Ascot Probus Outings 2024

                          Explore the highlights of our day trips

 

As we progress through the year, more highlights will be added.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6 Day Murray River with Adelaide Food and Wine Experience

 

Day 1: After arriving at Adelaide Airport, the day is spent touring by coach the highlights of Adelaide and places nearby.  First stop is at the Mount Lofty Summit for spectacular panoramic views of the Adelaide skyline.  Then meander through the picutuesque Adelaide Hills before arriving a Hahndord, Australia's oldest surviving German settlement.  The tour concludes with the coach passing many of the Adelaide sites - Adelaide Oval, Railway Station, Parliament House, State Library, Museum and Art Galley.

We then boarded our coach to  take us to the Proud Mary, at Murray Bridge.  Dinner is served on the boat as we commence our river cruise.

Day 2: The Proud Mary continues upstream through some fo the most spectaular scenary on the entire River Murray system.  Cruising continues past the many small river townships, with a chance to absorb the unique surroundings and with a late morning stopover in the historic town of Mannum.

A delicious lunch is served onboard before a late afternoon arrival at Teal Flat.

A highlight is a guided tour led by an acologist aboard the flat bottom boat, 'The MV Pelican' for a cruise along the banks of the river, experiencing the bird and wild life at close range.  

In the evening there is a traditional Australian barbeque on the shore followed by live Aussie Bush enterainment around a blazing campfire.

Day 3: We continue back downstreatm stopping mid-morning in picturesque Manam.  We board the Proud Mary Coach for a tour of Reedy Creek Environmental Park.  Discover this permanent watercourse from waterfalls, through swamps and wetlands.  There is a guided tour of the Reedy Creek gorge.

On arrive back at Murray Bridge, we board the coach to Adelaide for the second phase of our trip.

Day 4: Today's coach tour is an exploration of one of the world's best wine regions, the Basossa Valley.  Steeped in historyand German heritage, the area is renowned for its rolling landscapes of views, orchards and pastures.  Enter the Barossa Valley at Williamstown and start your Barossa experience by marvelling at the acoustic wonder of the Whispering Wall.  

Next up is a visit to Peter Lehmann Wines, located in the red heart of the Barossa.  With manicured gardens surrounding the historic stone Cellar Door, this winery is regarded as one of the Barossa's most picturesque destinations.  We then drive through to Angaston with a quick stop at Gully Gardens for dried fruits and confectionary.

After lunch, we make our way to the Menglers Hill lookout to view the 'Valley Floor' and vistas beyound. Enjoy a visit to a local celebrated providore, Maggie Beer's Farm Shop, Barossa Cheese Company and the Barossa Valley Chocolate Company.

Our last stopover is Seppeltsfield State.  Steeped in history, the beautifl buildings and grounds are definitely a must-see.  The Estate is also home to many other venues including Vasse Virgin which is a Skin Care company. The Jam Factory is a State Art Exhibition with working Artists and their studios and artworks.

Day 5: Today we explore the beautiful Fleurieu Peninsula.  The Fleurieu Penisula is home to internationally aclaimed wine regions, world-class culinary experiences and pristine natural attractions.  Travel through Strathalbyn and Finniss, view the Murray Mouth from the Coorong Lookout on your way to Goolwa.

Explore Goolwa's Wharf precinct before taking a scenic drive along the coast, stopping in Middleton at one of the local eateries for lunch.  After lunch, we continue the coast journey to Victor Harbour for a stopover before making our way to McLaren Vale.

Australia's viticultural origins began in McLaren Vale and the region's Mediterranean climate continues to drive the region's wine style and diverse food culture.  We visit the Richard Hamilton Winery for a wine tasing experience.  After a stopover at the Fruchoc Shop, we then make our way over to see The Cube at d'Arenberg Winery.

Day 6: This is a free day where one can select their travels.  The choices include the Adelaide Zoo with their Pandas, take a tram to Glenely, take the free tram to Rundle Mall and then onto North Terrace, visit the Art Gallery, State Library, Museum and Botanical Gardens.

We then transfer to the Adelaide Airport for our flight home.

 

 

 

5 Day Bellingen Valley & Coffs Harbour Discovery

27 - 31 October 2024

 

Day 1: Brisbane - South Grafton - Coffs Harbour

After our early morning coach pick up, we commence our 5 day adventure down to the beautiful Bellingen Valley and Coffs coast region.  Our first stop is the Byron Shire and the town of Mullumbimby, where we enjoy morning tea from the coach.

We continue south, travelling along the Northern NSW coastline, arriving at the Crown Hotel in the picturesque Clarence Valley in time for lunch.

