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Reg Poole (OAM) is a much loved & popular Australian country music singer/songwriter. A three times Tamworth Golden Guitar winner, he is one of the great storytellers of Australian country music. In 2006 he was inducted into the prestigious Tamworth Roll of Renown. On Australia Day 2006 Reg was presented with an Order of Australia Medal, for services to the music & entertainment industry and the community. For many years Reg has toured Australia, with Terry Gordon and Owen Blundell, as part of the popular group, The Gunbarrel Highwaymen.
Dave Prior is an outstanding Country singer, songwriter and comedian, from South Australia. For many years he worked in the commercial radio industry, as an announcer, program director and station manager. However, a mid-life career change saw him working as a singer/ comedian, including touring with Adam Harvey, Doug Walters (cricketer), and Rodney Vincent. Dave has released many CDs, including an outstanding Merle Haggard tribute CD, Silver Wings and Haggard Things.
The Broken Hill Civic Orchestra was established in 1975. It had 25 members for its first performance. The orchestra has continued with an annual program of concerts since that time. Like most community orchestras, BHCO consists of a string section, woodwind section, brass section and percussion section. The orchestra plays a wide range of music including classical and well-known popular music. The current conductor of the orchestra is Mark Curtis.
Brass bands have been part of the Barossa’s heritage for more than a century. This community brass band was formed in 1925, with 25 local musicians. Today the band is made up of about 45 local musicians, both young and old. The band rehearses every Tuesday night in its own purpose-built hall, the Marananga Brass Band Room. The band puts on an annual concert, in the Barossa Valley, called ‘A Night of Music’. Approximately 1,000 people attend this concert each year.
“The passion in The BordererS music comes from growing up in really tough and bigoted areas of Glasgow and Belfast. The dream was to escape that life and start again. Australia gave us that chance.” – Jim Paterson, The BordererS. Jim and Alex arrived in Australia over 20 years ago, not knowing each other. They met in a recording studio in Adelaide. They are now one of the most outstanding, and exciting, Celtic/Country music acts in Australia. Alex is the lead singer...she has a beautiful voice.
The tour manager will be John Howie John was a secondary school music teacher for 23 years (taught Kylie Minogue). He and his twin brother, Graeme, perform as The Howie Brothers. John has been leading successful music tours & music cruises for 25 years.>
The assistant tour manager will be Gill Delaney Gill (accordion/ukulele/mouth organ player from Wangaratta) has played in dance bands most of her life, and knows a million tunes! She will be coming on the tour as a musician and assistant tour manager, as long as we get sufficient bookings. She will be involved in lots of fun-filled informal music sessions with the tour group.
VIEW ITINERARYDAY 1 Friday September 23, 2022 Mildura
Depart Melbourne and travel by coach to Mildura, stopping in Bendigo for morning
tea. On arrival in Mildura, short panoramic tour. Evening: Dine at your leisure. Lots of
excellent restaurants right next to our hotel. Overnight: Quality Hotel Mildura Grand.
DAY 2 Saturday September 24, 2022 Mildura
Today you have a choice of (1) visiting the World Heritage listed Mungo National Park,
famous for its lunar-like landscapes and aboriginal heritage, or (2) spending the day
in Mildura. The Mungo N. P. day trip and the activities for those who stay in Mildura,
are optional (more information, back page). For those staying in Mildura, we will
organise an excursion to beautiful Trentham Winery, for lunch and complimentary
wine tasting. Evening: Dine at your leisure. After dinner you are invited to an informal
‘music session’ with local acoustic/folk musicians. (B)
DAY 3 Sunday September 25, 2022 Broken Hill
Travel north, to Wentworth, NSW, where the Murray and Darling rivers meet.
Sightseeing coach tour of Wentworth, including the river junction, Perry Sand Hills
(ancient sand dunes), and Possum’s Statue (Possum was a famous hermit who lived
along the banks of the Murray). After morning tea in Wentworth, head north to
Broken Hill, stopping for lunch along the way. Afternoon: On arrival in Broken Hill,
sightseeing tour of this fascinating outback mining town, with local guide. Visit The
Big Picture (excellent art gallery/retail establishment). Evening: Enjoy dinner at one of
Broken Hill’s best restaurants, then attend an outback concert, featuring the Broken
Hill Civic Orchestra. After the concert enjoy supper with the performers. Overnight:
Comfort Inn Crystal Motel, Broken Hill. (B,L,D,Supper)
DAY 4 Monday September 26,2022 Silverton/Broken Hill
Morning: After breakfast visit White’s Mineral and Mining Museum, where you meet
colourful proprietor Kevin ‘Bushy’ White. Then visit Broken Hill’s famous Royal Flying
Doctor Service base. Morning tea at Bells Milk Bar and Museum (1950s milk bar,
famous for its milkshakes, sodas, spiders, etc.). Afternoon: Travel to the fascinating
old mining town of Silverton, now virtually a ghost town. A colourful local guide/
raconteur will accompany us on this trip. Visit the famous Silverton Hotel, which has
featured in various movies and TV commercials. John Howie and Gill Delaney will
lead a short acoustic jam session in the hotel’s beer garden. Please join in! Return to
Broken Hill, where we visit the Pro Hart Gallery and the Broken Hill Miners Memorial.
