Central Coast Explorer

2025

6 DAY FULLY INCLUSIVE TOUR

Friday 9th may to Wednesday 14th may


The Central Coast is a stone's throw from Sydney but a million miles from a care in the world…


There’s an enviably relaxed beach lifestyle here with kilometres of sand and Pacific Ocean to explore, but national parks and lush wilderness abound too. Not to mention a gourmet foodie scene, creative community hubs and an array of immersive cultural experiences. Come and join us on this tour and see for yourself.

 

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS


Ken Duncan Gallery, Broken Bay Pearls, Distillery Botanica, Terrigal, The Hunter Valley, Twenty 3 Twenty, Hunter Valley Cheese Company, Peterson Champagne House, The Hunter Olive Centre, Pokolbin Estate Vineyard, Firescreek Botanical Winery, Alison Homestead, Iris Lodge Alpacas and Chocolate and Nougat Factory.

 
FLIGHTS 
Melbourne to Sydney

Sydney to Melbourne

 
CRUISES
Cruise to the oyster leases, Broken Bay Pearls

The Riverboat Postman

 

RAIL
Lake Macquarie Live Steam Miniature Locomotive

 
MULTIPLE NIGHT STAYS
5 nights in Forresters Beach


TOUR COSTS

Twin Share Room First Tour: $4,245 per person
Twin Share Room Repeat Traveller 2 - 10 Tours: $4,195 per person
Twin Share Room Repeat Traveller 11 - 20 Tours: $4,170 per person
Twin Share Room Repeat Traveller 21+ Tours: $4,145 per person
Single Room Supplement: $515 per person
 
Deposit: $500 per person
 

As a thank you for travelling with O'Shannessy's Quality Tours, you will automatically receive a saving on the total tour price for your second and subsequent tours.
 
O’Shannessy’s Quality Tours will match single travellers who wish to twin share with another single traveller of the same gender.

However, if this is not possible, in most cases you shall be provided with single accommodation at the twin share fare

(no additional cost).

​O'Shanessy's Quality Tours are now providing travel insurance through Nib Insurance.


Travel insurance is not compulsory, however the Australian Government (see www.smarttraveller.gov.au) recommends all travellers no matter where you are going, obtain comprehensive travel insurance from a reputable provider at the time the balance of the tour is to be paid. It may enable you to claim back the cost of your tour if you are unable to travel or must cancel at late notice.

​Always read the PDS provided, to ensure the cover meets your needs.

MAP

ITINERARY

  • DAY 1: FRIDAY 9TH MAY, 2025

    MELBOURNE TO THE CENTRAL COAST


    Welcome to our holiday to the beautiful Central Coast. With chauffeured pickup from home, we travel to Melbourne Airport. Here we’ll be greeted by an O’Shannessy’s Quality Tours representative who will assist us with check in and see us onto the plane for our direct flight to Sydney. Arriving at Sydney Airport, we will be welcomed by our coach crew who will assist us with our luggage, before we board the coach and head to Berowa for our lunch stop. This afternoon, we make our way towards the Central Coast with a visit to the spectacular Ken Duncan Gallery.  We spend time here wandering through the spacious viewing rooms and enjoying a spectacular audio-visual presentation in the intimate theatre. After this wonderful visual experience, we will arrive at our lovely accommodation in Forresters Beach late afternoon. This is our home for the next five nights, so we have time to unpack and settle in before our first dinner together. 


    OVERNIGHT:  The Quarters Forresters Beach, FORRESTERS BEACH


  • DAY 2: SATURDAY 10TH MAY, 2025

    EXPLORING THE CENTRAL COAST


    This morning, we visit Broken Bay Pearls, the only pearl farm on Australia’s East Coast. On our discovery tour, we’ll cruise to one of the oyster leases on the scenic lower Hawkesbury River and enjoy an immersive pearl grading session inside a restricted access Pearl Grading Room. We follow the story of the Australian Pearl from its ancient Indigenous beginnings, modern farming and grading techniques through to the finished product of unique pearl jewellery. Next, we visit Distillery Botanica, set amongst three acres of tranquil gardens. Independently owned by astute herbalist and distiller Phillip Moore, the botanicals grown onsite are the inspiration and ingredients for an array of award-winning spirits and liqueurs. We enjoy a delightful light lunch at Bar Botanica before a tasting of the distillery’s distinct variety of spirits!  We now take a scenic drive up the coast, stopping for a photo opportunity at Terrigal. This evening, a mystery guest will join us for dinner at the hotel.


