Day 1 – Southern Highlands

On arrival at Sydney Airport collect your full size sedan automatic rental vehicle including daily insurance, unlimited kilometres, accident excess reduction and GPS and drive to your accommodation (approximately a one hour and twenty minute drive minute drive).

Accommodation for three nights in Studio Cottage including in-room continental breakfast basis at: Bendooley Estate, Southern Highlands

Day 2 – Southern Highlands

There are some places in the wilderness where nature over delivers. Gliding downstream on the Kangaroo River from Beehive Point to the mouth of Yarrunga Creek with the backdrop of the Morton National Park in Kangaroo Valley is one such place.

Take a seat in one of our custom-built double-canoe rigs and immerse your senses in its sheer beauty. Canoes, Champagne & Canapés is the perfect combination food, wine and wilderness. Indulge your taste buds with wild native canapés and a local award-winning cold-climate wine and discover what is unapologetically, one of the most stunning waterways in the state.

Explore the sunken forest and its eerily beautiful backdrop of a convict-built sandstone road, winding uphill and linking the rainforest with our colonial past. This is wilderness in its extreme and is home to the majestic azure kingfisher, wedge-tail eagle, diamond python, rock wallaby, white-breasted sea eagle, water dragon and more.

Travis Frenay our guide from Paddle & Portage Canoes has crafted an incredible and unique adventure for this day trip.

Enjoy a two-course lunch at Mount Ashby boutique vineyard and cellar door Mt Ashby Wines, Moss Vale OR Birch, Moss Vale.

After lunch visit Cherry Tree Hill Vineyard which produces a range of award-winning quality boutique wines. Their Riesling is recognized as the rising star of the label and consistently rates gold from the best critics in the country. Initially Cabernet Sauvignon and Riesling grapes were planted in 2000 followed by Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay in 2001, so there is a vast array of varietals to sample. More recently the vineyard has been restructured with 5.5 hectares of Pinot Noir grafted onto Merlot and Cabernet roots with the intention of making one of the best Pinot Noir and methods traditional sparkling that this country has to offer. Wine tastings are at cellar door and include shared plate. Gourmet Traveller awarded them best small cellar door 2018. On conclusion of the tour you will be transferred to your accommodation.

Day 3 – Southern Highlands

Today you will be met at your accommodation by your private guide and vehicle for your full day Southern Highlands Waterfalls, Wander and Wine tour.

Please note: It is recommended you wear comfortable clothing and footwear.

Take in the picturesque beauty of the Southern Highlands, approximately a 2-hour journey south of Sydney and discover fantastic waterfall views at Carrington Falls in Budderoo National Park. Spend 2 hours exploring the Minnamurra Rainforest Centre, Rainforest Loop Rack and the Falls walk. Nurtured and conserved for over a century, the Minnamurra Rainforest is exceptionally precious with rare birds, native mammals and reptiles. There is also the opportunity to have a swim in Nellie’s Glen.

Travel on to Bowral and enjoy a light lunch at “Harry’s on Green Lane”, called Harry’s after the renowned English nurseryman and horticulturist, Sir Harry Veitch. Browse the main street of Bowral, taking in village life with all its small-town charm and big city sophistication and wander through Dirty Janes Market, named after a renowned 19th-century Irish storekeeper, a treasure-hunter’s paradise.

Following lunch your guide will take you to a family run boutique winery, Artemis Vineyard, owned by brothers Antony and Mark Balog, who planted the first Pinot Noir grapes in the region in 1996. The award-winning vineyard’s philosophy draws on the natural elements and blends old world and new world wine making techniques and viticulture. Enjoy a wine tasting experience and take a walk amongst the vines as you enjoy the locally grown Point Noir and other red varietals. On conclusion of the tour you will be transferred to your accommodation by approximately 5:00pm.

Today depart your accommodation and drive to the Hunter Valley (approximately a four and half hour drive).

Accommodation for three nights in King Spa Room including breakfast at: Spicers Vineyards Estate, Hunter Valley

Today you will be met at your accommodation by your private guide and vehicle for a full day food and wine tour to the Hunter Valley wine region.

