Travel Talk Winter 2016 — Issue 24

TRAVEL TALK WINTER 2016 — ISSUE 24

POTTER PRATTLE LAST CHANCE TOURS

Welcome to our Winter Newsletter. After many years of looking after our Call the office to see if you can join one of Travel Club Members on tour, Greg has decided to move on at the end of these currently guaranteed departures. this year. He and Michelle are heading north to Queensland. We will be sad to see him go but we will send him off in style with a 4 day ‘Farewell 8 DAY NOOSA & SUNSHINE COAST Tour’ at the beginning of December. If you would like to be part of this Price: $2435 ppts. Dept: 19 June 2016 farewell tour, be quick as we are sure it will fill fast. Details are on Page 5 of this Newsletter.

We have plenty of great tours on offer. NEW to this Newsletter is a 6 day tour that takes in the Great Ocean Road & Victoria’s Shipwreck Coast. Our Christmas Tour this year will be to the NSW Sapphire Coast staying in beautiful Eden. We are offering Opera In The Alps again in January 2017 and in February we are having a coach tour that travels around Tasmania. Our Victorian flower experience in March 2017 is to the Ballarat Begonia Festival. 15 DAY NULLARBOR / WEST COAST Price: $4795 ppts. Dept: 30 June 2016 We are currently planning the longer tours for 2017 and would like your Expression Of Interest on these suggestions. Some of the destinations being considered are on the back page of this Newsletter. Take a look and let us know.

There are plenty of day and show tours for you to consider. My Fair Lady is a popular show we have on offer later in the year plus there are two new shows - Dream Lover and Aladdin. We are going back to Mittagong RSL again this year for Christmas Lunch and entertainment because it was such 10 DAY EYRE / YORKE PENINSULA a success last year. See Page 4 for details. Don’t miss out. Price: $2875 ppts. Dept: 23 July 2016

We have a number of tours happening over the next few months where bookings are on application due to airline deadlines. See the right hand column for these tours and call the office if you are interested, you may still be able to join fellow Travel Club members on these tours.

Margaret Jones has recently left Potter Travel. Margaret has moved into a permanent position in the Public Service. We wish her well and thank her for her efforts. 9 DAY SINGAPORE SLING Price: $4495 ppts. Dept: 22 Aug 2016 Happy travelling from Bob, Karen, Greg, Kel & David

GETAWAY FROM CANBERRA’S WINTER Reminder: We have a number of tours allowing you to escape Canberra’s frosts this winter. All tours are filling well but you may have forgotten about the NSW North Coast Tour We have coach seats available on staying 4 nights at Bellingen. This great 7 day tour travels by coach all the way, see page 6 for further details. these tours. Bookings are subject to airline availability.

POTTER TRAVEL CLUB PO Box 37, Queanbeyan, NSW, 2620 152 Monaro Street, Queanbeyan NSW 2620 Email: [email protected] Website: www.pottertravel.com.au Phone: 02 6297 8585

