MELBOURNE TO TRARALGON

Welcome to our Gippsland Getaway. With chauffeured pickup from home, we are transferred to meet our O’Shannessy’s Quality Tours coach and crew for our tour to discover the beauty and people of Gippsland. Leaving the hustle and bustle behind we head for greener pastures, discovering Caldermeade Farm & Café to be an ideal place to begin our holiday. Listening to our guide we will learn, laugh and taste our way through the Dairy before enjoying lunch.  Afterwards we continue onto Moe to visit Old Gippstown Heritage Park. Experience Gippsland in the 1840s - 1930s with a walk through the streets of Old Gippstown. See the classic vehicles and learn about the early European settlement of Victoria. Later in the afternoon we arrive at Traralgon – our base for the next four nights.

OVERNIGHT: Mantra Traralgon Hotel, TRARALGON

UNCOVERING WEST GIPPSLAND

This morning, we head to Sale. Here we will enjoy the company and stories of a local guide as we are shown around town before taking a stroll down memory lane at the Museum of Timeless Memories. From hats to harvesters, pumps to pots, there is something for everyone at this eclectic museum. After lunch, we travel back in time with Port of Sale Heritage Cruise. The scene is set as we board The Rubeena, a classy wooden boat first launched at Lakes Entrance in 1912. Drift back into a different time, when our waterways were our highways and journey from the Port of Sale to the landmark Swing Bridge. Spot birds and wildlife as you cruise and your guide recounts the region’s remarkable stories, from its first people the Gunnaikurnai, through early settlement to the present day. From here we return to Traralgon with time to freshen up before dinner.

OVERNIGHT: Mantra Traralgon Hotel, TRARALGON

MORE OF GIPPSLAND

Lots of adventures await us today as we continue our exploration of Gippsland! We head to Yarram, a small East Gippsland town where muralist and fine artist Heesco Khosnaran has transformed the town into a gallery of murals, reflecting the town’s history and people. We have time to view the murals before continuing to the coast to Port Albert. This delightful fishing village was Gippsland’s first port, discovered in 1841 by the survivors of the wreck of the steamer 'Clonmel' on the Ninety Mile Beach. Here we visit the Gippsland Regional Maritime Museum for morning tea and time to uncover an extensive collection of historic artefacts and documents. Afterwards a “fish and chips lunch pack” will be enjoyed before we meet a true Gippsland identity at Beloka Kelpies Stud. Paul Macphail has been breeding and training dogs since the early nineties and here you’ll get to witness him and his four-legged co-workers in action. From veterans to pups it will be a fun and intriguing afternoon.

OVERNIGHT: Mantra Traralgon Hotel, TRARALGON

KORUMBURRA AND WILSONS PROMONTORY

Today is going to be a spectacular day! We will first head to the township of Korumburra for an intriguing visit to the Coal Creek Community Park and Museum, a recreated coal mining village that depicts the history of South Gippsland. With our guide leading the way, we will uncover the stories behind everyday village life, to the coalfields and the early agricultural development of the area. Feeling like we have relived history, we then journey deeper into the countryside, watching the rolling hills stream by our windows. Stopping at Waratah Hills Vineyard, nestled within a picturesque valley, we’ll be warmly greeted by the owners Neil and Judy Travers. Be enlightened by their story while enjoying tastings and lunch set within the surrounding vale. Our afternoon will then be spent discovering the stunning views of Wilsons Promontory National Park, the southernmost tip of mainland Australia and a haven for native plants and wildlife alike. With many amazing photos taken we then make our way back to our hotel arriving late afternoon.

OVERNIGHT:  Mantra Traralgon Hotel, TRARALGON

TRARALGON TO MELBOURNE

Enjoying our final day on tour we head to the Blue Tree Honey Farm, situated on the hills overlooking the Tarwin River. During our visit we discover that the honey here not only comes from beehives located on the farm but also from the local townships, taking full advantage of native flora in the area.  After enjoying morning tea here, we head to Meeniyan. Surrounded by the idyllic Strzelecki Ranges, picturesque Meeniyan is a lovely place to take a stroll and peruse some of the boutique shops for last minute gifts. Continuing on, we return to Korumburra for lunch at Burra Brewing Co. From a boys golf weekend, the idea for a microbrewery was born. At the brewery, we meet one of these lads, Phil Dempster, and discover that he not only has a passion for fine craft beers but also all things South Gippsland. Be enlightened to his passion, while enjoying lunch with a tasting or two. From here we make our way home, where our chauffeurs will be on hand to take us straight to our door – all part of the O’Shannessy’s Quality Tours superior service!