12 Day Ultimate Nsw Outback

Departing Sydney early this morning we head northwest towards the township of Bathurst, Australia’s oldest inland town.  We have some time to stop for a coffee and wander up the main street before continuing to Orange.  With a well-deserved reputation for producing sensational food and wine, stunning landscapes and a fascinating history, Orange is the perfect destination for our lunch stop at a boutique Winery.  Arrive in Dubbo late afternoon with time to relax before meeting for dinner this evening.

Breakfast in the Hotel.  Depart Dubbo and travel west along the Mitchell Highway. The country starts to open up as you enter the outback.  Our destination is White Cliffs, well known for the first place in Australia where opal was discovered, by accident in 1872. Since then, opal has been mined continuously. Many of the locals live underground using their mining equipment to build their homes. Tonight, you will be staying at the famous White Cliffs Underground Motel, built into the side of an escarpment.  You will have some time to relax before meeting for dinner at the hotel’s dining room.
Please note, accommodation is shared bathroom facilities at this property

Breakfast in the Hotel.  This morning we visit the Red Earth Opal Mine and take a tour 25 meters underground to see firsthand how opals are mined. Learn all about their fascinating shapes and different colours. Continue our tour of White Cliffs afterwards admiring the unique outback landscape.  After lunch enjoy the views of the vast outback as we travel along the Barrier Highway to the last frontier, Broken Hill, arriving late afternoon.  Time to check in and relax before dinner at the resort this evening

Breakfast in the Hotel.  Today is a fascinating exploration of Broken Hill and the surrounding areas. Our morning is spent exploring the town with is beautiful 19th Century Architecture. Visit the iconic Silverton – home to Mad Max!  Visit the legendary Silverton Hotel and admire the eclectic collection of memorabilia on the walls and roof of the pub. Late afternoon has us enjoying a sunset experience at the Sculpture Symposium and Living Desert Area, a collection of beautiful sandstone sculptures found 9km north of Broken Hill. Created by international artists the sculptures capture the essence of the breathtaking landscape and glow brilliantly as the setting sun lights up the desert sky. Dinner tonight not included/own expense.

Breakfast in the Hotel before an unforgettable day exploring Mutawintji National Park.  Here you will find a ruggedly beautiful desert region showing evidence of continuous use by Aboriginal people for thousands of years. Dominated by the Bynguano Ranges, whose vibrant red colour dramatically captures changes in the light, this outback park is home to the famous hand stencil art of local Aboriginal communities as well as many other important cultural and historic sites.  Highlights of today’s tour will include visiting some of the most significant indigenous rock art in Australia, at one of the country’s most sacred Aboriginal sites.  Tour includes picnic lunch before our return to the resort late afternoon.   This evening a reservation has been made at the iconic Palace Hotel for Dinner – dinner is at own expense this evening.

Breakfast in the Hotel.  An early start today as we head out to explore the Menindee region. Menindee is a tiny outback settlement which is famous for two things: it was the last place where the Burke and Wills expedition stayed before heading north into the unchartered outback and the Menindee Lakes, an inland wonder land and a vital source of water for the surrounding farms.  Today is spent exploring the region and included is a two hour cruise on the Menindee Lakes, a delight for bird lovers and history buffs alike.   We will take picnic lunches with us and enjoy as we cruise the waterways.  On conclusion of the cruise time/weather permitting further touring in the region before we return to Broken Hill.   Dinner tonight not included/own expense. 

Breakfast at the Resort.  Depart from Broken Hill and commence our drive to Mungo National Park stopping enroute for lunch at a country pub.   Our destination the next 2 nights is the spectacular Mungo National Park, where Aboriginal people have walked in the footsteps of their ancestors since the Dreamtime.  Scientists have discovered artefacts of this ancient culture dating back over 50,000 years across the expanses of the last ice age, making Mungo one of the oldest places outside of Africa to have been occupied by modern humans since ancient times.  Arrive at Mungo Lodge mid-afternoon to check in and relax before we head off on an amazing experience you will never forget. Your experienced guides will take you up onto the Wall of China itself and wait for sunset where the sands of time will change colour in the light and provide the perfect sunset shot with a stunning 360° sunset view.  Dinner this evening at the lodge.

Breakfast at the Resort.  There is then time for an optional Scenic flight at an additional cost.  We will then enjoy a morning sightseeing tour into the World Heritage Mungo National Park including Zanci homestead, Mungo Woolshed and Mungo Visitors Centre – learn about the fascinating indigenous and pastoral history of this area. We return to the lodge for lunch followed by remainder of the afternoon at leisure to relax and enjoy the property.  This evening Dinner at the lodge.

Breakfast at the Resort.  Departing, travel to the charming heritage town of Balranald which is located on the banks of the Murrumbidgee River and surrounded by spectacular riverscapes and national park.  This morning is spent exploring around the Yanga National Park.  Yanga contains fascinating chapters of Australian history with over 150 species of birds in the park’s trees, skies and ecologically important wetlands. This afternoon, visit the Australian Shearers Hall of Fame before we make our way to our accommodation.   Dinner tonight not included/own expense.

Breakfast at the Motel before we depart from Hay and enjoy a leisurely drive to Griffith in the heart of the Riverina Region. One hundred years of wine making, six generations of family business, thousands of accolades – The Riverina Region is the largest wine producing region in NSW, growing 15% of Australia’s total grape production.   Today is all about experiencing the abundant locally produced food and elegant wines this region produces.  We will visit a selection of wineries and enjoy lunch featuring local produce. Late afternoon we check into our hotel located in the main street.  The remainder of the evening free at leisure. Dinner tonight not included/own expense

Breakfast in the hotel. This morning we have a Wildlife Zoofari experience like no other. Our destination is the Altina Wildlife Park, a Nationally Accredited Exotic and Native Animal Breeding Facility dedicated to bringing endangered animals back from the brink of extinction. Here you will have an incredible up-close and personal experience that will involve you with nature and majestic animals from all over the world to learn about the environment, conservation, fauna and flora.   Our afternoon includes a visit to a local Olive Oil and Winery where we sample several varieties of Extra Virgin Olive Oil, a range of table olive varieties and delicious balsamic vinegar.  Lunch platters are served on the lawn overlooking native bushland—lunch will consist of locally sourced product and feature Yarrow Park products including a complimentary glass of wine of your choice and we will also have opportunity to taste a selection of small lot wines and Tawny.  This evening, a farewell dinner is included at one of Griffith’s premier restaurants. 

Breakfast in the hotel.  Sadly, today we say farewell to Griffith and its wonderful array of experiences!   Departing this morning we commence our return journey via the historic town of Cootamundra and stopping in at the St George Hotel Jugiong where you can purchase lunch at own cost and time to visit the Long Pantry for some final purchases of gourmet treats before re-joining the vehicle for the final drive back into Sydney to arrive approximately 5.00pm.