Friends in Travel Pty Ltd is trading . as Potter Travel ABN 96 639 726 295

TOURS

DAY EXTENDED

12 Jul Geoff Harvey at Braidwood pg 3 17 Jun 3 Day Mystery Tour pg 6

13 Jul ‘Singin’ In The Rain’ the Musical Full 19 Jun 8 Day Noosa Winter Getaway On Appl

18 Jul Xmas in July at The Carrington Inn Full 30 Jun 15 Day Nullarbor & West Coast On Appl

25 Jul Xmas in July at The Carrington Inn pg 3 20 Jul 3 Day Blue Mountains Xmas In July pg 6

27 Jul Xmas in July ‘Tribute to Neil Diamond’ pg 3 23 Jul 10 Day Eyre & Yorke Peninsula On Appl

11 Aug Schnapps & Snowy Hydro pg 3 30 Jul 7 Day Bellingen & NSW North Coast pg 6

13 Aug ‘Singin’ In The Rain’ the Musical Full 05 Aug 8 Day Fraser Island On Appl

22 Sept Camelot—A Place To Call Home pg 3 10 Aug 8 Day Longreach & Outback Queensland On Appl

27 Sept ‘My Fair Lady’ the Musical Full 22 Aug 9 Day Singapore Sling On Appl

28 Sept ‘My Fair Lady’ the Musical Full 05 Sep 5 Day Spring Festival of Flowers pg 6

04 Oct ‘My Fair Lady’ the Musical Full 10 Sep 7 Day Uluru Field Of Lights Full

08 Oct ‘My Fair Lady’ the Musical pg 3 19 Sep 5 Day Marysville with St David’s Close RV pg 6

08 Oct ‘Dream Lover’ the Musical pg 4 10 Oct 5 Day Marysville In The Spring Full

15 Oct Batlow Blossom Festival pg 4 28 Oct 3 Day Mystery Tour pg 6

26 Oct Sydney Jacaranda Cruise pg 4 14 Nov 6 Day Great Ocean Rd & Shipwreck Coast pg 7

08 Nov ‘Dream Lover’ the Musical pg 4 02 Dec 4 Days Greg’s Farewell Tour pg 5

22 Nov Rock & Roll Lunch @ Camden pg 4 22 Dec 6 Day Sapphire Coast Christmas Tour pg 7

07 Dec ‘Aladdin’ The Musical pg 4 20 Jan 3 Day Opera In The Alps pg 7

14 Dec Potter Members Christmas Lunch pg 4 18 Feb 14 Day Tasmania—The Apple Isle pg 7

09 Mar 6 Day Ballarat Begonia Festival pg 7

CRUISE 14 Apr 5 Day Bendigo Easter Festival pg 7

01 Feb 12 Night New Zealand Cruise pg 5 Jul 2017 8 Day Cairns & Tropical North Qld - EOI pg 8

Aug 2017 12 Day Australia’s Red Centre - EOI pg 8

Sep 2017 19 Day West Coast, Darwin to Perth - EOI pg 8

Oct 2017 8 Day Murray Princess - EOI pg 8

REMINDER: ANNUAL MORNING TEA

Our mid year Annual Morning Tea for Travel Club Members & friends will be held on Wednesday 15 June at the Queanbeyan Community Centre, starting at 10.00am. Come along to receive exciting information on our 2016 and 2017 touring. Coach pickups are available and bookings are essential, so please call the office if you would like to attend. A gold coin donation at the door will be collected for the Cancer Council as part of ‘Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea’.

DAY TOURS

GEOFF HARVEY CONCERT CARRINGTON INN XMAS IN JULY NEW EXTRA Tuesday 12 July 2016 Monday 25 July 2016 DATE

Geoff Harvey is coming to Braidwood The first of this Christmas In July day Servicemen’s Club to perform his out has sold out so we are running a popular Melodies & Memories concert. second departure. We start the day Geoff was the Musical Director for the with morning tea and a visit to the Nine Network for 38 years including House of The Alpaca in Goulburn over two decades on The Midday Show. where we learn about this historical His brilliantly witty segments were 1880's Inn, the back story of the eagerly anticipated and his wonderful business and what goes into making sense of humour has left tears of their products. Watch the weaving laughter on many a face. This concert loom in action, busily weaving our features Geoff playing unforgettable throw rugs. Listen to the amazing melodies and at his humorous best history of this loom. From here we telling tales of his wide and varied career. He has also teamed make our way via Taralga to up with singer Natalie Lane to perform songs that are Bungendore for a traditional Christmas in July lunch at the timeless and will have the audience clapping for more. historic Carrington Inn, before heading back to Canberra mid-afternoon.

