Monday 18th to Thursday 21st November 2024 – 4 Days
Accommodation: Country Plaza Halls Gap
Highlights of the tour:
- «Relax and enjoy the scenic drive up the South Eastern Freeway through the Adelaide Hills.Enjoy morning tea in the park on the banks of the River Murray at Tailem Bend
- «Admire the stunning Australian Hobby bird and orchids painted on the Kaniva Silos, before seeing the lovely painted sheep that line the street’s of Kaniva.
- «Travel through Dimboola to Horsham. See the beautiful black cockatoo and aboriginal warrior painted on the silos at Horsham. The artwork is titled, “Walking on Country” and depicts the warriors’ story of leadership, resilience and his significant legacy to the area, particularly his skills in tracking lost children.
- «Board the coach for the short drive to the Halls Gap Visitor Information Centre to gather information about The Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park.
- «Sit back and relax on the coach as you tour The Grampians, believed to have started forming 400 million years ago as sediments were deposited in a deep inland sea over Victoria. Layers of sediment built up and compacted over millions of years, forming the sandstone and sedimentary rock that make up the Grampians.
- «See Lake Bellfield, a man made lake that started as water storage for local residences and farmers in the early sixties and is now a popular recreation area.
- «Take the short walk to MacKenzie Falls. Water cascades over huge cliffs into a deep pool sending fine sprays of rainbow mist high into the air..
- « Enjoy the panoramic views of Halls Gap and east to the Grampians from Boroka Lookout. From Reed Lookout you can enjoy the stunning views of Victoria Valley.
- «Spend a leisurely afternoon at Halls Gap Zoo, Victoria’s largest regional privately owned zoo. See over 150 different species of animals and birds.
- «Travel to Ararat, a large country town established in 1857 after the discovery of gold in Victoria. It quickly became a prosperous boom town and was founded by Chinese people who travelled from Robe in South Australia to the Victorian gold fields, stopping on the way at Ararat.
- «Tour J Ward, Ararat’s Old Gaol and Lunatic Asylum. Hear stories of its time as a gaol with murderers and thieves and later as the home for Victoria’s criminally insane.
- «Visit Gum San Heritage Centre at Ararat which tells the story of the 19th century Chinese miners that braved a perilous sea journey, followed by a long trek across southern Australia to the new goldfields of Bendigo and Ballarat.
- «Enjoy a change of pace as you discover the underground cellars at Seppelts Wines at Great Western. Known simply as “The Drives” this labyrinth of tunnels covers three kilometres and can hold 3 million bottles of wine. Finish the tour with a tasting of Seppelt Sparkling Shiraz, first made at the cellars in the early 1890s.
- «Travel via Dunkeld to Cavendish, a small country town on the perimeter of the Grampians where you may stretch your legs and buy your own morning tea.
- «Relax on the coach as you travel through rural Victoria on the way back to South Australia, passing through the little towns of Balmoral, Harrow and Edenhope.
- «Stop at the Bordertown Hotel for a delicious two course lunch. There will be no need to cook dinner tonight after a big lunch.
- «Make a brief stop at Tintinara to stretch, use the facilities and look at the gift shop that has a lovely assortment of local hand made goodies for sale.
- «Stop at Tailem Bend before returning to Mawson Lakes where transport will be waiting to take you home
Inclusions
- « Morning tea provided on Day 1
- « Fully cooked or continental breakfast on Day 2, 3 and 4
- « Lunch on Day 1 and 4
- « Two course dinner on Day 1, 2 and 3
- « Entry to museums and attractions listed
- « Fully escorted with a tour host.
- « Deluxe bus travel.