4 Days – Thursday 30th December 2027 to Sunday 2nd January 2028
Accommodation: Southgate Motel
Victor Harbor, on the Fleurieu Peninsula about 80km south of Adelaide, is one of South Australia’s best loved seaside towns and a classic summer holiday destination. Set on the shores of Encounter Bay, it is known for it’s sweeping golden beaches, the historic causeway to Granite Island, the much loved horse-drawn tram, and its relaxed, festive holiday atmosphere. Summer brings long, sunny days to enjoy the coastline, from the sheltered sands of Horseshoe Bay at Port Elliot to the rugged cliffs of The Bluff. It is also the season of the Cockle Train which chugs along Australia’s oldest steel-railed line between Victor Harbor and Goolwa, one of the most popular summer experiences on the Fleurieu. With fireworks, live music and carnival rides on New Year’s Eve, it is the perfect backdrop for ringing in the New Year.
Highlights of the tour:
- «Board coach at Mawson Lakes, stopping for morning tea at Echunga, where payable gold was found in 1852.
- «Lunch will be at the Coorong Cafe on Hindmarsh Island, named in 1837 after South Australia’s first Governor, Sir John Hindmarsh.
- «Visit the South Australian Whale Centre, housed in the historic Railway Goods Shed on Railway Terrace. Look out for the Wall of Whaled and the enormous southern right whale skull.
- «Make our way to the Granite Island Causeway for an interesting 45 minute Big Duck Boat Tour, cruising past Granite Island and Seal Rock, where fur seals and sea lions can often be seen, with dolphins and seabirds along the coast.
- «Ride Victor Harbor’s much loved horse drawn tram across the 630 metre causeway. Running since 1894 and pulled by a gentle Clydesdale, it is one of the very few horse drawn tram services of it’s kind left in the world.
- «Drive out to The Bluff, a granite headland rising 97 metres above the sea that once served as a lookout for 1830 whalers, before continuing to Port Elliott and it’s sheltered Horseshoe Bay, once a busy port for the River Murray trade.
- « Enjoy the last dinner of 2027 at the Hotel Victor before the New Year’s Eve festivities begin, with live music and family entertainment at Warland Reserve with carnival rides running through to midnight
- «There will be an early fireworks at 9.45pm and then of course the midnight fireworks to see in the New Year.
- HAPPY NEW YEAR, HAPPY NEW YEAR, HAPPY NEW YEAR
- «WELCOME TO 2028
- «Travel to the historic river port of Goolwa for a relaxing 1.5 hour Spirit of the Coorong cruise to the Murray Mouth. Passing through the Goolwa Barrage lock, you’ll glide into the Coorong National Park, the famous “Storm Boy” country, where pelicans and other birdlife gather and long nosed fur seals can often be spotted. The captain’s commentary shares the stories of the Ngarrindjeri people.
- «Enjoy a picnic lunch before a scenic return journey on the Cockle Train between Victor Harbor and Goolwa. The train still passes through Middleton and Port Elliot before pulling into Victor Harbor station among its distinctive pine trees.
- «Begin our journey home with first stop being at Urimbirra Wildlife Park in Hindmarsh Valley, a family run open range park whose name means “to preserve” or “to take care of. Wander among giant old gum tress and meet kangaroos, wallabies, emus, koalas, wombats and dingoes.
- «Continue through the Fleurieu for a two course lunch, then call in at Harvest the Fleurieu near Mount Compass, a family owned farm where summer is strawberry season. Browse the market hall for local jams, chutneys, cheeses and olive oil or treat yourself to homemade ice cream with berry coulis.
- «Visit Menz FruChocs shop at McLaren Vale, home of a South Australian favourite first made in 1948 and named an Icon of South Australia by the National Trust in 2005.
- «Finally, we head back to Mawson Lakes, arriving home with wonderful memories of how you welcome in New Year.
Inclusions
- « Morning tea provided on Day 1
- « Fully cooked or continental breakfast on Day 2, 3 and 4
- « Lunch provided on Day 1, 3 and 4
- « Enjoy two course dinner on Day 1, 2 and 3
- « Entrance to attractions/ Museums listed.
- « Fully escorted with a tour host.
- « Deluxe coach travel