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September Newsletter 2009
Dear Travel Club Member,
We hope you have enjoyed our recent tours, your response has been wonderful and we look forward to seeing you on some of our new ones.
On our Norfolk Island Tour and Jersey Boys Tour we all had a great time and weather was kind to us.
We have just been able to get tickets to Edinburgh Tattoo these are limited as seats sold fast and motels rooms are limited, so those interested will need to call to avoid disappointment.
We have added in the Tulip festival and hope our weather gives a good day with lots of Tulips to see.
Peppermint Bay is another new trip this will be a full day, but well worth the trip everyone that has been on this cruise enjoyed it immensely.
Please phone us promptly to express your interest in these tours as some of them have limited numbers available.
We are always happy to have any suggestions put forward and look forward to seeing you in the office sometime
If you are making payments via the post for any of our tours please advise us of which tour you are making payment for, also if making payments direct into our bank account could you please phone us to advise you have made the payment.
Eileen, Jane and myself look forward to talking to you soon.
Joanne
ZOO DOO WILDLIFE PARK
Thursday, 17th September, 2009
Want to see Zoo Doo’s’ tigers?? Then this is the trip for you!! Travel to Richmond via the Heritage Highway, Mud Walls, Travel the scenic Coal River Valley (with morning tea en route) Enjoy lunch at Richmond (own expense) before visiting delightful Zoo Doo Wildlife Park. Return back to Launceston.
Cost $45.00 per person (includes Coach Travel, Morning Tea and entry to Zoo Doo
SOUTH EAST COAST VICTORIA & ACT
CANBERRA FLORIADE AND THE BOWRAL TULIP FESTIVAL
In conjunction with Trade Travel
Friday 25th September, 2009 – Thursday 8th October, 2009
14Days/13 Nights
Day One: Overnight on Spirit of Tasmania
Day Two: Bairnsdale and Port of Eden
Day Three: Two Fold Bay cruise, Cocora Beach and highlights in and around Eden
Day Four: Tilba Tilba, Nowra & the Fleet Air Arm Museum at HMAS Albatross
Day Five: Gerringong & Kiama, Lake Illawara & Port Kembla, Woona, O/Night Nowra
Day Six: Hampden Bridge, Fitzroy Falls, Bowral Corbett Gardens, Bradman Museum, Canberra Floriade
Day Seven: Mt Ainslie, Aust. War Museum, Changai Chapel, National Museum, Parliament House, O/Night Canberra
Day Eight: Canberra Floriade, cruise on Lake Burley Griffin, Cockington Green, Telstra Tower
Day Nine: Snowy Mountains, Jindabyne & Thredbo, Charlotte Pass Village, O/Night Cooma
Day Ten: Tumet, Adaminaby & Providence Portal, Jillabenan Limestone Cave, T3 Power station at Talbingo, O/Night at Tumet
Day Eleven: Greenhill’s State Forest, Boggy Creek, Glenroy, Tumbarumba, Sugar Pine walk
Day Twelve: Beechworth, courthouse where Ned Kelly’s last trial was, Burke Museum, Beechworth Chinese Cultural Centre, Wangarratta
Day Thirteen:Woodlands Historic Park the home to retired famous race horses, O/Night Spirit of Tasmania
Day Fourteen:Arrive in Devonport on Spirit of Tasmania, short breakfast before heading home
If interested please phone our office on 6394 3535 and we will send you a full Itinerary. Be quick as seats are selling quickly
Wynyard
Spring Tulip Day
Friday 9th October, 2009
Enjoy a day on the lush North West Coast
Travel to Table Cape and Van Dieman Tulip Farm see the spectacular Tulips when the colours are most intense
You will enjoy a guided tour, view their interpretation centre where you can enjoy the floral and visual displays and visit their farm gate shop
where you can purchase in season bulbs, flowers and pots
We will take you into Wynyard (or Burnie depending on weather) to purchase
lunch (at your own expense l
COST $35.00 per person
Cost Includes Tulip Farm entry, Coach transfers, Morning or Afternoon Tea
OATLANDS SPRING FESTIVAL
Sunday, 18th October, 2009
Join us today as we visit the Oatlands Spring Festival
Some of the events to be held this year include the National Working Dog Trials, Tasbash and a variety of car clubs will be attending. There will also be Displays, Animals, Bands and many stall holders. A train will be going around the Festival, stopping at various places for people to get on and off (this is free of charge)
COST $25.00 per person (includes Coach Travel only)
DELORAINE ART & CRAFT FAIR
Friday, 30th October, 2009
Have you ever wanted to go to the Deloraine Art & Craft Fair and haven’t been able to get there? Why don’t you join us? We will take you to the Art & Craft Fair and leave you to stroll at your leisure around the many varied working displays and have your lunch (at own expense). We will then collect you for your return journey home.
