Tropic Rambler

featuring the Tweed Valley 2024

7 DAY FULLY INCLUSIVE TOUR

MONDAY 9th SEPTEMBER TO SUNDAY 15TH SEPTEMBER


We all know the Gold Coast for its beaches and glamour but there’s plenty more to discover. Beyond the beaches, we explore the Tweed, which has long been overshadowed by its more famous neighbour, Coolangatta. Take a river cruise, explore a World Heritage Rainforest and delight in a high tea at Imperial Hotel Gold Coast.


TOUR HIGHLIGHTS


Southport, Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, High Tea at Imperial Hotel Gold Coast, Tweed Regional Gallery, Margaret Olley Art Centre, Byron Bay, Tambourine Mountain, Gallery Walk, Lamington National Park, O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat, Tree Top Walk, Carrara Markets, Tropical Fruit World and Australian Outback Spectacular — Heartland.

 
FLIGHTS 
Melbourne to Gold Coast

Gold Coast to Melbourne

 
CRUISE 
River and Rainforest Cruise, Tweed River 


RAIL
Solar Train, Byron Bay


MULTIPLE NIGHT STAYS
6 nights in Southport

 

TOUR COSTS

Twin Share Room First Tour: $3,995 per person
Twin Share Room Repeat Traveller 2 - 10 Tours: $3,945 per person
Twin Share Room Repeat Traveller 11 - 20 Tours: $3,920 per person
Twin Share Room Repeat Traveller 21+ Tours: $3,895 per person
Single Room Supplement: $440 per person
 
Deposit: $500 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: MONDAY 9TH SEPTEMBER 2024

    MELBOURNE TO SOUTHPORT


    Welcome to our 7 day Tropic Rambler tour. With chauffeured pickup from home, we travel 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 direct flight to The Gold Coast. Arriving at Coolangatta, we will be welcomed by our coach crew who will assist us with our luggage before we board the coach, making our way to Southport on the Gold Coast, Queensland’s holiday playground. We’re here for six nights so unpack and settle in!


    Lunch at own arrangements and cost / Refreshments on flight


    OVERNIGHT:  Mantra at Sharks, SOUTHPORT


  • DAY 2: TUESDAY 10TH SEPTEMBER, 2024

    THE GOLD COAST


    Our breakfast this morning is a little unusual as we head out for an early breakfast at the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary. We have the morning to immerse ourselves in the sanctuary experience, feeding the wild lorikeets or perhaps riding the miniature vintage steam train stopping at stations to feed kangaroos, hold a koala and enjoy the free-flight bird show. Late morning, we wander back up the coast to Main Beach for a very special High Tea at The Imperial Hotel Gold Coast. Set in an exclusive waterfront locale, every aspect of architecture, furnishings and ornamentation reflects an ambience of pure glamour. We now have some free time on the famous “Surfers Paradise strip” before returning to the hotel for dinner.


    OVERNIGHT: Mantra at Sharks, SOUTHPORT


  • DAY 3: WEDNESDAY 11TH SEPTEMBER, 2024

    EXPLORING THE TWEED 


    We’re off to Murwillumbah this morning to visit the Tweed Regional Gallery and Margaret Olley Art Centre. Surrounded by beautiful gardens and lawns and offering panoramic views of the Tweed River, the gallery’s world class collection of portraits represents Australians from all walks of life. The Margaret Olley Arts Centre celebrates the career, life and legacy of its namesake, Margaret Olley – Australia’s most celebrated painter of still life and interiors. We make our way to gorgeous Byron Bay for lunch and an enjoyable train journey. The Solar Train is a restored heritage train that operates on energy from the sun. We then meander back up the coast to the hotel with time to relax before dinner. Some may like to take a walk before dinner.


