Opera by the Lakes

2024

5 DAY FULLY INCLUSIVE TOUR

Friday 15th MARCH to Tuesday 19th march


The ethos of Gippsland Opera is to encourage our young classical singers by providing stage experience and networks where they may continue to explore opportunities.



The stunning venue of Nyerimilang Park is set in a natural amphitheatre. The views across the lakes and glorious voices will simply take your breath away.

 

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS


Sale, Tour of Lakes Entrance, Historic Marlo Hotel, Cape Conran, Orbost Exhibition Centre, Nyerimilang Heritage Park, Opera by the Lakes (Premium Seats), The Stockyard Show, Krowathunkooloong Keeping Place Museum and Burra Brewing Co - Korumburra.


CRUISE
Return ferry to Raymond Island


MULTIPLE NIGHT STAYS
4 nights in Lakes Entrance



TOUR COSTS

Twin Share Room First Tour: $3,195 per person
Twin Share Room Repeat Traveller 2 - 10 Tours: $3,145 per person
Twin Share Room Repeat Traveller 11 - 20 Tours: $3,120 per person
Twin Share Room Repeat Traveller 21+ Tours: $3,095 per person
Single Room Supplement: $365 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.
 
In most cases, 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, you shall be provided with single accommodation at the twin share fare (no additional cost).

​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: FRIDAY 15TH MARCH, 2024

    MELBOURNE TO LAKES ENTRANCE


    Welcome to our tour to the fabulous Opera by the Lakes. With chauffeured pickup from home, we are transferred to meet our O’Shannessy’s Quality Tours coach and crew.  We travel east along the Princes Highway to Sale for lunch at the RSL Club. From here we continue to our destination of Lakes Entrance, home for the next four nights.


    OVERNIGHT:  Esplanade Resort and Spa, LAKES ENTRANCE


  • DAY 2: SATURDAY 16TH MARCH, 2024

    EXPLORING OUR SURROUNDS


    After breakfast this morning we meet our local expert for a town tour. We then make our way up to the coast to Marlo where we break for lunch at the Historic Marlo Hotel before continuing to Cape Conran. We can enjoy the great coastal views from the West Cape. Making our way back to Lakes Entrance, we stop at Orbost and the Orbost Exhibition Centre, located on the Snowy River and surrounded by beautiful Forest Park. The exhibition is all about timber including the National Collection of Wood Design which is on permanent display. Designed on several levels we have time to enjoy a retail showroom, a gallery for professional artists and a top level for views over the Forest Park.


    OVERNIGHT: Esplanade Resort and Spa, LAKES ENTRANCE


  • DAY 3: SUNDAY 17TH MARCH, 2024

    OPERA BY THE LAKES


    We have the morning to ourselves to sleep in, take a stroll or catch up on a little retail therapy. Late morning we head to Nyerimilang Heritage Park for the weekend’s highlight – Opera By The Lakes! With a stunning venue set in a natural amphitheatre on a cliff top, we have views over the largest lakes system in the Southern Hemisphere, where white bellied eagles fly on thermal currents. All that, plus over 167 hectares of National Park, complete with pioneer buildings and the original homestead built in 1890. This venue has annually been the home for Opera By The Lakes, which completely sells out - is it any wonder, when together with that venue, the audience have had the privilege of listening to world class opera and music theatre singers.  2024 will have international tenor Shanul Sharma, international coloratura soprano Georgia Wilkinson, international baritone Nathan Lay, international mezzo-soprano Dimity Shepherd and international soprano Kate Amos, plus local young music theatre performer Wil Jones, accompanied by the brilliant David McNicol.  We’ll hear music from the moment we arrive with the East Gippsland Brass Band until the gates open at 12 noon and then East Gippsland Symphonia, as you munch your delicious lunch prior to the ‘Official Welcome’ at 1.30pm. Then the moment you have been waiting for, the world’s best singers on stage here in East Gippsland. Enjoy hospitality like none other, a wonderful team of volunteers will ensure comfort, that seats are in place, plus provide us with a delicious gourmet boxed lunch from Albert & Co, highlighting  gourmet local produce of East Gippsland, along with a glass of award winning local wine. What a lovely way to spend an afternoon! 


    OVERNIGHT: Esplanade Resort and Spa, LAKES ENTRANCE


  • DAY 4: MONDAY 18TH MARCH, 2024

    THE STOCKYARD SHOW


    Travelling through Bairnsdale to Paynesville, 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 re-trace our steps to Paynesville for lunch before our visit to Krowathunkooloong Keeping Place. We’ll immerse ourselves in the heritage and culture of Aboriginal East Gippsland including an exhibition of contemporary aboriginal art then make our way back to our hotel.


    OVERNIGHT:  Esplanade Resort and Spa, LAKES ENTRANCE


  • DAY 5: TUESDAY 19TH MARCH, 2024

    HOMEWARD BOUND


    Our last day on tour! Departing Lakes Entrance we swing via Sale towards the coast and make our way via Yarram, Foster through to Korumburra for lunch at Burra Brewing Co  – just for something a little different! From here we continue on home 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.


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 continental 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 46 days prior to departure date.

Balance due on invoice approximately 45 days prior to departure.


Cancellation 45 to 31 days before tour departure date 20% Refund of Tour Cost

Cancellation within 30 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. If a lockdown is implemented while a tour is in progress, our first priority is the safety and wellbeing of our passengers and ensuring that we get each and every one of them home safely, and therefore we treat every situation individually. 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.

 

Share by: