6 DAY LAKE EYRE TOUR - 06 September 2010 (full), 19 September 2010 (full), 10 October 2010 (full),all 3 tours waitlist only **
Lake Eyre could be on track for a wetter year than 2009’s long-awaited drenching, delivering the best combination of years for Australia’s inland waterways in two decades. Lake Eyre may well get more water than in 2009 as heavy flooding has recently occurred in rivers such as the Diamantina, Barcoo and Cooper, which feed water into South Australia and the lake. There is already some water flowing into Lake Eyre, but a bit like last year we just don’t know how full it will get and whether or not it will cover the surface. Like last year’s tours (see Lisette’s report in Travel Talk October 2009) we fly to Adelaide for our first night. Our adventure begins as we head off from Adelaide with our local guide, Joe Ahern. Travel inland to the Flinders Ranges, stopping at Quorn and Hawker before reaching Rawnsley Park Station for our overnight stay. Next day we explore Bunyeroo Valley & Brachina Gorge before travelling further inland to Leigh Creek, Lyndhurst & on to Marree for a 2 night stay. Explore Lake Eyre and also view the “Marree Man” from our base at Marree. Included in our touring is a 1.5 hr scenic flight over Lake Eyre in a 6 seater aircraft, just fantastic! We track back south through Lyndhurst to Hawker & Quorn before heading to Port Augusta for our last night on tour. Our last day takes us to Port Pirie and Adelaide for some free time before our flight back home after a unique and memorable experience!
Member Cost: $2020.00 per person twin share. $2260.00 sole occupancy. read more >>


OCTOBER 2010

10 DAY FLINDERS RANGES & THE BAROSSA VALLEY - 04 October 2010 

This tour combines two fantastic destinations in South Australia, the Flinders Ranges and the Barossa Valley. The Flinders Ranges in the northern part of South Australia are colourful, rugged and the dramatic gorges and spectacular peaks are real highlights of this beautiful part of Australia. Our journey takes us to Broken Hill where we do some local sightseeing before continuing into South Australia via Yunta and Orroroo. Our destination is Wilpena Pound Resort, home for the next 3 nights. Spend two full days in the Flinders Ranges National Park with a local guide. Visit three gorges, two within the park itself, Brachina Gorge and Bunyeroo Gorge and the third one, Parachilna Gorge to the west of Blinman. We visit Gumcreek Station for lunch, home of our guide, Bill McIntosh. The following day we enjoy a Mountain Tops Spectacular 4WD tour traversing the ranges for some spectacular views. We do an afternoon guided walk along Wilpena Creek with a cuppa & cake awaiting our arrival at the old homestead. We depart the Finders Ranges and travel through Quorn to the Clare Valley for a stop at Bungaree Sheep Station and the Seven Hill Winery before reaching the Barossa Valley for a 2 night stay. Our touring in the Barossa region includes the Whispering Wall, Angas Park Fruits and several wineries. Our journey home takes us via Swan Reach, Renmark and Mildura.
Member Cost: $2100.00 per person twin share. $2595.00 sole occupancy read more >>



2 DAY BEN HUR - STADIUM EXPERIENCE TOUR - 23 October 2010 
BEN HUR – THE STADIUM SPECTACULAR will be the biggest theatrical event ever seen in Australia. Direct from Europe, this world tour premiere brings to life the classic tale made famous by the eleven time Academy Award winning 1959 Hollywood movie ‘Ben Hur’ starring Charlton Heston. Ben Hur – The Stadium Spectacular combines the scale of the Sydney Olympic Games Opening Ceremony with the drama of the slave who dared defy the Roman Empire. The monumental $15 million stadium adaptation features a live chariot race with 32 horses, a giant Roman galleon and a grand stage which will transform ANZ Stadium into the biggest Roman amphitheatre ever seen. Our trip takes us to Sydney staying at the Holiday Inn Darling Harbour. Enjoy an early dinner before an unforgettable night at Ben Hur. Next morning unwind and saviour last night’s experience as we board the Captain Cook MV 2000 for a leisurely “Sunday Breakfast” cruise. Enjoy million dollar views as you feast on a magnificent hot and cold breakfast buffet. What a great way to start the day! Don’t miss out on this once in a lifetime opportunity - book early to secure your seat. Member Cost: $485.00 pp twin share. $565.00 sole use. **PLEASE CALL OFFICE FOR DETAILED ITINERARY


