Friday 3^rd April to Thursday 9^th April 2009

Hosts: Rod & Colleen Richards

Cost: To be confirmed, about $950 per person twin share

 Assemble outside The Epping Club in Rawson Street at 7.30 am

Seven day holiday package including:

Luxury return coach travel from Epping

Four nights accommodation at Rydges North Melbourne

Overnight accommodation each way including all meals

Hearty breakfast & delicious evening meals in the Motels Restaurants plus light lunches everyday

Fascination day tours and entry to all attractions as detailed in the itinerary.

Cosmopolitan, stylish and elegant, Melbourne has a passionate soul and welcoming heart that makes every stay a truly memorable experience. Renowned as Australia’s shopping and cultural capital Melbourne is a city of surprising individuality. Beyond the city lies another world of alluring landscapes of vineyards, gardens and galleries. Visit the Yarra Valley, the Dandenongs and Phillip Island with an unforgettable parade of penguins at dusk. Enjoy fresh, stylish accommodation at Rydges North Melbourne, just an eight-minute tram ride from Melbourne’s enticing CBD.

Friday 3^rd April – Journey to Wangaratta. Board you luxury coach for your journey south to the beautiful Southern Highlands for morning tea. A light lunch will be provided at a convenient location near Gundagai, before continuing onto Wangaratta. A warm welcome awaits you at the Wangaratta Gateway where you will enjoy county hospitality at its best. Your contact number at Wangaratta will be 03 5721 8399. On occasions alternate accommodation maybe necessary at another of the Jones Family property group which is the Siesta Motor inn in Albury

Saturday 4^th April – To Melbourne and the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show. Arrive in Melbourne around lunch time for an orientation tour of this amazing City to get your bearings followed by a visit to the outstanding Melbourne Flower Show held in the first week of April before checking into your accommodation at Rydges this afternoon. Rydges North Melbourne is on Flemington Road just an eight-minute tram ride to the CBD and only three minutes from the well-known Victoria Markets. Your contact number during your stay will be 03 9329 1788.

Sunday 5^th April – Melbourne City Sights. This morning will include a visit to historic Cook’s Cottage in nearby Fitzroy Gardens. Originally built in 1755 by the parents of Captain James Cook, it was shipped to Melbourne from Yorkshire in 1933 and rebuilt with much care, with even the ivy growing on the cottage being sent from the original site. It is the only 18^th century building in Melbourne. From the historic to the ultra modern architecture of Federation Square for a look around before boarding Melbourne River Cruises at the dock behind Federation Square for an informative and relaxing cruise. Complementary self serve tea and coffee is available on board this one-hour journey. There’s no other city quite like Melbourne and there’s no other experience quite like viewing it from high above the city from the Observation Deck at the Rialto Tower in Collins Street. A time will also be allocated to see the 20-minute film in the Rialto’s Theatre showcasing Melbourne’s attractions. A light lunch will be provided and after the Rialto Tower you may choose to stay on and explore the CBD yourself for a couple of hours with a coach pick up as organised by your driver at a suitable time. The free City Circle Tram is an ideal way to get around to each of the Melbourne’s CBD location, it is also very informative and a lot of fun. Ask your Coach driver for the Melbourne guide map so you can choose those places that especially interest you. The Tram stops at each place of interest including The Melbourne Museum, The Old Treasury City Museum, Federation Square and at some of the best shopping places in the country.

Monday 6^th April – The Dandenongs and the Yarra Valley. For the inquiring traveller who loves to follow roads which promise some new discovery around every corner, then today you will find the Dandenongs an endless source of enjoyment. There are few things more pleasurable than exploring these lively, colourful villages which are always busy with visitors stopping off for the Devonshire teas that are the Dandenong tradition. The clear crisp air, towering mountain ash, feathery tree ferns create a magical world. Along the way many antique and art and craft shops will tempt you with their treasures. Travel through Kallista, Sassafrass and Olinda and recapture the romance and charm of the bygone days of steam on Australia’s oldest steam railway, the Puffing Billy. This unique steam train is still running on its original mountain track through the beautiful forests and fern gullies of the magnificent Dandenongs. Lunch will be provided at a convenient location during our scenic journey today before continuing on the Yarra Valley synonymous with boutique wines and gourmet fare. Visit to one of the leading wineries before making your way back to Melbourne.

Tuesday 7^th April – Phillip Island. Take spectacular scenery, amazing will life colonies, a dash of pioneering spirit and world class facilities – these are just some of the ingredients that make Phillip Island a day of adventure and discovery. Its only minutes from the mainland but Phillip Island seems a world away. Visit Churchill Island with its historic Homestead and varied animal life and the Koala Reserve as well as Nobbies right on the point of the Island with views along the rugged south coast and out to Seal Rocks. This afternoon as the sun sets you will experience what is probably Victoria’s premier attraction as hundreds of little penguins expertly catch the waves into Summerland Beach and begin their brick, but ungainly walk up the beach and over the sand hills to their burrows for the night. Phillip Island is alive with natural wonders and a really memorial experience. Lunch and a light dinner will be provided.

Wednesday 8^th April – Depart Melbourne for Albury. A relaxed start this morning after last nights return from Phillip Island before a comfortable journey to Albury for overnight at the Siesta Motor Inn. Lunch will be provided along the way with time for a brief coach tour of Albury upon arrival before check in. Albury was once proposed as a possible federal capital and the ambience imbued by the city’s striking architecture is a reflection of these grand plans. Your contact number tonight will be 02 6025 4555.

Thursday 9^th April – Journey Home. Heading north towards Sydney with a morning tea break then lunch provided at the Goulborn Bakery. Time permitting stroll across to the narby relocated ‘Big Merino’. This afternoon we hope you arrive home relaxed with many happy memories of a marvellous holiday in Melbourne.

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

Tour prices are subject to changes in fuel costs.

Tour organiser Wal Cooper phone 9876 4001