The Extra Mile

Weekend With Mary - 25 to 27 May 2012

Discover magic, history and timeless fun in the heritage city of Maryborough, Queensland. The city shares close ties with Mary Poppins being the birthplace of PL Travers, the author behind the famous character. 

Join our tour for a weekend filled with supercalifragilistic fun!

Day 1 - Friday 25 May 2012
Toowoomba / Brisbane to Maryborough (MT, L, D)

We’re off! Travelling north towards the Fraser Coast we’ll stop in Gympie for a bit. While we're here, we'll drop into the Woodworks Museum and time travel back to the timber industry's very beginnings in colonial times. From here we’ll take a detour to Rainbow Beach, before making our way to Maryborough through quaint coastal towns. Once we’ve checked into our accommodation they’ll be time to relax before dinner where you can get acquainted with other travellers.

Day 2 - Saturday 26 May 2012
Maryborough Sights (B, MT)

After breakfast discover all things Mary on the “Tea with Mary” tour, including a visit to Bond Store and Customs House Museum, finishing up with a delightful morning tea at a heritage cafe. Stop by Gatakers Artspace, a heritage listed warehouse transformed into an art gallery, for a peek at the exhibitions. While there, stroll through Portside Passage, a landscaped lane with works of art that reflect Maryborough’s rich history. Enjoy lunch (own expense) at one of the many cafes or pubs before embarking on a city highlights coach tour.

Late afternoon, head off to the heritage Portside precinct for the Lamplight Bazaar to relive days gone by. Costumed characters, torchlight tours, entertainment and old fashioned food and craft barrows help to recreate the atmosphere of a once thriving port from 150 years ago. Enjoy some culinary delights from one of the stalls for dinner (own expense) before taking a themed tour of your choosing - the Night Watchman's tour, Night at the Museum tour or The Portside Pub tour.

Day 3 - Sunday 27 May 2012
Maryborough Sights (B, L)

Enjoy a wonderful Sunday morning amid the many sights and sounds of Maryborough’s beguiling Queens Park. The music of brass bands drifts from the graceful old rotunda while the unique notes of a calliope echo across the park. A miniature steam train meanders through the park, past the fountain and a grand old Banyan Fig.  Hear the boom of Maryborough’s famous time cannon when the Town Crier fires it off at 11am. Or take “A Sunday Stroll” with Mary through the heritage listed Queens Park.

Experience the captivating sights and architecture of Maryborough from a different perspective with a one hour cruise on the Mary River.  From the deck of 'The Mary' keep a watch for wildlife as you enjoy entertaining commentary as you sale past the historic docklands, heritage buildings and stately homes with landscaped gardens rolling down to the riverbanks.

Lunch is a laid back affair - sausage sizzle anyone? Afterwards we take a look inside one of Maryborough’s historic homes - "Mavis Bank". It's a living museum full of furniture and collectables, preserved in a time capsule spanning three centuries from 1620 to 1920.

In the afternoon, we say farewell to (Mary)borough as we head back home.

A Weekend With Mary includes all touring, accommodation and most meals. Departures from Toowoomba and Brisbane. From $535 per person twin share.  Phone 1 300 555 899 to book.

One of Australia's Great Journeys - Coral Coast & Tablelands

7 Day Coach Tour 9 - 15 July 2012

One of Australia’s great journeys is the trip up Queensland’s Coral Coast, north to the tropical zone. Our one week tour travels from Mackay and the Whitsunday Islands to tropical Cairns and the Atherton Tableland. Like familiar travelling companions, the Great Barrier Reef, the sandy beaches and rocky headlands, the coastal canefield country and rugged Great Dividing Range run alongside all the way.

Days 1 – 2 – Whitsundays, Daydream Island ‘it IS real’ Tour scenic Pioneer Valley en-route to Proserpine, set amid a sea of cane fields. Not far on, Airlie Beach is our base for 2 nights. The 74 islands of the Whitsundays are like a flotilla of green sails on the Coral Sea. Next day we cruise out to Daydream Island Resort and experience the wonderful world of the Whitsundays: lush islands, white sand beaches and the gorgeous sea.

Day 3 – Bowen, Ayr, Townsville ‘a rocky castle’ Explore Bowen with its prominent murals depicting a colourful past. Then it’s on to sugary Ayr and the city of Townsville. We do ‘The Strand’ and take in views of the port, Cape Cleveland and Magnetic Island. And let’s get up the pink granite monolith that dominates the city skyline - Castle Hill.

Day 4 – Paronella Park, Innisfail ‘one man’s castle’ Cardwell, looks out to the wilderness of Hinchinbrook Island. Break for morning tea at Tully’s ‘Golden Gumboot’ marking the record rain in 1950 and the competition for the wettest town in Australia. Paronella Park is the end result of one man’s dream for a castle in rainforest gardens. We finish our day in Innisfail in the heart of the ‘Cassowary Coast’   

Days 5 – 6 – Atherton Tablelands, Cairns ‘the tropical city’ Highlights of the Atherton Tablelands include Millaa Millaa Falls, Ravenshoe altitude 930m, Malanda Dairy, Nerada Tea, Hallorans Hill lookout and the 800 year old Curtain Fig Tree. Settle in to Cairns for 2 nights. Next morning we trundle back up the range to the Kuranda Rainforest Markets on the Scenic Railway. After lunch we make a tour of the city including the ‘Cairns Wildlife Dome’, a well-rounded wildlife experience.

Day 7 – Home to SE QLD or beyond ‘airport farewells’ Today we leave the tropical paradise of Far North Queensland and jet our way back to Brisbane or beyond.

Ask us if you’d like to remain longer in Cairns – or travel on our following tour ‘Across the Top’ to Darwin, Broome or Perth!

Download a brochure.

Cruises Along The Coast

11 or 15 Day Coach Tour (starts South East Queensland, fly out Proserpine, option to Cairns - see 'Coral Coast' tour)

Escape the southern winter chills with Stonestreets as we travel north, following the coastline across the Tropic of Capricorn all the way to Airlie Beach in the heart of the Whitsundays. Enjoy cruise after cruise, exploring the many waterways, harbours, inlets and islands of the Queensland coast en route. Grab your camera, ready to capture the sights on this inspirational seafaring journey.

This all-inclusive coach tour features seven cruises and includes flight from Proserpine to Brisbane.

Days 1 – 2 – Noosa ‘up the gangplanks we go’ At Caloundra we’ll board a double deck 30’s-style boat to enjoy views across Bribie Island National Park, the birdlife of Moreton Bay and sail to Pelican Waters. Later from Mooloolaba we’ll take a river/canal cruise on the M.V. Mudjimba. Staying in Noosa for 2 nights, the next day we cruise the Cooloola Coast. Glide along the Noosa River and the mirrored waterways of Noosa Everglades.

Days 3 – 4 – Gympie, Fraser Island ‘World Heritage’ Spend several hours enjoying the sights of historic port of Maryborough. “All Aboard!” - this time for a scenic cruise on the Mary River. Nearby Hervey Bay is our base for 2 nights on the Fraser Coast. On day 4 we sail over to Kingfisher Bay Resort on the world’s largest sand island – the World Heritage listed Fraser Island. Return to Hervey Bay mid-afternoon.

Day 5 – Coral Coast, Town of 1770 ‘Capricornian capers’ Onward to Bundaberg and a glorious stretch known as the Coral Coast. In ‘Bundy’ we’ll board the historic river ferry for a cruise along the Burnett River. Cross the Tropic of Capricorn to the Town of Seventeen Seventy where we climb aboard a large pink LARC and head off for some beach bashing and amphibious adventures. It’s an enthralling joyride along the ruggedly beautiful coastline. Overnight in Booren.

Days 6 – 7 – Great Keppel ‘through the looking glass’ Intended for convicts, Gladstone is now Queensland’s busiest port (the trade has changed somewhat). We’ll ‘get ferried’ around Queensland’s largest natural harbour and watch out for their dolphins. Let’s then look about Gladstone, do lunch and make tracks for ‘Rocky’, then Yeppoon and Emu Park for 2 nights. Next morning, slop on the sunscreen, slap on a hat and slide on the sunnies for a full day of Capricorn Coast cruising. The fun starts when we take a ‘Freedom Fast Cat’ lunch cruise to Great Keppel Island — a paradise where folks don’t get so wrecked anymore. From a glass bottom boat, admire the reef’s magnificent corals and feed the fishies.

Day 8 – Mackay, palms & art-deco buildings ‘style council’ Travel north for the morning. Mackay’s palm lined streets complement its Art Deco buildings and we spend much of the day touring around the city soaking up the tropical ambience.

Days 9 – 10 – Airlie, Whitsundays ‘islands for everyone’ Tour scenic Pioneer Valley en-route to Proserpine, set amid a sea of cane fields. Not far on, Airlie Beach is our base for 2 nights. The 74 islands of the Whitsundays are like a flotilla of green sails on the Coral Sea. Next day we cruise out to Daydream Island Resort and experience the wonderful world of the Whitsundays: lush islands, white sand beaches, the gorgeous sea and amazing corals.

Day 11 – Brisbane and home ‘leave now or stay on!’ The last morning is yours in Airlie Beach. Make sure you get everything you need to see and do, seen and done, because we fly out of Proserpine early afternoon. Take home many memories of an extraordinary holiday, cruising along the coast.

Consider matching up our next tour ‘Coral Coast & Tablelands’, and continue on to Cairns for a 15 day tour! Day 11 above becomes Day 3 for the Coral Coast becomes Day 3 for the Coral Coast.

Download a brochure.

11 Days, fly out of Proserpine Accommodation Tour Price Extra Mile Awards Twin/Double Share $3199 6 Single Supplement + $495 $3694 7 Tour includes 7 cruises and flight from Proserpine to Brisbane. 15 Days, fly out of Cairns Accommodation Tour Price Extra Mile Awards Twin/Double Share $4590 9 Single Supplement + $1235 $5385 10 Tour includes 7 cruises and flight from Cairns to SE QLD..

 

Outback Tracks & Corner Country June 26 - July 9 2012

Corner Country stretches toward the famous Corner Post where Queensland, South Australia and New South Wales meet. It's a place of wide-open spaces and big blue skies, a landscape that remains much the same as when the first explorers arrived more than 150 years ago.  From the wild dog fence, remnants of remote homesteads and historic mining towns to the remarkable plants and wildlife, Corner Country is a place like no other.

Day 1 Toowoomba to Moree

Westward Ho we go to Goondiwindi on the Macintyre, home of 'Gunsynd' and the heart of the Border Rivers region. Then its over the border and down the Newell Highway into the Gwydir Valley. Moree, known for its Hot Mineral Baths is todays final stop. (LD)

Day 2 Moree to Bourke

We head off, the morning sun at our backs, making tracks for Bourke. Once a major inland port on the mighty Darling River, it’s known as the gateway to the outback. The editor of ‘The Bulletin’ sent a young writer by the name of Henry Lawson out this way in 1892, to give him a taste of outback life. As Lawson later wrote, ‘if you know Bourke, you know Australia’. It’s where the REAL outback begins. (BLD)

Day 3 Bourke to Tibooburra

Tonight we lodge in the capital of the Corner Country - Tibooburra. They say you haven’t really understood the outback until you visit Tibooburra. Gold was first found in these parts in 1880 and the area used to be known as ‘The Granites’. The town’s name is believed to come from an aboriginal word for ‘heap of boulders’. This part of the world seems so isolated but you’ll be surprised just how full of friendliness it is. (BLD)

Day 4 Tibooburra

Charles Sturt visited out here back in 1844 and Pioneer Park is where you’ll find a replica of his 27ft long whale boat. He carted it by wagon north-west to Lake Pinaroo as he searched for the fabled ‘inland sea’. The Tibooburra ‘Keeping Place’ museum houses an interesting collection of the remains of Aboriginal tools and artefacts found around the district. The Outback School of the Air is the most geographically isolated school in the state and the only dual mode school in the country. The 450 million year old granite tors that surround the town are part of the southern boundary to Sturt National Park. Its north-west boundary is the iconic Cameron Corner, where the NSW-QLD border intersects with the NSW-SA border. (BLD)

Day 5 Tibooburra to Innamincka

Today we’ll head on up the track a way to a former ghost town - Innamincka - which has seen an increase in travellers to the area since oil and gas were discovered in the 60’s. It’s a tiny settlement on the banks of the Cooper Creek and is surrounded on all sides by the Strzelecki, Tirari and Sturts Stony deserts. (BLD)

Day 6 Innamincka

A few kilometres to the east of town you’ll find a monument marking the site where Robert O’Hara Burke, leader of the ill fated Burke & Wills expedition, died. Further east is Nappa Merrie station, where the famous ‘Dig Tree’ can be found. (BLD)

Day 7 Innamincka to Marree

We follow the Strzelecki Track  and then the Oodnadatta Track, wending our way south and west, heading for Marree. There’s Lyndhurst, with its red ochre cliffs and the red dust coloured stone ruins of ghostly Farina on the way. Marree is an old settlement on the edge of the vast desert inland, it’s where the Oodnadatta and Birdsville tracks meet.  (BLD)

Day 8 Marree

Marree started life as a camp near Hergott Springs, built to support the Overland Telegraph Line workers back in the 1870s, and was called Hergott Springs until about 1916. The oldest stone building in town is The Great Northern Hotel, built around 1883. The railway station’s huge concrete platform looks out of place in such a small town and you’ll find old locomotives and railway carriages spread about the town. Marree’s population dwindled when diesel engines replaced the 'romance' of steam, and the railway line was rerouted to a waterless area to the west. (BLD)

Day 9 Marree to Birdsville

We take the Birdsville Track north, out of Marree, across the Tirari Desert and Sturts Stony Desert, to Birdsville in far south-western Queensland. The track started life in the 1860s when it was used to bring cattle from northern Queensland and the Northern Territory, to the railheads at Port Augusta and Maree. It crosses the driest part of the country, a very barren and isolated area. It’s now a popular route for tourists and stock trucks carrying livestock. (BLD)

Day 10 Birdsville

The town was originally called ‘Diamantina Crossing’, but the name was changed to Birdsville in 1885. Some say that a local identity named it as a compliment to the abundant birdlife in the area. It’s best known for its famous pub and the annual race meeting, the Birdsville Races. (BLD)

Day 11 Birdsville to Windorah

We wander our way across far western Queensland, to a place in the heart of ‘Channel Country’ - Windorah - set amongst giant red sand hills beside the multi-channeled Cooper Creek. It gets it name from the local Aboriginal word meaning ‘place of large fish’. (BLD)

Day 12 Windorah to Thargomindah

We head further east across South Western Queensland bound for Thargomindah. This town's one claim to fame is it's artesian bore. They used the water pressure from the bore to drive a generator to supply the town with electricity. This hydro-electric scheme operated successfully until 1951, when it was replaced with a diesel powered generator. (BLD)

Day 13 Thargomindah to Cunnamulla

Eastward Ho as we continue our trek across South Western Queensland. On the way we'll pass through the small town of Eulo, on the banks of the Paroo River. The it's on through to Cunnamulla, the home of the 'Cunnamulla Fella'. (BLD)

Day 14 Cunnamulla to Toowoomba

We head ‘back east’ today, leaving the ‘Big South West’ and wending our way back to the Darling Downs, finishing up in Toowoomba. (BL)

Stonestreet's 14 day 4x4 adventure tour features mostly 2 night stops in key locations: Tibooburra, Innamincka, Marree and Birdsville. This gives our travellers more of a feeling for life in the Outback.

Waltzing Through Outback Queensland (4x4) May 6 - 12 2012

Australia’s Outback is at the heart of our nation’s character. With startling raw landscapes, endless horizons and an atmosphere ‘to die for’, it’s there for us to explore - in relative comfort and safety! Come and revel in its simple elements and hard colours, and meet the laconic scattered people who, it must be said, stand out from the plain. The Outback will win your heart too. On this unhurried 7 day adventure tour by 4x4 coach, we’re exploring the diversity that is South West Queensland – from the prehistoric to the present. This is quirky country full of surprises. This is also an ideal tour if you haven’t been Outback before nor travelled on a 4x4 coach and would like to try it out.

Day 1– West to Charleville ‘grab your swag, so to speak!’ Swag or no swag, we’re waltzing into the Outback in our four wheel drive coach. Travelling the Warrego Highway across the Darling Downs, we pass through Chinchilla and Miles, pause in Roma and head onto Charleville, the ‘Gateway to the Outback’. Tonight over dinner we’ll get acquainted.

Day 2 – Channel Country, Windorah ‘budgies in the bushes’ Tour the local sights of Charleville, then we push further west through Cheepie to a place of fiery colours - Quilpie. On the Bulloo River, its key industries are opals, oil and gas. Watch for ‘Oil Donkeys’ on the drive to Eromanga, the furthest Outback town from the sea. Next we travel to Cooper Creek in the Channel Country where lies sleepy Windorah village.

Days 3-4 – Lark Quarry, Carisbrooke ‘meet your hosts’ Someway up Cooper Creek stands the tiny settlement of Jundah. We’ll drop in to say hello then keep up the track to Lark Quarry where a guide will try to explain how once some jolly dinosaurs stampeded by the billabong. At Carisbrooke Station Charles and Penelope look forward to welcoming us onto their property for the next two nights. Spend a day exploring with Charles. Here sheep and cattle share the land with wildlife and native vegetation. We can also fossick in the old opal mine. Altogether experience some famous outback hospitality, tea from the billy boiled - and tuck into scrummy homemade cooking.

Day 5 – Waltzing Matilda & the ‘Muttaburrasaurus’ We bid our hosts farewell and travel to Winton where ‘Waltzing Matilda’ was first performed at the North Gregory Hotel. Muttaburra was once a vast inland sea and is now famous for the Muttaburrasaurus, one of Australia’s largest dinosaurs. Onwards to Aramac, Jericho and we wind up today in Blackall on the Barcoo, said to be the home of the original ‘Black Stump’.

Day 6 – Carnarvon Range ‘teddies like tour travellers’ Stop by the oldest town in Western Queensland, Tambo, home of the ever popular ‘Tambo Teddies’. Travelling the dirt road east to Springsure the scenery is beautiful. Next we journey south through the Carnarvon Range, home of the impressive Carnarvon Gorge. Injune is the final night stop of our tour..

 Day 7 – Roma, Surat and home ‘what a wonderful week!’ We return to Roma briefly and continuing down to Surat, where we turn east for home. We arrive back in Toowoomba about 4:00pm, Brisbane 6:00pm.

Cost of Tour: Twin/Double Share $2099 Single $2579

Join us on this adventure to explore the Outback of the state of Queensland. Phone Stonestreet's Coaches on 1 300 555 899 or 07 4687 5555 for bookings and enquiries.

Stonestreet's Destinations 2012

STONESTREET'S DESTINATIONS 2012 TOURING CATALOGUE 
The new catalogue is chock full of exciting tours and 4x4 adventures - From Tip to Toe, East to West and lots of great places in between. 

Whether it's the Queensland Coast, Cape York, the Red Centre, Top End, North West, WA's South West, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, Canberra and New South Wales there's a tour to get you 'out and about' Australia.

Browse Destinations to discover where we're heading in 2012

Australia Day at Australia Zoo Thursday 26 January 2012      Crikey! It as wild as life gets at Australia Zoo's new open-range exhibit - Africa! Step on board the Africa Safari Shuttle to experience giraffes and zebras, and keep your eyes peeled for the brand new baby rhino! Afterwards take a stroll through the zoo from the Tiger Temple and Asian Elephants to the Billabong and Outback. Be sure to check out all of the animal action in the Crocoseum and watch a crocodile launch from the waters edge. Australia Zoo is the ultimate wildlife adventure with so much to see you may want to plan ahead. Price pp: $95 Ad $84 Con $74 Ch (3-14)  Includes return coach travel and entry. Departs: 7:00am Depot - 78 Warwick St, 7:10am Interchange - Neil St, 7:20am Range - James St   For bookings & enquiries phone 4687 5555..

Lost City River Cruise Thursday 2 February Enjoy a relaxing smooth water morning tea cruise in the precincts of the Coomera River, followed by lunch and dessert at the imaginatively themed Lost City Tavern. Promises to be a great day out! Price pp: $90 Includes coach travel, morning tea cruise and lunch

St Valentine’s at St Bernard’s Tuesday 14 February St Bernard's Hotel sits on the edge of an ancient volcanic escarpment overlooking Guanaba Gorge, Moreton Bay, the Gold Coast skyline and the Pacific Ocean.Come and enjoy some country hospitality, with spectacular sea views and the invigorating air of Mt Tamborine. Oh! And while you’re there you may just bump into Leo and baby Molly. Price pp  $75 Includes coach travel, morning tea and lunch at St Bernard’s.

Chasing The Queen - Evening Dinner Cruise Thursday 16 February We'll board the MV Calypso to follow the Queen Mary 2, one of the most magnificent ocean liners ever built,as it sails up the Brisbane River. Witnessing the arrival of the QM2 from onboard the MV Calypso should make for a memorable trip. Price pp $125 includes coach travel and BBQ dinner cruise.

Green, Green Grass of the Gabba Thursday 23 February In 1895 a small patch of land was set aside as the location for what is now one of the world’s most famous sporting arenas. Since then the iconic Brisbane Cricket Ground has been affectionately known as the Gabba. Join us on this fantastic tour for a guided tour of this ground where many Australian sporting legends have made their mark on history. Price pp $69  includes coach travel, morning tea, tour and lunch.

Experience the Red Centre - On Tour 6 - 26 May 2012

The heart of Australia beats somewhere out near Uluru—the Red Centre. Come on tour with Stonestreet’s through this ancient land’s big red heart. Meet some of the characters who make the outback their home, marvel how creatures survive in the harsh climate and admire the unique beauty of the most spectacular desert country in Australia.

