Join me for an experience you will never forget. This is a fabulous tour visiting many of NSW’s most iconic, remote, historic and beautiful places. Highlights include the CSIRO Parkes Radio Telescope, the Taronga Western Plains Zoo, the Slim Dusty Museum, aboriginal rock art (near Cobar), & the opal fields at Lightning Ridge. Plus, outstanding Aussie entertainment, including Amos Morris (Slim Dusty Tribute performance), The Crosby Sisters, the Australian Outback Spectacular, and various Brendan Scott and John Howie performances. — Brendan Scott
Brendan Scott is an accomplished and experienced performer who has been part of the Australian entertainment industry ever since his stage debut at age 4. He has worked in all facets of the entertainment industry and continues to use his wealth of experience to entertain audiences in many parts of Australia. In his performances, Brendan showcases his many talents. Not only does he sing many well-known songs, he also plays piano, guitar, saxophone, banjo, and violin. If that’s not enough, Brendan often surprises audiences by launching into a Tap Dance. Add to this Brendan’s flare for audience interaction and participation as well as his ability to have people in stitches with his comedy, and you have a complete entertainment experience.
John was a secondary school music teacher for 23 years (taught Kylie Minogue). He and his twin brother, Graeme, perform as The Howie Brothers. John has been leading successful music tours & music cruises for 28 years.
The Crosby Sisters are an Australian country music duo consisting of Jodie and Kelly Crosby. In 2001 the sisters won the Vocal Group or Duo of the Year Golden Guitar at the Country Music Awards in Tamworth. The Crosby Sisters are known for their outstanding vocal harmonies.
One of our tour highlights will be a visit to the Slim Dusty Museum, in Kempsey. We will also see Slim’s boyhood home, at Nulla Nulla Creek, and enjoy a Slim Dusty Tribute performance by Amos Morris. Amos is a dual Tamworth Golden Guitar award winner. When he won the Bush Ballad of the Year Golden Guitar, in 2008, he was the youngest ever winner in that category.
The Australian Outback Spectacular’s current dinner and show, ‘Heartland’, is a heart-warming indoor arena show with a star studded cast, inspiring animal performances, and incredible special effects. The story depicts the struggles of Australian farmers and life in the outback, as told through humour and quirky characters, set to the soundtrack of popular Australian country music.
DAY 1 Saturday 30 August 2025
Bathurst
Morning: Depart Sydney and travel to the spectacular Blue Mountains. From the viewing platform
at Echo Point, Katoomba, enjoy views of the Grand Canyon-like Jamison Valley and the iconic Three
Sisters. Morning tea in Katoomba. During morning tea we’ll watch a DVD of excellent local bush
poet, Gregory North, doing recitals of several bush poems (including at least a couple of very funny
recitals of much-loved Banjo Paterson poems). Afternoon: Visit Lithgow (historic industrial/coal
mining town), for lunch. On arrival in Bathurst, visit Miss Traill’s House (beautiful historic home)
& enjoy a coach tour of Bathurst, including visit to the Mount Panorama Motor Racing Circuit (if
available). Evening: Commencement of Tour Dinner. Brendan Scott will sing a few songs for us.
