Orange, Parkes & The Central West
Days:
7 Days
Activity:
3. Active Moderate
Transport:
Drive
$2,995.00
Tour description
Discover the rich history, beautiful landscapes and outstanding local produce of New South Wales’ vibrant Central West on this relaxing seven day holiday. Journey through charming country towns, rolling farmland and renowned food and wine regions while enjoying authentic regional experiences and warm country hospitality. Explore the historic gold rush city of Bathurst, discover Orange’s thriving food and wine scene, and learn about local agriculture through farm visits and gourmet tastings. Marvel at the breathtaking views from Lake Canobolas, uncover the fascinating stories of Parkes and visit the world famous CSIRO Parkes Radio Telescope, affectionately known as “The Dish.” Experience the impressive Peak Hill Open Cut Gold Mine before continuing through Forbes, Eugowra and Canowindra to historic Cowra. Here you’ll discover the poignant Prisoner of War Camp site, the beautiful Cowra Japanese Garden and Cultural Centre, and fascinating railway heritage. Combining spectacular gardens, regional flavours, gold rush history, astronomy, pioneering stories and charming country towns, this all inclusive journey offers the perfect blend of sightseeing, history, food and relaxation. Travel in comfort aboard our luxury coach, stay in quality accommodation and enjoy the friendly hospitality that makes the Central West one of New South Wales’ most rewarding touring destinations.
Tour Highlights
• Luxury coach travel from Sydney
• Two nights in Orange
• Two nights in Parkes
• Two nights in Cowra
• Blue Mountains touring via Mount Tomah
• Historic Bathurst sightseeing
• Guided Orange town tour with Country Food Trails
• Orange Botanic Gardens
• Hillside Harvest farm tour and lunch
• Philip Shaw Wines tasting
• Fourjay Farms tour and morning tea
• Picnic lunch at Lake Canobolas
• Guided Parkes town tour
• Parkes Visitor Information Centre and Elvis Museum
• Visit the CSIRO Parkes Radio Telescope “The Dish”
• Peak Hill Open Cut Gold Mine Experience
• Forbes sightseeing tour
• Eugowra silo murals
• Lunch at Montrose House, Canowindra
• Guided tour of historic Cowra
• Cowra Visitor Centre Prisoner of War Theatre Experience
• Prisoner of War Camp site and commemorative artwork
• Cowra Japanese Garden and Cultural Centre
• Cowra Heritage Rail Precinct
• Scenic drive through historic Carcoar
• Free time in Leura
• Quality accommodation throughout
• Fully escorted luxury coach touring
Itinerary
Your Central West adventure begins as we depart Sydney and travel via the scenic Bells Line of Road to the Blue Mountains. Enjoy morning tea at the beautiful Blue Mountains Botanic Garden, Mount Tomah, before continuing west to the historic city of Bathurst. Following lunch, enjoy a sightseeing drive through the city, including a lap of the famous Mount Panorama racing circuit. This afternoon continue to Orange where we settle into our accommodation before enjoying a welcome dinner.
Accommodation: The Remington, Orange
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Following breakfast, enjoy a guided tour of Orange with a local guide, discovering the city’s heritage, beautiful parks and thriving food culture. Afterwards, spend time exploring the Orange Botanic Gardens before travelling to Hillside Harvest, where you’ll enjoy a fascinating farm tour, browse the farm shop and savour a delicious lunch featuring local produce. This afternoon visit the acclaimed Philip Shaw Wines for a guided tasting overlooking the picturesque vineyards before returning to Orange for dinner.
Accommodation: The Remington, Orange
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
This morning visit Fourjay Farms where you’ll enjoy morning tea, a guided farm tour and time to browse the farm shop. Continue to beautiful Lake Canobolas where a picnic lunch is enjoyed overlooking the water. This afternoon travel to Parkes via the Escort Way and Henry Parkes Way before joining a guided tour showcasing the town’s rich history, heritage buildings and important landmarks. Check into your accommodation before dinner.
Accommodation: Parkes International Motor Inn, Parkes
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast visit the Parkes Visitor Information Centre and the popular Elvis Museum, celebrating the town’s internationally famous Elvis Festival. Continue to the iconic CSIRO Parkes Radio Telescope, affectionately known as “The Dish,” where you’ll learn about its remarkable contribution to astronomy and space exploration. Following free time for lunch, travel to Peak Hill for a guided visit to the impressive Open Cut Gold Mine, discovering the region’s fascinating gold mining history before returning to Parkes for dinner.
Accommodation: Parkes International Motor Inn, Parkes
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Farewell Parkes and travel to Forbes for a brief sightseeing tour before continuing to the historic village of Eugowra to admire its colourful silo murals. Travel on to Canowindra where lunch is served at the charming Montrose House. This afternoon arrive in Cowra and join a guided tour exploring the town’s rich history, heritage buildings and local attractions before checking into your accommodation for a two night stay.
Accommodation: Club Cowra Motel, Cowra
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today’s touring begins at the Cowra Visitor Information Centre where you’ll experience the moving Prisoner of War Theatre presentation. Continue to the former Prisoner of War Camp site and commemorative artworks, learning about one of Australia’s most significant wartime stories. Enjoy lunch at the award winning Cowra Japanese Garden and Cultural Centre, with time to stroll through the magnificent gardens. This afternoon visit the Cowra Heritage Rail Precinct and discover the important role rail played in the development of the region before returning to your accommodation for dinner.
Accommodation: Club Cowra Motel, Cowra
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast depart Cowra and travel through the beautifully preserved heritage village of Carcoar, enjoying a leisurely sightseeing drive. Continue to Bathurst for morning tea before travelling into the Blue Mountains. Enjoy lunch at the historic Alexandra Hotel in Leura, followed by free time to browse the boutique shops, galleries and cafés. This afternoon return to Sydney, arriving home with wonderful memories of the beautiful Central West, its welcoming communities and outstanding regional experiences.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Activity Levels
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1. Easy
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2. Moderate
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3. Active Moderate
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4. Adventurous
Testimonials
We have just returned from a 4 day tour to Young. We enjoyed the trip very much, and this was largely due to our tour leader/driver, Hans. He is a particularly likeable young man and his patience and attention to all our needs were 100%. He would be the best tour leader that we have encountered on the many bus tours we have taken both here in Australia and overseas. Please convey our grateful thanks to Hans for making our Young tour so enjoyable.
Your sincerely, J and M.
Dear Kerry and staff Thank you for organising the Temora airshow and Wagga tour for our club. We all enjoyed the four days away. The tour length was just right for us ‘oldies’. The Mercure Wagga was very comfortable and centrally located, and there was plenty of free time to explore the galleries, gardens Riverina Museum, and shops on offer in Wagga. The Tamora airshow was an opportunity to view old planes and to see an aviation display for novices to aviation displays. We learnt so much about the RAAF presence in Wagga and Temora during WWII. A highlight of the Junee Rail Museum was the dedicated locals who told us all about trains and privatisation of New South Wales rails. A special bouquet of thanks to Paul , our wonderful coach driver and Marie, our friendly tour guide. Nothing was a problem for them. Both Marie and Paul worked as a great team and put us all at ease. We greatly appreciated all their work, effort, fun and friendship to make our trip memorable. Thanks Guys! It was great to be travelling with Oncourse again. Our club is looking forward to seeing what tourism plans you have in store for 2024. Again, many thanks for your help. Best wishes to all the On Course team.
