MARANOA SHIRE & CARNARVON GORGE

Transcription

1 The itinerary may be subject to change without notice. Whilst every effort is made to adhere to the itinerary as provided, Holiday Coast Tours 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 the alterations do not adversely effect the operation of the tour. Holiday Coast Tours will not be held responsible for weather based cancellations or those closures made at the venue s discretion. MARANOA SHIRE & CARNARVON GORGE Passengers are strongly recommended to take out travel insurance in case of cancellation or curtailment expenses, loss of luggage or illness etc. Cancellations and amendments: Cancellation fees will be levied relative to the amount of notice given: 42 days or more loss of deposit days: 50% of fare plus deposit 27 days before and Day of departure: 100% of fare. In case of concert or sporting tours, where admission tickets are purchased in advance, a minimum cancellation fee equivalent to the cost of admission tickets will apply. Some accommodation require prepayment and refund will be subject to their conditions. Please note: Passenger baggage to be a maximum of 20kg. per person FOR BOOKINGS CONTACT: Port Macquarie Travel Licence No. 2TA DAY TOUR MONDAY 18 THURSDAY 28 JUNE William Street PORT MACQUARIE NSW 2444 PH: or Camden Haven Travel PH:

2 Holiday Coast Tours Presents The Maranoa & Carnarvon Gorge Centre of the South West Live Australia s Story An 11 Day Coach Tour Monday 18 June Thursday 28 June, 2018 Day 1 (LD): Port Macquarie to Warwick: Monday 18 June We depart the Port Macquarie Coach Terminal at 8.00am this morning on our 11 Day Outback Queensland Tour. We are heading to a region called the Maranoa an area rich in history where we can rediscover the people, places and events that helped shaped Australia s cultural heritage. The people of the Maranoa are proud of their cultural heritage and have taken steps to preserve the treasures of the past so that they can be shared and enjoyed by the generations of the future. From our base in Roma we will explore all the region has to offer with the help of some local characters who will join the coach and tell us a little about life in their part of Australia. So this morning after we have loaded the coach we make our way to Grafton for lunch before taking the scenic route through Casino, Woodburn and Kyogle - through the Dividing Range - to Warwick for our first night on tour (Club lunch at Grafton/dinner in the hotel) Coachman s Inn Warwick (ph ) Day 2 (BLD): Warwick to Roma: Tuesday 19 June After an early breakfast we continue north to Toowoomba. From here we make our way to Jondaryan a small village famous for its

3 Night Show at the Big Rig, Roma Saleyard tour in Roma Guided town tour of Roma including St Pauls Anglican Lunch at the Big Rig Café, Roma Entry to the Oil Patch, Roma El Dorado farm tour including morning tea, Roma Entry to Muckadilla Whistle Stop and Native Bush Gardens Tour and spit roast lunch at Bonus Downs Farmstay, Mitchell Entry to the Great Artesian Spa, Mitchell Picnic lunch on day 7 Half Day Walking tour at Carnarvon Gorge Lunch at the Wilderness Lodge on day 8 Guided tour of St George Entry to the Unique Egg, St George Cruise on the Balonne River with Sandytown River Cruises, St George Lunch at the Uralla Bowling Club on day 11 Woolshed! Built in 1859, Jondaryan Woolshed is the oldest operating woolshed in Australia and the first purpose built shearing shed in the country. The complex covers 12 acres and features historic buildings and vintage machinery. We take a look at both the village and the woolshed and have morning tea from the coach. We continue to Dalby and onto Chinchilla for a late lunch in the centre of town at the Club Hotel. Chinchilla is the Melon Capital of Australia! They produce 25% of the country s watermelons, rockmelons and honeydew melons here! This afternoon we continue to Roma stopping along the way at the historical village of Miles. The Miles Historic Village is a must see in this area. With over 30 buildings and countless displays this has become an important tourist destination, featuring authentic and original buildings from the 19 th and 20 th Centuries. The surrounding Western Downs Shire is at the centre of rich coal and natural gas reserves which underpin the power generation industry for SE Qld. The region is also renowned for its rich agricultural land. In the heart of the Maranoa is Roma - the service centre for the South West. (Breakfast/dinner in the motel, lunch at club) Explorers Inn Roma (ph ) Day 3 (BLD) Surat, Yuleba & Wallumbilla: Wednesday 20 June This morning we will be joined on the coach by a local guide who will travel with us to historic Surat approximately 80ks south of Roma located on the banks of the beautiful Balonne River. We have arranged a fascinating visit to the Cobb & Co Changing Station Museum where we will be welcomed by a local volunteer. The Museum is built on the original site of the Cobb & Co Store and was once the drop off point for coach passengers and goods. Included in the current display is a 14 seat replica Cobb & Co Coach, a 25,000 litre fresh water aquarium and a display of local