    OVERNIGHT:  The Quarters Forresters Beach, FORRESTERS BEACH


  • DAY 3: SUNDAY 11TH MAY, 2025

    HUNTER VALLEY PRODUCE


    Today, we travel to Australia’s oldest wine growing region, the Hunter Valley. Known for its charming vineyards, beautiful landscapes and gourmet treats, we are sure to have a wonderful day. A warm welcome awaits us at Twenty 3 Twenty. On arrival we are met by a friendly staff member for a talk and sample of their famous chocolate and fudges. We may even see some being made through the windows.  From here we visit Hunter Valley Cheese Company for some delicious tasters. Their cheese range is preservative free and manufactured on site to traditional cheese making recipes. Following our cheese sampling we relax in the beautiful sandstone walls and exposed antique timber rafters of Peterson Champagne House. We enjoy a delicious lunch overlooking the spectacular vineyards. Our final visit is to The Hunter Olive Centre showcasing some of the finest gourmet foods produced in the Hunter Valley.  The Olive Centre has grown to be one of the largest speciality food outlets in the Hunter Valley, displaying a range of over 400 locally made products of which up to 60 are on tasting at one time.  Onsite is also the Pokolbin Estate Vineyard where we can finish our day with a wine tasting. After a glorious day sampling all the Hunter Valley has to offer, we return to our motel.


    OVERNIGHT:  The Quarters Forresters Beach, FORRESTERS BEACH


  • DAY 4: MONDAY 12TH MAY, 2025

    THE RIVERBOAT POSTMAN


    After breakfast, we are off to Brooklyn on the Hawkesbury River to join the mail run! Meeting the Riverboat Postman at Brooklyn, we hop on board and begin cruising along the Hawkesbury River. It is known as one of Australia’s greatest scenic waterways, with its historically isolated communities, the Last Riverboat Postman has been servicing the region for over a century. Sitting back, we enjoy the tranquil scenery of sandy beach coves and fiord-like inlets while listening to the lively commentary from the Skipper as we make our all-important deliveries.  Back on dry land, we make our way to Holgate, where we find Firescreek Botanical Winery. Set on a lush farm and garden, they make award-winning wines from a wide variety of fruits and botanicals. Here we enjoy a wine tasting with a twist as we try four Firescreek Botanic Wines paired perfectly with four exquisite handmade chocolates. After a fantastic experience, we have time to wander the beautiful property.


    OVERNIGHT:  The Quarters Forresters Beach, FORRESTERS BEACH


  • DAY 5: TUESDAY 13TH MAY, 2025

    HISTORY OF THE CENTRAL COAST


    Embarking on a scenic coastal drive, we travel via the charming area of The Entrance. This beloved holiday retreat is encircled by the sparkling waters of the ocean, leading us toward the Norah Head Lighthouse, the final manned lighthouse ever constructed in the state. It now serves as a testament to the enduring legacy of our coastal heritage. Meandering towards Wyong, we stop at the hidden gem of Alison Homestead. Settled on a pastoral expanse spanning two hectares, the Homestead traces its roots back to the earliest land grant of 1825. Wander the buildings, all paying homage to the pioneers who settled in Wyong and its surrounds with displays of memorabilia, household items, equipment, machinery and tools. We stay for lunch then head out to visit Iris Lodge Alpacas, a working grazing property. We’ll have the extraordinary opportunity to get up close and personal with the alpacas in the paddock and the pleasure of feeding these magnificent creatures too. From here we head to Gosford, where we pop into the Chocolate & Nougat Factory, home of the renowned Australian confectionery producers Nougat Limar, Bon Bon Fine Chocolate and The Sydney Marshmallow Co. We’ll explore an immersive world of chocolate, nougat and have a chance to stock up on their wonderful products. We return to our accommodation for dinner.