NOVEMBER 2010

3 DAY HAWKESBURY RIVERBOAT EXPLORER TOUR - 16 November 2010   *Full waitlist only, 23 November *Full waitlist only
This tour was such a hit, a real little gem, so we are pleased to offer a second departure! Join us on a terrific little short break to the Hawkesbury Valley. We head up through Sydney to the beautiful northern beaches stopping at the Harbord Diggers Club for lunch. We spend two nights at the Hotel Ibis in the northern suburbs of Thornleigh. Travel out to Windsor and collect a local guide for an historical tour of the Hawkesbury Valley including Richmond, Windsor and Ebenezer. Then we sit back and relax as we join the Hawkes- bury Paddlewheeler for a two hour luncheon cruise on the Hawkesbury. Next day is a real highlight as we head to Brooklyn to join Australia’s last Riverboat Postman as he sets off on his weekday journey providing essential service to river communities on the Hawkesbury. Glide over glassy waters aboard a traditional timber ferry and travel part of the longest river on Australia’s east coast. Sit back and relax as you are provided with commentary on many river features like “Tumbledown” and unique waterside dwellings such as “Blotto Grotto”. Member Cost: $572.00 per person twin share. $662.00 sole occupancy.read more >>


December 2010

5 DAY CHRISTMAS CRACKLE TOUR TO TERRIGAL - 22 December 2010 
This is a cracker of a tour! We have finally been able to secure Christmas by the beach! So, come along as we head north to
the beautiful Central Coast for a 4 night stay at the Country Comfort in Terrigal. Located directly across from the beach and just a 5 minute walk to town, this is an ideal spot to enjoy our short break. Spend an afternoon in the nearby Hunter Valley Gardens, nestled at the foothills of the Brokenback Ranges, where we board a train for a tour of the twelve stunning feature gardens. Dinner is at Harrigans before we return to the gardens for a display that has to be seen to be believed, the Christmas Lights Spectacular, Australia’s biggest Christmas lights display. With exciting new displays of over a million lights, the exhibit is set to amaze & delight. New additions for 2010 include scenes such as The North Pole, fountain firework lights, cherry blossom trees, a larger than life nativity scene and some famous Sydney landmarks recreated in lights. You will feel like you are standing right in the middle of Christmas! After a great night we spend Christmas Eve exploring the Central Coast. We cruise from Brisbane Waters to Broken Bay aboard the MV Lady Kendall II and witness spectacular views of Pittwater, Hawkesbury River, Brisbane Water, Broken Bay and the Tasman Sea - the only place in the world where 5 separate waterways meet! Christmas is a leisurely day at the Mingara Club where we take part in the festivities including a delicious lunch with all the trimmings! Our perfect end to this fabulous tour is on Boxing Day, watching the start of the Sydney to Hobart Yacht race from the best vantage point possible, Sydney Harbour! Boxing Day on the harbour is an iconic Sydney event and we enjoy it all onboard our luncheon cruise. Experience the excitement as the yachts set sail out to Sydney Heads. What an amazing experience to be in amongst it all. Member Cost: $1050.00 per person twin share. $1266.00 sole occupancy.read more >>


ROARING 40’S NEW YEARS EVE TOUR - JENOLAN CAVES  - 31 December 2010
What a treat we have in store to welcome in the New Year! We make our way to our destination of the Jenolan Caves.
Tucked in a valley, the caves were discovered by accident over 150 years ago! Jenolan Caves has, since then, been a spellbinding part
of the Blue Mountains experience. On our arrival we have lunch then enjoy a guided tour through the Imperial Cave. We head to our
accommodation at Jenolan Caves House. Caves House has been an iconic wilderness getaway for pampered explorers, since 1896
and is the only remaining guesthouse of its kind in Australia. Atmospheric ’Classic’ bedrooms feature period furnishings. There is plenty of
time to rest up before we prepare for what is promised to be a “roaring” evening! Feel free to dress for the “Back to the Roaring 40s”
dinner dance. We will be treated to a wonderful 3 course a-la-carte menu followed by a live jazz band allowing us to dance the
night away. New Year’s Day and we head to Katoomba for a guided tour & High Tea at the elegant Carrington Hotel. Opened in
1882, this Grand Old Lady soon became a popular mountain retreat for those eager to see the natural wonders of the Blue Mountains.  We have some free time in Leura before heading for home. Member Cost: $495.00 per person twin share. $540.00 sole occupancy.  **Please contact the office on 62978585 for a more detailed itinerary

2011 Extended Tours

January 2011