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7 Day Fringe of the Desert Holiday
Ex Canberra
Pickup Point 6.30
am
– Jolimont Centre – Canberra
Tour Highlights
Mungo National Park - Broken Hill - Mildura - Wentworth
Tour Dates
Departing Sunday 7th September 2008
Itinerary
DAY 1 - Leaving
Canberra early, you will then travel along the Sturt Highway through Wagga Wagga,
Narrandera, Hay & Balranald heading for Wentworth. You arrive at your new home for the next six nights, the
Wentworth Central Motor Inn. There’s
time to settle in, make yourself at home in your luxury unit; a dip in the
pool; super relax in the spa. Your motel is in the heart of town making it
possible to stroll at your leisure along the tranquil Darling River, enjoying the majestic
river gums, and enjoy the atmosphere of our town with many historic buildings
in original condition. Your home cooked
evening meal is served in the licensed restaurant; you can relax in a
delightful cottage garden before retiring to your comfortable bed and a good
night’s sleep.(B,L,D)
DAY
2 - We’ll start the day with a tour of The Australian Inland Botanic Gardens, this magnificent garden
developed eleven years ago is the first semi-arid botanical gardens in the
Southern Hemisphere situated on 380 acres. Take the train tour to delight in
these spectacular gardens, with too many features to mention. We then travel to
Mildura, where there will be an
opportunity to visit the Langtree Mall in Mildura’s CBD, here you will have
time to stroll, enjoying the Mediterranean atmosphere and shopping opportunities.
After lunch we’ll visit the historic Rio
Vista Homestead, the stately mansion of the co-founder of the city of Mildura – W.B.Chaffey. On our way home we’ll visit ‘Orange World’ a fully functional orange and avocado grove. You’ll learn all about
them as a tour of the nursery and packing shed is provided as well as taking in
the sights from the lookout tower as they explain the workings of the industry.(B,D)
DAY
3 - Adventure really begins today! The
drive north-east takes us back 60,000 years to Mungo National Park, a
series of dry lakes now, but still a haven for native flora & fauna. No other area of Inland Australia combines a
record of past environmental and human history spanning the last glacial period
as does the Willandra Lakes World Heritage region. We have a picnic lunch in this truly unique
location that is world acclaimed for the significant archaeological finds made
during the 1960’s which rewrote the history books on the pre-European
occupation of the Australian Continent. The focus on Mungo National Park is directly related to the
intensity of erosion on the sand lunettes, ‘The Walls of China’ spanning 25 km, you are
able to walk on these spectacular walls. After we enjoy a picnic lunch, we then
visit the 132 year old woolshed and
yards at Mungo National Park. In its original condition
a 30 stand plant which sheared over 50,000 sheep each year. Back to the Motel
for a true explorer’s rest, but first – a country BBQ and fresh salads. (AN ABORIGINAL GUIDE WILL TRAVEL WITH YOU TO
MUNGO TO EXPLAIN THE HISTORY OF MUNGO NATIONAL PARK AND ENSURING YOU GET TO SEE
ALL THE SIGNIFICANT AREAS).(B,L,D)
DAY
4 - This morning we travel through to Meringur
& the Millewa Pioneer Forest and Historical Village. Originally, the Millewa area was an
experiment in close dryland farming in the Mallee region. It nearly failed due
to limited domestic & stock water available. It gave the First World War
Veterans the opportunity to purchase leases in this area. It was only a short
time before disaster struck. The village has been lovingly recreated as
testament to the early pioneers. Enjoy your picnic lunch as you experience the
‘shadows of the past.'
We'll then head back to Wentworth & visit the Old Wentworth Gaol & The Wentworth Museum before meeting our local guide who'll join
us highlighting the many features of our lovely town, including the Junction of
the Darling with the Murray River, historic buildings and PS
Ruby and more. (B,D)
DAY
5 – After an early breakfast we leave at 7.00am for the trip to Broken Hill, travelling through the
vast inland of Australia. First stop – the Tourist
Information Centre. Today you will drop into to see ‘Bushy’ at Whites Mining Museum where you’ll see one of Broken Hill’s best
attractions. We’ll travel out to Silverton,
now little more than a ghost town, where Colonial & Victorian buildings
have been featured in many movies, commercials, mini-series and documentaries –
“A Town Like Alice”,”Mad Max 2”,”Hostage”& “Razorback” head the list of
productions. There are many fascinating Galleries, Museums & Art &
Craft Shops to be seen in Silverton. After lunch we we’ll visit the Pro Hart Gallery to view one of the
largest private collections in the country featuring Australian & European
works. The gallery also displays Chinese Pottery, Perfume Bottles Baby Rattle
Collections, & houses the famous Roger Electronic Pipe Organ, one of the
largest of its type in Australia. Then its off to one of
Broken Hills’ newest attractions the Silver
City Mint & Art Museum featuring ‘The
Big Picture’ the worlds largest acrylic painting on canvas. View the
extensive range of originals & lithographs by renowned artist Peter Andrew
Anderson. You will also be able to see demonstrations of smelting, casting
& manufacturing of Broken Hill Silver jewellery with a large range to buy
before leaving fascinating Broken Hill with its clear light, glorious views and
dazzling skies which of course have been captured extensively by the region’s
artists. A delicious dinner will be served
back at home at ‘The Mason’s’.(B,D,)
DAY
6 – Today will feature a River cruise
where you can take in the peaceful atmosphere and marvel at the majestic river
gums, the abundant birdlife and fauna. Woodsie’s
Rock Shop is our next stop, an outstanding attraction, where Australian
gemstones are cut, polished and made into beautiful jewelery by local artisans.
We’ll also call into Angas Park where you’ll find a range of naturally
delicious sun ripened fruit & nuts.Then we’ll visit Oak Valley Wines, a
winery on the outskirts of the city of Mildura, a great chance for wine
tasting and to stock up the cellar. This evening we will again enjoy the catering
delights at ‘The Masons’. (B,D.)
DAY
7 - After breakfast together on the last day of our marvelous holiday, it’s
back on the road heading for home. You
travel back along the Western Highway through Balranald, Hay,
Narrandera & Wagga Wagga before reaching Canberra. We’re sure you will be
telling all your friends of Simon and Julie-Ann’s wonderful hospitality and
perhaps persuade them to come on the next trip.(B)
THIS TOUR INCLUDES - Luxury
Coach Travel – 6 nights Accommodation – Twin Share basis – All Breakfasts –
All
Evening Meals – 2 lunches – all entrance fees as per Itinerary – morning teas.
The itinerary can change due
to reasons beyond our control.
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