Our journey takes in the iconic landmark of Uluru, Kata Tjuta, Kings Canyon, Alice Springs and much more. Join us for a three week tour through the Red Centre—where the sky is big, the land is vast and the adventures endless.
 
Day One (LD)
Toowoomba - Mitchell
It’s all Warrego Highway today as we make tracks for the big South West. We’ll pull up for morning tea in Chinchilla, known as the Melon Capital of Australia, which is celebrated during the biennial ‘Chinchilla Melon Festival’ in February. Motoring further westward, we come to ‘the place of water lilies’, where we’ll stop for lunch at the Yuleba Hotel. Pub lunch put away, we keep going through the western Darling Downs, to Roma. We’ll pause for a while at the Roma Visitor Centre. A bit further along the road brings us to Mitchell, the gateway to outback Queensland. We’ll spend an hour or so here relaxing  and revitalising at the Great Artesian Spa. 
 
Day Two (BLD)
Mitchell - Barcaldine
Today we’ll head west for a while, veering north-west at Morven and head into ‘meatant’ country, stopping for smoko in Augathella. We’ll continue up the Matilda Highway to Tambo, central western Queensland’s oldest town. Here we pause for lunch and pay a visit to Tambo Teddies. You’ll meet a colourful range of teddy bears all made from wool and they’ve made Tambo the ‘Outback Teddy Capital of Australia’. We then head on up to Blackall, where Jackie Howe sheared a record number of sheep back in 1892. After a short tour of the town, we keep touring on up the highway toward the birthplace of the Australian Labor Party - Barcaldine. It was here that the striking shearers met under the Tree of Knowledge in 1891. We’ll drop into the Visitors Centre and go see that historic tree before checking into our motel for the night. 
 
Day Three (BD)
Barcaldine to Winton
We continue our trek westward today, stopping for smoko in the town of Ilfracombe. Here we’ll walk a mile - the ‘Great Machinery Mile’ - which shows  the development of machinery used in the pastoral and transport industries over time.  Further west we go, to a town situated on the ‘long reach’ of the Thomson River. Here we’ll immerse ourselves in the rich outback heritage on display at the Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame. After lunch we track north-west heading for a town once known as Pelican Waterhole and where ‘Banjo’ Paterson penned ‘Waltzing Matilda’ in 1895. So it’s only fitting that we spend some time at the Waltzing Matilda Centre. Also while in Winton, admire the unique ‘bricks’ used in the building of ‘Arno’s Wall’ and strike a chord with the ‘Musical Fence’. Afterwards we check in to our home for the night with time to freshen up before dinner. 
 
Day Four (BLD)
Winton - Mount Isa
We continue our ‘waltz’ along the Matilda Highway, bound for Kynuna. Near this one pub town is Combo Waterhole, said to be THE billabong referred to in Waltzing Matilda. Trekking onwards brings us to a town from which the first flight of the Royal Flying Doctor Service  took off in 1928 - Cloncurry. After a not too speedy lunch at the Road Runner Roadhouse, we head for our final stop for the day - Mount Isa. We’ll spend a good part of the afternoon touring Mount Isa Mines, one of the most productive single mines in world history, producing lead, copper, silver and zinc. 
 
Day Five (BLD)
Mount Isa - Tennant Creek
Our trek towards the heart of this big land continues, stopping for smoko in Camooweal before crossing over into the Northern Territory. Then it’s a long haul across the flat red earth heading west toward the Barkly Homestead - ‘an oasis in the desert’. This place has everything - motel units, a campground, fuel, gas, ice, souvenirs, a licensed bar and restaurant and there’s even an airstrip out the back and somewhere to park your plane. The afternoon is spent making tracks for the ‘Golden Heart of the Northern Territory’ - Tennant Creek - the site of Australia’s last major gold rush in the 1930’s. 
 
Day Six (BLD)
Tennant Creek - Alice Springs
We spend some time at the local Culture Centre this morning before setting off to see the Rainbow Serpent’s fossilised eggs - Karlukarlu or the Devils Marbles. We trek southwards across the desert toward the tiny township of Ti Tree, where we’ll pull up for a roadhouse lunch. Then the afternoon is spent heading for ‘The Alice’ our home-away-from-home for the next three nights. 
 
Day Seven (BLD)
Alice Springs
After breakfast on our first day in ‘The Alice’, we’ll learn the secrets of the Central Australia deserts at Desert Park. Discover Desert Rivers, Sand Country, Woodland Habitat and see birds of prey flying free in the Nature Theatre. Then we head a bit further out of town for a scenic lunch in a red sandstone river gorge millions of years in the making - Angkerle. From Standley Chasm we head over to one of the most prominent gaps in the West MacDonnell Ranges - Simpsons Gap. Here we may be fortunate enough to encounter some of the black footed ‘locals’. We spend the rest of the afternoon at the Alice Springs Telegraph Station Historical Reserve. Operational in 1872 and part of the Overland Telegraph Line, it marks the site of the first European settlement in the area. Tonight we’ll take a visual and musical journey through Australia’s outback.
 
Day Eight  (BD)
Alice Springs
After a leisurely Sunday morning breakfast, it’s Todd Mall Markets Day - there goes the whole morning. After lunch we’ll be ‘transported’ through time when we immerse ourselves in Australia’s road transport heritage at the Road Transport Hall of Fame. Afterwards, we spend some time in the dreamtime when we visit Emily and Jessie Gaps, just a little way out of town. Spiritually important to the Eastern Arrernte people, they are both associated with the caterpillar dreaming trail.
 
Day Nine (BLD)
Alice Springs - Yulara
Back on the road again, we farewell ‘The Alice’ and head on down the highway, stopping at the desert oasis of Stuarts Well for smoko. Then down to Erlunda, where the Stuart and Lasseter Highways meet. We then travel west, stopping for lunch at the curiously named Mt Ebenezer Roadhouse, considering how flat the country is around here. Make time to appreciate the local paintings and carvings in the impressive red floored art gallery. Then we trek toward our final destination of the day - Yulara. After checking in to our cabins, we head to Uluru for the always spectacular viewing of the mighty monolith at sunset. 
 
Day Ten (BLD)
Yulara - Uluru - Kata Tjuta - Curtin Springs
After hitting the Yulara Shopping Centre first thing this morning after breakfast, we’re off to Uluru. On the unique Mala Walk Tour of the rock, we’ll learn about the Mala (Hare Wallaby) people who lived at Uluru with their friend the Itjaritjari (Marsupial Mole). Then we’ll take a spin aound the 3800 metre long rock before lunching at the Cultural Centre’s Ininti Cafe. The we head for a ‘place of many heads’ - rather large round red ones - Kata Tjuta (The Olgas). We’ll enjoy a walking tour of this spectacular natural wonder and then head back Yulara way and onto Curtin Springs. The Curtin Springs Cattle Station and Wayside Inn is our stop for the night. 
 
Day Eleven (BLD)
Curtin Springs - Kings Creek Station
We’re off up northwards, heading for Kings Creek Station - a working cattle and camel station set amongst tall desert oaks. Situated a short distance from the magnificent ochre walled Kings Canyon, it’s here you can experience true outback station life. Out here area is measured in square kilometres - this station is made up of 1800 of ‘em. Camel Burger anyone? 
 
Day Twelve (BLD)
Kings Creek Station - Erldunda
After a leisurely and late breakfast we head off for a walk about the spectacular Kings Canyon with it’s towering vertical walls and lush vegetation. Following lunch we bid farewell to Kings Creek Station and head back in the direction of Mt Ebenezer Roadhouse, stopping here for afternoon tea. We then motor onwards to Erldunda. 

Day Thirteen (BLD)
Erlunda - Coober Pedy
We make track southwards, out the ‘The Territory’ and down into South Australia.  We’ll stop for lunch in Marla, before continuing on our way down to Coober Pedy via Cadney Homestead. Coober Pedy, the ‘Opal Capital of the World’, known for it’s unique style of living - underground. The Mud Hut Motel is our resting place for the night. 
 
Day Fourteen (BLD)
Coober Pedy - Woomera
Today we’ll embark on an extensive tour of the town that supplies the world with the majority of gem quality opal. There are underground mines, opal shops, underground churches, underground homes, art galleries and underground museums.  All this underground living is due to the harsh desert temperatures in summer that can get to well over 40 degrees Celsius. The underground dwellings remain at a constant temperature, unlike buildings on the surface that need air conditioning during summer. Back on the road, we motor down to a secret town that was once closed to the outside world - Woomera.

Day Fifteen (BLD)
Woomera - Port Augusta
We leave the largest land based range in the world and head on up into the desert to ‘large waterhole’ - Andamooka. Here we’ll have morning tea, tour the opal fields and then head on back to Roxby Downs. We’ll enjoy lunch in this town, purpose built to service the Olympic Dam Mine and referred to as the outback’s most modern town. Then it’s up the road to the Olympic Dam Mine, the largest underground mine in the country. It’s a multi-mineral ore body, with copper, gold, silver and uranium all being taken from the ground here. The rest of the afternoon is spent trundling down to a town on the quiet waterways at the head of the Spencer Gulf - Port Augusta. 
 
Day Sixteen (BLD)
Port Augusta - Renmark
We leave the crossroads of Australia and head south-west across the state, bound for the only other town in the country where three railway gauges meet - Peterborough. Then it’s on downwards into Megafauna country to the town of Burra, where the Diprotodon once roamed the land. We tour further along the road to a historic river port, one of the busiest inland ports back in it’s heyday - Morgan - situated on the great ‘Nor’ West Bend’ of the mighty Murray River. We’ll pull up here for lunch and a bit of a tour of town before making tracks to Berri. On the banks of the Murray, it boasts a gorgeous riverfront, historic monuments, floating wharf platforms and an indigenous bridge mural. We finish the day in Renmark, a town transformed by Australia’s first irrigation scheme, which came into being back in 1887.

Day Seventeen (BLD)
Renmark - Wentworth
We’ll head out of South Australia and across western Victoria, where we’ll catch up with the Murray in the town of Mildura, in an area often referred to as the Mediterranean in the outback. After morning tea and a tour of this city, we make our way over to Redcliffs. Located at the northern end of Victoria’s Mallee region, it gets it name from the 70 metre high cliffs to the east of town. After a look around town we’ll trundle on up to Wentworth, at the confluence of the Murray and Darling rivers. Once the busiest inland port in NSW, it was once considered as a possible location for the Australian capital back around the time of federation. 
 
Day Eighteen (BLD)
Wentworth - West Wyalong
We make our way over to a town on the Murrumbidgee that started life as a mere river ford and became important river port for the wool industry back in the riverboat days - Balranald. After smoko we’ll keep heading eastward for a bit, stopping for lunch in Hay in the Riverina. Here, we’ll spend some time at Shear Outback, a centre devoted to all things involved with ‘getting the wool off’. We’ll finish the day in the historic gold era town of West Wyalong. 
 
Day Nineteen (BLD)
West Wyalong - Dubbo
We start our trek northwards today, passing through Forbes, the site of Australia’s biggest gold robbery and onto Parkes. An important town to the scientific community, it’s here we’ll pay a visit to that ‘Dish’ of a movie star.  We’ll finish up in a city that straddles the Macquarie River and whose name means ‘red earth’. Here we’ll embark on an extensive tour of Old Dubbo Gaol. Operational from 1859 to 1966, it’s provides a unique insight into 19th Century prison life. Afterwards we should have time for a bit of shopping before checking into our motel.

Day Twenty (BLD)
Dubbo - Moree
This morning we head on up to Gilgandra on the Castlereagh River and drop into the Cooee Heritage Centre. Here we can immerse ourselves in the history of the area, especially the famous Cooee March. After morning tea it’s on to Narrabri in the north west plains region of NSW. Following lunch we sightsee our way up into the Gwydir Valley to Moree, a town famous for it’s hot mineral baths. Here we’ll stop and spend some time learning about all things pecan with a tour of the Pecan Nut Farm.  

Day Twenty-One (BL)
Moree - Toowoomba
The last day of the trip sees us heading to North Star, stopping for some smoko and a garden tour. A little further up the road and we cross the border back into Queensland and pull up in Goondiwindi. Here we’ll take some time to do a little shopping and have some lunch before hitting the road and heading on back to Toowoomba. After three amazing weeks you’ll arrive home with plenty of wonderful memories.

Experience the Red Centre
$4830pp* twin or dbl share
*Stonestreet’s Travel Club Member Price
Don’t be disappointed—Book today
Phone 07 4687 5555

DOWNLOAD A BROCHURE

Warbirds Downunder 2011

Got a thing for those flying machines? Does the sound of an aircraft engine roaring to life turn your head? If it‘s no contest between PLANES, trains and automobiles, then Temora Tomorrow is the trip for you.

We’re off to the Riverina NSW where we’ll visit one of the best displays of historic aircraft in Australia. But wait, there's more! We’ll check out fauna at the zoo, flora in Cowra and the stars in Coonabarabran. It’s not all about ’tomorrow’ though. We’ll throw in a prehistoric adventure in Wellington, along with some bushranger lore and a few poets to mix it up for you.

The highlight of the tour is when we 'spread our wings’ and spend the day at the Temora Air Show, for Warbirds Downunder 2011. This is the biggest day of the year for Temora Aviation Museum and will showcase many superb warbirds, both old and new. Some of the planes you can expect to see include the Supermarine Spitfire, CAC Boomerang and the Curtis P40.

To see more of these magnificent men and women and their flying machines, simply go here for this very special Stonestreets Tour. For more on what goes on in Temora, visit the Temora Aviation Museum here.

Need a little more convincing? Then try this.

Jack High Bowls Tours

One day you might spend a leisurely day exploring the historic river port of Echuca. Maybe have lunch on board one of those restored paddle steamers or peacefully meander along the Red River Gum lined Murray River. Finishing the day across the river at the Moama Bowling Club, of 'Jack High' fame.

Another day will see you in Mt Gambier, the home of the strikingly coloured Blue Lake, with an evening of "Twilight Bowls' at the Mt Gambier Bowls Club to look forward to.

There's another three days to spend in Adelaide at the Adelaide, Holdfast Bay and Lockleys Bowls Clubs for the finals of the Asia Pacific Lawn Bowls Championships.

So if bowls are your thing and you're someone who likes to 'play while they're away', then you need to head on over here to check out Stonestreet's Coaches Bowls Tours.

If it's isolation you want...

Then how about 1400km of isolated desert track that runs through the Northern Territory, South Australia and Western Australia?

This 'highway' was surveyed and built under the direction of that legendary bushman Len Beadell. Len and his team, known as The Gunbarrel Road Construction Party, attempted wherever possible to make the road 'as straight as a gunbarrel'.

One of the straight bits

The initial surveying of the 'highway' was done by Len, pushing through the scrub in his Land Rover, his theodolite always within easy reach. During these surveying expeditions, there were times when Len nearly starved to death. The Land Rover broke down many times and suffered  countless punctures and other mishaps, all in the searing heat of the desert. After this initial surveying was completed, a bulldozer would follow along and cut a raw level track. A road grader came along after that and finished the job. Highway making - the outback way.

'M' is for miles

The Gunbarrel Highway begins at 'Victory Downs' homestead, pushes westward to the Rawlinson Ranges, skirts south of the Gibson Desert, via the Warburton Mission, connecting to the existing road at Carnegie Station.

For THE ultimate ‘Bush Bash’ that‘ll take you from the most Westerly to the most easterly point of this wide brown land - come along with us. You’ll travel some of the straightest and the not-so-straight roads on this unique journey. Stunning landscapes, unique wildlife and genuine characters are just up the road, around the corner or over the next hill.

Fancy a spin in the REAL outback? Then you need to go here.

The ULTIMATE Bush Bash

Our 4x4 tours via the Gunbarrel Highway are for all you folk who LOVE to go bush.

A straight road...corrugations at no extra cost.

These trips take you from the most westerly point to the most easterly point, or from the most easterly point to the most westerly point of this wide brown land.  You’ll travel some of the straightest and some of the the not-so straightest roads on this unique journey across Australia.

Be awed by the stunning landscapes, enchanted by the unique wildlife and succumb to the charm of the genuine characters you'll find out there. They could be just up the road, around that corner or over the next hill.

Come overland and get into the REAL outback. There are still a couple of seats available for the 2011 journey... and it's never too early to sign up for next year.

Upcoming Tour - The Rugged Outback

Rugged mountain ranges, spectacular gorges, sheltered creeks lined with River Red Gums and abundant wildlife are just some of the attractions that make the Flinders Ranges one of South Australia's most popular destinations.

The rugged beauty of the Flinders Ranges, the harsh remoteness of the Corner Country, the outback hospitality of the locals all combine to make this a wonderful outback experience you should not miss.

ITINERARY
Day One—Wednesday October 12 2011
Brisbane/Toowoomba/Gold Coast to Port Augusta
We’re off to the Brisbane airport where we’ll catch our flight south to join the last leg of the Circle tour in Port Augusta.

Day Two—Thursday October 13
Port Augusta to Wilpena Pound
If you hadn't noticed you were in the outback, you will today. We head out of the 'civilisation' that is Port Augusta and make tracks for the Flinders Ranges National Park. The park is known worldwide for its geological history and fossils. Its spectacular scenery has been made famous in the artwork of Hans Heysen. Our final destination - the awe inspiring Wilpena Pound - a remarkable rock basin some 80 square kilometres in area and reaching to over 500 metres in height. Accommodation: Wilpena Pound Resort 08 8648 0004  Meals (BLD)

Day Three—Friday October 14
Wilpena Pound to Arkaroola
We leave the shadow of Wilpena Pound and trek further northwards into Central Australia. Our destination is the Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary, located in the spectacularly rugged northern Flinders Ranges. Accommodation: Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary 08 8648 4848 (2 nights) Meals (BLD)

Day Four—Saturday October 15
Arkaroola
Here we'll spend the whole day experiencing this wilderness sanctuary. You'll journey to the bottom of ancient seabeds, cross razorback ridges and peaks. The granite peaks tower overhead, the gorges are spectacular and the waterholes mysterious. Keep an eye out for the shy Yellow-footed Rock Wallaby, for this country is his home. Meals(BLD)

Day Five—Sunday October 16
Arkaroola to Tibooburra
We leave the sanctuary of Arkaroola and head to Corner Country and the point at which the states of NSW, Queensland and South Australia meet. Tonight we lodge in the capital of the Corner Country at Tibooburra. They say you haven’t really understood the outback until you visit Tibooburra. This part of the world seems so isolated but you’ll be surprised just how full of friendliness it is! Accommodation: Granites Motel & Caravan Park 08 8091 3305  Meals(BLD)

Day Six—Monday October 17
Tibooburra to Thargomindah
We head east across South Western Queensland bound for Thargomindah. This town's one claim to fame is it's artesian bore. They used the water pressure from the bore to drive a generator to supply the town with electricity. This hydro-electric scheme operated successfully until 1951, when it was replaced with a diesel powered generator. Accommodation: TBA  Meals(BLD)

Day Seven—Tuesday October 18
Thargomindah to St George
Eastward Ho as we continue our trek across South Western Queensland. On the way to St George, our stop for the night, we'll pass through the small town of Eulo, on the banks of the Paroo River. The it's on through Cunnamulla, the home of the 'Cunnamulla Fella' and Bollon on the banks of Wallam Creek. Accommodation: Merino Motor Inn, St George 07 4625 3574  Meals(BLD)

Day Eight—Wednesday October 19
St George to Toowoomba/Brisbane/Gold Coast
We leave St George, the 'inland fishing capital of Queensland' and head off on the final leg of our journey and home to Toowoomba. Meals(BL)

Travel Club Members price $2099pp* twin or dbl share
For bookings or enquiries phone 07 4687 5555.

Upcoming Tour - The Peninsula Coast

Explore the hidden treasures of South Australia’s York and Eyre Peninsula’s during this 7 day escape. 

The coastline of the Eyre Peninsula, carved out by the full force of the Southern Ocean is unique and diverse with rugged rock transformations, sheltered bays, towering cliffs along the Great Australian Bight, long sandy beaches and arid desert.