Evening: Enjoy a special concert… Reg Poole Live in Broken Hill! (B)’
DAY 5 Tuesday September 27, 2022 Wilcannia/White Cliffs
Depart Broken Hill and head north-east to the opal-mining settlement of White Cliffs,
where the thousands of shafts dug since the 1880s have created an eerie, pockmarked
landscape. On the way visit the historic Darling River town of Wilcannia. Morning tea
at the Wilcannia Club Hotel, where John Howie is planning to have a short music
session with some of the local aboriginal musicians. On arrival in White Cliffs, lunch at
our accommodation. Afternoon: Tour of White Cliffs with local guide, including visits
to the opal fields, an underground home, and an opal shop. Evening: After dinner
John Howie and Gill Delaney will lead a fun-filled music session. We will invite local
musicians to join us. Overnight: the famous White Cliffs Underground Motel. (B,L,D)
DAY 6 Wednesday September 28, 2022 Tibooburra
Morning: Depart White Cliffs and head northwest to Tibooburra. On the way visit
Milparinka… virtually a ghost town these days. After lunch we visit Depot Glen, a
shaded waterhole on Preservation Creek – one of the most famous exploration sites
in Australia. It was here that explorer Charles Sturt and his party were marooned for
6 months, in 1845, on their epic search for an inland sea. Second in command James
Poole perished here; we visit his grave. Then proceed to Tibooburra, a true outback
town in the ‘corner country’ of far western New South Wales. You will have time to
explore the town. The interior walls of the Family Hotel boast a mural of artwork by
famous Australian artists, including Clifton Pugh and Russell Drysdale. Evening: John
Howie and Gill Delaney will lead a fun-filled singalong session, on the porch of the
Family Hotel, with Reg Poole and, hopefully, some of the locals and some tour group
members joining in. Then enjoy an excellent dinner at T.J’s Roadhouse. Overnight:
‘The Granites’ Motel. (B,L,D)
DAY 7 Thursday September 29, 2022 Innamincka
Today we travel northwest to Innamincka. Visit Fort Grey, where Sturt established
his last base camp in 1845 before pushing on to the Cooper (Cooper Creek). Then
proceed to Cameron Corner, where the borders of NSW, Queensland and SA meet.
See Australia’s famous Dingo Fence. Have lunch at the Corner Store. Proceed to
Innamincka, which is situated on Cooper Creek close to where the ill-fated Burke
and Wills expedition of 1860-61 came to its tragic end. Evening: After dinner spend
a relaxing evening around our wonderful outback hotel. Overnight: The Innamincka
Hotel. (B,D)
DAY 8 Friday September 30, 2022 Innamincka
Morning: Visit Burke’s Grave and the beautiful Cullyamurra Waterhole, both a few
kilometres east of our hotel. The scenery along Cooper Creek, in the vicinity of Innamincka, is stunning. Beautiful water holes, fabulous gum trees, and lots of
colourful Australian birds. Then visit the famous Dig Tree, where on April 22, 1861,
Burke, Wills and King probably realised they were doomed. Afternoon: You will have
some free time. You may like to visit the former Australian Inland Mission Hospital
building, now a National Parks office and museum, located right next to our hotel.
