TRAVEL TALK SPRING 2016 — ISSUE 25

Welcome to our Spring Newsletter. BOOKINGS CLOSING SOON

We have been busy upgrading our website, over the last couple of months. Call the office and make a booking if you Our latest tour information is now available for you to view at are interested in one of these tours: www.pottertravel.com.au. A copy of the latest newsletter will also available on the website along with the itineraries for all our day, show and extended tours. GRAFTON JACARANDA FESTIVAL What’s your email address? We are on a mission to reduce our paper use. Price: $1165 ppts. Dept: 01 Nov 2016 Our general office email address is [email protected]. Send us an email today so we can update our records and we can start to email your payment receipts & any tour updates.

NEW to this Newsletter is a short summer break to Lakes Entrance in February, a great 4 day tour to the beautiful and bountiful Mudgee region in May and two special interest tours to with one tour taking in a cruise around Barangaroo and the other The Elvis Presley Show (see Page 6).

We had separate tours to Moree & Tenterfield in 2016. Kel & those that EDEN & SAPPHIRE COAST XMAS TOUR travelled said they were fantastic tours, so Kel would like to take another Price: $1320 ppts. Dept: 22 Dec 2016 group back to visit these areas. In April 2017 we have combined the best of both for a 9 day tour to NSW’s Far North. Departing in late April, we are home for Anzac Day & Mothers Day, but still see the cotton harvesting of Moree & the autumn colours of Tenterfield & the New England. If you missed it this year, don’t make the same mistake in 2017, book now!

We now have confirmed dates and costs for the Cairns Tropical North Queensland, Outback South Australia & Red Centre, West Coast— Darwin to Perth and the & Murray Princess Cruise. See BOOK BEFORE CHRISTMAS pages 7 & 8 for details.

There are also plenty of day and show tours for you to consider. We have a OPERA IN THE ALPS second tour to Camelot in November due to popular demand. We will also Price: $695 ppts. Dept: 20 Jan 2017 be going back to Young for some Cherry picking in late November.

We have tours over the next few months where bookings are still available but must close soon. There are a couple of tours early next year that we need to finalize before we break for Christmas & New Year. See the right hand column for these tours and call the office if you are interested, as you are still able to join fellow Travel Club members on these tours.

Happy travelling from Bob, Karen, Greg, Kel & David TASMANIAN SPECTACULAR Price: $4145 ppts. Dept: 18 Feb 2017 CHRISTMAS & NEW YEAR—OFFICE CLOSURE

The office will close at 5.00pm on Wednesday 21 December 2016 and re-open at 9.00am on Monday 09 January 2017. Messages will be monitored periodically while we are closed and an emergency contact number will be available on the office answering machine if required.