Day One—Wednesday October 5 2011
Brisbane/Toowoomba/Gold Coast—Adelaide to Wallaroo

We’re off to the airport to fly across country to the gulf city of Adelaide.  From there we’ll board a coach and  head north-west, destination Cornwall. No, not THAT Cornwall! Our coach doesn't come equipped with great big water wings. We're headed out across the Yorke Peninsular to Wallaroo, on the 'Copper Coast'. It's one of the three 'Copper Triangle' towns that make up an area known as 'Little Cornwall', the other two being Kadina and Moonta. The discovery of copper in the area around 1861 led to large numbers of experienced Cornish miners settling in the area. These days it's popular as a holiday spot and sightseeing along the coast. Accommodation: Wallaroo Apartments 08 8823 2488 (2 nights)  Meals (BLD) 

Day Two —Thursday October 6
Wallaroo

It's all Wallaroo today as we explore what this town and the area on the western side of the Yorke Peninsular has to offer. It's a town that is part seaside resort and the other part a working industrial town. It was the major port for the vast amounts of copper mined in the area until mining ceased in 1938. Meals (BLD)

Day Three —Friday October 7
Wallaroo to Port Lincoln

We go from one side of the Spencer Gulf to the other, the long way - by road. On the way to Port Lincoln, one of the numerous 'port' cities is Port Pirie, the 'City of Friendly People', whose economy is driven by the enormous silver, lead and zinc smelters. At the top of the Spencer Gulf lies Port Augusta, the 'Crossroads of Australia', close to the spectacular Flinders Ranges. Heading down the other side of the gulf, we're soon in Whyalla, which boasts some of the best fishing in South Australia. It's where the outback meets the sea. A big days driving comes to an end when we motor into Port Lincoln, the 'Seafood Capital' of Australia. Accommodation: Port Lincoln Hotel 1300 766 100 (2 nights ) Meals (BLD)

Day Four— Saturday October 8
Port Lincoln

This beautiful city, which overlooks Boston Bay, is an ideal base from which to explore the coast and hinterland of the Lower Eyre Peninsular. The surrounding ocean waters insulate the city, giving it a pleasant Mediterranean climate all year 'round. Meals (BLD)

Day Five—Sunday October 9
Port Lincoln to Streaky Bay

Today we sightsee our way along the coast on the other side of the Eyre Peninsular. We'll end up in Streaky Bay, so named by Mathew Flinders back in 1802. The streaked appearance of the waters in the bay are caused by oils given off by kelp that grows there. Accommodation: Streaky Bay Hotel Motel 08  8626 1008 (2 nights) Meals (BLD)

Day Six—Monday October 10
Streaky Bay

Our tour takes us about the tranquil district of Streaky Bay, taking in the great variety of landscapes, from the largely untouched native scrubland and farming country to cliffs and  surf beaches. South of the seaside town stands Murphy's Haystacks -  pink granite formations  some 34000 years old. Meals (BLD)

Day Seven—Tuesday October 11
Streaky Bay  to Port Augusta

We head across country today, via the Eyre Highway, to Port Augusta at the head of the Spencer Gulf. On the way there, we'll visit Kimba, which has the largest example of those silly pink and grey birds in the country. Passing through the Lake Gilles Conservation Park, we'll track north-east to the town of Iron Knob, that owes its existence to the large deposits of high quality iron ore found in the area. It has been referred to as the birthplace of the steel industry in Australia. Before you know it, we're in Port Augusta, our stop for the night. Accommodation: Acacia Ridge Motor Inn  08 8642 4323

Day Eight—Wednesday October 12
Port Augusta—Adelaide to Brisbane/Toowoomba/Gold Coast

 Transfers to Adelaide Airport today for those returning home. A Stonestreet's coach will be waiting in Brisbane for transfers back to Towoomba.

Discover one of Australia's best kept secrets on Stonestreet's Coaches Peninsula Coast tour. Travel Club Member price $1699* twin or dbl share

Phone 07 4687 5555 for bookings and enquires.

Upcoming Tour - The Island Coast

Begin the journey exploring the premier wine growing region of South Australia in the Barossa Valley.

A short ferry ride will take you to Kangaroo Island where a whole new world of adventure awaits.

Kangaroo Island is a pristine wilderness - a place that has offered protection to substantial populations of native Australian animals, a place of beauty and a place of escape - your escape for this wonderful tour.

ITINERARY:
Day One—Tuesday September 27
Toowoomba/Brisbane/Gold Coast to Adelaide
A Stonestreet’s coach will take you to the Brisbane airport to board the flight to Adelaide, where you’ll be greeted at the airport by the coach crew. Adelaide, named in honour of the consort of King William IV,  sits on a narrow coastal plain between the Mount Lofty Ranges and Gulf St Vincent.  Statues, sculptures and magnificent historical buildings, including it's many churches are a highlight of this fair city also known as the 'city of churches'.  Accommodation: Comfort Inn Aviators Lodge, Westbeach 08 8356 8388  Meals (LD)

Day Two—Wednesday September 28
Adelaide to Barossa Valley
We leave the 'most liveable city in Australia', heading up into South Australia's wine producing region and tourist mecca, the Barossa Valley. The Barossa Valley was originally settled by German Lutheran farmers in the 1830's who not only planted grape vines but also brought with them their wine making knowledge and unique and rich culture. If you’re so inclined, this would be an excellent day to try a glass of shiraz. Accommodation: Prasads Gawler Motel 08 8522 5900 Meals (BLD)

Day Three—Thursday September 29
Barossa Valley to Victor Harbor
Leaving the land of the vinters, we wind our way past sheltered bays, windswept beaches and seaside villages as we head through the  picturesque Fleurieu Peninsula to the scenic town of Victor Harbor. Yes, it's spelt right, apparently an early Surveyor General of South Australia forgot a 'u' here and there. Accommodation: McCracken Country Club, Victor Harbor 08 8551 0200 Meals (BLD)

Day Four—Friday September 30
Victor Harbor to Kingscote
A last ye landlubbers, we have a bit of a sea crossing for ye today. We'll trundle down to the tiny seaside town of Cape Jervis and head across the Backstairs Passage, bound for Penneshaw on Kangaroo Island. From here it's not far to the largest town and South Australia's oldest European settlement - Kingscote. Here you'll find a colony of the smallest penguins in the world, the teeny tiny 'little penguin'. Accommodation: Kangaroo Island Seafront Resort 08 8553 1028 (2 nights) Meals (BLD)

Day Five—Saturday October 1
Kangaroo Island
We spend the day roaming about and exploring 'K.I.', a wilderness seemingly untouched by man. It's a big, diverse island made up of long crescent expanses of shimmering white sand and towering sand dunes, dense forests and wetlands. You can see native birds and animals in their natural habitats. There's echidnas and koalas, sea lions and fur seals, goannas and even kangaroos. Meals (BLD)

Day Six—Sunday October 2
Kangaroo Island to Victor Harbour
Today we'll complete our island experience and head back across the waters to the mainland. A short drive back up the peninsula, and we're back in Victor Harbor. Accommodation: McCracken Country Club, Victor Harbor 08 8551 0200 Meals (BLD)

Day Seven—Monday October 3
Victor Harbour to Brisbane/Toowoomba/Gold Coast
We say farewell  to Victor Harbor before hitting the road to enjoy the scenic drive up the peninsula and  back to Adelaide. Here we'll check into the airport for our flight to Brisbane where we’ll be met by a Stonestreet’s coach to transfer us back to our homeports.

Book your seat today for your chance to experience two of Australia's world renowned destinations - the Barossa Valley and  Kangaroo Island.
Travel Club Members pay $2199* twin or dbl share
Phone 07 4687 5555 for bookings and equiries.

 

Upcoming Tour - The Shipwreck Coast

The Great Ocean Road never fails to please visitors with its rugged scenery, wild and awesome seas and rolling green pastures.

Recognised as one of the world’s most scenic drives, the Great Ocean Road follows the stunning coastline of Victoria’s south-west.

The road winds along cliff tops, up to breathtaking headlands, down onto the edge of beaches, across river estuaries and through lush rainforests offering panoramic views of Bass Strait and the Southern Ocean at every turn.

A short detour from the coastline will take in Sovereign Hill, Ballarat and the Blue Lake at Mt Gambier.

ITINERARY:
Day One—Monday September 19 2011
Toowoomba/Brisbane/Gold Coast to Melbourne
We’re off to the Brisbane airport onboard a comfy Stonestreet’s coach to catch our flights to Melbourne. Upon arrival in the Victorian capital we’ll be greeted by our coach crew for transfer to our accommodation. Accommodation: Vibe Hotel, Carlton 03 9380 9222 (2 nights) Meals (LD)

Day Two—Tuesday September 20 2011
Melbourne
After breakfast we have a look at the marvelous sights that make up Melbourne. We might just discover why people call it “the Paris of the South”. Meals (BLD)

Day Three—Wednesday September 21 2011
Melbourne to Ballarat
We're out of the city today, motoring westward toward the Victorian goldfields, where we'll spend the day in and around Ballarat. Gold was discovered here in 1851, starting the Victorian gold rush, which lured migrants to the city from all parts of the world. It was here 1854 that the Eureka Rebellion happened. It was Australia's only armed civil uprising, which some say gave birth to democracy in this country. Accommodation: Gold Sovereign Motor Inn 03 5339 3161 Meals (BLD)

Day Four—Thursday September 22 2011
Ballarat to Apollo Bay
Heading for the wild beauty that is the coastline of Bass Strait, we're bound for Apollo Bay on the Great Ocean Road. It nestles on the eastern side of Cape Otway, with the rolling green foothills of the Otways as a backdrop and great views of the coast and town from Mariners Lookout. Fishing is an important local industry. Accommodation: Best Western Apollo Bay Motel  03 5237 7577 Meals (BLD)

Day Five—Friday September 23 2011
Apollo Bay to Mount Gambier
Continuing our journey along the coast of the Southern Ocean, we head to one of this areas most spectacular sights, the Apostles near Port Campbell. Further along the coast, near the western end of the Great Ocean Road lies Warrnambool. Legend has it that it was 'discovered' as far back as the 16th century by marooned Portuguese sailors. Whalers used to frequent the area in the early 19th century and migrating Southern Right Whales pass through these waters in winter. We motor our way out of Victoria into South Australia, bound for Mount Gambier, which lies at the foot of the extinct volcano of the same name. Accommodation:  Motel Mt Gambier 08 8725 5800 Meals (BLD)

Day Six—Saturday September 24 2011
Mount Gambier to Murray Bridge
We leave the land of extinct volcanoes and blue lakes and head towards a town once called Mobilong and then Edwards Crossing, but nowadays is known as Murray Bridge. While travelling in this area keep your ears tuned, for you might just hear the ferocious roar of the Bunyip. Accommodation: Adelaide Road Motor Lodge 08 8532 1144 Meals (BLD)

Day Seven—Sunday September 25 2011
Murray Bridge to Adelaide
Today we’ll  pass through Hahndorf, a slice of German culture suspended in time. Set in the picturesque Adelaide Hills the German influence is very noticeable in the architecture of the surviving original buildings—if the town’s name didn’t give it away.  We then descend out of the Adelaide Hills and into the city proper. Adelaide sits on the eastern shores of Gulf St Vincent and was named in honour of the German born consort of King William IV. It was founded in 1836, as the planned capital of a freely settled province in Australia. It is here we say our goodbyes as we transfer to the airport for our flight home.  Meals (BL)

This fabulous tour at $1799* (twin or dbl share) is proving to be very popular but there's still some seats available. For bookings or enquiries phone 07 4687 5555 or drop by the office at 78 Warwick Street Toowoomba.

Upcoming Tour - The South East Coast

 

Explore the premier region of New South Wales while journeying from Sydney to Melbourne on Highway One.

This region offers a natural, unspoiled environment of coastal, forest, mountain and rural country.

Travel through Batemans Bay, Merimbula and Bega then cross into Victoria for two fabulous nights on Phillip Island where fairy penguins will entertain you during their nightly parade.

ITINERARY
Day One—Sunday September 11
Toowoomba/Brisbane/Gold Coast to Sydney—Wollongong
To the airport we go aboard a Stonestreet’s coach, where we’ll check in and board our flight to Sydney, where you’ll be greeted at the airport by the coach crew and transferred to your motel. Accommodation: Boat Harbour Motel, Wollongong 02 4228 9166 Meals (LD)

Day Two—Monday September 12
Wollongong to Batemans Bay
We bid 'The Gong' farewell and continue on our way southwards. You'll visit places such as Kiama, home of the Kiama Blowhole. Further down the road is Nowra, on the banks of the beautiful Shoalhaven River. A bit further along brings us to a 'safe harbour', Ulladulla. We'll pull up for the night in Batemans Bay. Accommodation: Bay Waters Holiday Resort, Bateman’s Bay 02  4472 6333 Meals (BLD)

Day Three—Tuesday September 13
Batemans Bay to Merimbula
Leaving the estuary of the Clyde River, we continue our trek southwards. We pass  through Moruya, the 'home of the black swan' and Cobargo's historic streetscape, populated by local artisans and craftspeople. Further southwards is the historic town of Bega, with its proud tradition of cheese making. We finish the day's travel in the popular holiday resort town of Merimbula. Accommodation: Pelican Motor Inn, Merimbula 02 6495 1933  Meals (BLD)

Day Four—Wednesday September 14
Merimbula to Lakes Entrance
We're heading interstate as we pack up and make tracks to the historic whaling town of Eden, which is built around a promontory that juts out into Twofold Bay. We curve around toward the east as we cross over into Victoria and head on down to Orbost on the Snowy River. We finish our day's travel in Lakes Entrance, which situated on a man made channel that links the Tasman Sea and Bass Strait with the Gippsland Lakes area. Accommodation: Coastal Waters Motel, Lakes Entrance 03 5155 1792  Meals (BLD)

Day Five—Thursday September 15
Lakes Entrance to Korumburra
We tour the Gippsland today. First to Bairnsdale on the Mitchell River in East Gippsland. Further along brings us to Sale, which became a river port back in 1890. We pass through Traralgon in the Latrobe Valley and into the rolling foothills of the Strzelecki Ranges where we stop for the day at Korumburra, an important black coal minining centre in the 1880’s Accommodation: Coal Creek Motel 03 5655 1822 (2 nights)  Meals(BLD)

Day Six—Friday September 16
Phillip Island
We head off and spend the day on Phillip Island, just an hour or so from Foster. What's to be seen? Well there's penguins galore, dozing koalas, fur seals basking on the rocks and wading birds...wading about. Plenty of opportunities to surf, swim and fish at any of the ruggedly beautiful beaches and bays fronting Bass Strait. The racing enthusiast can 'start their engines' at the Phillip Island Circuit. Meals (BLD)

Day Seven—Saturday September 17 2011
Korumburra to Brisbane/Toowoomba/Gold Coast
Today we leave the Strzelecki Ranges behind as we make tracks in a north-westerly direction. That's right folks, we're heading for Melbourne, where we'll spend some time getting to know Victoria's big beautiful capital city. Later on we head to the airport to catch our flights home.  Meals (BL)

Join Stonestreet's Coaches for this wonderful tour along the South East Coast of Australia.
Travel Club Members pay $1799* twin or dbl share
Phone 07 4687 5555 for bookings and equiries.

 

Upcoming Tour - The East Coast

Travel south through the pristine Coffs Harbour coastal region then the beautifully rugged Barrington Tops.

The East Coast Tour culminates with a three day, two night luxury cruise on Sydney Harbour.

Wow! Doesn’t that sound fantastic?

ITINERARY
Day One—Monday September 5 2011
Toowoomba/Brisbane/Gold Coast to Coffs Harbour
It's a big day's touring as we venture off down the Pacific Highway and southwards along the coast. We'll cross the border at Tweed, flit past Byron Bay and Ballina, motoring on down through the northern NSW coastal towns to Grafton. We'll pull up finally in Coffs Harbour,  a bustling coastal city famous for a large piece of roadside fruit.  Accommodation: The Big Windmill Motor Lodge 02 6652 2933 (2 nights) Meals (LD)

Day Two—Tuesday September 6 2011
Coffs Harbour
Bananas are big in Coffs Harbour—literally! Sitting between the Great Dividing Range and the East Coast the area is also known for its beaches and breathtaking beauty. We'll spend the day roaming about the Coffs Coast region discovering why it’s such a popular tourist destination. Meals (BLD)

Day Three—Wednesday September 7 2011
Coffs Harbour to Gloucester
Back on the road again, we leave the city formerly known as 'Korffs Harbour' and further south along the coast. We'll pass through Kempsey on the MacLeay River as we keep heading south, beyond Port Macquarie and Taree, before curving inland to a town by the 'big rocks’, Gloucester, our home base for the next two days. Accommodation: Gloucester Country Lodge 02 6558 1812 (2 nights) Meals (BLD)

Day Four—Thursday September 8 2011
Gloucester
With the Bucketts Range never far from view, we’ll roam about the idyllic countryside of the Gloucester River valley, visiting the historic small towns dotted throughout the vale. There’s Stroud, a very picturesque country town full of historic buildings. Then there's that plateau up in the hills known as the Barrington Tops—a World Heritage wilderness. Meals (BLD)

Day Five—Friday September 9 2011
Gloucester to Sydney
Leaving the Manning district in NSW's mid-north coast, we make tracks for the big smoke. This weekend you’ll experience Sydney from an extraordinary perspective aboard a Captain Cook Cruise ship. Our luxurious cruise begins tonight with dinner onboard as the city lights shine. Tonight we anchor in Farm Cove by the shores of the Botanic Gardens, close to the sails of the Sydney Opera House.  Meals (BLD) Accommodation: Captain Cook Cruise 02 9206 1111 (2 nights)

Day Six—Saturday September 10 2011
Captain Cook Cruise
There's a quick trip to Man o’ War Steps beside the Opera House and a cool morning stroll through the Botanic Gardens. Once back on board, tuck-in to a hot buffet breakfast before we head for the upper reaches of the Parramatta and Lane Cove Rivers. The afternoon brings us back to town for an on-shore exploration of Sydney’s historic Rocks district. Then we set sail across the harbour and anchor off the northern foreshore for the Captain’s Dinner and an evening of live music and dancing. Meals (BLD)

Day Seven—Sunday September 11 2011
Captain Cook Cruise to Wollongong—Flight to Brisbane—Home
Active types have time in the early morning for a walk through the bush and the old artillery emplacements on Bradley’s Head. The hike is well worth it for the glorious harbour views from the headland. The mid-morning’s cruise takes us into the territory of Sydney’s rich and famous – the eastern suburbs. At Watson’s Bay we head ashore to explore the charming old fishing village and historic naval establishments.  Once again on board, lunch is served al fresco on the top deck.  Meals (BL)

Returning to Sydney Harbour this afternoon, we disembarkand board the coach for transfer to the airport for flights home.

Book your seat today for this sensational tour along the East Coast of Australia.
Travel Club Members pay $2199* twin or dbl share
Phone 07 4687 5555 for bookings and equiries.

Historic Outback Pubs Tour

The outback landscape is dotted with pubs  - places where the beer is cold and yarns are spun. More than anywhere else the pub is where you’ll discover the soul of a town. You’ll find pubs brimming with character... And with characters!

From the wide open verandas, to the walls filled with travellers memorabilia, Aussie pubs are real life museums of times gone by.

This unique tour takes in many historic watering holes and the magnificent sights along the way. Stop in for a cold beer, enjoy a real outback meal, and have a yarn with a local and hear what it’s like living in the Australian Outback.

Read the full itinerary. Contact Stonestreets Coaches on 07 4687 5555 for enquiries or bookings.

 

Do you long for a touch of international intrigue?

Check out Stonestreet's upcoming tour packages to four different exotic destinations.

Vietnam - A Land of Contrasts
4 - 18 May 2011 $4950
A Five Star Tour  - In association with Judy Watters - Harvey World Travel.
Welcome to a world where the colours are more vivid, where the landscapes are bolder, the coastline more dramatic, where the history is more compelling, where the tastes are more divine. This world is Vietnam. Nature has blessed Vietnam with a bountiful harvest of soaring mountains, a pristine coastline and radiant rice fields - Vietnam is devine. Inland, local folk in conical hats still tend to their fields and children ride buffalos along country paths. Go expecting the unexpected, be ready for an adventure as much as a holiday.

 

Norfolk Christmas
22 - 28 Dec 2011 $2999
Norfolk Island, where the only fast food is pulled fresh from soil or sea. Where there are no traffic lights. Where you can still park your car with the keys in the ignition. Time moves slowly here. Doesn’t Norfolk sound like the perfect destination. The perfect destination for a Christmas tour. The locals are unique people, descendants of the famous Bounty mutineers. They speak their own special language, and will celebrate Christmas with you in their own unique way.

Thailand - Chiang Mai Flower Festival Includiing Hellfire Pass
31 Jan to 9 Feb 2012 $3199
A special annual group tour for garden lovers, war history buffs and those interested in Thai arts, crafts and culture with the added attraction of experiencing the annual Chiang Mai Flower Parade and Festival. Staying at a unique resort setting in the hills outside Chiang Mai, with most meals provided, guided sightseeing tours, an elephant trek, and much more.

 

Discover New Zealand
8 - 25 Nov 2012  $TBA
Our ‘Discover New Zealand’ itinerary explores both islands of New Zealand at a more leisurely pace, including staying in central visitor locations using quality accommodation. Key attractions include Tranz Alpine Train journey, Queenstown, the stunning natural beauty of Milford Sound, Nelson & Napier, Geothermal Rotorua, Sheep Show at Agrodome, Maori Culture, Waitomo Caves, Hole in the Rock Cruise and more, City tours are included in Christchurch, Dunedin, Nelson, Wellington, Napier, Rotorua and Auckland.

For Bookings or Enquiries call 07 4696 9825 or 1300 555 899.

 

Historic Outback Pubs Tour 25 June - 8 July 2011

The outback landscape is dotted with pubs - places where the beer is cold and yarns are spun. More than anywhere else the pub is where you’ll discover the soul of a town. You’ll find pubs brimming with character... And with characters!

From the wide open verandas, to the walls filled with travellers memorabilia, Aussie pubs are real life museums of times gone by. This unique tour takes in many historic watering holes and the magnificent sights along the way. Stop in for a cold beer, enjoy a real outback meal, and have a yarn with a local and hear what it’s like living in the Australian Outback.

Day 1 Saturday 25 June
Toowoomba/Brisbane/Gold Coast to St George
It’s out of the city and off through the sou’ western downs to the town of Talwood. Here you’ll find the ‘Talwood Hotel’ - a quiet country pub in the town’s well kept main street. Then a bit further up the road to the ‘The Gully’ on the banks of the Moonie River. Starting life as shearers quarters for Nindigully Station, it’s Queensland’s oldest hotel on it’s original site and in it’s original building. You can just smell the history. A bit further to where we stop for the night, the Australian Hotel - a big pub on the corner overlooking the Balonne. Meals LD

Day 2 Sunday 26 June
St George to Cunnamulla
South into border country today, first stop Dirranbandi and ‘The Dirran Pub’, a great pub with good grub. Leaving the place of ‘frogs around the waterhole’ it’s down to the border town of Hebel - rumoured to be where Dan Kelly and Steve Hart hid out for a time. The hotel was built in 1894, starting out as a Cobb & Co changing station. Over the border into NSW and to the Goodooga Telegraph Hotel - a single story building, a shadow of it’s former self. Across then to the Tattersalls Hotel in another border town - Barringun. Built on this site in the 1870’s it’s the only one of the town’s four pubs left. We round up the day in Cunamulla at the Corella Motor Inn. Meals BLD

Waltzing Through Outback Queensland 4WD Tour 8 - 14 May 2011

Queensland's Outback has it all - from the magnificent natural diversity of the Channel Country, the heritage rich Matilda Country and the ancient lands of the Dinosaur, Fossil and Mining Country.

It's all right here in our own backyard!

Join us on this trek into the Queensland Outback to discover picturesque scenery, wide open spaces and friendly outback hospitality.

 ITINERARY:
Day 1 Sunday, 8 May 2011 Meals LD
Toowoomba to Charleville
Grab your swag, we’re waltzing into the outback in our four wheel drive coach today. Travelling the Warrego Hwy through Chinchilla and Miles, pausing in Roma then on to Charleville, the ‘Gateway to the Outback’ for our first overnight stopover. Tonight over dinner we’ll get acquainted with all the members of our party. Accommodation Waltzing Matilda Motor Inn - Charleville

Day 2 Monday, 9 May 2011 Meals BLD
Charleville to Windorah
Following a brief drive around Charleville looking at the local sights, we push on further west this morning pausing at the tiny railway settlement of Cheepie then into Quilpie for lunch - pies are on the menu today. Visit Eromanga famous for being the furthest Outback town from the ocean in Australia before continuing into the Cooper Creek Channel Country and Windorah. We’ll be staying in very comfortable cabin accommodation tonight. Accommodation Cooper Cabins - Windorah

Day 3 Tuesday, 10 May 2011 Meals BLD
Windorah to Carisbrooke Station
North of Windorah on Cooper Creek is the tiny outback settlement of Jundah. We’ll call in for a look around then head up the track to Lark Quarry. A guide will explain how thousands of prehistoric dinosaur footprints were left behind for us to see in the amazing location. Not far north now to our Outback station stay at Carisbrooke Station where Charles and Penelope will welcome us onto their property for the next two nights. Accommodation Carisbrooke Station

Day 4 Wednesday, 11 May 2011 Meals BLD
Carisbrooke Station
Spend the day exploring Carisbrooke Station with Charles as our guide. This working sheep and cattle station abounds with wildlife and natural vegetation. Witness incredible views from the mesa ranges over vast grazing lands, fossick for opals in the old opal mine, and taste outback hospitality from boiling the billy and delicious homemade cooking. Accommodation Carisbrooke Station

Day 5 Thursday, 12 May 2011 Meals BLD
Carisbrooke to Blackall
Bid our host farewell before continuing our journey. Firstly into Winton then detouring along the track to Muttaburra, Aramac and through Rangers Valley before returning to the highway near Jericho. Wind up today’s travel in the town of Blackall. Accommodation TBA

Day 6 Friday, 13 May 2011 Meals BLD
Blackall to Injune
From Tambo we’ll take a detour from the highway heading east along the Dawson Developmental Road through to Springsure. The scenery is quite beautiful through this part of the country. Back on the sealed road we’ll begin our journey south through the Carnarvon Ranges to Injune our resting place and the final night of our tour. Accommodation TBA

Day 7 Saturday, 14 May 2011 Meals BL
Injune to Toowoomba
From Injune we’ll return to Roma, very briefly, then continue down to Surat before turning east for our journey home. Arrive back in Toowoomba approx. 4:00pm. What an adventure we’ve had, exploring the outback of our fantastic state. But we’ve really only touched on the ‘tip of the iceberg’. So watch out for our next incredible four wheel drive
coach adventure into the outback and beyond.


FOR BOOKINGS & ENQUIRIES PHONE 07 4687 5555

An Outback 4X4 Coach Adventure for just $1999 pp*
*Travel Club Members Price

Note: Because of the remote regions we will be visiting on this tour, some accommodation will be in cabins, shared farmhouse quarters and motels. Some with shared facilities. This is the real outback - a real outback experience. True outback hospitality, hearty meals and friendly people all adds to the enjoyment and will certainly out way the lack of modern day comforts.

 

Autumn in Armidale 27-30 April 2011

Autumn brings an explosion of colour to Armidale and the New England area. Myriads of trees - descendants of those planted long ago by the early settlers - bring the brilliant palette of a Northern Hemisphere ‘fall’ to the tablelands.

Those early pioneers, tiring of the ‘ever greenness’ of their strange new home and longing for the familiar colours of the ‘old country’, planted their native birch, ash and poplar all about the region. Their efforts to make it ‘just like home’ result in a spectacular display of these trees in their red and gold finery.

It’s the best time of year to be here and you’ll see why when you come along on the Autumn in Armidale Tour.

ITINERARY
Day 1 - 27 April
Home (Brisbane/Gold Coast/Toowoomba) to Armidale
Heading in a westerly direction from Brisbane we pass through the fruit bowl region of the Lockyer Valley, then south from Toowoomba through the ‘Darling Downs’, a rich fertile agricultural district known for producing high yields of wheat, cotton and oil seeds. Visit the Tenterfield Saddler and the Standing Stones in Glen Innes, before arriving in beautiful Armidale for a three night stay.

Day 2 - 28 April
Armidale Local Sights
During your touring today, discover why so many people come to this part of the New England to enjoy the colours of autumn. Armidale has so many parks and gardens that burst into magnificent colour at this time of the year. In fact, Armidale has an annual Autumn Festival that attracts thousands of visitors each year. Aside from the natural beauty of the changing leaves, Armidale boasts many fine old buildings with magnificent architecture: churches, schools, even the streetscape of Armidale’s shopping centre; a far cry from the slab and bark village that grew in 1839 as a government administrative centre.

Day 3 - 29 April
Armidale Regional Sites
While exploring the outer lying regions of Armidale, call into Walcha and Bendemeer - a small village of several hundred persons on the Macdonald River. Then at Uralla, the town famous for its connection with the legendary bushranger Captain Thunderbolt, see where Thunderbolt was laid to rest. Back closer to Armidale, visit one of the districts finest stations - Saumarez Homestead. The luxurious 33 room Saumarez Homestead sits on the crest of a hill amidst landscaped gardens. It is a large two-storey late Victorian mansion with fine upstairs verandahs featuring ornate cast-iron lacework, roundheaded windows and decorative gables.

Day 4 - 30 April
Armidale to Home
Another sight to behold near Armidale are the Ebor Falls formed where the Guy Fawkes River drops 115 metres over columned basalt rock. Call in here before a pleasant drive through the forest en route to Grafton. Continue on the Summerland Way to Casino then Kyogle, then on through Woodenbong to Kilarney and the Queen Mary Falls. It’s just a short hop now through Warwick to home.

Four days of sightseeing including deluxe coach touring, accommodation and meals for only $699 pp* Twin or double share.
*Travel Club Members Price (It's easy & free to join!)
For Bookings or Enquiries phone 4687 5555 Toowoomba

Upcoming Tour 5 - 15 July 2011 Cruises Along the Coast

Escape the southern winter chills with Stonestreet’s as we travel north this July, following the coastline all the way to Airlie Beach in the heart of the wonderful Whitsundays.

Enjoy cruise after cruise, exploring the numerous waterways en route along the Queensland coast.

Grab your camera, ready to capture the sights on this inspirational ’seafaring’ journey. And don’t forget to pack your bathers, just in case.


ITINERARY:
Day 1 Tuesday 5 July 2011
Home (Brisbane/Gold Coast/Toowoomba)  to Noosaville
Our early start sees us heading straight for the coast, stopping for morning tea in Caboolture. Then we're off to Caloundra for our first cruise of the trip. We’ll board a double decked 1930’s style boat  to enjoy the superb views across Bribie Island National Park, along with the beauty and birdlife of Moreton Bay Marine Park as we head to the waterfront playground that is Pelican Waters. After a delicious lunch at the Pelican Waters Tavern, we travel to the wharf at Mooloolaba. Here we'll indulge in a river and canal cruise aboard the M.V. Mudjimba, courtesy of 'The Wharf Cruise Co'. Afternoon tea over, we leave Mooloolaba and motor on over to Noosaville and the Twin Waters Resort, our home-away-from-home for the first two nights of our 'Cruises Along The Coast' tour. Accommodation:  Twin Waters Resort, Noosaville 07 5450 9591 (two nights)

Day 2 Wednesday 6 July 2011
Cooloola Coast—Noosa Everglades
After breakfast this morning we spend pretty much the whole day cruising the spectacular Cooloola coast. Along the pristine Noosa River and  into the tranquil, mirrored waterways of the Noosa Everglades where an abundance of wildlife make their natural habitat. There are rocky headlands, spectacularly coloured sand cliffs, dark waterways and high forested sand dunes to be seen and experienced on this Noosa Everglades Discovery tour. This will be an unforgettable day.

Day 3 Thursday 7 July 2011
Noosaville to Maryborough—Hervey Bay
We tour further north up the coast today, pausing for morning tea in old Gympie town and motoring a little further on into the historic port  of Maryborough. We'll spend several hours  enjoying the sights and sounds that are Heritage Market Day, which happens here every Thursday. All 'marketed' out, it's all aboard the riverboat for a scenic and relaxing cruise on the Mary River. We finish the day over at the Fraser Coast in the seaside city of Hervey Bay, spending the night at the centrally located Comfort Inn. Accommodation: Comfort Inn Fraser Gateway, Pialba 07 5450 9591 (two nights)

Day 4 Friday 8 July 2011
Fraser Island
Breakfast over, we're headed off shore today, across the Great Sandy Strait to Kingfisher Bay Resort  on the world's largest sand island - Fraser Island. Fraser's World Heritage listing, puts the island up there with Uluru, Kakadu and the Great Barrier Reef. The island stretches for 123 kilometres and features beautiful fresh water lakes, lush rainforests, spectacular cliffs of coloured sands, rare fens, sand blows, endless beaches, shipwrecks, wildflowers and abundant native wildlife.  Returning to the mainland in the afternoon, they’ll be leisure time to do as you please. You could do some exploring on your own or just kick back and relax. We’ll all meet up for dinner in the evening.

Day 5 Saturday 9 July 2011
Hervey Bay to Bundaberg & 1770—Miriam Vale
Continuing north we make our way to Bundaberg and a glorious stretch of Queensland known as the Coral Coast. In 'Bundy' we'll board a historic river ferry and embark on a relaxing and leisurely cruise along the Burnett River. Back on dry land, we'll lunch before motoring further up to the uniquely named Town of Seventeen Seventy. This picturesque seaside village is the first place that Captain James Cook stepped ashore in what was to become Queensland and has come to be known as the ‘Birthplace of Queensland’. Here we climb aboard a large pink LARC—we're in for some beach bashing and amphibious adventures. It’s an enthralling joyride taking in the rugged natural beauty of the coastline. Afterwards a short jaunt further up the road to the Koorawatha Homestead near Miriam Vale brings our day of cruising to an end. Accommodation: Koorawatha Homestead Motel, Bororen 07 4974 4188

Day 6 Sunday 10 July 2011
Gladstone to Rockhampton
Onwards and upwards along the coastal highway, bound for the gateway to the southern Great Barrier Reef, the historic port city of Gladstone. Originally a convict settlement, Gladstone is now Queensland’s busiest port. From the world class Gladstone Marina we'll 'get ferried' around Queensland’s largest natural harbour protected by Facing Island and Curtis Island. If lucky we might get a glimpse of the pods of dolphins that frequent the area. Back on dry land, we'll take a look about Gladstone, have some lunch and then make tracks for 'Rocky'. It's just a short drive from Rockhampton to Yeppoon and Emu Park for a scenic drive along the Capricorn Coast, taking in the magnificent view of the Keppel Islands. After touring about these coastal towns, it's back to the 'beef capital' and our motel. Accommodation: David Motel, Rockhampton 07 4927 4333 (two nights)

  Day 7 Monday 11 July 2011
Capricorn Coast—Great Keppel Island
Slop on the sunscreen, slap on a hat and slide on the sunnies for  a full day of Capricorn Coast cruising. The fun starts when we take a 'Freedom Fast Cat' lunch cruise to Great Keppel Island. The perfect tropical island, Great Keppel is surrounded by turquoise waters and bordered by sun drenched sandy beaches—it's an island paradise. On arrival at Great Keppel Island we’ll board a glass bottom boat for a short trip to the reef to view the beautiful undersea coral formations and feed the fish. Returning to the island we should have some time to explore before cruising back to the mainland.

Day 8 Tuesday 12 July 2011
Rockhampton  to Mackay
Back on the road again, trekking ever northwards. Morning tea stop is in Clairview, a beachside town popular for fishing and crabbing. A bit further along the road and we're in Sarina, boasting both beautiful beaches and scenic mountain ranges. Another short jaunt brings us to Mackay, with it's palm lined streets and Art Deco buildings. After lunch, we spend the rest of the day about this North Queensland city soaking up the tropical ambience. Accommodation: Mackay Resort Motel, Mackay 07 4944 7944

Day 9 Wednesday 13 July 2011
Mackay to Proserpine & Airlie Beach
This morning we tour our way through scenic Pioneer Valley off to our first of two destinations today—Proserpine. This rich fertile area was named after the Greek goddess of fertility, Persephone or as the Romans called her - Proserpina. Set amid a sea of lush cane fields, the evening sky around Proserpine is often lit up when the cane is fired during the winter harvest months. Then it’s just a short hop to Airlie Beach on the coast, the gateway to the Whitsunday Islands. Airlie overlooks the calm aquamarine waters of Pioneer Bay, set on a peninsular that reaches out into the Whitsunday Passage. Upon checking into our resort, there might be time for a refreshing dip in the freeform swimming pool or a soak in the spa. With waterfalls edged with rock gardens and shady Padamus palms you might forget you’re still on the mainland.  Accommodation: Comfort Resort Club Crocodile Airlie Beach 07 4946 7155 (two nights)


Day 10 Thursday 14 July 2011
Whitsundays
With 74 islands floating like jewels in the sparkling turquoise water of the Coral Sea, we set off for a ’cruisy’ day in paradise. Today we’ll experience the wonders of the Whitsundays—beautiful beaches of pure white sand, crystal clear waters, colourful corals and an abundant array of ocean life. What could top off such a wonderful day? How about, a glorious sunset.

Day 11 Friday 15 July 2011
Proserpine to Home (Brisbane/Gold Coast/Toowoomba)
Last morning in the beautiful Whitsundays, so make sure you get everything you need to see and do, seen and done, because we fly out of Proserpine early this afternoon, homeward bound. We take with us memories of an extraordinary holiday cruising along the coast.

Escape the Winter Chill & Come Cruising Along the Coast

For Bookings or Enquiries Phone 07 4687 5555.

Upcoming Tour - A Short Easter Hop

 
Hop on up to  the Central Queensland coast with Stonestreet’s Coaches on a fun filled four day long weekend. We’ll tour through scenic hinterland, celebrate a port city’s harbour festival, leave the mainland for a bit, step back in time and experience a wonderfully unique and ‘colourful’ tour that is quite the lark.
 
Day One - Friday April 22 2011 (LD)
Toowoomba - Bororen
On the first day of this ‘short hop’, we head north out of Toowoomba up into the South Burnett region.  We stop for lunch in Goomeri, known to some as ‘Clocktown’ and famous throughout the region for it pumpkin festival, held yearly on the last Sunday in May. We leave Goomeri’s 1920’s style charm behind and head on up the road, through the towns of the North Burnett region and on into the Bundaberg and Coral Coast hinterland. Then it’s further northwards into Central Queensland to a town famous for it’s pies back in the days of World War II - Bororen. The Koorawatha Homestead Motel here in Bororen will be our home base for the next three nights. Accommodation: Koorawatha Homestead Motel, Bororen
 
Day Two - Saturday April 23 2011 (BLD)
Bororen - Gladstone
We’ll spend the day roaming about this scenic part of the country, taking in all the sights. First off we head on over to a town known for it’s long white sandy beaches and as one half of a twin with the town of Boyne Island. We leave the ‘mainland’ when we cross the Boyne River from Tannum Sands to Boyne Island,  which is made an island by the joining of the river and the South Trees Inlet. It’s also where Australia’s largest aluminium smelter - Boyne Smelters - is located.  We’ll cross back over to the ‘mainland’ and zig zag through the wetlands, taking what used to be the ‘back road’ up to Gladstone. We’ll spend quite a few hours in this city, once known as Port Curtis and renamed in honour of the British statesman William Gladstone. The city’s boating and marine lifestyle is celebrated each Easter with the Gladstone Harbour Festival, which coincides with the Brisbane to Gladstone Yacht Race. The festival was born as a one day celebration to greet the winners of the yacht race and has grown to a week long festival  packed with entertainment. For lunch we’ll  hop out of the city to the tiny town of Mt Larcom for a pub style lunch at the Royal Hotel. If there’s time to explore we can check out the Mt Larcom Art Gallery before we make our way back to our home base in Bororen.
 
Day Three - Sunday April 24 2011 (BLD)
Bororen - Seventeen Seventy
Today we hop over to the historically significant town of Seventeen Seventy (1770). It was here that Captain James Cook came ashore near Round Hill Head on Wednesday 24 May 1770, accompanied by Joseph Banks and Daniel Solander. It was the first place that Cook stepped ashore in what was to become Queensland and has come to be known as the ‘Birthplace of Queensland’.  We’ll spend the the day touring the region in a unique fashion aboard a brightly coloured, amphibious four wheel drive ‘LARC’.—it’s a bright pink boat with wheels! It’s a day of amphibious adventure in the ultimate 4WD beach buggy. We’ll travel along the coastline of Eurimbula National Park, crossing tidal creeks, learning about the wildlife and history of Bustard Bay.  You might just see some kangaroos grazing near the beach or dolphins playing off the shore. Stopping at the Bustard Head Light Station, we’ll tour the light-keepers cottage and the light-station graveyard. Here in this little bit of paradise we’ll enjoy a picnic lunch with billy tea, coffee and LARC juice. Late afternoon we return to Bororen with time to freshen up before dinner.
 
Day Four - Monday April 25 2011 (BL)
Bororen - Toowoomba
Today we head on back down south, along Highway No.1, stopping firstly in the colonially historic town of Childers, for a delicious treat for morning tea. We’ll lunch in the old gold rush town of Gympie, before heading down through Brisbane and back up the hill to Toowoomba.

HIPPITY - HOPPITY GET ON YOUR WAY AND BOOK YOUR SEAT TODAY

COST $ 799pp twin or dbl share

For Bookings or Enquiries phone Stonestreet's Coaches on 07 4687 5555

Tour to Lake Eyre (With Water) 14 - 22 April 2011

Come view the spectaculars colours of the desert and Lake Eyre on an adventure into the real outback. You’ll trek along desert tracks, visit ghostly ruins and marvel at the spectacle of our vast inland sea on this nine day adventure ‘out the back o’ Burke’ and beyond. Includes flight over Lake Eyre. 
 
Day One - Thursday April 14 2011 (LD)
Toowoomba to Moree via Goondiwindi
Westward Ho we go to Goondiwindi on the Macintyre, home of 'Gunsynd' and the heart of the Border Rivers region. After smoko at the appropriately named ‘Gunsynd Park’, we pay a visit to Goondiwindi Customs House Museum which started life as a three bedroom cottage on the northern bank of the MacIntyre River around 1850. Then it’s over the border and down to Warialda, the ‘Place of Wild Honey’ on Reedy Creek.  We spend a bit of time at the Heritage Centre and enjoy a guided tour of  the town. Moree, known for its Hot Mineral Baths is our final stop today. Accommodation: Burke and Wills Motor Inn, Moree  02 6752 3377
 
Day Two - Friday April 15 2011 (BLD)
Moree to Bourke via Hebel and Lightning Ridge
We head off, the morning sun at our backs, before veering north to Hebel, just over the border back in QLD. Formerly 'Kellys Point', rumour has it that this little town was once a hangout of Dan Kelly and Steve Hart of Kelly Gang fame. After smoko its down the Castlereagh Hwy we venture, into black opal country and on to Lightning Ridge. The 'Ridge'- as the locals call it - where you'll find that it's not just the mines that are underground. Here we are taken on a tour about the town and stop for a while at the Opal Cave. After lunching at the Lightning Ridge Hotel Motel we make tracks for Bourke, once a major inland port on the mighty Darling River. This is where the REAL outback begins. Accommodation: Darling River Motel 02 6872 2288
 
Day Three - Saturday April 16 2011 (BLD)
Bourke to White Cliffs
After breakfast we’ll drop into the Visitors Centre, once the local railway station, and embark on a tour of the town. For as Henry Lawson once said, ‘when you know Bourke, you know Australia’. Then we head ‘out back o’ Bourke’ and make tracks for 'Corner Country', where the horizons are far and the sky is big. We’ll pull up for lunch at the Outback Inn in Wanaaring before wending our way down to the town of White Cliffs. Buried deep in opal country and once a teeming centre of 5000, the eerie desert moonscape surrounding the town is a stark reminder of those early days. You will experience 'local living' when we check into the White Cliffs Underground Motel for the night.  Accommodation: White Cliffs Underground Motel 08 8091 6677
 
Day Four - Sunday April 17 2011 (BLD)
White Cliffs via Mutawintji Rd to Peterborough
Breakfast over, we spend a couple of hours touring around White Cliffs, before hitting the track out of town. We're 'bound for South Australia' today, travelling through Mutawintji territory, a place of significance to the local people. Skirting the national park, we take the aptly named 'Silver City' Highway to Broken Hill. Stopping for a lunch here, a expert local guide  takes us on a entertaining and informative tour about town. Then onwards, through the small settlements that dot the 'Barrier' Highway, cutting through the wide brown land to Peterborough. This town boomed when the steel rails came in 1881 and is home to the largest railway 'Roundhouse' in the Southern hemisphere and three gauge railway crossings. Accommodation: Peterborough Motor Inn 08 8651 2078
 
Day Five - Monday April 18 2011 (BLD)
Peterborough to Marree
We're goin' north to Marree - towards Lake Eyre. On the way, we’ll stop for smoko in the little outback town of Hawker, and then it’s on through Flinders Ranges country. We trundle on to Lyndhurst, stopping to check out the spectacular scenery to be found south of town and the red ochre cliffs to the north. We’ll explore the red dust coloured stone ruins of ghostly Farina before motoring on. An old settlement on the edge of the vast desert inland, Marree is where the Oodnadatta and Birdsville tracks meet. Accommodation: Marree Oasis Town Centre Caravan Park and Motel 08 8675 8352 (two nights)
 
Day Six - Tuesday April 19 2011 (BLD)
Marree to Muloorina Station
It’s a short drive north-west to Mulorina Station on the edge of Lake Eyre where we are taken on a tour of the 4000 square kilometre working station where they raise Poll Herefords. Then the treat of the tour - a scenic flight over the 'inland sea'. Lake Eyre is thriving like it hasn't in many a year. It's only like this about three times in every century-and-a-half, so make sure you don’t miss your flight and take your camera with you. After lunch we take a short jaunt to Madigans Gulf before returning to Marree. 
 
