Take the inland route from Brisbane to Melbourne, discover quirky characters and hidden treasures along the way. Try your luck for opals in Lightning Ridge, enjoy a wildlife zoofari at Dubbo's Western Plains Zoo, and visit Miners Heritage Park in Cobar. See the 'Living Desert Sculptures' in Broken Hill and the Old Wentworth Gaol before enjoying a paddleboat cruise on the Murray and a finale night in Melbourne.
14 October 2022
PRE & POST TOUR EXTENDER OPTION
1 additional day (TOTAL 12 DAY TOUR)
• One-way economy class flight ex Sydney, Melbourne or Adelaide to Brisbane
• 1 additional night room only, post-tour at Meriton Suites Brisbane
• One-way Airtrain ticket ex Brisbane Domestic Terminal to Roma Street Station
Plus $499pp Twin Share Plus $590 Sole Use
**Subject to availability – some block out dates apply. Prices are subject to change without notice**
DEPOSIT
$800pp required within 14 days of making booking to secure your reservation.
N.B. Full payment is required 60 days prior to departure.
This package is subject to an additional levy for coach/air/rail component that may be imposed and is out of Fun Over Fifty’s control. Flights are arranged to suit the tour as a group in advance, therefore we cannot book individual preferences or guarantee direct flights.
This package is subject to an additional levy for coach/air/rail component that may be imposed and is out of Fun Over Fifty’s control. Flights are arranged to suit the tour as a group in advance, therefore we cannot book individual preferences or guarantee direct flights.
Departing on our opulent 'Diamond Class' coach from Brisbane Coach Terminal, we travel through the rich fertile area of the Lockyer Valley, breaking at Picnic Point in Toowoomba for a cuppa. Our afternoon takes us through country towns arriving at St George, where we bed down for the night.
This morning we are joined by a local cotton farmer to showcase the towns irrigated agriculture and wine growing industry. On tour you will learn about cotton planting, growing, irrigation, harvesting and marketing. We then take a tour of Riversands Vineyards and learn about table and wine grape growing. Enjoy lunch and wine tasting before we leave St George making our way to Lightning Ridge.
With our local guide in tow we discover the many hidden gems of this fascinating town. We visit Fred Bodel’s hut, the oldest miner’s camp in the area and the Historic Three Mile Flat, the site of the early miners’ settlement. We travel back to town for morning tea and an opal cutting demonstration. Later we learn about the historic opal mining techniques at Lunatic Hill Open Cut. Next we see the Astronomers’ Monument , the hand built Amigo’s Castle and Bevan’s cactus gardens. After lunch we visit ‘Chambers of the Black Hand’ a national treasure in the making in a 100 year old mine shaft. You will see images carved and painted in the sandstone walls and pillars. After a day of sightseeing we take a therapeutic soak in the naturally heated thermal baths.
Leaving Lightning Ridge and its colourful characters behind us, our travels today take us through Walgett a regional hub for the wool, wheat and cotton industries. We break at Coonamble before making our way to Dubbo, visiting the Taronga Western Plains Zoo for lunch followed by a guided wildlife tour.
Leaving Dubbo we head to the prosperous cattle and sheep farming region of Nyngan on the Bogan River. We then traverse the Barrier Highway to the copper mining town of Cobar, arriving in time for lunch. We pay a visit to the Great Cobar Heritage Centre, built to commemorate those who lost their lives in the town’s mines.
On the highway for the first part of our day today, we break at Wilcannia for an early lunch before continuing on to Broken Hill. We arrive into Broken Hill early afternoon, giving you time to mix with the locals and enjoy some souvenir shopping before transferring to our accommodation.
Enjoy a gossip tour of Broken Hill, viewing heritage-listed architecture and discovering the famous art galleries. Next we head to Silverton, almost a ghost town, and the setting for many famous movies. We head back to Broken Hill via the vast Mundi Mundi plains to visit the Pro Hart Gallery before visiting the Living Desert Flora & Fauna Sanctuary, taking a 2.2km walking trail. We then wait for sunset to witness the ‘Living Desert Sculptures’ nestled amongst the Barrier Ranges. This outlook takes in the magnificent colours of the desert at sunset, along with views of the distant horizon.
We depart Broken Hill and travel south along the Silver City Highway, making our way to the New South Wales/ Victorian border city of Wentworth, the junction of the two mighty rivers; the Darling and the Murray. Our afternoon takes in historic Old Wentworth Gaol before travelling across the Murray River and on to the Victorian town of Mildura.
