Day 1 (L,D) MELBOURNE, ECHUCA, SWAN HILL
Departing Melbourne we travel north to Kilmore, Heathcote and Echuca, arriving in time for lunch. After the arrival of the rail in 1864, the Port of Echuca became Australia’s largest inland port. Spend some time in the port precinct and enjoy lunch here today. During the afternoon we travel along the Murray Valley Highway to Cohuna before arriving in Swan Hill and our home for tonight, Country Comfort Campbell.

Day 2 (B,L,D) SWAN HILL, MILDURA, WENTWORTH
This morning we continue our journey, with morning cuppa at Boundary Bend. Cross the Murray River into NSW recrossing back into Victoria as we arrive in Mildura. Following lunch we enjoy a cruise on the Murray, paddlesteamer style, and then visit Orangeworld, learn a little of the orange industry and take a ride around this citrus property. A short journey brings us to Wentworth, close to the junction of the Murray and Darling Rivers. Home tonight, the Central Motor Inn.

Day 3 (B,D) WENTWORTH, BROKEN HILL
Today we visit the unique Australian Inland Botanic Garden, which displays its plants by geographic region. Visit the Old Wentworth Gaol, a fascinating historic landmark. During the afternoon we travel the Silver City Highway to Broken Hill, a roadside stop at Twin Wells on route. Home for two nights, the Silver Haven Motor Inn.

Day 4 (B,L,D) BROKEN HILL
A day exploring Broken Hill, birthplace of BHP. We visit White’s Living Art and Mining Museum, gain an insight into the history of mining in the area, then to the Pro Hart Gallery. Lunch today at Line of Lode Visitor and Information Centre, overlooking the city, gateway to the Miners Memorial to 817 men who died on the Line of Lode. During the afternoon we visit nearby Silverton, an early mining centre, then a ghost town and now home to several well known artists. The Silverton Hotel has featured in many motion pictures. Later we visit the Living Desert, home to sculptures carved at a symposium to honour the late Fred Hollows. (Some walking needed to reach the top of the memorial.)

Day 5 (B,D) BROKEN HILL, WILCANNIA, WHITE CLIFFS
This morning we visit the Royal Flying Doctor Service at Broken Hill airport. See the “mantle of safety” spread across Australia at work. Visit the Regional Art Gallery, or you may wish to browse in the main city area. In the afternoon we travel the Barrier Highway to Wilcannia via the old opening bridge which led to what was once the third largest shipping port in Australia. On to White Cliffs, where opal was found in 1889. Home with a difference tonight, the White Cliffs Underground Motel.

Day 6 (B,L,D) WHITE CLIFFS, WILCANNIA, COBAR
White Cliffs is home to an experimental Solar Power Station designed by the Australian National University, which looks like a science fiction set with its huge parabolic discs. This morning learn a little of the opal story with a local guide and visit Jock’s Place, a museum housed in a local dugout. Late morning we depart and return to Wilcannia, picnic lunch here today, then during the afternoon rejoin the Barrier Highway. Afternoon cuppa stop at Pinchinara prior to arriving at Cobar. Home tonight, Town and Country Motor Inn.

Day 7 (B,L,D) COBAR, MT GRENFELL, MT DRYSDALE, BOURKE
This morning we visit Mt Grenfell Historic Site, well known for hundreds of aboriginal paintings, featuring rich red and yellow ochres. Three main art sites are within easy walking distance. We return to the Great Cobar Heritage Centre, a two storey red brick building with extensive indoor and outdoor displays. During the afternoon we travel the Kidman Way to Mount Drysdale, a once-thriving mining township which rivalled Cobar in size and importance. Continuing north we travel to the inland centre of Bourke, on the edge of the outback, hence the phrase “back of Bourke”. The town was born in the 1860’s as pastoralists established huge sheep runs in the area. Bourke was a major shipping port and Cobb and Co stopover by the 1880’s and, when rail arrived in 1885, the town became even more of a transport hub. Home for two nights, the Bourke Darling River Motel.

Day 8 (B,D) BOURKE
A relaxing day as we explore this inland town. Visit the historic cemetery, travel back into the world of bushrangers, river boat men and cameleers. A local guide joins us as we visit a high tech citrus and grape farm, take in the views from nearby Mt Oxley.

Day 9 (B,L,D) BOURKE, NYNGAN, DUBBO
Today we travel the Mitchell Highway, breaking our journey for morning cuppa at Glenariffe on route to Nyngan. Originally established at Canonba, the settlement was by passed by the establishment of rail to Bourke, so in 1882 the villagers moved south to the rail and established Nyngan. During the afternoon we continue to the city of Dubbo, set on the Macquarie River. Home for two nights is the Homestead Motel.

Day 10 (B,D) DUBBO, WESTERN PLAINS ZOO
Today we explore this thriving city with a population of over 40,000, with a little free time to browse, explore or relax. Visit Jedda Boomerangs and Dundullimal Homestead which includes a restored squatter’s timber slab homestead. A major attraction today is Western Plains Zoo, an open range home to over 1,000 endangered and exotic animals from many countries around the world. This evening visit the Dubbo Observatory for a 90 minute look into the wonders of the universe.

Day 11 (B,L,D) DUBBO, ORANGE, BATHURST, BLACKHEATH
From Dubbo we continue along the Mitchell Highway to Orange, settled in the early 1800’s and named after the Prince of Orange, who later became King of the Netherlands. Morning cuppa and a stroll in the Botanic Gardens, a relatively new garden opened in 1988 for the Australian Bicentenary celebrations. On to Bathurst, well known for the Mt Panorama motor racing circuit. Visit the home of Ben Chifley, Australia’s Prime Minister from 1945–1949. During the afternoon we continue to Lithgow. Enjoy a train journey on the famous Zig Zag railway, one of the most spectacular engineering feats of the 19th century, which allowed trains to cross the Blue Mountains, prior to days of tunnelling through the mountain. Home tonight is the Redleaf Resort at Blackheath.

Day 12 (B) BLACKHEATH, KATOOMBA, SYDNEY AIRPORT, HOME
As our NSW Highlights holiday draws to a close, we visit Govett’s Leap, part of the Blue Mountains National Park, and view the famous Three Sisters. Take a ride on the Scenic Railway or Skyway (own expense). We descend from the Great Diving Range and follow the freeway to Sydney Airport. Interstate passengers join their various flights home. So concludes a most enjoyable inland holiday to less visited areas of NSW.