7 Day Fringe of the Desert Tour

Ex Sydney

Mungo National Park - Wentworth - Mildura - Broken Hill - Hay - Albury

Tour Dates
 
Departing Monday, 15 September, 2008

Pickup Point:

Itinerary

DAY 1 – We depart Sydney at 7.30 am & head off towards West Wyalong for our first nights accommodation. On our way to West Wyalong we’ll stop at the Cowra Information Centre for lunch. After lunch we'll visit the Japanese Garden where you’ll have time to experience its tranquility & beauty before heading on to West Wyalong.

DAY 2 – On leaving West Wyalong we travel through Hay, Balranald & Euston before reaching Wentworth where we spend four nights at the Central Motor Inn. We’ll stop at Hay for lunch at the brand new Shear Outback ‘The Shearers Hall of Fame’. Participate in an educational & interactive experience which explores the dynamics & workings of historical & contemporary shearing life in Australia. On arrival in Wentworth there’s time to settle in, make yourself at home in your luxury unit; a dip in the pool, or perhaps 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 take in the atmosphere of our town with many historic buildings in original condition. Your evening meal is served at the Motel, where you can relax in a delightful cottage garden before retiring to your comfortable bed and a good night’s sleep.

 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 135 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).

DAY 4 – After an early breakfast we leave at 7am for the trip to broken hill, travelling through the vast inland of Australia.  First stop – the Tourist Information Centre.  Today you visit White’s Minerals, Art Gallery & Mining Museum where “Whitey” himself will give you a fascinating tour of one of Broken Hill’s best attractions depicting current & past mining methods & equipment. Experience an underground mine without going underground. We also travel to Silverton, now little more than a ghost town, where Colonial and Victorian buildings have been featured in many movies, commercials, mini-series and documentaries – “A Town Like Alice”. “Mad Max 2”,  “Hostage”, and “Razorback” head the list of major productions.  Silverton Gaol houses many interesting relics and echoes of the past. This afternoon after lunch we make our way back to “the Hill” where you will be visiting the Pro Hart Gallery to view one of the largest private collections in the country featuring Australian and European works.  The gallery also displays Chinese pottery, Perfume Bottles & Baby Rattle collections, and 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’.

DAY 5 – We start our day with a visit to the Langtree Mall in Mildura’s CBD, where we will have time to stroll, enjoying the Mediterranean atmosphere and shopping opportunities. Enjoy a River cruise on the PS Melbourne, Mildura’s original Steam driven Paddle Steamer.  This vessel was original built for the Victorian Government as a work boat in 1912.  Now she cruises the Murray River twice daily, where you can take in the peaceful atmosphere and marvel at the majestic river gums, the abundant birdlife and fauna.   You will hear about the great river system, the problems it faces and the future it holds.  The Captain describes the many uses of the ecology and environment of the Murray Darling Basin. Woodsie’s Gem Shop, is an outstanding attraction, where Australian gemstones are cut, polished and made into beautiful jewellery by local artisans. Then we visit Oak Valley Estate, a boutique winery on the outskirts of the city of Mildura, a great chance for wine tasting and to stock up the cellar. We then arrive back at Wentworth where a local guide will join us for a tour of the many features of Wentworth, including the Junction of the Darling with the Murray River, historic buildings and PS Ruby and more. We then travel home to enjoy the catering delights in ‘The Masons’.

DAY 6 - Although the trip is not over it is time to farewell Simon, Julie-Ann and staff. We travel the Murray Valley Highway passing through the River towns of Swan Hill & Echuca towards Albury for our last evening on tour together.

THIS TOUR INCLUDES - Luxury Coach Travel (toilet equipped) – 6 nights Accommodation – Twin Share - Fully Cooked Buffet Breakfasts – All evening Meals – morning teas –1 lunch - all entrance fees as per Itinerary.
Itinerary changes may be necessary due to climatic conditions &/or conditions beyond our control.