4 artworks at the Surat on Balonne Gallery. Nearby morning tea will be served for us at the Community Centre alongside the Surat River Walk on the Balonne River. Late morning we drive along part of the route that was the one taken by the last Cobb & Co Coach Service in Australia to Yuleba and then onto Wallumbilla where we stop for a picnic lunch at Calico Cottage. This facility was established some 28 years ago when (during a period of drought) a group of farmers wives agreed that they needed to make an income off of the property. Together, they commenced selling home baked goods and crafts from a cottage located on the highway in town. Today, many of the original volunteers still greet visitors and put the kettle on. Devonshire Tea is available and a variety of country-style, baked treats can be purchased to take home. Back in Roma we have some free time at the motel before tonight s entertainment Roma s Big Rig Night Show. The Night Show is an outdoor cinema with an interactive display depicting a traditional oil rig site. The show itself is thoroughly entertaining, giving an overview of the discovery of Oil and Gas in Roma (for the first time in Australia) and the progression of Australia s Oil and Gas Industry. (Breakfast & dinner in the motel/ Picnic lunch) Explorers Inn Roma (ph ) Day 4 (BLD): Roma: Thursday 21 June Tuesday and Thursdays are Sale Days in Roma so this morning we are heading off for an overview of the Roma Saleyards (easy walk/ no stairs) Roma Saleyards is Australia s largest cattle selling centre. On any given sale day, the yards can see up to 14,000 cattle sold through the complex. Now, local retired farmers and graziers give their time as volunteers to show visitors through the complex. A canteen is available on site and is open on sale days. From here we are off for a local town tour of Roma. Our locally based guide will join the coach and give us an insight into the early We cannot be held responsible for any changes due to closures, inclement weather etc. Cost: $ per person (Based on twin/double share accommodation) Single Supplement $ A deposit of $ per person is required upon booking with final payment being 15 May 2018 TOUR INCLUSIONS: Air conditioned coach travel 10 night s motel accommodation 10 cooked motel breakfasts 10 motel dinners 8 included lunches see below Lunch at the South Grafton Ex Services Club on day 1 Tour of the Jondaryan Woolshed, Jondaryan Lunch at the Club Hotel, Chinchilla Entry to the Miles Historical Village, Miles Guided tour of Surat Entry to the Cobb & Co Changing Station Museum, Surat Visit to the Surat on Balonne Gallery, Surat Morning tea at the Community Centre, Surat Picnic Lunch on day 3 Visit to Calico Cottage, Wallumbilla

5 situated on the Balonne River, was named by Major Thomas Mitchell who crossed the river on St George s Day in April We have time for a local guide to join the coach and introduce us to this interesting place. We ll learn some interesting facts about this history of the Cotton Mural and the Transport Mural painted by well-known artist Kevin Taylor. We then check into our motel and freshen up for dinner. Breakfast and dinner at hotel, lunch at own cost) Merino Motor Inn, St George (ph ) Day 10 (BD): St George/Moree: Wednesday 27 June This morning we have an appointment at The Unique Egg. This is a genuinely impressive and interesting collection of hand-carved emu eggs, illuminated from within. Created by Steve Margaritis over a period of more than 40 years, they have been displayed at World Expos but are on permanent display in a sports store in St. George!! Later this morning we join Sandytown River Cruises for an enjoyable tour along the Balonne River. Following disembarkation, we have time to buy some lunch then board the coach for our afternoon s journey through to our next destination of Moree. (Breakfast and dinner in motel / lunch own cost) Burke & Wills Motor Inn, Moree (ph ) Day 11 (BL): Moree/Bingara/Uralla/Home: Thursday 28 June Our final day on tour sees us travelling via Bingara and onto our lunch stop in Uralla. Having enjoyed our club lunch we cross the New England ranges and head into Port Macquarie. We arrive home to complete our wonderful 11 day tour of the Maranoa Shire and Carnarvon Gorge. (Breakfast in motel / club lunch) All itineraries are subject to change due to occasional restrictions in opening times/days of some attractions, e.g. churches, wineries etc. settlement and progression of Roma and indeed an insight into the history of the Maranoa. We will take in many historic buildings and sites including St Paul s Anglican Church which features stunning leadlight windows, each with a story. Visitors can gain an insight into how the Church was built (in the early 1900 s) and can also hear the story of each window. Lunch today will be at the Big Rig Café, followed by a self guided tour of the Roma Big Rig Oil Patch. The outdoor museum tells the story of the formation of gas in coal reserves, its first discovery in Roma (and indeed the first discovery in Australia); the progression of the industry and finally, the indoor theatre for what is happening in the field, today. The rest of the afternoon will be free for personal sightseeing. You might be interested in the 3D Heritage Mural, located in the Roma Cultural Centre. This mural was produced by local sculptors and is accompanied by an audio presentation, providing an interesting overview of the history and lifestyle of Roma. There is also Roma s largest Bottle Tree located in Edwardes Street. Roma s biggest bottle tree was transplanted by Roma Town Council from a local property, in At its last measurement, the tree measured 9.1 metres around the trunk. Heroes Avenue is a heritage listed avenue of Bottle Trees, each paying tribute to a local soldier who lost his life in the First World War. At the base of each tree is a plaque, including the name of the local service man. There is also Roma on Bungil Community Arts Centre which is open daily. (Breakfast & dinner in the motel/light lunch at the Big Rig Café) Explorers Inn Roma (ph ) Day 5 (BD): Roma/Muckadilla/Amby/Mitchell: Friday 22 June This morning we are off to a working cattle property. The property owner Alanah Ladbrook will meet us at the motel and travel with us on the coach to her property, just half an hour from town. Along the way, Alanah will describe the history of her family property and of life on the land. At the homestead, morning tea will be served on the

