Touring with Gaille is non-stop fun, creativity and laughter. Gaille has hosted acclaimed farm to yarn tours around the world. Meet masters of their craft, make new friends or travel with old friends. Gaille has a passion for connecting the yarn world with you and to ensuring each and every trip is memorable. Gaille was the editor of four Australian fibre magazines – Yarn, Indie Road, Homespun Knitting and Homespun Crochet. In April 2022 Gaille handed the reins of Homespun over to concentrate on touring the world and showcasing fabulous makers, creators, shops, farms, scrumptious yarns, heavenly threads and exotic weaves.
VIEW ITINERARYDAY 1 Thursday 13 July 2023 Castlemaine
Tour members will meet at Melbourne airport.
Please book a flight to arrive in Melbourne no
later than 12.00 noon. We will travel to Cloverleaf
Corriedale Stud, meet owner Ronelle and tour
the farm and shop. They are an artisan grower of
quality fleece, wool top and 4, 8 and 10 ply yarn
for spinning, fibre art and craft. We continue to
Castlemaine, a regional town founded on gold,
where we will stay six nights. We will attend the
Australian Sheep and Wool Show, in Bendigo,
the largest event in the world to celebrate the
Australian sheep. We will enjoy a welcome
dinner to meet Gaille and all tour members.
DAY 2 Friday 14 July 2023 Castlemaine
Today we visit the Australian Wool and Sheep
Show on its opening day. Whether it’s a stunning
pashmina, finest Merino knit, the woolliest of
socks or the best bespoke yarns for the avid
crafter, the Australian Sheep & Wool Show is a
fibre shopping paradise. With more than 300
retail stalls, there is something for every wool
lover. We will have a chance to explore these
stalls each day of the show.
DAY 3 Saturday 15 July 2023 Castlemaine
This morning we can watch the Woolcraft
fashion parade held at 11am each day of the
show. This national competition attracts 300
exhibitors in 60 classes. The sharing of these
skills not only inspires makers and creators
across the generations, it is an important
showcase for design talent to emerge. The
winning designs vary from stunning felted
gowns to garments to highly contemporary
wearable art. A must see!
DAY 4 Sunday 16 July 2023 Castlemaine
Our last day to explore anything we have missed
at the Australian Sheep and Wool Show. In the
afternoon we will enjoy a tour to Harcourt,
where we will learn about Goodness Flour and
their story of living and using local. Specialising
in small-batch, freshly milled wholegrain flour,
this business in Harcourt produces a surprisingly
diverse range of flours and seasonal premixes
featuring local ingredients. We’ll meet owner,
Liesl, see the milling process first hand, ask
questions and enjoy a delightful afternoon tea
showcasing a selection of different flours. If you
thought wholegrain baking might be dull, think
again. There’s a world of flavour to discover.
DAY 5 Monday 17 July 2023 Castlemaine
Today we will enjoy a half day workshop of
Freeform Crochet and Knitting hosted by
Sharyn Brock. In this workshop we will learn to
create a range of small freeform shapes using a
combination of crochet and knitting, to create a
“scrumble”, without using a proper pattern. The
scrumbles we make can be used as individual
pieces or joined together to create a larger
fabric. Sharyn’s goal is to inspire you to create
and incorporate your own elements of freeform.
Our provided pack includes a variety of textured
and smooth yarns to work with in different
weights and coordinating colours to get you
started.
DAY 6 Tuesday 18 July 2023 Castlemaine
This morning we visit the Bendigo Woolen
Mill, Australia’s largest hand knitting and craft
mail order manufacturer. Its machinery works
24 hours per day, 5 days per week. They use
only the most luxurious natural fibers in their
products. Tour members are able to buy wool,
patterns and enjoy a visit to the bargain room.
We return to Castlemaine, where tour members
are able to explore the town or visit Woolykins
Organic Merino Clothing, which stocks woolen
kids clothing.
DAY 7 Wednesday 19 July 2023 Horsham
We travel to historic Maldon this morning to visit the Wool Stash, which stocks yarn, kits and gifts. We continue to Horsham, where we will stay for the next two nights.
DAY 8 Thursday 20 July 2023 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 on 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 Mallee region. This evening we will enjoy a farewell dinner.
DAY 9 Friday 21 July 2023 Melbourne
We travel via some more painted silos in the morning then continue to Melbourne. The tour concludes on arrival at Melbourne airport. Please don’t book return flight to depart before 3.30 pm.
| Twin Fare | Single Fare |
|---|---|
| $3,450 | $4,250 |
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 organiser.
Deposit and Payment:
A deposit of $900 per passenger should be sent with a completed Travelrite International booking form. As soon as the booking is confirmed, a confirmation advice will be posted to the client. Final payments are due to be paid to Travelrite International 62 days prior to the commencement of the tour. A 1.5% administration fee will be added to payments by Visa, Mastercard or AMEX.
Cancellation Charges:
Clients will be charged $900 for cancellation up to 62 days before departure and the full fare after that date.
Refunds:
The tour 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 Insurance: Adequate travel insurance is highly recommended to cover tour members for the consequences of unforeseen events during the tour and for cancellation fees which could result from events such as illness, accident, death etc.
Minimum Tour Numbers: The tour arrangements have been made on the basis of a minimum number of passengers travelling. In the event that less than the required number of passengers have confirmed their booking 62 days from the date of departure, Travelrite International reserves the right to cancel the tour, giving a full refund of monies paid, or offer arrangements to proceed with the tour at a modified fare.
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 ATAS accredited A10538 is the tour organiser. Travelrite International Pty Ltd, its agents, officers, affiliates, and/or suppliers of services pursuant to, or in connection with these cruises, shall act only as agents for the passenger in making arrangements for hotels, transportation, including transportation by ship, restaurants, or any other service and do 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 cruises, 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 these tours and/or the passengers. The right is reserved to withdraw any part of the 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 and any legal action must be taken in the State of Victoria.
Vaccination Policy:
While highly recommended, COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters are no longer required for guests traveling with us. It is your responsibility to comply with specific vaccine and/or booster requirements imposed by airlines, cruise lines and/or authorities in the destinations visited, as well as requirements for accessing restaurants and venues, which may be more restrictive than the above. No refunds will be given if you are unable to undertake some or all of their vacation due to failure to comply with these requirements.
How to Book: Bookings can be made by completing a booking form and sending it with a deposit of $900 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 travel company which has been marketing throughout Australia for over 38 years and operating in Victoria for 42 years. It is accredited with IATA. As such it directly represents the major airlines of the world and all major domestic and international hotel, tour and transport operators. Travelrite International Pty Ltd is a full member of the Australian Federation of Travel Agents – AFTA.
“The best Tour Manager I have ever had over all tour companies.”
“I loved how there were additional activities added as they arose. Our Tour Mangers did everything in their power to add special extras to the tour.”
