This Australian folk festival is based upon the magnificent spectacle of the hundreds of lilac-blossomed trees which grow in Grafton’s broad tree lined avenues.
27 October 2023
12 Meals Included 1 Eco Experience 3 Cultural & Heritage Experiences
Deposit of $400pp required within 14 days of making booking to secure your reservation.
N.B. Tour subject to fuel levy price increases for all transport operators. See T&Cs for details.
PRE & POST TOUR EXTENDER OPTION
2 additional days (TOTAL 7 DAY TOUR)
• Return economy class flights ex Sydney, Melbourne or Adelaide to Brisbane
• 2 additional nights room only (1 night pre & 1 night post tour) at Meriton Suites Brisbane
• Return Airtrain tickets ex Brisbane Domestic Terminal to Roma Street Station
Plus $899pp Twin Share
Plus $1110 Sole Use
**Subject to availability – some block out dates apply. Prices are subject to change without notice**
We depart Roma Street Brisbane on our luxury ‘Gold Class’ coach, and travel responsibly knowing all coach emissions are 100% offset. Heading south through the green Tweed Valley breaking at Kingscliff for morning tea, we continue on, arriving at the pretty seaside town of Yamba where we enjoy lunch before taking a scenic drive tour, breaking for photo opportunity at the historic lighthouse. From here we take a short drive to Grafton where we settle into our accommodation.
This morning we collect a local guide for an informative town tour. Grafton at this time of year is a canopy of colour with over 5000 Jacaranda trees in full bloom. Today is your own to enjoy array of events that Grafton’s Jacaranda Festival has to offer. The longest running floral festival in Australia, the Grafton Jacaranda Festival, is held under canopies of purple blossoms. Local arts, crafts and sporting groups showcase their work. The festival culminates with a float parade of enormous proportions on Saturday afternoon followed by a sunset concert on the Riverbank. Our day ends with the spectacular Grand Float Parade that travels down Prince Street.
**Please note: Lunch is at own expense today at the festival. Festival program is guide only and is subject to change at the discretion of the committee.
Departing Grafton, we travel through the rural town of Casino, then climb through the open grasslands toward the New England Plateau stopping for lunch at Tenterfield Golf Club. From here we discover Tenterfield’s fascinating history taking a drive tour past the Tenterfield Saddler and famous Cork Tree. Next, we take a guided tour at the Centenary Cottage Museum. Built as a private residence in 1871, the Cottage now houses a large collection of memorabilia and historical material relating to Tenterfield and its surrounding district, with the Cottage being the nucleus of the complex. Our day continues north along the New England Highway through the border town of Wallangarra, finishing our day checking into our accommodation at Stanthorpe.
We start our day with a wee bit of Christmas spirit, with a visit to the Granite Belt Christmas Farm. Step through the doors and capture the magic of Christmas in the Mistletoe Boutique Christmas Store. Taste, indulge and enjoy an extensive range of Belgian Chocolates which are all made onsite. Explore and feed Santa’s animals, including Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer and see the farm of 11,000 real Christmas trees. Next we visit Kent Saddlery for a behind the scenes guided tour to see the workings and insight of the handcrafted leather workshop, talk with saddlers and hear the history of Saddlery. We enjoy lunch at O’Mara’s Hotel, built in 1910 on the site of the original single story hotel. The hotel still has the olde world charm that made O’Mara’s a big part of Stanthorpe life. There is even a resident ghost that still makes an appearance now and again. Next we are off to Ashbern Farms Strawberry Fields to purchase freshly picked delights before taking a tour and wine tasting session at Ballandean Vineyard Estate, well known for its vintage red wines. Hear about the history of Ballandean Estate along with a talk about vinification, the production of wine, starting with the selection of the fruit, its fermentation into alcohol, and the bottling of the finished liquid. By then it should be wine o’clock, so we get to sample a few tasty drops.
**Please note: Berry stock is subject to weather conditions.
Dinner tonight dress theme is FLORAL for our finale dinner together.
We farewell our lovely hosts at Stanthorpe and travel via Warwick to Bestbrook Mountain Resort for morning tea and time to browse the farmyard. You will enjoy the oldfashioned hospitality and magnificent mountain views. Wander around the property, check out the collection of old machinery and all the treasures from yesteryear hidden throughout the Coachhouse. Back on the road we take a scenic country drive via Boonah to Tamborine where we enjoy a long lunch and opera performance at Albert River Wines. A grand finale to end this festival event tour.
Fun Over 50 is proud to announce that we’ve been named as a Best Of Queensland Experience. This means that we come highly recommended by travellers, and provide exemplary tourism experiences through:
Get in touch with us to join the waitlist for this tour. Our team will get in touch with you soon to confirm your details and reserve your place.
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
The National Cherry Festival is on the first weekend of December, traditionally at the height of the cherry picking season. This iconic regional produce event showcases the famous Cherry which has been part of the landscape around Young for over 150 years. Travel in style on our Luxury 'Gold Class' coach, discover the town and its harvest, delicious fruit, wine, food and festival! Will the longest Pip Spit record be broken again this year? Who will be the 2023 Cherry Pie Eating Champion? Come with Fun Over Fifty and visit this lovely rural community and have FUN! Following the festival we make our way to the Hunter Valley for the famous Hunter Valley Christmas Lights Spectacular!
Explore vibrant Perth, encounter indigenous culture, and immerse yourself in stunning natural beauty. Pay homage to history in Albany, marvel at unique rock formations, and enjoy country hospitality in Hyden. Then, indulge in a luxurious 4-day train journey aboard the Indian Pacific, all-inclusive with fine dining and immersive off-train experiences. Conclude your adventure in Sydney, where city sights await. Join us for an unforgettable journey through diverse landscapes and rich history.
Depart for 10 days on our opulent Diamond Class coach. Our first day takes us through Coffs Harbour and Port Macquarie. We visit Kangaroo Valley, followed by the Sapphire Coast Drive and travel through Bournda National Park to Tura Beach and Merimbula. See Wilsons Promontory, affectionately known as ‘The Prom’, the southernmost point of mainland Australia with stunning coastal scenery and pristine wilderness. Explore Phillip Island Nature Park with underground viewing of adorable little penguins. Finishing up your trip in the vibrant Melbourne CBD.
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.
.png)
We are a Green Travel Leader. This is awarded to businesses which have consistently proven their commitment to sustainable tourism management over ten years.
As a Sustianable Tourism accredited business, we are proud to offer engaging tourism experiences that follow sound sustainability practices and environmental appreciation.
Quality Tourism accredited businesses like Fun Over 50 lead the way by offering the highest industry standards of customer service, satisfaction, reliability, and ethical practices.
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.
Fill out your details and we will get in touch with you to reserve your place on the tour.
We roll out the red carpet so you can just sit back and relax and know that everything is included in your holiday experience, no surprises, all inclusive!
More on tour inclusions