Member Cost: $95.00 pp Non-member: $115.00 pp Member Cost: $135.00 pp Non-member: $155.00 pp

NEIL DIAMOND TRIBUTE SHOW SCHNAPPS & SNOWY HYDRO NEW CHRISTMAS IN JULY Thursday 11 August 2016 Wednesday 27 July 2016 The Snowy Region is renowned for its Multi award winning performer Peter pristine and natural beauty. The Byrne is an international singer and Snowy Hydro Discovery Centre is a creator of the greatest tribute to Neil state-of-the-art visitor facility Diamond. He is one of Australia's most showcasing the amazing story of the talented and versatile performers with a Snowy Mountains Scheme from the career studded with awards from the early construction days, to the role it entertainment industry, acknowledging plays today. After a visit we travel to his outstanding ability to create and the Wild Brumby Distillery which perform shows that take his audience on produces purely Australian schnapps a memorable journey of songs and made from locally grown fruits such as music. Peter has received seven ACE apples, pears, berries and stone fruit Awards and after receiving another of with rich flavours especially suited to his many 'MO' Awards for best Production Show, his talents making schnapps. Wild Brumby is a were acknowledged by the great man himself as follows: relaxing distillery and café which is surrounded by an expansive ‘Thanks for the great tribute show’, Neil Diamond said. sculpture garden, a great area to stop relax and have lunch which is included today.

Member Cost: $125.00 pp Non-member: $145.00 pp Member Cost: $95.00 pp Non-member: $115.00 pp

CAMELOT MY FAIR LADY NEW NEW A PLACE TO CALL HOME Saturday 08 October 2016

Thursday 22 September 2016 My Fair Lady comes to the Sydney Opera House under the direction of Camelot is often associated with Dame Julie Andrews. Opera King Arthur and the legend of the Australia and John Frost bring the Knights of the Round Table. However beloved story of Eliza Doolittle located near the picturesque town of and Henry Higgins to a new generation Camden, is another beautiful and of theatre audiences. The story about cultured Camelot. It is a grand heritage- the Cockney flower girl Eliza Doolittle listed mansion built in 1888. The house and the arrogant phoneticist, Professor has striking chimneys, turrets and Higgins, is an endearing tale with its balconies that overlook its stunning warmth and vivid characters. An gardens. This wonderful majestic unforgettable score with 'Wouldn't It Be mansion was renamed Ash Park, the Loverly?', 'On the Street Where You Live', 'I Could Have Danced Bligh family home, in the award winning TV series called A All Night', and 'Get Me to the Church on Time'. In a world first, Place To Call Home. Don’t miss out on seeing this private Dame Julie Andrews directs a glorious production of My Fair residence now re-opened to the public. Lady, teaming up with a stellar cast of Australian theatre royalty and emerging talent.

Member Cost: $125.00 pp Non-member: $145.00 pp Member Cost: $260.00 pp Non-member: $280.00 pp

DAY TOURS

DREAM LOVER BATLOW APPLE NEW NEW The Bobby Darin Musical BLOSSOM FESTIVAL Sat 08 Oct & Tue 08 Nov 2016 Saturday 15 October 2016

Dream Lover reveals the extraordinary Growing the perfect apple is just one of story of legendary singer, songwriter and the things they do well in Batlow. Lush actor Bobby Darin. With his movie star green pastures, rich red soils and an wife Sandra Dee, he provided the abundance of natural beauty welcomes amazing soundtracks to a generation. you when you visit Batlow. Punctuated Starring David Campbell and Hannah by stunning panoramic vistas of orchard Fredericksen, the show presents great and grazing country and the road sides hits from the 50s and 60s including Mack dotted with stalls selling local produce, The Knife, Beyond the Sea and Dream Batlow is a small township lying midway Lover. It captures the glamour and between Tumut & Tumbarumba. Today passion of the big band era, the Rat we visit Memorial Park, a guaranteed Pack in Vegas and the Golden Age of great day out. Loads of free and low Hollywood. Featuring a sensational cast cost entertainment along with market with over 40 on stage including an 18-piece big band, Dream stalls, live music and shows, exhibitions and demonstrations. Lover is a big show with a big score and a big heart.