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

08 Oct ‘My Fair Lady’ the Musical Waitlist 10 Oct 5 Day Marysville In The Spring Waitlist

08 Oct ‘Dream Lover’ the Musical Waitlist 28 Oct 3 Day Mystery Tour Waitlist

15 Oct Batlow Blossom Festival pg 3 01 Nov 7 Day Grafton Jacaranda Festival pg 5

26 Oct Sydney Jacaranda Cruise Waitlist 14 Nov 6 Day Great Ocean Rd & Shipwreck Coast Waitlist

08 Nov ‘Dream Lover’ the Musical Waitlist 02 Dec 4 Days Greg’s Farewell Tour On Appl.

17 Nov Camelot—A Place To Call Home pg 3 22 Dec 6 Day Eden-Sapphire Coast Christmas Tour pg 5

22 Nov Rock & Roll Lunch @ Camden pg 3 20 Jan 3 Day Opera In The Alps pg 5

29 Nov Cherries At Young pg 3 01 Feb 13 Day New Zealand on the Emerald Princess On Appl.

07 Dec ‘Aladdin’ The Musical pg 3 06 Feb 4 Day Lakes Entrance & Gippsland Lakes pg 5

14 Dec Potter Christmas Lunch pg 3 18 Feb 14 Day Tasmanian Spectacular pg 5

11 Jan ‘Aladdin’ The Musical pg 4 07 Mar 2 Day Sydney Barangaroo Cruise pg 5

18 Jan Montrose Estate & Berry Picking pg 4 09 Mar 6 Day Ballarat Begonia Festival pg 6

21 Jan ‘Aladdin’ The Musical pg 4 31 Mar 3 Day Mystery Tour pg 6

25 Jan ‘Aladdin’ The Musical pg 4 14 Apr 5 Day Bendigo Easter Festival pg 6

03 Feb Fish ’n’ Chips & Bedervale pg 4 27 Apr 9 Day NSW Far North, Moree & Tenterfield pg 6

24 Feb On The Road To pg 4 29 May 4 Day Mudgee & Gulgong pg 6

16 Mar Archibald Prize Regional Tour pg 4 02 Jun 2 Day Elvis Presley Show pg 6

22 Jul 9 Day Cairns & Tropical North Queensland pg 7

01 Aug 12 Day Outback Sth Australia & Red Centre pg 7

16 Aug 19 Day West Coast Explorer, Darwin to Perth pg 7

07 Sep 8 Day Murray River & Murray Princess Cruise pg 8

EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST:

May 15 Day Stunning Japan pg 8

Aug/ 18 Day Canada & Alaska pg 8 Sept

30 Potter Travel Members and I travelled to the magical Uluru in early September to see the spectacular Fields of Light Exhibition, and we weren't disappointed. We walked into Kata Tjuta (The Olgas) & Kings Canyon and enjoyed sunset drinks at Uluru. We loved visiting the School of the Air & the Royal Flying Doctor Service in Alice Springs. A few enjoyed the views from above with a helicopter ride over Kings Canyon. I look forward to visiting the heart of Australia again in August 2017. Karen Rickman 2.

DAY TOURS

BATLOW APPLE CAMELOT— BLOSSOM FESTIVAL A PLACE TO CALL HOME NEW Saturday 15 October 2016 Thursday 17 November 2016

Growing the perfect apple is just one of Camelot is often associated with the things they do well in Batlow. Lush King Arthur and the legend of the green pastures, rich red soils and an Knights of the Round Table. However abundance of natural beauty welcomes located near the picturesque town of you when you visit Batlow. Punctuated Camden, is another beautiful and by stunning panoramic vistas of orchard cultured Camelot. It is a grand heritage- and grazing country and the road sides listed mansion built in 1888. The house dotted with stalls selling local produce, has striking chimneys, turrets and Batlow is a small township lying midway balconies that overlook its stunning between & . Today gardens. This wonderful majestic we visit Memorial Park, a guaranteed mansion was renamed Ash Park, the great day out. Loads of free and low Bligh family home, in the award winning cost entertainment along with market TV series called A Place To Call stalls, live music and shows, exhibitions and demonstrations. Home. Don’t miss out on seeing this private residence now re- opened to the public.

Member Cost: $80.00 pp Non-member: $100.00 pp Member Cost: $125.00 pp Non-member: $145.00 pp

ROCK ‘N’ ROLL LUNCH CHERRIES AT YOUNG Camden Valley Inn Tuesday 29 November 2016 NEW Tuesday 22 November 2016 We head to Young, the ‘Cherry Capital We have a great day planned at the of Australia’, and an area that boasts Camden Valley Inn where we will many cherry and stone fruit orchards. celebrate the classic Rock and Roll era Our first stop today is at Poppa’s Fudge of the 1950’s and 1960’s in a Christmas Factory. Here we will have morning tea style end of year celebration. Well served from the coach with the added known entertainer ‘Fallon’ will entertain bonus of scones and cherry jam supplied us with songs from artists like Del by Poppa’s Fudge Factory! Inside Shannon, Elvis Presley, Tom Jones, Poppa’s store there will be a sample bar Bobby Darin, Buddy Holly, Gerry & the of fudges and jams for you to taste and Pacemakers and many more. As well lots of goodies to purchase. A local guide as the fabulous entertainment we enjoy will also show us the sights of Young. a welcome drink and a 2 course After our tour we head to Allambie Orchard where we enjoy Christmas lunch with tea & coffee. lunch including cherry pie and a tour & talk on cherries. Here you can also pick your own cherries, or there will be pre-packed cherries for sale. Member Cost: $125.00 pp Non-member: $145.00 pp Member Cost: $110.00 pp Non-member: $130.00 pp