Day Seven - Wednesday April 20 2011 (BLD)
Marree to Port Augusta
We head west along the Oodnadatta Track to Lake Eyre South where we’ll stop for morning tea before heading on down through the desert to Roxby Downs. We pull up for lunch in this town, purpose-built to service the Olympic Dam Mine, which produces copper, uranium, silver and gold. Motoring further down the track brings us to Woomera, the largest land-based test range in the world and Woomera Village, once a secret town closed to the outside world. There’s time to wander through the village before trekking south-east to Stirling North and Port Augusta, the 'crossroads' of Australia. It sits at the head of the Spencer Gulf, where the Adelaide-Darwin and Sydney-Perth rail lines cross. Roads from here head north to Alice Springs, west to the Nullabor and south-east to Adelaide. Accommodation: Fuller View Cabin Park, Port Augusta 08 8643 6689
 
Day Eight - Thursday April 21 2011 (BLD)
Port Augusta to Adelaide
Today’s leg of the trip leads us down the gulf to the city of churches - Adelaide. Statues, sculptures and magnificent historical buildings are a highlight of this fair city - as is Rundle Mall and the Central Markets - for the shopper in all of us.  After a delicious lunch at Globe Derby Park north of the CBD, we make our way down to the bustling beachside township of Glenelg.  Accommodation:  Comfort Inn Haven Marina , Glenelg 08 8350 5199
 
Day Nine - Friday April 22 2011 (BD)
Adelaide Hills
Our final day sees us heading into town for some serious shopping  at the Rundle Mall. We then motor over to Hahndorf, a town in the Adelaide Hills first settled by Lutheran families from the eastern provinces of Prussia back in 1839. The German influence is visible in the old buildings from those pioneering days, still in use as shops and houses. We head back to Glenelg via Mt Lofty lookout for dinner, before checking in at the airport for the flight home.

Join us on a tour to the ‘desert sea’
Cost $3999pp* twin or dbl share
Phone 07 4687 5555 in Toowoomba

Amid North Coast 24-27 February 2011

This tour takes us to the Coffs Coast – the part of the Mid North Coast of NSW that takes in Coffs Harbour and Belligen – about half way between Brisbane and Sydney. Inland there are world heritage listed subtropical rainforests which we will get to see when we tour up to the Dorrigo Plateau.

Coffs Harbour is a beautiful sub tropical city where we will discover the world of bananas at the Big Banana and enjoy a performance by some local seals at the Pet Porpoise Pool

Highlights:

• 3 Nights at Coffs Harbour
• Squatters Rest – Bush Poetry & Camp Oven Lunch
• Sea Circus Show
• Bellinger Valley
• Dorrigo Plateau
• Rainforest Skywalk
• Bangalow Sunday Markets

DAY 1: (LD) TO COFFS HARBOUR Thursday 24 February

Welcome to our 4 day coach tour to the North Coast. We have an early start this morning, so sit back and enjoy the facilities and hospitality aboard our touring coach as we head south over the New South Wales Border and along the Pacific Highway towards Grafton. Our lunch stop today is at a fascinating place called Squatters Rest – a private museum at a little place called Tucabia. Surrounded by vintage tractors, engines and farm machinery there are 16 old style buildings including a replica 1880 cook house, where we will enjoy Australia best Camp Oven lunch, a tour of the fascinating range of rural memorabilia and some entertainment on the pianola for sing-a-long, great yarns and bush poetry. It will be a great way to start our tour! This afternoon we continue to Coffs Harbour. On arrival we settle into our accommodation for the next 3 nights. (lunch en route / dinner in motel). Accommodation: Country Comfort, Coffs Harbour 02 6652 8222

DAY 2: (BD): COFFS HARBOUR Friday 25 February

After a hearty breakfast we depart on a sight seeing tour of the area. From the motel we head for Bruxner Park (Sealys Lookout) - a scenic drive through banana and avocado plantations with spectacular views across Koroa Basin and out to sea. Then it’s onto “Carobana” for a guided tour showing how various fruits, nuts, and sweets are coated with carob which is the healthy alternative to chocolate. After enjoying a sample or two we head for the jetty area and a short run around the man-made harbour before continuing onto Beacon Hill for another panoramic view of Coffs Harbour. Next is a visit to the Bunker Cartoon Gallery which is located in a restored WW2 underground bunker. It is now a funky up-tempo gallery featuring exhibitions of Australian and international cartoons. Following our visit we have some time to purchase lunch (own expense) before our afternoon visit to the Pet Porpoise Pool for the Sea Circus Show. From here we visit the Big Banana before returning to tour motel for dinner (breakfast & dinner in motel / lunch own cost).

DAY 3 (BLD) BELLINGEN & DORRIGO Saturday 26 February

Today we will enjoy the magnificent Bellinger Valley and Dorrigo Plateau. This morning we travel up to the historic township of Bellingen with its craft shops and galleries. Nestled on the banks of the beautiful Bellinger River, it was once the centre of a thriving timber industry. The town’s traditional-style main street, the highlight of which is the restored Hammond and Wheatley Emporium, is as grand as its name suggests. From here we drive up to the Dorrigo Plateau and to Dorrigo. Enjoy the sights and see some of the railway rolling stock that is being accumulated by a privately owned company in preparation for a new Dorrigo Steam Railway and Museum which will be home to the largest collection of preserved railway vehicles and memorabilia from the various Government and private railways of New South Wales. It is one of the most comprehensive railway collections in the world, with exhibits ranging from 1855 to the present day. We’ll enjoy lunch at the Dorrigo Hotel followed by a look at Dangar Falls then visit the Dorrigo National Park to see some amazing rainforest country and stunning views. The information centre, and a number of easy walks, will introduce us to the beauty and serenity of the rainforest. The Skywalk will provide us with some spectacular views. From the National Park we head back down the Valley to our motel to freshen up before dinner (breakfast & dinner in motel / lunch at Dorrigo Hotel).

DAY 4 (B) COFFS HARBOUR/BANGALOW/HOME Sunday 27 February

After breakfast we head back north along the Pacific Highway to Grafton and then on towards Ballina. We will make a stop today at Bangalow to enjoy Bangalow Market Day. The North Coast of NSW is home to a culture steeped in rural traditions, with country towns and villages nestled in the lush green hills and valleys formed from ancient volcanoes. With Nimbin to the west and Byron Bay to the east Bangalow is in the centre of the counter culture. The village is an historical treasure. The markets on the 4th Sunday of every month are a gathering of locals; a get-together of artists, artisans, bakers, victuallers, therapists, farmers and friends. We will hear the languages of people from far off lands, backpackers and celebrities alike. The Bangalow Market Day is a retreat from the city, a window into another world. (Breakfast in the motel/Lunch own arrangements & cost)

4 Days of Sightseeing & Fun for only $670 pp*
Twin or double share. Add $170 for single supplement. *Travel Club Members Price Phone 07 4687 5555 Toowoomba
Phone 07 5594 9314 Gold Coast

5 Star Deluxe Tour of Vietnam & Angkor Wat

Join Bev on a Tour to  VIETNAM & ANGKOR WAT
Visit mysterious ruined temples. Cruise mighty rivers and beautiful bays.
Walk ancient streets and marvel at architectural splendours. Explore the fascinating culture and history that is Vietnam.

Vietnam is a truly inspiring country to visit. The people are warm and inviting, going out of their way to please. In Hanoi, Saigon and Dalat we will stay at stunning French inspired colonial 5 star hotels. The food is flavoursome, fresh and interesting with 6 courses being the norm for a daily lunch. The breakfast buffets at the hotels are the ultimate in temptation  - you won’t be left hungry. We will even stay overnight on a local Junk in spectacular Halong Bay. You’ll enjoy some free time—to shop for some bargains or maybe treat yourself at one of the affordable day spas. Read the itinerary to discover all the wondrous places we’re heading to!

ITINERARY
Day One - Wednesday 4 May
Brisbane to Singapore
Late night flight takes us from Brisbane, across into South East Asia, landing in Singapore early breakfast time the next day.

Day Two - Thursday 5 May    
Singapore to Siem Reap (B)
More flying as we head north out of Singapore, across the South China Sea, landing a short time later in Siem Reap in Cambodia. This afternoon we visit Cambodia's 'great lake' - Tonle Sap lake - home of the floating village of Chong Khneas on the edge of the lake near Siem Reap.
Accommodation: Borei Angkor Resort & Spa

Day Three - Friday 6 May
Angkor Wat Temples—Siem Reap to Saigon (BL)
First off this morning, we visit the house of 'perfection of wisdom' - the deity Prajnaparamita's Ta Prohm Temple. We'll see the nearly perfectly square ancient city of Angkor Tom with it's spectacular central temple - Bayon Temple. Then come 'face to face' with the ancient funerary temple that is Angkor Wat . Tonight we fly out of Cambodia into Vietnam's largest city - Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon).
Accommodation: The Majestic Hotel (3 nights)

Day Four - Saturday 7 May
CuChi Tunnels—Saigon  (BLD)
Let's investigate that vast underground complex - the Cu Chi tunnels - get a little taste of what the American soldiers referred to as 'black echo'. Then to downtown Saigon to one of the city's symbols - Ben Thanh Market. We'll also take in the neo-Romanesque styled Notre Dame Basillica and French colonial styled Municipal Theatre (Saigon Opera House). Tonight we are honoured with a special 'Welcome to Vietnam Feast'.

Day Five - Sunday 8 May    
Mekong Delta  (BL)
Morning sees us touring the vast Nine Dragon river delta in South Western Vietnam—famous for its rice fields and beautiful landscapes. In My Tho we embark on a scenic river cruise down the mighty Mekong, enjoying a speciality lunch on one of the local islands before returning to Ho Chi Minh City.

Day Six - Monday 9 May    
Central Highlands—Dalai  (BL)
Leaving Ho Chi Minh City, we head off into Vietnam's Central Highlands, a magnificent region of tea and coffee plantations, orchards and stunning flower displays. We'll stop at one of the local flower farms and see some exquisitely crafted silk embroidery.
 Accommodation: Dalat Sofitel Palace Hotel

Day Seven - Tuesday 10 May
Nha Trang  (BL)
We leave the 'City of eternal spring' and make our way down to the scenic coastal city of Nha Trang. Known for it's clear waters and white sand beaches, Nha Trang Bay is considered to be one of the world's most beautiful. Accommodation: Novotel Nha Trang

Day Eight - Wednesday 11 Ma    y
Danang—China Beach—Hoi An  (BL)
Just a short flight up the coast takes us to Danang, which was home to a major air base during the Vietnam War. Then we hit the road, travelling via China Beach (My Khe) and Marble Mountains - a cluster of five marble and limestone hills south of Danang - to Hoi An. This beautiful old town was once a major port back in the 16th and 17th centuries.
 Accommodation: Palm Garden Resort

Day Nine - Thursday 12 May
Hoi An    (B)
We start the day with a walking tour of the 'Old Town' part of Hoi An, with it's narrow winding streets and shop houses. There's ancient family temples, the Japanese Covered Bridge and Phung Hung House to be discovered and explored. The afternoon will be your own to do as you wish. You may want to visit My Son—a cluster of Hindu temple ruins dating from the 4th century—available as an optional extra tour.

Day Ten - Friday 13 May
Hanoi—Halong Bay   (BLD)
We fly north today, up to Vietnam's second largest city - Hanoi - an established city for over 1000 years. Then we travel in style by deluxe coach east through the coastal hinterland to beautiful Halong Bay. We cruise about the hundreds of islands with their caves, grottos, swamp forests and peculiar rock formations. Can you imagine watching the sunset, sipping Vietnamese wine while floating in Halong Bay? It’s sure to be an amazing experience when we spend the night in the bay aboard a well equipped and appointed Vietnamese Junk.
Accommodation: Huong Hai Junks

Day Eleven - Saturday 14 May
Halong Bay—Hanoi (BL)
With so much to see and experience, we continue cruising about Halong Bay before returning to the ‘Paris of the Orient’ - Hanoi. Then a tour by rickshaw of this ancient city, famous for it's French colonial architecture. If you desire, an entertaining water puppet show (optional extra) can round off your day. Accommodation: Sofitel Metropole Hotel (3 nights)

Day Twelve - Sunday 15 May    
Hanoi   (BL)
Today we indulge ourselves in a half day tour of Hanoi. We'll visit Ho Chi Minh's former residence and his final resting place. Pay our respects at the historic Buddhist temple - One Pillar Pagoda - and visit the Temple of Literature (Van Mieu) dedicated to Confucius and founded in 1070.

Day Thirteen - Monday 16 May
Hanoi   (B)
 We spend our last day of the tour in this city once known as Thanh Long - the City of the Soaring Dragon. It's a free day to do as we please, see more of this ancient and modern city and fit in some last minute shopping.

Day Fourteen  - Tuesday 17 May
Hanoi to Home

Confucius says "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step."
TAKE THE STEP... BOOK TODAY!
Toowoomba 07 4687 5555
Gold Coast 07 5594 9314

Cost $ 4950.00 pp
(Plus visa fee of $78 Vietnam and $40 Cambodia)
and Tipping $80

INCLUSIONS
Buffet breakfast daily—other meals as indicated in itinerary
Private air-conditioned coach & all transfers
5 star luxury accommodation (as listed in itinerary except for three nights)
All entrance fees for sightseeing as per program
Local English-speaking guide
Return international airfares and taxes with Singapore Airlines
Internal air flights with Vietnam Air and taxes
In association with Harvey World Travel  Toowoomba. Personally escorted by Bev Mules from Stonestreet’s and Judith Watters of Harvey World Travle.

* Please note: Costings based on twin share. Sole use surcharge applies. Cost subject to currency fluctuations and airfare increases/fuel surcharges. If passenger numbers under 16 price will increase slightly. $2000 Deposit due on Confirmation to secure airfare and place on tour. Final Balance due 90 days prior to travel

Autumn in Armidale

Each year the New England hamlet of Armidale bursts into magnificent colour during autumn.

Over the years, thousands of deciduous trees have been planted throughout the region by home-sick settlers who had an ambition to make the area look like their former home - England.

If only they could see it now when birch, ash and poplar, which lend such a European feel , set the town ablaze with reds, golds and browns.

Join us for the tour to see Armidale and the New England region at it’s best with all the autumn colours.

ITINERARY

Day 1 - 19 April 2011
Home to Armidale
Heading in a westerly direction from Brisbane we pass through the fruit bowl region of the Lockyer Valley, then south from Toowoomba through the ‘Darling Downs’, a rich fertile agricultural district known for producing high yields of wheat, cotton and oil seeds. Visit the Tenterfield Saddler and the Standing Stones in Glen Innes, before arriving in beautiful Armidale for a three night stay.

Day 2 - 20 April 2011
Armidale Local Sights
During your touring today, discover why so many people come to this part of the New England to enjoy the colours of autumn. Armidale has so many parks and gardens that burst into magnificent colour at this time of the year. In fact, Armidale has an annual Autumn Festival that attracts thousands of visitors each year. Aside from the natural beauty of the changing leaves, Armidale boasts many fine old buildings with magnificent architecture; churches, schools, even the street-scape of Armidale’s shopping centre, a far cry from the slab and bark village that grew in 1839 as a government administrative centre.

Day 3 - 21 April 2011
Armidale Regional Sites
While exploring the outer lying regions of Armidale, call into Walcha and Bendemeer a small village of several hundred persons on the Macdonald River. Then at Uralla , the town famous for its connection with the legendary bushranger Captain Thunderbolt, see where Thunderbolt was laid to rest. Back closer to Armidale, visit one of the districts finest stations - Saumarez Homestead. The luxurious 33 room Saumarez Homestead sits on the crest of a hill amidst landscaped gardens. It is a large two-storey late Victorian mansion with fine upstairs verandahs featuring ornate cast-iron lacework, roundheaded windows and decorative gables.

Day 4 - 22 April 2011
Armidale to Home
Another sight to behold near Armidale are the Ebor Falls formed where the Guy Fawkes River drops 115 metres over columned basalt rock. Call in here before a pleasant drive through the forest en route to Grafton. Continue on the Summerland Way to Casino then Kyogle, then on through Woodenbong to Kilarney and the Queen Mary Falls. It’s just a short hop now through Warwick to home.

A Short Easter Hop - Koowartha & 1770

Hop on up to  the Central Queensland coast with Stonestreet’s Coaches on a fun filled four day weekend.

We’ll tour through Queensland’s hinterland, celebrate a port city’s harbour festival, leave the mainland for a bit, step back in time and experience a unique and ‘colourful’ tour that is quite the lark.
 
ITINERARY
Day One - Friday April 22 2011 (LD)
Toowoomba - Bororen
On the first day of this ‘short hop’, we head north out of Toowoomba up into the South Burnett region.  We stop for lunch in Goomeri, known to some as ‘Clocktown’ and famous throughout the region for it pumpkin festival, held yearly on the last Sunday in May. We leave Goomeri’s 1920’s style charm behind and head on up the road, through the towns of the North Burnett region and on into the Bundaberg and Coral Coast hinterland. Then it’s further northwards into Central Queensland to a town famous for it’s pies back in the days of World War II - Bororen. The Koorawatha Homestead Motel here in Bororen will be our home base for the next three nights.
Accommodation: Koorawatha Homestead Motel, Bororen 1 800
 
Day Two - Saturday April 23 2011 (BLD)
Bororen - Gladstone
We’ll spend the day roaming about this scenic part of the country, taking in all the sights. First off we head on over to a town known for it’s long white sandy beaches and as one half of a twin with the town of Boyne Island. We leave the ‘mainland’ when we cross the Boyne River from Tannum Sands to Boyne Island,  which is made an island by the joining of the river and the South Trees Inlet. It’s also where Australia’s largest aluminium smelter - Boyne Smelters - is located.  We’ll cross back over to the ‘mainland’ and zig zag through the wetlands, taking what used to be the ‘back road’ up to Gladstone. We’ll spend quite a few hours in this city, once known as Port Curtis and renamed in honour of the British statesman William Gladstone. The city’s boating and marine lifestyle is celebrated each Easter with the Gladstone Harbour Festival, which coincides with the Brisbane to Gladstone Yacht Race. The festival was born as a one day celebration to greet the winners of the yacht race and has grown to a week long festival  packed with entertainment. For lunch we’ll  hop out of the city to the tiny town of Mt Larcom for a pub style lunch at the Royal Hotel. If there’s time to explore we can check out the Mt Larcom Art Gallery before we make our way back to our home base in Bororen.
 
Day Three - Sunday April 24 2011 (BLD)
Bororen - Seventeen Seventy
Today we hop over to the historically significant town of Seventeen Seventy (1770). It was here that Captain James Cook came ashore near Round Hill Head on Wednesday 24 May 1770, accompanied by Joseph Banks and Daniel Solander. It was the first place that Cook stepped ashore in what was to become Queensland and has come to be known as the ‘Birthplace of Queensland’.  We’ll spend the the day touring the region in a unique fashion aboard a brightly coloured, amphibious four wheel drive ‘LARC’.—it’s a bright pink boat with wheels! It’s a day of amphibious adventure in the ultimate 4WD beach buggy. We’ll travel along the coastline of Eurimbula National Park, crossing tidal creeks, learning about the wildlife and history of Bustard Bay.  You might just see some kangaroos grazing near the beach or dolphins playing off the shore. Stopping at the Bustard Head Light Station, we’ll tour the light-keepers cottage and the light-station graveyard. Here in this little bit of paradise we’ll enjoy a picnic lunch with billy tea, coffee and LARC juice. Late afternoon we return to Bororen with time to freshen up before dinner.
 
Day Four - Monday April 25 2011 (BL)
Bororen - Toowoomba
Today we head on back down south, along Highway No.1, stopping firstly in the colonially historic town of Childers, for a delicious treat for morning tea. We’ll lunch in the old gold rush town of Gympie, before heading down through Brisbane and back up the hill to Toowoomba.

HIPPITY - HOPPITY GET ON YOUR WAY
AND BOOK YOUR SEAT TODAY

COST $ 799pp*
*twin or dbl share
Phone 07 4687 5555 in Toowoomba or 07 5594 9314 on the Gold Coast

Meandering Down Mudgee Way

This special six day tour is chock full of glorious landscapes from coastal seas to the central tablelands ‘nest in the hills.’

You’ll be captivated by the charm of grand ole architecture and historical landmarks of heritage towns.Predating Melbourne, Mudgee itself is steeped in history.

There’s much to entice the gourmet within as you savour the tastes of this delectable region—wines, honey, pecans, chocolate and fine foods galore. It’s an eye-opening (and mouth watering) journey, so join us to experience a wander down Mudgee way.