Sat: Member Cost: $225.00 pp Non-member: $245.00 pp Tue: Member Cost: $190.00 pp Non-member: $210.00 pp Member Cost: $80.00 pp Non-member: $100.00 pp

SYDNEY JACARANDA CRUISE ROCK ‘N’ ROLL LUNCH NEW Wednesday 26 October 2016 Camden Valley Inn NEW Tuesday 22 November 2016 A day trip to Sydney which includes a fantastic Sydney Harbour Jacaranda We have a great day planned at the Cruise. See the most beautiful Camden Valley Inn where we will harbour in the world with breathtaking celebrate the classic Rock and Roll era Jacarandas in full flower. Hear the of the 1950’s and 1960’;s in a Christmas stories about Sydney’s early days on the style end of year celebration. Well waterfront from renowned gardener and known entertainer ‘Fallon’ will entertain TV personality, Graham Ross. us with songs from artists like Del Graham’s passion for Sydney Harbour Shannon, Elvis Presley, Tom Jones, has seen him escort over 60 Jacaranda Bobby Darin, Buddy Holly, Gerry & the cruises since 1988. Graham is a Pacemakers and many more. As well horticulturist, plantsman and garden as the fabulous entertainment we enjoy media presenter. He started the Garden Clinic Radio Show on a welcome drink and a 2 course 2GB in 1980, and has been gardening presenter on Better Christmas lunch with tea & coffee at the Homes & Gardens TV since 1995. He’s only the 4th Australian Camden Valley Inn. to receive the Veitch Memorial Medal from the Royal Horticultural Society in London.

Member Cost: $170.00 pp Non-member: $190.00 pp Member Cost: $125.00 pp Non-member: $145.00 pp

ALADDIN THE MUSICAL POTTER TRAVEL CLUB NEW At the Capitol Theatre, Sydney NEW CHRISTMAS LUNCH Wednesday 07 December 2016 Wednesday 14 December 2016

ALADDIN is the must-see Christmas Lunch 2015 was a HUGE show of the year and success. So for Christmas Lunch in “Broadway’s biggest new hit!” 2016 we are going back to the Southern From the producer of The Lion Highlands and the Mittagong RSL for King & Mary Poppins, the story some more singing & dancing. of Aladdin comes to thrilling Hopefully we will be able to secure the theatrical life in this bold new services of Shane Tapper to entertain musical. Filled with daring us again. It will be a great day for the adventure, classic comedy and members to celebrate 2016 and the timeless romance, ALADDIN is “Pure Genie-us!”. It features all great year we have had travelling your favourite songs from Disney’s animated film. With together as we wind down to the festive exhilarating choreography, show-stopping production numbers season. The day will include all your coach travel throughout the and astonishing visual effects, Aladdin is “Exactly what you day, a fabulous Christmas Lunch, live entertainment and maybe wished for!” even a few surprises along the way. If you want to go then don’t

delay as this day tour books out very quickly.

Member Cost: $195.00 pp Non-member: $215.00 pp Members Only Cost: $125.00 pp

GREG’S FAREWELL

4 DAY FAREWELL TOUR TO NORTHEAST VICTORIA NEW Friday 02 December 2016

Yes, Greg is moving on so we are heading to northeast Victoria and staying at the Quality Gateway Hotel in Wangaratta to see him off. A place guests describe as 'their home away from home’, where the experience is exceptional, the staff deliver above and beyond and the stay is memorable. It has been one of Greg’s favourite hotels during his time looking after Potter Travel Club members and a great place to stay for his farewell tour. We will be visiting some attractions during the day and we will have a good laugh along the way. We will take in the history of the area visiting places such as Chiltern and Beechworth. We will visit the award winning wine area of Rutherglen and we will travel along the Ovens Valley to the beautiful sub alpine village of Bright and enjoy lunch at the Bright Brewery overlooking the Ovens River. There will be a MEMORABLE farewell dinner with lots of laughs, fun & entertainment. If you want to have a fantastic time, come along. Be quick to book, as we are sure this tour will sell out very quickly!

