Tour Duration: To suit, 6 days recommended
A 6 day tour spending 3 nights in Lakes Entrance. Tour down the NSW South Coast. Cruise the Gippsland Lakes and have lunch at the Wyanga Park Winery. Visit Metung and Bairnsdale. Travel the Great Alpine Road across the Victorian High Country and through Dinner Plains and Bright.
Pick ups from Sydney, NSW South Coast & Canberra regions. Departure date for groups to suit, subject to availability
Day 1: Home Port to Eden
This morning we depart on our holiday to Victoria. Today we travel south to make our way to Batemans Bay, Moruya then Narooma. From here we tour via the nearby National Trust Protected village of Tilba. Many of the original timber building have been retained and restored, while any new buildings have been built in the character and style of the era. Mount Dromedary, named by Captain Cook because of its unusual shape, overshadows the town. The area is marked by many granite rock outcrops and houses sit in amongst these. From here we continue on through Bega to Eden for dinner and our first nights accommodation.
Day 2: Eden to Lakes Entrance
After breakfast we enjoy the sights of this old whaling town, which still has strong links with the sea. Eden’s history is intertwined with the whales and the fishing industry. We then cross the border into Victoria and just near Genoa leave the highway briefly and travel along the edge of the Mallacoota Inlet to the township of Mallacoota. From here we travel via Cann River, before we again leave the highway to travel via Cape Conran and Marlo where there are some spectacular sections of coastline. We head to Orbost, a logging service town, located on the Snowy River. We take in the sights and enjoy an afternoon stop before traveling onto Lakes Entrance where on arrival we settle into our motel for dinner and the next three night’s accommodation.
Day 3: Lakes Entrance
Today we embark on a sight seeing tour of the town including a look at Sculpture Park. After our morning’s sight seeing tour we head across for lunch at Wyanga Park Winery which overlooks the North Arm at Lakes Entrance. It is the oldest vineyard in East Gippsland and is a fascinating venue for lunch (Henry’s Café at the winery is listed in the Age Good Food Guide). Try some of the excellent wine this mild, maritime climate helps to produce and enjoy the eye-catching exhibition of native art that decorates the winery walls. This afternoon we visit another very special place – Nyerimilang Heritage Park – a lakeside homestead that was used in the late 1800s as a base for fishing and shooting holidays. Today the homestead, which features a display on the history of Nyerimilang and the natural resources and history of the Gippsland Lakes, is protected by the National Trust. The semi formal garden and lawns, with views to the water, contain an interesting collection of exotic and native species. From here we head back to the motel with the rest of the afternoon free to enjoy the town or some personal sightseeing.
Day 4: Lakes Entrance
This morning we enjoy a sensational cruise along one of Australia’s great inland waterways. An informative commentary and plenty of undercover seating makes this cruise a highlight of our tour. Just west of Lakes Entrance is Metung, which is set on a thin arm of land that extends out into the Lakes. Water laps the shores on two sides. Bancroft Bay on one side bustles with boats while its southern shore forms part of the Lakes National Park Of Lakes National Park. Upon disembarking the vessel, we rejoin the coach and travel to Bairnsdale for our lunch stop (own expense). This afternoon we take in the sights of this idyllic garden town with many reminders of the booming gold rush days. Some of Bairnsdale’s architecture is also of interest. The most striking building in the town is the Court House in Nicholson St which was opened in 1894. It is recognised as one of Victoria’s finest examples of late 19th century architecture and is considered of some significance to the development of an Australian style. We also visit St Mary’s Catholic Church to see the murals on the ceilings and walls of the church, which are quite stunning! After enjoying the sights we return to Lakes Entrance stopping briefly in Metung for an afternoon break before heading back to the motel.
Day 5: Great Alpine Road
After breakfast we depart on today’s journey across the Great Dividing Range via the Omeo Highway and Great Alpine Road. The Omeo district is rich in history and endowed with natural beauty. Pastoralists settled in the area in the early 1830’s but it was the discovery of gold in the 1850’s that brought the main settlement to this high country area. Omeo’s gold rush history is reflected in its splendid old buildings – in the town centre the old Log Gaol and Court House are two such examples. The roads in and out of Omeo follow rugged undeveloped terrain. This morning the highway follows the Tambo River Gorge, which astounds us with its range of atmospheres. From Omeo we travel via Cobungra towards Mt Hotham. Here the Great Alpine Road winds gently up the range providing occasional glimpses of the Benambra Plains and Mt Kosciuszko on the far horizon. Our journey takes us to Dinner Plains then on through the pretty sub alpine villages of Harrietville to Bright. This afternoon we enjoy the sights of Bright, one of Victoria’s most attractive tourist destinations. The town is nestled in the beautiful Ovens Valley and surrounded by the towering Australian Alps. Bright has managed to retain its character and charm, thanks partly to its old-fashioned guesthouses and historical buildings. From here we travel to Albury for our final night on tour.
Day 6: Albury to Home
This morning we depart Albury and head north via Gundagai and Yass, stopping for lunch en route (own expense). This afternoon we travel past Goulburn before arriving home after a great trip away.
