"Shipwrecked"
Great Ocean Road
8 Days Departing Saturday 17th February 2018
Tour Price: $1650.00 per person twin share
Single Supplement: $450.00
Day 1. Central Coast - Albury (D)
Departing the Central Coast this morning we travel south, joining the M7 Freeway and Hume Highway, making our way to historic Goulburn for lunch. Continue to Albury with an afternoon stop in Gundagai.
Best Western Plus Hovell Tree Inn
Day 2. Albury - Apollo Bay (BD)
From Albury this morning, we make our way through the towns of Wadonga and Wangaratta before stopping for morning tea in Benalla. Continue along the Hume Freeway through Euroa and Seymour, before travelling the outskirts of Melbourne to Geelong, where we will stop for lunch before joining the first section of the Great Ocean Road. This section of the road will take us through the seaside towns of Torquay, Anglesea and Lorne to Skenes Creek for overnight.
Skenes Creek Lodge
Day 3. Great Ocean Road Warrnambool (BD)
A scenic thrill today as we travel one of the most spectacular & photographed roads, “The Great Ocean Road”. Travel through a truly mighty section, proceeding along the cliffs with views of the most spectacular coastline in the world. Visit the Blowhole, the Bay of Islands, the Grotto, London Bridge, Loch Ard Gorge and the remaining Twelve Apostles. This section of the road will give you full appreciation of the meaning “The Shipwreck Coast”.
(3) nights. Mid City Warrnambool
Day 4. Flagstaff Hill— Maremma Dogs
“Shipwrecked” Sound & Light (BLD)
Explore the past with a visit to Flagstaff Hill, the 19th Century Maritime Village with Australia's richest shipwreck collection, all contained in an 1870's village located on a state heritage listed overlooking Lady Bay. Our guide will provide a glimpse into the maritime lifestyles and trades of the 1870's era, the peak of Australia's maritime heritage. Lunch will be at the village before our chance to learn about the Middle Island Penguin Maremma Dog Project. This world first project uses Maremma dogs to protect the 'little penguin' colony. Back to our motel for a little free time before dinner. This evening we enjoy the Sound and Light show “Shipwrecked”, which highlights the wreck of the “Loch Ard.”
Day 5. Port Fairy—Tower Hill (BD)
This morning we visit the heritage listed Fletcher Jones Garden, situated in the grounds of the old Fletcher Jones clothing factory. We then travel to Tower Hill, declared Victoria's first National Park in 1892. Meet koalas, emus, kangaroos and many species of waterbirds roaming freely in Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve, which sits inside an extinct volcano formed some 30,000 years ago. We then make our way to Port Fairy, the last destination on Victoria's famed Shipwreck Coast. Port Fairy boasts wide streets lined with nineteenth century cottages, great Norfolk pines and old stone churches. Time to explore and purchase your lunch before returning to Warrnambool.
Day 6. Warrnambool - Ballarat (BD)
Departing Warrnambool this morning we make our way to Ballarat, Victoria’s largest inland city. Take time out here for lunch and stroll through the streets lined with many fine old buildings built in the gold rush days. Visit Sovereign Hill historical village, a recreated goldfields town. Our overnight accommodation will be at the Sovereign Motor Inn.
After dinner this evening we make our way back to Sovereign Hill for the sound & light show “Blood On the Southern Cross”.
Day 7. Ballarat - Echuca - Wagga Wagga (BLD)
Departing Ballarat, we travel to Bendigo via Kyneton. Bendigo is Victoria’s most outstanding example of a boom town with its many fine buildings. Continue to Echuca, at the junction of the Murray, Campaspe and Goulburn Rivers. Here we will join our cruise vessel for a cruise along the Murray River. Our afternoons drive will take us through Finley and Jerilderie into Wagga Wagga Australian Homestead .
Day 8. Wagga Wagga - Gosford (B)
Homeward bound today via Yass and Goulburn, joining the highway back to the Central Coast. Newcastle passengers re-join our mini bus at Kariong and will be transferred to your home.
Tour Price Includes:
Home pick-up and return for Central Coast & Newcastle passengers
* Limited single rooms available for an additional $450.00