Melbourne → Hervey Bay: Whale Watching Discovery
Day 1 – Melbourne → Shepparton → Narrandera → Parkes (The Journey Begins)
Your adventure begins as you depart Melbourne aboard your luxury coach, travelling north through Victoria’s fertile Goulburn Valley, where orchards and vineyards blanket the plains.
Pause mid-morning in Nagambie for morning tea, a scenic lakeside township known for its calm waters, vineyards and relaxed country atmosphere. Enjoy your break beside Lake Nagambie, where leafy parklands and gentle water views offer a peaceful start to your inland journey.
Stop in Narrandera for a relaxed lunch at your leisure. The town offers a selection of cafés and simple country eateries serving fresh salads, wholesome light meals and home-baked treats — a pleasant midday pause before continuing northward.
Travel onward through the wide-open landscapes of the Central West, where wheatfields and silver-green gums stretch toward the horizon. By late afternoon, arrive in Parkes, a friendly regional centre whose broad streets and heritage buildings reflect its gold-rush heritage.
Check in to your carefully selected 4★ accommodation (to be confirmed prior to departure), offering comfort and quality after the day’s travel. Take a moment to settle into your room, refresh, or unwind at your own pace.
Later, enjoy dinner locally — the final restaurant selection will be confirmed closer to departure.
As evening settles across the town, ease into the relaxed rhythm of the Central West, bringing your first day to a comfortable close.
(B/D)
Day 2 – Parkes → Coonabarabran → Siding Spring Observatory → Tamworth (Under Southern Skies)
After breakfast, travel to one of Australia’s most iconic scientific landmarks — the CSIRO Parkes Radio Telescope, affectionately known as “The Dish”. Standing tall against the open sky, this remarkable structure has been a quiet achiever of world science for more than 60 years.
As you explore the visitor centre, learn how Parkes played a pivotal role in receiving and transmitting the live television images of the Apollo 11 moon landing — an achievement that captured the imagination of millions around the globe. Today, The Dish continues its contribution to cutting-edge research, listening to distant galaxies and supporting discoveries that shape our understanding of the universe. It is an inspiring start to the day — a blend of innovation, history and the wonder of the cosmos.
Continue north through the rolling countryside of the Central West, passing farming communities and open paddocks touched with seasonal colour. Pause for morning tea along the way before travelling on toward Coonabarabran — the gateway to the Warrumbungle Ranges and Australia’s astronomy capital.
Here, visit Siding Spring Observatory, home to an impressive collection of telescopes perched high on the mountain ridge. Wander through the interpretive displays to gain insight into Australia’s role in global astronomy and the pristine dark skies that make this region one of the world’s premier stargazing locations. The views across the Warrumbungle landscape are striking — rugged volcanic formations stretching into the distance.
After your visit, return to Coonabarabran and take some time out for lunch. Local cafés and bakeries offer light seasonal meals, fresh sandwiches, homemade pies and simple country dishes, all served with friendly regional hospitality — a relaxed midday pause in this welcoming township.
By mid-afternoon, arrive in Tamworth, the celebrated heart of Australian country music, where heritage, creativity and rural pride combine. Check in to your accommodation for the night at Mercure Tamworth, a comfortable 4★ property offering a welcoming and restful base after a full day of discovery.
Take a little time to settle in and unwind before heading out for dinner this evening, which will be enjoyed at a local Tamworth restaurant. Set against the relaxed rhythm of this country town, the evening offers a chance to enjoy regional flavours and soak up the atmosphere of a place where music and storytelling are woven into everyday life.
As evening falls across the New England region, the gentle pace of country life and the soft lights of Tamworth bring your day to a relaxed and satisfying close.
(B/D)
Day 3 – Tamworth → Glen Innes → Gold Coast (From Country to Coast)
After breakfast, spend the morning discovering some of Tamworth’s most recognisable highlights. Stand before the Big Golden Guitar, an unmistakable emblem of the city’s musical legacy, and visit the Country Music Hall of Fame, where costumes, memorabilia and personal stories trace the evolution of Australia’s country music traditions. Then take in the expansive views from Oxley Scenic Lookout, overlooking the Peel Valley and the township below — a sweeping panorama that reveals the contours of the surrounding countryside.
Late morning, bid farewell to the golden hills of the New England Tablelands and begin your journey northeast, where the landscape shifts from wide, rolling highlands to the winding mountain passes of the Great Dividing Range. This is one of the region’s most scenic drives — a route marked by cool forests, sweeping valleys and glimpses of distant peaks as the road rises and falls through changing elevations. As you travel, the crisp tableland air gradually softens, signalling the long descent toward coastal Queensland.
Continue northward through Glen Innes, a town celebrated for its strong Celtic heritage and dramatic granite landscapes. Arrive in the township and take some time out for lunch — local cafés, country hotels and bakeries offer hearty-yet-refined country dishes, fresh baked goods and light seasonal meals, all served with the warm hospitality that characterises this cool-climate highland region. As you dine, the surrounding granite country and standing stones speak quietly to the area’s distinctive cultural roots.
By late afternoon, the mountains fall away and the air turns warm and salt-tinged as you descend toward the Gold Coast. Shimmering ocean views emerge as the coastline draws near, welcoming you with its relaxed, sunlit character.
Check in to Sea World Resort (4.5★), a beautifully located coastal retreat offering contemporary comfort and a relaxed waterfront outlook. Take a moment to settle in — perhaps enjoy a refreshing swim or wander the landscaped grounds as the light softens across the Broadwater.
Dinner this evening is at Shoreline Restaurant, the resort’s signature dining venue, where modern coastal cuisine and fresh local seafood are served in a relaxed setting — a pleasant way to settle into your first night on the Gold Coast.
(B/D)
Day 4 – Gold Coast → Noosa → Hervey Bay (Coastal Landscapes & Northern Horizons)
Wake this morning to the gentle calm of the Broadwater and enjoy a relaxed breakfast at the resort before your journey continues north along the Bruce Highway. As you travel, the scenery gradually shifts from urban coastline to river crossings, forested edges and the wider landscapes that characterise Queensland’s eastern corridor.
Cross the Gateway Bridge, where broad views open across Brisbane’s skyline and the winding Brisbane River, before the road carries you toward the Sunshine Coast. Along the way, the distinctive forms of the Glass House Mountains rise sharply from the plains — ancient volcanic remnants that create one of the region’s most recognisable silhouettes.
Pause mid-morning in Caboolture for morning tea, a welcoming regional township where open green spaces and a relaxed country atmosphere create a pleasant break in the day. It’s an ideal chance to stretch your legs, enjoy refreshments and take in the gentle character of this part of Queensland before continuing your journey.
By late morning, arrive in Noosa Heads, a coastal township known for its sheltered bays, easy rhythm and relaxed elegance. Here, take time to enjoy lunch at your leisure. Noosa offers a wide variety of cafés and beachfront venues, allowing you to choose a setting that suits your mood — whether a light meal overlooking the water or something more substantial along Hastings Street.
After lunch, enjoy free time to explore. You might like to stroll the boutique-lined promenade of Hastings Street, or take a gentle walk into Noosa National Park, where well-formed coastal tracks reveal headland views, quiet coves and the chance to spot marine life in the clear water below.
In the afternoon, continue north across low-lying coastal country and into the quiet, sheltered reaches of Hervey Bay. Arrive by early evening as soft light settles across the water, creating a warm and welcoming introduction to this relaxed seaside community.
Check in to your Hervey Bay accommodation (to be confirmed), where comfortable rooms and a peaceful setting provide an ideal place to unwind after the day’s travels. You may choose to take a stroll along the Esplanade or simply settle in and enjoy the easy coastal atmosphere.
Dinner this evening will be enjoyed at a local restaurant (final venue to be advised), offering a relaxed environment and fresh regional flavours — a pleasant way to end your first evening by the bay.
(B/D)
Day 5 – Hervey Bay (Whale Watching Discovery)
After breakfast, prepare for one of the great natural experiences of the Queensland coast — a premium half-day whale-watching cruise in the sheltered waters of Hervey Bay.