Late Afternoon: Further exploration of Cooper Creek. Travel to the west of our hotel,
including a visit to King’s Marker (marks the spot where King was found alive by a
search party following the Burke and Wills expedition). Evening: Enjoy a fun-filled
Aussie Campfire Singalong, in the beer garden of our hotel. We will invite the locals
to join us. (B)
DAY 9 Saturday October 1, 2022 Birdsville
Depart Innamincka and head northwest to Birdsville, in far western QLD. Picnic lunch
along the way. On arrival in Birdsville check into our accommodation. Evening: Dinner
in our hotel, then free time for you to meet the ‘locals’ in the main bar of the iconic
Birdsville Pub. Overnight: Birdsville Hotel-Motel (the Birdsville Pub). (B,L,D)
DAY 10 Sunday October 2, 2022 Birdsville
Morning: Tour of Birdsville with local guide. Travel a short distance west of Birdsville to
see (and climb) Big Red, a huge sand dune at the edge of the Simpson Desert. We will
also travel a short distance north of Birdsville, to see a small stand of Australia’s rarest
tree – the Waddy Tree. A member of the local aboriginal community (Jimmy Crombie)
will accompany us on this morning’s tour (if available), and talk to us about Birdsville
and his working life (as a drover). Afternoon: Lunch at the excellent Birdsville Bakery,
then free time. Evening: Enjoy a special concert….Reg Poole Live in Birdsville! (B)
DAY 11 Monday October 3, 2022 Marree
Leave Birdsville and head south along the Birdsville Track, to the remote town
of Marree, “where trains and camels used to be”* Along the way we have lunch at
Mungerannie Roadhouse. During lunch John Howie will host a session of Aussie
bush poetry. You are invited to recite your favourite bush poems. Upon arrival in
Marree enjoy a short panoramic tour. You will also have time to explore the town on
foot. Evening: Dinner in our hotel. Also, enjoy a performance by outstanding South
Australian singer/songwriter/comedy entertainer, Dave Prior. Overnight: Marree
Hotel. (B,D) (*A quote from the song Out in the Outback, by John Howie.)
DAY 12 Tuesday October 4, 2022 Flinders Ranges
Depart Marree and travel south to Wilpena Pound, in the spectacular southern Flinders
Ranges. On the way visit the ruins of Farina township. Proceed to the town of Copley,
where, for morning tea, you may wish to sample one of the famous quandong pies at the
Copley Bush Bakery. Visit Leigh Creek township, then pass through scenic Parachilna
Gorge. Lunch in the historic town of Blinman. Near Wilpena Pound, see the Cazneaux
Tree, subject of a famous photograph entitled The Spirit of Endurance, taken by Dick
Smith’s grandfather, Harold Cazneaux, in 1937. Then proceed to Wilpena Pound… an
extraordinary natural basin measuring approximately 14 x 7 kilometres. It’s like a huge
natural fortress, with only one entry point. Afternoon: You will have the opportunity
of going on a sightseeing flight over Wilpena Pound (optional). Or, you might like to
join John Howie for a walk into Wilpena Pound. Beautiful southern Flinders Ranges
scenery. Evening: After dinner Reg Poole will sing a few songs for us… a short, informal
after-dinner performance! Overnight: Wilpena Pound Resort. (B,D)
DAY 13 Wednesday October 5, 2022 Barossa Valley
This morning we travel south, heading for the Barossa Valley. Along the way we visit
historic Burra, once a booming copper mining town. After a tour of the town you
may like to sample one of the delicious local Cornish pasties, for lunch. Continue
on to the Barossa Valley, one of Australia’s premium wine growing regions. After a
panoramic tour of the district we will visit a well-known winery. Then check into our
accommodation, in Angaston, one of the Barossa’s main towns. Evening: Attend a
concert by the Marananga Brass Band. The Barossa Valley, with its German heritage, is
famous for its outstanding brass bands. After the concert, join the band members for
supper. Overnight: Angaston Vineyards Motel. (B,D,Supper)
DAY 14 Thursday October 6, 2022 Hahndorf/Adelaide
Morning: Take a beautiful ‘back roads’ route from the Barossa Valley to the Hahndorf
region, in the Adelaide Hills. On the way, visit the excellent Birdwood Motor Museum.
Free time, for shopping and lunch, in the historic ‘German’ village of Hahndorf.
Afternoon: Sightseeing coach tour of central Adelaide. Drive past the Adelaide
Cricket Ground. Visit the R.M.Williams Outback Heritage Museum, located on the site
of the original R.M.Williams boot and leather goods factory. Evening: For our final
night of the tour enjoy a special Farewell Dinner. Entertainment will be provided by
outstanding Adelaide Celtic/country band The BordererS. Overnight: Comfort Inn
Regal Park, North Adelaide. (B,D)
DAY 15 Friday October 7, 2022 Melbourne
Return to Melbourne, arriving approximately 6.45pm and the tour concludes. (B)
| TWIN FARE PER PERSON | SINGLE FARE |
|---|---|
| $5,495 | $6,345 |
Tour deposit fully refundable up to 60 days prior to departure
This day trip is with Discover Mildura. Depart Mildura at 8am; return to Mildura at approx. 4pm. The trip includes morning tea & lunch. It’s about 1 hour’s drive, from Mildura to Mungo N.P. After morning tea, enjoy tour with local guide, including the spectacular crescent shaped Walls of China dune, which flanks part of the ancient dried-up Lake Mungo. Also, visit magnificent Mungo Woolshed (1869). Approx. cost of this day trip: $85 per person. Please tick box on booking form, if you wish to visit Mungo N.P. Travelrite will add the $85 to your invoice.