    OVERNIGHT: Mantra at Sharks, SOUTHPORT


  • DAY 4: THURSDAY 12TH SEPTEMBER, 2024

    DISCOVERING THE HINTERLAND


    Today we drive to scenic Tamborine Mountain which sits on the edge of the escarpment behind the city of the Gold Coast. Tamborine Mountain is really a collective term for a number of small villages and settlements stretching along the ridge of the mountain range. First, we enjoy the stunning rainforest scenery at Tamborine Rainforest Skywalk. Set in acres of magnificent rainforests beside the crystal-clear rock pools of Cedar Creek, we can immerse ourselves in a comprehensive array of rainforest flora and fauna. The thrill will be the 40-metre bridge that soars a breathtaking 30 metres above the creek and rainforest below. Enjoy the beautiful views which exist on both sides of the ranges. We will have some free time to wander along Gallery Walk browsing the shops and galleries.  We then continue up into the Lamington National Park and visit the famous O’Reilly’s property. The O’Reilly’s have been welcoming people to their mountain home for over 80 years and have introduced 3 generations of Australians to the rainforests, waterfalls and wildlife of the famous Lamington National Park - now nominated for World Heritage listing. We will enjoy a light lunch at O’Reilly’s and if you are feeling adventurous try the Tree Top Walk. It allows you to walk through the canopy to see flowering and fruiting trees and vines, the epiphytic orchids and ferns, and the birds and animals that inhabit the tree tops.


    OVERNIGHT: Mantra at Sharks, SOUTHPORT


  • DAY 5: FRIDAY 13TH SEPTEMBER, 2024

    MORE OF THE TWEED


    We have an easy morning before making our way to Tweed Heads where we board Tweed Eco Cruises and journey along the magnificent Tweed River for our River and Rainforest Cruise. Take in the beauty of the landscape as we journey along the Tweed River to the rainforest at Stott’s Island. Relish in the opportunity to relax while taking in the abundant nature that the regions river and mangrove system hold, whist enjoying local morning tea and grazing board lunch. We’ll enjoy historical commentary from our captain as we uncover the regions history, indigenous culture and world class eco system that forms part of the UNESCO World Heritage Gondwana Subtropical Rainforest.


    OVERNIGHT:  Mantra at Sharks, SOUTHPORT

     

  • DAY 6: SATURDAY 14TH SEPTEMBER, 2024

    CARRARA MARKETS AND TROPICAL FRUIT WORLD


    Carrara Markets is the biggest permanent marketplace in Australia with over 400 market stalls and today we’re going to spend some time to explore – it’s a treasure trove of the curious and unusual and a bargain hunters’ stamping ground! Our next stop is at Tropical Fruit World where after lunch, we are introduced to the home of the largest range of tropical and rare fruit in the world! The plantation is situated on the rim of the largest extinct volcano in the Southern Hemisphere and offers breathtaking views over the Tweed Valley and McPherson Ranges. Travelling by tractor train throughout the orchards, we learn and taste the exotic, unusual and delicious fruit varieties grown on the family farm. This evening we are in for a treat! There is no place on earth like the Australian outback... and no show on earth like the show at the Australian Outback Spectacular – Heartland. Enjoy the story with true Australian characters, Reg and Marge, who are battling a severe five year drought on their farm. Prepare to embark on a vivid, spectacular and emotional ride into the heart of the Australian bush under the iconic red roof with a delicious three course dinner.  Australia’s favourite dinner and show is more than a night out – it’s an experience steeped in courage, tradition and daring Australian spirit. What a fabulous night!


    OVERNIGHT:  Mantra at Sharks, SOUTHPORT


  • DAY 7: SUNDAY 15TH SEPTEMBER, 2024

    HOMEWARD BOUND


    Completing our memorable tour of the wonderful Tropical Tweed, we are transferred to Coolangatta Airport for our return flight to Melbourne.  Upon arrival, our chauffeurs will be waiting to safely take us home with some wonderful new memories of our great getaway! All part of the O’Shannessy’s Quality Tours service.


    Lunch at own arrangements and cost / Refreshments on flight


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.


Flights

Economy flights from Melbourne to Gold Coast and return.


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 and lunches most days, and two course restaurant dinners daily.

Two lunches at your own expense as per itinerary.


No Hidden Extras

O'Shannessy's Quality Tours are fully inclusive.

 

quotesArtboard 1 copy 2

“...Snaking its way through the Tweed Valley is the serene Tweed River,

rising to the eastern slopes of the Great Dividing Range…”

australiayourway.com/tweed-valley/

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 approximately 60 days prior to departure.


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. 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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