On a cool Sunday morning in early August, 29 members of Kirra–Tugun Probus set off on a six-day journey through Bundaberg, 1770 and Hervey Bay aboard a Granite Highlands Maxi-Tours coach.
The group travelled north, making their first stop at the Yandina Ginger Factory for a tour and morning tea. After lunch in Maryborough, they continued to Tina Berries Farm for locally made ice cream before arriving at their Bundaberg hotel, their base for the next four nights.
Over the following three days, members enjoyed a varied program of tours, tastings and local attractions. Highlights included visits to the Bundaberg Ginger Beer Factory and Bundaberg Rum Factory, the Bert Hinkler Aviation Museum and Botanic Gardens, and lunch at Bargara Golf Club.
An early-morning trip to 1770 saw members board the LARC for a two-hour beach tour and light lunch, followed by a visit to the Captain Cook Memorial Lookout.
The group also toured the Macadamia Australia Factory, enjoyed morning tea with macadamia cake and had lunch at Grunske’s by the Burnett River. The day concluded with a tour and tasting at the Kalkie Moon Gin Distillery.
After their stay in Bundaberg, members travelled to Hervey Bay, stopping at Reef World Aquarium to admire colourful reef fish and feed two large sea turtles.
Later that afternoon, the group boarded the Tasman Venture for a much-anticipated whale-watching cruise. The whales did not disappoint, with large groups of the magnificent creatures putting on memorable displays.
On the final journey home to the Gold Coast, members visited the Maryborough Military Museum, Queens Park and the Armistice Memorial, with morning tea at Alowishus Delicious Café in the Cistern Chapel precinct.
A final stop at the Gympie Gold Mining Museum brought the busy and enjoyable six-day adventure to a fitting close.
