8-Day Tour: Discover Moree’s Culture & Lightning Ridge’s Opals | 16-23 July 2025

    Inside the dimly lit cave, a large, carved stone statue of a seated figure commands attention, its legs crossed and one hand raised. As you explore the Scenic Rim, this mysterious site reveals textured and rugged walls adorned with indistinct figures in the background.

    Embark on an 8-Day Adventure to Moree and Lightning Ridge!

    Experience the vibrant culture and breathtaking natural wonders of Moree and Lightning Ridge on this rejuvenating journey. Combining relaxation, exploration, and discovery, this tour is perfect for those seeking a balanced getaway.

    Explore the fascinating Queensland Transport Museum in Gatton, showcasing an impressive array of transport vehicles. Marvel at the frozen-in-time beauty of Glengallan Homestead, a stunning reminder of Australia’s colonial past. Then, continue to Warwick, known as the Rose and Rodeo City, with its charming streets and historical landmarks.

    Delve into Moree’s history with guided tours of its impressive landmarks. Visit a cotton farm to learn about its agricultural success, then unwind at the Moree Artesian Aquatic Centre’s hot springs. These renowned springs are celebrated for their natural therapeutic properties and relaxing ambiance.

    In Lightning Ridge, the opal capital of Australia, uncover the allure of the rare black opal. Visit Down to Earth Opals for exquisite jewellery and marvel at the Chambers of the Black Hand’s underground sculptures. Dive into the art scene at the John Murray Art Gallery and gain insights into opal mining at Opal Mine Adventures.

    Continue to St George for a tranquil Sandytown River cruise, offering breathtaking views of gum trees and wildlife. Don’t miss the intricate artistry of illuminated emu eggs at the Unique Egg. Finally, conclude your journey at Dalby Pioneer Park Museum, where vintage machinery and colonial history come to life.

    With The Funtastic Tour Company, every detail is planned to ensure a seamless and stress-free experience. Travel in comfort aboard our air-conditioned coach, enjoy door-to-door transfers, and connect with like-minded travellers.

    Don’t miss this extraordinary 8-day adventure! Share the journey, share the joy! Call us on 5294 0402 or Book Online!

    Tour Details
    Tour Details

    Price

    $3,970

    Twin / Double / Twin Share

    $4,585

    Single

    n/a

    Land Only
    With a maximum of 15 guests, secure your spot today and let us be your guide to adventure and camaraderie. Embark on an adventure tailored for the mature traveler, where every moment is filled with wonder.

    Highlights

    • Guided Tours

      Explore Moree’s historical sites and Lightning Ridge’s opal treasures.
    • Relaxation

      Soak in Moree’s therapeutic hot springs.
    • Unique Experiences

      Visit the Chambers of the Black Hand and the Unique Egg.
    • Cruises & Scenic Stops

      Enjoy a Sandytown River cruise and Thallon’s painted silos.

    Accommodation

    5 Multiple Accommodations

    Coachman's Inn Warwick (1 night); Artesian Spa Motel, Moree (2 nights) ; Lightning Ridge Outback Resort and Caravan Park (2 nights) ; Merino Motor Inn, St George (1 night); Dalby Manor Motor Inn (1 night)

    7 nights

    Day 1 HOME TO WARWICK

    Welcome to our 8-day tour to Lightning Ridge! With our pick-ups complete, it’s time to hit the road. We break for morning tea along the way before reaching Gatton and calling in at the Queensland Transport Museum for a wander through the myriad of exhibits and lunch. The museum is home to a magnificent display of transport vehicles, from the Volvo Globetrotter cabover to the original Mack Furniture truck. There are display cabinets brimming with models, and even a fire engine and crop-dusting plane.

    Our travels then take us to Glengallan Homestead and Heritage Centre, where we are greeted by our guide who will lead us on an intriguing tour of the homestead. Uninhabited for more than half its lifetime, it remains frozen in time. A short distance away, we find Warwick, known as the Rose and Rodeo City. We check into our accommodation before coming together again for our first dinner on tour.

    Coachman’s Inn Warwick 

    Lunch Queensland Transport Museum | Dinner at motel

    Today we head to the town of Goondiwindi for a visit to the Customs House Museum, a border customs point before Federation. This authentically restored building and its magnificent cottage garden house a colourful collection of mementos from yesteryear. We enjoy lunch at the Victoria Hotel before joining the Newell Highway and heading south to Moree, known for its amazing hot artesian springs.

    Artesian Spa Motel, Moree  | 2 nights

    Breakfast & dinner at motel | Lunch at Victoria Hotel

    This morning, we meet our local guide who will introduce us to their quaint country town, including its impressive historical buildings and rich history. We then uncover one of the region’s agricultural successes—cotton. We will be guided around one of the many cotton farms where the cotton is picked and packed, ready for transporting to the Cotton Gin.

    We enjoy lunch at the Moree Services Club before spending time relaxing at the Moree Artesian Aquatic Centre. Not only are the waters good for health problems, but they also provide relief from normal aches and pains. In each hot pool, there are spray massage outlets as well as underwater spa jets. The Moree Artesian Bore has a natural temperature of 41 degrees Celsius.

