HOLIDAYS
Mallacoota,
Snowy Mountains
and the
Canberra Floriade
10
days
$1975 per person twin share
n
moderate pace
departing Saturday 19 September 2015
1300 1500 50
www.cotaholidays.com.au
Take a magnificent journey into the rugged Cann River Forests and along the East Coast to Mallacoota.
Later explore the sensational Canberra Floriade in its full glory before returning via the stunning Snowy
Mountains. Experience the wildlife on the Wallagaraugh River Waterways and a Wilderness Cruise through
one of the most unspoiled areas of Australia.
Includes
• Breakfast daily & 8 evening Meals
• Return chauffeured transfers from your home
in zoned area
• Luxury air-conditioned, rest room equipped coach
• Touring Snowy Mountains and Kosciusko National Park
•
•
•
•
•
Lakes Entrance, Cann River and Canberra Floriade
Mallacoota Wilderness cruise including lunch
Eden, Merimbula, Bega, Cooma, Tumut
Mallacoota River & the Croajingolong National Park
World War 2 bunker discovery and war memorial
Itinerary
day
1
ADELAIDE – BALLARAT Saturday 19 September
Today passengers travelling on the Wilderness tour will be picked up from
home (within the zoned area) and transferred to join the tour from the Central
Bus Station. We travel via air-conditioned luxury coach up the South Eastern
Freeway to Tailem Bend for a morning tea stop. We continue to Bordertown
and Horsham to Ballarat. Refreshment and lunch stops are made during the
day. On arrival in Ballarat we check into our motel for dinner.
Dinner & Overnight - Ballarat
day
2
BALLARAT – LAKES ENTRANCE
Sunday 20 September
This morning after breakfast we travel into Melbourne. After a short break we continue via Dandenong to Sale in the stunning
Gippsland area. After a break for lunch the tour continues to Bairnsdale and Lakes Entrance for dinner and our overnight stay.
Dinner & Overnight - Lakes Entrance
day
3
TOUR LAKES ENTRANCE – MALLACOOTA
Monday 21 September
This morning we tour the attractions of Lakes Entrance before setting off for
Mallacoota. Lakes Entrance is extremely popular all year round due to its
massive lake system and esplanade. We travel via Nowa Nowa and Cabbage
Tree Creek to Orbost. This pretty township is surrounded by National Parks,
forests and beaches and is set on the banks of the legendary Snowy River. You
can see a slab hut originally built in 1872 by pioneers and relocated from the
upper Snowy River!
After a stop here for lunch we continue to Cann River which joins the
Croajingalong National Park and provides access to Point Hicks which is
named after Captain Cook’s senior lieutenant who was the first European to
sight the East Coast of Australia! After a break for refreshments we continue crossing the
Thurra River into the Alfred National Park via Genoa to Mallacoota.
On arrival, we settle into our accommodation before dinner in the restaurant.
Dinner & Overnight - Mallacoota
Lakes Entrance
day
4
WILDERNESS CRUISE, PICNIC LUNCH
Tuesday 22 September
Today after breakfast we travel to the Mallacoota wharf to board the historic
‘Loch Ard’ for a unique cruise into a magical wilderness area. The cruise
takes us deep into a pristine wonderland within the Mallacoota/Gipsy Point
waterways and into the lower reaches of the Wallagaraugh River. The cruise
ventures into perhaps the most remote corner of Victoria! See Rare Sea Eagles
and Eastern Water Dragons together with an abundance of birdlife in their
natural habitat.
We stop for a picnic lunch during the cruise which is often enjoyed to the sound
and the company of the Bell Mynah and Lyrebird Orchestra!
Lyrebird
We explore Mallacoota and the immediate environment. View Gabo Island from
Bastion Point and wander along the pristine beach beside the ocean entrance to the ‘Inlet’. The selection of luxury
homes featuring mud brick construction are full of interest. We also travel towards Betka and the Quarry beaches.
You will marvel at the ancient and weathered sedimentary rock formations originally part of the seabed and now
forming an imposing cliff face.
You will be fascinated as you explore Mallacoota’s World War 2 airfield in the company of a local historian and also
visit an old communications bunker hidden within the forest. Later time is available to take a stroll through a peaceful
rainforest in the Croajingalong National Park.
Dinner & Overnight - Mallacoota
day
5
SPECTACULAR EDEN – BATEMANS BAY
Wednesday 23 September
This morning we cross the border into NSW and the scenic “Sapphire Coast”.
We call into Eden where we enjoy a spectacular panorama at Twofold Bay.
Here we also enjoy a morning tea at Rotary Park. Travelling via Pambula, our
lunch opportunity today is at Merimbula. Then reassembling in the afternoon
to experience the scenic treasures of this coastal region and learn a little of
its history. Further north, we visit Bega with its renowned Cheese Factory
and Tourist Complex. An excellent display of authentic dairy equipment and a
selection of savoury and dessert cheeses will delight your taste buds. Later we
continue along the beautiful coast to Batemans Bay.