Step aboard your vessel and set out across the calm, turquoise expanse of Platypus Bay, a region internationally renowned as the resting and nurturing ground for thousands of migrating humpback whales.
As you glide across the bay, the water often mirrors the sky — still, glassy and impossibly blue. Soon, the giants of the deep begin to appear: mothers gently guiding their calves, graceful pectoral waves breaking the surface, or the sudden, heart-stirring rise of a breaching whale, sending plumes of spray shimmering into the air.
Here in Hervey Bay, encounters are famously close — many whales approach the boat with curiosity, lingering within metres as if welcoming you into their world.
Morning tea and lunch are served on board, allowing you to relax and take in the views while expert guides share fascinating insights into whale behaviour, migration and the rich marine environment of the Fraser Coast. It is a moving and unforgettable experience — peaceful, powerful and deeply rewarding.
Return to Hervey Bayin the mid-afternoon, with time to unwind by the resort pool, enjoy a gentle walk along the Esplanade, or simply sit by the water and reflect on the extraordinary moments shared with these magnificent creatures.
Dinner this evening is at leisure, with a selection of relaxed Esplanade dining options available should you wish to venture out.
As evening settles across the bay, the morning’s encounters remain with you — often remembered as some of the most memorable moments of a journey through this part of Queensland.
(B/L)
Day 6 – K’gari (Fraser Island) & Fraser Coast (Optional Touring & Farewell Dinner)
Today invites you to move at the pace that suits you best, with the Fraser Coast offering a range of possibilities — from guided exploration to quiet hours by the water.
For those seeking a more active experience, a selection of optional excursions are available, including a full-day 4WD tour to World Heritage–listed K’gari (Fraser Island) or half-day and full-day fishing charters departing from the Urangan Boat Harbour. Whether exploring rainforest tracks, discovering historic shipwrecks and freshwater lakes, or spending time on the water with local fishing guides, each option offers a memorable way to experience this remarkable region. Optional activities can be pre-booked prior to departure.
If you choose to remain in Hervey Bay, the day is yours to enjoy at leisure. You may like to visit the Fraser Coast Discovery Sphere in Pialba, where interactive exhibits celebrate the region’s wildlife, heritage and connection to the ocean — an experience easily reached by a short local bus ride from the hotel. Alternatively, the Hervey Bay Botanic Gardens, located within comfortable walking distance of the resort, offer tranquil pathways, tropical plantings and quiet spaces ideal for a peaceful morning or afternoon.
You may find that a slower pace appeals — relaxing by the beach, taking a stroll along the Esplanade, or enjoying a casual midday meal at one of the cafés that line the waterfront, each offering a chance to pause and take in the easy rhythm of the bay.
This evening, gather for a fond Farewell Dinner before your time on the Fraser Coast draws to a close. With views across the bay and the quiet sound of waves washing along the shoreline, your venue along the Esplanade — to be confirmed prior to departure — offers the perfect setting to come together, share stories of your journey and simply enjoy the company of new friends. A warm conclusion to a journey marked by shared moments and unforgettable experiences.
(B/D)
Day 7 – Hervey Bay → Melbourne (Homeward Flight)
Enjoy a relaxed breakfast this morning before transferring to Hervey Bay Airport for your flight home. Take a final look at the calm waters of the bay — a quiet farewell to Queensland’sgentle coastal charm.
As your aircraft rises over the sparkling Fraser Coast, watch the patchwork of ocean, islands, and shifting sands fall away beneath you. It’s a beautiful final glimpse of the region you’ve come to know over these past days.
As you continue your journey home, take a moment to reflect on the experiences that shaped your travels — the inland heartlands, the sweeping mountain ranges, the laid-back coastal towns, and of course, the unforgettable encounters with the great humpback whales of Platypus Bay. A journey rich in landscapes, stories, and moments that will remain with you long after you return home.
(B)
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All tours operated by Traipse Coach Tours.
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Prices and inclusions correct at time of printing.
Accommodation subject to availability (4★ standard or best available in each location).