ALADDIN THE MUSICAL POTTER TRAVEL CLUB At the Capitol Theatre, Sydney 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 RSL for King & Mary Poppins, the story some more of the same — singing & of Aladdin comes to thrilling dancing. Mr Shane Tapper will theatrical life in this bold new entertain us again. It will be a great day musical. Filled with daring for the members to celebrate 2016 and adventure, classic comedy and the great year we have had travelling timeless romance, ALADDIN is ‘Pure Genie-us!’. It features all together as we wind down to the festive your favourite songs from Disney’s animated film. With season. The day will include all your coach travel throughout the exhilarating choreography, show-stopping production numbers day, a fabulous Christmas Lunch, live entertainment and and astonishing visual effects, Aladdin is ‘Exactly what you maybe even a few surprises along the way. If you want to go wished for!’ 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

3.

DAY TOURS

ALADDIN THE MUSICAL MONTROSE HOUSE ESTATE NEW At the Capitol Theatre, Sydney Garden Tour & Berry Picking NEW Wed 11 & Wed 25 January 2017 Wednesday 18 January 2017

ALADDIN is the must-see We travel to the Southern Highlands show of the year and enjoying morning tea from the coach. ‘Broadway’s biggest new hit!’ On arrival at the historic Montrose From the producer of The Lion House Estate we enjoy a tour King & Mary Poppins, the story through the mature English gardens of Aladdin comes to thrilling comprising a very large range of theatrical life in this bold new wonderful trees and plants. Both the musical. Filled with daring heritage listed homestead and gardens adventure, classic comedy and are surrounded by the working berry timeless romance, ALADDIN is ‘Pure Genie-us!’. It features all farm that produces a wide variety of your favourite songs from Disney’s animated film. With berries, fruit and artisanal berry exhilarating choreography, show-stopping production numbers products. After our garden tour we take and astonishing visual effects, Aladdin is ‘Exactly what you some time to pick our own berries that wished for!’ are in season. We enjoy lunch at the Farm Club Café & Nursery today before a leisurely trip home after a great day out.

Member Cost: $195.00 pp Non-member: $215.00 pp Member Cost: $105.00 pp Non-member: $125.00 pp

ALADDIN THE MUSICAL FISH‘N’CHIPS & BEDERVALE NEW At the Capitol Theatre, Sydney Friday 03 February 2017 NEW Saturday 21 January 2017 The Clyde River is pristine, flowing ALADDIN is the must-see through over 100km of NSW National show of the year and Park and State Forests. Enjoy the ‘Broadway’s biggest new hit!’ famous Innes Fish ’n’ Chips on board From the producer of The Lion the MV Merinda as you sit back and King & Mary Poppins, the story watch the river meandering slowly, each of Aladdin comes to thrilling bend revealing the river's many moods theatrical life in this bold new and faces. We bid farewell to the musical. Filled with daring ‘Merinda’ as we alight to explore the adventure, classic comedy and historic little river port of Nelligen, where timeless romance, ALADDIN is ‘Pure Genie-us!’. It features all in past times sailing and steam ships your favourite songs from Disney’s animated film. With plied their trade. Then it’s off to exhilarating choreography, show-stopping production numbers Braidwood to visit ‘Bedervale’, a large single storey Georgian and astonishing visual effects, Aladdin is ‘Exactly what you home which houses a National Trust Collection. The property wished for!’ was built in 1836 on a land grant by Captain John Coghill and is of great historic and architectural significance.

