Mount Gambier 5 Day Tour - Southern Star Coaches
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Mount Gambier
5 Day Tour
Itinerary Monday 15 – Friday 19 November 2021
DAY 1: Mon 15 November Travelling to Mount Gambier
Located in the south east region of South Australia Mount Gambier will be
our home for the next four nights as we explore all it and the surrounds have to
offer. Today we travel via Ballarat and onto Hamilton for our lunch stop (own
expense). Before we leave Hamilton we visit the Sir Reginald Ansett Transport
Museum which celebrates Hamilton as the birthplace of Ansett Airlines.
The original hangar for Ansett Airlines of Australia has been used to create a
museum dedicated to the history of Sir Reginald Ansett’s contribution to the
Australian transport industry.
Back on the coach we pass through Coleraine & Casterton and cross the
border into South Australia. We arrive in Mt Gambier late this afternoon with
time to check into our accommodation and freshen up before dinner.
ACCOMMODATION Quality Inn Presidential, Mount Gambier
MEALS Lunch at own expense, dinner in Motel
Mount Gambier
5 Day Tour
DAY 2: Tues 16 November Exploring Mount Gambier
Mount Gambier has a population of around 24,000 people. Their water supply
comes from the famous Blue Lake – one of the lakes within the three craters of
the volcano. Between the months of November and April, and almost overnight,
the steely grey waters of the lake changes to a brilliant blue. There are an
abundance of theories about why this occurs but scientists continue to be
baffled by this yet to be explained phenomenon. The city also boasts beautiful
parks and gardens, caves and sinkholes. An interesting mix of galleries,
museums and markets provides an insight into the culture and arts of the town.
This morning we are joined on the coach by a local guide who will help us
explore this beautiful city including the Blue Lake and the Umpherston Cave
– a sinkhole that has been landscaped with terraced gardens close to the city
centre. It is an impressive garden with palm trees reaching to the sky and plants
hanging over the edges of the sinkhole.
We head into town for some free time to purchase lunch (own expense). Our
afternoon today will see us visit the National Trust Old Court House, built in
1865. Located in this captivating limestone and dolomite building is still the
original courtroom furniture. We view the judge’s chambers, inspect the cells
and view photographic representations of past events. This afternoon we return
to our motel to freshen up before heading to Nelson for an exhilarating dinner
cruise along the Glenelg River. The river flows down through the Lower Glenelg
National Park, where it then enters the Southern Ocean. One of the best
ways to see the national park is by boat and so this evening we have arranged
a river cruise to see this dramatic region. Our fabulous cruise will see us sail
up-river during daylight hours returning down-river after nightfall allowing us to
experience this absolutely stunning river and surrounds in the two lights. Whilst
on our cruise we will enjoy a great BBQ Dinner and entertainment before we re-
join the coach and return to Mt Gambier.
ACCOMMODATION Quality Inn Presidential, Mount Gambier
MEALS Breakfast in the Motel, lunch at own expense,
BBQ dinner with cruise
Mount Gambier
5 Day Tour
DAY 3: Wed 17 November Penola, Naracoorte Caves and Coonawarra
Heading north out of Mount Gambier this morning we make our way to the
delightful village of Penola. The town was established in the 1850’s and has
a colourful history, fortunately a lot of this history has been preserved and is
on display along Petticoat Lane and throughout the Saint Mary MacKillop
Interpretative Centre. We see and hear the story of the co-founders of the
Institute of the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart – initially to provide a
Catholic education for poor, isolated and rural children. The Interpretative Centre
brings together the other buildings on the site – the School House, the Church,
Shrine and Old Convent around a central square and a reflective pool that adds
stillness and peace to this special site. Adjacent to the Interpretative Centre is
Petticoat Lane. This intriguing heritage site portrays the pioneer living standards
of the 1890s. The story of Christopher Sharam, his wife and 15 children is
detailed at a site just behind the original slab hut cottage. Heading further north is
the Wonambi Fossil Centre located within the Naracoorte Caves National Park.
Here we have the opportunity to step back in time’ and discover what Naracoorte
was like over 200,000 years ago. The Centre contains fossil displays and a walk-
through diorama with life-sized models of extinct animals in their ancient habitats.
