MELBOURNE TO MILDURA

Welcome to our holiday to the beautiful Murray Valley. With chauffeured pickup from home, we are transferred to meet our O’Shannessy’s Quality Tours coach and crew.  We’ll make a stop for morning tea before heading to Donald for lunch. We continue across the Wimmera Plains and through the Victorian Mallee to Mildura for our first night away.

OVERNIGHT:  Best Western Chaffey Motor Inn, MILDURA

DISCOVERING MILDURA AND THE TRAIL OF LIGHTS

After breakfast, we will be met by our locally based guide for a morning of sightseeing  and to learn about the Canadian Chaffey Brothers (George and William Benjamin) who arrived in Mildura in 1886. Their goal was to establish the first irrigation scheme in Australia. The brothers had been approached by the Victorian Premier Alfred Deakin who was under pressure to open up more land for farming and settlement. Following the success of early irrigation development work William Chaffey began construction of Rio Vista in 1889 – our next stop. The Spanish name Rio Vista (River View) reflects the Californian influences found in the house.  In 1889 the family moved into the completed Rio Vista. Although the Mildura scheme was a remarkable achievement, the Chaffey brothers encountered financial difficulties and never realised the dream of prosperity that Rio Vista symbolised. Now the home of the Mildura Arts Centre and Historical Museum the home features antique filled rooms of the 1890s, beautifully restored woodwork, exquisite hand painted stained glass windows and door panelling. While we are in this part of town we will take a look at Lock 11.  Back in the centre of town, we now have some free time to explore the shopping area and purchase lunch. This afternoon, we will be taking a river cruise on the Paddle Vessel Rothbury. Built in 1891, the PS Rothbury is one of the last "working" Paddlesteamers on the Murray. Our cruise takes us downstream, through Lock 11. A comprehensive commentary is provided giving us further insight on the Murray Darling River system and the history of the paddleboats. This evening we’re in for a ‘light’ treat! We make our way to Loch Island to witness the Mildura Trail of Lights, a glowing wonderland where dazzling fairy lights, vibrant projections, and illuminated sculptures transform the night. Here we stroll beneath shimmering arches, past radiant gum trees, and along the sparkling Murray River, immersing ourselves in a magical spectacle of colour, music and pure enchantment.

Lunch at own expense and arrangement

OVERNIGHT: Best Western Chaffey Motor Inn, MILDURA

MILDURA AND THE SOUTH AUSTRALIAN RIVERLAND

Today we continue west along the Sturt Highway towards the South Australian border. It’s 140kms from Mildura to Renmark - and just a little closer is the tiny village of Paringa (Paringa is from an Aboriginal word meaning "big bend in the river"). It’s here we have our morning stop and take a look at the Silo Art. Next, we take a look at Lock 5. Navigating the Murray River wouldn’t be possible without the series of locks and weirs that were built back in the 1920s and 1930s. Fourteen locks are still in use today. We visit Olivewood Homestead, a homestead and museum containing relics from 1887 and traces the story of the Chaffey Brothers who were instrumental in introducing irrigation to the area.  We now visit Angoves Wines for a wine tasting and history talk. Angoves Wines is the largest privately owned winery in Australia. Established in 1886 and commencing operation in 1910, it is noted for a large variety of premium wines and brandy. From Renmark we now head to Berri for our accommodation overlooking the Murray River.

OVERNIGHT:  Berri Hotel, BERRI

HISTORIC RIVERLAND

Loxton was first settled by people of (predominantly) German origin, who were escaping religious persecution. This proud German heritage is still evident today. Our first stop is a photo opportunity at the Big Pelican. Then on to the Tree of Knowledge.  View at a glance how severely a high river can affect this region. By studying the high river levels on the trunk of this magnificent old river red gum, you can begin to understand the cycles and impact of the Murray River system. William Loxton was a stockman on the Station who lived, with his wife Mary, in a slab hut on the riverbank. A replica of this hut was built in 1970 on its original site and this was the beginnings of the Loxton Historical Village. Much of the town’s fascinating history is on display at the Historical Village and we spend the morning here looking through the collection. After lunch, we head to Barmera, a popular holiday resort town situated on the shores of Lake Bonney. We will see the monument dedicated to Sir Donald Campbell who attempted to break the Australian water speed record on Lake Bonney in the 1960’s. We then head to nearby Glossop and visit Bella Lavender Estate (1430). We have arranged afternoon tea with time to take a walk in the garden and check out their range of products for sale such as homemade soap, shampoo lip balm and arthritis cream.

OVERNIGHT: Berri Hotel, BERRI

BERRI TO NARACOORTE

We head south today to Naracoorte with our lunch stop at Bordertown before arriving at the Naracoorte Caves. Here, we visit the Wonambi Fossil Centre, stepping back in time to discover what Naracoorte was like over 200 000 years ago!  The Wonambi Fossil Centre shows how the caves acted as pitfall traps, dens and roosts for more than 500,000 years, leading to a vast accumulation of skeletal remains of reptiles, birds and mammals It recreates a time when megafauna roamed the landscape and the local animal community was more divers than today. Next, we meet our guide for a tour of the Alexandra Cave*. This spectacular cave is one of the Naracoorte Caves’ special treasures. Discovered in 1908, Alexandra Cave is full of speleothems – stalactites, stalagmites, and columns. Be amazed by the contrast between delicate needle-like stalactites and massive twisting columns. We check in to our accommodation and rest up before enjoying dinner.

*Note: As there are some steps to negotiate, reasonable mobility is required. Alternatively, the Roof Top Loop Walk linking the Wonambi Fossil Centre with the Bat Observation Centre, Bat Cave and Blanche Cave, has plenty of interpretive signage and the use of cave markers indicate when over a cave. Strategically placed viewing platforms provide a glimpse into the cave interior, or even witness bats flying in or out of their underground home. This walk provides universal access for people of all ages and abilities and provides an opportunity to experience the fascinating underground world of Naracoorte Caves.

OVERNIGHT:  William MacIntosh Motor Lodge, NARACOORTE 

NARACOORTE TO MELBOURNE

Leaving Naracoorte this morning, we cross over the border back into Victoria, watching rolling farmland stretch into the horizon. We arrive in Horsham, where the towering Horsham Silo Art, painted by renowned artist Smug, awaits. The intricate mural captures the essence of the local community, making for a perfect first stop. A short drive brings us to Murtoa, home to another striking silo artwork that celebrates the area’s agricultural heritage. We take time to admire the craftsmanship before continuing to Rupanyup, where the recently repainted silos stand as a striking new addition to the Silo Art Trail. The fresh design, created by street artist Smug, breathes new life into the town’s artistic landscape. From here we make our way to Ararat where we stop for lunch. We now head for home – our chauffeurs will be on hand to take us straight to our door – all part of the O’Shannessy’s Quality Tours superior service.