Member Cost: $225.00 pp Non-member: $245.00 pp Member Cost: $135.00 pp Non-member: $155.00 pp

ON THE ROAD TO GUNDAGAI ARCHIBALD PRIZE AT COWRA NEW Friday 24 February 2017 NEW Thursday 16 March 2017

We take the road to Gundagai, The annual Archibald Prize is eagerly famous in Australian folklore anticipated by artists and audiences due to the iconic Dog On The alike. First awarded in 1921, it is one of Tuckerbox. We collect a local Australia’s oldest and most prestigious guide for the day and start art awards. Judged by the trustees of our tour with a visit to the the Art Gallery of NSW and awarded to Rotary Lookout to take in the the best portrait painting, the Archibald vista of the town, countryside Prize exhibition is a who’s who of and the 3 long crossing Australian culture – from politicians to the . The Prince Alfred is the celebrities, sporting heroes to artists. longest wooden bridge in the Southern Hemisphere. Our tour This touring exhibition is an opportunity takes in the historic Railway Station, the Gabriel Gallery, the to see all the finalists in the Archibald famous Rusconi Marble Masterpiece and a visit to Captain Prize 2016. The Regional tour includes the Cowra Regional Art Moonlight’s resting place. Lunch is included today and as Gallery in March 2017 which is where we travel today. we head for home we stop in to view the legendary Dog on The Tuckerbox. Member Cost: $105.00 pp Non-member: $125.00 pp Member Cost: $105.00 pp Non-member: $125.00 pp

4.

EXTENDED TOURS

7 DAY GRAFTON JACARANDAS 6 DAY EDEN-SAPPHIRE COAST NEW Tuesday 01 November 2016 CHRISTMAS TOUR Thursday 22 December 2016 Hawkesbury Combined Probus has a tour travelling to the NSW north coast that is Our Christmas tour this year is staying at taking in this year’s Jacaranda Festival. Eden on the beautiful Sapphire Coast. They would be very happy for any Potter A relaxing day’s travel from Canberra sees Travel Club members to join them. We us settling in for a leisurely 5 night stay at stay 5 nights in Grafton on the banks of the Coachman's Inn. Enjoy the sights of the Clarence River. We visit the Eden & Merimbula, a great cruise on Squatters Museum at Tucabia, the Twofold Bay, a visit to Eden’s Killer Glen Ian Ostrich Farm at Tullymorgan, Whale Museum and a fabulous Yamba and Iluka, the Woombah Coffee Christmas lunch at the historic Seahorse Plantation, Ballina and the Thursday Inn at Boydtown. The National Trust Tea Tree Plantation. We are in Grafton village of Tilba, the beautiful seaside on the parade day for the Festival, so you can watch the Grand village of Tathra, cheese tasting at Bega, Float Procession. Day 1 will be a leisurely day as we join oyster tasting at Wheelers Oysters in Pambula and a visit to the Kel on the coach and travel to Richmond in the Hawkesbury historic Burnima Homestead at Bombala and the fascinating Valley for an overnight stay, before heading north to Grafton. Mogo Zoo are all included on this fantastic Christmas Tour.

Member Cost: $1165.00 pp twin share $1480.00 sole use Member Cost: $1320.00 pp twin share $1565.00 sole use

