May 22 – Swan Hill
A region rich in culture, bathed in sunshine, blessed with a bounty of delicious local produce and home to great dining, wine and shopping. Whether you’re into crafts, quilting, gourmet food, fine art, music, the Swan Hill region plays host to festivals, gatherings, shows, events, tournaments and carnivals all year round.
Best Swan Hill tour brochure … click here
Including the Spectacular Multi-Million Dollar Laser & Water Light Show;
We pick you up and return you safely home
Tour Departs: Sunday 22 May – Friday 27 May 2016
Swan Hill – the Heartbeat of the Murray River
The Swan Hill region is home to everything that is wonderful in life.
click here for a 1 minute youtube clip on swan hill …
It’s all here in the Heart of the Murray.
Tour Fee including GST:
Members $1727.00
per person twin share
Non Members $1776.00
per person twin share
Single Supplement $260.00
Minimum loading 20 passengers booked and paid by Thursday 31 March 2016
Please note that the itinerary is
subject to change without notice
Tour Inclusions:
Pick up from your home, transport and return (Sydney Metropolitan area only)
Luxury Coach Travel Seatbelts & Restroom
5 Nights Minimum Three/Half Star Quality Motel Accommodation
5 Three Course Dinners with Choices & All Fully Cooked Breakfasts
Lunches Day 2 & 5
All Entry Fees and Guides as per Itinerary.
Your Itinerary … enjoy exploring Australia with friends
Please note that the itinerary is subject to change without notice
Day 1: Bringelly – Narrandera Dinner
We pick you up this morning from Home and begin our journey down into the ‘Heart of the Murray’ River region. Our first day takes us through to Narrandera, travelling via Goulburn, Yass and Wagga Wagga. We arrive into Narrandera late this afternoon for check in at our accommodation before dinner.
Overnight Narrandera: Narrandera Club Motor Inn
Day 2: Narrandera – Jerilderie – Barham – Swan Hill Breakfast Lunch & Dinner
After breakfast this morning we are back on the coach and making our way down into Jerilderie. The Kelly Gang captured the southern New South Wales town of Jerilderie in February 1879, and robbed the local bank of 2,000 pounds. Here, Ned gave his Jerilderie Letter to the bank’s accountant for publication as well as printing in the Jerilderie Gazette. It outlined Kelly’s defence of the Gang’s actions at Stringybark Creek, but was not published until after Kelly’s death.
After Beechworth, Jerilderie has the most Kelly-related buildings and sites, including the Post and Telegraph Office which was disabled by the Gang to prevent news of their robbery spreading. After our visit to the Jerilderie Historic Residence, Historic Home and Gardens we are joined by our local guide and enjoy a tour of the Ned Kelly Raid Trail and view such sites as the Steel Wings Windmill, Railway Station, Willows Homestead, Post & Telegraph Office, Ned Kelly Blacksmith Shop, Printing Building, Bolt Exhibition and more.
After our tour we enjoy a light lunch before heading off again on our way down to Swan Hill. Our drive this afternoon takes us down through Deniliquin which is famous for the annual ‘Deni Ute Muster’. We take in a comfort stop at the Peppin Heritage and Visitors Centre which is housed in Deniliquin’s first public school which has been transformed into a regional museum telling the story of the early pioneers who created the famous Peppin Merino. After crossing the river at Barham we travel through Kerang and into Swan Hill for check in and dinner.
Overnight Swan Hill: Comfort Inn Campbell
Day 3: Swan Hill Breakfast & Dinner
Today we take in a guided highlights tour of the beautiful rural city of Swan Hill. As we travel through the streets of Swan Hill our guide will entertain us with anecdotes and stories about Swan Hill and point out all the areas of interest including historic sites, new developments, the industrial sites, stock sales complex, and the residential areas. We then visit the Swan Hill Pioneer Settlement where we are able to join in the bustling lives of our pioneers. We also enjoy a cruise along the mighty Murray River on the historic PS Pyap. Later in the day we return to our motel for a rest and dinner. After dinner we travel back to the Pioneer Settlement to witness the spectacular new laser lights show “The Heartbeat of the Murray”. This laser spectacular is the first of its type in Australia and will depict the history of the Murray River from before land form to present time. This amazing show is projected onto a 50’ water screen in the river, involves pyrotechnics and also special effects that physically engage the audience. After the show we return to our motel for a good night’s rest.