The Hunter Valley is Australia’s oldest and best known wine region, home to over 150 top class wineries, 65 indulgent restaurants, boutique breweries and gourmet produce. Today’s tour offers the opportunity to sample some of the region’s best with a progressive food and wine tasting tour.

Your first stop is at Cocoa Nib, a boutique Chocolate shop situated within the Keith Tulloch Wine estate, to taste some of the locally hand-crafted chocolates. Then follow the food and wine trail to sample some of the best local and international cheeses paired with beautiful local wines. This educational and enjoyable tasting experience will guide you through the process of finding your ‘match made in heaven’.

A two course lunch is served at the acclaimed Bistro Molines, set among the peaceful surrounds of Tallavera Grove, overlooking the valley. Chef Robert’s culinary genius attracts visitors from the world over to his little piece of paradise.

Then continue along the trail to the Sabor Desert Bar and choose from over 50 desserts including the award winning Sabor Chocolate Mousse, a perfect way to finish your meal!

Your final stop this afternoon is at Audrey Wilkinson, one of the oldest wineries in the Hunter Valley, known for its award-winning Semillon and Shiraz. Enjoy a private tasting of some of their best wines in the VIP room and take in the stunning views from the winery before being dropped off at your accommodation.

Day 6 – Hunter Valley

Today make your way independently to Brokenwood Wines for The Brokenwood Journey.

Established in 1970, Brokenwood Wines has become one of Australia’s most reputable wine labels. The stunning new cellar door is the largest complex in the Hunter Valley wine region, featuring unique circular tasting ‘pods’ and a wine museum overlooking the working barrel hall.

There is no better way to experience the true Brokenwood than with an exclusive behind the scenes tour and taste.

After arriving at Brokenwood’s cellar door concierge, your journey will begin with an intimate tasting in their private tasting room. Your personal host will guide you through six premium Brokenwood wines (three white and three red) as you enjoy six specially prepared canapés. You will have the chance to meet the chef of The Wood Restaurant as he takes you through each unique food match.

Continue your experience with a behind the scenes tour of the winery where you will learn all aspects of winemaking and delve deep into the history of Brokenwood Wines.

Your tour ends in the barrel hall with the opportunity to taste pre-release Brokenwood wine straight from the barrel.

On conclusion of your tour make your way independently to your accommodation.

Day 7 – Tamworth

Today depart your accommodation and drive to Tamworth (approximately a four-hour drive).

Accommodation for one night in The Granny Flat room only (self-contained accommodation) at: Goonoo Goonoo Station, Tamworth

Day 8 – Byron Bay

Today depart your accommodation and drive to Byron Bay (approximately five hour and fifty-minute drive).

Accommodation for four nights in Superior Suite including breakfast at: Byron at Byron, Byron Bay

Day 9 – Byron Bay

Today you will be met at your accommodation by your private guide and vehicle for your Byron Bay epicurean tour.

Your journey will commence with a visit to The Farm, on the outskirts of town. Enjoy a coffee at Three Blue Ducks, then wander along the farm trail past the pigs in their mud bath, the 700 Bond Brown chickens, the Macadamia Orchard and the fields planted with an array of produce served in the restaurant.

The next stop is the local Brook family’s 96-acre farm ‘Brookfarm’ located high on the ridgeline above Byron Bay with views to the iconic Lighthouse and along the coastline. Enjoy a private tour of the Macadamia plantation and visit the onsite Cape Byron Distillery where you can sample gin and see how it is made.

Continue inland to Newrybar, a tiny hamlet which houses Harvest Restaurant and Historic Bakery as well as the ultra-hip Newrybar Merchants, a collective of creative local artisans and curators. A scattering of other delectable shops makes up the village known for its unique blend of antiques, gifts, clothing and home wares.

Lunch is at the delightful Harvest Restaurant in Newrybar. This awarded restaurant showcases the best seasonal food, sourced from artisan producers and their own edible gardens, alongside foraged native and wild Australian ingredients. Following lunch travel back to the Byron Arts & Industry Estate to visit the new home of Stone & Wood, Australia’s second largest craft brewer. Grab a tasting paddle of locally, handcrafted beers including seasonal and special releases. On conclusion of the tour, you will be transferred to your accommodation.

