MELBOURNE TO BENDIGO

Welcome to our brand new tour featuring Trains and Op Shops! With chauffeured pickup from home, we are transferred to meet our O’Shannessy’s Quality Tours coach and crew. We’ll make a stop for morning tea enroute to Seymour, known in history for its gold rush days, military presence and railway service. While here we are in for a truly special experience at the Seymour Railway Heritage Centre, home to an impressive collection of historic rollingstock spanning more than a century, including royal and vice-regal carriages. We start with a wonderful site tour and walk through the lovely old carriages, followed by a special lunch aboard the 1937 Spirit of Progress dining car. Although stationary, we can still appreciate the old-worldly charm. Thanking our hosts, we then head to Bendigo, where we settle in for the next two nights.

OVERNIGHT: Quality Lakeside Hotel, BENDIGO

EXPLORING BENDIGO

Bendigo boasts one of the most impressive collections of Victorian-era architecture among Australia’s inland cities. This morning, a local expert joins us on the coach for a guided tour of some of the city’s architectural highlights, including the iconic Shamrock Hotel and the majestic Sacred Heart Cathedral. After thanking our guide, we enjoy morning tea at the Tram Café before boarding the ‘Talking Tram’ for an interesting ride through the main areas of Bendigo to see some of the other stunning buildings and to learn a little about the history of the Goldfields. We stop to visit Ravenswood Homestead for lunch and a guided tour. Gold was first discovered on the property, which led to Bendigo becoming one of the richest towns in the world. Consequently, this property plays a big part in the history of Bendigo and is a most interesting visit. This afternoon, return to Bendigo for the afternoon to wander the beautiful township and discover the local op shops before returning to the hotel.

OVERNIGHT: Quality Lakeside Hotel, BENDIGO

BENDIGO TO BALLARAT

This morning we make our way to Castlemaine. On arrival, we have some time to explore the Windarring Recycled Store before heading to the Victorian Goldfields Railway to board our train for a ride in the beautifully restored, century-old timber carriages journeying from Castlemaine to Maldon. The historic village of Maldon was christened the "First Notable Town in Australia" by the National Trust because of its authenticity. Upon arrival, we reboard the coach and make our way to the historic town of Maryborough. We enjoy lunch at The Station by Whiskey June before a tour of the award winning, historic Maryborough Railway Station - dating back to the 1890s. After our tour, explore the treasure trove of used furniture and antiques and much more at the Coach Factory Pickers Market. After an interesting visit we then continue making our way to Ballarat for our overnight stay.

OVERNIGHT: Sovereign Park Motor Inn, BALLARAT

BALLARAT TO HORSHAM

We begin today’s touring with a tour of one of Ballarat’s most imposing homes, Bishops Palace. Built in 1877 as the home for the first Bishop of Ballarat, now open to the public the Bishops Palace is an impressive example of 19th-century Gothic architecture with an unusual design and is particularly notable for its four acres of impressive heritage-listed gardens. After our tour, we have an enjoyable morning tea before travelling to Ararat. On arrival, we have time to hunt for some local bargains before lunch. This afternoon, we travel to our final shopping destination for today, Stawell, stopping to explore the range of local op shops. This afternoon, rejoin the coach and continue our way to Horsham, settling in for the next three nights.

OVERNIGHT: Best Westlander Motor Inn, HORSHAM

OP SHOPS AND MURTOA

This morning, we’ll browse some of the local op shops before making our way to Woods Farming & Heritage Museum in Rupanyup. Uncover local history as you wander by the many unique display of engines, tractors and much more. We will also enjoy lunch here before visiting the local painted Silo; the silos’ original artwork faded, but 2025 saw renowned artist Smug breathe new life into the site. The new mural explodes with colour and detail, depicting local youth in tribute to rural sport and togetherness. Retracing our steps back to Murtoa, we visit the awe-inspiring Murtoa Stick Shed. Crafted from 560 natural mountain ash poles, it spans 270m, reaching 19m in height and 60m in width—an overwhelming testament to bush-style construction. Next, discover the Murtoa Museum Precinct, home to the Murtoa Railway Station, Water Tower and Concordia Cottage. Step back in time to a bygone era and discover the wide range of historical artefacts and memorabilia displayed throughout the precinct, as well. Here we will also find the breathtaking mural featuring a flock of brightly coloured birds. We now return to Horsham.

OVERNIGHT: Best Westlander Motor Inn, HORSHAM

LAKE BOLAC AND WICKLIFFE

Today, we discover some more of the region’s op shops. First stop is Lake Bolac where we break for morning tea, famous for the 1460 hectare freshwater lake, popular for water sports. While here, we visit The Treasure Hunters Hall, full of pre-loved treasures to browse. Next, we step into a world of elegance, charm and serenity at Narrapumelap Historic Homestead where we enjoy lunch. The impressive French Gothic Mansion was built in 1873 and was originally owned by a successful pastoralist and philanthropist, John Dixon Wyselaskie. We now return to Horsham, travelling through Halls Gap in the Grampians.

OVERNIGHT: Best Westlander Motor Inn, HORSHAM

HOMEWARD BOUND

Before departing Horsham this morning, we’ll take a look at Horsham’s silos, titled “Yangga Dyata”, which means “Walking on Country”. Continuing our journey to Dimboola we’ll uncover a bargain or two at the Dimboola Lutheran Bargain Centre before visiting Dimboola Vintage. Once we are all shopped out, we’ll enjoy lunch before boarding the Overland train for our journey to Ararat where our coach will meet us to travel back to Melbourne. What a great time away it’s been! 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!