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3 days, 2 nights.
Pick up from Sydney and return
The Barrington Tops are the southern-most of Australia's World Heritage-listed Gondwana Rainforests, within easy access of Sydney and offering some wonderful nature, heritage, food and wine experiences.
The region features enchanting rainforests and pristine rivers in the Barrington Tops National Park, gently rolling hills, historic villages and dedicated farmers producing delicious wine and foods in beautiful settings. Despite all this the district remains quiet and peaceful, with a delightful absence of crowds, traffic and development.
Travel through picturesque countryside with panoramic views, walk through lush subtropical rainforest, dip your toes in a cool mountain stream. Visit lavender and herb farms, with the chance to taste and buy award-winning produce at farm gate prices. Enjoy a delicious riverside picnic and home-made afternoon tea.
You’ll travel in a fully-equipped, air-conditioned, and stay in unique in an award-winning mountain top resort.
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You’ll stay in constant touch via phone and mobile internet to share your experiences with family and friends. And you’ll be in a small group of like-minded people who want to see and learn more about this amazing country.
Day 1
Departing Sydney you travel to the historic village of Paterson on the Allyn River for a look at heritage properties and relics of the river trade, with morning tea on the riverbank.
You then head to a lavender farm for a look at the heritage gardens, sample some of the products and enjoy a gourmet picnic lunch by the creek in the company of the resident llamas.
After lunch you travel to the Barrington Tops National Park for a gentle walk along the Jerusalem Creek Track. As well as the picturesque Jerusalem Creek Falls, this enjoyable downhill walk features subtropical rainforest and tall Tallowwoods, Sydney Blue Gums and Grey Gums. There are also signs of old logging. You have the chance to see and hear a variety of forest birds, such as the Wompoo Fruit Dove, King Parrot, Fan-tailed Cuckoo and Eastern Yellow Robin.
After this delightful walk you head through the forest and rolling countryside to your riverside accommodation with free time to enjoy the resort - and take a guided horse ride if you wish (additional cost option) before dinner in an award-winning restaurant.
Day 2
More time this morning to enjoy the surroundings and facilities of the resort before setting off for a look at the Gloucester Tops region of the National Park.
You travel through the picturesque countryside of the Karuah and Gloucester River valleys, then up the Gloucester Tops mountain road, before embarking on a 90-minute guided stroll along the Antarctic Beech Loop and Gloucester Falls Track.
The Antarctic Beech Loop takes you through airy subalpine woodland of Snow Gums before suddenly giving way to the dark world of cool temperate rainforest. The dense canopy of Antarctic Beech is high above, damp moss carpets the ground and the sharp smell of humus fills the air. Tree ferns crowd the track as it winds between rotting stumps and fallen trees, as you descend to some mossy cascades on a small creek.
The second part of your walk, along the Gloucester Falls Track, takes you to the Andrew Laurie Lookout on the edge of the escarpment between tall Brown Barrells and Messmates. On a good day the vista includes the deep gorge of the Gloucester River, from the beech treetops to the distant farmland and forested ridges. Bird calls rise from the valley below. You then descend to a rocky spur and a second viewpoint overlooking Gloucester Falls, where the river begins its 400-metre plunge off the plateau. After rain the twin drops are a spectacular sight. As you return you ascend attractive rocky areas beside the river, where Grey Fantails may be seen catching insects above the water.
After your walk you enjoy a delicious picnic lunch before heading to a herb farm for an insight into the
cultivation and propagation of herbs and the uses of herbs for cosmetic, culinary and medicinal purposes and a delicious home-made afternoon tea.
You then return to your resort accommodation for a choice of activities including tennis, fishing, swimming or canoeing (complementary equipment) or just sitting by the riverside and enjoying the abundant birdlife. This evening you can enjoy another delicious dinner in the resort's restaurant.
Day 3
A late checkout allows you to rise late - or rise early and marvel at the wonderful range of birds and native wildlife that abound in this riverside retreat.
You return to Sydney today via the charming historic village of Wollombi, where you'll lunch in the famous Tavern (home of Dr Jurd's Jungle Juice) and wander through the village's shops and galleries. Continuing via the picturesque Laguna Valley you arrive back in Sydney refreshed and invigorated in the late afternoon.
Pick up in central Sydney and return, two nights accommodation, all meals, morning and afternoon teas, entry and admission fees, local tours and tastings, individual trip kit including personal comfort pack, use of a netbook computer for the duration of the tour.
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