Member Cost: $935.00 pp twin share $1170.00 sole use

CRUISES

12 NIGHT NEW ZEALAND CRUISE TRAVELLING ON THE EMERALD PRINCESS WEDNESDAY 01 FEBRUARY 2017 NEW

Launched in 2007, the Emerald Princess is one of the largest cruise ships in the Princess fleet. She offers nearly 900 balcony staterooms from which to take in the colourful sunrise over the ocean, or capture breathtaking sunsets. Leisurely days spent on-board in the Piazza-style atrium are relaxing and entertaining, with the nearby International Café and Vines wine bar fulfilling your cravings for warm cookies, toasted panini's, and even hand rolled sushi. Whether you are getting refreshed with a work-out in the fitness centre or putting your feet up at Movies Under the Stars, your experience on Emerald Princess is sure to be unforgettable. This cruise tour is fully escorted (based on a minimum of 16 passengers) & includes home pickup, transfers by coach from Queanbeyan & Canberra to Sydney and return, government charges (subject to change without notice), stateroom accommodation with private facilities, main meals, on-board activities and GST.

Category “BB” Oceanview with Balcony Twin $3375.00 pp Single $6130.00 Category “OB” Oceanview Twin $2985.00 pp Single $5350.00 Category “OC” Oceanview Twin $2885.00 pp Single $5150.00 Category “OE” Oceanview Twin $2835.00 pp Single $5050.00 Category “IB” Interior Twin $2295.00 pp Single $3970.00

EXTENDED TOURS

3 DAY MYSTERY TOUR 3 DAY BLUE MOUNTAINS XMAS IN JULY Friday 17 June 2016 NEW Wednesday 20 July 2016

Our May Mystery tour had such a long Last year’s Christmas in July tour to the waitlist that we decided to offer those on Blue Mountains was such a success the waitlist another Mystery tour we are going back this year. See high- destination. There are still a couple of tech interactive exhibitions exploring the seats available so don’t delay, book your natural as well as the social landscapes place on this fabulous tour now! Mystery of this unique area at the centre Into the is one of the great joys of travel. It keeps Blue. Visit the towns of Katoomba, us surprised, delighted, and just Leura and Blackheath as well as unsettled enough to heighten every attractions such as the Victory Theatre experience. If you are intrigued, you love Antique Centre, Bygone Beauty's and discovering new places and are easily the former home and gallery of Norman delighted, a Potter Mystery Tour might Lindsay. Our Christmas in July lunch be right up your alley. Everyone has a great time on our Mystery is at Chalet Guesthouse, at Medlow Bath. Built in 1892, the tours, with plenty of laughs along the way, where will it be? It’s a heritage listed guesthouse is set in extensive private gardens mystery. The tour includes two nights accommodation, all day and features a private collection of contemporary Australian art touring, meals and exclusive, not to be missed, Potter Travel and an original period dining room with open fireplace! The entertainment! festivities also include a pianist playing our favourite carols.

Member Cost: $625.00 pp twin share $760.00 sole use Member Cost: $600.00 pp twin share $665.00 sole use

