Region Explorer 19 to 25 October 2020

Mon 19 October 2020 TO ALBURY (D) Depart Sydney at 7.40am on the XPT heading to Albury on arrival make your way to our hotel for the next 6 nights.

Tue 20 October 2020 DARTMOUTH - MITTA VALLEY DAY TOUR (B,L,D) Depart at 9.00am for your tour of the Mitta Valley and Dartmouth and discover picturesque countryside and real country hospitality. Travel via the Murray Valley Highway to Tallangatta. Stop and see the site of “Old Tallangatta” and read of its history, streets and foundations that can still be seen as the lake has receded. Join the Omeo Highway at Tallangatta, then continue to Lake Dartmouth, ’s best kept scenic secret. and enjoy morning tea and a guided tour whilst viewing the Dam Wall and Spillway from the Observation area and inspecting the power station. On arrival, the local tour guide will join you, and we head to the Dartmouth Dam, the highest rock filled wall in the southern hemisphere. Forming a lake with a capacity seven times larger than Sydney Harbour. Hear many local stories, jokes and folklore along the way from our very animated local guide. A quick look at the Goulburn Murray Water Lake Dartmouth Information Centre, incorporating models of the lake we have just seen, proves very interesting and there is time to watch a short video on the construction of Lake Dartmouth. Descending, we tour through the little mountain township of Mitta Mitta for lunch break at the Mitta Mitta Hotel, set in tranquil surroundings of the Victorian High Country. Time to browse through the “The Butchers Hook” Craft Shop next door before departure. Meander your way along Mitta North Road, through picturesque dairy country and back to Eskdale for a brief stop. Return home via Lockhart’s Gap and the Kiewa Valley to arriving approximately 5.00pm.

Wed 21 October 2020 YARRAWONGA – CRUISE LAKE MULWALA – RUTHERGLEN WINE (B,L,D) Departing at 9.00am, an easy day today as we travel to Corowa, the town of Federation Corowa has a distinction of being called “the Birthplace of Federation” as it is here at the local Courthouse that the 1893 Federation Conference took place and the decision was made to draw up a constitution for a new nation. Visit the Corowa Tree of Life Community Garden a local Volunteer Community Garden Group – A peaceful place for people to come together to grow & share ideas, whose vision is to create & sustain a healthy and productive community garden for Corowa and district residents and visitors. We enjoy morning tea here and a talk from one of the volunteers. We continue onto Mulwala and cross the into Yarrawonga and here, board the “M.V.Paradise Queen” luxury cruise boat and enjoy a delicious BBQ luncheon cruise on the lake. Experience good old hospitality Relive the history and enjoy the peace and tranquility of beautiful Lake Mulwala and the Mighty Murray River. Following the cruise, travel onto the historic Rutherglen Wine Region, one of the oldest and most recognised wine regions in Australia. Discover the passion of Rutherglen’s local produce. Be welcomed at Campbells family owned winery where 140 years of tradition, passion and experience all combine to capture the full flavors of Rutherglen and share a glass or two. After a great day return via the Murray Valley Highway to Albury arriving approximately 4.30pm. Rail Holidays Australia Po Box 1430 Bathurst 2795 Telephone: 0418 337 263 *All prices and touring are correct at time of printing but are to change without notification. Travel insurance strongly recommended. Conditions apply Thu 22 October 2020 LAKE HUME - BONEGILLA – BANDIANA HALF DAY TOUR (B,D) Departing at 9.00am, for your tour to the water playgrounds of Lake Hume and North East . Follow the Highway to the Hume Weir, take a stroll to the Hume Wall, a triumph of engineering, and see some of the steam engines and hand tools used to build it. Continue over the Murray River into Victoria. At Bonegilla, embark on a self-guided tour of the Bonegilla Migrant Experience Heritage Park. Step back in history to Post War Australia and read about the rich history surrounding Block 19 and learn about what life was like then and its connections with the local area. Travel a short distance to the major Australian Army Base at Bandiana. Visit the Army Museum, one of the largest and most diversified army museums in Australia. Time to view the impressive collection of military equipment, guns, tanks and medals and items dating back as far as the 18th century. Continue to Wodonga for a sightseeing tour of the City, then cross the Lincoln Causeway and the Murray River to Albury arriving approximately 1.00pm The rest of the afternoon is free time.

