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 or Kerang Valley Resort.

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 visit the unique Australian Inland Botanic Garden, which displays its plants by geographic region, and Orangeworld. Learn a little of the orange industry and take a ride around this citrus property. On to Wentworth and our overnight home, Sundowner Wentworth Grande Resort.

Day 3 (B,D) WENTWORTH, BROKEN HILL
Today we Visit the Old Wentworth Gaol, a fascinating historic landmark and Rotary Museum. Lunch (own expense) at the Wentworth RSL. During the afternoon we travel the Silver City Highway to Broken Hill, with a roadside stop at Twin Wells on route. Home for two nights, the Silver Haven Motor Inn (or similar).

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 the Broken Earth Complex, 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 (Note: Shared bathroom facilities).

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, BOURKE
This morning we visit the Great Cobar Heritage Centre, a two-storey red brick building with extensive indoor and outdoor displays. We travel the Kidman Way to 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. Following a later lunch 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. Home tonight, the Bourke Darling River Motel.

Day 8 (B,L,D) BOURKE, NYNGAN, DUBBO
Today we travel the Mitchell Highway, breaking our journey for morning cuppa at Glenariff on route to Nyngan. Originally established at Canonba, the settlement was bypassed 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 9 (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 10 (B,L,D) DUBBO, WALGETT, NARRABRI, GUNNEDAH, TAMWORTH
Today we travel on the Kamilari Highway through rich agricultural country to Walgett, on the junction of the Naomi and Barwon rivers, to Narrabri where we visit the Australian Cotton Centre, learn a little of this important crop in the New England area. Later we continue to Gunnedah and Tamworth, Country Music capital of Australia. Visit the Big Golden Guitar Centre. Home tonight, Best Western Tamworth Motor Inn (or similar).

Day 11 (B,D) TAMWORTH, ARMIDALE, TENTERFIELD, BALLINA
We continue through rich agricultural country to the university city of Armidale, with a short tour of this historic city. We continue along the New England Highway to Glen Innes and Tenterfield, where Sir Henry Parkes made his “federation” speech in 1889 and more recently, singer Peter Allen was born in 1944. The blue granite “Tenterfield Saddler”, remains today. Following a later lunch we continue to Casino, Lismore and Ballina, on the east coast. Home tonight Ballina Beach Resort.

Day 12 (B) BALLINA, COOLANGATTA, BRISBANE
A shorter journey this morning as we conclude our journey west to east across Australia as we reach the east coast. Passengers flying home depart at Coolangatta Airport and Brisbane passengers depart at Brisbane Transit Centre, Roma Street. So concludes an enjoyable and memorable coach holiday across our vast continent.

REVERSE ITINERARY
The reverse itinerary departs Brisbane Transit Centre or Coolangatta Airport and travels to Ballina and Grafton, overnight at the Quality Inn Grafton. On day 2 from Grafton we continue to Tamworth where the itinerary follows in reverse that printed above. A detailed itinerary departing Brisbane is available on request.