LIGHTNING RIDGE Big Sky Country

6 Day Tour

Departing: Monday 14 August 2017 Returning: Saturday 19 August 2017

TOUR COST

$1165.00 per person Twin/Double Share

$1350.00 Sole Occupancy

DAY 1 (LD): CANBERRA TO DUBBO: Monday 14 August 2017 Today we depart on our tour to Lightning Ridge and NSW’s Big Sky Country. Our journey this morning takes us to Orange which is surrounded by some of the richest and most beautiful agricultural land in the whole of NSW. In Molong we will break for lunch at the local café. This afternoon we take Obley Road, known for its 120km stretch of paddock art. As we drive through Cumnock and Yeoval we’ll be following a sculpture trail of ‘Animals on Bikes’. What started in 2009 as a series of 45 creative 2m high sculptures has now become over 100 sculptures. It will certainly help pass the time as we make our way to our destination of Dubbo and our motel with time to freshen up for dinner.

Golden West Motor Inn, Dubbo (ph 02 6882 2822) DAY 2: (BLD): DUBBO TO LIGHTNING RIDGE: Tuesday 15 August 2017 After breakfast we head north to Gilgandra, home of the Coo-ees and the Town of Windmills. In Bridge Street a plaque commemorates that starting point of the famous “Coo-ee” recruiting march of World War I. The beautiful St Ambrose Anglican Church is also in part a tribute to the march as well. From here we travel through Gulargambone, Coonamble and Walgett to Lightning Ridge. On our approach to “The Ridge”, watch out for the newly erected Stanley - The Big Bird. Created by local artist John Murray, Stanley is an 18 metre tall emu made from scrap metal and old Volkswagen bodies and the odd discarded satellite dish. In classic waste to art fashion, everything has been scavenged, the bulk of the materials sourced by Stan Single, who donated the massive steel legs from the demolished Dubbo Police Station, as well as finding most of the VW bodies and parts. On arrival into Lightning Ridge we have lunch at the Outback Resort then this afternoon take a tour of the town. Lightning Ridge is the only place in Australia (and one of the few places in the world) where the precious and highly prized Black Opal is found. The black opal has carbon and iron oxide trace elements in it producing a very dark stone with hints of blue, green and red. We are joined by a local guide who will introduce us to this interesting town. We also make a visit to the Cactus Farm then settle into our motel for the next three nights .

Wallangulla Motel, Lightning Ridge (ph 1800 247 376) DAY 3: (BD): LIGHTNING RIDGE: Wednesday 16 August 2017 After breakfast we head to the Lost Treasure Opal Mine to experience the atmosphere of an underground mine. We also have a tour including a video presentation and explanation about opal mining. We then visit the showroom to view the opals that came from the mines in this area. Next is a visit to the John Murray Art Gallery, well worth a visit. John has been kept busy adding to his mural on the outside wall of the Gallery, affectionately named "Billygoat Lane" (in reference to its original name). We now have some free time for lunch (own expense) before an afternoon visit to the Chambers of the Black Hand. Opened in April, 2007, this is a unique tourist mine. At 11.2m

PICK UP TIMES: 7.10am Crawford St, Queanbeyan 7.50am West Row Bus Stop, City 7.30am Woden Bay 18 8.00am Southwell Park (northbound)

underground, local artist Ron Canlin has created the most amazing paintings and sculptures. There is The Last Supper, Archangel Gabriel and the Chinese Terracotta Warriors. Ron is constantly carving new work, such as a samurai warrior so there are changes every day. The second level is a mine that has been worked for over 100 years, and all the old shafts and drives that were dug by the old timers are still there. On this level a geology tour will give us the different strata’s opal formation - an experience not be missed. Overall, it is a very unique visit. Our last stop for the day is to meet our local opal expert at the Opal Cave. He will show us how the opal is cut and polished. Completing our fascinating day, we return to our motel.

Wallangulla Motel, Lightning Ridge (ph 1800 247 376)

DAY 4: (BLD): THE GRAWIN & SHEEPYARD OPAL FIELDS: Thursday 17 August 2017 No trip to Lightning Ridge would be complete without a trip to the Grawin**. We’ll collect our local guide and set out on our tour. We’ll see interesting places like the Pub in the Scrub, the Glengarry Hilton and Sheepyard Flats. Located about 70km west of Lightning Ridge, the Grawin was established in 1908 with the discovery of the opal at "Hammond Hill" . Further discoveries in 1920 at "Richards Hill" put the unofficial village on the map. It was at Grawin that the largest opal 'Light of the World' was found in 1928. Since the first discovery of opal in the region, people have come and gone in tides with each new strike, seeking their fortune in search of the rainbow in the rock. It is believed that a field at Grawin was discovered in 1905 but it wasn’t until the 1970s that it became a major field in its own right. The Mulga Rush, which began in 2000, is the biggest opal rush since the Coocoran was discovered in the early 1900s. The Sheepyard area was named after a fin of opal near the fence of the old Sheepyards. Our day also includes lunch at the Glengarry Hilton. After a great day we head back to Lightning Ridge with some time to freshen up and relax before dinner. **Please note that this area is subject to changing road conditions & the itinerary for this day may vary if the road is impassable.

Wallangulla Motel, Lightning Ridge (ph 1800 247 376) DAY 5: (BLD): WARRUMBUNGLES, COONABARABRAN: Friday 18 August 2017 This morning we farewell Lightning Ridge and travel back through Walgett and Coonamble then east into the Warrumbungle National Park. This mountain range juts abruptly from the expanse of inland plains, born of violent volcanic action some 13 million years ago. The National Park is home to hundreds of native animals and wildflowers bedeck the mountains and plain lands of the park. We spend time travelling though the national park, experiencing the peace and tranquility of this magnificent protected environment. The picnic areas within the park are plentiful and it’s at one of these areas we stop to enjoy our picnic lunch. There is time to relax or take a walk before travelling onto Coonabarabran. After taking in some of the sights we settle into our motel for our last night on tour.

Matthew Flinders Motor Inn, Coonabarabran (ph 02 6842 1766) DAY 6: (BL): COONABARABRAN TO CANBERRA: Saturday 19 August 2017 After breakfast we farewell our hosts and head for home, travelling via Gulgong and Mudgee. We stop for lunch at Bathurst then head for home.

DEPOSIT is required within 7 days of booking confirming your reservation. If no deposit is received, Potter Travel reserves the right to cancel the booking. Deposit is $150.00 per person. FINAL PAYMENT: FRIDAY 30 JUNE 2017 CANCELLATION TERMS & CONDITIONS: Reservations that are cancelled prior to FRI 30 JUN 2017: Full refund of deposit less $50.00 administration fee. Reservations that are cancelled on or after FRI 30 JUN 2017 and prior to FRI 14 JUL 2017 : loss of 25% of total tour cost. Reservations that are cancelled on or after FRI 14 JUL 2017 and prior to FRI 28 JUL 2017 : loss of 50% of total tour cost. Reservations that are cancelled on or after FRI 28 JUL 2017 : loss of 100% of total tour cost. The $50.00 Potter Travel administration fee only occurs when a refund cheque is issued. There is no administration fee for funds transferred to another Potter Travel tour. No shows on day of departure or cancellations whilst on tour will be charged a 100% cancellation fee. Where Potter Travel cancels the tour as a result of insufficient numbers or due to reasons within Potter Travel's control, a full refund of any monies paid at the time of cancellation will be given. The operation of the tour is subject to minimum numbers. Once inside the final payment date if your cancellation affects our minimum group numbers, Potter Travel reserves the right to impose further cancellation fees in addition to those noted above. Potter Travel reserves the right to pass on any additional fees or surcharges imposed by the airlines or wholesaler with or without notice. Tour Includes: Dinner, bed and breakfast accommodation at the Hotels mentioned in the Itinerary, some lunches, morning and/or afternoon tea supplied from the coach, entry fees and/or guided tours to all attractions as mentioned in the itinerary, tickets to shows (if applicable), luxury coach travel and GST. Meals are stated in the itinerary as B = Breakfast, L = Lunch and D = Dinner. Forced Singles are not permitted on our tours. If you wish to twin share you will need to organise your own travelling companion, otherwise single supplement is payable. Not Included: Alcoholic beverages or other drinks (except wine tasting), meals not specified, room service, telephone calls, some morning/afternoon teas or any items of a personal nature. Potter Travel recommends that Travel Insurance be taken to protect against unforeseen circumstances. Travel Insurance is available through Potter Travel. Potter Travel reserves the right to alter itineraries without notice due to weather, road conditions or any other reason which is seen to be in the best interest of passengers travelling. The price is subject to any changes imposed by other tour operators and carriers included in the itinerary. The operation and provision of services from other tour operators and carriers included in the itinerary is the responsibility of these operators and no responsibility is taken by Potter Travel for the failure of such operators to provide the nominated service. No guarantees will be given as to the exact arrival and departure times for carriers and operators used by Potter Travel. Drop offs may be in the opposite direction to the pickups depending on the touring route taken. Daily seat rotation will take place on all extended tours, which all travellers must participate in as a condition of booking. Passengers suffering from motion sickness are advised to take the necessary precautions as seat rotation is compulsory. Potter Travel accepts no responsibility for damage, loss of personal belongings or liability for delays, accidents, injury, irregularity or damage caused by other transport companies used for connecting tours operated by this company. Potter Travel reserves the right to cancel or postpone the tour due to insufficient numbers or as the result of circumstances outside the company’s control.

IMPORTANT NOTICE CONCERNING CREDIT CARD HOLDERS

As the banking industry continues to impose a broad range of fees on bank transactions, it has come to the stage where Potter Travel can no longer absorb the merchant charges for all credit card transactions. As of 01 October 2009, Potter Travel will be charging the *1.03% banking fee on all credit card transactions. The charges will apply for partial or full payments by credit card. Cash, Cheque, Money Order and Eftpos payments will NOT incur any additional charges. *Subject to change, in accordance with National Australia Bank Flexipay Merchant Fees.

WAITLISTED PASSENGERS Where tours are fully booked any future enquiries will be put onto a waitlist and as cancellations occur the person at the top of the waitlist will be contacted first and offered the seat followed by the second, the third and so on. In the instance that you are unable to be contacted on a daytime telephone number, the seat will be offered to the next person on the waitlist.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

RESERVATIONS AND ENQUIRIES

POTTER TRAVEL

PH: (02) 6297 8585

PO Box 37, Queanbeyan, NSW, 2620 152 Monaro Street, Queanbeyan NSW 2620

Email: tours@pottertravel.com.au Web: www.pottertravel.com.au Friends in Travel trading as Potter Travel ABN 96 639 726 295