2023/24 - A Victorian Highlights Tour
Featuring Harrow Sound and Light Show and Heartbeat of the Murray Laser Light Show
Day 1 (LD): Setting Off (Saturday)
We have a great few days ahead of us featuring two regional evening shows – the Harrow Sound & Light Show and the Heartbeat of the Murray Laser Light Show in Swan Hill. First stop this morning is the Creswick Woollen Mill. A Very Fine Yarn” is the mill’s interactive experience, showcasing the journey of fibre all the way from its source on the animal, through the manufacturing process and how it finishes up on the shop shelf. The new exhibit gives a great insight into, how these luxurious fibres are processed and gives visitors a chance to see manufacturing as it happens at the last coloured woollen spinning mill in Australia.
From here we take a sightseeing drive to Daylesford. Like Ballarat, Daylesford is a former goldmining town in the foothills of the Great Dividing Range. The broader area around the town, including Hepburn Springs to the north, is renowned for its natural spring mineral spas. We have planned a visit to the Convent Gallery. The Convent Gallery which sits on top of Wombat Hill overlooking Daylesford is a temple for the arts. The history of this place, that was built in 1891 as a country boarding school for girls is fascinating. We take a tour of the gallery and have lunch before continuing towards Horsham. Our afternoon stop is at Murtoa to visit the unique Stick Shed. Built in 1941 it was the first emergency bulk wheat storage shed built in Victoria and is the only remaining shed of this type in Australia. We then head over to Horsham and check into our accommodation. This evening’s entertainment – the Harrow Sound & Light Show. Best described as a light hearted production on the move, the show is a night full of mystery, mayhem and fun, where the audience travels back 150 years in time to Harrow circa 1850. Dinner is served in 19th century, bush style surroundings.
All manner of historical characters may cross our path tonight ….. bush-rangers, troopers, indiscreet women, Major Mitchell, the town Doctor and Midwife, in fact any number of people!! It will be a memorable night albeit at little late as the coach won’t be back into Horsham until around 11pm.
Visitors are reminded to dress to match the weather and flat shoes are recommended, as some outside walking is involved. The show is fully licensed. (Meal inclusions: lunch & 3 course show dinner)
Best Westlander Motel, Horsham – 1 night
Day 2 (BLD): To Swan Hill (Sunday)
After breakfast this morning we have arranged a short visit to the local Sylvania Park Mohair Farm – a 500 acre commercial property on the Wimmera River, home to Mulgowrie Mohair Goat Stud. We will be shown some of the farm activities including a goat shearing demonstration and enjoy a country style morning tea. Our lunch stop today is at Donald. There is an interesting stop here on the edge of the town. Located in the old Abattoir Buildings is a thriving business called Kooka’s Country Cookies. Don’t be deceived by the dilapidated surroundings!! This is an enterprise that generates more than $10 million is sales each year and distributes homemade style cookies to most of the major supermarket chains in Australia. We take a look and enjoy a sample before a pub lunch and then continue onto Swan Hill. (Meal inclusions: Breakfast & dinner in the motel/Pub lunch)
Swan Hill Resort - 2 nights
Day 3 (BLD): Piangil and Tooleybuc (Monday)
Following breakfast, we have a local guide step on board the coach for a guided tour of Swan Hill before we head to Tyntynder Homestead (Aboriginal for 'song of birds'). Tyntynder Homestead was the area's first European property, which once covered 78,000 hectares and stretched 50 kilometres along the Murray River. Set beside the river, the homestead was the first ever brick veneer homestead built in the country. For lunch we cross the rickety old bridge to Tooleybuc and have lunch at the Tooleybuc Sports Club.
On our way back to Swan Hill we call into the cellar door at Andrew Pierce Wines. We are then off to the Pioneer Settlement Museum -Australia’s first outdoor museum. We’ll wander through living history as well as enjoy a cruise on the mighty Murray River aboard the Paddleboat Pyap. This evening after dinner we stay on at the Pioneer Settlement for the magical ‘Heartbeat of the Murray’ Laser Light show. (Meal inclusions: Breakfast in the motel/Club Lunch/Show dinner)
Day 4 (BL): Heading Home (Tuesday)
This morning we head south on the Murray Valley Highway to Lake Boga, home to the famous Catalina Flying Boat A24-30 - one of only 4 in Australia. The Flying Boat played an integral part in the allied defence of the South Pacific during World War II, with all types of Flying Boats that were serviced at Lake Boga being represented in the Museum. We take a tour and have some free time to look through the museum followed by lunch in the café. We then travel home to complete our 4 day tour. (Meal inclusions: Breakfast in the motel/Light lunch)
Tour Price
$1,025 per person (sharing a twin or double room)
Spring/Summer/Autumn – 2023/24 (subject to availability)
The tour price is dependent on a minimum of 40 paying customers. Should the number of bookings not reach the minimum of 40 the following prices apply –
Minimum 35 - $1,030
Minimum 30 - $1,040
Minimum 25 - $1,055
Minimum 20 - $1,070
Add $240 for a guaranteed single room
Fares subject to change and availability of services. Includes most meals, local guides and entry fees.
Travel Insurance is strongly recommended
Tour Inclusions
Tour Price includes accommodation as per the itinerary, meals as indicated (B= Cooked breakfast, L= Light or packed lunch, D = Buffet or limited choice dinner), deluxe touring coach with seatbelts, attractions/entries as noted.
Next Steps
To arrange a tour for your club simply contact Alex Corones from Australian Road Journeys on 0488 117 682 with your preferred date of travel – he will do the rest! When everything is confirmed, ARJ will provide printed itineraries for distribution to interested club members.
Read some testimonials from past groups here.
Tour Conditions
A deposit of $350 per person is required to secure your booking. This deposit is fully refundable until 60 days prior to the day of departure. Final payment is required 45 days prior to the day of departure. Bookings cancelled within 14 days prior to the day of departure are non-refundable. No additional cancellation fees apply.
Personal Travel Insurance is strongly recommended.
The Itinerary may be subject to change without notice. Whilst every effort is made to adhere to the itinerary as provided, Australian Road Journey’s reserves the right to alter the touring and attractions as dictated by circumstances and conditions outside the company’s control. Alterations may be made to ensure the smooth running of the tour. Every attempt will be made to ensure alterations do not adversely affect the operation of the tour. Australian Road Journey’s will not be held responsible for weather based cancellations or those closures made at the venue’s discretion. All itineraries are subject to change due to occasional restrictions in opening times/days of some attractions, e.g. churches, wineries etc.