Overnight: Heritage Inn Bathurst. (MorningTea,D)
DAY 2 Sunday 31 August 2025
Dubbo
Travel to Dubbo, via Orange and Parkes. Morning: Orientation tour of Orange, a city/region known
for its excellent produce & fine wines. On arrival in Parkes, visit the Henry Parkes Centre, which
includes the King’s Castle Elvis Exhibit and the Parkes Motor Museum. Afternoon: Visit the CSIRO
Parkes Radio Telescope (star of the movie, ‘The Dish’). It is one of Australia’s most iconic landmarks – an impressive piece of scientific equipment, ironically in the middle of sheep paddocks! On arrival
in Dubbo, enjoy an orientation tour including the Visitor Information Centre. Evening: Enjoy a
special concert….Brendan Scott Live in Dubbo! Overnight: Orana Motel. (B)
DAY 3 Monday 1 September 2025
Dubbo
Morning: Visit the excellent Taronga Western Plains Zoo. See more than 4,000 exotic animals at
this 300 hectare open range sanctuary. The zoo breeds rare & endangered species, such as the
bison, Galapagos tortoise, & southern white rhinoceros. Afternoon: Free time. You may wish to
visit the Old Dubbo Gaol, the Western Plains Cultural Centre (which houses the Dubbo museum), or
the Dubbo Regional Art Gallery. Evening: After dinner at Dubbo RSL, enjoy a fun- filled singalong
session with John Howie & Brendan Scott. (B,D)
DAY 4 Tuesday 2 September 2025
Cobar
Travel west, to the mining town of Cobar, located in the rugged and beautiful Western Plains region
of central western NSW. Stop for morning tea in the town of Nyngan. On arrival in Cobar visit the
Fort Bourke Hill Lookout. From the viewing platform there are wonderful views of an open-cut
mining pit, the town, and the district landscape. After lunch visit the Cobar Miners Heritage Park
and the Great Cobar Heritage Centre (the town’s information centre and Heritage Museum).
Late afternoon: Visit Cobar’s newest tourist attraction….The Sound Chapel – an incredible music/
sound space made out of the town’s former, abandoned water storage tank! We (the Outback NSW
Water Tank Singers) will sing 2 songs, in the Sound Chapel, that we have rehearsed during the first
few days of our tour. Evening: Enjoy a group dinner at the Cobar Memorial Services Club. Overnight:
Cobar Town & Country Motor Inn. (B,D)
DAY 5 Wednesday 3 September 2025
Bourke
Morning: Visit the Mount Grenfell Historic Site (north-west of Cobar), to view amazing aboriginal
rock art. Lunch, in Cobar, before heading north, to Bourke. Famous for the expression ‘Back O’
Bourke’, this historic Darling River town has connections with Charles Bean (WW1 historian), Fred
Hollows (eye surgeon), and Henry Lawson (poet). Lawson spent some time in Bourke and said,
famously, ‘You don’t know Australia until you know Bourke.’ On arrival in Bourke visit the Back o
Bourke Exhibition Centre, where we have afternoon tea, and learn about the Inland Sea, Charles
Bean, the wool industry, Riverboats, and marvellous stories of our women of the west. Evening:
After dinner enjoy a fun-filled music quiz. Excellent prizes for the winning teams! Overnight:
Darling River Motel, Bourke. (B,MorningTea,AfternoonTea)
DAY 6 Thursday 4 September 2025
Bourke
Morning: Enjoy a tour of Bourke (and local agricultural region) with excellent local guide, Stuart
Johnson. Visit Fred Hollows’ grave in the Bourke Historic Cemetery. Also, visit the Historic Wharf
area, including the impressive Crossley Engine display. Afternoon: Visit the Back O’ Bourke Gallery –
gallery/studio of renowned outback landscape artist Jenny Greentree (if available). Evening: Enjoy
a Bush Ballad music session, hosted by John Howie & Brendan Scott. An opportunity for you to sing
your favourite Aussie bush ballad songs. (B)
DAY 7 Friday 5 September 2025
Lightning Ridge
Morning: Travel to the outback opal mining town of Lightning Ridge. Afternoon: Sightseeing coach
tour of Lightning Ridge, with local guide, including the opal fields, an opal shop, and lots of quirky
sights. Visit the Big Opal Underground Mine & the fabulous John Murray Art Gallery. John Murray’s
whimsical photo-realism art makes you smile. He paints parodies of birds & other animals, and
human behaviour. Evening: Dinner at one of Lightning Ridge’s excellent restaurants, followed
by an after-dinner performance by Brendan Scott. Overnight:Lightning Ridge Outback Resort.
(B,AfternoonTea,D)
DAY 8 Saturday 6 September 2025
Gunnedah
Today we travel to Gunnedah, situated in the Liverpool Plains – a very fertile agricultural region.
