MELBOURNE TO SYDNEY TO NEWCASTLE

Welcome to our fantastic Coastal Road Trip as we travel from Sydney to Brisbane. With chauffeured pickup from home, we transfer to Melbourne Airport. Here we’ll be greeted by an O’Shannessy’s Quality Tours representative who will assist us with check in and see us onto the plane for our flight to Sydney. Here we will be welcomed by our coach crew who will assist us with our luggage, before we board the coach. We’ll stop for a lunch break, then take the drive north to Newcastle, our base for the first three nights of our tour.

Inflight refreshments / Lunch own arrangements and expense

OVERNIGHT: Apollo International Hotel, NEWCASTLE

GETTING TO KNOW NEWCASTLE

After breakfast, we get to know Newcastle. First, we take the Anzac Memorial Walk right at the ocean near Bar Beach. This impressive structure was built to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the ANZAC landing at Gallipoli and the commencement of steelmaking in Newcastle. The walk is highlighted by a 160m cliff-top bridge which is adorned with striking steel silhouettes of soldiers and inscribed with close to 4,000 family names of men and women who enlisted during World War 1. Newcastle is surrounded by beautiful beaches and as we drive around the foreshore, we make our next stop at Fort Scratchley, built on the headland of Newcastle East in 1882 to defend Newcastle against possible Russian attack. It is now a museum where they give you a map to explore the Fort on your own. For those more agile, we include a guided tunnel tour with a volunteer providing unique insight into the history of the site. (Please note: The narrow tunnel passageways involve stairways and are unsuitable for guests using wheelchairs or walkers.) This afternoon, we head to RAAF Williamtown for our visit to Fighter World, the world’s first fighter aircraft display centre. It’s here we see the history of the Australian Air Force close up. After a wonderful day, we make our way back to our hotel to relax before dinner.

OVERNIGHT: Apollo International Hotel, NEWCASTLE

HUNTER VALLEY PRODUCE

We spend the day exploring Australia’s oldest wine growing region, the Hunter Valley. Known for its charming vineyards, beautiful landscapes and gourmet treats, we are sure to have a wonderful day. A warm welcome awaits us at Twenty 3 Twenty. On arrival we are met by a friendly staff member for a talk and sample of their famous chocolate and fudges. We may even see some being made through the windows. We then make our way to Peterson House for a delicious lunch at Restaurant Cuvee. Set amongst the vineyards, the restaurant features beautiful exposed timber trusses and offers spectacular views over the surrounding vines, creating the perfect setting to relax and dine. This afternoon we visit Pokolbin Estate, one of the Hunter Valley's most respected wineries, renowned for producing premium wines made exclusively from 100% Hunter Valley grapes. Enjoy a guided wine tasting and perhaps purchase a bottle or two to take home as a reminder of your day.

OVERNIGHT: Apollo International Hotel, NEWCASTLE

NEWCASTLE TO PORT MACQUARIE

We now leave Newcastle and continue northward to Nabiac to visit the National Motorcycle Museum of Australia. This purpose-built complex houses 800 motorcycles and a motorcycle orientated gift shop. Among the favourite machines on display are a Kenilworth scooter (1919), a twin-cylinder water-cooled 2-stroke Scott, and a Vincent Black Knight. There is an excellent range of vintage bikes from the early 1900s and many interesting later machines. This will bring back some good memories for some of you. Our lunch break will be in the town of Nabiac before continuing on to our next stop, Bago Maze and Winery. With one of the world’s largest hedge mazes, you can wander this stunningly designed Lilly Pilly hedge maze or enjoy a glass of mulled wine whilst you take in the vineyard view. We now have a short drive to Port Macquarie where we stay for the next two nights.

OVERNIGHT: Comfort Resort, PORT MACQUARIE

EXPLORING PORT MACQUARIE

Today we explore the beautiful township of Port Macquarie. Our first visit is Koala Conservation Australia, a small rehabilitation centre caring for injured and sick koalas. Here we learn about their conservation and the important work being done to protect this iconic Australian species. Next, we visit Sea Acres Rainforest Centre, where an elevated boardwalk winds through lush coastal rainforest. This waterfront reserve offers a peaceful and immersive nature experience. This afternoon we make our way to the Port Macquarie Museum to discover the rich history of the region. For those who wish, there is now time to enjoy a stroll along the famous break-wall, where painted rocks create a colourful outdoor gallery by the sea.