    OVERNIGHT:  The Quarters Forresters Beach, FORRESTERS BEACH


  • DAY 6: WEDNESDAY 14TH MAY, 2025

    CENTRAL COAST TO MELBOURNE


    After breakfast this morning we head north today to visit the Lake Macquarie Live Steam Locomotive Society for a ride on one of their meticulously crafted miniature steam trains! The tracks wind through a picturesque landscape filled with native trees and bush and promises a delightful journey through time and nature, making it a unique and memorable experience for train enthusiasts and nature lovers alike. We’ll also enjoy a light lunch hosted by the Society, before making the return trip to Sydney and the airport for our flight home. Upon our arrival in Melbourne, our chauffeurs will be waiting to transport us home with many interesting stories to tell of our Central Coast adventure! 


    Refreshments inflight


TOUR INCLUSIONS

Complimentary Chauffeur Driven Transfers
Victorian passengers from Greater Melbourne, Bendigo, Torquay, Ballarat, Geelong, the Bellarine and Mornington Peninsulas, Phillip Island and selected areas of Gippsland will be picked up from home in a private chauffeured vehicle by one of our professional drivers.

For Victorian passengers not within this pick up zone, or our interstate passengers a quote can be provided for home pickup in extended areas.

At the end of your tour, you will be safely returned home with memories of a sensational tour.

Luxury Touring Coaches

Our full size, 3 axle luxury coaches have only 32-36 passenger seats allowing you even more personal space and extra leg room. Our coaches are fitted with comfortable reclining seats with aisle arm rests, foot rests, seat belts, panoramic windows with blinds, refrigerator for passenger use, restroom, climate control air conditioning and Road Cam monitors which display the road ahead in real time. Each coach has a second door for easier entry and exit and touchless hand sanitizer dispensers at each entry to help keep everyone safe. Our coaches have full air suspension delivering a smooth and

quiet ride which also allows us to lower the coach closer to the ground, making boarding and disembarking even easier.


Return Flights

Economy flights from Melbourne to Sydney and return.


Tour Directors

Dedicated O’Shannessy’s Quality Tours coach crew (tour directors) on board to ensure your travel experience is memorable.


Best Available Quality Accommodation

Ensuite motel accommodation each night.


Attractions

All tours and interest venues as per itinerary


Meals

All full cooked breakfasts, morning teas most days, all lunches and two course restaurant dinners daily.


No Hidden Extras

O'Shannessy's Quality Tours are fully inclusive.

 

quotesArtboard 1 copy 2

“...Fringed by beaches, shaped by valuable waterways, and hemmed with lush wilderness,

our slice of east coast paradise is a vibrant place to live, work and play, with a new story

around every corner…” 

www.lovecentralcoast.com

PAYMENT AND CANCELLATION POLICY


Receipt of payment of funds will be taken as acceptance of O’Shannessy’s Quality Tours conditions of travel for this tour.

Prices include GST and all taxes.


Deposit is fully refundable until 61 days prior to departure date.

Balance due on invoice approximately 60 days prior to departure.



Cancellation 60 to 46 days before tour departure date 20% Refund of Tour Cost

Cancellation within 45 days of tour departure date No Refund

On or after tour date departure No Refund


If a tour is cancelled for any reason by O’Shannessy’s Quality Tours before the departure date, all passengers will be offered the option of transferring to another tour of their choice, hold the funds in trust for a future tour or a full refund. There is no time limit as to when this must be used. If a lockdown is implemented while a tour is in progress, our first priority is the safety and wellbeing of our passengers and ensuring that we get each and every one of them home safely, and therefore we treat every situation individually. The Australian Government (see www.smarttraveller.gov.au) recommends all travellers no matter where you are going, obtain comprehensive travel insurance from a reputable provider. It may enable you to claim back the cost of your tour if you are unable to travel or have to cancel at late notice. Always read the PDS provided, to ensure the cover meets all of your needs. We are able to provide travel insurance through Nib Insurance. If you would like a quote please call our office toll free on 1800 354 352.

 

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