    Breakfast and dinner at motel | Lunch at Moree Services Club

    Departing Moree, we spend the morning on the coach as we travel to Lightning Ridge. Famous for its magnificent opals, Lightning Ridge is home to the unique black opal, a rare and luminous gem mined from the surrounding plains. It is the only place in Australia (and one of the few places in the world) where this highly prized opal is found.

    We arrive in time for lunch before meeting our local guide for a tour of the town. We complete our day at Down to Earth Opals, a renowned operation that has been mining, designing, and specialising in selling one-of-a-kind jewellery pieces and top-quality loose opals to the world. After our visit, we check into our accommodation for the next two nights.

    Lightning Ridge Outback Resort and Caravan Park | 2 nights | 

    Breakfast and dinner at motel | Lunch at Lightning Ridge Outback Resort

    This morning, we are in for a unique experience at Chambers of the Black Hand. We will be captivated by local artist Ron Canlin, as we witness the stunning paintings and sculptures he has created 11.2 metres underground. Ron’s creations include The Last Supper, the Egyptian Chamber, and the Chinese Terracotta Warriors.

    Later, we visit the John Murray Art Gallery to view brilliant landscapes and characters, showcasing why John is one of the outback’s favourite painters. Free time in town allows for lunch (own expense) before an afternoon visit to an underground mine at Opal Mine Adventures, where we’ll learn about opal mining and view opals from the area.

    Breakfast and dinner at motel | Lunch own expense

    We farewell The Ridge this morning and travel north along the Castlereagh Highway to the little town of Hebel. Once known as Kelly’s Point, it is believed that Ned Kelly’s brother Dan and fellow Kelly gang member Steve Hart lived here under an alias.

    We’ll stop for a break in Dirranbandi, located in the heart of cotton country, before continuing on to Thallon. Painted on the town’s towering grain silos are icons of the district. Joel Fergie and Travis Vinson’s “The Watering Hole” is a striking image, and we’ll take a moment to admire it before continuing on to Nindigully for lunch at the oldest pub in Queensland.

    This afternoon, we arrive in St George and join Sandytown River Cruises for an enjoyable tour along the river, taking in the beautiful river gums, birdlife, and serene landscape.

    Merino Motor Inn, St George 

    Breakfast and dinner at motel | Lunch at Nindigully Pub

     

    Before departing St George today, we visit the Unique Egg. In an unassuming brick building, we will discover the humble emu egg carved into a stunning, illuminated piece of art. Created by Steve Magaritis, this genuinely impressive collection is the world’s only display of its kind, with works that have even been gifted to the White House!

    We travel through the small towns of the Western Downs Region, stopping along the way to enjoy our packed lunches before arriving in Dalby this afternoon. Here, we spend time at the Dalby Pioneer Park Museum, which boasts one of the largest collections of working pioneer tractors and agricultural machinery in Queensland. In addition, the museum features authentic colonial buildings and a wealth of heritage items, making it a treasure trove of history.

    We conclude our day by checking into our motel for the final night of the tour, where we can relax and reflect on the experiences of the past week.

    Dalby Manor Motor Inn 

    Breakfast and dinner at motel | Packed lunch included

    Our tour sadly concludes today. We begin our journey home, stopping for convenience breaks and lunch before arriving back home after an amazing exploration of Moree and Lightning Ridge.

    Breakfast at motel | Lunch own expense

    Tours Details

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    Tour Inclusions

    • 7 nights of motel accommodation
    • 7 motel-cooked breakfasts
    • 7 motel two-course dinners
    • 6 included lunches (details below)
    • Lunch at Colonial Café (located at Queensland Transport Museum)
    • Lunch at Victoria Hotel
    • Lunch at Moree Services Club
    • BBQ lunch at Lightning Ridge Outback Resort and Caravan Park
    • Lunch at Nindigully Pub
    • Packed Lunch (Day 7)
    • Entry to Queensland Transport Museum
    • Guided tour at Glengallan Homestead and Heritage Centre
    • Visit to Customs House Museum
    • Guided Moree town tour and Cotton Farm & Gin tour with O’Dempsey’s Tours
    • Entry to Moree Artesian Aquatic Centre
    • Guided town tour of Lightning Ridge
    • Visit to Down to Earth Opals
    • Entry to Chambers of the Black Hand
    • Visit to John Murray Art Gallery
    • Underground tour at Opal Mine Adventure
    • River cruise with Sandytown River Cruises
    • Visit to the Unique Egg
    • Visit to Dalby Pioneer Park Museum

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    Fitness Requirements

    Fitness Level: Relaxed

    Discover the Art of Relaxation

    Welcome to “Serenity Journeys,” where serenity is the name of the game. Our tours offer a chance to unwind, with minimal physical demands. Unpack only once, and relax as we take care of the rest.

    Although most of our journey involves cozy coach travel, some day tours may involve light physical activity, such as embarking and disembarking vessels or vehicles with stairs, which you’ll handle independently.

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    What to Bring

    • Water bottle
    • Warm layers in cooler months
    • Camera
    • Comfortable walking shoes
    • Sunglasses, sunscreen and hat

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    Dining

    • 7  cooked breakfasts
    • 7 two-course dinners
    • 6 included lunches
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    Accommodation

    Country Motel Ipswich