Christmas in July wonderland and snow in the hills

Interstate guest arrive into Melbourne this is a free day and breakfast is included for the next day.

We depart Melbourne and head to Ballarat for what will be the start of a memorable few days of lights, faux snow, real snow, Christmas dinner, festive

fun and even a present from Santa. Ballarat. Our first stop today will see us step back in history as we visit Sovereign Hill … Sovereign Hill is a living museum presenting the story of Ballarat as a goldrush boomtown. Gold was discovered here in 1851, triggering the greatest alluvial gold rush

the world has ever known. The sleepy pastoral settlement of Ballarat grew rapidly into a fine provincial city built on the wealth derived from

its gold. Having spent the day stepping back in time we will also enjoy dinner here before taking in the amazing sights of the Winter Wonderland.

Sovereign Hill becomes awash of colour, lights and faux snow as the township is literally transformed in to a winter wonderland.

After a leisurely breakfast this morning we make our way in to the Eureka Centre … The Eureka Centre is located at the Eureka Stockade Memorial Park, considered to be the site of the 1854 Eureka Stockade where the rebellion took place. The battle of the Eureka Stockade is heralded by many

as the birth of democracy in Australia and has an enduring place in the Australian consciousness. The Centre is also home to one of Australia’s most

compelling historic artefacts – the Eureka Flag. We depart the Eureka Centre and head in to the city hub of Ballarat where we will have time to

wander the historic streets taking everything from the magnificent architecture to the cosmopolitan eateries and cafes, we will have a chance to get lunch at own expense. Following our free time we are off to the Ballarat Art Gallery, The Art Gallery of Ballarat is the oldest and largest regional art gallery in Australia. Established in 1884 as the Ballarat Fine Art Gallery by the citizens of Ballarat, both the building and part of its collection is listed

on the Victorian Heritage Register and by the National Trust of Victoria. From the Gallery we will return to our hotel for some downtime and a chance to freshen up before we head out this evening to celebrate Christmas in July, complete with all the Christmas trimmings including a present from Santa.

This morning after another leisurely breakfast we will jump on the coach and head out of Ballarat to the township of Creswick. Located between Ballarat and Daylesford, Creswick is another historic former gold-mining town. There are a

number of historic buildings which serve as a reminder of the town’s gold-mining history and the town is surrounded by thick pine and eucalyptus

plantations first established in the early 1900’s. It is also home to the iconic Creswick Woollen Mills, Operating since 1947, this spinning and weaving mill is the last coloured woollen mill of its type in Australia and offers product sales as well as staging regular demonstrations and exhibitions. Having had plenty of time to check out all the Mill has to offer we head back in to Ballarat and

to Lake Wendouree where we find the Ballarat Tramway Museum. The Museum was formed to preserve the tramway experience that existed on the streets of Ballarat from 1887 through to 1971. Today we have chartered a tram which will take us along part of the original section of track on the shores of Lake Wendouree … our experience will include authentic methods of operations such as conductors and paper tickets. Having enjoyed our time on the tram we will have some time to wander through the Ballarat Botanic Gardens before heading in to the city hub of Ballarat for the last time to purchase some lunch at own expense. After lunch we board the coach for the trip back in to Melbourne where we will check in to our hotel mid-afternoon. Following our nights out at the Winter Wonderland and Christmas in July dinner, tonight

is yours to do as you please.

Today we have an earlyish start as we head to the Victorian high country and mountains … after our breakfast we will board the coach and head north-east out of Melbourne to the snowfields of Mt Buller. An easy three and half hour drive in the coach from Melbourne, Mount Buller is the most accessible major snow resort in Australia and a premier ski destination for snow enthusiasts from across the nation and around the world. Whether you decide to just take in spectacular views from the Village, or you hire snow gear and you whiz down the slopes on skis, snowboard or toboggan it truly is an exhilarating day trip. Situated in the High Country of north-east of Victoria the area also features national parks, Victoria’s highest mountains, lakes, snow resorts, vineyards and a rich history including gold discovery, cattlemen and bushrangers. After our day on the mountain we head back in to our hotel in Melbourne where once again the evening is ours, whether to order room

service and rest from a day’s skiing, or whether it’s to explore some of what Melbourne has to offer after dark.

We will continue with our experience of Melbourne and make our way to Brighton Beach where we stop to witness the colour spectacle that is the

Brighton Beach Boxes. For many years in the late nineteenth century, Brighton was Melbourne’s favourite seaside destination, and the 82 bathing boxes are unique because of their uniform scale and proportion, building materials, sentry order alignment all with a Heritage Overlay. As simple structures, all retain classic Victorian architectural features with timber framing, weatherboards and corrugated iron roofs. They remain as they did over one hundred years ago, as licensed bathing boxes. No service amenities such as electricity or water are connected. From here we make our way back

in to St Kilda and Acland Street, famous for mouthwatering cake shops, exceptional outdoor dining, its great mix of retail, and restaurants. Having had

time to wander the street and get some lunch (at own expense) it is now time that all good things must come to an end and we board the coach for

our transfer to Melbourne Airport for our flights home.