3 DAY OPERA IN THE ALPS 4 DAY LAKES ENTRANCE NEW Friday 20 January 2017 Monday 06 February 2017

We are heading to the Opera in the The grandkids are back at school so it Alps again in 2017 and this time is ‘me time’ with a short break down staying back in BEECHWORTH. It will the coast getting away from the be a great night to remember sitting February heat. It’s an easy drive to under the stars at the picturesque Lakes Entrance and a great spot to grounds of Baarmutha Park, getaway. On Day 1 we have lunch at Beechworth. The program will feature Cann River Hotel then take in the light popular classics with favourites spectacular coastal scenery of Cape from opera and musicals performed by Conran and Marlo as we head to leading soloists. The orchestra will be Lakes Entrance. Once there we led by one of Australia’s most exciting unpack our bags for 3 nights. Lunch is conductors. We visit the beautiful sub at Wyanga Park Winery and a visit to alpine village of Bright, a town which has a rich cultural heritage the historic Nymerlang Park on Day 2. We take in the towns of and has managed to retain its character and charm. Also visit Bairnsdale and Paynesville plus enjoy a fabulous cruise Mt Buffalo National Park, the gourmet village of Milawa, the across the Gippsland Lakes on Day 3. Heading home we stop Bonegilla Migrant Experience near Wodonga and the Red to visit Orbost and the Orbost Exhibition Centre and the National Stag Deer Farm in the Ovens Valley. Collection of Wood Design.

Member Cost: $695.00 pp twin share $815.00 sole use Member Cost: $755.00 pp twin share $865.00 sole use

14 DAY TASMANIAN SPECTACULAR 2 DAY SYDNEY & BARANGAROO Saturday 18 February 2017 Tuesday 07 March 2017 NEW

It’s back to Tasmania in 2017, this time The highlight of our 2 day trip to Sydney is travelling by coach and the Spirit of a cruise on Sydney Harbour to view the Tasmania. Highlights of the itinerary new Barangaroo Reserve and to will include a cruise on the remote experience the concept plan linking Arthur River in the North West, Barangaroo with other harbour headlands Woolnorth Station, Stanley & The of Balls Head, Goat Island, Ballast Point Nut. We visit Cradle Mountain and McMahons Point. Graham Ross National Park and stay 2 nights in (Better Homes and Gardens) is our host Queenstown. Ride the West Coast onboard to provide expert insight into the Wilderness Railway and take a cruise landscape design and horticultural from Strahan. Visit Mount Field National information on the native trees, shrubs Park & the Wall in the Wilderness and plants specifically grown for before 4 nights in Hobart. Explore the city sights and the famous Barangaroo Reserve. A light lunch with tea & coffee is included. Salamanca Markets and the unique MONA Museum. Enjoy After the cruise, you will have time to explore Barangaroo day trips to Bruny Island the Port Arthur Historic site. Reserve on foot. Our tour also includes a visit to the fabulous Experience the beautiful East Coast including the towns of Antique Mechanical Music Museum, better known as Bicheno and Scamander and on our way to Launceston Fairground Follies. before we head for home. Member Cost: $470.00 pp twin share $560.00 sole use Member Cost: $4145.00 pp twin share $5095.00 sole use

5.

EXTENDED TOURS

6 DAY BALLARAT BEGONIA 3 DAY MYSTERY TOUR NEW FESTIVAL Friday 31 March 2017 Thursday 09 March 2017 This is our first Mystery tour for the year The Ballarat Begonia Festival is a so don’t delay, book your place on this carnival and community cultural festival fabulous tour now! Mystery is one of the held annually since 1953. Themed great joys of travel. It keeps us around the begonia flower which surprised, delighted, and just blooms in the temperate Ballarat unsettled enough to heighten every climate, traditional features of the experience. If you are intrigued, you festival program include floral displays love discovering new places and are and plantings on the main city streets, a easily delighted, a Potter Mystery Tour centrepiece parade that includes might be right up your alley. An added floats constructed by local community dose of mystery emphasises the thrill of groups. Our tour takes us through Central with its travel, so why not consider it? historic goldmining towns of Bendigo and Castlemaine. Ballarat Everyone has a great time on our Mystery tours, with plenty of is also an historic gold mining town and our tour includes visits to laughs along the way, where will it be? It’s a mystery. The tour the Eureka Museum plus Sovereign Hill and its fantastic Blood includes two nights accommodation, all day touring, meals and exclusive, not to be missed, Potter Travel entertainment! On The Southern Cross Light & Sound Show. Member Cost: $625.00 pp twin share $735.00 sole use* Member Cost: $1265.00 pp twin share $1590.00 sole use *Note: Singles are limited