COST $20.00 per person (Coach travel only)
CADBURYS & ANGLESEA BARRACKS
Tuesday, 10th November, 2009
Have you ever wondered about our Military history? Then come with us to the Military Museum of Tasmania in Hobart to find out all about it. We will then have a short stop for lunch at Salamanca (your own expense), after which we will visit Cadbury’s where you will be able to purchase your chocolates in time for your Christmas gift giving.
COST $40.00 per person (includes coach travel and entry fees)
BARNBOUGLE &
LEDGERWOOD CARVINGS
Tuesday, 17th November, 2009
Come with us to view the world famous Barnbougle Golf Course at Bridport and admire the spectacular views over this uniquely designed golf course. We will stop for morning tea en-route, before making our way to Ledgerwood to enjoy a hearty home cooked lunch. We will have a guest speaker explaining about the history of the Ledgerwood Tree Carvings and the fallen soldiers, before we view these beautiful carvings.
COST: $40.00 per person (includes Coach Travel, Morning Tea and Lunch)
8 DAY TASMANIAN ISLAND
DISCOVERY TOUR
Tuesday, 24th November – Tuesday, 1st December, 2009
I bet there are places in our beautiful state, Tasmania that you haven’t seen for a long time, so why don’t you join us on an 8 day Tour of Tasmania. Some of the places we will be visiting are the Hobart Royal Botanical Gardens, Tasman Peninsula, Cradle Mountain, Gordon River and the East Coast.
COST: $1,820.00 per person - Twin Share
$572.00 Extra for Single Supplement
$200.00 per person Deposit is required on booking
Please phone our office on 6394 3535 for a detailed itinerary of this tour
DON RIVER RAILWAY, DEVONPORT SHOPPING & SPIRIT OF THE SEA
Monday, 30th November, 2009
Today we visit the Don River Railway where we will have a guided tour (closed in shoes to be worn). After our tour of the railway we will head into Devonport where we will view the statue Spirit of the Sea, and then you can shop at the many different shops and have lunch (own expense), before we make our way home via Port Sorell.
COST $35.00 per person (includes coach travel and Railway guided tour)
PENGUIN MARKET
Sunday, 6th December, 2009
Who knows what treasures will be found today at the Penguin Market – spend time browsing around the many stalls
If time permits, we may visit Anvers Chocolates and Ashgrove Cheese Farm
on our way home
Cost $20.00 per person (Includes Coach Travel only)
HOBART SHOPPING
Tuesday, 15th December, 2009
Christmas is not too far away, why not come with us to Hobart Shopping! We will travel to Hobart where you can explore the many varied stores to find that last minute gift that you have been unable to find in Launceston.
