Tour Description

Vivid Lights Festival

(Combined Departure)
Eight Days: 23rd – 30th May 2024

Twin Share: $3975 per person. Sole Use: $4799 per person.

Day Two – FRIDAY 24 MAY 2024

Following breakfast, we take a short drive around Swan Hill, travelling over the Murray River, before making our way to Moulamein where we stop for our morning tea.

Heading north-east we travel to Hay where we visit Shear Outback – a multi-faceted award-winning tourist and educational attraction comprising several experiences including The Australian Shearers Hall of Fame; the Shear Outback Exhibition, the historic Murray Downs Woolshed and a Special Exhibition Gallery.

We will have time to explore and learn about the history and culture of Australian wool production, before enjoying our lunch at the cafe.

We reboard the coach and join the Sturt Highway, bypassing Darling Point, before arriving in Narrandera where we have our comfort stop to stretch our legs.

This afternoon we arrive at Wagga Wagga, the largest inland city in NSW and situated on the banks of the Murrumbidgee River. We check into our accommodation for the night at the Quality Hotel Rules Club Wagga Wagga (02 6931 2000).

With time to relax before dinner in the restaurant.

Day Three – SATURDAY 25 MAY 2024

After breakfast we depart Wagga Wagga and head north on the Olympic Highway. We reach Jugiong, a charming village on the
banks of the Murrumbidgee River. Here, we have a morning tea break.

We resume our journey, passing by Yass, a town famous for its wool industry and heritage buildings.

This afternoon we arrive at Goulburn, the first inland city in Australia and home to the Big Merino, which celebrates the region’s wool production. We enjoy our lunch here at the Goulburn Workers Club before continuing our travels.

Heading north-east on the Hume Highway, we enjoy views of the Southern Highlands. This stunning region of New South Wales is known for its natural beauty, heritage and quaint villages, surrounded by picturesque landscapes of pastoral areas, national parks and wilderness. We’ll make a comfort stop at Mittagong, a town known for its antique shops and gardens.

Reboarding the bus, we venture towards Sydney and it is not long before we reach the outer suburbs. We arrive at the Novotel Sydney Darling Harbour (02 9934 0000) where we will be staying for the next three nights.

Day Four – SUNDAY 26 MAY 2024

This morning after breakfast, we enjoy some local Sydney sights, starting at Mrs Macquarie’s Chair. Carved out of sandstone by convicts for Governor Lachlan Macquarie’s wife to watch the activity on the Harbour, it offers great views of the Sydney Opera House, Harbour Bridge and Fort Denison.

From here we make our way through the exclusive suburbs of Double Bay and Vaucluse where we visit Vaucluse House. Rich in history, this 19th century property became Australia’s first official house museum in 1915. The original grounds are a stunning display of what can be achieved with a lot of work and a passion.

This afternoon we head to the Gap on the southern side of the Sydney Harbour Heads, onto famous Bondi Beach where we have time to take a stroll along the promenade and the opportunity to purchase lunch at one of the local venues.

Returning to Darling Harbour, we have time at leisure this afternoon before taking a Glass Boat Dinner Cruise on Sydney Harbour. Tonight, we experience the astonishing light installations and projections that come alive at the amazing Vivid Festival. We board our luxury cruise for a delicious dinner and with floor to ceiling windows, this is the ideal way to appreciate stunning views of Sydney Harbour and its iconic attractions in full illumination. This will be a once in a lifetime experience!

Day Five – MONDAY 27 MAY 2024

After breakfast we board the coach for our visit to the Australia National Maritime Museum. Australians are closely linked to the sea through commerce, defence, exploration, immigration, adventure, sport, and play. Our oceans and waterways have influenced our development and who we are. The museum captures these themes with fascinating artefacts, lively exhibitions, fun activities and even the chance to board ships and experience life on the water.

After time exploring the exhibitions, we visit the Sydney Tower Eye. Located 250 metres above Sydney streets, we enjoy unrivalled 360-degree views of the city and beyond. Spot iconic landmarks, hidden gems and on a clear day, you can even see the Blue Mountains which are located 80km away! This will also be the perfect setting for our lunch today. We dine in the Sydney Tower Eye SkyFeast Restaurant, with time to take in the incredible city skyline.

We have some free time around Sydney this afternoon, before making our way back to our accommodation for dinner. There will be further opportunity this evening to enjoy more festival lights.

Day Six – TUESDAY 28 MAY 2024

This morning after breakfast we farewell our hosts at the Novotel Sydney Darling Harbour and start our journey towards Albury.

Travelling along the Hume Highway we stop at Bowral, where we enjoy our morning tea.

We then make our way to the Bradman International Cricket Hall of Fame. Inspired by the greatest cricketer of all time, Sir Donald Bradman, this is the place of cricket dreams. It houses rare and priceless items that tell the story of the Boy from Bowral who went on to become a great Australian icon. Here we will explore the interactive exhibits, watch rare footage and view incredible memorabilia and artefacts. It is sure to spark a memory or two.

Reboarding the coach, we re-join the highway and travel west, enjoying our lunch along the way.

Continuing our journey, we stop at Gundagai, where we have time to stretch our legs. We will have the opportunity to drive past the Dog on the Tuckerbox monument, which commemorates the pioneers and bullock drivers who opened up the land for settlement in the 19th century.

After a day of travelling, we arrive at Albury, where we check into our accommodation at the Best Western Plus Hovell Tree, Albury (02 6042 3900).

We will have time to freshen up before making our way to dinner.

Day Seven – WEDNESDAY 29 MAY 2024

After our breakfast, we depart our accommodation in Albury and travel along the Riverina Highway stopping in Berrigan for our morning tea.

We travel through Finley, an agricultural service centre with a diverse range of industries such as rice, wool, dairy, timber and mixed farming.

Our journey continues to the town of Deniliquin, set on the Edward River, an anabranch of the Murray. Deniliquin is bordered by a series of lagoons that snake into parkland and State Forest and was once the southern depot for the “Sunbeam” – the original Cobb & Co. coach.  Today it is a town of around 8000 people that lies in the centre of the largest area in Australia under irrigation. Rice in particular but dairy, wool and seed processing all contribute to the local economy.

We have a drive around town and the opportunity to stretch our legs before returning to the highway. We will stop en-route for our picnic lunch.

This afternoon our journey takes us through Balranald and Robinvale two towns located on the Murray River, before crossing the border into Victoria and arriving in Mildura.

Tonight we will be staying at the Best Western Chaffey International, Mildura (03 5023 5833). We have time to settle in before making our way to dinner.

Day Eight – THURSDAY 30 MAY 2024

After enjoying our last night on tour, we have our breakfast and depart Mildura for our journey home.

We travel along the Sturt Highway before entering South Australia where we stop in Renmark for our morning tea break by the Murray River.

Our journey takes us through the small Riverland towns of Berri and Glossip, before arriving at Kingston on Murray where we will be visiting Banrock Station Wine and Wetland Centre. It lies at the junction of the Banrock Creek and the Murray River. The property was purchased by BRL Hardy in 1994. The 1650 hectare property has just 250 hectares devoted to premium grape varieties such as Semillon, Merlot, Chardonnay, Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon. The remaining land, including 12.5 kilometres of river frontage adjacent to the Banrock Lagoon and wetlands, is being returned to its native state. We enjoy a self-guided tour and wine tasting here before being treated to a delicious lunch.

After our visit, we travel south along the Sturt Highway, through the Barossa Valley arriving at Truro where we have the opportunity to stretch our legs. On our arrival in Adelaide, we are met by the cars which will return us home with time to reflect on the stunning displays of the Vivid Sydney Festival.