We follow the Murray River upstream through the town of Robinvale and on to our morning tea break on the banks of the Murray River at Tooleybuc. Back on the road, we travel to Swan Hill, visiting the Pioneer Settlement for a guided tour and lunch. We then continue through Lake Boga, finishing our day at Echuca paddle steamer capital of Australia.
After breakfast we join a local guide for a coach tour that takes us around the district of Echuca, showing us the history of the Murray River and its paddle steamers. Next we board the iconic PS Canberra, a lovingly maintained paddlesteamer that will take us meandering between the red gum lined banks of the mighty Murray as we enjoy morning tea on the deck. Then we make our way to Melbourne for our last night together.
Please enjoy a free morning for retail therapy. Please meet back at the hotel where a local tour operator will provide transfers to the airport.
Get in touch with us to request a booking for this tour. Our team will get in touch with you soon to confirm your details and reserve your place.
Our Gold Class coach tours let you experience the beauty of the Australian landscape in comfort and style. From the coach itself to the accommodation and meals, every detail is considered.
See Gold Class coaches
For the next level in luxury, our Diamond Class coach tours give you the business class experience every step of the way. We only book the very best options available
EARLY BIRD DEAL - Save $200 per couple or $100 Sole for JULY 2022 tours. Booked by 30 June 2022. Terms and conditions apply.
Embark on a journey of discovery whilst following Australia's two grandest rivers through diverse regions and contrasting scenery. See outback New South Wales travelling beyond Bourke to Broken Hill, then discover old world charm aboard the Pride of Murray paddle steamer in Echuca. The New England Tablelands bring even more history and scenic allure on the return to Brisbane.
We celebrate Christmas in July staying 2 nights at the tranquil Lookout Mountain Retreat, a stone’s throw from Dorrigo’s World Heritage National Park. Visit Dutton Trout Farm and discover the Dorrigo National Park Rainforest Centre with a guided walk. Then celebrate Christmas in July in style with newfound friends against the backdrop of the stunning mountain and valley views of the retreat.
EARLY BIRD DEAL - Save $300 per couple or $150 Sole. Booked by 30 June 2022. Terms and conditions apply.
Take the ‘Gold Class’ route with extensive touring via Armidale, Hunter Valley, Bowral and Albury to Melbourne for 4 nights. Ride the Puffing Billy Steam Train, take the Living Legends tour, visit ArtVo and experience Cup Day at Flemington as it should be done; in the Home Straight Enclosure with 5-course meal, beverage package, live band, elevated track viewing platform, racebook and private betting facilities.
To book this tour, all you need to do is get in touch with us. We will take your details and reserve your place over the phone. We can also answer any questions you may have and give you all the information you need.
Our coach tours have a baggage restriction of 17kg per person (regardless of flight and rail allowances) due to our Occupational Health & Safety standards. You can also bring one small, soft carry-on bag not exceeding 30cm wide, 30cm high, and 15cm thick that may be stowed in the overhead compartment.
Each of our tours has a fitness rating which describes the level of physical activity involved with the tour. These ratings are very important when choosing your tour to ensure it's right for you. Our fitness ratings are:
Our Gold Class coaches have a seat capacity of between 44 and 46, but we cap Gold Class tours at 40 guests per tour. Our Diamond Class tours have a capacity of just 26 guests. Other tour types may have different capacities depending on the transport and destination. Please get in touch with our team if you have any questions about a specific tour.
In most cases, yes we can. We can accommodate guests who are vegetarian and can assist with diabetic, gluten-free and other medically-recommended diets. Please advise us at time of booking, and we can confirm with our suppliers and restaurants.
We are committed to operating in ways that respect and reinforce Indigenous cultural heritage and the authenticity and integrity of living cultures of Indigenous communities.
We have incorporated strategic climate change responses across all relevant levels of our planning and operations. We are working towards becoming carbon neutral.
With Advanced Ecotourism certification, we offer outstanding experiences which let you get back to nature, help conservation, and minimise environmental impact.
We are a credible, well trained, and professional business. We conduct business in compliance with Australian Consumer Law and in accordance with ATAS Charter and Code of Conduct.
The Council of Australian Tour Operators represents tour operators and wholesalers. As a full CATO member, we provide authentic and original holidays with sustainable travel.
We acknowledge the traditional owners of country throughout Australia and their continuing connection to land, sea and community. We pay our respects to them, their cultures, and to the elders both past and present.
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