Explore New England High Country: 5-Day Adventure Through Historic Towns | 07-11 Apr 2025

A two-story historical building with ornate windows stands behind a roundabout featuring a central lamppost in the charm of New England High Country. The roundabout, adorned with potted plants and encircled by a metal railing, is complemented by nearby buildings under a partly cloudy sky.

Embark on an unforgettable 5-day journey through the breathtaking New England High Country with The Funtastic Tour Company. From 7-11 April 2025, you’ll be immersed in the scenic beauty and rich history where the borders of New South Wales and Queensland intertwine.

Your adventure begins with visits to Stanthorpe Cheeses and Ballandean Estate, where you’ll enjoy local flavours before settling into comfortable accommodations in Tenterfield. Discover the charm of historic towns like Inverell, Glen Innes, and Texas, each offering unique insights into Australia’s cultural heritage. Guided tours will lead you through fascinating sites, while you savour delicious local cuisine and relax with our door-to-door service.

This enriching journey also includes stops at iconic landmarks, vibrant local markets, and stunning landscapes, ensuring that every day is filled with new experiences. Whether you’re strolling through quaint town centres or taking in the serene natural surroundings, this tour perfectly balances relaxation and exploration.

Tailored for mature travellers, this tour promises a memorable and enriching experience. Well-curated activities and expert guides will ensure you enjoy a seamless travel experience, highlighting the best of New England High Country.

Short Break

A historic, two-story building with white walls and arched windows is situated on Glenn Innes.

Highlights

Stanthorpe Cheeses & Ballandean Estate
Delight in local cheese tastings and visit Queensland's oldest family-owned winery, experiencing the region's rich culinary heritage.
Tenterfield & Glenrock Gardens
Explore Tenterfield's historical significance, including a visit to the famous Tenterfield Saddler, and enjoy the award-winning Glenrock Gardens surrounded by Australian bushland.
Inverell & Glen Innes
Discover the National Transport Museum and the Celtic heritage at the Australian Standing Stones.
Texas Heritage Centre & Tobacco Museum
Gain insights into the local history, including a tour of the Texas Rabbit Works and its significance during the Great Depression.

Accommodation

3-Star The Henry Parkes Motel Tenterfield

The Henry Parkes Motel Tenterfield offers air-conditioned spacious rooms equipped with all the comforts of home including reverse cycle air conditioning, television, mini-bar, high-speed Internet access, and in-room movies. Deluxe rooms include spa bath, kitchenette, and laundry facilities. Non-smoking and mobility accessible rooms are also available.

4-Nights

144 Rouse Street, Tenterfield, 2372

Day 1 SUNSHINE COAST TO TENTERFIELD

Welcome to our 5-day New England and High Country tour. We set off this morning making our way to Warick for lunch at the local RSL. After our lunch, we continue south to Stanthorpe where we head to Stanthorpe Cheeses. A variety of cheeses, at the peak of perfect, will be waiting for us. We then stop at Ballandean Estate, Queensland’s oldest family-owned and operated winery. The Puglisi family have made wine on this estate for over 80 years. Sit back and relax as we enjoy a wine tasting amongst the rustic wine barrels with views over the rolling hills. Now onto Tenterfield to settle into our accommodation for the next four nights.

Henry Parkes Motel, Tenterfield | 4 nights

(Lunch at Warick RSL Services and Citizens Memorial Club | Dinner at motel)

Day 2 TENTERFIELD

We spend the morning exploring the township of Tenterfield with our local tour guide aboard the coach. The town was first made famous by Sir Henry Parkes and his 1889 speech which set in motion the popular movement resulting in the Australian Federation. We also drive past the Tenterfield Saddler which was made famous by Peter Allen’s tribute to his past and grandfather George Woolnough in the song ‘Tenterfield Saddler’.

Next, we visit the award-winning Glenrock Gardens. The 10 acres of gardens are incorporated within a working farm, and although the gardens are very much designed in the English style with dry stone rock walls throughout, they are also surrounded by iconic Australian bushland. We enjoy a guided tour of the stunning gardens and lunch here. Our final visit is to Tenterfield Railway Station Museum. The station was opened in 1886 and is a rare survival of something that was once common throughout NSW. It is an almost intact nineteenth-century railway precinct.

(Breakfast and dinner at motel | Lunch at Glenrock Gardens)

Day 3 INVERELL, & GLEN INNES

Our journey today takes us to the towns of Inverell and Glen Innes. Our first visit is to the National Transport Museum in Inverell for a morning tea and a look through their collection. With over 120 vehicle exhibits, ranging from vintage, veteran, classic and motorcycles, the museum has become a valuable tourist attraction for the New England area. Next, we visit the Pioneer Village, a unique village as all the buildings featured have been collected from Inverell and the surrounding districts. They represent the lifestyle and pioneering spirit of bygone days.

This afternoon we arrive at charming Glen Innes where we will be greeted by a local expert to help us explore the town. Uncover the great cultural significance of the Australian Standing Stones, a tribute to the Celtic heritage of the early European settlers. Completing an insightful tour we return to Tenterfield.

(Breakfast and dinner at motel | Lunch at Pioneer Village)

Day 4 TEXAS

Today we travel to the town of Texas, situated on the Dumaresq River. Primarily a sheep and cattle grazing area, Texas boasts a variety of other industries – orchards, small crop farming, feedlots and a growing touring industry. We first head to Texas Rabbit Works for morning tea and a tour. This was a thriving industry when rabbits were in plague proportions throughout the district. Like many communities in the southern parts of Australia, the Texas community survived the great depression by trapping and selling rabbits for export to America and England.

We stop at the Stockman Hotel for lunch before our visit to the Texas Heritage Centre and Tobacco Museum. The museum offers a fascinating insight into the history of the local area. It has numerous buildings to explore from a mini shearing shed, harness shed, jail and stocks, smithy, post office store, farm shed and mission hall. There is also a school room with teacher aids from many decades ago. After an interesting day, we make our way back to Tenterfield for a last dinner together on tour.

(Breakfast and dinner at motel | Lunch at Stockman Hotel)

Day 5 TENTERFIELD TO SUNSHINE COAST

We say goodbye to our hosts today as we begin our journey home. We travel to Bestbrook Mountain Resort for lunch and some time to wander the property. Explore the collection of old machinery and uncover the treasures from yesteryear hidden throughout the Coachhouse. From here we head back to the Sunshine Coast to complete a wonderful tour to the New England High Country.

(Breakfast at motel | Lunch Bestbrook Mountain Resort)

Tours Details

Tour Inclusions

Coach Transportation from the Sunshine Coast
4 nights of motel accommodation
4 motel-cooked breakfasts
4 motel two-course dinners
5 included lunches – see below
Lunch at Warwick RSL Services and Citizens Memorial Club
Tastings at Stanthorpe Cheese
Wine tasting at Ballandean Estate Wines
Guided town tour of Tenterfield
Tour and lunch at Glenrock Gardens
Guided tour at Tenterfield Railway Station Museum
Visit and morning tea at the National Transport Museum
Visit and lunch at Pioneer Village
Historical town tour of Glenn Innes
Visit and morning tea at Texas Rabbit Works
Lunch at Stockman Hotel
Visit the Texas Heritage Centre & Tobacco Museum
Visit and lunch at Bestbrook Mountain Resort

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.