Along the way, in Walgett, see impressive Water Tower Art (excellent image of aboriginal singer,
Jimmy Little). Also, stop in Narrabri, where we will have lunch and inspect the cotton exhibition at
the Visitor Information Centre. On arrival in Gunnedah visit The Mackellar Centre, which explores the life and poetry of Dorothea Mackellar (famous for her poem, My Country). Also visit Anzac Park,
to see excellent bronze statue of Dorothea Mackellar, which acknowledges her connection with the
Gunnedah district. Evening: John Howie & Brendan Scott will host a fun-filled Bush Poetry session.
Your chance to recite your favourite Aussie bush poems. Overnight: TBC. (B)
DAY 9 Sunday 7 September 2025
Tamworth
Travel to Tamworth, Australia’s country music capital. Enjoy a sightseeing coach tour of the town.
Visit the excellent Australian Country Music Hall of Fame, which includes fascinating items like
the Panther motorcycle Geoff Mack (wrote the song I’ve Been Everywhere) and his wife, Tabbi,
rode from London to Australia, in 1954. Also see the cheap guitar Kasey Chambers took to South
Africa (on holidays with her mum, in 2001), with which she wrote several of her hit songs, including
The Captain. We will also see Tamworth’s iconic Big Golden Guitar and the Country Music Pioneers
Parade (bronze busts) in Bicentennial Park. John Howie has been attending the Tamworth Country
Music Festival for 45 years. He will make sure your see all of Tamworth’s highlights! Evening: Dinner
at one of Tamworth’s excellent clubs, including country music entertainment by The Crosby Sisters.
Overnight: Tamworth Motor Inn. (B)
DAY 10 Monday 8 September 2025
Kempsey
Today we travel to Kempsey, in the Mid North Coast region of NSW. Stop in the town of Walcha,
where we visit Nat Buchanan’s grave. Nat Buchanan was a great Australian pastoralist/explorer/
drover/bushman, with many great feats from the 1860s to 1890s. We will also visit Walcha’s The
Big Black Building (big shed-type building with excellent antiques & gifts), including morning tea.
Lunch in Wauchope. Afternoon: Near Kempsey, visit Crescent Head Lookout. Panoramic views of the
ocean, Goolawah Beach, and the Kempsey hinterland. On arrival in Kempsey, short orientation tour,
before checking into our accommodation. Overnight: City Centre Motel, Kempsey. (B,MorningTea)
DAY 11 Tuesday 9 September 2025
Kempsey
A highlight of our tour….this morning we will visit the Slim Dusty Centre, including the
outstanding Slim Dusty Museum. David Kirkpatrick (Slim Dusty) grew up in the Kempsey region.
The museum includes a fabulous collection of Slim Dusty memorabilia, including the caravan and
purple car (‘Old Purple’) that Slim and Joy (Joy McKean…Slim’s wife) used to travel in, when touring
Australia. Afternoon: See Slim’s boyhood home, at Nulla Nulla Creek, near the village of Bellbrook
(about 50 kms west of Kempsey). On arrival in the area, we will have lunch at the Bellbrook Hotel,
prior to seeing Slim’s boyhood home. Note: We are not able to go into the house. Evening: Dinner in
Kempsey, including a Slim Dusty Tribute performance by Amos Morris. (B,L,D)
DAY 12 Wednesday 10 September 2025
Grafton
Morning: Travel to Southwest Rocks, where you will enjoy spectacular coastal scenery. See the
beautiful Smoky Cape Lighthouse and explore the ruins of Trial Bay Gaol. Then travel to the town of
Macksville, for morning tea. Late morning: Visit the Pub With No Beer, at Taylors Arm. Songwriter/
recording artist Gordon Parsons wrote the song A Pub With No Beer in the mid-1950s, based on the
poem A Pub Without Beer, written by Dan Sheahan, from Queensland, in 1943. Parsons maintained
that the lyrics he wrote were about the pub at Taylors Arm (his local pub, at the time). Lots of
Pub With No Beer/Slim Dusty memorabilia on the walls of the Pub With No Beer. Enjoy a barbecue
lunch at the Pub With No Beer. Then travel to the coastal town of Nambucca Heads, where we visit
the Captain Cook Lookout (superb views of the Nambucca River estuary and coastline). Continue
on to Coffs Harbour, where we will stop for afternoon tea and visit the very interesting Carobana
Confectionary shop/factory. On arrival in Grafton enjoy a short orientation tour before checking in
to our accommodation. Overnight: TBC. (B,L)
DAY 13 Thursday 11 September 2025
Tenterfield
Morning: Visit Grafton’s Schaeffer House Museum. Built by Grafton’s first architect (c. 1900) this
beautiful house is home to the Clarence River Historical Society’s outstanding collection. We then
travel to Tenterfield, which is located at the northern end of NSW’s beautiful New England region.
