Christmas In The Hunter

Day 1

Home - Newcastle
Today our Queensland passengers will begin with a flight to Newcastle Airport before joining our crew and New South Wales passengers onboard our coach. Travel to Fighter World for lunch and take time to explore the exhibits displayed within the two large hangars. Later, settle in for five nights at our accommodation which is located just a block from the Newcastle beachfront.

Day 2

Anzac - Museum - Cathedral - Fort Scratchley
Newcastle is Australia's seventh largest and second oldest city. Today we will discover the history of the region, beginning with a visit to Newcastle Museum. Learn of the two major industries that have dominated the Hunter - coal mining and BHP steel production. Later, we take a tour of the Fort Scratchley site, formerly a coastal defence installation offering one of the most spectacular vantage points in Newcastle. After a picnic lunch admire the architecture of the Christ Church Cathedral, with construction dating back to 1817. This afternoon, walk along Newcastle's Memorial Walk before returning to our accommodation for dinner.

Day 3

Maitland Gaol - Kurri Kurri Murals - Hunter Valley Lights
Today we travel to East Maitland for a guided tour of 'the big house'. Be entertained with stories of the more colourful characters who occupied the Maitland Gaol prior to its closure in 1998. Continue on to Kurri Kurri where a local guide will join us as we discover some of the murals that tell the stories of the people, events and places that shaped the area's unique character, culture and heritage. Purchase your own lunch in Kurri Kurri before returning to Newcastle for some free time. This evening after an early dinner, we will travel to Pokolbin to be dazzled at the Hunter Valley Gardens Christmas Lights Extravaganza.

Day 4

Dolphins - Port Stephens
This morning we travel to Nelson Bay to board a dolphin discovery cruise. See the beautiful shores and marine park of Port Stephens, home of the bottlenose dolphins, and be sure to watch for the pods of dolphins surfing in the bow wave of the boat. This afternoon, we'll spend time at Port Stephens Marina area where there are a variety of speciality shops, cafes to browse as well as the Port Stephens Information Centre. Travel back to Newcaste for some free time prior to dinner at our accommodation.

Day 5

Merry Christmas!
For those wishing to attend a morning church service, our crew will assist with arranging your transfer. Alternatively, you can enjoy a relaxed morning at your leisure. We then gather back together to enjoy a Christmas buffet lunch with all the trimmings. This evening we'll complete our Christmas celebrations with an informal light dinner together.

Day 6

Stockton - Home
This morning enjoy morning tea on the Stockton foreshore offering views of the harbour and city. From here, it's only a short drive to the Newcastle Airport where our Queensland travellers will board their flight back to Brisbane and our crew will have transfers arranged for our New South Wales travellers.

B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner