New Year in Mount Gambier

2026

5 DAY FULLY INCLUSIVE TOUR

Tuesday 29th december 2026 to Saturday 2nd january 2027


Celebrate the arrival of the New Year with us in Mount Gambier, home to volcanic landscapes and crystal-clear lakes. Discover the vivid blue waters of the iconic Blue Lake, stroll through the beautifully lush Umpherston Sinkhole and soak up the charm

of the surrounding townships as we welcome the year ahead. Surrounded by natural beauty and local highlights, Mount Gambier provides the perfect setting for a memorable New Year escape.



TOUR HIGHLIGHTS


Narrapumelap Mansion Wickliffe, Blue Lake Pumping Station, Guided tour of Mount Gambier, District Maritime Museum Port Macdonnell, Tantanoola Cave, Guided tour of Penola, St Mary MacKillop Interpretive Centre Penola, Caroline Hills Winery, Umpherston Sinkhole and Lady Nelson Visitor & Discovery Centre.

MULTIPLE NIGHT STAYS
4 nights in Mount Gambier


TOUR COSTS

Twin Share Room First Tour: $3,595 per person
Twin Share Room Repeat Traveller 2 - 10 Tours: $3,545 per person
Twin Share Room Repeat Traveller 11 - 20 Tours: $3,520 per person
Twin Share Room Repeat Traveller 21+ Tours: $3,495 per person
Single Room Supplement: $605 per person
 
Deposit: $300 per person
 

As a thank you for travelling with O’Shannessy’s Quality Tours, you will automatically receive a saving on the total tour price for your second and subsequent tours.


O’Shannessy’s Quality Tours will match single travellers who wish to twin share with another single traveller of the same gender.

However, if this is not possible, in most cases you shall be provided with single accommodation at the twin share fare

(no additional cost).


If you are willing to twin share but are a smoker, have a CPAP machine or snore, you will need to pay a single supplement for a sole use room.

​O'Shanessy's Quality Tours are now providing travel insurance through Nib Insurance.


Travel insurance is not compulsory, however the Australian Government (see www.smarttraveller.gov.au) recommends all travellers no matter where you are going, obtain comprehensive travel insurance from a reputable provider at the time the balance of the tour is to be paid. It may enable you to claim back the cost of your tour if you are unable to travel or must cancel at late notice.

​Always read the PDS provided, to ensure the cover meets your needs.

MAP

ITINERARY

  • DAY 1: TUESDAY 29TH DECEMBER, 2026

    MELBOURNE TO MOUNT GAMBIER


    Welcome to our New Year’s getaway to explore the stunning region of Mount Gambier. With chauffeured pickup from home, we are transferred to meet our O’Shannessy’s Quality Tours coach and crew. Following our morning tea break, we travel to Wickliffe where we stop for lunch at Narrapumelap Mansion, an impressive French Gothic Mansion. This afternoon, our journey takes us across the border into South Australia to Mount Gambier home for the next four nights.


    OVERNIGHT: The Barn Accommodation & Steakhouse, MOUNT GAMBIER


  • DAY 2: WEDNESDAY 30TH DECEMBER, 2026

    MOUNT GAMBIER AND PORT MACDONNELL


    Our day begins at the Blue Lake Welcome Centre with a guided tour of the Blue Lake Pumping Station. Discover the fascinating story of this extraordinary volcanic lake, from ancient folklore and legends to its mysterious annual colour change, unique wildlife, and the vital role it plays in supplying water to Mt Gambier. After a morning break, we are joined by a local guide for an insightful tour of the town before heading south to Port Macdonnell, South Australia’s southernmost point, set against a dramatic rugged coastline. At the District Maritime Museum, uncover the rich maritime history of the port with a guided sightseeing tour, followed by time to explore the museum.  We will then return to Mount Gambier to unwind and enjoy a relaxed evening.


    OVERNIGHT:  The Barn Accommodation & Steakhouse, MOUNT GAMBIER


  • DAY 3: THURSDAY 31ST DECEMBER, 2026

    NATURAL WONDERS AND AUSTRALIA’S FIRST SAINT


    Get ready for a captivating journey today as we drive through the magnificent pine forests of Mount Burr on our way to Tantanoola, a region famed for its abundance of caves. Here we explore the stunning Tantanoola Cave, a rare gem that is fully accessible. Formed within an ancient coastal cliff, the cave dazzles with exquisite columns, delicate shawls, and intricate helictites. Discovered in 1930 by Boyce Lane, it is both a natural wonder and a site of historical significance.  Next, we continue to the picturesque country town of Penola, renowned for its rich heritage. Meeting a local guide we uncover the fascinating history of Penola before lunch.  In the afternoon, we discover more at the Saint Mary MacKillop Interpretive Centre, where welcoming volunteers reveal the inspiring story of Australia’s first saint. Adjacent to the centre, Petticoat Lane offers a glimpse into pioneer life in the 1890s, including the story of Christopher Sharam, his wife, and their 15 children. After a lovely day, we return to Mount Gambier to relax before welcoming the New Year.  Following dinner, we’ll find the perfect vantage point to enjoy the New Year’s Eve fireworks* —so have your cameras ready for this spectacular display!


