MELBOURNE - WERRIBEE - GEELONG

Welcome to our special Q Train in Spring tour.  With chauffeured pickup from home, we are transferred to meet our O’Shannessy’s Quality Tours coach and crew. We’ll make a stop for morning tea with time for a wander in the Victoria State Rose Garden - home to 4500 roses from more than 100 different species. Next, we visit the Werribee Mansion, one of the largest and most spectacular homes in the country. With our guide leading the way, we soak up the richness of this estate, built on the wealth of an Australian pastoral empire. Next door to the Mansion is the Werribee Open Range Zoo. We enjoy lunch in the café before boarding our special safari coach to take a drive through the Zoo. We will be completely immersed in the sights and sounds of the savannah as we travel across the Zoo’s open plains. The magnificent wildlife, including rhinos, giraffes, zebras and antelopes will seem almost touchable. This afternoon we arrive at the Hotel and settle in as this will be ‘home’ for the next four nights.

OVERNIGHT: Rydges Geelong, GEELONG

EXPLORING GEELONG

This morning we meet our local guide who will hop on board our coach for a more extensive tour of Geelong city. After our tour we make our way to our lunch venue, right on the water at the Geelong Boat House – just perfect.  This afternoon we visit the Geelong Library and Heritage Centre. Sophisticated and technology-rich, this world-class facility is designed to meet the expectations of 21st century public library users, providing contemporary and innovative library and information services. Within the iconic domed building, there are five public levels – all beautiful, inspiring and inclusive spaces for reading, studying, meeting, discovery and fun.

OVERNIGHT: Rydges Geelong, GEELONG

THE Q TRAIN EXPERIENCE

This morning we make our way to the Bellarine Peninsula and Drysdale Railway Station to board The Q Train. The dining journey includes an exceptional 5-course degustation of fresh local produce, all cooked and prepared on board the well-appointed kitchen car. Every day, the Head Chef and their team carefully choose top quality ingredients from local ethical and sustainable producers. This way, the menu always reflects the very best of what the region has to offer, so expect fresh, delicious, seasonally changing menus. As the train whistle sounds the journey begins, travelling along the beautiful Bellarine Railway, offering views of the rolling hills of The Bellarine. One of the courses will be served soon after departure. The Q Train will pause at Suma Park Historic Homestead, where we encourage you to stretch your legs. The journey continues travelling alongside beautiful Swan Bay. The Q Train runs for approximately 3 hours, and as The Q Train closes its return journey into Drysdale Railway station, staff will make their way around the train to make sure you enjoyed your trip. Our coach will be waiting for us and we return to our hotel to complete a memorable day. As we may not really need any dinner this evening we are free to choose if we dine in house or not. Dinner is not included this evening.

Dinner at own expense and arrangement

OVERNIGHT: Rydges Geelong, GEELONG

NORTH GEELONG HERITAGE AND INDUSTRY TOUR

After breakfast, we’ll meet up again with our local expert and dive into more local history of Victoria’s second largest city. Start the day with a view of the former Ford Factory, established in 1923. Although production ceased in 2016, the original red brick building still stands as a rare replica of Henry Ford’s original Dearborn site, making it an important piece of global industrial history. We then head to North Shore to witness the industrial heart of Geelong, where remnants of a booming manufacturing era still shape the landscape. Enjoy panoramic views of Corio Bay while learning about the region’s pivotal role in Australia’s development. We’ll make a stop at Rippleside Park, a unique playspace. Close by we see some interesting bollards, of nuns out for a swim, illegal mixed-gender bathers in 1910 and student teacher on a break from their nearby teachers college.  We continue to the Federal Mills Precinct, where innovation in the early 1900s allowed for the production of all Allied uniform fabrics, blankets, and greatcoats during both world wars.  With stunning historic architecture, this site provides a glimpse into a fascinating era of pre-Great War technology and wartime industry. We wrap up our tour with final insights and questions at this vibrant precinct, now home to creative studios and local businesses, blending past and present in a unique atmosphere.

OVERNIGHT: Rydges Geelong, GEELONG

GEELONG TO MELBOURNE

It’s been a lovely break and now it’s time to wend our way home, but not before we make a couple of more stops! We head for Winchelsea, first settled in 1837 the town was named after one of the Cinque Ports in England. There are many historic buildings and an old bridge in the town. One in particular is Barwon Park Mansion where we stop for a tour of this beautiful home built in 1869 and later bequeathed to the National Trust. It is noted for the fine cast iron balcony verandah, its bluestone construction and the ornate furnishings. After lunch in Winchelsea, we make our way home – our chauffeurs will be on hand to take us straight to our door – all part of the O’Shannessy’s Quality Tours superior service.