Day 1: Journey to Bendigo

Board your luxury Coach for your journey to Bendigo via Kyneton. Lunch along the way before arriving at one of Victoria’s most historic towns. This afternoon enjoy a guided tour of Bendigo ensuring you have a comprehensive overview of the incredible city you will be staying in for the next 4 nights. Then you will be warmly welcomed at the All-Seasons Resort Hotel in Bendigo with time to settle in before dinner. Your contact number during your stay will be 03 5445 5300. The Hotel is ideal for coach groups with all ground floor rooms, & all rooms have a walk-in shower recess. There is also a superb Restaurant & Bar. (L,D)

Day 2: Explore Bendigo

Start your Bendigo experience with a visit to the iconic Central Deborah Gold Mine, where you will discover the fascinating story of Bendigo’s gold rush heritage. Enjoy a guided mine experience and gain an insight into the lives of the miners who helped build one of Australia’s richest goldfields. Following your mine visit, enjoy morning tea before boarding the vintage “Talking” Tram for an informative and unique tour of Bendigo. Be delighted by the historic wide streets and remarkable architecture that serve as a reminder of the city founded on one of Australia’s richest goldfields. Your tram will recount Bendigo’s golden past, famous people and the unparalleled wealth of this era. The influence of the gold rush can be felt in the very fabric of the city. The city’s ostentatious public buildings and gardens attest to the flamboyance of the gold rush era, as do many of the richly decorated private homes. Lunch will be provided at one of Bendigo’s famous historic hotels. This afternoon you are free to choose to explore the attractions of special interest to you such as the Bendigo Art Gallery, which hosts special exhibitions throughout the year, the Chinese Golden Dragon Museum (own expense), or the famous Woollen Mill Shop. The coach will provide drop-off and pick-up services at a number of designated locations throughout Bendigo, including the impressive shopping precinct. (B,L,D)

Day 3: Explore Echuca: Cruise on the Mighty Murray River & visit the fascinating Great Aussie Beer Shed

Enjoy the gentle splashing of the paddlewheels as you enjoy a relaxing morning tea cruise on the mighty Murray River. You will gain a unique view from the water of Echuca’s massive red gum wharf. Step back in time as your Captain recalls Echuca Moama’s rich & colourful history whilst passing by the magnificent red gums that line the riverbank. Board the coach for the 5-minute journey to the Great Aussie Beer Shed & Farm Museum. So much more than just beer- it is Australian history at its best. As well as a display of over 17,000 beer cans from Australia & around the world there are fully restored carriages, plus a Farm Museum & some vintage motor vehicles & a mass of other unusual items. Owner Neil Thomas will provide you with an enthusiastic & entertaining guided tour highlighting the uniqueness of so many pieces in the collection. Top off the visit with a tasty lunch & if you are feeling thirsty you can purchase a cold beer or a drink as well. This afternoon there will be some time to explore the historic Echuca Port area & the many speciality stores & attractions before a pickup by the coach. Stop off on the way back at Rochester to view the magnificent Silo Art. See the Azure Kingfisher sitting on a branch alongside the Campaspe River featuring the red rail bridge. The second silo has a massive endangered Squirrel Glider clinging to a Red River Gum branch The silos painted by Australian Artist Jimmy D’vate & were finished in July 2018. Latest edition behind the silos is a giant Platypus. (B,L,D)

Day 4: Castlemaine & the nearby Goldfields Villages

For the inquiring traveller who loves to follow roads which promise some new discovery around every corner then today you will find the Goldfields endless source of enjoyment. Today you will visit a variety of historic Goldfields towns dating back to the 1850’s, starting with historic Castlemaine. Upon arrival in Castlemaine explore “the Mill.”  Starting as the Castlemaine Woollen Mill in 1875, and finishing as Victoria Carpets in 2013, The Mill has been transformed into a place for food and artisan manufacturing. On-site in the food precinct individual small businesses include: a Viennese coffeehouse and coffee roastery, winemakers, sourdough baker, craft brewery, smallgoods maker, cheese and dairy producer, chocolatier and ice cream maker. The artisan precinct includes makers of furniture, bath soaks and perfumery, comfy underwear, wool-centric clothing, mosaics and an ethical florist. The vintage precinct is home to Castlemaine Vintage Bazaar and Platform No. 5 is a treasure-trove of market-style spaces selling vintage, re-purposed, hand-made and second-hand goods. You will discover artists at work, exhibiting and running classes in quirky studio spaces. This morning enjoy an informative Castlemaine town tour before stopping to visit Buda House & Garden where lunch will also be provided. Buda is an authentic goldfields villa house and garden located in Castlemaine. Named after Budapest by its Hungarian owner, Ernest Leviny, it was home to the creative Leviny family for 118 years and houses their significant intact collection of furniture, art works and personal belongings. Come to Buda and enjoy walking through the historic house where you will be transported to another era. Subject to the weather conditions wander through the three acres of heritage garden featuring original plantings and structures, including the bird aviary, tennis pavilion and grape pergola, along with many original garden ornaments created by the Leviny family members. The Buda Giftshop stocks unique giftware, homewares and jewellery featuring original Leviny designs as well as art cards and craftwork produced locally. The Buda Plant Nursery stocks heritage and drought-hardy plants as well as a variety of native plants and specially propagated plants from the Buda Garden. Lunch will be provided after the House tour. Depart for a scenic drive through some of central Victoria’s countryside & Goldfields Villages including Maryborough, Talbot & Clunes. The village of Clunes is recognised as Australia’s most original 19^th century town with more than fifty buildings of historical significance. Clunes is also Australia’s only “book town” – a town dedicated to books and writers – and you can see this throughout the community as Clunes is home to many writers and artists who find inspiration in the historical village. (B,L,D)

Day 5: Journey Home

This morning, farewell Bendigo and enjoy a scenic drive through the beautiful Victorian countryside via Redesdale and Heathcote, a region renowned for its rich agricultural heritage and premium wines. On arrival in Heathcote, enjoy a relaxing morning tea and take time to explore this charming country town. Continuing through the picturesque Goulburn Valley region, arrive at the historic Tahbilk Estate, one of Australia’s oldest family-owned wineries. Set amongst beautiful wetlands and vineyards, Tahbilk offers a unique insight into Victoria’s winemaking heritage. Enjoy a guided wine tasting, sampling a selection of the estate’s acclaimed wines, followed by a delightful lunch in the winery setting. After lunch, sit back and relax as we continue our journey home. This evening, we hope you arrive home relaxed and refreshed with many happy memories of your holiday in Victoria’s Bendigo region. Thank you for choosing this tour. (B,L)