INTINERARY

Day One - February 14 2011 (LD)
Toowoomba to Armidale
We’re off to Armidale via a coastal route, so we head east down the range towards the  Gold Coast’s most southerly suburb, where we’ll stop for morning tea. We leave Coolangatta behind, wind our watches forward and head down through the beautiful northern NSW coastal region bound for the ‘Jewel in the Crown of the Richmond Valley’ - Evans Head. After a fish and chips lunch, we wend our way further south to the hub of the Clarence River Valley - Grafton - where we’ll stop for a break. From Grafton it’s westwards ho we go, winding through the range and down into the Northern Tablelands region of the New England area to Glen Innes. We stop here for a bit and visit the national monument to Australia’s Celtic pioneers - the Australian Standing Stones - an array of granite monoliths based on the ‘Ring of Brodgar’ in the Orkneys. From the ‘land of the Beardies’, it’s just a short jaunt down to Armidale for a well deserved night’s rest.
Accommodation: Abbotsleigh Motor Inn, Armidale 02 6772 9488

Day Two - February 15 2011 (BLD
Armidale - Mudgee
Touring our way south west across NSW today, first stop is Gunnedah, Australia’s Koala Capital. Here we have some smoko and pay a visit to the Gunnedah Rural Museum, which houses a huge collection of tractors, engines and old machinery. We continue our wanderings southwards, stopping for lunch in the home of the ‘black stump’. Just a bit further down the road is Gulgong, where we pause for a look around this living museum that is the town. Take some time to wander the winding streets of this old gold mining town that featured on the back of the old paper $10 note. Our day ends with a short drive to the second oldest town west of the great divide and our base for the next few nights - Mudgee. Accommodation: Parklands Resort, Mudgee 02 6372 4500 (3 nights)

Day Three - February 16 2011 (BLD)
Mudgee
After the last two days travelling, the pace slows quite a bit as we spend the day meandering about the Mudgee region.  We’ll spend time at Craigmoor, surrounded by vines and gumtrees on the banks of Pipeclay Creek, it’s Mudgee’s oldest winery and vineyard. We’ll also visit the home of Bee-Power, Mudgee Honey Haven,  where we can taste and choose from a huge range of honeys. There’s more tasting to be had when we drop into the Di Lusso Estate boutique vineyard and winery.

Day Four - February 17 2011 (BLD)
Mudgee
More meandering about today as we spend some time getting a taste of Mudgee. First up is Mudgee Gourmet, located in Mudgee’s historic Railway Station tourist complex. Here over 100 taste sensations await you. As ‘The Experts’ in fine foods in the region their shelves are laden with the wares of over 30 local and regional boutique food makers.  Then there’s the Oakfield Country Store, open every day of the year, where we will enjoy a delicious lunch. Browse the gift shop, buy some wine from their cellar door, and there are chocolates - handmade from the local area and imported ones.

Day Five - February 18 2011 (BLD)
Mudgee - Moree
We’re back in the coach and making tracks northwards, stopping for smoko in the small town of Mendooran on the Castlereagh, known for it’s hand painted murals and being mentioned in ‘Banjo’ Paterson’s poem ‘The Travelling Post Office’.  A couple of hours or so further up the road and we’re into the heart of the rich Namoi Valley where we stop for lunch in Narrabri.  A bit further on is the town famous for it’s Hot Mineral Baths and our last stop for the day - Moree. The rest of the afternoon is taken up by all things pecan on a visit to Stahmann Farms. To unwind we can avail ourselves of a hot mineral spa (optional).  Accommodation: Moree

Day Six - February 19 2011 (BL)
Moree - Toowoomba
We’re heading back up north on this our last day, detouring a little and pulling up in North Star for morning tea. Then onwards up to Goondiwindi on the MacIntyre where we get back an hour of daylight and take another break from the road. Heading north-east now, we stop at another town of murals - Millmerran - where we’ll enjoy lunch at the Mill Tavern before finishing our journey back in Toowoomba.

No if’s, ands or buts this is a sensational trip and we’re offering it to our Travel Club Members at an incredible savings.
DON’T DAWDLE—BOOK YOUR SEAT TODAY!
Regular Price $1499pp*
TRAVEL CLUB MEMBERS SAVE $500 ON THIS SENSATIONAL TOUR
Travel Club Members Pay $999pp*
*twin or dbl share
Price includes luxury coach travel & sightseeing, accommodation, all meals as stated in itinerary, entry to all attractions and venues in itinerary unless stated optional.
Phone 07 4687 5555 in Toowoomba to book your seat.

Temora Tomorrow

Got a thing for those flying machines? Does the sound of an aircraft engine roaring to life turn your head? If it‘s no contest between PLANES, trains and automobiles, then Temora Tomorrow is the trip for you.

We’re off to the Riverina in NSW where we’ll visit one of the best displays of historic aircraft in Australia.

And that’s not all! We’ll check out fauna at the zoo, flora in Cowra and the stars in Coonabarabran. It’s not all about ’tomorrow’ though. We’ll throw in a prehistoric adventure in Wellington, along with some bushranger lore and a few poets to mix it up for you.

ITINERARY

Day One - Thursday January 13 2011 (LD)
Toowoomba - Gilgandra
We make tracks south west, to the home of Gunsynd—Goondiwindi, where we stop for smoko and a bit of a leg stretch. We then continue the big day’s driving heading south into NSW and on to a town famous for it’s hot mineral baths where we’ll stop for lunch. With lunch over we hit the road south out of Moree and down to Australia’s astronomy capital - Coonabarabran. Here detour up into the Warrumbungle Mountains to Siding Springs Observatory, for a visit to the largest optical telescopes in Australia. We spend the last part of the day motoring toward the ‘town of Windmills’ and the ‘Home of the Coo-ees’—Gilgrandra, via the scenic magnificence of the Warrumbungle National Park. Accommodation Silver Oaks Motel, Gilgandra  02 6847 0111
 
Day Two - Friday January 14 2011 (BD)
Gilgandra - West Wyalong
We head out of Gilgandra and motor southwards again, making for Dubbo, the crossroads of NSW. Here we spend the whole morning with all creatures great and small, from elephants to meerkats, at the Western Plains Zoo. After lunch we continue motoring southwards to a town originally known as ‘Bushman’, but renamed Parkes in 1873 after Sir Henry Parkes. Here we go visit a movie star, this gal’s tall, quiet and quite the ‘Dish’. Then we put our ‘pararazzi’ equipment away and head further southwards to an old gold mining town formerly known as ‘Main Camp’ - West Wyalong.
Accommodation Club Inn Resort, West Wyalong 02 6972 2642 (two nights)

Day Three - Saturday 15 January 2011 (BD)
West Wyalong - Temora - West Wyalong
Today we ‘spread our wings’ and spend the day at the Temora Aviation Museum, just a hour or so down the road. It’s Vietnam aircraft show day and the Cessna’s take centre stage. The Cessna 0-1G ‘Birddog’ observation aircraft, the Cessna 0-2A ‘Oscar Deuce’, successor to the ‘Birddog’ and the Cessna A37B ‘Dragonfly’ ground attack aircraft all put on a spectacular show for us. Don’t miss the movie simulcast and hangar tour, a must for any aviation enthusiast. We head back to West Wyalong around mid afternoon.

Day Four - Sunday 16 January 2011 (BLD)
West Wyalong - Orange
We head east for a change today, bound for the birthplace of the man that gave us ‘The Loaded Dog’ and ‘The Drovers Wife’. The Weddin Mountains aren’t far from here, frequent hideout of the legendary Ben Hall and his gang - you’re in bushranger country now. We trundle a bit further along the road and pull up for a tour of a striking example of Edwardian architecture - Landra Castle. Then it’s onward to a town known as the site of the infamous ‘Cowra Breakout’. We’ll lunch here and tour the Cowra Japanese Garden for an hour or so. On then to the historic village of Carcoar, nestled in a vale beside the Belubula River - frequented by bushranging types back in colonial days. We’ve time for a walking tour of Carcoar's rich architectural heritage before heading off to Orange, our stop for the night.
Accommodation Quality Inn Ambassador, Orange 02 6393 7500

Day Five - Monday 17 January 2011 (BLD)
Orange - Gunnedah
We leave the birthpace of poets Banjo Patterson and Kenneth Slessor and head on up to a town where the Macquarie and Bell rivers meet—Wellington. Here we’ll take a big leap into the past with a tour of the unforgettable Wellington Caves. Then it’s on to the ‘town on the ten dollar note’—Gulgong, where we’ll stop for a while. Wander the winding streets of  this historic and picturesque little town and don’t miss visiting the Henry Lawson Centre, for history with a personal touch. (entry fee not included) Most of the afternoon is spent motoring up into the Namoi Valley to Gunnedah, the self proclaimed ‘Koala Capital’ of the world.
Accommodation Mackellar Motel, Gunnedah 02 6742 6838

Day Six - Tuesday 18 January 2011 (BL)
Gunnedah - Toowoomba
We head of to Australia’s Country Music Capital and stop for a bit of a wander along Peel Street, where you can show the local buskers some ‘appreciation’. Leaving Tamworth, we head high up into the Northern Tablelands to a city named after Armadale on the Isle of Skye in Scotland - that’s Armidale with an ‘i’.  We’ll have lunch and then head back into Queensland via Stanthorpe and on to Toowoomba.

DON’T WAIT UNTIL TOMORROW BOOK YOUR SEAT TODAY!
Tour Date: 13—18 January 2011
Price: $999pp*
* Twin or dbl share

Phone 07 4687 5555 in Toowoomba

We're Heading South for Christmas

On the third day we'll head up out of the big smoke toward them thar hills - well mountains actually. Leaving Sydney behind, we'll motor along the Great Western Highway and up into the spectacular Blue Mountains. One of our stops will be in the place of 'shiny, falling waters' - Katoomba, home of the Three Sisters. It's just a short jaunt from the highway to Echo Point to visit the girls, standing where they have for millenia, looking out over the Jamison Valley.

We'll stop for lunch on day five in the heart of the historical Goldfields district in central Victoria - Bendigo. First known as Castleton, then as Sandhurst, the town's nickname didn't become it's 'official' name until 1891. It's wide streets, lined with Victorian era buildings, hearken back to it's gold rush heyday. More gold was unearthed here in the latter half of the 19th century, than anywhere else in the world.

Day six finds us travelling along a particularly scenic piece of road, taking in impressive views of Bass Strait as we follow the coastline of south western Victoria along the Great Ocean Road. Near Port Campbell is where those coastal giants, the Twelve Apostles, rise majestically out of the Southern Ocean - you can't miss them.

Want to see more? Then come and spend Christmas down south with us on a 15 day tour that'll take you  down the coast, up into the mountains and through the Goldfields.You'll visit big cities and country towns, immerse yourself in history and even see an Australian icon or two.

Read more of the fabulous itinerary for Stonestreet's Coaches 'A Southern Christmas' Tour.

Phone 07 4687 5555 in Toowoomba or 07 5594 9314 on the Gold Coast to book your seat.

Get Into the Christmas Spirit - Bundaberg Tour

Bundaberg is a dynamic destination awaiting your discovery.Gateway to one of the wonders of the world - the Great Barrier Reef and famous for its local icons the Bundaberg Rum Distillery, Bert Hinkler and more. Take the time to slow down, relax and discover an a-bundy-ance of holiday treasures this Christmas with Stonestreets Coaches.

ITINERARY
Day 1 Thursday, 23 December 2010
Home Ports to Bundaberg Meals (LD)
Rise and shine, the 'spirit' of Christmas is waiting our arrival in beautiful Bundaberg today. Travel north along the Bruce Highway through Gympie and historic Maryborough taking in the magnificent sights along the way. Our approach to Bundaberg will be lined with vast fields of sugar cane. There could well be some being harvested as we travel by.

On arrival in Bundaberg, we'll be treated to a drive through this beautiful city which sits astride the Burnett River.

Day 2 Friday 24 December 2010
Bundaberg Sights Meals (LD)
The city of Bundaberg is famous for many things, first and foremost for it's world famous product Bundaberg Rum, as birthplace of pioneer aviator Bert Hinkler and for an unusual fish that inhabits the waters of the Burnett River. We'll learns about these famous Bundaberg icons and much more during our tour of Bundaberg today. We'll return to our accomodation in plenty of time to get ready as tomorrow is Christmas day.

Day 3 Saturday 25 December 2010
Christmas Day in Bundaberg Meals (BLD)
Ho! Ho! Ho! Did anyone hear the sound of reindeer on the roof last night? Perhaps it's because Father Christmas uses kangaroos to pull his sleigh down under and possibly makes Bundaberg his final stop so he can stock up the sleigh with 'medicine' from the local distillery before heading back to the North Pole. Hopefully he's left some presents for us...lets check under the tree!

Today we will be enjoying a traditional Christmas style lunch with the usual trimminngs. We will take a drive this afternoon to the beach where we can have a swim or a leisurely walk on the sand. Return to our accomodation for a relaxing evening together. Morning coach transfers will be available for church services.

Day 4 Sunday 26 December 2010
Bundaberg and District Sightseeing Meals (BLD)
Today's sightseeing will be a busy day taking us west from Bundaberg through the village of Gin Gin and an old railway tunnel, to the former mining town of Mount Perry, the citrus growing centre of Mundubbera. Then it's on to Childers (for a delicious ice cream). You'll be amazed at just how diversified the country and scenery can be in such close proximity to Bundaberg.

Day 5 Monday 27 December 2010
Bundaberg to Home Ports Meals (BD)
Travelling south today, our Christmas adventure will continue as we travel into Hervey Bay then Maryborough and the 'back way' through pine forests to Gympie. Our journey will then take another detour from the highway through Kenilworth and Maleny before returning to the main road near Caboolture. Our fabulous Christmas journey is fast drawing to a close but the memories and friends we've made will remain.

Get away this Christmas for $999 per person*
Twin or double share - Add $199 for requested sole occupancy of rooms.
*Travel Club Members Price (not a member - ask us how to join when you phone)
To book your seat:

Phone 07 4687 5555 in Toowoomba

 

 

A Top Christmas at Barrington Tops

Imagine the peacefulness of a tranquil river valley set amongst picturesque mountains, just a stone's throw from the historic beauty of the Hunter Valley. You'll roam about the vale, immersing yourself in the history of the pioneer towns and marvel at nature in all it's rugged glory.

Follow in the footsteps of the pioneering Scottish families, visit the haunts and trails of that bushranger rogue, Fred Ward - aka Captain Thunderbolt. Wend our way up into the picture postcard Peel River Valley and cruise out from Nelson Bay and the blue water paradise that is Port Stephens. This trip has it all!

Wednesday 22 December 2010 - Day 1
Toowoomba/Gold Coast Qld to Gloucester NSW via Pacific Highway
It's a big day's driving as we venture off eastwards to the Pacific Highway and then down southwards along the coast. We'll cross the border at Tweed, flit past Byron Bay and Ballina and motor on down through the northern NSW coastal towns to Grafton. Since we're Gloucester bound, check out Coffs Harbour, Nambucca Heads and Kempsey from the comfy coach seat as we trek onwards. We'll pull up finally in Gloucester at the Gloucester Country Lodge. Set at the base of the Buckett Mountains this will be our home base for the next five days.

Thursday 23 December 2010 - Day 2
Gloucester and the Hunter Valley
Today we‟ll roam about the valley that the Gloucester River winds through, visit the small towns dotted throughout the vale and venture further into the northern Hunter Valley region.

Friday 24 December 2010 - Day 3
Gloucester - Port Stephens Cruise
Its a cruisy day, this Christmas Eve as we wend your way down into the Hunter Valley, before heading for the coast and Nelson Bay. We‟ll enjoy a lovely day for a cruise out from the blue water paradise of Port Stephens - now this is living.

Saturday 25 December 2010 - Christmas Day - Day 4
Gloucester
Merry Chistmas to all in the town by the "big rocks". Look forward to a delicious lunch at the "Kick'n Back Cafe" in town and a big scrumptious barbeque Chistmas Dinner back at the "Lodge".

Sunday 26 December 2010 - Day 5
Tamworth - Cobarks Station via Thunderbolt’s Way
We're on the road again as we make tracks nor' west toward the country music capital and into the Peel Valley. Heading up the historic "Thunderbolt's Way", which is named after that fella Fred Ward, that roamed about the area back in the mid 1800's. We'll also pull up for a while at Cobark Station, on the Barrington River, said to be the second oldest cattle station in the river catchment area.

Monday 27 December 2010 - Day 6
Gloucester - Kempsey
Saying farewell to the valley and the Barrington Tops, we'll take the "Bucketts Way" east, up the highway a spell and into the Macleay River Valley. Here we'll find Kempsey, a historic river town set on the fast flowing Macleay River. Although there's historic "old style" accommodation to be had at South West Rocks, we'll spend the night in the Moon River Motor Inn.

Tuesday 28 December 2010 - Day 7
Kempsey to Home
Back up the highway we're heading, northwards along the coastal highway, looking out for all the sights we missed seeing on the the trip down. Relax and enjoy the trip back home, with plenty of memories, (maybe even photos and videos) of a Christmas spent is a really beautiful part of the world.

Join Stonestreet's Coaches for a Top Christmas
$ 1479.00 pp* Twin or double share.  Additional charges apply for requested sole occupancy. 
*Travel Club Members Price

Phone 4687 5555 in Toowoomba
Phone 5594 9314 on the Gold Coast Gold Coast

A Southern Christmas Tour

What better way to enjoy the Christmas holidays than on a Stonestreet‟s Coaches group tour. Sit back and relax on board our luxury touring coach as we travel through New South Wales, Victoria and ACT.
The Southern Christmas tour zigzags between mountains and seas on an amazing journey that takes in magnificent landscapes, city sights and the diverse culture and heritage of Australia. It’s a great getaway for the holidays.

A SOUTHERN CHRISTMAS TOUR ITINERARY

Day 1 Saturday 18 December Meals (LD)
Toowoomba/Gold Coast to Port Macquarie
Welcome to our Southern Christmas tour. Sit back and enjoy as we travel south over the border following the Pacific Highway through the scenic Northern Rivers region of New South Wales.

We travel past Byron Bay and Ballina, stopping for lunch in the picturesque "Scottish Town‟ of Maclean on the Clarence River. Continuing on we travel the scenic coastal road by Coffs Harbour, Nambucca Heads and through the Macleay River Valley before arriving at Port Macquarie and our overnight accommodation.

Day 2 Sunday 19 December Meals (BLD)
Port Macquarie to Sydney
Following a hearty breakfast, we hit the road again, making our way through the Manning River Valley and further down the coast. Lunch today is in the port city of Newcastle. We then tour through the Lake Macquarie district along the old Pacific Highway to Gosford and onto Sydney, where we spend the night.

Day 3 Monday 20 December Meals (BD)
Sydney to Young
This morning we resume our journey, leaving the suburbs of Sydney behind we head west along the Great Western Highway, up into the spectacular Blue Mountains. The world heritage landscape is a diverse mix of rainforest, blue hazed valleys, golden sandstone escarpments, deep canyons, lush forests and windswept heath lands. The Blue Mountains region was recognised as one of the world's top natural environments after the discovery of the oldest and rarest tree—the Wollemi Pine.

Traversing the Blue Mountains we travel through numerous communities including the village of Wentworth Falls (with lovely Victorian buildings) and Leura—known as the Garden Village with a pretty tree lined main street and many fine gardens and grand homes.

We visit Katoomba, home of the Three Sisters, a stunning rock formation that overlooks the Jamison Valley before touring on to the highest town in the Blue Mountains, Blackheath. This historic village attracted many explorers and adventurers in its early days. In the 1840's roving bushrangers infested the western district between Blackheath and Bathurst making it a dangerous area for travellers.

Continuing on we come to Mount Victoria, a historic town once called "One Tree Hill‟ as we make our descent into the foothills and the historic village of Hartley, before passing through Lithgow. From there we travel to Bathurst, Australia‟s oldest inland settlement and today's lunch stop.

Situated on the Western slopes of the Great Dividing Range it is a gracious town with grand heritage buildings and tree lined streets. After lunch we head south on the Mid Western Highway passing Carcoar and Cowra on our way into the Riverina region and tonight's accommodation in Young.

Day 4 Tuesday 21 December Meals (BD)
Young to Wangaratta
Catapulted into history with the discovery of gold in 1860, Young is now known as the "cherry capital of Australia‟. And it just happens to be cherry season so this morning we make a stop at Cherry Haven Orchards. After a tour of the packing shed we can indulge at the Cherry Shoppe, where delicious goodies like homemade jam and cherry chocolates are available for purchase.

Departing Young we continue south to Cootamundra, Junee and Wagga, situated on the beautiful Murrumbidgee River. Next we reach Albury, a thriving city perched on the banks of Australia's greatest waterway, the mighty Murray River. Here we stop for lunch before crossing the border into Victoria.

Touring along the Hume Highway we pass the village of Chiltern, named after the Chiltern Hills in England. Australian author Henry Handel Richardson, used Chiltern as one of the settings in his novel the "Fortunes of Richard Mahony.‟ It's only a short jaunt from here to our home for the night, Wangaratta.

Day 5 Wednesday 22 December Meals (BLD)
Wangaratta to Hamilton
After a good country breakfast we leave Wangaratta behind, continuing our tour southwest. Just up the road is Glenrowan, a quiet little town made famous by Ned Kelly and his gang. Touring on we stop to smell the roses in Benalla. Situated on Lake Benalla along the Broken River, the town is renowned for its historic and beautiful Botanical and Rose Gardens. Back in 1850 the flood prone land had been cleared to make way for a cricket pitch. The combination of recreation oval with ornamental gardens still remains today. Rose fanciers will find a notable collection of modern roses, including many Australian varieties. For a peek into the culture and history of the area, slip in to the art gallery located within the gardens.