7 DAY BELLINGEN & NSW NORTH COAST 5 DAY SPRING FESTIVAL OF FLOWERS Saturday 30 July 2016 Monday 05 September 2016

The riverside town of Bellingen is nestled Hunter Valley Resort, our base for 4 in the heart of the Bellinger Valley nights as we take in the Spring Festival between the coast and the Dorrigo of Flowers at the Hunter Valley Plateau on the scenic Waterfall Way. Gardens. This event is designed to Bellingen is buzzing with markets, cafes, immerse visitors in a visual and sensory galleries, festivals and events. It is the experience with over 100,000 annuals wonderful combination of Bellingen’s planted throughout the Gardens along turn-of-the-century ‘main street’ village with fabulous activities, attractions, atmosphere, rich architectural heritage, demonstrations, talks, tours & rural charm, bohemian atmosphere and workshops. As well the Gardens we visit thriving cosmopolitan culture that Monarchs in the Hunter, one of the capture people’s hearts. Dangar Falls largest private collections of British and Dorrigo National Park, a luncheon cruise on the Nambucca Royal memorabilia, Morpeth and Newcastle for a luncheon River, a day visiting Coffs Harbour and its attractions are cruise on Newcastle Harbour. Ride through Newcastle’s just some of the inclusions on this ‘winter getaway’ tour to the streets on the famous Talking Tram and visit Buttai Barn for beautiful north coast region of NSW. some good old-fashioned fun with a great country atmosphere plus lively entertainment & lunch as we sing along to some of our old time favourites and golden oldies tunes. Member Cost: $1595.00 pp twin share $1910.00 sole use Member Cost: $1195.00 pp twin share $1395.00 sole use

5 DAY MARYSVILLE IN THE SPRING 3 DAY MYSTERY TOUR Monday 19 September 2016 NEW Friday 28 October 2016 NEW

Our October departure is fully booked, This is our last Mystery tour for the year so St David’s Close Retirement Village so don’t delay, book your place on this has kindly extended an invitation to fabulous tour now! Mystery is one of the Potter Travel members to join their tour. great joys of travel. It keeps us The picturesque Yarra Valley and surprised, delighted, and just Marysville was nearly destroyed by unsettled enough to heighten every bushfires in 2009. We stay at the new experience. If you are intrigued, you love Vibe Hotel Marysville and take time to discovering new places and are easily reflect on the devastating bushfires with delighted, a Potter Mystery Tour might a visit to the local Information Centre and be right up your alley. An added dose of Phoenix Museum which explains the mystery emphasises the thrill of travel, tragedy and the recovery. Visit the Big so why not consider it? Everyone has a Bouquet gerbera and alpaca farm, great time on our Mystery tours, with Toolangi, the Wirra Wirra Rainforest Walk and Kinglake, plenty of laughs along the way, where will it be? It’s a mystery. another region of Victoria nearly destroyed by Black Saturday. A The tour includes two nights accommodation, all day touring, highlight is the Kerrisdale Mountain Railway & Museum, a meals and exclusive, not to be missed, Potter Travel unique railway offering panoramic view over King Parrot Valley entertainment! and the distant peaks of the Victorian Alps. Member Cost: $650.00 pp twin share $785.00 sole use Member Cost: $1165.00 pp twin share $1390.00 sole use

EXTENDED TOURS

6 DAY GREAT OCEAN ROAD EDEN-SAPPHIRE COAST NEW & SHIPWRECK COAST NEW CHRISTMAS TOUR Monday 14 November 2016 Thursday 22 December 2016

The Great Ocean Road is one of the Our Christmas tour this year is staying at world’s best coastal experiences, a drive Eden on the beautiful Sapphire Coast. rivaled by no other world wide. It’s not A relaxing day’s travel from Canberra sees only the magnificent scenery that will stay us settling in for a leisurely 5 night stay at with you but the towns and the the Coachman's Inn. Enjoy the sights of communities that surround it that make Eden & Merimbula, a great cruise on this a tour to remember. Warrnambool, Twofold Bay, a visit to Eden’s Killer the windy city, Port Fairy the historic port, Whale Museum and a fabulous or Portland, which could have been Christmas lunch at the historic Seahorse Victoria’s capital? To get there you will Inn at Boydtown. The National Trust travel through the historic Victorian village of Tilba, the beautiful seaside goldfields of Bendigo and Ballarat. There village of Tathra, cheese tasting at Bega, is so much scenery and history to embrace on this fantastic tour oyster tasting at Wheelers Oysters in Pambula and a visit to the to southern Victoria that you cannot afford to miss it? historic Burnima Homestead at Bombala and the fascinating

Mogo Zoo are all included on this fantastic Christmas Tour.

