Portland Coastal Gem Summer

2024

5 DAY FULLY INCLUSIVE TOUR

SUNDAY 18TH FEBRUARY TO THURSDAY 22ND FEBRUARY


Get back to nature and delve into history in this thriving city by the sea.


See streets dotted with beautiful heritage buildings, peer out from Port of Portland to where the whales often come to play or glimpse the Gannets, with their almost 2 metre wing-span, the only colony of these beautiful birds in Australia. Portland’s waterfront is also a hive of activity, there are big ships loading up local produce, the fishing fleets unloading their catch and sometimes you’ll spot a seal or blue whale. Portland is a real coastal gem!

 

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS


Narrapumelap Historic House, Portland Maritime Discovery Centre, Portland Guided Tour, Cape Bridgewater, Hamilton, Campe’s Motor Museum, Pierrepoint Wines, The Bay of Whales Gallery, Port Fairy, Tower Hill State Game Reserve, Warrnambool and Colac.


RAIL

Portland Cable Tram

MULTIPLE NIGHT STAYS

4 nights in Portland 


TOUR COSTS

Twin Share Room First Tour: $2,595 per person
Twin Share Room Repeat Traveller 2 - 10 Tours: $2,570 per person
Twin Share Room Repeat Traveller 11 - 20 Tours: $2,545 per person
Twin Share Room Repeat Traveller 21+ Tours: $2,520 per person
Single Room Supplement: $360 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: SUNDAY 18TH FEBRUARY, 2024

    MELBOURNE TO PORTLAND


    Welcome to our tour the pretty town of Portland.  With chauffeured pickup from home, we are transferred to meet our O’Shannessy’s Quality Tours coach and crew. This morning we head to a little village called Wickliffe to visit Narrapumelap Historic House, an impressive French Gothic Mansion. We’ll enjoy a tour here and a light lunch before taking an afternoon’s journey past Hamilton and down to our destination of Portland. We can unpack and settle in as this will be ‘home’ for the next four nights.


    OVERNIGHT:  Richmond Henty Hotel Motel, PORTLAND 


  • DAY 2: MONDAY 19TH FEBRUARY, 2024

    EXPLORING PORTLAND


    Wake up to the fresh sea air and get ready for a day to explore Portland. We start with a visit to the Portland Maritime Discovery Centre where we can learn about the whaling history and step inside the rib cage of a sperm whale skeleton.  Next up is the Portland Cable Tram Depot. We have time for a look at the depot museum with all the fabulous memorabilia as well as a ride on the tram. The track runs along Henty Beach, giving a close-up view of a working, natural deep water harbour. This afternoon, our local guide joins us. Portland is the oldest European settlement in Victoria and is the only deep water seaport between Adelaide and Melbourne, making it a major centre for sea transport of goods and produce for the surrounding areas. Our guide will explain about the piles of wood chips at the port and also the workings of the nearby aluminium smelter. From town we take a drive to view the Cape Nelson Lighthouse, then further on to beautiful Cape Bridgewater. Here, it’s only a short walk to view the Petrified Forest and, if the sea is churning, the blow hole. 


    OVERNIGHT: Richmond Henty Hotel Motel, PORTLAND


  • DAY 3: TUESDAY 20TH FEBRUARY, 2024

    HAMILTON AND SURROUNDS


    This morning we head inland to Hamilton, featuring historic bluestone churches, early settlers’ homes, Lake Hamilton and the Botanical Gardens, designed by Guilfoyle (who designed the Royal Botanical Gardens in Melbourne). Included in our morning’s touring is a visit to Campes Motor Museum. Local identity Glen Campe has a museum here with more than 80 vintage and veteran cars, trucks and motor bikes vehicles on display. Lunch today will be a highlight at Pierrepoint Wines where we are greeted by the friendly owners and their pets for a shared platter lunch and wine tasting. After lunch we head back to Portland stopping at The Bay of Whales Gallery which showcases some of Australia’s best realist art, with panoramic views of the South West Coast. Brett Jarrett is passionate about sharing his life experiences as a naturalist and as a skilled artist. Brett’s paintings have been selected four times for the prestigious Society of Animal Artists annual exhibition and national tour of the United States. Back in town we have some free time for some “retail therapy” in the local shops, or you may like to further explore the historic buildings around Portland.


    OVERNIGHT:  Richmond Henty Hotel Motel, PORTLAND 


  • DAY 4: WEDNESDAY 21ST FEBRUARY, 2024

    PORT FAIRY AND TOWER HILL


    Following breakfast, we head to the charming seaside village of Port Fairy where our local guide will meet us at the Visitor Information Centre. Rich in maritime history and colonial character, our passionate guide will lead us through the township highlighting blue-stone cottages, fine antique shops and original Victorian buildings. Discover more about this town at the Museum and Archives Centre before enjoying lunch overlooking the water at Charlie’s on East. We now have some free time to enjoy the village before our visit to the Tower Hill State Game Reserve. Here you’ll uncover a crater of an extinct volcano teaming with wildlife, including some very bold Emus! Observe the beauty of this reserve along a one-way scenic drive over the land bridge to the main body of land before returning to Portland for our final evening together.


    OVERNIGHT:  Richmond Henty Hotel Motel, PORTLAND 


  • DAY 5: THURSDAY 22ND FEBRUARY, 2024

    PORTLAND TO MELBOURNE


    Heading out on our final day, we travel along the coast through Warrnambool, stopping for lunch enroute in Colac. As we make our way through the lovely areas of Winchelsea and Geelong, sit back and enjoy the country scenery. This afternoon, our drive back to Melbourne completes our wonderful break away.  As usual, our chauffeurs will be on hand to take us straight to our door – all part of the O’Shannessy’s Quality Tours superior 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.

 

quotesArtboard 1 copy 2

“... With its easterly facing aspect, Portland Harbour is sheltered

and offers something for everyone …”

www.visitportland.com.au

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.

 

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