The interpretive centre also illustrates how the caves have acted as pitfall traps,
dens and roosts for more than 500,000 years, leading to the vast accumulation
of skeletal remains of reptiles, birds and mammals. No visit would be complete
without a guided tour of Alexander Cave followed by a light lunch in the visitor
centre. Earlier today we passed through the renowned wine growing district of
Coonawarra and on our way home to Mount Gambier we will visit the well-known
Wynns of Coonawarra. The Coonawarra is quite small in area – the red soil region
is about 14km long and up to 2 km wide. It lies over the top of limestone and has
abundant water underground. The cool climate for much of the year adds to the
recipe for good, often great, wines. We will have a chance to browse around this
beautiful winery, perhaps try one of the many wines they have on their tasting list,
and a memorable photo stop at the Coonawarra railway station. On arrival back at
the hotel we have some free time before dinner.
ACCOMMODATION Quality Inn Presidential, Mount Gambier
MEALS Breakfast & dinner in the Motel, lunch at Naracoorte Caves
DAY 4: Thur 18 November Robe, Millicent and Beachport
This morning we drive to Millicent and take a look at George Street to enjoy
a collection of murals representing the diverse history of the town. One mural
features a historic pictorial of the bridge area and depicts Millicent in the 1890s.
At the southern end of the town there is a mural depicting the era when this
building served as a garage and features a sedan, ute and petrol pumps of the
50s. Leaving Millicent we then head to the popular seaside resort town of Robe
where we will be met by our local guide who will show us around this beautiful
hamlet. The port of Robe is an old town, with streets of heritage cottages and
public buildings and loads of character, and today we enjoy some free time to
look around this quaint and charming town and to purchase some lunch. Next its
off to the seaside town of Beachport, situated on a rugged but beautiful stretch
of coastline it offers some superb views of the coast. Whilst in Beachport, we
stop to visit the Old Woolgrain Store which now houses an interesting museum,
before making our way back to Mount Gambier for our final night’s stay.
ACCOMMODATION Quality Inn Presidential, Mount Gambier
MEALS Breakfast and dinner in Motel, lunch at own expense
Mount Gambier
5 Day Tour
DAY 5: Fri 19 November Return to Melbourne
This morning we farewell our hosts and commence our journey back to
Melbourne. Passing through the townships of Heywood and Port Fairy, we will
stop for lunch in Warrnambool.
After lunch we reboard the coach to sit back and relax this afternoon as head
back in to Melbourne following a fantastic short break.
MEALS Breakfast at Motel, lunch at own expense
Information
All of our Tours are fully escorted with driver and hostess.
Tour cost (per person) Southern Star Tours provides a chauffeured “door to door” pick up service
$1,423 (twin share) from your place of residence to meet the coach and return for passengers
$284 single supplement residing in the Melbourne metropolitan area*. We provide a chauffeured
pick up from Melbourne airport to your hotel, and return service for
Deposit required by: 20 Sept 2021 passengers travelling from interstate, and we provide a V/line credit for
Victorian regional passengers.
Further information Tour costs are based on a minimum 30 people travelling, should there be less
To enquire about this tour than 30 people travelling per tour passengers will be offered the opportunity to
please contact our office on pay a revised costing, or cancel their booking.
(03) 9598 1354 or email Southern Star Coaches reserves the right to cancel any tour due to insufficient
info@southernstarcoaches.com.au numbers.
All itineraries are subject to change due to occasional restrictions in opening
times/days of some attractions, e.g. churches, wineries etc. We cannot be held
responsible for any changes due to closures, inclement weather etc.
This complete itinerary is to be read in conjunction with the Southern Star
Coaches ‘Booking Form’ together with the ‘Terms & Conditions’.
As a proud supporter, a portion of every Southern
Star Coaches booking is donated to Dolly’s Dream:
Working to prevent and address bullying and
cyber-bullying issues in the community.
Southern Star Coaches
ABN 2761 654 6868
P.O Box 347 Sandringham Vic 3191
Telephone: 03 9598 1354
www.southernstarcoaches.com.au
* Chauffeured pick-up and drop-off service applies for transfers within a 20 kilometre radius of the departure point, pick-ups/drop-offs outside this
radius may incur an additional cost.
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