OVERNIGHT: Comfort Resort, PORT MACQUARIE

PORT MACQUARIE TO COFFS HARBOUR

G’day, G’day and welcome to the Slim Dusty Centre in Kempsey. The Slim Dusty Centre is home to the famous Slim Dusty Museum and inspiring Nulla Nulla Regional Gallery. We continue on via South West Rocks to visit the Trial Bay Gaol. Step back in time on a guided tour, soaking up the history and the amazing coastal views of the Arakoon National Park. The gaol opened in 1886, after 13 years of construction. It must have been a strange feeling building a prison in such a beautiful setting. The prison labourers were there to construct a breakwater to make Trial Bay a safe harbour. Unfortunately the scheme failed, however you’ll still be able to see the remains of the breakwater from the guard tower lookout. During World War I the gaol became an internment camp for people of German descent who were feared to be enemy sympathisers. We then continue our drive north to Coffs Harbour for our overnight stay.

OVERNIGHT: Opal Cove Resort, COFFS HARBOUR

COFFS HARBOUR TO BALLINA

This morning, we make a photo stop at Coffs Harbour's iconic Big Banana, one of Australia's original "Big Things". We then explore the National Cartoon Gallery and Holden Museum, home to a unique collection of Australian cartoons and classic Holden memorability. Our next stop is the quirky Clog Barn and Dutch Model Village. Explore charming Dutch craftsmanship and wander through the working miniature model village. After lunch, we visit the spectacular Forest Sky Pier Lookout to enjoy panoramic views over the rainforest and coastline. We then continue to Ballina, home to the famous Big Prawn, before arriving at our accommodation for the next two nights.

OVERNIGHT: Ballina Byron Islander Resort, BALLINA

EXPLORING THE AREA

We begin our day with a scenic drive to Alstonville, where we step back in time at the Crawford House Museum. This beautifully restored Federation-era home offers a fascinating glimpse into life on the Alstonville Plateau in the early 1900s, complete with period furnishings, photographs and stories of the district’s past. Our lunch stop today is Summerland Farm, a beautiful macadamia and avocado farm set high in the Ballina-Byron hinterland. Afterward, we return to Ballina to explore the Ballina Naval and Maritime Museum. We then return to Ballina and visit the Ballina Naval and Maritime Museum. Here we’ll uncover the region’s rich seafaring heritage, from model ships and naval memorabilia to the remarkable story of the Las Balsas Expedition — an epic voyage in 1973 when three rafts sailed across the Pacific Ocean from Ecuador, making landfall right here in Ballina.

OVERNIGHT: Ballina Byron Islander Resort, BALLINA

BALLINA TO BRISBANE

This morning we drive the coastal road from Ballina to the popular tourist township of Byron Bay, with its beautiful beaches and “alternative” style shops. Upon arrival we visit the Byron Bay Lighthouse Precinct, where you can take a walk to the Cape Byron Headland Reserve – mainland Australia’s most easterly point. Enjoy the spectacular, panoramic coastal views. Keep a close watch on the ocean, as you may be lucky enough to spot majestic whales during their annual migration past the cliffs. Next, we travel to Tropical Fruit World for an informative guided tractor tour across the lush plantation, followed by a delicious tropical fruit tasting session and a relaxing lunch. This afternoon, we cross over the border into Queensland and the big smoke of Brisbane.

OVERNIGHT: Hotel Grand Chancellor, BRISBANE

DISCOVERING BRISBANE

This morning we take a drive to the Mt. Coot-tha Lookout for a breathtaking panorama of Brisbane City and its surrounds from the observation deck. The lookout has been a favorite destination for both residents and visitors to Brisbane since before the turn of the century. Brisbane and Mt Coot-tha have both undergone great changes since then. In 1880, One Tree Hill, as Mt Coot-tha was then known, together with the surrounding area of 1500 acres, was declared a reserve for public recreation. We now enjoy a River Cruise with live commentary and morning tea, taking in iconic landmarks like the Story Bridge, Kangaroo Point and the city’s riverside precincts. This afternoon finds us at the South Bank Parklands. After a gondola ride on the Wheel of Brisbane, we enjoy some free time wandering the parklands before returning back to our accommodation for our last night together.

OVERNIGHT: Hotel Grand Chancellor, BRISBANE

BRISBANE TO MELBOURNE

With all the memories of the past week, we pack our bags for our direct flight home to Melbourne. Our chauffeurs will be on hand to take us straight to our door—all part of the O’Shannessy’s Quality Tours superior service.

Lunch at own expense and arrangement / Refreshments inflight