Dinner & Overnight - Batemans Bay
day
6
BATEMANS BAY – CANBERRA SIGHTS
Thursday 24 September
This morning after breakfast we depart Batemans Bay to begin a delightful tour
through the New South Wales Southern Tablelands and Budawang National
Park to the historic township of Braidwood. We enjoy a morning tea stop before
continuing to Canberra, arriving around midday.
After checking into our accommodation we take in some of Canberra’s city
sights and also visit Parliament House which is built on the banks of Lake Burly
Griffin. The impressive building was built in the shape of the original hill and the
interior is built entirely of Australian timbers. We tour the Great Hall where one
of the original four copies of the Magna Carta is on display.
Dinner this evening has been left as your own choice. Enjoy a meal in-house at
your hotel or perhaps you may wish to visit a nearby restaurant.
Dinner & Overnight - Canberra
day
7
CANBERRA FLORIADE – COOMA
Friday 25 September
Today we visit the popular annual Canberra Floriade. This incredible event
has become one of the world’s major flower festivals. The amazing array
of springtime flowers and colours of thousands of tulips are the best in the
Southern Hemisphere! Queen Elizabeth herself was impressed by the displays
during her visit to the Floriade event in 2011.
Later in the day we visit the impressive Australian War Museum and other
Canberra highlights before our leisurely drive south along the Monaro Highway
back to Cooma.
Dinner & Overnight - Cooma
day
8
COOMA – SNOWY MOUNTAINS TO TUMUT
Saturday 26 September
This morning after breakfast in Cooma, you will see the Avenue of Flags which
was established to honour workers from 27 countries who helped to complete
the Great Snowy Mountains project. The Snowy Memorial was erected to the
memory of the 121 people who lost their lives while working on the Snowy
Mountain Scheme and in Cooma Park there is a statue of A.B. Patterson’s
‘Man from Snowy River’. Also see the remains of the Southern Cloud aircraft
which crashed near Cooma in 1931. Drive along the Snowy Mountain Highway
through stunning scenery to Adaminaby. During the construction of the huge
Snowy Mountain Scheme in the 1950’s, Adaminaby was flooded to create Lake
Eucumbene and the town was moved to a new site. After refreshments, enter
the stunning Kosciuszko National Park. We travel to Tumut for our overnight
stay and dinner.
Dinner & Overnight - Tumut
day
9
TUMUT TO BENDIGO VIA ALBURY
Sunday 27 September
Today after breakfast we depart Tumut. We travel via the Snowy Mountain
Highway to join the Hume Highway. Our tour travels through the town of Tarcutta,
Holbrook and on to Albury. After lunch we continue to Benalla and Seymour.
From Seymour we tour to Bendigo for our overnight stay and dinner.
Dinner & Overnight - Bendigo
day
10
BENDIGO – ADELAIDE
Monday 28 September
Today we depart Bendigo after breakfast; we travel through Victoria’s Mid Eastern area to Horsham. We continue to
Nhill before arriving at Bordertown. After a stop for lunch we tour through South Australia to Keith and into Adelaide via
the Great Eastern Freeway arriving late afternoon. On arrival passengers will be transferred home by chauffeured car.
BOOKING CONDITIONS
Bookings
A $200 per person deposit is due within 7 days of confirmation in order to secure your booking. Full balance is due no
later than 6 weeks prior to departure. For bookings made within 6 weeks of departure full payment is due within 48 hours.
Fares
All fares are quoted in Australian Dollars. Fares include transport, entrance fees & cruise fares as per itinerary plus services
of a driver/guide. Credit card payments for our tours will incur a 1.5% credit card fee, (3% for American Express/Diners).
Itineraries and costings are subject to change without notice.
Accommodation
Accommodation is based on twin share. Single rooms are available on request and a single supplement of $490 is
payable at time of booking.
Cancellations
For cancellation within 8 weeks of departure - 50% of fare will be charged.
For cancellation within 4 weeks of departure - full fare will be charged.
Travel insurance
Passengers should ensure they have adequate travel insurance. Call COTA Insurance on 1300 1300 50 for a quote.
Special requirements
When booking please advise your consultant if you have any special requirements you would like to be provided. This
includes dietary requirements and if you require any assistance with mobility. In some cases you may require a suitable
travelling companion to provide assistance. All dietary requests will be forwarded to pre booked meal providers on tour.
Luggage
Please ensure your main luggage does not exceed 20kgs in weight. An overnight bag of up to 8kgs may be taken on
board in addition to your suitcase.
Coach
Government regulations prohibit smoking on board coaches within Australia. Ample comfort stops are provided en route.
Passengers are required to alternate seating on the coach through the duration of the tour.
Included meals
BreakfastMorning teaLunch Dinner
COTA members
To benefit from the special members price, passengers must hold a current COTA membership. Passengers may become a
member at the time of booking. Depending on numbers some tours may consist of COTA members as well as non-members.
COTA Holidays partner with licensed travel operator
TTA150304