5 DAY BENDIGO EASTER FESTIVAL 9 DAY MOREE TENTERFIELD TOUR NEW Friday 14 April 2017 Thursday 27 April 2017

The first Bendigo Easter Fair started in In April on the Moree Plains its cotton 1870 to raise funds for the Sandhurst harvesting time so there is plenty to see. Benevolent Asylum & Hospital. It was We visit a working cotton gin, find out such a success that it has been held the differences between irrigated and dry every year since, making this Australia's cotton crops and how cotton is picked longest ongoing festival. The festival and packed, ready for transportation to was a time for sharing, goodwill and the gins for processing. Moree is also charity & today it continues this tradition, renowned for its hot mineral spas. showcasing Bendigo’s diverse community Travelling from Moree to Tenterfield we & cultural heritage. We ride the Bendigo visit the border towns of Goondiwindi Talking Tram and visit the Central and Texas. Tenterfield’s famous son Deborah Goldmine & Golden Dragon is entertainer Peter Allen. It is also a Museum. Enjoy the Easter Gala Parade which is bursting renowned historical district and enjoys blazing red autumns with with colour, action and sounds & see the ‘Sun Loong’ Dragon stunning tree lined roads, surrounded by a wide variety of weave his way through the historic streets. Enjoy a day trip to National Parks. We visit historic Stannum House, the Tenterfield the historic township of Castlemaine including a visit to the Buda Saddlery, the School of Arts where Sir Historic Home and Garden. famously made his federation speech and explore the Stanthorpe area. Member Cost: $1145.00 pp twin share $1500.00 sole use Member Cost: $2095.00 pp twin share $2580.00 sole use

4 DAY MUDGEE GULGONG TOUR 2 DAY ELVIS PRESLEY SHOW NEW Monday 29 May 2017 Friday 02 June 2017 NEW

Early Australian architectural facades Elvis is in the building! Direct and historic buildings line the wide from Graceland, Elvis fans will have streets of Mudgee, many dating to the a chance that many have never had 1850s. The Mudgee area is also before – to experience the man who renowned for its local produce and we visit the Honey Haven, the Hazelnut changed the course of popular Farm, and the Brewering Co where music – the biggest selling solo we enjoy lunch followed by a tour of artist in history (having sold an the distillery and a tasting. We also astonishing one billion records world visit the historic town of Gulgong, once wide), live on screen, with a 40 described as ‘the hub of the world!’ It piece Orchestra live on stage was the boyhood home of Henry performing the King of Rock and Roll’s most well-known Lawson who was inspired by the Gulgong goldrush to write songs. We will be overnighting in Sydney and the Vivid his poem ‘the Roaring Days’. Visit the Henry Lawson Centre and Festival will be on at this time, so hopefully we will get be entertained at the Prince of Wales Opera House with a stage presentation based on Henry Lawson’s works, with traditional a chance to see some of the lights around the city before music and an Australiana theme. or after the show.

Member Cost: $910.00 pp twin share $1100.00 sole use Member Cost: $495.00 pp twin share $595.00 sole use

6.

FEATURED TOURS

9 DAY CAIRNS TROPICAL NORTH QUEENSLAND: Saturday 22 July 2017

Escape with us to Tropical North Queensland, a remarkable pristine World Heritage preserved part of the world. We start with 3 nights at Airlie Beach and a fantastic day cruising the beautiful Whitsundays. We also visit the Whitsunday Coffee Plantation and a private property not often visited called Earlando, boasting 6,000 acres of private Whitsunday coastal land, a paradise all to yourselves for the day. From Airlie Beach we head north, visiting Bowen and Ayr as we travel to Townsville. Head up the coast through Ingham and past Hinchinbrook Island to Tully. Enjoy a visit to the very unusual and historic Paronella Park. Then travel through Innisfail to Cairns for 5 nights. 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. Return flights ex Canberra are included in the cost.

