NRMA Insurance Ashes Series Tour Packages

Margaret River & The Southwest

Leaving Perth at 8am our journey takes us south though the coastal towns of Mandurah and Bunbury to Busselton for our morning stop. We can stretch our legs at the iconic Busselton Jetty, the longest timber jetty in the southern hemisphere. (please note there is not enough time at this stop to walk the full length of the jetty). Next, we head to Margaret River and enjoy a wine or beer tasting before lunch at the Cheeky Monkey Brewing Co.

This afternoon we head to Cape Leeuwin where we can take in the amazing views of where the Southern Ocean and the Indian Ocean meet. Located here is the Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse, the tallest Lighthouse on Mainland Australia and is still a vital working lighthouse for vessels navigating the treacherous cape.

Retracing our steps we have an afternoon stop at the Margaret River Chocolate Factory then make our way back to Perth returning aorund 7pm.

Inclusions
Lunch and beer or wine tasting at Cheeky Monkey Brewing Co
Entry to Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse
Visit to Margaret River Chocolate Factory

Price
£132pp

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The Pinnacles Desert & Cervantes

We head north away from Perth towards the Yanchep National Park for a quick comfort stop and an opportunity to see the Koalas and Kangaroos. Then it’s onwards to Nambung National Park to see the mystical Pinnacle Desert for an easy paced walk through the fascinating landscape, giving you the opportunity to really embrace this amazing and mystical place. We also visit the Pinnacles Desert Discovery Centre to learn more about the Pinnacles and the cultural and natural heritage of the area.

Following the highlight visit to the Pinnacles, it’s on to the seafood-based town of Cervantes for your included fish and chip lunch.

After lunch we head back towards Perth to visit the iconic Swan Valley and sample some of the regions famed providores offering such delights as chocolate, nougat and gourmet nuts.

Once we have had our fill of the gorgeous Swan Valley, we head straight back to Perth down Guildford Road arriving at approximately 6:30pm.

Inclusions
Fish & Chips Lunch
Nambung National Park Entry Fee
Visit to Pinnacles Desert Discovery Centre

Price
£122pp

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Wave Rock

Journey through Western Australia’s wheatbelt to Hyden – home of Wave Rock, truly one of Australia’s most incredible natural landforms. Heading east, we have our morning stop in historic York, the first township founded in the Avon Valley.

Next, we travel the Wheatbelt Highway through the agricultural towns of Corrigin and Kondinin, through outback farming country. We are given a glimpse of Australian country life on passing by the infamous Dog Cemetery, a shrine to man’s best friend and an integral part of farming life.

Late morning we arrive at Hippo’s Yawn, a rock formation which resembles a Hippopotamus yawning. We then break for an Aussie country style lunch at the Wildflower Shop. Whilst here, visit either a Wildlife Park, view a unique Antique Lace Collection – even featuring lace from Lady Diana, or visit the amazing Toy Soldier Museum. Then we move on to see the spectacular prehistoric rock formation of Wave Rock and sacred Aboriginal sites. Leaving Wave Rock we now visit Mulka’s Cave.

We return to Perth with a comfort stop on the way, arriving at approximately at 8:00pm.

Inclusions
Lunch at the Wildflower Shop
Guided tour of Wave Rock
Entry to Wave Rock Wildlife Park, Toy Soldier Shop, Lace Collection.

Price
£146pp

Kangaroo Island

We have an early start this morning and travel by coach to Cape Jervis, the departure point of the Kangaroo Island SeaLink Ferry. The Ferry across to Kangaroo Island takes 45 minutes and once on the Island we embark on our days touring.

There are two major wildlife areas we have planned to visit today – Seal Bay and the Flinders Chase National Park. At the famous Seal Bay we can take a walk on the beach amongst the colony of Australian Sea Lions who live here all year round. It is an unforgettable experience to be guided by a National Parks Ranger, along the beach, within metres of the bulls, cows and sea pups as they rest on the beach.

This afternoon we visit the Flinders Chase National Park, Remarkable Rocks, Cape du Couedic and Admirals Arch where, via a spectacular board walk, we can see close up a colony of New Zealand Fur Seals who live in the sea and the rocks just below us.

We have dinner at the Penneshaw Hotel before boarding our Ferry back to the mainland and from here return to Adelaide later in the evening.

Inclusions
Return SeaLink Ferry Crossing to Kangaroo Island
Seal Bay Ranger Guided Beach Walk
Lunch (selection of Wraps, Baguettes, fruit and cake) at The Rocks Café Flinders Chase
Flinders Chase National Park Entry Fee
2 Course Dinner (main & dessert) at Penneshaw Hotel

Price
£256pp

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The Adelaide Hills & Hahndorf

Leaving Adelaide, we make our way to the Mount Lofy Summit Lookout to appreciate the views across Adelaide and its surrounding coastline. From here it’s a short drive into Hahndorf, Australia’s oldest German settlement. We have free time to walk along the main street of Hahndorf and look through the various shops, cafes and restaurants. Lunch today is at passengers’ own expense and Hahndorf is home to several excellent German themed pubs.

Leaving the Adelaide Hills we now head to the famous wine producing area of the Barossa Valley. Our first winery visit is to Yalumba Wines, one of Australia’s oldest family-owned wineries. The winery has an interesting cricket link with a past family member playing 49 tests for Australia and captaining Australia for 10 test matches.

We take in the views from the Menglers Hill Lookout and arrive at Seppeltsfield Wines. Established in 1851 the history of this winery and its owners is truly fascinating, which we will hear about on our tour after which we enjoy a tasting.

Our day complete we return to Adelaide late afternoon.

Inclusions
Wine tasting, tour and talk at Yalumba Wines
Wine tasting, tour and talk at Seppeltsfield Wines
(Lunch is at passengers own expense)

Price
£133pp

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McLaren Vale & The South Coast

From Adelaide we make our way south to the area known as the Fleurieu Peninsula. The main township is Victor Harbor which is a popular destination for day trippers from Adelaide. Its around 90 minutes travel time and we take a sightseeing tour of the area before boarding the Victor Harbor Horse Drawn Tram across to Granite Island.

Lunch is included today at the Hotel Victor, then we travel to Goolwa where the Murray River meets the Ocean and then we head to the Southern Vales Wine Region with a stop in McLaren Vale.

One of the most unique experiences in this region is a visit to d’Arenberg wines, home to The Cube. The five-storey structure created by Chester Osborn, was inspired by the complexities and puzzles of winemaking. We have a talk followed by a wine tasting, then return to Adelaide late afternoon.

Inclusions
Return Granite Island crossing on Victor Harbor Horse Drawn Tram
1 course (Mains only) Lunch at Hotel Victor
Talk, Tour and Wine Tasting at The Cube

Price
£133pp

Coming soon…

Sydney Sights & Bondi

Uncovering the sights of Sydney our local coach captain will enlighten us to the intriguing stories, as we make our way around Sydney to the Harbour foreshore and Mrs Macquarie’s Chair. The chair, carved out of the sandstone by convicts for Governor Lachlan Macquarie’s wife to watch the activity on the Harbour offers great views of the Sydney Opera House, Harbour Bridge and Fort Denison. From here we travel through Kings Cross and Sydney’s exclusive eastern suburbs to Bondi Beach. Here we have some free time to purchase lunch and take a walk on the beach.

This afternoon we follow the coastline north to Watsons Bay and have some time to take in the sights of The Gap and South Head before returning to central Sydney.

Inclusions
Luxury coach travel throughout with hotel pick up and drop off
(Lunch is at passengers’ own expense)

Price
£123pp

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Sydney’s Northern Beaches

Uncovering the sights of Sydney our local coach captain will enlighten us to the intriguing stories, as we make our way around central Sydney, then cross the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Sydney’s Northern Beaches curve along the coastline from Sydney’s North Head to Palm Beach and boasts more than 20 stunning beaches that are very popular amongst local surfers and swimmers.

We arrive in Palm Beach and the scenery may be familiar to some, as it’s the location of Australian Television Show – Home and Away. We have some free time to purchase lunch here and take in the sights.

We return to Sydney via the famous surfing beaches of Dee Why, Narrabeen and Manly.

Inclusions
Luxury coach travel throughout with hotel pick up and drop off
(Lunch is at passengers’ own expense)

Price
£110pp

The Southern Highlands & Bowral

Today we travel southwest to the Southern Highlands – an area that is home to some of Australia’s best-known gardens and luxury residences. Our first stop is at the historic village of Berrima, one of the best remaining examples of a small Australian town of the 1830s. There are numerous cafes, restaurants and eclectic stores to look through.

Late morning we arrive in Bowral, where Australia’s greatest cricketer, Sir Donald Bradman, spent his childhood. Here we visit the Bradman Museum and International Cricket Hall of Fame which brings cricket to life with interactive touch screens, an expansive range of displays, memorabilia and videos depicting the place of cricket in the context of world history.

We have free time to purchase lunch in the main street of Bowral before spending the afternoon at Fitzroy Falls. One of the most spectacular waterfalls in Australia, Fitzroy Falls in the beautiful Morton National Park plunges dramatically into the untouched valley 81m below.

Inclusions
Entry to the Bradman Museum & International Cricket Hall of Fame
(Lunch is at passengers’ own expense)
Entry to Fitzroy Falls

Price
£112pp

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Hunter Valley Wineries

Today we head for the Hunter Valley and our first stop is the Hunter Valley Chocolate Company Twenty-3-Twenty Chocolate & Fudge Factory. We can see the huge range of chocolates available and purchase our morning coffee here. Its not far from here to the Hunter Valley Gardens where we will find over 25 hectares of spectacular international display gardens. Sensational sights, colours and fragrances dominate the twelve stunning feature gardens. Explore each garden and bask in a lavish array of colour. Enjoy some free time to purchase lunch in the Hunter Valley Gardens Village.

This afternoon we enjoy wine tastings at Polkolbin Estate Winery and Tulloch Wines before returning to Sydney late afternoon.

Inclusions
Entry to Hunter Valley Gardens
(Lunch is at passengers’ own expense)
Wine Tasting at Polkolbin Estate Winery
Wine Tasting at Tulloch Wines

Price
£145pp

The Blue Mountains

This morning, we are ready to begin our day tour to the Blue Mountains to the west of Sydney. Travelling through the western suburbs of Sydney, past the former Sydney 2000 Olympic site we make our first stop at Featherdale Wildlife Park. We get the opportunity here to feed a kangaroo, wallaby or emu. From here our coach climbs into the Blue Mountains and we take the scenic Cliff Drive to Echo Point and see the Three Sisters at Katoomba.

Near here is Scenic World where we ride on the Scenic Railway, the world’s steepest incline railway. We descend 415m down the escarpment at a gradient of 52 degrees and travel through the tunnel and ancient rainforest. When we disembark, we walk the 300m rainforest boardwalk to connect with the Flyway platform. The Scenic Cableway is the steepest aerial cable car in Australia.

Our final adventure at Scenic World is to join the Scenic Skyway to take the journey 270m above ancient ravines and dazzling waterfalls. The 360 degree birdseye view takes in the Three Sisters, Katoomba Falls, Mount Solitary and the never ending expanse of the Jamison Valley.

Inclusions
Entry to the Featherdale Wildlife Pak
Entry to Scenic World
(Lunch is at passengers’ own expense)

Price
£145pp

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Newcastle Harbour Lunch Cruise

Departing Sydney, we travel north through the Kuringai Chase National Park and cross the Hawkesbury River on our way to the regional city of Newcastle. Late morning we join our luncheon cruise on Newcastle harbour extending to the Hunter River and Koorangang Wetlands. Our cruise will take us along the Steelworks channel under the Stockton Bridge to the mouth of the Hunter River.

This afternoon we take a sightseeing drive around Newcastle including Fort Scratchley. The Fort overlooks Newcastle Harbour and Nobbys Beach and is home to the only two land-based guns in Australia ever to be engaged in a Naval Engagement. The site contains a museum detailing the Forts history and we enjoy an interesting Tunnel tour.

Inclusions
2.5 hour Newcastle Harbour Lunch Cruise
Visit to Fort Scratchley

Price
£159pp