6 veranda after which we can explore the showcase gardens and meet the family s horses and pet bullock. We head back to Roma for lunch (own expense) before our afternoon drive to Muckadilla Whistle Stop and Native Bush Gardens located just 42 kilometres west of Roma. Muckadilla is a small community, with a big heart. The Whistle Stop houses local memorabilia, including a tribute to Australia s shortest serving Prime Minister and local lad, Frank Forde. We will enjoy the peaceful surrounds of the Native Bush Gardens, the Major Mitchell monument and Leichhardt monument both of which pay tribute to the explorers who passed through the region from Further west is Amby - a quaint country town, located just 22 kilometres west of Muckadilla. We ll explore the town and see the remnants of the Scar Trees that are here, the War Memorial and Arch Way and Amby s International Airport!!! After our busy day we check into our motel accommodation in Mitchell and settle in for dinner. (Breakfast & dinner in the motel/lunch own cost) Berkeley Motor Lodge, Mitchell (ph ) Day 6 (BLD): Mitchell: Saturday 23 June Mitchell is located on the banks of the Maranoa River. It was near here in Mitchell that the Kenniff Brothers - Australia s last bushrangers - were captured in 1902 and stood trial at the Mitchell Courthouse. Take a short walk along the main street or perhaps enjoy another visit to the local spa baths. Mid morning we head out to Bonus Downs a beautiful property with a fantastic history about an hour from Mitchell. Owners Madonna & Lyle will meet us for a tour of the property, a spit roast lunch and billy tea and damper in the Ooline Forest. This prehistoric forest is a remnant of the Gondwana era. Returning to Mitchell there will be an opportunity to enjoy the local spa baths and rejuvenate in the mineralised water from the Great Artesian Basin the largest and deepest under water source in the world. (Breakfast & dinner in the motel/spit Roast lunch) Berkeley Motor Lodge, Mitchell (ph ) Day 7 (BLD): Injune/Carnarvon Gorge: Sunday 24 June This morning we travel to Injune. The back road is sealed but can be a little rough. It will take us about 2 hours. Located 90 kilometres north of Roma, Injune is a thriving township at the base of the majestic Carnarvon Ranges. Lunch is a picnic today and we will find a lovely spot to enjoy this. Arriving into Carnarvon Gorge this afternoon we settle into the Lodge and do some exploring on our own before dinner. (Breakfast in the motel, picnic lunch provided / dinner at lodge) Carnarvon Gorge Wilderness Lodge (ph ) Day 8 (BLD): Carnarvon Gorge: Monday 25 June Located in the middle of the Great Dividing Range, this rugged area features dramatic gorge scenery as well as many aboriginal rock carvings and paintings. The Carnarvon Gorge is stunning, partly because it s an oasis surrounded by drier plains and partly due to its scenic variety, which includes sandstone cliffs, moss gardens, deep pools and rare palms and ferns. The Gorge also contains fine examples of Aboriginal art along with an abundance of animal and bird life. There is a series of walks and impressive landscapes including cliff walls up to 200 metres high, to be enjoyed. Our locally based guide will show us around and lunch will be provided today. (Breakfast, lunch and dinner at the Lodge) Carnarvon Gorge Wilderness Lodge (ph ) Day 9 (BD): Carnarvon Gorge/St George: Tuesday 26 June This morning we retrace our steps through to Roma for a lunch stop (own expense). We arrive into St George late afternoon. The town,