COST $25.00 per person (includes Coach Travel only)
Peppermint Bay Cruise
Wednesday 20th January 2010
Hobart
Today we travel direct to Hobart to board Peppermint Bay Cruise
Peppermint Bay is a breath taking waterfront destination
This is a full day cruise leaving Hobart at 11.30am and returning to Hobart at 4.30pm
4 hour cruising and 1 hour ashore, full commentary
The cruise departs Sullivan’s Cove, Hobart Waterfront, the cruise takes in the River Derwent and the waters of the D’Entrecasteaux Channel, on its way to Peppermint Bay The fully guided cruise provides a real connection with Tasmanian lifestyle, history and wildlife. Most days the rare Sea Eagle swoops down to greet the boat and a Seal is usually spotted sun baking, near the Atlantic Salmon Fish Farm. Under water camera footage is viewed on flat screen monitors, through out the boat, allows you to observe Crayfish, colourful sea gardens and exclusive footage of the shipwreck deep below the Tasman Bridge
Includes a gourmet Peppermint Bay lunch onboard
(Tea, Coffee, refreshments at own expense during day)
Depart Launceston approx 7.30am & return to Launceston appox 7.30pm
Cost $120.00 per person
Cost includes: Coach transfer and Full Day Cruise with Gourmet Lunch
EDINBURGH MILITARY TATTOO
Gala Opening Night
Sydney 3 days
Wednesday, 3rd February 2010 – Friday, 5th February, 2010
Come and join us on our tour to the Magnificent Edinburgh Military Tattoo in Sydney.
With over 1,500 performers from around the world and a $1 million replica of the Edinburgh Castle facade, it is set to be the biggest tattoo ever to be staged.
Be Quick only limited Seating
WINEGLASS SEA CRUISE
EAST COAST TASMANIA
2 DAY TOUR
Tuesday 9th February – Wednesday 10th February, 2010
DAY ONE:
Today we travel to the picturesque East Coast of Tasmania via Fingal and St. Marys where we will stop to step back in time and have a tinker at Cranks and Tinkerers. Morning Tea will be provided en-route. We then continue on to the beautiful seaside township of Scamander before heading to St. Helens for our lunch. After lunch we travel along the magnificent coastline passing Four Mile Creek while making our way to Bicheno.
Overnight: Bicheno
DAY TWO:
This morning we will have an early start making our way to Coles Bay on the edge of the world renowned Freycinet National Park. On arrival in Coles Bay we join Freycinet Sea Cruises for a morning of relaxing and enjoying the spectacular surroundings of the magnificent Wineglass Bay, while admiring the rugged coastline of towering pink granite cliffs. On completion of our cruise we will make our way back to Coles Bay for lunch. After lunch we will return home viaLake Leake and the historic township of Campbell Town, after two days away on the spectacular East Coast of Tasmania.
Please phone our office on 6394 3535 to make your booking for this tour
Be early as we only have limited seats
MYSTERY DAY
Tuesday 16th
February 2010
Cost $45 per person
Cost included Coach Transfer, Morning Tea and Lunch
WALL IN THE WILDERNESS
Tuesday 23rd February 2010
Travel through the Golden Valley, past Great Lake and return via Cressy
Come with us to visit The Wall and see history in the making. Sculptor, Greg Duncan, is carving the history of Tasmanian Highlands in the form of a sculpted wall. So far Greg has carved scenes depicting the workers of the Hydro Electric Scheme and of Forestry Tasmania. Greg is aiming to carve 300 square metres of wood to form the wall, which he estimates will take him ten years to complete.
After this wonderful experience we will be stopping at Derwent Bridge for Soup, Sandwich and Cake lunch with Tea and Coffee
Cost $50.00 per person
Cost includes: Coach transfer, Morning Tea, Entry to Wall in the Wilderness, Light Lunch
Meander Dam
Wednesday 10th March, 2010
Come see the Meander Dam now it has been filled with all the winter rains.
Water from the Dam will be the foundation for new agricultural Industry, giving farmers certainty of supply. Enjoy morning tea while taking a stroll near the dam we will then go on to Mole Creek for a hearty lunch and travel back through Deloraine stopping at Ashgrove and the Raspberry farm
Cost $42.00 per person
Cost includes Coach Transfer, Morning Tea, Lunch
Evandale Poatina Fusion Longford
Wednesday 14th April 2010
Today we will travel to beautiful Evandale, have a stroll down the main street then go on to Gourmet Sauce Company where we will enjoy a wonderful morning tea of scones with jam and cream before tasting their fabulous sauces and jams followed by a garden tour of Tim Balfour’s beautiful garden. We then travel to Cressy and Poatina Hydro Village where we will enjoy a Roast lunch and tour of Fusion, this is an international youth and community organisation which emerged as a creative response to socially-at-risk young people. While it began its work among youth, the importance of a healthy and caring community to nurture a new generation, has led Fusion into extensive community work in Australia.
We then will make our way home via Longford and stop at the Longford Meat Works for the opportunity to purchase some wholesale meat.
Cost $50.00 per person
Includes Coach transfers, Devonshire Morning Tea, Garden Tour and Lunch
Elverton and Blessington Farm Tour
Tuesday
27th April
2010 
Why not come with us to the picturesque Blessington Valley and join us on a guided tour of Elverton, Ian Dickenson’s property on the banks of the North Esk River. Hear of Ian’s involvement with Land Care, Sheep, Cattle, Cropping, Tree farming and more. This is a real working farm, not a tourist farm.
After the tour of the property, we will have a BBQ lunch at Ian’s private fishing hut beside Burns Creek, with panoramic views of the farm, as well as Ben Lomond and Ragged Jack Mountains.
Time permitting, we will travel via Deddington, and Nile back to Launceston, stopping at a few interesting places along the way.
Cost $45 per person
Cost includes Coach Travel, Morning Tea, BBQ Lunch and Farm Tour
Agfest
Thursday, 6th May 2010
Join us again for this spectacular agricultural and craft event with over 700 exhibitors
Enjoy all the Gourmet food
See working displays including blacksmiths, draught horse,
Vintage machinery
Enjoy a spectacular helicopter ride and see this site from the air
Cost $32.00 Per Person
Cost includes coach transfer and entry to Agfest
MAMMA MIA!
11th 12th 13th May 2010
Melbourne
Inspired by the story-telling magic of ABBA’s timeless songs, writer Catherine Johnson’s enchanting tale of family and friendship unfolds on a Greek island paradise. On the eve of her wedding, a daughter’s quest to discover the identity of her father brings three men from her mother’s past back to the island they last visited 20 years ago.
Day 1 Tuesday, 11th May
After our mid morning flight to Melbourne, we will be met on arrival and taken on a half day tour of Melbourne before proceeding to the Welcome Hotel. The rest of the day is yours to do as you please; shopping, meeting friends etc. For those who would like to have dinner in The Tram Car, we will be meeting in the foyer in readiness for our transport at 5.00pm. After dinner we will be returned back to our hotel (This is an optional part of the tour at a cost of $80.00 extra or you can be dropped off at Crown Casino, if you prefer and make your own way home).
Day 2 Wednesday, 12th May
Once again today is a free day to do as you please. Tonight we will all meet in the foyer before walking to The Spaghetti Tree for dinner (own cost) after which we will make our way to the brilliant musical MAMMA MIA! After the show we will walk back to our hotel.
Day 3 Thursday, 13th May
This morning after breakfast and checkout we will be collected at 9.15am and taken to the Victorian Police Academy, where we will tour the facility. After our informative tour we will be heading for the Dandenong Ranges, stopping at some of the little towns along the way where you will have the opportunity to purchase yourself some lunch (own cost). On leaving the Dandenong’s we will make our way via the Eastern link having dinner (own cost) on way to Tullamarine Airport in readiness for our flight back to Launceston.
COST $700.00 Gst Inc per person Twin Share
Single Supplement $150.00
Tour includes Airfares, Coach transfers Bed and Breakfast 2 nights, MAMMA MIA Tickets, Day Tour Last Day
Optional Extra
Dinner
Tram
$80.00per person
West Coast Mine and Train Tour
Tuesday 18th – Thursday 20th May 2010
3 Day Tour
Day 1 Enjoy a leisurely drive to Strahan via Queenstown for Lunch. This will be in Tracks Café, where you will also be able to see the ABT Society Historical Museum at your leisure, then we will enjoy a Queenstown Tour with John Halton (our host for our Norfolk Island Tour) a local tour guide. We will see the Queen River, Mount Lyell Mine Tour, the Open Cut Mine, visit the township of Linda and Gormanston, the Iron Blow Hole and visit a Huon Pine Mill.
Before dinner we will enjoy the theatre play “The Ship That Never Was”, a play set in 1834 about the Frederick, the last ship built on the convict settlement of Sarah Island.
Enjoy a spectacular Buffet Dinner with Seafood from local suppliers over looking Strahan Harbour
Our night’s accommodation will be at Strahan Village Hilltop Harbour View Rooms
Day 2 Today we travel in the ABT Train Premier Carriage (fully padded seats) from Strahan departing 10.15am. On arrival at the train you will be catered for all day with a Morning Tea, Chicken and Camembert Cheese mini pies, seasonal fruit platter and selection of brownies, cheese platter with crackers and grapes and all beverages throughout the day. Lunch Pack is Mini Pastie with relish, ham roll, and Anvers Chocolate truffle pack, Crackers and Brie, piece of fruit and a mint. On this day you will enjoy many short walks and honey tasting. Along the 35km journey you will stop at stations of the past Teepokana Township, Lower Landing, Dubbil Barril, and Rinadeena where you’re trained guides who will bring to life the stories of these historic points on the railway. On arrival at Queenstown we will be met by our coach and transferred to our accommodation at Strahan Village with Buffet Dinner
.
Day 3 After a hearty breakfast and a stroll down the Main Street and going to Morrisons craft museum, we will visit Tuts Whittle Wonders, and have a town tour of Strahan. We will then head home with lunch (at own cost) along the way and return you to your home after 3 wonderful days on the West Coast of Tasmania
Cost $597.00 per person twin share
Single Sup $116.00
Cost includes: Coach, Queenstown Mine Tour, The Ship that Never Was,
ABT Railway Premier Carrage, Souvenir Railway Guide Book,
Lunch Day 1and 2, Tuts Whittle Wonders
Dinner Bed and Breakfast 2 nights Strahan Village Harbour View Rooms
Tuesday 3rd – Thursday 5th August 2010
Based on the beloved books by Australia’s P.L. Travers and the classic 1964 Walt Disney film, MARY POPPINS, the world’s most magical musical. MARY POPPINS features such beloved songs as “Chim Chim Cher-ee,” “Step In Time,” “Spoonful of Sugar,” “Feed The Birds,” “Let’s Go Fly A Kite,” and “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious” along with new songs such as “Practically Perfect” and “Anything Can Happen.”.
Love musicals! Why don’t you join us when we travel to Melbourne to watch this fantastic musical Mary Poppins. Please phone us on 6394 3535 to express your interest.
EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST
Are you interested in any of the following tours?
Please phone our office on 6394 3535 to express your interest.
Daniel O’Donnell
Would you like to see this magnificent Irish singer in concert? He is hoping to tour Australia. As yet the Australian tour dates have not been released, we have been in contact with his fan club secretary and she will contact us when dates are released. As soon as we know we will let you know, hopefully by the end of September. Please phone us to express your interest.
New Zealand
Land of the Long White Cloud
New Zealand is the youngest country on earth - the last major landmass to be discovered. It has a rich and fascinating history, reflecting both our Maori and European heritage. Amazing Maori historic sites and Taonga (treasures), some dating back almost a thousand years, are a contrast to many beautiful colonial buildings. A walk around any New Zealand city today shows what a culturally diverse and fascinating country it has become. Would you like to visit this beautiful country? Then phone us and show your expressions of interest.