Stanthorpe and the Waterfall Way...Christmas Spirit Tour 2024
Experience a touch of the Christmas Spirit in Stanthorpe and the Granite Belt before exploring the Waterfall Way – a breathtaking drive linking Armidale to Coffs Harbour, weaving through beautiful forests and past stunning waterfalls.
7 Day Tour
Monday 2 December - Sunday 8 December 2024
Tour Cost (GST inclusive):
$2,960 per person twin share
$565 single supplement
Inclusions
- Luxury Coach Travel in our Business Class Coach
- Lunch at Sutton’s Juice Factory & Cidery
- Tasting at Stanthorpe Cheese
- Guided tour and tastings at the Truffle Discovery Centre
- Talk and morning tea at the Granite Belt Christmas Farm
- Guided tour, tasting and lunch at Granite Belt Brewery
- Entry to Washpool Farm Soaperie
- Guided tour of Armidale
- Guided tour and morning tea at Saumarez Homestead
- Entry and talk at McCrossin’s Mill
- Talk and lunch at Inverness Park Cashmere Farm
- Entry to The Sweet Place
- Entry to Dorrigo Rainforest Centre
- Lunch at Canopy Café
- Entry and guided tour at Carobana Confectionary
- Entry to Marine Magic Presentation
- Lunch at Dolphin Marine Conservation Park
- Entry to National Cartoon Gallery
- Videre High Tea at RACV Royal Pines Resort
- 6 nights motel accommodation
- 6 cooked breakfasts, 6 two-course dinners, 5 lunches and 1 high tea
Tour Itinerary
Day 1: (LD)
Brisbane to Stanthorpe
Mon 2 Dec 24
Welcome to our Stanthorpe and Waterfall Way Tour. Be greeted with a smile from our friendly crew and fellow travellers as we begin our adventure. We make our way to our first destination, Stanthorpe, known for its beautiful natural landscape, fresh local produce and warm country hospitality. Lunch today is at Sutton’s Juice Factory and Cidery, where you’ll discover a myriad of products crafted from the humble apple. Based on a real working orchard, David and Ros Sutton began in 1994 after owning two previous businesses – firstly a grain and livestock property and then a prawn trawler in North Queensland. Once the skill of orcharding was mastered they began production of the varietal apple juice and apple cider. From these two products the range of handcrafted creations has grown to include apple brandy, fruit liqueurs, apple cider vinegar, apple syrup and a wide range of preserves. Next, we head to Stanthorpe Cheese where a selection of cheeses, at their peak of perfection are awaiting us. This afternoon we check into our accommodation which will be our home for the next two nights.
Day 2: (BLD)
Stanthorpe
Tue 3 Dec 24
We explore the Truffle Discovery Centre, home to the rare and highly valuable Fresh Perigord Truffle. Unearth all that is truffle with a tour and gourmet food tastings. Next, we visit the Granite Belt Christmas Farm. Renowned for bringing the ‘Christmas Spirit’ alive all year round, we are welcome by our wonderful host and given a short talk explaining how the farm works and the uniqueness of this magical industry. Mrs Claus may even have some of her festive treats on hand for us to sample. For lunch we travel to Granite Belt Brewery and Retreat. Set on 30 acres of natural bushland, the country estate boasts a rustic atmosphere with delicious food and handcrafted beers. We then visit the Washpool Farm Soaperie. Here we see artisans handcrafting luxurious raw material into gorgeous natural products for healthy skin and home.
Day 3: (BD)
Stanthorpe to Armidale
Wed 4 Dec 24
Heading out of Stanthorpe we arrive in Glen Innes for our morning stop. Known fondly as the “land of the Beardies”, the town was settled by Scots and regards itself as the Celtic capital of New England. It is also renowned for its gemstones and minerals and is the centre of a large sapphire industry. We continue to Armidale where we have time to purchase lunch (own expense). Our local guide joins us on the coach to showcase Armidale and surrounds. On our touring we’ll be taken past a historic mansion and a university and told tales of the wonderful contrast between a bustling modern commercial centre and a bygone era.
Day 4: (BLD)
Armidale & Uralla
Thu 5 Dec 24
Exploring the area today we’ll get a true sense of what the region is all about. Heading out of town we visit Saumarez Homestead, a historic country homestead and ten-hectare property. We embark on a guided tour of the elegant, fully furnished Edwardian mansion and take a stroll through the old-fashioned garden. Morning tea rounds out our visit. Continuing to the pretty village of Uralla, we stop at McCrossin’s Mill. This gorgeous old building houses excellent exhibits about Captain Thunderbolt including a talk on the series of nine paintings that document the events that led to his death. Lunch will be waiting for us at Inverness Park Cashmere Farm. Here we’ll hear all about the shearing process and also have a demonstration of yarn spinning. Uralla is also home to a wonderful shop called the Sweet Place, which stocks every sweet imaginable. We return to Armidale after a fantastic day.
Day 5: (BLD)
Waterfall Way
Fri 6 Dec 24
Travelling along the Waterfall Way, we visit the waterfalls of Wollomombi Falls and Ebor Falls. From the viewing platforms listen to the sound of the cascading water and see the rugged country to the north. Waterfall Way takes us into Dorrigo for an enjoyable lunch at the Canopy Café before a visit to the local national park to see some magnificent rainforest country. The Skywalk allows us to experience the beauty and serenity of the rainforest and will have us marvelling at the diversity of the region. We continue through Bellingen before arriving in Coffs Harbour.
Day 6: (BLD)
Coffs Harbour
Sat 7 Dec 24
This morning we drive to Bruxner Park, passing banana plantations and avocado groves to Forest Sky Pier. On a clear day the lookout offers magnificent costal views over the city of Coffs Harbour and up and down the coastline. We visit Carobana Confectionery to uncover the variety of carob coated fruits, nuts and sweets. After enjoying a sample or two, we meet some very special locals at the Dolphin Marine Conservation Park. Experience the Marine Magic Presentation and be amazed by the incredible indo-pacific bottlenose dolphins while listening to our presenter share the animals’ journey of how they came to be at the centre. There is time to explore after the show where you can spot the resident seal and penguins that are also housed here. At National Cartoon Gallery, we’ll discover the funky gallery of contemporary cartoons housed in a restored WWII underground bunker. After an interesting day we return to our motel.
Day 7: (BHT)
Coffs Harbour to Brisbane
Sun 8 Dec 24
We say goodbye to Coffs Harbour as we make our way up the NSW North Coast. For our lunch we will be taken to new heights as we enjoy Videre High Tea. Located on level 21 at the Royal Pines Resort, this venue offers incredible views of the Gold Coast and surrounds. The menu which includes favourites such as sandwiches, scones and macarons is inspired by local providores and indigenous flavours for a truly distinctive Australian High Tea experience. We arrive home mid-afternoon from a wonderful tour discovering Stanthorpe and the Waterwall Way.