Join like-minded people for a holiday of wonderful experiences, culminating in Melbourne’s International Flower & Garden Show.
Immerse yourself in Victoria’s beautiful Goldfield’s region, where communities and landscapes were transformed by the 1850’s Gold Rush. Explore historic towns & admire their grand architecture, ride the Goldfields Railway, wander Ballarat’s beautiful Botanic Gardens and step back in time at Sovereign Hill and Eureka Stockade. Be inspired by Australia’s largest private collection of Bibles, visit a Gold Mine and a Lavender Farm, taste hand-made chocolates and the mineral waters of Hepburn Springs, Ride the Talking Tram, Puffing Billy and the world’s only floating Tram.
If you are after a holiday full of fun, faith & fellowship (with flowers) don’t miss this celebration of God’s Creation.
5 NIGHTS
Get ready for a bloomin’ marvellous tour as we fly to “Marvellous Melbourne”, once the world’s richest city following Victoria’s 1850’s Goldrush. The Goldfields region surrounding Melbourne is full of heritage towns and glorious rural scenery and we will experience many of its different attractions.
We meet up with fellow passengers at Tullamarine Airport and travel north, following in the footsteps of all those who headed for the goldfields over 170 years ago. At the summit of Mount Macedon we stop at the Memorial Cross for views across the entire southern plain towards Port Phillip Bay.
We travel on to beautiful Ballarat, a historic gold mining city known for its colonial buildings and rich cultural heritage. This will be our home for the next 5 nights as it is the perfect base to explore this fascinating region.
Overnight: Ballarat
We join Strathfieldsaye Community Church for Sunday worship – this regional church is supported by Bush Church Aid and we will share fellowship with locals and the BCA Family of Rob & Michelle Edwards. Then it’s on to Castlemaine to visit the monthly Artists Market – browse the many stalls showcasing regional art & crafts, listen to live music and savour some delicious food.
Step back in time when we board the Goldfields Railway in Castlemaine and journey through to the historic township of Maldon. We will travel as “gentry” in the First-Class carriages and enjoy a drink as we watch the countryside roll by. In 1966 the National Trust designated Maldon as Australia’s first “Notable Town” due to its intact 19th Century streetscapes. Today cottage gardens, pavements overhung by verandahs, tailing dumps and old mining structures are the essence of Maldon. Spend time wandering through this Goldfields village before returning to Ballarat.
Overnight: Ballarat
Enjoy a day exploring the picturesque Spa region of Daylesford and Hepburn Springs. Swiss Italian miners settled in this region in the 1850-60’s and their influence is seen in the names of its springs (Locarno) and buildings (Savoia Hotel, Parma House, Perinis, Bellinzona), as well as the annual Swiss-Italian Festa.
Created in 1865 Hepburn Springs Mineral Reserve was Australia’s first Mineral Reserve and houses the historic Bathhouse and Pavilion buildings. Explore the lovely natural surroundings and sample the famous healing waters of the mineral spring from the pumps. Enjoy an optional dip in the springs or instead browse Daylesford’s amazing Mill Market; with collectables, antiques, memorabilia, home decor, fine china, art, glass, coins, jewellery, books, records & much more – who knows what treasures you will unearth.
Lavandula Swiss Italian Farm, with its sprawling gardens, old stone buildings, and charming café, is the perfect place for a relaxing lunch. The lavender may not be in bloom, but extraordinary lavender produce is available including lavender ice cream, scones and even lavender champagne!
The temptation continues when we stop by the Chocolate Mill, where gourmet treats are made on site. Learn a little about this Fair-Trade operation and enjoy a sample of their wares – yum!
Overnight: Ballarat
The ghost town of Moliagul was once a thriving gold village, renowned as the home of the Welcome Stranger, the world’s largest gold nugget weighing in at a whopping 69 kilos!
Reverend John Flynn, the founder of the Royal Flying Doctor Service, is another treasure of Moliagul. Flynn was born here in 1880, and a touching stone monument honours him.
He spread a mantle of safety over inland Australia, by aviation, radio and medicine, and brought spiritual comfort, gladness and rejoicing. `Across the lonely places of the land, he planted kindness and gathered love.’
Bendigo is Victoria’s largest goldfield and the economic boom of the Gold Rush left the town with a diverse cultural heritage as well as a legacy of grand architecture.
We visit the city’s Central Deborah Gold Mine to explore the surface of this once lucrative mine, tour the original mining equipment and buildings and visit the interpretive museum to see a replica of the 27.2kg “Hand of Faith” gold nugget.
Hop on board the vintage “Talking Tram” and relax as we travel around Bendigo listening to recorded commentary about the city’s history, landmarks and monuments.
During the Gold Rush the city was a particularly popular destination for Chinese prospectors, who named the area ‘Dai Gum San’, meaning Big Gold Mountain. The story of these prospectors, their culture and their unique contribution to the history of Bendigo is told at the Golden Dragon Museum. The museum boasts a stunning collection that includes porcelain, jade and the world’s longest and oldest imperial “dragons” used in festivals and processions.
We return to Ballarat after a really interesting day.
Overnight: Ballarat
It’s time to properly explore Ballarat and, with the help of our local guide, we will learn more about the city’s outstanding heritage, architecture and gardens. Travel along Australia’s longest Avenue of Honour which spans some 22 km with 3,771 trees, each with a plaque dedicated to the individual men and women from Ballarat who served in WWI.