Member Cost: $1295.00 pp twin share $1625.00 sole use Member Cost: $1320.00 pp twin share $1565.00 sole use

3 DAY OPERA IN THE ALPS 14 DAY TASMANIAN SPECTACULAR NEW Friday 20 January 2017 NEW Saturday 18 February 2017

We are heading to the Opera in the It’s back to Tasmania in 2017, this time Alps again in 2017 and this time travelling all the way by coach. staying back in BEECHWORTH. It will Highlights of the itinerary will include a be a great night to remember sitting cruise on the remote Arthur River in the under the stars at the picturesque North West, Woolnorth Station, Stanley grounds of Baarmutha Park, & The Nut. We visit Cradle Mountain Beechworth. The program will feature National Park and stay 2 nights in light popular classics with favourites Queenstown. Ride the West Coast from opera and musicals performed by Wilderness Railway and take a cruise leading soloists. The orchestra will be from Strahan. Visit Mount Field National led by one of Australia’s most exciting Park & the Wall in the Wilderness conductors. We visit the beautiful sub before 4 nights in Hobart. Explore the alpine village of Bright, a town has a rich cultural heritage and city sights and the famous Salamanca Markets and the unique has managed to retain its character and charm. Also visit Mt MONA Museum. Enjoy day trips to Bruny Island the Port Buffalo National Park, the gourmet village of Milawa, the Arthur Historic site. Experience the beautiful East Coast Bonegilla Migrant Experience near Wodonga and the Red including the towns of Bicheno and Scamander and on our way Stag Deer Farm in the Ovens Valley. to Launceston before we head for home.

Member Cost: $695.00 pp twin share $815.00 sole use Member Cost: $4145.00 pp twin share $5095.00 sole use

6 DAY BALLARAT BEGONIA 5 DAY BENDIGO EASTER FESTIVAL FESTIVAL NEW Friday 14 April 2017 NEW Thursday 09 March 2017 The first Bendigo Easter Fair started in The Ballarat Begonia Festival is a 1870 to raise funds for the Sandhurst carnival and community cultural festival Benevolent Asylum & Hospital. It was held annually since 1953. Themed such a success that it has been held around the begonia flower which every year since, making this Australia's blooms in the temperate Ballarat longest ongoing festival. The festival climate, traditional features of the was a time for sharing, goodwill and festival programme include floral charity & today it continues this displays and plantings on the main city tradition, showcasing Bendigo’s diverse streets, a centrepiece parade that community & cultural heritage. We ride includes floats constructed by local the Bendigo Talking Tram and visit the community groups. Our tour takes us Central Deborah Goldmine & Golden through Central Victoria with its historic Dragon Museum. Enjoy the Easter Gala Parade which is goldmining towns of Bendigo and Castlemaine. Ballarat is also bursting with colour, action and sounds & see the ‘Sun Loong’ an historic gold mining town and our tour includes visits to the Dragon weave his way through the historic streets. Enjoy a Eureka Museum plus Sovereign Hill and its fantastic Blood day trip to the historic township of Castlemaine including a visit to the Buda Historic Home and Garden. On The Southern Cross Light & Sound Show.

Member Cost: $1265.00 pp twin share $1590.00 sole use Member Cost: $1145.00 pp twin share $1500.00 sole use

FUTURE TOURS

We are currently planning a number of tours for 2017 and want to take this opportunity to give you an idea of the destinations we are looking to travel to and gauge your interest in these tours. Should there be sufficient interest from our Members, then more details including the dates and tour prices will be in our Spring Newsletter, with detailed itineraries available from the office once you receive that Newsletter. We look forward to hearing your response to the following tours along with receiving any suggested destinations you would like to travel to in 2017.

