BENDIGO, GOLDFIELDS VILLAGES AND ECHUCA - Apr 26
The group of 49 Westleigh Probians departed at 6.30AM on a brisk Monday morning for Sydney Airport on a 5-day Coach Holidays and Tours (a Probus Partner) tour to Bendigo.
Arriving in Melbourne, they were picked up by Wade, the driver for the 5 days, and headed off by coach to Daylesford Bowling Club for lunch. Then on to Bendigo for a guided city tour, before checking in to the All Seasons Resort Hotel for 4 nights. The hotel boasts an indoor pool and spa that turned out to be popular as the days progressed.
On day 2 they visited the Ulumbarra Theatre in Bendigo (Ulumbarra Theatre - Capital Venues & Events), which was transformed from the old Sandhurst Gaol, built in 1860, into a unique building with the gaol’s solitary confinement cells at the entrance leading to a world class performance venue. The venue cleverly fuses heritage-listed 1860s penitentiary architecture and contemporary design. Absolutely amazing.
This was followed by a ride on the Vintage Talking Tram through the streets of Bendigo, listening to fascinating stories which bring the city’s gold rush streets and tramways heritage to life. After a fantastic lunch at The Hotel Shamrock there was free time to explore either the Chinese Golden Dragon museum, the Bendigo Woollen Mill shop, the Bendigo Botanical Gardens, or shopping in the city.
Day 3, they coached to Castlemaine for a tour around the town and then on to The Mill, home to over 40 artisan makers set in a reimagined 1870’s woollen mill. Sadly, most things were closed due to it being a Wednesday, except for the Vintage Bazaar and Café. After lunch at the Shedshaker Brewery in The Mill (Shedshaker Brewing – Brewery and Taproom), they headed to ‘Buda’, named after Budapest by its Hungarian owner, Ernest Leviny. This is an authentic goldfields historic home and garden, owned by the same family for 118 years (Buda Castlemaine | Historic Home & Garden). Then a scenic drive to Goldfield Villages including Maryborough, Talbot and finally Clunes, where the chemist, which was also a general store, did a roaring trade as everything else was closed. After a short wander in the town, they coached back to Bendigo.
In the evening they had a fun surprise group guard of honour for a couple on the tour celebrating their 60th Wedding Anniversary. The event, wrist corsages and buttonhole flowers were organised by some of the Members on the tour.
On day 4 they set off for Echuca and had a morning tea cruise on the paddle-steamer, PS Canberra, on the Murray River while looking back at Echuca’s massive red gum wharf. They visited the Great Aussie Beer Shed and Farm Museum where they had lunch and free time to explore the exhibits (The Great Aussie Beer Shed). It was an amazing place and brought back many fond memories - there was more than just beer cans on exhibit. There was even the Carlton Clydesdale wagon seen at the Royal Easter Show in the past on display. On the way back to the hotel, they stopped at Rochester to see the silo art (Rochester Silo Art).
Bendigo Vintage Talking Tram - our Tram 421, a great way to tour the city
Can only be The Great Aussie Beer Shed
On the last day they checked out of the hotel and headed to the Chocolate Apple factory in Shepparton (Chocolate Apple Factory | Chocolate Shop in Shepparton/Kialla). This is a family business that creates a delicious range of gourmet products including their famous chocolate apples grown locally which are juicy apples coated in creamy caramel & topped with chocolate. An unusual combination but it tasted good. Lunch was held at the Shepparton Golf Club and then they headed to the airport to make their way home.
The weather was warm and sunny for the duration of the tour; everyone had a great time and went home with happy memories.
Thanks to our Tour Co-ordinator for arranging this magical tour.
