PHONE1800 630 343
We will match people in twin-share rooms when available, saving you the single supplement. You won’t be left alone – Travelrite will be looking after you and there will be sightseeing excursions or classes every day.
Within two years of discovering patchwork, Michelle was working for an Australian distributor of American patchwork cottons, as a sample maker. This allowed her to work from home, around the responsibilities of her two small children. It also meant that she was exposed to many styles of fabrics, and stepped up to the challenge of designing quilts in all genres. It was during this time that her work was noticed by magazine editors. She was among the contributors included in the first edition of Australian Patchwork and Quilting magazine. Since that date she has been published consistently in a wide variety of Australian magazines and written three books. Michelle writes a permanent column in Quilters Companion, Road Test, where she puts different products through their paces. Michelle has presented 9 DVD’s for Quilters Companion, on a variety of techniques and subjects. Michelle spreads her patchwork and quilting knowledge by teaching. Her quilts have received numerous awards at the NSW Quilter’s Guild Quilt Shows. Since 2008 Michelle has escorted Australian quilters overseas on patchwork tours to America, Canada, Japan, Vietnam, Singapore and Europe for Travelrite International and Quilters Companion. In 2009 Michelle designed her first fabric range. Called Suzani, it was a funky range of raspberries, aquas, mochas and zesty limes. The designs were hand drawn by Michelle and printed to her specific colours. Michelle followed up in 2010 with Michelle’s Backyard range, in 2017 with Punctuated and 2018 with her fourth range, Cidade. Michelle is skilled in all techniques of quilt making, but loves piecing, whether by hand or machine techniques. She is currently designing template sets to enable more intricate designs to be easily, and accurately, cut and pieced.
VIEW ITINERARYDAY 1 Sunday 25 April, 2021 Horsham
Tour members to arrive at Melbourne Airport for a 12.00pm departure. We travel
by coach to Ballarat, where we will visit Gail’s Patchwork Emporium, the oldest
patchwork shop in Australia. Gail has an eclectic eye and her fabric choices
reflect this. We continue to Horsham, where we will stay for the next two nights.
This evening we will enjoy a welcome dinner to meet Michelle Marvig and other
tour members.
DAY 2 Monday 26 April, 2021 Horsham
Today we will explore the Silo Art Trail. The trail is a 200km journey from Rupanyup
to Patchewollock and features six impressive and massive works of public art of a series of disused grain silos. Each silo was transformed by renowned artists in
Australia and across the world and provides an insight into the unique towns
located in the Wimmera Malle region.
DAY 3 Tuesday 27 April, 2021 Mildura
The morning is free for exploration of Horsham. You can enjoy the Botanical
Gardens or visit Makers Gallery, which features locally made art and craft items.
In the afternoon as we travel to Mildura, Michelle Marvig will explain to the group
the details of our project. Mildura is located in north-western corner of Victoria,
on the banks of the Murray River.
DAY 4 Wednesday 28 April, 2021 Mildura
This morning we enjoy a sightseeing tour of Mildura including a visit to the Rio
Vista Historic House and a wine tasting at the Chateau Mildura Winery. We return
to Mildura in time for lunch and in the afternoon we visit Lesley May’s Quilt shop.
DAY 5 Thursday 29 April, 2021 Broken Hill
Today we depart Mildura and travel north to Wentworth, where the Murray
and Darling rivers meet. There will be time today to work on our project under
Michelle’s instruction. We will enjoy a sightseeing tour of Wentworth with a local
guide, 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). We continue to Broken Hill, stopping for lunch along the way. On arrival
we’ll have sightseeing tour of this fascinating outback mining town including a
visit to The Big Picture art gallery before checking into our hotel.
DAY 6 Friday 30 April, 2021 Broken Hill
This morning we will continue our sightseeing of Broken Hill with a visit to White’s
Mineral and Mining Museum, where will you meet colourful proprietor Kevin
‘Bushy’ White. We will then visit Broken Hill’s famous Royal Flying Doctor Service
base. After time for lunch, we will 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 to visit the famous Silverton Hotel, which has featured
in various movies and TV commercials.
DAY 7 Saturday 1 May, 2021 Port Augusta
Today we travel west to Port Augusta. Lying at the top of the Spencer Gulf,
Port Augusta was vital to all the properties in the Flinders Ranges and beyond.