Many of Victoria's cities and towns owe their origins to gold rushes and next we head into the Goldmines district, where we stop to enjoy lunch in Bendigo. Impressive Victorian buildings line the wide streets of Bendigo, as a reminder of the rich history built from one of the world's most exciting gold rushes. More gold was found here between 1850 and 1900 than anywhere else in the world. The city is literally built on gold, gathered from the rich gold-bearing quartz reefs.

Did you know that the Chiko Roll was developed by a boilermaker from Bendigo? Today our lunch will consist of another iconic Aussie food which also originated in Bendigo. From Bendigo we travel into Western Victoria travelling through a landscape of rolling hills, ancient red gums and extinct volcanos. Toward evening we arrive in Hamilton.

Day 6 Thursday 23 December Meals (BLD)
Hamilton to Melbourne via Warrnambool and the Great Ocean Road
We begin our day of sightseeing around the gracious city of Hamilton before heading to the historic maritime port city of Warrnambool. From here we experience one of the world's most spectacular drives, the Great Ocean Road.

We follow the stunning coastline of south-west Victoria, taking in the impressive views of Bass Strait and the Southern Ocean. Near Port Campbell we see the Twelve Apostles, the dramatic rock stacks that have made this coastline famous. Our destination today is Melbourne, for a four night stay.

Day 7 Friday 24 December Meals (BD)
Melbourne
This morning we spend a few hours enjoying the bustle of the Queen Victoria Markets. Opened in 1878, the historic site still retains an old world charm. Famous for its variety of fresh produce, there is also plenty of variety and general merchandise on offer.

Next we stop at the historic Fitzroy Gardens to see such sights as Cook's Cottage, a Tudor Village, and the Fairy Tree. We leave these peaceful surrounds behind to "spend time‟ in an rather ominous venue—the Old Melbourne Gaol. We return to our accommodation this afternoon and prepare, for tomorrow is Christmas Day.

Day 8 Saturday 25 December Meals (BLD)
Melbourne
Good morning and Merry Christmas! While we were sleeping Santa was busy travelling about the world delivering gifts. I wonder if he found us here in Melbourne? We'll see!

Following breakfast we have a morning at leisure. Coach transfers will be available to take those who wish to church services times to be announced).

This afternoon we dine onboard a luxury River Cruise vessel. We depart from the cosmopolitan Waterfront City Marina at Docklands for an unforgettable cruise along the Yarra River and out into the bay.

Day 9 Sunday 26 December Meals (BD)
Melbourne
Our day today takes us to Werribee where we step back in time with a stop at the splendid 19th century mansion at Werribee Park. Next we are off on safari at the Werribee Open Range Zoo for a bit of African adventure.

Afterwards we take in the sights of St Kilda, situated on one of the most picturesque points of the bay. At one time Melbourne's elite lived in palatial mansions along its waterfront. It became a playground for families to escape the city, before its decline saw it emerge as Melbourne's red-light district. It has since resurged as a fashionable suburb. Located in St Kilda is Luna Park, a historic amusement park with the iconic “Mr Moon” entry.

Day 10 Monday 27 December Meals (BD)
Melbourne to Albury
After breakfast we have one last look at Melbourne taking in sights including the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the Queen Victoria Gardens
Floral Clock and the Shrine of Remembrance. We farewell Melbourne and head east via the Hume Highway, travelling by Seymore, Euroa, Benalla and Glenrowan before crossing back into New South Wales where we spend the night at Albury.

Day 11 Tuesday 28 December Meals (BD)
Albury to Canberra
This morning we are bound for Gundagai, home of the famous Dog on the Tuckerbox. Nestled between Mt Parnassus and the Murrumbidgee River this small country town has been immortalised in many poems and songs. We continue our journey east to Yass, where we will turn south and make our way into the ACT and on to Canberra where we spend the next two nights.

Day 12 Wednesday 29 December Meals (BD)
Canberra
We start our day with a leisurely breakfast followed by a sightseeing tour of Canberra for an insight into the history, culture and ecology of the National Capital. We survey Canberra from the top of Mt Ainslie, and take in some of the must-see icons such as the Australian War Memorial, Lake Burley Griffin and the Captain Cook Fountain, and Parliament House.

Day 13 Thursday 30 December Meals (BD)
Canberra to Gloucester
We once again head north travelling through Goulburn and Mittagong as we make our way through the Hunter Valley to Gloucester, nestled at the base of the Bucketts Mountains.

Day 14 Friday 31 December Meals (BD)
Gloucester to Armidale
Today we wind our way along Thunderbolt's Way passing through Barrington, Nowendoc, Walcha and Uralla as we make our way to Armidale, located in the heart of the New England High Country.

Day 15 Saturday 1 January 2011 Meals (BL)
Armidale to Gold Coast/Toowoomba Via Glen Innes & Grafton
All good things must come to end and unfortunately, so must our tour. Following breakfast, we continue north along the New England Highway, back to Queensland, stopping for lunch along the way. After a wonderful Christmas holiday tour, our final destination today is home.

The Southern States are Calling
For just $3999pp* Twin or Double Share
For requested sole occupancy of rooms (single supplement) add $990
FOR BOOKINGS CALL 07 4687 5555

Of Big River Country

On the banks of the majestic Clarence River lie the charming townships of Maclean, Yamba and Iluka, hemmed together by national parks and pristine coastline.

This picturesque area is one of Australia’s best kept secrets making it the ideal destination for our four day holiday escape.

Come with us to cruise the Clarence River, visit the fishing village of Iluka, relish the heritage of the Scottish town of Maclean, see the scenic sights of Grafton and enjoy some intriguing attractions.

Price per person is $599 twin or double share - Single supplement $120

Phone now to book your spot — 4687 5555 in Toowoomba or 5594 9314 on the Gold Coast

ITINERARY
DAY 01 (LD): TO YAMBA: Tuesday 23 November
Welcome to our four day tour to Yamba, situated at the mouth of the Clarence River in Northern NSW. This morning we travel south on the Pacific Highway through Byron Bay and onto Ballina. Here we stop at Summerland House With No Steps, a beautiful working farm set on 172 acres of macadamia and avocado trees for a visit and our lunch break. Established in 1971, Summerland House is nestled amongst fertile farmland on the Alstonville Plateau. We have the opportunity to take a walk through the manicured gardens and see the stunning variety of plants in the garden centre and wander through the historic “Watts Cottage” museum. Following lunch we continue south to Yamba for our first night on tour. We’ll settle into our accommodation, home for the next three night’s (lunch at the House with No Steps / dinner in motel). Accommodation: Oyster Shores Motel, Yamba (3 nights)

DAY 02 (BD): YAMBA & SURROUNDS: Wednesday 24 November
Following a hearty breakfast we explore Yamba and surrounds. We’ll take in the sights of the Yamba Lighthouse, located on South Head, standing 41m above the sea. It offers fine views of the coastline and is a popular whale- watching site in the winter months. Its beams can be seen 17 km out to sea. Nearby is a replica of the original 1879 lighthouse erected by volunteers for use as a community radio station. We’ll join Clarence River Cruises for a leisurely boat ride across the scenic Clarence River to Iluka - a town surrounded by the Bundjalung National Park, World Heritage listed Rainforest and the Pacific Ocean. We continue on to the pleasant little port town of Maclean. Known as “the Scottish Town”, it is noted for its historical buildings. There’s time for us to browse in the Scottish Corner and perhaps find our clan and tartan! This afternoon we head to Tullymorgan to visit the Glen Ian Ostrich and Emu Farm. It’s here we are treated to an insight of these giant birds, in addition to the incubation process and chicks. The Farm is also home to Alpacas and goats…not to mention numerous other bird varieties. Later this afternoon we head back to Yamba and freshen up for dinner (breakfast & dinner in motel / lunch own cost).

DAY 03 (BLD): GRAFTON & TUCABIA: Thursday 25 November
This morning we head south to Grafton to enjoy a guided tour of the town. Grafton is a city of tree lined streets and graceful old buildings overlooking the Clarence River. As early as 1866, the Grafton council resolved to consider bylaws for the planting and preserving of trees and shrubs in the streets and recreation grounds. There are now some 7000 trees in Grafton and many beautiful parks. The most famous of the trees is, of course, the Jacaranda. Following our tour we make our way to the small town of Tucabia. Here we visit the Squatters Rest Museum. Surrounded by vintage tractors, engines and farm machinery there are 16 old style buildings including a replica 1880 cookhouse. Whilst here we are provided with a tour of the old house and take a look at the fascinating range of rural memorabilia. We will also enjoy a lunch and be treated to some great yarns and bush poetry. We might even have a song or two on the pianola!! From here we return to Yamba and our motel to relax before dinner (breakfast & dinner in motel / lunch in Tucabia).

DAY 04 (B): YAMBA TO THE GOLD COAST/TOOWOOMBA: Friday 26 November
We farewell our hosts this morning and make our way north to Eltham Valley, half way between Lismore and Byron Bay. Here we visit the Eltham Valley Pantry - a working pecan & coffee plantation. We enjoy a guided tour of the farm and a viewing of the operation as well as a delicious morning tea. We then continue towards home, arriving after a wonderful four day tour to Yamba (breakfast in motel / lunch own cost).

4WD Adventures

Fun—Adventure—Exploration—Exhilaration—Excitement—Off the Beaten Path

Every part of this 4WD coach has been designed with the rigours and harshness of 'driving off road' in mind. Now we can take you the extra mile ... and then some! And with the luxuriously appointed interior you'll still be travelling in comfort and style.

Climb aboard our 4WD coach to go places you’ve never been before. We have some exciting bus trips planned and would love you to join us. But seats are limited so book early to avoid missing out.

DATE	TOUR
Thu 23 Sep	Through the Condamine Gorge - 4x4 Adventure We're off to Killarney where the adventure really begins by following the Condamine River through its magnificent gorge. The scenic splendour along the way is second to none in the Main Range National Park. Cost $60 includes morning tea and lunch.
Fri 24 Sep	Exploring the Northern Ranges  - 4x4 Adventure The hills to the north of Toowoomba are laced with tracks and trails. Discover fantastic locations, rainforests, great views and an excellent day of adventure in the Northern Ranges. Cost $60 includes morning tea and lunch.
Sat 25 Sep	The Upper Reaches of the Brisbane River - 4x4 Adventure How Far Can We Go? The name says it all. The upper Brisbane River branches out through Avoca Vale and Mt Stanley. This tour will follow the western branch, crossing the river several times along the way. An adventurers paradise. Cost $60 includes morning tea and lunch.

 

For those who really crave adventure, there's our Tasmania by 4x4 from 28 January to 15 February 2011 and Cape York Caper with tour 1 from 20 May to 5 June 2011, and tour 2 from 6 to 21 June 2011. Or how about a trip across the most remote track in Australia - the "The Gunbarrel". From the Most Easterly to the Most Westerly Point via the Gunbarrel will be a most memorable trip. Tour dates for this safari are from 3 to 26 September 2011.

Phone the Toowoomba office on 07 4687 5555 or contact the Gold Coast office on 07 5594 9314.

Getaway to Toowoomba's Carnival of Flowers

Now in its 61st year, the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers has been growing bigger, brighter and more colourful each year. It's Australia's longest-running annual horticultural event - a celebration of all things spring. The carnival highlights the best the Garden City has to offer in flowers, food, wine, entertainment and culture.  

Gold Coast Tours to Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers

There are two - 2 Day Tours to choose from:
19th - 20th September and 20th - 21st September

Day 1
Depart from the Gold Coast at 7:00am to travel to Toowoomba. On arrival enjoy a delicious morning tea and breathtaking views from Picnic Point. Then visit prize winning gardens and nurseries before an overnight stay in the Garden City.

Day 2
Take a historic and most enjoyable look around Toowoomba with Roberto, a local guide and historian. Visit more prize winning gardens and enjoy a picnic in colourful Queens Park, the piece de resistance of Toowoomba's parks and gardens. Then complete your visit to the Garden City with a stroll through the Grand Champion's first prize garden.

Price per person $299 Twin or double share
Single Supplement $88 (as this is a premium time to visit Toowoomba requested sole occupancy of rooms is very limited)

Price includes:
All Coach travel
Entry to prize winning gardens
Entry to Brindabella Nursery
All lunches
Accomodation (twin or double share)
3 course dinner
Full breakfast

For bookings call Stonestreet's Coaches on the Gold Coast at 5594 9314.

 

Dawson Daydreaming with Wally

A special tour featuring Wally’s nostalgia, this trip is sure to delight. With his interesting and sometimes funny commentary of pioneering coach travel taking in the Dawson Valley travelling through Miles, Wandoan, Taroom, Theodore, Biloela , Mt. Morgan to Rockhampton. We’ll  stay at the Rydges Capricorn Resort at Yeppoon while exploring the area. We’ll also visit the Port of Gladstone for a tour of the magnificent port facility and Bundaberg to see the distillery in action.

Day 1  GOLD COAST / TOOWOOMBA TO MILES – Monday 4 October   Meals (D)
Welcome to our 6 day tour to Rockhampton and Bundaberg. This morning we travel through Toowoomba for a visit to the Milne Bay Military Museum. The Museum is located in a building known as “The Drill Hall”. It was first constructed in 1917 in Newtown Park, Toowoomba as a recruiting depot for the 11th Light Horse regiment. After the end of World War I in 1918, it became the headquarters and training depot for the 25th Battalion, the Darling Downs Regiment & the building was relocated in 1926. Today it houses an excellent collection of military memorabilia from Toowoomba and the Darling Downs.

This afternoon we have plenty of time to purchase lunch and investigate the township before we head to Miles to check into our overnight accommodation. (Lunch own expense / dinner in the motel) 
Accommodation: Starline Motor Inn
  
Day 2  MILES TO YEPPOON – Tuesday 5 October   Meals (BLD)
After a hearty breakfast we continue our journey with a travel day so sit back and relax. We will stop for our picnic lunch en route and late afternoon we arrive in Yeppoon to check into our accommodation for the next 3 nights. (Breakfast & dinner in the motel / picnic lunch)
Accommodation: Rydges Capricorn Resort Yeppoon (3 nights)

Day 3  ROCKHAMPTON TOURING – Wednesday 6 October  Meals (BLD)
Rockhampton is one of the finest cities in Queensland. Certainly for elegance and style it is the equal of Townsville, Ipswich, Warwick and Charters Towers. The central business district, particularly Quay Street (which is part of the National Estate) and East Street, is one of Australia's most elegant streetscapes. The concentration of beautiful old buildings, the tree lined streets, the malls, the lazy Fitzroy River beside Quay Street, all make this area of Rockhampton one of the delights of any visit to the city. This morning we take a sightseeing tour including a visit to the city’s magnificent Botanic gardens.

We next head north of Rockhampton to Olsens Capricorn Caves, they have the distinction of being the oldest tourist attraction in Queensland. The sixteen caves were first discovered by John Olsen, a Norwegian migrant, in 1882. Two years later he opened them to the public. They were formed from an ancient coral reef some 380 million years ago. We enjoy a light lunch here before taking a guided tour of the chambers, with easy access and flat walking trails.

After lunch we make our way to Koorana Crocodile Farm. The farm opened in November 1981 and was the first commercial crocodile farm in Queensland. There was no stock available to start the farm so John & Lillian Lever captured crocodiles from the wild that were proving to be a danger to people. After an interesting day we return to our motel for dinner. (Breakfast & dinner in the motel / lunch at Caves)

Day 4  YEPPOON – Thursday 7 October   Meals (BD)
Following a leisurely breakfast we make our way to the Horse & Carriage Museum.  Here we take "a journey back in time" as we see Queensland’s largest collection of horse drawn vehicles on public display. There are 51 vehicles including a Hansom cab, Landeau carriage, Hearse, Cobb & Co. coach, an Austrian one horse open sleigh and wide wagon. There are also 22 farming implements with a full set of condamine bells and camp ovens, a Blacksmith and Saddlers shop and early Australian memorabilia and photographs.

Leaving the vehicles of yesteryear we now head to the vehicles of today as we arrive at The Champions Brock experience.  Here we take a guided tour, enjoy an amazing sound & light show and are able to view memorabilia of the late Peter Brock.

After this interesting morning we have an afternoon of free time to investigate this beautiful coastal town. (Breakfast & dinner in the motel / lunch own expense)

Day 5  YEPPOON TO BUNDABERG – Friday 8 October  Meals (BLD)
We have an early start this morning travelling to the port of Gladstone where we enjoy a tour of the town, before we express to Bundaberg, home of Bundaberg Rum and birthplace of famous aviator Bert Hinkler.

We stop for a late lunch at the Bundaberg RSL before heading to the origin of many Australian hangovers - the Bundaberg Rum Factory.  Here we get to see the distillery in action and have the opportunity to taste some of the product. We now check into our overnight accommodation. Accommodation: Bundaberg Bert Hinkler Inn

Day 6  BUNDABERG TO THE GOLD COAST – Saturday 9th October  Meals (B)
This morning we farewell our hosts and make our way home.  We express past the Sunshine Coast and the stunning Glasshouse Mountains and onto the Gold Coast, to end a fantastic 6 day tour.

Don’t miss out on Wally’s nostalgic six day tour

$1350pp*

    *Twin or double share  $290 Single supplement surcharge

FOR BOOKING CALL STONESTREET’S COACHES

Gold Coast 5594 9314 or Toowoomba 4687 5555

 

Lake Eyre 4WD Adventure

Just add water and the heart of outback Australia comes alive!

Join us on this fabulous 4x4 tour which includes a bird's eye view of Lake Eyre - one of the natural wonders of the world. With the floodwaters from Queensland having finally reached Lake Eyre in remote South Australia it's a rare chance to see the incredible sight of Lake Eyre in flood. The birdlife is spectacular, with thousands of pelicans migrating to breed at the lake.

This tour package includes your meals and accommodation (including a night in an underground motel), sightseeing from our luxurious 4x4 coach, a tour of an outback station, flight over Lake Eyre, and return flight from Adelaide.

ITINERARY

Day One - Thursday 9 September 2010
Home Ports—Toowoomba/Gold Coast  to Moree via Goondiwindi  Meals (LD)
Westward Ho we go to Goondiwindi on the Macintyre, home of 'Gunsynd' and the heart of the Border Rivers region. Then its over the border and down the Newell Hwy into the Gwydir Valley. Moree, known for its Hot Mineral Baths is todays final stop. Get plenty of sleep, big day tomorrow.

Day Two - Friday 10 September 2010
Moree to Bourke via Hebel and Lightning Ridge     Meals (BLD)
We head off, the morning sun at our backs, before veering north to Hebel, just over the border back in QLD. Formerly 'Kellys Point', rumour has it that this little town was once a hangout of Dan Kelly and Steve Hart of Kelly Gang fame. Then its down the Castlereagh Hwy we venture, into black opal country - Lightning Ridge. The 'Ridge'- as the locals call it - where you'll find that it's not just the mines that are underground. Our last port of call - Bourke - once a major inland port on the mighty Darling River. This is where the REAL outback begins.

Day Three - Saturday 11 September 2010
Bourke to White Cliffs     Meals (BLD)
Today we make tracks for 'Corner Country', where the horizons are far and the sky is big. Wending our way down to the town of White Cliffs. Buried deep in opal country, once a teeming centre of 5000, the eerie desert moonscape a reminder of those early days. You will experience 'local living' when we check into the White Cliffs Underground Motel for the night.

Day Four - Sunday 12 September 2010
White Cliffs via Mutawintji Rd to Peterborough     Meals (BLD)
We're 'bound for South Australia' today, travelling through Mutawintji territory, a place of significance to the local people. Skirting the national park, we take the aptly named 'Silver City' Hwy to Broken Hill. Then onwards, through the small settlements that dot the 'Barrier' Hwy, cutting through the wide brown land to Peterborough. This town boomed when the steel rails came in 1881, home to the largest railway 'Roundhouse' in the Southern hemisphere and three gauge railway crossings.

Day Five - Monday 13 September 2010
Peterborough to Marree     Meals (BLD)
We're goin' north - to Marree - goin' north towards Lake Eyre. An old settlement on the edge of the vast desert inland, Marree is where the Oodnadatta and Birdsville tracks meet. On the way, you'll pass through the little outback town of Hawker, past Wilpena Pound and through Flinders Ranges country to Lyndhurst, at the crossroads of the Strzelecki and Oodnadatta Tracks.

Day Six - Tuesday 14 September 2010
Marree to Muloorina Station and return (BLD)
A short drive north-west to Mulorina Station on the edge of Lake Eyre. You are taken on a tour of the 4000 square kilometre working station where they raise Poll Herefords.

Then the treat of the tour - a scenic flight over the 'inland sea'. The sheer enormity of Lake Eyre from the sky is an amazing sight, even without water.  But when there is water in the lake, the salinity variations form incredibly colourful swirling current patterns—a spectacle  not to be missed.  Lake Eyre is thriving like it hasn't in many a year. It's only like this about three times in every century-and-a-half. Don’t forget your camera!

Day Seven - Wednesday 15 September 2010
Marree to Port Augusta     Meals (BLD)
Southwards today, leaving Marree and Lake Eyre behind, we journey back down to Hawker, turning south-west toward Port Augusta, the 'crossroads' of Australia. It sits at the head of the Spencer Gulf, where the Adelaide-Darwin and Sydney-Perth rail lines cross. Roads lead north to Alice Springs, west to the Nullabor and east to Adelaide

Day Eight - Thursday 16 September 2010
Port Augusta to Adelaide.  Meals (BLD)
Our final leg of the trip leads us down the gulf to the city of churches - Adelaide. Statues, sculptures and magnificent historical buildings are a highlight of this fair city - as is Rundle Mall and the Central Markets - for the shopper in all of us. We spend our final night in the Comfort Inn Haven Marina in the bustling beachside township of Glenelg.