For those who choose to stay in Mildura, Day 2, Those who choose to stay in Mildura, Day 2, will have a free morning. You may like to visit the historic Rio Vista Mansion & Art Gallery (admission is free). We will organise for the group to visit the beautiful Trentham Winery (overlooks the Murray River) for lunch (optional). The visit will include a complimentary wine tasting. Taxi fare, return, per person: $10 per person.
The organisers reserve the right to change any details of the tour that they believe will enhance the safety, quality, success and smooth running of the tour. For instance, if any entertainment mentioned in the itinerary is unavailable, we need to replace that entertainment with similar alternative acts.
Touring can involve a considerable amount of walking and stair climbing in the places visited and it is important that all tour participants have a level of physical fitness that allows them to take part in this activity without the need of assistance from others.
Tour Operator: Travelrite International Pty Ltd. A.C.N. 005 817 0781 (Travelrite International) is the tour operator
Tour Costs: The tours costs are based on transport, accommodation costs and entrance costs at 1 June 2021. Travelrite reserves the right to alter the costs if any of these factors change, giving any passenger that has booked the right to withdraw with full refund of monies paid or modify arrangements. No alterations to costings will be made within 60 days of departure.
Deposit and Payment: AA deposit of $500 per passenger is required at the time of booking. Full payment will be required 60 days before departure. A 1.5% administration charge will be added to payment by Visa and Mastercard.
Cancellation Charges: * Cancellation conditions don’t apply for clients with future cruise/tour credits. Cruise/tour credits are non-refundable. Cancellations within 60 days prior to departure will result in the loss of all monies paid. Cancellation outside 60 days from departure will result in a refund of $500 per person. Travel insurance is recommended to cover the costs of cancellation fees due to illness, death in family, etc.
Refunds:
The cruise is based on arrangements which do not allow for any
refunds in respect to
sightseeing, accommodation, meals or other services not utilised
after the tour has
commenced.
Travel Documents: All passengers will require a valid passport and complete an US ESTA visa waiver. If not an Australian passport holder, check with Travelrite International for visa requirements.
Travel Insurance: Adequate travel insurance is strongly recommended
Baggage: All passengers qualify for 1 piece free baggage allowance.
Minimum Tour Numbers: The tour has been costed on the basis of a minimum number of passengers having booked 60 days prior to departure. Travelrite reserves the right to cancel the tour, giving a full refund of all monies paid or offer arrangements to proceed with the tour at a modified cost if the minimum number is not achieved.
Responsibilities: Travelrite International Pty Ltd. is the tour organiser. Travelrite International acts only as agents in making of arrangements with carriers, hoteliers and others for the tour. As a result we cannot accept liability for any act or omission whatsoever, whether negligent or otherwise of those carriers, hoteliers or other persons providing services in connection with the tour over whom we have no direct or exclusive control. We do not accept responsibility for any injury, damage, loss, delay, change of schedule or any other events which are beyond our direct control, such as, but not limited to, war, flood, fire, civil disturbance, acts of God, acts of government, or any other authorities, terrorism, accidents to or failure of machinery or equipment, or industrial action. The passage contract in use by the carriers concerned, when issued, shall constitute the sole contract between the transportation companies or firms and the purchasers of these tours and the passengers. Baggage is at own risk throughout the tour. The contract shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Victoria and any legal action must be undertaken in the State of Victoria.
How to Book: Bookings can be made by completing a booking form and sending it with a deposit of $500 per person to:
Travelrite International Pty Ltd
423 Whitehorse Road Balwyn, Victoria 3103
Further information can be obtained by telephoning
Toll Free: 1800 630 343
Telephone (03) 8803 6868
Email balwyn@travelrite.com.au
https://www.travelrite.com.au/
About Travelrite International: Travelrite International Pty Ltd (ABN 64 005 817 078) is a well-established family-owned business that’s been operating in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs for more than 35 years. Travelrite International is a full member of the Australian Federation of Travel Agents (AFTA), is fully Accredited with ATAS (A10538) and IATA. As such they directly represent the major airlines of the world and all major domestic and international hotel, tour and transport operators.
“One of the best tours we have ever done. Great program and lovely people.”
“Well organised tour that ran smoothly. Very impressed with Wayne Horsburgh, intelligent, talented and caring.”
