2025 Border Hopper Tour

Welcome to the start of your holiday. We will transport you from your pickup point to the Riverland Motel where you can enjoy a relaxing evening and a light meal and dessert in your room.

Today we are going to have a look at our local area known as “The Golden River Country”.
First the twin towns of Barham and Koondrook, separated by the state border of the Murray River, but linked by one of the oldest lifting span bridges on the Murray.
We will visit the Fly Wheelers Club Heritage Museum, where you can explore this amazing collection. Morning tea will be provided by the Fly Wheelers.
Following morning tea, and weather permitting, we will have a tour of a local fruit orchard known as the “Eagles Nest”. You will be informed of the local history of citrus in the area, followed by a quick tour around Barham showcasing our local industries.
Lunch will be in Barham – your choice of eateries. After lunch a quick trip past the Bundarra Berkshire's Free Range Pig & Chicken Farm before we visit the Arbuthnot Sawmill, established in 1889, learn the history of the mill and family. From the observation deck you will see the process of raw logs. Then wander over to the Barham/Koondrook Men’s Shed and observe their beautiful wooden items for sale. On our way home we'll stop off at The Great Australian Squeeze! for a tour of the juicing factory.

It's hard not to get excited about today as we visit Australia’s premier inland river port – Echuca. There is nothing quite like this anywhere else in the world. On our way we will visit Torrumbarry Weir for morning tea. A perfect opportunity to see how the waters of the Murray are managed. First stop in Echuca and it’s time to hop aboard the paddle steamer for a leisurely river cruise. Whilst on board you can see up close the workings of these magnificent vessels. After our river cruise, you can wander the Historic Port of Echuca at your own leisure and have lunch at one of the many eateries. We'll reconvene and head for Colbinabbin for a stop at their spectacular Silo Art. Then onto the Sports Museum at Rochester where the intriguing collection of 4000 exhibits includes historical items of renowned cricketers, tennis players, and other sporting legends. Once we have soaked in the sporting history, we will move on to some more Silo Art before we head home.

Today we visit beautiful Bendigo city, built on the promise of gold! First stop of the day is the Bendigo Military Museum for a guided tour of Bendigo's involvement to WWI and WWII.
You're then free to wander and have lunch in the Bendigo Township* and explore the city before going for a ride on the Talking Tram. The tram will take you on a scenic tour through the heart of Bendigo. Then on to The Great Stupa of Universal Compassion to hear about the 80 year plan to develop Bendigo's Buddhist Temple and their world wide faith garden.
* The Bendigo Marketplace wil be used for lunch where the weather is not suited to exploring the township.

Today we visit Tresco & Lake Boga, exploring what makes these local Murray Valley towns tick. Morning tea will be provided by Isabel & Gary at the Chasney Estate, a small boutique 'off the grid' olive and lavender grove where they produce their own Olive oil, table olives, soaps and ice cream! On to Swan Hill for lunch and some retail therapy before going to the Pioneer Settlement. This settlement was the first attraction of its type opened in Australia. Stepping back in time to an era when fun was simple, and life moved at a much slower pace. Marvel at the ingenuity of the people who lived in these times. Next, on to the Lake Boga Flying Boat Museum. A fascinating place full of Australian history few people know about telling the story of the Catalina during World War II. Then our last stop: The newest Silo Art to the district, Lake Boga!

Today we head to Moulamein the oldest town in the Riverina. Stopping first at the Jeraly Wool Shed, then onto Mooloomoon Wool Shed, built in the late 1890’s, this once busy 32 stand blade shed is a reminder of the towns important shearing history. Feel free to wander around the property before heading into town. Venture over the footbridge to see the old Court House (originally built in 1847).
Then we’re off to the bowling club# for lunch, afterwards stretch your legs on the Moulamein River Walk, an area that holds great significance to the local Aboriginal community – the Wamba Wamba/Wemba Wemba people. See the Big Tree, one of the largest red gums in the Riverina, measuring 11.6m in circumference and estimated to be between 500 and 1000 years old.
To top off the week, after dinner we'll be off to the Legends of the Mallee laserlight show at the Pioneer Settlement, an immersive journey through the regions history, with indigenous insights from the Wamba Wamba and Wadi Wadi people intertwined with European explorers tales such as Burke and Wills ill-fated expedition.
# The smaller 5-10 group,weather depending will get take away from the cafe and go to either the lake or a quick boat ride instead of the Bowling Club.

After an early breakfast in your room this morning we say farewell and thank you for joining us, before driving you to your pickup point for the journey home.