culture, we'll return to Shepparton to relax at our motel before enjoying a delicious dinner, reflecting on the incredible murals and stories we've experienced throughout the day.

OVERNIGHT: Quality Hotel Parklake Shepparton, SHEPPARTON

SHEPPARTON TO MILDURA

Today’s destination is Mildura, but we stop enroute at Lake Boga, home to the famous Catalina Flying Boat A24-30 - one of only four in Australia. Lake Boga was an ideal stretch of water on which the mighty flying boats could alight. The Flying Boat played an integral part in the allied defence of the South Pacific during World War II, with all types of Flying Boats that were serviced at Lake Boga being represented in the Museum. A special section is dedicated to the United States of America and the Netherlands aircraft and crew who visited Lake Boga during World War II. We now continue our travels to Mildura. We have time to settle in and unpack as we’re here for three nights.

OVERNIGHT: Quality Hotel Mildura Grand, MILDURA

EXPLORING MILDURA

After breakfast, we’ll be joined by a locally based expert for a morning of sightseeing. We’ll hear about the Canadian Chaffey Brothers who arrived in Mildura in 1886 to establish the first irrigation scheme in Australia and hear about life on the river. Our lunch break will be spent meandering along the Murray River aboard a fully restored Paddle Steamer. We’ll experience the workings of a lock as our vessel is lowered to the downstream level and raised again on the return journey. Back on dry land, we’re off to a lovely olive oil farm, Varapodio Estate for a tour and tastings of their award-winning oils. Lastly, we stop in at Orange World - a working 50-acre citrus property. Here we join a unique tour aboard the 70-seat tractor train around the picturesque property of avocado trees, numerous citrus varieties and tree grafting areas plus an informative commentary on a wealth of citrus information with a juicy sense of humour.

OVERNIGHT: Quality Hotel Mildura Grand, MILDURA

MUNGO NATIONAL PARK

Today we take a giant leap back in time and enjoy a day exploring the remarkable natural location of Lake Mungo which sits within The Willandra Lakes World Heritage Area. A local expert will join us so we can experience all the highlights. The Willandra Lakes preserve the longest continuous record of aboriginal life in Australia from 40,000 years ago to the present. The tour slowly and gently weaves through unique geological formations of rare beauty passing by the ancient evidence of the people that once walked this land. After a great day we return to Mildura.

OVERNIGHT: Quality Hotel Mildura Grand, MILDURA

MILDURA TO HORSHAM ON THE SILO ART TRAIL

The Wimmera-Mallee region has become Australia’s largest outdoor gallery with the creation of a silo art trail stretching 200kms and linking some of Victoria’s smallest towns. We follow this trail, first to Patchewollock, where it is hard to miss the 35m high “silo man”, local sheep and grain farmer Nick Hulland. From here we continue to Lascelles, where Melbourne artist Rone has painted a local farming couple that has lived in the area for four generations. Next, Woomelang, where seven artists have transformed mini silos into works of art featuring the likes of spotted tail quolls and other endangered species of the area. The next silo is Rosebery, completed in late 2017 and depicts themes that embody the region’s past, present and future. Continuing south we arrive in Brim to view the magnificent work of Guido van Helten, depicting an anonymous multi-generational quartet of farmers. At Sheep Hills, we see a depiction of Wergaia and Wotjobaluk Elders alongside two young children. After a special day, we continue to Horsham for our final night on tour.

OVERNIGHT: Best Westlander Motor Inn, HORSHAM

HORSHAM TO MELBOURNE

Before we depart this morning, we’ll take a look at Horsham’s silos, titled “The Yangga Dyata”, which means “Walking on Country”. We now make our way to Murtoa to see a breathtaking mural featuring a flock of brightly coloured birds. The artwork is inspired by the James Hill taxidermy collection, combined with the discoveries of Dr. John Cade, a psychiatrist who made significant contributions to the understanding and treatment of bipolar disorder. No visit to Murtoa would be complete without visiting the incredible Murtoa Stick Shed. Previously known as the Murtoa No. 1 Grain Store, it is the only remaining emergency grain store built during World War Two. This structure is an enduring testament to iconic Australian bush ingenuity and a symbol of the growth and strength of the Australian wheat industry. We’ll be amazed by what we see as we are taken on a tour. Our final silos on our art trail is in Rupanyup. These silos have been repainted by street artist Smug, after fading and rusting affected the original work. This afternoon, we drive back to Melbourne where, as always, our chauffeurs will be waiting to take us straight to our very door – a delightful way to finish our time away and all part of the great O’Shannessy’s Quality Tours service!