A relaxed start to our delightful journey as we meet at our
Sydney hotel in the early afternoon for check-in.
Then it’s off to visit the newly renovated Art Gallery of NSW,
the most significant cultural development to open in Sydney in
nearly half a century. This superb combination of art,
architecture and landscape connects the new and old buildings
by way of a public art garden overlooking Sydney Harbour.

Our journey begins as we leave Sydney behind to head south west for a scenic country drive. We drive through the beautiful Southern Highlands and historic Goulburn where the mass plantings of European deciduous trees will be showing off their Autumn finery. We stop for lunch in the historic Gold-mining town of Young, now famed as the Cherry Capital of Australia.

It’s then on to the Riverina to stop off and enjoy a tour and taste of childhood at the Junee Licorice and Chocolate Factory. Yum! It’s only a short drive to our destination which is Wagga Wagga, a vibrant regional centre on the banks of the Murrumbidgee River.

Tonight, we will enjoy our first Group Dinner together.

Overnight:. Wagga Wagga

We arrive in historic Albury and are joined by a local “Step-On Guide” to learn all about the town. Enjoy a guided tour of Albury Botanic Gardens and take some time to stroll through their meandering paths. These 10 acres of gardens feature an impressive plant collection of both native and exotic origins; the first trees (Elm Avenue) were planted in 1877 and the tallest tree is a Queensland Kauri Pine, reaching a towering 41 metres. We then “make tracks” for the historic Albury Railway Station which, in 1883, became a “change over station” for passengers between Melbourne and Sydney due to their State’s different rail gauges (it also has the longest platform in NSW). After lunch we cross the border, served by mighty Murray River, to enter Victoria for an afternoon stop in historic Chiltern, a perfectly preserved gold-rush era town from late 1850s.

Then it’s off to Wangaratta, our destination for the next four nights; set on the banks of the Ovens River, surrounded by rich agricultural land and at the gateway to the High Country, Wangaratta is a wonderful base for relaxed touring.

Overnight: Wangaratta

Today, we explore beautiful Beechworth, one of Victoria’s best-preserved gold rush towns. The discovery of gold in the 1850’s brought with it a flurry of activity and growth and the town’s magnificent buildings, 32 of which are listed by the National Trust, are a legacy of this time. Adding to the town’s beauty are the European gardens, parks and streets lined with deciduous trees, all creating an intensely colourful Autumn display. In Beechworth we will be joined on the coach by a local expert who will show us around the town before we enjoy some free time to explore. You may also wish to partake in a pie or a cake from the famous Beechworth Bakery.

Enjoy a wander around the Beechworth Historic and Cultural Precinct including the Telegraph Station, Town Hall, Court House and Powder Magazine, all nationally significant buildings.
We are in the heart of “Kelly Country” and the notorious bushranger Ned Kelly was held in the Beechworth Goal after his capture at Glenrowan. This afternoon we head to this small town to visit Kate’s Cottage, a museum named after Ned Kelly’s sister, to learn of the events that led to the “Last Stand” and capture of the infamous Kelly Gang.

Overnight: Wangaratta

“All things bright and beautiful” sums up what will be a truly spectacular day as we drive via the Ovens River Valley and Myrtleford up into the Victorian Alps to visit the towns of Bright and Mt Beauty. This area is famous for the incredible colours of the Autumn foliage and we arrive in Bright for a morning break and a chance to stroll the beautiful avenues of trees.
Enjoy some free time before we cross the Victorian Alps and head towards Mt Beauty.
This well-loved ski resort is situated at the base of the State’s highest mountain, Mount Bogong and we will stop to enjoy lunch at the Mt Beauty Bakery. This is truly spectacular scenery so take the time to appreciate the incredible majesty of God’s Creation.

We return via the pretty village of Yackandandah, whose town centre is classified by the National Trust. Stretch your legs and then it is back to “base camp” after a wonderful day of sightseeing – words alone cannot do justice to what we have seen today so hopefully you took plenty of pictures!

Overnight: Wangaratta

Today, we will worship as part of the “Church of the Moving Saints” before we head to Yarrawonga to board the “Paradise Queen” for our luncheon cruise on idyllic Lake Mulwala. Relax, as we cruise this beautiful reservoir dominated by a vast number of majestic river red gums standing in the water.

This afternoon we head to Corowa which in the 1860s was a thriving river port full of cargo-laden paddle steamers and is also considered “The Birthplace of Federation”; we visit the Federation Museum to learn about the Federation of Australia and the part Corowa played in its development. Our final stop for the day is in Rutherglen; at the Visitor Centre we learn all about this fertile area which produces the world’s richest wines. All in all, a relaxing and interesting way to spend a Sunday.

Overnight: Wangaratta

Did you know that the State of NSW “owns” the Murray? We re-enter NSW by once again crossing the mighty Murray River to travel to Holbrook. It is certainly surprising to find a life-sized submarine in the middle of rural NSW so we will stop off at the Holbrook Submarine Museum to find out why the HMAS Otway’s final resting spot came to be in Holbrook. Through an amazing holograph presentation we will hear how a brave young Submariner, whose exploits during the First World War earned him the honour of having a town named after him.

Heading North we cross one of Australia’s legendary rivers, the Murrumbidgee and stop for lunch in Gundagai. Here we will we see both the Dog on the Tuckerbox and Rosconi’s Marble Masterpiece, an incredible labour of love by a skilled craftsman. We then follow the Freeway as it winds its way over hill and dale to Canberra. Our Nation’s Capital which will look beautiful in the late afternoon light as the European tree plantings that line the streets and parks make for an spectacular Autumn display.

Overnight: Canberra

“There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” John 15:13

ANZAC Day is one of Australia’s most important national commemorative days, a time when we pay tribute to our military service personnel and the sacrifices they have made on behalf of our nation. You may wish to join us to take part in the official Dawn Service at the National War Memorial before returning to our hotel for breakfast followed by check out. We will view some of the ANZAC Day Parade and enjoy lunch in Canberra before heading North and returning to Sydney. Since friendship and fellowship are such an important part of CFT holidays it seems only fitting that we finish our tour on a day that focuses so much on mateship, and we hope you return home felling blessed to have shared so many wonderful experiences with like-minded people.