We drive the circuit around Lake Wendouree and visit the city’s beautiful Botanical Gardens. Established in 1858 these gardens are considered one of Australia’s best examples of the 19th Century gardenesque style landscape – admire the colourful garden beds and famous statuary that includes the Prime Ministers Avenue, bronze busts of each of Australia’s heads of state. The Garden’s renowned Begonia Festival may be finished but these glorious plants will still be in bloom and on display in the greenhouse.
At the Eureka Centre, we explore the events surrounding the 1854 miner’s rebellion at the Eureka Stockade; the principles that the miners stood for – equality, fair treatment by government, and the right to take part in the democratic process – have become sacred to Australians. This interesting museum is dedicated to the central theme of democracy and its exhibitions include the original Eureka Flag.
Step back in time as we visit Sovereign Hill, a recreated gold mining village where miners dressed in 1850s garb show us how to pan for gold on Red Hill Gully Diggings. Choose your own adventure at this world-class open-air museum – tour the rough mining village, go gold panning, do a mine tour, see a gold pour, take a Cobb & Co coach ride or shop in the many old-fashioned stores on the Main Street.
Overnight: Ballarat
3 NIGHTS
The small town of St Arnaud is a little-known gem; known as “New Bendigo” during the mining era the town’s past is reflected in its grand buildings, including the oldest fire station in Victoria (now the home to the Historical Society). Silo Art murals titled ‘Hope, tell the story of the town’s pioneers during the 1800s, reminding us of the power of resilience and determination.
St Arnaud’s most surprising treasure is it’s wonderful Bible Museum, home to Australia’s largest private collection of Bibles and biblical related artefacts. The displays include medieval gold leaf illuminated manuscripts, a Gutenberg Bible, a 400-year-old King James Bibles as well as cuneiform clay tablets, vellum scrolls, papyrus codex, Roman wax tablets and even a large scale ‘Ark of the Covenant’. Whilst most of the Bibles are in English there are Australian Indigenous translations, Hebrew and Greek texts and even a Bible in Eskimo! A Bible Plant Garden, which has trees mentioned in or related to the Bible, is also part of the museum and features a Butterfly Garden to represent how God’s Word transforms us. This museum is a definite must see!
Set in the heart of the Victorian Goldfields region, Maryborough is another town that boasts impressive gold rush architecture, yet its most famous building was apparently a “mistake”; legend has it that the grand railway station was originally meant to be built in Maryborough, Queensland! After a visit to this glorious building there’s time at leisure on High Street to eat and browse the various specialty stores.
Then it is on to Melbourne to stay for the next 3 nights in the vibrant neighbourhood of Southbank; as Melbourne’s Arts Precinct it has one of the highest concentrations of arts and cultural organisations in the world.
Overnight: Melbourne
All aboard for a wonderful railway adventure! We travel to the beautiful Dandenong Ranges to ride Australia’s oldest and best-preserved heritage steam railway, the famous Puffing Billy. Travel to Lakeside through a temperate rainforest of lush fern gullies where Mountain Ash trees tower overhead – just glorious!
Soak up the genteel atmosphere of an English conservatory as we enjoy lunch at Fortnums Restaurant before driving to SkyHigh at the top of Mount Dandenong. Take in the magnificent panoramic views, from the Mornington Peninsula across the majestic sweep of Port Phillip Bay to the You Yangs on the southern horizons. Wow!
We have time to freshen up at our hotel before our late afternoon cruise down the Yarra River aboard a distinctly Melbourne-style craft – the world’s first floating tram. Enjoy entertaining commentary onboard our Tramboat Cruise as we pass through the mighty Port of Melbourne and cruise to the historic Port of Williamstown. As the sun goes down we watch Melbourne light up as we eat a delicious dinner of gourmet Fish & Chips, followed by a supper of tea, coffee and assorted slices. What a perfect way to finish a delightful day.
Overnight: Melbourne
The International Flower & Garden Show in Melbourne is the largest and most prestigious event of its type in the Southern Hemisphere. Exquisite feature displays, the work of Australia’s leading floral designers, will take your breath away. With over 300 exhibits representing nurseries, landscape gardening, floristry and cut flowers, together with their associated products and services, there’s a lot to see and do. We have set aside a whole day for the show, and you are free to wander at leisure. Keen gardeners may want to stay here the whole day, or you may wish to visit other Melbourne attractions – the choice is yours. We meet up back at our hotel for our final Group Dinner and the opportunity to celebrate the fellowship and friendship we have enjoyed together.
Overnight: Melbourne
We join a local congregation for Sunday worship and give thanks to God for the blessings we have shared over these last 8 days. We mightn’t have struck gold but having travelled with like-minded people we feel spiritually richer after this holiday.
Departs from: | Description | Twin PP | Single |
---|---|---|---|
MELBOURNE | Land Content Only | $4,690 | $5,690 |
SYDNEY, BRISBANE & ADELAIDE | $4,990 | $5,990 | |
PERTH | $5,440 | $6,440 |
Fare includes return economy airfares to Melbourne. Flights from other towns and cities may be required to join this tour. CFT can assist with flight bookings and additional arrangements outside of group movements, for an administrative fee of $35.
PAYMENT SCHEDULE
DEPOSIT
$800 payable upon booking
50% OF TOUR FARE
Friday 8 November 2024
FINAL BALANCE
Thursday 16 January 2025
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Travel and fellowship
with other Christians
The care of a
Christian Tour Leader
Relax. Everything is
taken care of
Daily devotions and
organised Sunday service
Fully escorted with no
hidden costs
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