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.
Gill (accordion/ukulele/piano/mouth organ player from Wangaratta) has played in dance bands most of her life, and knows a million tunes! She will be coming on the tour as a musician and assistant tour manager, as long as we get sufficient bookings. She will be involved in lots of fun-filled informal music sessions with the tour group.
The organisers reserve the right to change any details of the tour that they believe will enhance the safety, quality, success and smooth running of the tour. For instance, if any entertainment mentioned in the itinerary is unavailable, we need to replace that entertainment with similar alternative acts.
Dave Prior is an outstanding Country singer, songwriter and comedian, from South Australia. For many years he worked in the commercial radio industry, as an announcer, program director and station manager. However, a mid-life career change saw him working as a singer/comedian, including touring with Adam Harvey, Doug Walters (cricketer), and Rodney Vincent. Dave has released many CDs, including an outstanding Merle Haggard tribute CD, Silver Wings and Haggard Things.
The Broken Hill Civic Orchestra was established in 1975. It had 25 members for its first performance. The orchestra has continued with an annual program of concerts since that time. Like most community orchestras, BHCO consists of a string section, woodwind section, brass section and percussion section. The orchestra plays a wide range of music including classical and well-known popular music. The current conductor of the orchestra is Mark Curtis.
Brass bands have been part of the Barossa’s heritage for more than a century. This community brass band was formed in 1925, with 25 local musicians. Today the band is made up of about 45 local musicians, both young and old. The band rehearses every Tuesday night in its own purpose-built hall, the Marananga Brass Band Room. The band puts on an annual concert, in the Barossa Valley, called ‘A Night of Music’. We are the special guests at the 2024 concert, celebrating the band’s 100th year.
“The passion in The BordererS music comes from growing up in really tough and bigoted areas of Glasgow and Belfast. The dream was to escape that life and start again. Australia gave us that chance.” – Jim Paterson, The BordererS. Jim and Alex arrived in Australia over 20 years ago, not knowing each other. They met in a recording studio in Adelaide. They are now one of the most outstanding, and exciting, Celtic/ Country music acts in Australia. Alex is the lead singer...she has a beautiful voice.
VIEW ITINERARYDAY 1 Friday September 13, 2024 Adelaide
Morning: Depart Comfort Inn Regal Park, North Adelaide at 10am. Do a pick-up at Adelaide
airport at 10.30am (please organise flights arriving in Adelaide no later than 9.30am). We will
enjoy a sightseeing coach tour of central Adelaide and the beachside suburb of Glenelg. Drive
past the Adelaide Cricket Ground. Visit the R.M.Williams Outback Heritage Museum, located on
the site of the original R.M.Williams boot and leather goods factory. Evening: enjoy a special
welcome dinner. Entertainment will be provided by outstanding Adelaide Celtic/country band
The BordererS (if available). Overnight: Comfort Inn Regal Park, North Adelaide. (D)
DAY 2 Saturday September 14, 2024 Barossa Valley
Morning: Travel to the Hahndorf region, in the Adelaide Hills. Free time, for shopping and
morning tea in the historic ‘German’ village of Hahndorf. On the way to the Barossa Valley
visit the excellent Birdwood Motor Museum. Arrive in the Barossa Valley, one of Australia’s
premium wine growing regions. After a panoramic tour of the district we visit a well-known
winery (includes wine tasting). Then check into our accommodation, in Tanunda, one of the
Barossa’s main towns. Evening: Attend the annual concert by the Marananga Brass Band.
The Barossa Valley, with its German heritage, is famous for its outstanding brass bands.
Overnight: Vine Inn Barossa & Vine Court Motel. (B,D)
DAY 3 Sunday September 15, 2024 Flinders Ranges
Travel to Wilpena Pound, via Marrabel, Burra, Peterborough, Orroroo & Hawker. In Burra (once
a booming copper mining town) enjoy a tour of the town and sample one of the delicious
local Cornish pasties (optional). Travel north to Wilpena Pound, in the spectacular southern
Flinders Ranges. Near Wilpena Pound, see the Cazneaux Tree, subject of a famous photograph
entitled The Spirit of Endurance, taken by Dick Smith’s grandfather, Harold Cazneaux, in 1937.
Then proceed to Wilpena Pound, an extraordinary natural basin measuring approximately
14 x 7 kilometres. It’s like a huge natural fortress, with only one entry point. Afternoon: You
will have the opportunity of going on a sightseeing flight over Wilpena Pound (optional). Or,
you might like to join John Howie for a walk into Wilpena Pound. Beautiful southern Flinders
Ranges scenery. Evening: After dinner Brendan Scott will sing a few songs for us… a short,
informal after-dinner performance! Overnight: Wilpena Pound Resort. (B,D)
DAY 4 Monday September 16, 2024 Marree
Travel to Marree. Morning tea in the historic town of Blinman. We then pass through scenic
Parachilna Gorge and then visit Leigh Creek Township. Proceed to the town of Copley, where,
for lunch, you may wish to sample one of the famous quandong pies at the Copley Bush Bakery.