Refreshed and refuelled, we travel down to the coastal haven of Coffs Harbour and enjoy a tour by coach around Coffs Harbour before our check-in at the Best Western Zebra Motel.  We have time to refresh, before gathering to enjoy dinner tonight at the motel.

Day 2: Bellingen Valley - Dorrigo - Bellingen Village

This morning we make our way to the Bellingen Valley and along the beautiful Waterfall Way "rated the best scenic drive in NSW" to Dorrigo.

We stop en-route at the Griffith Lookout which offers some of the most superb views of the Coffs Coast. We enjoy breathtaking wilderness views of the Great Dividing Range unfolding to the south whilst to the east, we see the Pacific Ocean and, on a clear days, right down to Kempsey some 100 kilometers away. 

We visit picturesque Dangar Falls and enjoy the views from the platform or take the 20 minute return walk to the bottom of the falls.  Our next stop is the Dorrigo National Parks Skywalk and Interpretive Centre, offering unforgettable views over the Dorrigo National Park, from Bellingen Valley to the coast.

We enjoy lunch at the Canopy Cafe, and view the Skywalk Lookout, a 70m boardwalk that soars over the edge of the escarpment, some 21m above the rainforest.  After free time in Dorrigo, we begin our journey via Waterall Way to Bellingen Village, where we have time to take in some of the unique specialty shops and purchase any wares that take our fancy.

We then travel back to accommodation and enjoy dinner and conversation after a wonderful day of touring.

Day 3: Coffs Harbour

This morning we make our way the the Coffs Habour Marina Precinct and visit the Solitary Islands Aquarium, a marine treasure! This acquarium is operated by the NSW Government Marine Parks Authority and allows us to dive in and explore the unique marine environment without even getting wet!

Following our time at the aquarium, we enjoy some free time exploring the Coffs Harbour Marina.

For all those sweet tooths, our next stop is the Carobana Confectionery Factory.  This iconic and long standing local business was started here in Coffs in 1982 by the Hamey family, combining its beginnings as a banana farm and the preference for carob over cocoa to create "Carobana". Welcoming all with an amazing selection of sweet treats, Corobana will have our mouths watering.

We continue our day's touring with our next stop, at the Clog Barn and Miniature Dutch Village.  Here we enjoy a little piece of Holland in Coffs Harbour, enjoying a Dutch Tasting Plate for lunch and exploring the gift shop and model village. 

Our final stop for the day is the Forest Sky Pier which is located at Sealy Lookout, within the Bruxer Park Flora Reserve.  The pier extends 21 metres out from the lookout and stands 15 metres above the forest floor, offering amazing panoramic views.

Day 4: Kempsey- Taylors Arm - King Tide Brewery

Our first stop this morning is the town of Urunga at the Honey Place for an informative insight into the mystrious world of the honey bee.  A glass display hive lets us get up close and personal while they work their magic.  We admire the friendly Australian Native bee (non-stinging), view a a very informative video and taste the many varieties of honey available.

We continue our days touring, travelling south, to Kempsey, where we enjoy a tour and morning tea at the Slim Dusty Centre and museum featuring objects and images from the Kirkpatrick family's own etensive archive as well as contributions from fans and friends from all over the world.

We move away from the coast now, travelling inland through Macksville en-route to Taylors Arm and the famous Pub With No Beer for lunch.  After lucnh we make our way to Nambucca Heads, Captain Cook Lookout.  Set on a high bluff, Captain Cook Lookout has show stopping views and is a fantastic vantage point to view the whales during migration season. 

After taking in the majestic views, we travel north, back to Coffs Harour, to visit one of the region's most popular exports, King Tide Brewing. We relax in the family atmosphere of the popular brewpub, that features a European inspired kitchen, two bars and expansive beer garden and taste the locally brewed beer.

After a fun and relaxing afternoon, we return to the motel for dinner.

Day 5: Woolgoolga Beach - Casino - Grafton - Lismore - Brisbane

Today we farewell our hosts at Best Western Zebra Motel, we travel north to Woolgoolga Beach and enjoy a tour by coach, visiting the Woolgoolga Headland which features panoramic coastal views that stretch to Yuraygir National Park and the dunes and rolling hills of the Coffs Coast and hinerland. A great location to spot migrating whates from May to October.

Continuing our journey home, we make our way to Casino, travelling via Summerland Way and enjoy a delicious lunch at Casino.

We tavel home to Brisbane via Lismore where we see the devastion of floods.  We stop at Grafton to view the wonderful Jacandra trees in bloom and just in time for their festival and enjoy afternoon tea.  

On our final leg of the trip, we reflect upon the wonderful time in the Belligen Valley and Coffs Harbour

Enjoy the pictures to our trip to follow: