Join Professor Fred Watson, Australia’s Astronomer at large, for star-studded scenery, charming country hamlets, surprising hidden heritage, breathtaking scenery and fantastic ‘nightseeing‘.
Travel from Canberra to the Coast, and across the night sky on this 8-day journey combining science, scenery and tourism, to gain a deeper understanding of the world around and above us.
Commencing our tour after lunch, we make our way to our first stop at Mount Stromlo Observatory for a tour of the ANU managed observatory. Our next stop is at Tidbinbilla Deep Space Centre, home to the Honeysuckle Telescope and many wonderful radio telescopes exploring deep space, where we’ll be shown around this NASA operated site by Glen Nagle. Dinner is included in one of the restaurants near the Crowne Plaza, our accommodation for the night. (D)
Heading to the coast, we set off for Batemans Bay this afternoon, you can spend time in the historic before checking in to your hotel at the Lincoln Downs Resort. You may wish to visit the Eurobodalla Botanical Gardens of the local museum. We meet up for dinner booked at the local pizza restaurant for a little bit of fun. (B,D)
Travelling through some of the worst-hit bushfire areas of NSW today, we encourage you to take a few stops along the way. Stop in at the Horse Head Beach, Broulee Island or any of the wonderful national park walks along the way. We have lunch confirmed at the Tilba Winery and Tathra for afternoon coffee! We’ve included the entry fee to the Tathra Wharf Museum – the iconic centrepiece of the town opened in 1862 for steamships to transporting people and goods in the region. Take your time before heading on to Seahorse Inn for two nights accommodation. (B,L)
After breakfast, you’ll have time to explore the whaling history. Will you drive along the Killer Whale Trail, walk the Bundian Way Story Trail, head back to the hotel for a nap, or amble along the shopfront in Eden? After lunch, we’ll jump aboard Cat Balou to explore the bays and marine animals. Keep your eyes peeled for the Southern Right, Minke, Blue, Bryde’s and Orca whales, Common & Bottlenose Dolphins, Australian Fur Seals, penguins, flying fish, sunfish and turtles. Dinner is included at the hotel. (B,D)
Heading towards the high alpine planes of Crackenback, from god’s country Eden, we make our way west via the small town of Nimmitable. This little town has a vast history and a wonderful bakery. We’ll have morning tea here then trundle through Bombala on the lookout for platypus, and lavender. From here we have a winding trail through the snow gums, taking us to Crackenback Lodge where we have two nights confirmed in this comfortable alpine retreat. Accommodation is based on 2 bedroom lodges with separate bathrooms. (B,D)
Today is yours to explore Kosciuszko National Park, home to the highest mountains and glacial lakes in Australia, vivid fields of alpine flowers, rare wildlife, stunning vistas, historic huts. Spring is the perfect time to explore the surrounding beautiful trails, on foot, or by bike. Guided walks can also be organised on request. We’ve ordered you a hiking lunch pack to take to your secret picnic destination and a lift pass to take you to the dizzying heights of Mt Kosciusko. Take a drive to walks based to Mount Kosciuszko, or Charlottes Pass, or stay local and enjoy some of the activities based from the resort. We suggest heading into Thredbo for dinner tonight. (B,L)
Travelling along the Alpine way today, we take in some of the scenic places explored by Hume and Hovell. Stop in the famous apple town of Batlow for some produce, lunch or a coffee before heading to Paddy’s River Falls – a popular spot for locals and is becoming a must-see site for visitors. Lookouts located a short walk from the parking area provide perfect views of the Falls and the landscape downstream. Our accommodation tonight is booked at Nimbo Fork Lodge, 22kms north of Tumut. Dinner is included at the hotel tonight. (L,D)
Happy Valentines Day! Leaving the hotel, head out to the Adelong Falls Gold Mill Ruins is state listed as a heritage industrial site for its remarkable stone ruins of the ingenious Reefer Ore Crushing machine, built by Scotsmen David Wilson and William Ritchie. Or for those who like a little bit of an underground adventure, you could head to the Yarrangabilly Caves. After your visit, continue on your journey or make your way home. Thanks for travelling with us. (B)
See the full brochure here:
Price per person:
$1,595 twin share
$2,195 single room
$350 surcharge to have transport provided
Inclusions:
Not included
Booking Terms and Conditions
Pricing: All prices are quoted per person in AUD including GST.
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Jocelyn MatthewsFrom the moment I contacted Forward Travel, I knew I was in good hands.
The attention and warm welcome I received made me feel that deciding to travel with Forward Travel was without doubt the right choice.
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Kristen BlundyStanding on the bow as we glided through the serenely beautiful, and calm Lemaire Channel on a perfect, sun filled day, was the realisation of my travel dreams.
To be there, amongst the ice, surrounded by soaring peaks and passing wildlife, was the experience I had been hoping for, but even I didn’t dare to dream it would be that amazing.
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Stacey & ChrisHi Rose, Would just like to thank you for the help you gave us with our trip to South America.
We had a great time and all the local operators that assisted us were very helpful and professional. It’s hard to pick standouts but the train from Cusco to Puno was amazing as were the treks out of El Chalten (probably as the weather was perfect).
The hotels were just what we after, even the slightly eccentric Las Piedras in El Chalten.
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RakheeI wanted to visit Antarctica but I had no idea about how I would do that!
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It was a surreal experience and I am so grateful.
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A & W RooneyWe had been looking for a reputable travel company for a while to arrange our family trip to Norway, and we were struggling to find somebody that could talk to us about Norway with confidence.
Finally a friend recommended that we give Forward Travel a call, and after speaking with David there, there was an immediate sense of relief to finally be speaking to somebody that knew what they were talking about.
Norway was our first trip through Forward Travel, and I know who our future trips will be arranged through.
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Rose can’t thank you enough, everything was ABSOLUTELY PERFECT, and it was such an amazing experience.
One to be cherished forever, actually that’s two for us to be treasured forever….. blessed.
Blessed that YOU (Forward Travel) organised both!! THANK YOU!
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