Day 10 – Byron Bay

Make your way independently to your shared small group cooking class with Belinda Jeffery.

On arrival at Burringbar School of Arts Hall, meet your fellow guests over tea and/or coffee with biccies or cake. You can relax with another cuppa (if you wish) while Belinda Jeffery demonstrates one or two of her recipes and passes on advice and tips gained from her days cooking in restaurants, on television and radio, and publishing her own cookbooks.

You will then get a chance for hands on cooking for the menu of the day. For this cooking time you will usually cook in pairs. This means that you won’t be able to cook each and every recipe but you will have all the recipes to take home, and she will stop and show you important details of each recipe along the way. During this time there will be also be ample opportunity for Q&A time.

Enjoy a long table lunch of the wonderful dishes you have all prepared accompanied by a glass of wine or a delicious non-alcoholic drink.

On conclusion of the cooking class, make your way independently back to your accommodation with you goodie bag and a full tummy.

Day 11 – Byron Bay

While at leisure in Byron Bay we suggest the following optional activities:
– Head for the beach! There’s a few to choose from. Our favourites are the beautiful Little Watego’s and secluded but stunning Whites Beach
– Learn to surf on Main Beach or ride the peeling waves at ‘the Pass’ on Clarke’s Beach
– Relax and unwind with an early morning yoga session, a spiritual healing therapy or a pampering massage at one of the many local day spas
– Watch the sun-rise from Cape Byron Lighthouse. In fact the walk to Cape Byron headland is beautiful any time of day (and is often rewarded with whale sightings on their annual migration up and down the coast between May and November)
– Take a guided kayak tour for the chance to spot resident dolphins and turtles
– Enjoy a leisurely long lunch at one of the region’s award-winning restaurants
– Indulge in a little retail therapy; enjoying fresh local produce at the Thursday morning Farmer’s Markets or some local fashion and homewares – from surf to sophisticated – at the boutiques along Lawson and Fletcher Streets
– Enjoy people watching from the balcony bar and oyster co; a colourful parade of hippies and hipsters, surfers and celebs, barefoot bohemians to eco-entrepreneurs.
– Stretch your legs in one of the surrounding national parks; visit Nightcap National Park’s stunning Minyon Falls or join a guided hike to the peak of Mount Warning.
– Snorkel or dive at Julian Rocks. Just 5 minutes off the coast this marine park is home to turtles, rays and more than 400 species of exotic fish.
– Explore the pretty hinterland villages of Bangalow, Clunes, Newrybar and Federal to uncover colourful local art-galleries, beautiful scenery and delicious diversions such as The Farm, Harvest and Folk.

Day 12 – Byron Bay

Today depart your accommodation, drive to Gold Coast Airport (approximately one hour and fifteen- minute drive) and return your rental vehicle prior to boarding your onward flight.

Option to depart from Ballina, Gold Coast or Brisbane Airport.

INCLUSIONS:

• Full-size automatic rental vehicle including insurance, unlimited kilometres and GPS navigation system 
• A full-day private Paddle, Dine and Vine Tour including kayaking, lunch and wine tastings. 
• A full-day private Waterfalls, Wander and Wine Tour including light lunch and wine tastings
• A full-day private Hunter Valley Food and Wine Trail including private tastings at all wineries, chocolate and cheese tasting and pairing and lunch.
• A half-day private The Broken Wood Journey Tour including wine tasting and barrel tasting
• A full-day private Byron Bay Epicurean Tour including morning/afternoon tea, lunch with beverages, gin and beer tasting
• Shared small-group 5 hour, Belinda Jeffery Cooking Class
• Accommodation and meals as specified in the itinerary
• Australian Goods and Services Tax (GST) at 10%

Contact Journeys Rediscovered for price & availability to suit your preferred departure dates as a private itinerary

Land-based itinerary is based per person on twin/double share basis (unless otherwise stated), single supplement is available, contact Journey Rediscovered for this surcharge.

Domestic airfares are additional, please contact Journeys Rediscovered for flight options and prices.

Travel insurance is strongly recommended and can be arranged for you for an additional cost.

For full pricing, terms and conditions, contact your MTA Travel Expert, Journeys Rediscovered on 0477002235 or journeysrediscovered@mtatravel.com.au