Explore the New England

Glen Innes - Inverell with Port Bus

Wednesday 8th to Friday 10th February 2023

Day 1. Home – Inverell | Lunch & Dinner

This morning following the pickup from your home we begin our drive across to Inverell via Walcha. Our first stop is McHatton Park located in the centre of town to view some wonderful sculptures at the Open-Air Gallery, there are 41 sculptures in total, featuring the works of local, national, and international artists. Comprised of wood, steel, and even basalt crystals, the artworks feature motifs of totems and human characters, as well as creatures of the sky and sea. Today lunch will be enjoyed at the Apsley Arms Hotel. Traveling south to Gilgai stopping to visit the New England Wood-turning Centre. Set on 4 hectares, we will be entertained by Rod’s didgeridoo, oddgeridoos, and wood-turning demonstrations, a stroll through the showroom and the picturesque, landscaped gardens seeing many metal sculptures and carvings. Arriving at Inverell late afternoon, check into our accommodation and freshen up before dinner in the hotel restaurant.

Overnight: Top of the Town Motel - Inverell

Day 2. Inverell - Glen Innes | Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Our day begins with a visit to the National Transport Museum for a self-guided tour & morning tea. The museum showcases over 120 vehicle and motorcycle exhibits ranging from vintage, veteran, and classic, some of the vehicles on display include a 1906 Dayton (believed to be the only one left worldwide) and a 1912 Renault. We continue to Glen Innes where the haunting tones of a piper will herald our arrival at the Australian Standing Stones, the national monument to Australia’s Celtic pioneers. Our local guide will join us for a light lunch at Crofter’s Cottage prior to a kilted tour of the Stones. Next, visit the heritage main street of Glen Innes which gives us a glimpse of the rich and diverse history reflected in the many architectural features and styles from the mid-1800s. Gawura Gallery is our next stop, the home of internationally acclaimed Aboriginal artist Lloyd Gawura Hornsby. This modern gallery exhibits a range of works from established and emerging Indigenous artists. Gawura Coffee Shop is a fine accompaniment to the Gawura Gallery with the opportunity to purchase afternoon tea (own cost). West of Glen Innes we descend the Waterloo Range where an amazing sight appears as the Whiterock and Sapphire Windfarms come into view, now totaling more than 75 wind turbines it’s an eye-opening sight. Both farms are also constructing and developing solar farms which collectively provide an exciting new industry for the region. Returning to Glen Innes for check-in at our accommodation enjoying some free time before meeting in the motel restaurant for dinner.

Overnight: New England Motor Lodge - Glen Innes

Day 3. Dorrigo - Kempsey – Home | Breakfast

Following breakfast and check-out we begin our drive home stopping at the Dorrigo National Parks Skywalk and Interpretive Centre which offers superb views over Dorrigo National Park encompassing Bellingen Valley to the coast. The Skywalk Lookout is a 70m boardwalk that soars over the edge of the escarpment some 21m above the rainforest. After morning tea at the Canopy Cafe, our journey continues out through the stunning Bellingen Valley and along the beautiful Waterfall Way “rated the best scenic drive in NSW”! Arriving in Bellingen Village we purchase our own lunch and have time to visit some of the unique specialty shops. Continuing our next stop is The Slim Dusty Centre and Museum, this exhibition features objects and images from the Kirkpatrick family’s own extensive archive as well as contributions from fans and friends of Slim from all over the world. Heading off on the last leg of our journey arriving home in Port Macquarie late afternoon after a wonderful few days in Inverell and Glen Innes with Port Bus.

Tour Highlights:

• Walcha Open Air Sculptures
• New England Wood Turning Centre
• National Transport Museum
• Australian Standing Stones
• Crofters Cottage
• Gawura Gallery
• The Whiterock & Sapphire Windfarms
• Dorrigo Skywalk, Canopy Café
• Bellingen, Slim Dusty Centre

Inclusions:

• Return transport
• Port Bus welcome pack + daily H2O
• Morning tea supplied by Port Bus
• 2 x Lunches
• Entries, Visits, Tours as detailed
• 2 x nights’ accommodation
• 2 x dinners
• 2 x breakfast

$915 pp twin or single

For more information or to book;

Phone     02 6583 3330

Email:         admin@portbus.com.au

Website:        https://www.portbus.com.au/tours-and-event-transport

Online @       https://events.humanitix.com/inverell-glen-innes

All tours require a minimum no to proceed