MELBOURNE TO NARRANDERA

Welcome to our holiday to regional New South Wales as we hunt for Silo and Water Tank Big Art! 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 enroute to Shepparton where we enjoy lunch. We cross the Murray River at Tocumwal, with an afternoon break at Jerilderie. We arrive in Narrandera with time to relax before dinner. Narrandera is the gateway to the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area (M.I.A.). Known for its tree lined streets, parks and gardens, Narrandera is often referred to as an ‘oasis’, blessed with abundant water and hugging the banks of Lake Talbot and the Murrumbidgee River.

OVERNIGHT:  Narrandera Club Motor Inn, NARRANDERA

NARRANDERA TO DUBBO

This morning we hit the road and head through Barellan to view the “Big Tennis Racquet” erected to commemorate tennis player Evonne Goolagong-Cawley. From here we travel to Weethalle to view the painted Silo, followed by our lunch stop in Ungarie. Here we also see Ungarie’s Big Football, a heartfelt tribute to AFL legends - the Daniher brothers. This afternoon’s journey takes us through Condobolin to see the interesting Utes in the paddock before arriving in Dubbo with time to relax before dinner.

OVERNIGHT:  The Oxley Motel, DUBBO

HISTORIC HOMESTEAD AND BIG ART HUNTING

This morning we visit an idyllic rural homestead with tranquil parklands and a pioneering past. Dundullimal Homestead was originally a 10,000 hectare working property and is now a beautifully-restored connection to the rural past. Step inside the 1840s homestead to experience wide halls, fine cedar joinery, and cobblestone verandah. Out in the park-like grounds, explore sandstone stables, a timber church, and blacksmith’s forge for a real sense of working life on a sheep and cattle station. After enjoying a delicious morning tea here, we begin an afternoon of big art hunting. From Dubbo we make our way to the small town of Gulargambone and discover Jenny McCracken’s artwork, ‘Lucky Dip’, adorning the Gulargambone water tower. It’s not merely a visual spectacle but a vibrant testament to the region’s rich biodiversity and ecological health. Whilst in town there are several murals we can see, before enjoying lunch. Then we’re off to Warren to take in the town’s Water Tower. The idea behind this mural is to represent the sports that are available in the new Carter Oval Youth Sports Precinct. The sports being featured are Cricket, Soccer, Swimming and Skateboarding. It is quite an amazing piece of art! We finish the afternoon in Nevertire and discover that the Water Tower here stands as a remarkable tribute to the region’s agricultural heritage, painted by the talented artist Bastian Allfrey.

OVERNIGHT:  The Oxley Motel, DUBBO

DUBBO TO MUDGEE

This morning we are off to Dunedoo. The Winx Silo features a retired champion Australian thoroughbred racehorse and her famous rider Hugh Bowman, who was also born in Dunedoo. Continuing our journey, we step back in time to discover the rich stories of Gulgong — a historic goldmining town renowned for its captivating museums and character-filled pubs.  With our local guide leading the way, we uncover the hidden treasures that make Gulgong a true gem of the past, followed by a visit to the Henry Lawson Centre - a living memorial to this famous Australian. We continue our journey into the past at the Gulgong Pioneer Museum, where an incredible collection of local and general memorabilia brings the region’s history to life.  From everyday artifacts to rare finds, each display tells a story.  If we’re lucky, we might even hear the nostalgic sounds of an old phonograph playing — a charming echo from a bygone era. After soaking in the heritage, we hit the road and make our way to Mudgee where we settle in for the next two nights.

OVERNIGHT:  Parklands Resort and Conference Centre, MUDGEE

EXPLORING MUDGEE

We are given a warm introduction to this idyllic town nestled within a soft, green valley with a local guide. Dropping off our guide, we stop at Mudgee Honey Haven to taste some local honey and mead – you may also like to purchase your favourites. Heading out of town we visit Gooree Park. One of the most historic and picturesque properties, it has the enviable reputation of being one of the country’s leading thoroughbred grounds. Enjoy a guided tour of the stud, wine tasting and lunch here.  Our final stop for the day is at Robert Stein Winery, where we have a wine tasting and spend some time to look through the Motorcycle Museum that is home to Robert’s personal collection of motorcycles, rare collectables and photographs.

OVERNIGHT:  Parklands Resort and Conference Centre, MUDGEE 

MUDGEE TO WAGGA WAGGA

Our destination today is Wagga Wagga. Along the way we will stop at Molong for our morning break and see their Water Tank art - a vibrant scene of blue skies, blooming yellow wattle and colorful birds. We then continue to Cowra where we enjoy lunch and time to pop into the Visitors Information Centre to view the fascinating SpectraVision story on the Cowra POW breakout. This afternoon we will continue south via Young and Cootamundra to Wagga Wagga for our last night on tour.

OVERNIGHT:  Mercure Wagga Wagga, WAGGA WAGGA

WAGGA WAGGA TO MELBOURNE

What a great holiday we have had! We complete our check out formalities and head to Albury for our morning break. Back in Victoria, we stop for lunch enroute before arriving home later this afternoon. No need for a taxi or lift, we will be chauffeur driven home -  all part of the great O’Shannessy’s Quality Tours service!