Day Nine - Friday 17 September 2010
Adelaide to Home Ports—Toowoomba/Gold Coast Meals (B)
Today we head for home. After completing our checkout, we transfer to the Adelaide Airport for our return flight to Brisbane. We’ll arrive home late in the afternoon.

 9 Days of Adventure for Only $3999pp* Twin or double share. 

*Travel Club Members Price

To book your adventure Phone 4687 5555  in Toowoomba or 5594 9314 on the Gold Coast

 

Sunshine Coast Getaway

Stonestreet's have a special 3 day Sunshine Coast Getaway planned for 24 - 26 August 2010. With spring approaching it will be the perfect time to get out and about for a fun and relaxing break. 

This fabulous tour includes luxury coach travel and sightseeing, two nights accommodation at the Rydges Oasis resort in Caloundra and meals, along with a steam train journey on the Mary Valley Rattler and a cruise on the waterways of Mooloolaba.

This all inclusive getaway is only $550.00 pp* Twin Share Basis

Download a brochure for the full itinerary.

FOR BOOKINGS CALL STONESTREET’S COACHES
Toowoomba 4687 5555 and the Gold Coast 5594 9314

Would you like to meet the famous dolphins of Monkey Mia?

If you're sitting at your desk daydreaming about getting away for a vacation, it's not to late to book on our Western Australia Broome to Perth tour.

From the spectacular coastline of soft white sands and turquoise water into a marvellous wilderness country of red earth and ancient landforms, this 14 day tour takes in many of the diverse landscapes of WA, along with the rich history and culture of the area. And yes... we'll be visiting Monkey Mia.

Download a brochure for the full itinerary.

Bookings for this tour close in one week (18 June 2010).

Phone 4696 9825 in Toowoomba or 5594 9314 on the Gold Coast to book your seat.

July Journeys

4x4 FIVE DAY MYSTERY TOUR - 'This Trip Will Be Tops'
1 - 5 July 2010 $969*
If you're looking for a real adventure look no further. This escape will take you to some of the most scenic country you're likely to see. There's a bit of coast, some mountains and wide open spaces in this fabulous fully accommodated 4x4 adventure.

HUNTER VALLEY CHRISTMAS IN JULY
25 - 31 July2010 $1399*
Could you imagine a better place to stay than the beautiful Hunter Valley for a special Christmas in July themed tour? With visits to wineries, historic Morpeth, and the lovely Hunter Valley Gardens it's sure to be a popular trip. Highlights include a Lake Macquarie Cruise and a sumptuous 'Winterfest' lunch at Aunty Molly's Theatre Restaurant.

Download a brochure for the full itinerary.

ACROSS THE TOP - From Cairns to Broome
24 July - 13 August 2010 $5999*
Highlights include the Atherton Tablelands, Undara Lava Tubes, travel on the Savannahlander and the Gulflander trains,  sunset over the bay at Kurumba, underground at Mt Isa, and a cruise in the Kimberly. So much to see! Across the Top is a fascinating adventure.

Download a brochure for the full itinerary.

There's lots to see and do! Check out our upcoming tours.

NEW DATE - Escape to the Outback Itinerary

Due to flooding out west this trip is postponed until June.

Join us on this adventure ‘way out west’, to the ‘back o’ Bourke’, the ‘back of beyond’, to The Outback!

22-27 June 2009  $999pp*

Get away from the bustle of the city to a land of wide open spaces - The Australian Outback.

Discover this fascinating region. It's a place of dreams and opportunities, struggles and hardships. 

An Iconic Outback Mining Town
Embrace the delights that lured pioneers to this harsh and unforgiving region. Concealed beneath the desolate semi-desert landscape of Lightning Ridge is a rare beauty - dazzling opals, including the elusive black opal.

The Edge of the Great Unknown
Surrounded by red dirt plains, the town of Bourke is a historic port on the Darling River. The region onced considered uninhabitable (by explorer Sturt) provoked the poet Henry Lawson to write 'To know Bourke, is to know Australia'.

Share the Aussie Spirit
From good old-fashioned hospitality on a genuine outback station homestead to "a day in the life" story of the Royal Flying Doctors you're sure to enjoy a unique look at the Outback.

Our six day packaged tour is ideal to get a taste of the Outback!

• Fully escorted sightseeing tour in modern air-conditioned coach.
• Five nights accommodation*
• Five Cooked Breakfasts (B), Five Lunches (L) and Five Dinners (D)
• Cruise on the Darling River
• All entry admissions as per itinerary.

  

Across the Top Tour Itinerary

Escorted Coach Tour Package Across the Top of Australia from the Great Barrier Reef to Broome in Western Australia

24th July to 13th August 2010

 

Looking for adventure? Look no further! This tour is for you.

Crossing the continent of Australia from east to west you'll travel through some of the most intriguing country with fascinating flora and fauna, and breathtaking scenery. For 21 days you will explore, discover and be amazed at the sheer diversity of our wonderful country.

There are so many highlights included in the Across the Top tour package it's sure to be an awe-inspiring journey you'll love! Join us for this trek across the top end of Australia.


Your journey of discovery starts in Cairns, gateway to the Great Barrier Reef and takes you on a spectacular sightseeing adventure across Australia ending in beautiful Broome in Western Australia.

Tropical Cairns - The Great Barrier Reef
Atherton Tablelands - Cross the mighty Savannah
The Gulf Country - Katherine & Mataranka
Victoria River - The Kimberley Region
Beautiful Broome on the West Coast

• Flights from Brisbane to Cairns & Broome to Brisbane*
• Transport to & from airports*
• Fully escorted sightseeing tour in modern air conditioned coach
• 20 nights accommodation* 
• 20 Cooked Breakfasts (B), 11 Lunches (L), and 20 Dinners (D)
• Four scenic cruises: Cairns Reef, Katherine Gorge, Sunset Ord River & Geikie Gorge
• Three scenic rail journeys: Kuranda, Savannahlander & Gulflander
• All tour admissions and national park fees as per itinerary

Optional activities at your own cost include flights at Buccaneer Archipelago and over Lake Argyle, the Argyle Diamond Mine & Bungle Bungles, as well as canoe hire at Lawn Hill.

Mystery Tour Programme

For a trip with a difference why not try one of our Mystery Tours? 
It’s fun and exciting to set off into the unknown. You could visit somewhere you always dreamt of going or you could travel somewhere you would never have considered. Yes there’s the risk of travelling to places you’ve already been on your own... but on an escorted group coach tour it will be a fresh adventure where you’ll most likely notice new sights and take part in different activities. 

Not knowing what to expect can be liberating!
Having no knowledge of the itinerary is uncharted territory for most travellers but when you put aside the need to know, you experience the world around you in a fascinating new way.

But do be warned... enjoying a great time with a bus full of other people can be addicting.



Choose from one of our day mystery bus trips or our ever popular multi-day mystery coach tours.

Cheap Chewsday Mystery Trip
Take a ride in air-conditioned comfort aboard our coach for a bit of sightseeing and a meal. This trip is ideal for those who would love to get out of the house for a short break.

Price: $33 Includes coach travel, morning tea, lunch and a good cheap fun day away.

Dates: Tuesday 9 February, Tuesday 16 March and Tuesday 11 May.

Last Thursday Mystery Tour
You won’t know where you’re going until you get there. What you do know is you’ll enjoy a lovely day away on the last Thursday of each month with your Travel Club friends.

Price: $66 Includes coach travel, morning tea, lunch, entry to attractions and a fun day out

Dates: Thursday 25 February, Thursday 25 March, Thursday 29 April and Thursday 27 May.

Four-Day Mystery Tour Getaways
Who ever said "It's not the destination but the journey that counts" must have been talking about our four day mystery tours! Our luxury touring coach allows you to sit back and enjoy travelling...so your holiday begins from the moment you board the bus.

Each mystery tour incorporates a series of destinations with a variety of stops and activities, on and off the beaten track. Our Mystery Travellers discover that instead of hurrying to get to a place our coach trips are designed so you enjoy the journey.

The multi-day mystery tours are a fully escorted all inclusive package deal that includes sightseeing aboard deluxe touring coach,  accommodation, meals (including hot breakfasts), and entries into some very interesting places. At $599 per person you’ll be surprised at the inclusions. These tours are always exceptional value and tend to sell out quickly.

Tour 1: 12 - 15 February
Tour 2: 16 - 19 February
Tour 3: 14 - 17 May
Tour 4: 21 - 24 May


Phone to book your seat:

    For coach tours fromToowoomba call 07 4687 5555

    For coach tours from Gold Coast call 07 5594 9314

New Zealand Tour Itinerary

Escorted Coach Tour Package to New Zealand 

6 - 23 April 2010

This adventure of a lifetime takes us to New Zealand where we'll explore the best the North and South Island have to offer.  You'll experience the breathtaking beauty of New Zealand and the natural wonders, alongside it's rich and fascinating culture reflecting both Maori and European heritage.

There is so much to see and do - The TranzAlpine Train, Franz Josef Glacier, Walter Peak Station where you travel Lake Wakatipu, a cruise in Milford Sound and much much more!

Included in this New Zealand tour package are three day of leisure providing you with endless possibilities for your holiday dreams.

• Meet and Greet on arrival in New Zealand

• Fully escorted coach tour by same staff and coach throughout New Zealand

• 17 Nights quality hotel/motel accommodation, twin/double rooms, (single rooms available with surcharge) all with private facilities

• Baggage assistance at each hotel

• All tour admissions as per itinerary

• 17 Cooked Breakfasts (B), 1 Lunch (L), and 16 Dinners (D) including 3 Special Cultural Meals : Walter Peak Dinner at the Colonels Homestead – Queenstown, Haggis Ceremony – Dunedin, and Maori Hangi and Concert – Rotorua

• Tranz-Alpine Rail Journey

• 4 Scenic Boat Cruises: TSS Earnslaw Cruise on Lake Wakatipu, Milford Sounds Cruise, Cook Strait and Queen Charlotte Sounds, and The Hole in the Rock

• Guided sightseeing touring in modern air conditioned coach

• Complimentary Travel Kit including, travel bag, travel wallet, name bar, luggage labels and a New Zealand map

New Zealand 18 Day Discovery Tour

Escorted Coach Tour Package to New Zealand

6 - 23 April 2010

We’ve had lots of requests for a tour to New Zealand to visit both the north and south islands so we approached Leisure Time Tours - a local NZ company, who put an 18 day tour together, just for Stonestreet's.

Highlights of this trip include a train ride on the Tranz Alpine Rail, visits to Rotorua and Parry Kauri Park, sightseeing at Fox and Franz Joseph Glaciers, cruise on Milford Sound, an exciting Bay of Island cruise and much, much more. Watch here for a full itinerary.

Price: $4995*pp

*Travel Club Member

Phone Stonestreet's in Toowoomba on (07) 4687 5555 or the Gold Coast on  (07) 5594 9314.

On Tour - See Wildflowers in the West

With up to 12,000 species putting on a display, Western Australia’s wildflower season is one of the best times for a tour.

Check out the colourful and precious wildflowers we saw on our last visit to WA. View our short video to discover what to expect when travelling in Western Australia’s wonderful wildflower season. Then "come and see the real thing" on our Western Australia in Spring tour.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA IN SPRING With Option on the Indian Pacific
27 August - 14 September
Tour Packages from $4999
This sightseeing tour package is designed to see the best of the amazing wildflowers while visiting Esperance, Albany, Cape Leeuwin, Margaret River District, Perth and lots more.  Phone Stonestreet's in Toowoomba on (07) 4687 5555 or the Gold Coast on (07) 5594 9314.

West Coast of Australia - From Broome to Perth

Western Australia is famous for its long days of sunshine, spotless blue skies, brilliant beaches and diverse natural attractions found nowhere else in the world.

Come with Stonestreet's on a tour to visit all those fantastic places you see in the travel books - Cable Beach, The Pilbara Region, Tom Price, Monkey Mia, The Pinnacles and more!

14 DAY BROOME TO PERTH TOUR  (13-26 August 2010)

Day 01 (D): BRISBANE TO BROOME: Fri 13 August 2010
Welcome to our 14 day tour of the diverse West Coast of Australia from the tropical north, Broome to the Mediterranean style climate of the Capital. Upon arrival in Broome today we transfer to the motel, our home for the next two nights (lunch own cost / dinner in motel).
Accomodation: Mercure Inn Continental, Broome

Day 02 (BD): BROOME: Sat 14 August 2010
Broome is situated on the coast of the Southern Kimberley Region. It is bounded by wide sandy beaches and turquoise waters and enjoys a warm climate with plenty of sunshine. The discovery of rich pearling grounds off the coast in the 1880s lead to the foundation of the Broome township in 1883. By 1910 Broome was the world's leading pearling centre.

After breakfast we embark on a sightseeing tour of the local sights. As we explore this romantic town of the northwest, with its history entrenched in the pearling industry, we see Gantheaume Point and the Port Area before Chinatown where we visit the fascinating attraction called the Pearl Luggers. It’s often said that Broome’s pearling industry is as rich in culture as it is in pearls. This morning we are taken through an exciting array of pearling equipment with memorabilia from actual hard hat diving suits to the hand powered pumps which fed precious air to the divers below. To hear the stories first hand is a memorable experience.

There’s now time to purchase lunch and do some shopping. Late afternoon, we transfer to Cable Beach.  We arrive in time to watch the sunset over Cable Beach before a wonderful dinner (breakfast in motel / lunch own cost / dinner at Cable Beach).

DAY 03 (BD): BROOME TO PORT HEDLAND: Sun 15 August 2010
Today we travel through some of the most sparsely populated and remote areas of Australia, as we skirt the Great Sandy Desert to the East and Eighty Mile Beach to the West. We stop at a local Roadhouse for a lunch stop (own expense) then continue south, deviating from the highway to view Eighty Mile Beach near Wallal Downs Station. From here we travel onto Pardoo Roadhouse for an afternoon stop before arriving into Port Hedland – a dynamic town of 15,000 people located in the Pilbara Region of Western Australia. The original inhabitants, the Karriyarra people, call the place Marapikurrinya for the hand shaped formation of the tidal creeks coming off the natural harbour (breakfast & dinner in motel / lunch own cost).
Accomodation: All Seasons Port Hedland

DAY 04 (BD): PORT HEDLAND TO KARRATHA: Mon 16 August 2010
This morning a local guide will join us for an informative tour of the town. The main industries are iron ore processing and export, salt production from extensive evaporation ponds for export, shipping of manganese and other minerals and livestock production – mainly cattle. The Port is one of the world’s largest in tonnage terms, with over 70 million tonnes of product worth more than $3 billion shipped each year.

Our journey today takes us south along the North West Coastal Highway. On arrival into Roebourne we briefly leave the highway for a visit to historic Cossack. Today, Cossack offers a unique look at our colonial past with nine of the original buildings fully restored. Then we travel onto Karratha for our overnight stop (breakfast & dinner in motel / lunch own cost). Accomodation: All Seasons Karratha

DAY 05 (BLD): KARRATHA TO TOM PRICE: Tue 17 August 2010
Today we head to nearby Dampier for a visit to the Visitor Centre of the huge North West Gas Shelf Project. From here we head inland en route to Tom Price and the Karijini National Park.

We stop at Millstream - freshwater springs, ivory-coloured water lilies, palms and cool pools are synonymous with Millstream’s oasis. The Millstream-Chichester National Park protects nearly 200,000 ha of tableland and basalt ranges covered by spinifex and the white-trunked Snappy Gums. An extraordinary variety of plants and animals depend upon the Millstream pools. These include the unique Millstream Palm. Like the palms of the Finke’s Palm Valley they are relics of wetter times. A packed lunch is included today and this afternoon we arrive in Tom Price and settle into our motel for our next two nights (breakfast & dinner in motel / picnic lunch). Accomodation: Tom Price Hotel Motel

DAY 06 (BLD): TOM PRICE: Wed 18 August 2010
After a hearty breakfast we have arranged to join Lestock Tours for the Pilbara Iron Mine Tour. It will be compulsory to wear the supplied hard hats and goggles. The tour will give us a good understanding of the magnitude of the operations and we’ll be amazed by the enormity of the iron ore mine.

After our tour we’ll visit the Karijini National Park Visitors Centre and enjoy our picnic lunch. This afternoon we head into the Hammersley Ranges for some sightseeing including Oxer Lookout – the junction of 4 mighty gorges, Red, Weano, Joffre and Hancock Gorge. After our interesting day we return to our accommodation for a freshen up before dinner (breakfast & dinner in motel / picnic lunch). Accomodation: Tom Price Hotel Motel

DAY 07 (BD): TOM PRICE TO EXMOUTH: Thu 19 August 2010
This morning we depart Tom Price and return to the North West Coastal Highway, the junction of which we stop at the Nanutarra Roadhouse for our lunch break (own expense) and a chance to stretch the legs. This afternoon we pass Giralia Station, a large (265,000 hectare) and very isolated farm and Coral Bay before arriving into Exmouth (breakfast & dinner in motel / lunch own cost). Accomodation: Potshot Motel, Exmouth
 

DAY 08 (BD): EXMOUTH TO NANGA BAY: Fri 20 August 2010
Exmouth is famous for its annual fishing competition and is also the location of a jointly operated Australian/USA Naval Communication Station. This morning we join a captivating cruise around the Ningaloo Marine Park with its remarkable reef. Although the Ningaloo Reef is not as well known as the Great Barrier Reef off the Queensland coast, it is just as spectacular. It is also very accessible. In some places it can be viewed literally metres from the shore! 

After cruising, we leave the North West Cape and travel through Carnarvon and onto the Peron Peninsula for our two night stay at Nanga Bay (breakfast & dinner in motel / lunch own cost). Accomodation: Nanga Bay Resort

Day 09 (BLD): MONKEY MIA: Sat 21 August 2010
The Shark Bay region we are about to visit was so named by explorer William Dampier in 1699, although he was not the first to discover this area. The first European landing took place in October 1616 when Dutch sea captain Dirk Hartog landed at Cape Inscription   152 years before Captain Cook set out on his much publicised voyage of discovery to the Pacific and Australia’s eastern shores.

Today the area is recognised as one of the very special places on earth and is World Heritage listed. For more than 30 years now, three generations of Bottle Nosed Dolphins have been visiting the beautiful beach at Monkey Mia on the north eastern arm of the Peron Peninsula, to interact with their human visitors.  The famous “dolphin beach” is the ideal place to enjoy this most unusual activity. Of course the dolphins cannot be guaranteed but when they come into shore and mingle with National Park Rangers, it’s an attraction not to be missed! 

This afternoon we enjoy lunch whilst visiting the Telegraph Station with a stop at Hamelin Pool to see a colony of Stromatolites (fossil micro organisms) that date back to the beginning of life on earth. Following our tour we return to the resort   (breakfast & dinner in motel / lunch at Telegraph Station). Accomodation: Nanga Bay Resort

Day 10 (BD): NANGA BAY TO KALBARRI: Sun 22 August 2010
We enjoy breakfast before travelling south to Kalbarri.  Driving into the Kalbarri National Park, we stop en route for a photo opportunity at Hawks Head where we get good views of the Murchison River and one of the gorges.  From Hawks Head we make our way into Kalbarri township for lunch (own expense). This afternoon we explore Kalbarri including a visit to the Rainbow Jungle before checking into our motel for dinner (breakfast & dinner in motel / lunch own cost).  Accomodation: Kalbarri Edge Resort, Kalbarri

Day 11 (BD): KALBARRI TO GERALDTON: Mon 23 August 2010
Following a leisurely breakfast this morning, we take the new coastal road south, stopping for photo opportunities along this very beautiful coastline, into Geraldton. Upon arrival we’ll have a brief sightseeing tour of the local sights including the port area, St. Francis Xavier Cathedral and the HMAS Sydney Memorial. We have the afternoon free to further explore, for personal shopping for simply relaxing (breakfast & dinner in motel / lunch own cost). Accomodation: All Seasons Geraldton


Day 12 (BLD): GERALDTON TO PERTH: Tue 24 August 2010
We depart Geraldton this morning and travel south to Dongara then onto the town of Cervantes. Cervantes is the access point to the truly remarkable Nambung National Park. Following a stop to enjoy our picnic lunches at a suitable spot we’ll visit Nambung National Park - home to Western Australia’s Pinnacles. The Pinnacles are one of the State’s foremost natural wonders with scores of eerie limestone pillars. From here we continue onto Perth (breakfast & dinner in motel / picnic lunch). Accomodation: Citigate Perth

DAY 13 (BD): PERTH: Wed 25 August 2010
After a leisurely breakfast we join Captain Cook Cruises for a cruise down the Swan River to Fremantle.  On arrival in Fremantle our coach is there to meet us and show us the sights of this historic port town.

Following our lunch break (own expense), we return to Perth where we embark on a sightseeing tour.  Included in our touring will be a stop at Kings Park – a delightful 400hectare inner city park set aside as public space back in the late 1800s. From the Park there are panoramic views of the city and the Swan River. The Park supports 250 species of plants and about 100 native animals. We will enjoy some time here before returning to the hotel for our final night’s dinner (breakfast & dinner in motel / lunch own cost). Accomodation: Citigate Perth

DAY 14 (B): PERTH TO BRISBANE TO HOME: Thu 26 August 2010
Today we head for home. After completing our check out procedure, we transfer to the Perth Airport for our return flight back to Brisbane. We’ll arrive home late this afternoon having had a sensational West Coast Tour (breakfast at motel / lunch own cost).

Price: $5299*pp twin share or double share

*Travel Club Member

Phone Stonestreet's in Toowoomba on (07) 4687 5555 or the Gold Coast on  (07) 5594 9314.