We then visit the ruins of Farina township before we arrive in the remote town of Marree, “where
trains and camels used to be*”. Upon arrival in Marree enjoy a short panoramic tour. You will also
have time to explore the town on foot. Evening: Dinner in our hotel. Also, enjoy a performance
by outstanding South Australian singer/songwriter/ comedy entertainer, Dave Prior. Overnight:
Marree Hotel. (*A quote from the song Out in the Outback, by John Howie.) (B,D)
DAY 5 Tuesday September 17, 2024 Birdsville
Travel north to Birdsville, in far western QLD. Along the way we have lunch at Mungerannie
Roadhouse. During lunch John Howie will host a session of Aussie bush poetry. You are invited
to recite your favourite bush poems. On arrival in Birdsville check into our accommodation.
Evening: Dinner in our hotel, then free time for you to meet the ‘locals’ in the main bar of the
iconic Birdsville Pub. Overnight: Birdsville Hotel-Motel (the Birdsville Pub). (B,L,D)
DAY 6 Wednesday September 18, 2024 Birdsville
Morning: Tour of Birdsville with local guide. Travel a short distance west of Birdsville to see
(and climb) Big Red, a huge sand dune at the edge of the Simpson Desert. We will also travel
a short distance north of Birdsville, to see a small stand of Australia’s rarest tree – the Waddy
Tree. A member of the local aboriginal community (Jimmy Crombie) will accompany us on this
morning’s tour (if available), and talk to us about Birdsville and his working life (as a drover).
Afternoon: Lunch at the excellent Birdsville Bakery, then free time. Evening: Enjoy a special
concert, Brendan Scott Live in Birdsville! Overnight: Birdsville Hotel-Motel & self-contained
cabins at Birdsville Tourist Park. (B)
DAY 7 Thursday September 19, 2024 Innamincka
Today we travel southeast to Innamincka. Picnic lunch along the way. Proceed to Innamincka,
which is situated on Cooper Creek close to where the ill-fated Burke and Wills expedition of
1860-61 came to its tragic end. Evening: After dinner, spend a relaxing evening around our
wonderful outback hotel. Overnight: The Innamincka Hotel. (B,L,D)
DAY 8 Friday September 20, 2024 Innamincka
Morning: Visit Burke’s Grave and the beautiful Cullyamurra Waterhole, both a few kilometres
east of our hotel. The scenery along Cooper Creek, in the vicinity of Innamincka, is stunning.
Beautiful water holes, fabulous gum trees, and lots of colourful Australian birds. Then visit the
famous Dig Tree, where on April 22, 1861 Burke, Wills and King probably realised they were
doomed. Afternoon: You will have some free time. You may like to visit the former Australian
Inland Mission Hospital building, now a National Parks office and museum, located right next to our hotel. Late Afternoon: Further exploration of Cooper Creek. Travel to the west of our
hotel, including a visit to King’s Marker (marks the spot where King was found alive by a search
party following the Burke and Wills expedition). Evening: Enjoy a fun-filled Aussie Campfire
Singalong, in the beer garden of our hotel. We will invite the locals to join us. (B)
DAY 9 Saturday September 21, 2024 Tibooburra
Today we travel southeast to Tibooburra. We stop at Cameron Corner, where the borders of
NSW, Queensland and SA meet. See Australia’s famous Dingo Fence. Have lunch at the Corner
Store. We will also visit Fort Grey, where Sturt established his last base camp in 1845 before
pushing on to the Cooper (Cooper Creek). Then proceed to Tibooburra, a true outback town in
the ‘corner country’ of far western New South Wales. You will have time to explore the town,
including the two pubs. The interior walls of the Family Hotel boast a mural of artworks by
famous Australian artists, including Clifton Pugh and Russell Drysdale. Evening: John Howie
and Gill Delaney will lead a fun-filled singalong session, on the porch of the Family Hotel, with
Brendan Scott and, hopefully, some of the locals and tour group members joining in. Then
enjoy an excellent dinner at T.J’s Roadhouse. Overnight: ‘The Granites’ Motel. (B,D)
DAY 10 Sunday September 22, 2024 White Cliffs
Morning: : We will travel southeast to White Cliffs. On the way visit Milparinka, virtually a
ghost town these days. Also visit Depot Glen, a shaded waterhole on Preservation Creek – one
of the most famous exploration sites in Australia. It was here that explorer Charles Sturt and
his party were marooned for 6 months, in 1845, on their epic search for an inland sea. Second
in command James Poole perished here; we visit his grave. Lunch at Packsaddle Roadhouse.