CAIRNS & TROPICAL NORTH QUEENSLAND: July 2017

Escape with us to Cairns & Tropical North Queensland, a remarkable pristine EOI World Heritage preserved part of the world. Take in the sights of Cairns and ride the Skyrail to Kuranda Village & the Scenic Railway back. We take a cruise on the Daintree River before a visit to Mossman Gorge & Port Douglas. Enjoy a day in the Atherton Tablelands including cruising at Yungaburra on Lake Barrine and a visit to the Curtain Fig Tree. See the Babinda Boulders plus enjoy a visit to the very unusual and historic Paronella Park. Take a half day cruise to the beautiful Green Island, a Marine National Park with unique rainforests, surrounded by white sandy beaches and magnificent coral reefs and abundant marine life. We enjoy a beautiful Sunset Harbour Cruise on Trinity Bay with dinner at a restaurant on the boardwalk for our last night on tour. Give the office a call if you would like to receive a brochure on this tour (or the tours below) and once it’s available we will send it to you.

NORTHERN SOUTH AUSTRALIA & THE RED CENTRE ADVENTURE: August 2017

Our journey takes us through western NSW & the SA Riverland to Port Augusta on the top EOI of Spencer Gulf. From here we head north into Northern South Australia & Central Australia, along the Stuart Highway, named in honour of the famous explorer John McDouall Stuart, the first European to successfully traverse this vast continent from south to north. In northern South Australia we visit the famous rocket range town of Woomera and the very different opal town of Coober Pedy. We also visit the very unusual Breakaway Country near Coober Pedy. It is part of a region known as South Australia’s Painted Desert, which is an area of coloured clays with white, orange, yellow and pink predominating. Crossing the border into the Northern Territory we visit the iconic Uluru & Olgas as well as Kings Canyon. Returning to the highway we cross the Fink River and travel onto Alice Springs. We make this famous central Australian town our base for 3 nights as we explore the town as well as the surrounding country including the MacDonnell Ranges.

WEST COAST EXPLORER, DARWIN TO PERTH: September 2017

Join us on this epic journey down the west coast of Australia. We begin our journey EOI in Darwin then visit the spectacular Katherine Gorge before heading into Western Australia and to Kununurra and the Ord River. From here we continue across the Kimberley's, experience the wonder of Geikie Gorge and spend 2 nights in Broome. Watch the sunset over the Indian Ocean as we enjoy this frontier town. We continue down the coast to Port Hedland then head inland into the Hammersley National Park and view the huge Mt Tom Price mine. From here its back to the coast and Karratha and Dampier before heading onto the Northwest Cape and Exmouth. We continue south visiting Coral Bay, Carnarvon and Monkey Mia. We also visit Kalbarrri and Geraldton, take in the wildflower country around Moora and visit the monastery town of New Norcia before completing our tour with 2 nights in Perth before flying home.

THE MURRAY RIVER & MURRAY PRINCESS CRUISE: October 2017

This tour takes us from the mouth of the Murray River to the high country areas where EOI the river has its origin. We fly to Adelaide and start our tour with a cruise from Goolwa to the mouth of the Murray River. We then head to Mannum where we board the Murray Princess for a fabulous accommodated cruise along the river, where you'll discover the beautiful lower riverlands, between the Walker Flat and Murray Bridge. You will cruise through spectacular riverlands and enjoy the great variety of flora and fauna. Also take a nature walk, get up close to the river birdlife on board the ‘Dragon-Fly’ flat-bottomed boat. Disembarking we set our sights upstream as we travel into the South Australian Riverland then follow the river through Renmark & Mildura to historic riveports such as Swan Hill and Echuca to Albury. Our journey home takes us up the valley to Corryong then via the Alpine Way and the headwater areas of the river, past Thredbo to home.