Fri 23 October 2020 WANGARATTA, MILAWA DAY TOUR GOURMET REGION WINE & FOOD (B,L,D) Departing at 8.30am, Travel via Hume Freeway to Wangaratta, the centre of for morning tea break. Then head to the centre of Milawa gourmet food and wine region. Stop with time to browse the town centre for the range of craft industries, interesting food industries and vineyards. Be welcomed to the home of Milawa Mustards; The Old Emu Inn makes an ideal setting to present their unique and distinctive mustards for tasting. Around the corner you’ll find “The Olive Shop” dedicated to supplying gourmet quality Australian olives. 1.00pm Lunch today at the Milawa Cheese Company. Try their prize-winning cheeses; Milawa Blue, Milawa White and King River Gold. What an experience! Pass the boutique country house hotel “Lindenwarrah” en route to the famed “Brown Bros” Vineyard. Enjoy the atmosphere and taste some of their premium North East Wines. Return to Albury via a scenic drive arriving approximately 4.30pm.

Sat 24 October 2020 YACKANDANDAH – DAY TOUR (B,L,D) Departing at 9am for a relaxing day in the Alpine Region. Enroute, absorb the beautiful panoramic views of the Victorian Alps. Travel to the National Trust town of Yackandandah with its avenues of English trees. A little further on, reach the old goldfields town of Beechworth, founded in 1852. Time for a guided coach tour of the area; marvel at the 30 buildings classified by the National Trust including the Chinese Burning Towers, the Powder Magazine and Goldfields Hospital and a little time to walk the streets and soak up the atmosphere of yesteryear. Make our way to Myrtleford nestled in the Ovens Valley and view the unusual Phoenix Tree sculptured by Hans Knorr. On arrival at Ovens, visit the Australian Pumpkin Seed Company, the first and only Australian grown pumpkins seeds. Learn about and see the factory through a viewing window, taste test pumpkin seeds, pumpkin oil and more and experience the delicious nutty flavour for yourself. Enjoy morning tea here off the coach. Next stop is Eurobin to visit the Snowline Deer and Emu Farm where visitors are offered the opportunity to see, feed, touch and learn about these magnificent animals. Enjoy a light lunch with Mt Buffalo in the background, spectacular! This afternoon, tour along the Ovens Valley Highway through Porepunkah to Bright, situated at the foothills of the Victorian Alps, and renowned for its all-round beauty. Take time to browse through the splendid variety of shops, or simply enjoy a walk through the beautiful parks and gardens and see the splendour and history of the area. Our scenic homeward journey takes us through undulating countryside arriving Albury

Sun 25 October 2020 ALBURY TO SYDNEY (B) Today will be a late start with some free time to do a little retail therapy before mid-morning your coach will transfer you to Albury Railway Station. On arrival head to the luggage room to book in your luggage to Sydney after checking in your luggage you will have time to look around this historic station or walk the length of the Platform all 455 meters one of the longest in Australia. The is even a café to enjoy a coffee before st boarding the XPT to Sydney. Sit back a relax watching the Price Person twin share 1 Class Economy everchanging scenery to Sydney arriving at 7.45pm From Senior and Pensioner $1,570 $ 1,530 Join this tour with Rail Holidays Australia for only Pensioner Travel Voucher $1,480 $ 1,450 Book now to avoid disappointment. Single Sup (limit Number) $270 $270 Rail Holidays Australia Po Box 1430 Bathurst 2795 Telephone: 0418 337 263 *All prices and touring are correct at time of printing but are to change without notification. Travel insurance strongly recommended. Conditions apply