Member Cost: $3595.00 pp twin share $4235.00 sole use

12 DAY OUTBACK SOUTH AUSTRALIA & RED CENTRE ADVENTURE: Tuesday 01 August 2017

Our journey takes us through western NSW and the SA Riverland to Port Augusta on the top of Spencer Gulf. Then we head into Outback 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 Uluru & Kata Tjuta (The Olgas) as well as Kings Canyon. A highlight of this tour is The Sounds of Silence Dinner at Uluru. Returning to the highway we cross the Fink River & travel to Alice Springs. We make this famous central Australian town our base for 3 nights, staying at Lasseters Hotel Casino, as we explore the town and the surrounding country including the MacDonnell Ranges. We enjoy visits to The School of the Air and the Royal Flying Doctor Service. Return flight from Alice Springs to Canberra is included in cost.

Member Cost: $4355.00 pp twin share $5280.00 sole use

19 DAY WEST COAST EXPLORER, DARWIN TO PERTH: Wednesday 16 August 2017

Join us on this epic journey down the west coast of Australia. We begin our journey 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 Hammersley National Park and view the huge Mt Tom Price mine. From here it’s back to the coast and Karratha and Dampier before heading onto the Northwest Cape and Exmouth. We continue south visiting Coral Bay, Carnarvon, Monkey Mia and Geraldton and take in the wildflower country around Moora. We also visit the monastery town of New Norcia before completing our tour with 2 nights at the Rendezvous Hotel in Scarborough. Flights Canberra to Darwin and Perth to Canberra are included in the cost.

Member Cost: $7695.00 pp twin share $9290.00 sole use 7.

FEATURED TOURS

8 DAY MURRAY RIVER & MURRAY PRINCESS CRUISE: Thursday 07 September 2017

This tour takes us from the mouth of the Murray River to the high country where the river begins. We fly to Adelaide and start with a night at a winery in the McLaren Vale and a cruise from Goolwa to the mouth of the Murray. Next is Mannum where we board the Murray Princess for a fabulous accommodated cruise along the river to discover the beautiful lower Riverland's, between the Walker Flat & Murray Bridge. You will cruise through spectacular Riverland's and enjoy the great variety of flora & 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 riverports such as Swan Hill and to . Our journey home takes us up the valley past the Hume Weir to Corryong then home.

Member Cost: $2995.00 pp twin share $3520.00 sole use

OVERSEAS

Expressions of Interest. Please let us know if you would be interested in travelling to either of these destinations.

15 DAY HIGHLIGHTS OF JAPAN: May 2017

A fascinating blend of tradition and modernity, Japan lives in the moment with a respectful nod to the past. The quirky high-tech gadgets of Tokyo sit peacefully alongside the spiritual serenity of temples, shrines, the traditions of the delicate Geishas, ritualistic tea ceremonies & onsen bathing. Our new tour to Japan includes the beautiful northern island of Hokkaido where we see the spectacular Japanese Cherry Blossoms that bloom in early May. We also visit Sapporo & the southern part of Hokkaido, one of the best areas for Cherry Blossom viewing. Experience the unique Ainu culture of the local indigenous people, that now mainly exist only in the north island. See the modern city of Tokyo, the beautifully preserved old towns of Tsumago & Takayama, historic Hiroshima & Kanazawa & the tradition and culture of Kyoto.

18 DAY CANADA & ALASKAN CRUISE: August/September 2017

The experience of a lifetime awaits you on this tour to Canada with an exceptional range of luxurious and iconic hotel stays in the midst of stunning wildlife and glorious snow-capped mountain scenery. Our tours take you to the spectacular Rockies and along Alaska’s Inside Passage revealing North America’s last great wilderness – blue-green glaciers, endless rainforests, craggy cliffs, majestic peaks, picturesque fishing villages and breathtaking National Parks. You will see bald eagles soar, whales playfully breaching and grizzly bears ambling along.

8.