Tuesday 21 November 2006 to Sunday 26 November 2006

Cost: $625 per person twin share

Eden, gateway to the Sapphire Coast, really is a natural paradise. The Sapphire coast, named for the colour of its sparkling blue water, is without question one of Australia’s most spectacular and unspoilt areas. Grand rugged cliffs look down on pristine beaches surrounded by forest covered hills and valleys. This is indeed nature’s wonderland and the ideal location from which to explore this marvellous south coast region of NSW.

Twofold Bay is the magnificent heart of the Sapphire Coast, visited each year by whales and their young on their annual migration to and from the Antarctic. Tucked away on its shores is Eden, rich in maritime history, character and charm. The whaling history is an integral part of Eden’s heritage. Although long gone, memories of the industry will live forever and have been faithfully recorded in fascinating displays at the Eden Killer Whale Museum.

This holiday package includes:

The Coachman’s Rest Motor Inn, owned and operated by the award winning Bibby family will provide you with the very best in country hospitality and service. The Motor Inn is located 1.6km north of Eden’s town centre, opposite the picturesque Golf and Bowling Club and is est on 2.5 acres well back from the highway in a quite location. Ideally situated there is an easy, level walk from the back of the Motel along the boardwalk around Lake Curalo to Aslings Beach. The spacious Motel units are all ground floor and include colour televisions, direct dial phones, tea and coffee making facilities, air conditioning and are serviced daily. There is also a salt-water swimming pool and heated outdoor spa. The Motel Restaurant provides superb meals and its Bar and open fire provide an ideal venue to gather before dinner

Tuesday 21 November: Your Journey South Join your luxury coach at Epping for the journey south down along the Princes Highway, to the beautiful Sapphire Coast of N SW. Morning tea will be enjoyed at a selected location, before reaching the beautiful town and beach of Mollymook, for your lunch stop today. After lunch we continue our trip south through the beachside towns of Ulladulla, Bateman’s Bay and Moruya. Prior to Narooma we will take the coast road through Dalmeny and Kianga. This is one of Sapphire Coast most scenic drives where the road hugs the coastline and provides a marvellous view of the beautiful beaches and Montague Island, before rejoining the Princes Highway at Narooma. Then it is onto Eden, the southern gateway to the spectacular Sapphire Coast. Eden’s history is bound with the traditions of the sea and the whaling industry. It is a region of stunning, rugged coastal landscape with golden sandy beaches and sapphire coloured sea, set against a lush backdrop of National Parks and forests. Truly a "Natural Paradise" and your home away from home for the next five nights. You will be warmly welcomed by your hosts at the Best Western, Coachman’s Rest Motor Inn with time to settle in before Dinner in the Motels charming Restaurant. There will be a complementary pre-dinner drink waiting for you at the bar in the Restaurant.

Wednesday 22 November: Eden, Two Fold Bay Cruise and the Killer Whale Museum After a good nights sleep and you delicious cooked breakfast there will be some time to enjoy the lovely flat surrounds of the Motel, and maybe even a stroll along the magnificent board walk around Lake Curalo to Aslings Beach. Mid morning we board our coach to make our way to the Eden Wharf to board the Cat Balou, for our morning cruise. Your hosts, Ros and Gordon Butt, the owners of Cat Balou Cruises will share their knowledge of whales and the area’s whaling history, chip mill industry, as well as their local knowledge of the area. While cruising you may be greeted by the local marine life of seals, dolphins and maybe a whale. Morning tea will be served on board while cruising. After our cruise it’s time for lunch, with time to relax before we have our afternoon’s tour of the Killer Whale Museum. The Museum houses the skeletal remains of the legendary "Old Tom" a Killer whale that reputedly guided whalers to their prey. The museum tells of Eden’s whaling, Aboriginal, timber and fishing histories. Once we have completed our tour, there will be time to explore the shops of Eden before returning to the Coachman’s Rest.

Thursday 23 November. Merimbula, Oysters and Pambula This morning, if weather permits, breakfast will be served overlooking the beach, while enjoying the views and the invigorating sea air. You may like to have a stroll along the beach before we board the coach for this morning’s tour to the Wheelers Oyster Barn at Merimbula, where you will learn about how oysters are grown and processed. You may even like to taste a few. Oyster farming has played an important role in the area’s economy. You will be given a guided tour of the factory and will see a video showing the history of oyster farming and the life cycle of oysters. After lunch there will be sometime to explore the shops of Merimbula before we return to Eden through Pambula with a stop at Toad Hall with it’s variety of crafts and gifts.

Friday 24 November: Historic Kameruka Estate and Bega Valley Cheeses Today’s tour, provides an opportunity to step back in time when we visit historic Kameruka Estate, which dates back to the mid 19^th century. The estate was acquired by Robert Tooth, well known for his beer brewing interests. He undertook an enormous building program and most of the significant structures still stand today. The estate is still operating with the daily milking of some two hundred dairy cows. Morning tea will be served in the small town of Candelo, before we visit the Kameruka Estate. Lunch will be provided at a suitable location before continuing onto the Bega Cheese Factory and Heritage Centre. They have been producing cheeses here for the past 100 years. You will be able view the cheese making process as well as the history of cheese making in the valley at a recreation of the original dairy factory. You can taste the different varieties of Bega Cheese. They produce approximately 70 million packets of Bega Cheese per year. With all your Bega Cheese goodies, we will reboard the coach to continue on our way back to Eden.

Saturday 25 November: Tathra, Kangarutha Nursery and Kianniny Bay. This morning our journey takes us through Merimbula to the award winning Kangarutha Nursery. There will be time to explore the beautiful surroundings and enjoy morning tea in this stunning setting. Be sure to visit the unique sculpture garden. Next stop will be Kianniny Bay. This picturesque little cove has an opening through the rocks to the ocean making it a perfect venue for lunch, weather permitting. After lunch we visit Tathra Dried Fruits where you will have the opportunity to sample some of the naturally dried produce and purchase some to take home if you wish. This tiny factory is very successful with product being exported all over the world. We will call at the Memorial Gardens and lookout at Tathra Point before returning to Eden.

Sunday 26 November: Central Tilba and Journey Home. Today after breakfast we bid farewell to the friendly team at the Coachman’s Rest and begin a relaxed journey home. Our first stop will be at Central Tilba for a morning tea break. This charming National Trust classified village has been buzzing with activity since last century. The village is a fine example of wonderful 19^th century weatherboard architecture, now housing a marvellous range of arts, crafts, and tasty treats. Take time to call in at the award winning Woodturning Gallery, the Leather shop and many other unique attractions, or just sit and enjoy a coffee and the old world enticing Sweets Shop and the old fashioned General Store. Your journey continues with a picnic lunch provided at a suitable location before the final leg of your journey home with many memories of a wonderful week in the natural paradise of Eden.

Changes to the published itinerary may be necessary on some occasions to enhance your holiday.