Afternoon: Visit the Tenterfield Saddlery, where Peter Allen’s grandfather, George Woolnough,
worked as a saddler for 50 years. We will sing Peter Allen’s song, The Tenterfield Saddler, as
well as his other great song, I Still Call Australia Home. Also visit the Sir Henry Parkes School of
Arts Museum. This historic building features the Banquet Hall where Sir Henry Parkes delivered
his famous ‘Federation Speech’ (1889). Evening: Enjoy a special concert, Brendan Scott Live in
Tenterfield. Overnight: Settlers Motor Inn. (B)
DAY 14 Friday 12 September 2025
Gold Coast
Today we travel to the Gold Coast, via Lismore (morning tea) and Byron Bay (lunch). On arrival,
sightseeing coach tour of the Surfers Paradise/Gold Coast area. Late afternoon: Free time in the
Gold Coast/Surfers Paradise area. Evening: Attend the Gold Coast’s outstanding Australian Outback
Spectacular. This indoor arena show features Australian characters, amazing technology, and
magnificent animals (including spectacular horse-riding). A fabulous 3-course meal and drinks
(beer, wine & soft drinks) are included. Overnight: Mantra Sharks Southport Hotel. (B,D)
DAY 15 Saturday 13 September 2025
Departure
Morning: Commence flights home, from Coolangatta (Gold Coast) airport. Tour concludes.
| TWIN FARE PER PERSON | SINGLE FARE |
|---|---|
| $5,995 | $7,090 |
As the tour will be departing central Sydney at approximately 8.30am on Saturday August 30th, many tour group members will need to travel to Sydney the day before (Friday Aug. 29th). When we did this tour in 2023, quite a few tour group members stayed, the night before commencement of tour, at the Great Southern Hotel Sydney, near Sydney’s Central Station (rail station). Please note: the cost of this night’s accommodation, and breakfast the next morning, is not included in our tour price. Our plan, at this stage, is for the tour to depart from the Great Southern Hotel Sydney, 717 George Street, Haymarket, Sydney, at 8.30am on Saturday 30th August 2025.
It is important that all tour participants have a basic level of physical fitness that allows them to take part in this activity without the need of assistance from others.
Tour Operator
Travelrite International Pty Ltd. A.C.N. 005 817 0781
(Travelrite International) is the tour operator.
Tour Costs
The tours costs are based on transport, accommodation
costs and entrance costs at 1 September 2024. Travelrite reserves
the right to alter the costs if any of these factors change, giving any
passenger that has booked the right to withdraw with full refund of
monies paid or modify arrangements. No alterations to costings will be
made within 60 days of departure.
Deposit and Payment
A deposit of $500 per passenger is required
at the time of booking. Full payment will be required 60 days before
departure. A 1.5% administration charge will be added to payment by
Visa and Mastercard.
Cancellations
Cancellations within 60 days prior to departure will
result in the loss of all monies paid. Cancellation outside 60 days from
departure will result in a cancellation fee of $500 per person. Travel
insurance is recommended to cover the costs of cancellation fees due to
illness, death in family, etc.
