Sips, Sights & Stunning Orchids: A Central Coast Journey

Blossoms & Beyond: Central Coast & Mingara Orchids Fair Tour

Day 1 LD HOME TO CENTRAL COAST                                                                                                                Thursday 26 June 2025

Welcome to our 5-day tour on the Central Coast featuring the Mingara Orchids fair and show. Sit back and relax as we make our way along the coast to Distillery Botanica. Set amongst three acres of tranquil gardens, Distillery Botanica is independently owned by astute herbalist and distiller Phillip Moore. The botanicals grown onsite are the inspiration and ingredients for an array of award-winning spirits and liqueurs. We enjoy lunch here before we visit the Ken Duncan Gallery. Spend time here wandering through the spacious viewing rooms and enjoy a spectacular audio-visual presentation in the intimate theatre.

Lunch at Alison Homestead and Dinner in the hotel

The Quarters Foresters Beach | 4 nights

Day 2 BLD RIVERBOAT POSTMAN CRUISE                                                                                                             Friday 27 June 2025

After an early breakfast this morning we’re off to Brooklyn Wharf to join a fascinating cruise - Australia’s Last Riverboat Postman Cruise with Hawkesbury Cruises. The Hawkesbury River is the longest river on Australia’s East Coast and in 1790 it became the lifeline of trade between the farming communities and the struggling colony of Sydney. Since 1910 the Riverboat Postman has been providing an essential service to river communities – and today we will experience that service.  We enjoy the magnificent scenery of the lower Hawkesbury River as we deliver essentials to the river-access-only settlements upriver from Brooklyn. The cruise includes lunch. We return to our hotel with some free time to enjoy the hotel's facilities.

Breakfast and dinner at the hotel | Luncheon cruise

Day 3 BD MINGARA ORCHIDS FAIR AND SHOW                                                                                             Saturday 28 June 2025

Green thumbs ready we make our way to the Mingara Orchid fair and show. There are over 400 plants registered for judging; club displays plus vendors for all your orchid growing needs.  A full day to take in the atmosphere of the fair.  We make time to meet up later in the day to return to our accommodation to share stories of our day over dinner.

Breakfast and dinner at the hotel | Lunch own arrangements and cost

Day 4 BLD CENTRAL COAST                                                                                                                                          Sunday 29 June 2025

We have a leisurely start to the day before our visit to Alison Homestead where we enjoy a delicious lunch followed by a guided tour. The homestead is set on two hectares in a rural setting on Wyong’s first land grant dating back to 1825. In the homestead and other buildings on site, there are displays of memorabilia, photos, furniture, toys, and other household items, equipment, machinery, and tools all relating to the early settling of Wyong and its surrounds. Set on a lush farm and garden is Firescreek Botanical Winery who make award-winning wines from a wide variety of fruits and botanicals. Here we enjoy a wine tasting with a twist as we try four Firescreek Botanic Wines paired perfectly with four exquisite handmade chocolates. After a fantastic experience, we have time to wander the beautiful property. We make our way to our accommodation, located in the lovely beachside suburb, of Forresters Beach.

Breakfast and dinner in the hotel | Lunch at Alison Homestead

Day 5 BL PEARLS AND CHOCOLATES TO HOME                                                                                             Monday 30 June 2025

Following our checkout we head to the stunning Central Coast. We visit Broken Bay Pearls, the only pearl farm on Australia’s East Coast. On our discovery tour, we’ll cruise to one of the oyster leases on the scenic lower Hawkesbury River and an immersive pearl grading session inside the restricted access Pearl Grading Room. We follow the story of the Australian Pearl from its ancient Indigenous beginnings, modern farming, and grading techniques through to the finished price of unique pearl jewelry. Upon return, we learn the seven virtues that underpin the value of the pearl and browse the collection of stunning pearl jewelry.  For lunch,h we visit the delicious Chocolate & Nougat Factory, home of the renowned Australian confectionary producers Nougat Limar, Bon Bon Fine Chocolate, and The Sydney Marshmallow Co. Before leaving we have a chance to stock up on their wonderful products.   It’s been a lovely holiday away with friends.  We now make our way home with many great experiences and maybe some tips to grow award-winning orchids. What a memorable time away.

Breakfast in the hotel | Lunch at the Chocolate and Nougat Factory.

TOUR INCLUSIONS

•              4 night’s hotel accommodation

•              4 hotel breakfasts

•              4 hotel dinners

•              4 included lunches – see below

•              Lunch at Bar Botanica

•              Gallery Tour at the Ken Duncan Gallery - Central Coast

•              Riverboat Postman Cruise including lunch with Hawkesbury Cruises

•              Visit the Mingara Orchids Fair and Show

•              Lunch including entry and tour at Alison Homestead

•              Fruit Wine and Chocolate pairing at Firescreek Botanical Winery

•              Pearl Discovery including Pearl Farming, Farm Cruise, and Pearl Grading at Broken Bay Pearl Farm

•              Lunch at The Chocolate & Nougat Factory Gosford

Confirmed Accommodation

•              The Quarters Forresters Beach, Central Coast (4 nights)

$2,292 pp twin share | $3,460 pp single | $400 pp deposit

For more information or to book;

Phone:                  02 6583 3330

Email:                    admin@portbus.com.au

Website:              https://www.portbus.com.au

Book Online:     https://events.humanitix.com/c...

Please Note

•              Price is based on a minimum of 20 paying passengers. If numbers fall below 20 paying passengers, this may need to be recosted.

•              Price is valid for the above tour dates only and includes GST.

•              Morning teas or afternoon teas are not included unless specified.

The itinerary may be subject to change without notice. Whilst every effort is made to adhere to the itinerary as provided, Port Bus reserves the right to alter the touring and attractions as dictated by circumstances and conditions outside the company’s control. Alterations may be made to ensure the smooth running of the tour. Every attempt will be made to ensure alterations do not adversely affect the operation of the tour. Port Bus will not be held responsible for weather-based cancellations or those closures made at the venue’s discretion.

Cancellation fees will be levied relative to the amount of notice given:

42 days or more—loss of deposit

29-41 days:  50% of fare plus deposit

30 days before and the Day of departure: 100% of the fare.

In the case of concert or sporting tours, where admission tickets are purchased in advance, a minimum cancellation fee equivalent to the cost of admission ticket fees will apply.

Some accommodations require prepayment and refunds will be subject to their conditions.