Nowadays it is known as the Crossroads as it has become the starting point for
tourism for the Nullarbor Plain, the Flinders Ranges and all journeys north to
Central Australia and the Northern Territory. On arrival, we visit Jane’s Patchwork
shop a small unique shop.
DAY 8 Sunday 2 May, 2021 Coober Pedy
Today we begin our journey into the Outback – after leaving Port Augusta, the
next traffic lights are 1200km away in Alice Springs! On our way to Coober Pedy,
we will enjoy views of the Flinders Ranges and we’ll also make a stop at Woomera.
Established in 1947, Woomera was a ‘cold-war’ project between the British and
Australian governments, which developed and tested long-range weapons
systems. As we continue north, we will pass by some stunning salt lakes and keep
an eye out for emu’s! We check into our hotel in Coober Pedy late afternoon.
DAY 9 Monday 3 May, 2021 Coober Pedy
This morning we will enjoy a sightseeing tour of Coober Pedy, with a local guide.
The tour will include a visit to the Old Timers Mine, which includes a museum,
machinery demonstration, and an opal showroom. We will also visit a working
opal mine, an underground house, one or two underground churches, and one of
the world’s most unusual golf courses. After lunch, we will travel by coach to an
area called The Breakaways. The colours and shapes of the hills in this area create
some of the most distinctive outback scenery in Australia. Parts of the movies
Siam Sunset, Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome, & Ground Zero were all filmed in
this area.
DAY 10 Tuesday 4 May, 2021 Uluru
Today will be spent travelling 8 hours along the Stuart Highway to Ayers Rock in
the southern part of the Northern Territory. This will provide us with plenty of
time to work on our project. Standing at 348 metres high, Uluru is one of the
world’s largest monoliths, towering over the surrounding landscape and some
550 million years old. On arrival, we check into our hotel.
DAY 11 Wednesday 5 May, 2021 Uluru
This morning we enjoy a tour of Uluru and the surrounding area, with
a local guide. We will learn about Uluru’s history and hear stories of aboriginal
mythological ancestors. Visit a couple of aboriginal rock art sites. In the afternoon,
we will visit the Uluru-Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre to view interesting displays,
watch a short audio-visual presentation. Tonight we will get together for a very
special dinner. Enjoy a glass of wine and a gourmet barbecue buffet as you watch
the sun set in a blaze of reds and oranges over Uluru.
DAY 12 Thursday 6 May, 2021 Alice Springs
Today we depart the Red Centre and travel to Alice Springs. Alice Springs nestles
in a valley in the beautiful MacDonnell Ranges, on the banks of the often dry Todd
River. The vibrant town, which acts as the business centre of a vast area of Central
Australia, has modern facilities and has a particularly good selection of cafés and
restaurants. On arrival we check into our hotel.
DAY 13 Friday 7 May, 2021 Alice Springs
This morning we enjoy a sightseeing tour of Alice Springs, we will see numerous
sites of historical significance such as Anzac Hill which features panoramic views
of the MacDonnell Ranges and also the Old Telegraph Station Reserve, which
marks the town’s important role as the mid-point of the 19th-century telegraph
line running from Adelaide to Darwin. In the afternoon, we will visit Country Bliss
a lovely patchwork shop, which stocks some aboriginal designed fabric, plus
many other styles of fabric and kits, notions, patterns, and giftware. We also visit
the Aboriginal Fabric Gallery, a store devoted to carrying a varied selection of
indigenous and Australian themed cotton fabrics.
DAY 14 Saturday 8 May, 2021 Alice Springs
Today we explore the spectacular region to the west of Alice Springs, including
West MacDonnell National Park. Visit Simpsons Gap, one of the most prominent
waterholes in the region, the Flying Doctor’s Memorial, Standley Chasm and the
Hermannsburg Historic Precinct, where famous aboriginal artist Albert Namatjira
was born & raised. We will return to Alice Springs where we visit he Women’s
Museum of Australia. You will be inspired by the exhibits of women breaking new
ground in different fields.
DAY 15 Sunday 9 May, 2021 Alice Springs
This morning we will visit the colourful Todd Mall Market. This outdoor market
has a wide range of stalls selling crafts, clothing, art, food, jewellery and more.
After lunch, we visit the Araluen Arts Centre, which showcases the beginning
and continuing development of the Contemporary Aboriginal art movement,
particularly in Central Australia.