Minimum Tour Numbers
The tour has been costed on the basis
of a minimum number of passengers having booked 60 days prior to
departure. Travelrite reserves the right to cancel the tour, giving a full
refund of all monies paid or offer arrangements to proceed with the tour
at a modified cost if the minimum number is not achieved.
Refunds
The tour is based on arrangements which do not allow for
any refunds in respect to sightseeing, accommodation, meals or other
services not utilised after the tour has commenced.
Baggage
All passengers qualify for 1 piece free baggage allowance.
Tour Participation
Children under 5 years of age are ineligible on coach & cruise tours. Children under 18 years of age must be accompanied by an adult. Passengers with disabilities are welcome on Travelrite & Cruise Offers tours provided they are accompanied by a companion capable of providing all necessary assistance, and do not require special assistance from Travelrite & Cruise Offers personnel. Travelrite and Cruise Offers reserves the right to refuse to carry anyone if it is felt the individual cannot cope with the requirements of coach & cruise tour travel and who may require services and facilities that Travelrite & Cruise Offers cannot guarantee will be available. You agree to not hold the Travelrite & Cruise Offers responsible for any decision made by any of them or any service provider to refuse to carry you, provide any facilities or accommodation to you or to provide any service to you.
Responsibility
Travelrite International Pty Ltd. is the tour organiser.
Travelrite International acts only as agents in making of arrangements with carriers, hoteliers and others for the tour. As a result we cannot
accept liability for any act or omission whatsoever, whether negligent or
otherwise of those carriers, hoteliers or other persons providing services
in connection with the tour over whom we have no direct or exclusive
control. We do not accept responsibility for any injury, damage, loss,
delay, change of schedule or any other events which are beyond our direct
control, such as, but not limited to, war, flood, fire, civil disturbance, acts
of God, acts of government, or any other authorities, terrorism, accidents
to or failure of machinery or equipment, or industrial action. The passage
contract in use by the carriers concerned, when issued, shall constitute
the sole contract between the transportation companies or firms and
the purchasers of these tours and the passengers. Baggage is at own risk
throughout the tour. The contract shall be construed in accordance with
the laws of the State of Victoria and any legal action must be undertaken
in the State of Victoria.
Delays and Unforeseen Events
You engage Travelrite Inter-national to book this tour on your behalf and you acknowledge that
Travelrite International acts as your agent for the purpose of making
contracts between you and the various providers of accommodation,
transportation and other services that comprise the tour. Travelrite
International may without reference to you provide or make available
to you, or may as your agent engage any third party to provide or make
available to you, any good or service which Travelrite International
reasonably believes is necessary for your benefit to maintain the tour
itinerary, repatriate you or otherwise accommodate, transport or sustain
you in circumstances in which the tour itinerary fails wholly or partly for
any reason. You appoint Travelrite International your attorney for this
purpose. You agree to pay Travelrite International any cost thereof and
you indemnify Travelrite International in respect of any cost it incurs
in this regard. Travelrite International advises you to obtain travel insurance generally including in respect of the risk that any such goods or
service may become required.
How to Book:
Bookings can be made by completing a booking form
and sending it with a deposit of $500 per person to:
Travelrite International Pty. Ltd.
423 Whitehorse Road
Balwyn, Victoria 3103
Further information can be obtained by telephoning
Toll Free 1800 630 343
Phone: (03) 9836 2522
Email: sales@travelrite.com.au
ABOUT TRAVELRITE INTERNATIONAL:
Travelrite International Pty Ltd
(ABN 64 005 817 078) is a well-established travel company which has been
operating in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne for more than 40 years. It
is fully ATAS accredited: A10538 and is fully credited with IATA. As such, it
directly represents the major airlines of the world and all major domestic
and international tour and transport operators. Travelrite International
has been operating special interest tours for 35 years, and now runs over
120 tours a year. Travelrite International Pty Ltd is a full member of the
Australian Federation of Travel Agents – AFTA.
“One of the best tours we have ever done. Great program and lovely people.”
“Well organised tour that ran smoothly. Very impressed with Wayne Horsburgh, intelligent, talented and caring.”