    *Please note: Fireworks are based on 2025/2026 New Years and have not been advised for 2026/2027. Therefore, these are subject to change.


    OVERNIGHT: The Barn Accommodation & Steakhouse, MOUNT GAMBIER


  • DAY 4: FRIDAY 1ST JANUARY, 2027

    HAPPY NEW YEAR!


    Happy New Year! Enjoy a leisurely morning before visiting Caroline Hills Winery, where you’ll hear the story behind the winery and have morning tea. While here, we will also enjoy a tour through the peaceful surrounding gardens and a tasting. After thanking our hosts, we continue on to Umpherston Sinkhole, a large limestone sinkhole transformed into a stunning garden by Scottish settler James Umpherston in the late 1800s. A staircase leads to the bottom of this natural wonder, where visitors can admire the lush garden and look up through the opening to the sky above — a truly mesmerising experience. Following lunch, we visit the Lady Nelson Visitor and Discovery Centre. Here, we uncover the voyage of discovery undertaken by Lieutenant James Grant aboard His Majesty’s Armed Survey Vessel Lady Nelson, commissioned in 1799 to survey the coast of Australia and the first ship to sail along the coastline of South Australia. As we explore a series of well-presented display rooms, we’ll discover much more, including an engaging hologram featuring the ‘ghost’ of Christina Smith, an early European settler. After a wonderful start to the year, we return to our hotel to relax before dinner.


    OVERNIGHT:  The Barn Accommodation & Steakhouse, MOUNT GAMBIER


  • DAY 5: SATURDAY 2ND JANUARY, 2027

    HEADING HOME


    This morning, we journey back into Victoria, through the picturesque Western District, a volcanic plain dotted with crater lakes and volcanic cones. Along the way, we’ll marvel at miles of dry-stone walls, known as the stony rises, skilfully built in the 1860s by Irish and Scottish wallers. Later this afternoon, our holiday concludes in Melbourne, where our chauffeurs will whisk us straight to our door - all part of O’Shannessy’s Quality Tours signature service.


TOUR INCLUSIONS

Complimentary Chauffeur Driven Transfers
Victorian passengers from Greater Melbourne, Bendigo, Torquay, Ballarat, Geelong, the Bellarine and Mornington Peninsulas, Phillip Island and selected areas of Gippsland will be picked up from home in a private chauffeured vehicle by one of our professional drivers.

For Victorian passengers not within this pick up zone, or our interstate passengers a quote can be provided for home pickup in extended areas.

At the end of your tour, you will be safely returned home with memories of a sensational tour.

Luxury Touring Coaches

Our full size, 3 axle luxury coaches have only 32-36 passenger seats allowing you even more personal space and extra leg room. Our coaches are fitted with comfortable reclining seats with aisle arm rests, foot rests, seat belts, panoramic windows with blinds, refrigerator for passenger use, restroom, climate control air conditioning and Road Cam monitors which display the road ahead in real time. Each coach has a second door for easier entry and exit and touchless hand sanitizer dispensers at each entry to help keep everyone safe. Our coaches have full air suspension delivering a smooth and

quiet ride which also allows us to lower the coach closer to the ground, making boarding and disembarking even easier.


Tour Directors

Dedicated O’Shannessy’s Quality Tours coach crew (tour directors) on board to ensure your travel experience is memorable.


Best Available Quality Accommodation

Ensuite motel accommodation each night.


Attractions

All tours and interest venues as per itinerary.


Meals

All full cooked breakfasts, morning teas most days, all lunches and two course restaurant dinners daily.


No Hidden Extras

O'Shannessy's Quality Tours are fully inclusive.

 

PAYMENT AND CANCELLATION POLICY


Receipt of payment of funds will be taken as acceptance of O’Shannessy’s Quality Tours conditions of travel for this tour.

Prices include GST and all taxes.


Deposit is fully refundable until 61 days prior to departure date.

Balance due on invoice.


Cancellation 60 to 46 days before tour departure date 20% Refund of Tour Cost

Cancellation within 45 days of tour departure date No Refund

On or after tour date departure No Refund


If a tour is cancelled for any reason by O’Shannessy’s Quality Tours before the departure date, all passengers will be offered the option of transferring to another tour of their choice, hold the funds in trust for a future tour or a full refund. There is no time limit as to when this must be used. The Australian Government (see www.smarttraveller.gov.au) recommends all travellers no matter where you are going, obtain comprehensive travel insurance from a reputable provider. It may enable you to claim back the cost of your tour if you are unable to travel or have to cancel at late notice. Always read the PDS provided, to ensure the cover meets all of your needs. We are able to provide travel insurance through Nib Insurance. If you would like a quote

please call our office toll free on 1800 354 352.