Afternoon: Tour of White Cliffs with local guide, including visits to the opal fields, an
underground home, the White Cliffs Underground Motel, and an opal shop. Evening: After
dinner Brendan Scott, John Howie and Gill Delaney will lead a fun-filled music session. We will
invite local musicians to join us. Overnight: White Cliffs Hotel. (B,MorningTea,L,D)
DAY 11 Monday September 23, 2024 Wilcannia/Broken Hill
Depart White Cliffs and head south-west to the mining town of Broken Hill. On the way
visit the historic Darling River town of Wilcannia. Morning tea at the Wilcannia Club Hotel,
where John Howie is planning to have a short music session with some of the local aboriginal
musicians. On arrival in Broken Hill, sightseeing tour of this fascinating outback mining town,
with local guide. Visit The Big Picture (excellent art gallery/retail establishment).
Evening: Enjoy dinner at one of Broken Hill’s best restaurants, and then attend an outback concert, featuring the Broken Hill Civic Orchestra. After the concert enjoy supper with the
performers. Overnight: Comfort Inn Crystal Motel, Broken Hill. (B,D,Supper)
DAY 12 Tuesday September 24, 2024 Broken Hill
Morning: Mining has claimed more than 800 lives, over the years, in Broken Hill. We visit the
impressive Broken Hill Miner’s Memorial…..a poignant monument to them all. Then visit Broken
Hill’s famous Royal Flying Doctor Service base. Morning tea at Bells Milk Bar and Museum (1950s
milk bar, famous for its milkshakes, sodas, spiders, etc.). Afternoon: Travel to the fascinating
mining town of Silverton, now virtually a ghost town. A colourful local guide/raconteur will
accompany us on this trip. Visit the famous Silverton Hotel, which has featured in various movies
and TV commercials. Brendan Scott, John Howie and Gill Delaney will lead a short acoustic jam
session in the hotel’s beer garden. Please join in! Return to Broken Hill, where we visit the Pro
Hart Gallery. Finally, visit the Sculpture Symposium (12 sandstone sculptures, in the desert on the
outskirts of Broken Hill). Evening: Enjoy a special concert… Brendan Scott live in Broken Hill! (B)
DAY 13 Wednesday September 25, 2024 Mildura
Travel south to Wentworth, NSW, where the Murray and Darling rivers meet. Sightseeing
coach tour of Wentworth, including the river junction, Perry Sand Hills (ancient sand dunes),
and Possum’s Statue (Possum was a famous hermit who lived along the banks of the Murray).
On arrival in Mildura, short panoramic tour. Evening: Dine at your leisure. Lots of excellent
restaurants right next to our hotel. Overnight: Quality Hotel Mildura Grand. (B)
DAY 14 Thursday September 26, 2024 Mildura
Today you have a choice of (1) visiting the World Heritage listed Mungo National Park,
famous for its lunar-like landscapes and aboriginal heritage, or (2) spending the day in
Mildura. The Mungo N.P. day trip and the activities for those who stay in Mildura, are optional
(more information, back page). Those staying in Mildura will visit Trentham Estate Winery,
beautifully located overlooking the Murray River, for lunch (optional) (see further details,
back page). Evening: Dine at your leisure. After dinner you are invited to an informal ‘music
session’ with local acoustic/folk musicians. (B)
DAY 15 Friday September 27, 2024 Melbourne
Depart Mildura and travel by coach to Melbourne, stopping in Bendigo along the way. We will
drop tour members at Melbourne Airport (approx. 4pm) and Southern Cross Station (approx.
5pm). The tour concludes. You may like to stay in Melbourne for the AFL Grand Final (optional),
the next day. (B)
TWIN FARE PER PERSON | SINGLE FARE |
---|---|
$6,295 | $7,390 |
This day trip is with Mildura tour company, Discover Mildura. Depart Mildura at 8am; return to Mildura at approx. 4pm. The trip includes morning tea & lunch. It’s a 1½ hour drive, from Mildura to Mungo N.P. After morning tea, enjoy tour with local guide, including the spectacular crescent shaped Walls of China dune, which flanks part of the ancient dried-up Lake Mungo. Also, visit magnificent Mungo Woolshed (1869). Approx. cost of this day trip: $120 per person. Please tick box on booking form, if you wish to visit Mungo N.P. Travelrite will add the $120 to your invoice.
For those who choose to stay in Mildura, Day 14, the visit to Trentham Estate Winery, for lunch, is optional. Each person will pay for their own lunch and drinks. Transport costs will be $15 per person (for taxis to and from Trentham Estate Winery). Gill Delaney will collect money on the day. Apart from the lunchtime visit to Trentham Estate , the rest of the day you will have free time in Mildura.
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 August 2023. 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.
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
(A.C.N. 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 has a fully ATAS (No A10538) and IATA accredited office in Balwyn. As
such, it directly represents the major airlines of the world and all major
domestic and international tour and transport operators. 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.”