DAY 16 Monday 10 May, 2021 Departure
This morning after breakfast, we are transferred to Alice Springs Airport for flights
back home.
| Twin Fare | Single Fare |
|---|---|
| $5,379 | $6,369 |
Tour deposit fully refundable up to 45 days prior to departure
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 assistance from others.
Tour Operator: Travelrite International Pty Ltd, (ABN 64 005 817 078) is the tour operator
Tour Costs:
The tour costs are based on general transport, entry, and
accommodation costs. 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 price will be made within 45 days of departure from Australia.
Deposit and Payment:
A deposit of $600 per passenger for is
required at the time of booking. Full payment will be required 45 days
before departure for the Quilters Companion Tour. Cancellation over 45
days before tour departs there will be a loss of $600. Cancellation under 45
days before tour departs will result in a loss of all monies paid. Payment
may be made by cheque or cash a 1.5% administration fee will be charged
on payments made by credit cards.
Cancellation Charges: * Cancellation conditions don’t apply for clients with future cruise/tour credits. Cruise/tour credits are non-refundable.
Refunds:
The tour is based on arrangements that do not allow for any
refunds in respect to sightseeing, accommodation, meals, airfare or other
services not utilized after the tour has commenced
Travel Insurance: Adequate travel insurance is highly recommended to cover cruise members for the consequences of unforeseen events during the cruise and for cancellation fees which could result from events such as illness, accident, death etc.
Baggage: Due to coach restrictions, tour members can only bring one large suitcase.
Minimum Tour Numbers: The tour has been priced on the basis of a minimum number of passengers having booked 45 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.
Tour Participation:
Children under 5 years of age are ineligible on coach & cruise tours. Children under 18 years of age must be
accompanied by an adult. Passengers with disabilities are welcome on Travelrite & Cruise Offers tours provided they are accompanied by a companion capable of providing
all necessary assistance, and do not require special assistance from Travelrite & Cruise Offers personnel. Travelrite and Cruise Offers reserves the right to
refuse to carry anyone if it is felt the individual cannot cope with the requirements of coach & cruise tour travel and who may require services and facilities that
Travelrite & Cruise Offers cannot guarantee will be available. You agree to not hold the Travelrite & Cruise Offers responsible for any decision made by any of them or
any service provider to refuse to carry you, provide any facilities or accommodation to you or to provide any service to you.
Responsibilities: Travelrite International Pty Ltd. (ABN 64 005 817 078) is the tour organizer. Travelrite acts only as an agent in the making of arrangements for hotels, transportation, restaurants or any other service and does not assume any liability whatsoever for any injury, damage, death, loss, accident or delay to person or property due to an act of negligence or a default of any hotel, carrier restaurant company or person rendering any services included in the tour, or by act of God. Further no responsibilities are accepted for any damage or delay due to sickness, pilferage, labour disputes, machinery break-down, quarantine, government restraints, weather, terrorism or other causes beyond their control. No responsibility is accepted for any additional expense, omission, delays, re-routing or acts of any government authority. The passage contract between the carriers concerned, when issued, shall constitute the sole contract between the carriers and the purchasers of this tour and/or the passengers. The right is reserved to withdraw any tour and/or make such changes in the tour as may be found desirable or necessary for the convenience of the parties and the proper carrying out of the tour. This contract shall be construed in accordance of the laws of the State of Victoria, Australia
Delays AND Unforeseen Events:
You engage Travelrite to book this
tour on your behalf and you acknowledge that Travelrite acts as your agent
for the purpose of making contracts between you and the various providers
of accommodation, transportation and other services that comprise the
tour. Travelrite may without reference to you provide or make available
to you, or may as your agent engage any third party to provide or make
available to you, any good or service which Travelrite reasonably believes
is necessary for your benefit to maintain the tour itinerary, repatriate you
or otherwise accommodate, transport or sustain you in circumstances in
which the tour itinerary fails wholly or partly for any reason. You appoint
Travelrite your attorney for this purpose. You agree to pay Travelrite any cost
thereof and you indemnify Travelrite in respect of any cost it incurs in this
regard. Travelrite advises you to obtain travel insurance generally including
in respect of the risk that any such good or service may become required.
How to Book: Bookings can be made by sending full names and addresses of intending tour members with a deposit of $600 for the Quilters Companion Quilting tour.:
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
Fax (03) 9836 8068
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.
“The best Tour Manager I have ever had over all tour companies.”
“Michelle puts a huge amount of effort info making our trip as good as it can be. Wonderful!”
