Christmas in July

with Port Bus to Dorrigo

Saturday 20th to Monday 22nd July 2024

Welcome to our Christmas in July Tour. We are returning to the Lookout Mountain Retreat after our amazing experiences over the past few years. Yes, the location is the same, but the itinerary is not! Just check it out….

Highlights: Bellingen Community Markets, Skywalk Lookout, Dangar Falls, Dutton Trout Hatchery, Ebor Falls, Fuss Pots Café, Dorrigo, The Big Banana, Eungai Creek Buffalo Farm.

Inclusions:

Return air-conditioned coach transport, Port Bus welcome pack + daily H2O, Visit to the Bellingen Markets, Guided tour @ Dorrigo National Park + lunch, Afternoon tea @ Dangar Falls, 2 x nights’ accommodation @ Lookout Mountain Retreat, 2 x dinners (1 is Christmas themed of course!), 2 x breakfasts, Lunch @ Fuss Pots Café, Tour and morning tea at The Big Banana, Visit, talk & Lunch @ Eungai Buffalo Farm

Itinerary:

Day 1: Pickups will commence by 07:00. Straight through to the Bellingen Community Markets. Enjoy two and a half hours browsing the large and unique range of art and craft, handmade and grown, clothing, shoes, textiles, homewares, Bric-n-brac, 2nd hand, recycled, upcycled, jewellery, pottery, metal / wood / glass work, candles, soaps, honey, fresh produce, plants, flowers, alternative therapies and community groups before we commence our journey further West to the Skywalk Lookout in Dorrigo National Park. Attached to Dorrigo Rainforest Centre, Skywalk lookout offers superb views over Dorrigo National Park and encompasses Bellinger Valley to the coast. For the adventures type you can take the guided tour which includes a descent into the rainforest to the Balaminda platform. Lunch today is alternate drops of homemade soup & quiche at the Canopy Café. Just six kilometres further West is our next stop ‘Dangar Falls’. Sometime after 16:00 we will check-in to our accommodation for the duration of our stay the Lookout Mountain Retreat, Dorrigo Mountain. The property is set on 17 acres on top of the beautiful Dorrigo Mountain. Dinner tonight is onsite.

Day 2: Before breakfast take a moment to breathe in the fresh country air…. Heading West along Waterfall Way we make our way to the Dutton Trout Farm. The hatchery was developed in 1925 by the late Les Dutton near Guyra but was transferred to its present location on the Serpentine River in 1949 to ensure a more reliable water supply. Learn all about this and more during our tour. Our tour includes a 500m walk to the hatchery and return, over undulating ground (transport can be arranged for those who may find this a little strenuous). As we are in the mountains in Winter it will be much colder than average, so warm clothing is highly recommended – and there is a cosy fire in the restaurant for lunch! Enjoy tastings and morning tea at the end of the tour. Time to put those walking shoes back on as we head to Ebor Falls some 30 minutes away. Watch the Guy Fawkes River plunging 100 metres over two waterfalls at Ebor Falls. Three lookout platforms along the edge of the gorge – upper falls, lower falls, and valley view – give spectacular views out into the rugged gorge country below. A walking track links the upper falls and lower falls lookout platforms via the escarpment edge and is an easy walk. Lunch today is local! Fuss Pots Café, Ebor. This little local treasure is preparing a mini-Christmas surprise for our group! Put those walking shoes back on it is time to earn your dinner as we drop into the village of Dorrigo. Explore the town at your leisure or grab a cuppa at a local café or a glass of your favourite at the local. Time for getting on your Christmas Cheer before our 3-course dinner, complimentary drink, live entertainment and if you have been good maybe Santa will pop in and give you a small gift!

Day 3: After breakfast (if you’re hungry after last night’s feast) we commence our journey home but by no means is our holiday over yet! Another jam-packed day of adventure with our first port of call the Big Banana Fun Park in Coffs Harbour. We start off with our Plantation tour then for morning tea, we will have a tea & coffee station along with assorted Mini cakes, Slices & Muffins. Don’t eat too much as our next stop is the Eungai Creek Buffalo Farm! Choose from smoked buffalo sausage with sauerkraut and mash, Plain buffalo sausage with vegetables and mash, Quiche salad and chips, Buffalo meatballs pasta or Pulled Buff and chips all while listening to the incredible story behind the farm from Ian and the gang! Time to finish our journey home after a mid-year festive break, full bellies and new friends. Drop offs due to commence around 16:00.

$1,218 pp twin | $1,387 pp single

$300 pp deposit

For more information or to book;

Phone 02 6583 3330

Email: admin@portbus.com.au

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

Online @ https://events.humanitix.com/cij-dorrigo-24

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 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 tickets+ fees will apply.

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