Overnight Swan Hill: Comfort Inn Campbell
Day 4: Swan Hill Breakfast & Dinner
Today we visit the historic property and homestead of Murray Downs, established in the 1840s. A suetonius officer, well-read philanthropist, pioneer irrigator and prominent figure in the development of the area, bought the station and built the current homestead in 1866. He introduced pumps, initially operated by horses and windmills and later by steam, and established fields of lucerne, maize and oranges. Ostriches were a subsequent addition. The property was semi-autonomous with its own bakery, blacksmith and 50 employees who gathered in the homestead for church services.
In 1884 the property was bought by businessman and philanthropist Alfred Felton whose will established an enormous trust fund for charities and for the purchase of artworks by the National Gallery of Victoria. The homestead is built largely of Murray Pine, the sap of which repels termites. It is surrounded by large formal gardens and the fort-like design was to afford maximum protection against Aborigines. After our tour and morning tea we visit the Swan Hill Regional Gallery before breaking for lunch and free time in town. This afternoon we take a drive out to Lake Boga for a tour of the Flying Catalina Boat Museum and Bunker. The museum is a Lake Boga Lions Club project and is a memorial to those who worked on and with the Flying Boats during World War II and particularly commemorates the contribution made by service men and women stationed at the No 1 Flying Boat Repair Depot, Lake Boga.
During the depot’s wartime life personnel undertook large volumes of work. 416 aircraft were serviced, repaired, restored, rebuilt or overhauled. These aircraft included Catalina, Dornier, Sikorsky King Fisher, Sunderland, Walrus and Martin Mariner. In the five years of depot life, there were more than 1050 aircraft arrivals and departures and an estimated 800 test flights (plus associated ‘unofficial aerobatics’). In addition to RAAF aircraft, many allied flying boats used the Lake Boga Depot for repairs, including those of the United States of America and the Netherlands. Later in the afternoon we return to our motel for a rest before dinner.
Overnight Swan Hill: Comfort Inn Campbell.
Day 5: Swan Hill – Boort – Wangaratta Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Today we depart Swan Hill and travel across to Wangaratta via Boort and Shepparton. At Boort we visit the amazing “Spannerman”, the creation of retired farmers John and Sonia Piccoli. Here we stroll through the two acre garden, home to many large sculptures made from old and antique spanners placed amongst trees and garden beds. Other features include birds, especially the netted orchard that has hundreds of birds of many varieties, and a collection of old horse-drawn equipment lining the front and back driveways. Our next stop is at the farm of Simply Tomatoes.
The Lanyon family finished growing tomatoes for processing factories after thirty years, and now have become the manufacturer. We witness the manufacturing operations of green tomato products and share the progressive story of Simply Tomatoes and the world of a farming family and the journey of national award winning products, and which has also been recognized by the Premier of Victoria for innovation. After our tour we enjoy a light lunch in the ambience of their cottage garden. The tour concludes in the showroom where we are able to view and purchase a DVD and Simply Tomatoes products.
The latest addition to their farm is Aussie Wool Quilts, showcasing proudly produced Australian wool bedding. We witness how they are made from chemical free pure and natural wool with pre-shrunk cotton covers making them low allergenic, perfect for allergy sufferers. View the collection of Quilts, Pillows and Under-blankets which are available for sale. This afternoon we travel across through Shepparton to Wangaratta for check in and dinner.
Overnight Wangaratta: Quality Wangaratta Gateway.
Day 6: Wangaratta – Home
This morning begins our final day on the road as we depart Wangaratta after an early breakfast. We travel up through Albury and back along the Hume Highway purchasing lunch along the way. We drop you back home, where we thank you for joining us on the “Heart of the Murray” tour with Brian, Mary and friends you made along the way … so many good memories.
Tour Highlights:
Spectacular Multi-Million Dollar ‘The Heartbeat of The Murray’ Laser & Water Light Show;
Jerilderie Kelly Gang Raid Trail; Jerilderie Historic Residence, Historic Home
& Gardens Tour & Light Lunch; Peppin Heritage Centre Deniliquin; Guided Tour of Swan Hill; Swan Hill Historic Pioneer Settlement; PS Pyap Murray River Cruise.
Historic Murray Downs Homestead Tour & Devonshire Tea; Swan Hill Regional Gallery; Lake Boga Flying Catalina Boat Museum & Bunker; as well as
The Spannerman; Simply Tomatoes & Aussie Wool Quilts Tour & Light Lunch and you get to see so much more.