Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Depart United States for Brisbane, Australia.
Day 3: G'Day! Arrive in Brisbane and transfer to your hotel
Ale House Tour: Castlemain Perkins’ interactive Brewery Tour is the starting point for an introduction to the evolution of beer brewing in Australia and the latest technological advancements. At the conclusion of the tour, quench your thirst with brewery-fresh tastings, plus comfort foods seasoned with beer in The Ale House.
Day 4: Brisbane
The Brewhouse Brewery: During a private morning tour of the only micro-brewery in Brisbane’s CBD, meet with the brew master and learn his “secrets” and historical techniques for brewing eight craft beers, including “Up Yer Kitt Scottish Ale,” “Bulldog Cloudy Ale,” and “Schwarzbier.”
Breakfast Creek Hotel: Built in 1889 and listed by the National Trust of Queensland in 1979, Brekky Creek provides an excellent example of a historic pub – plus the unique taste sensation of sampling beer “off the wood.” For dinner, savor one of the best steaks in the region, accompanied by your choice of over 60 premium and craft beers.
Day 5: Bundaberg and Maryborough
Bundaberg Rum Distillery and Ginger Beer: Bundaberg Rum is intertwined with Australia’s heritage and is much more than just a spirit – it is a brand that represents all that is unique and great about Australia. Tour this facility for an introduction to two of Queensland’s iconic beverages.
Maryborough: Home of the Guinness World Record for the World’s Greatest Pub Crawl, an overnight stay in Maryborough provides access to 17 “hotels” (aka pubs) to taste a variety of Australian beers and experience the friendly atmosphere in historic Queensland pubs.
Day 6: Rockhampton
The Criterion Hotel: Similar in architectural style to “Brekky Creek” in Brisbane, “The Cri,” on historic Quay Street, offers another opportunity to sample pub hospitality and Aussie Brews while enjoying lunch at the Bush Inn Bar & Grill. Dreamtime Cultural Centre: Experience “The Dreaming:” Immerse yourself in Aboriginal mythology and culture in addition to a coaching session on the mysteries of the Didgeridoo and Boomerang throwing at the Dreamtime Cultural Centre. Great Western Hotel: Interact with local (“real”) Queenslanders at the Friday night live bull riding show and get the low-down on bull riding – Queensland style! – while enjoying your favorite Australian brew in the “Beef Capital” of Australia.
Optional Opportunity -- MIG Fighter: For anyone who has watched MIG fighters on the History Channel or encountered them in battle, soar to new heights for the thrill of a lifetime by flying in an authentic MIG fighter plane.
Day 7: Cairns
Fly to Cairns to visit Queensland’s newest micro-brewery. A tour of the facility will be followed by a tasting session with a sampling of food matched to the craft beers together with a private session with the owners on the “trials and triumphs” of establishing a micro-brewery in Queensland. (Note: this facility will be opening in late 2007). Flames in the Forest: The award-winning innovative experience, set in magical surroundings in the Daintree Rainforest, includes storytelling from the Aboriginal Dreamtime and dinner created from local, tropical produce.
Day 8: The Great Barrier Reef
No trip to Cairns is complete without a day on the Reef to reinforce positive memories and stimulate a thirst for craft brew upon returning to the mainland. Spend the day aboard a sleek catamaran to enjoy informative sessions on ecology and the Reef, guided snorkeling and dive trips, glass bottom boat excursions, platform walking, motorized snorkeling scooters – or just to relax.
Day 9: Cairns
Kuranda, Mareeba and Skybury Australian Coffee Centre: Traveling one-way by the Kuranda Scenic Railway, with a return by Skyrail Rainforest Cableway, view spectacular rainforest scenery on the way to the village of Kuranda. After strolling through the village, with numerous arts and crafts shops and Aboriginal treasures or sampling the culturally diverse culinary treats, especially the Kuranda Hotel Motel’s famous Guinness Pie, depart for Queensland’s “bread basket,” the Atherton Tablelands, to sample fruit liqueurs at the Mt. Uncle Distillery in Mareeba, tour Skybury’s Australian Coffee Centre and possibly stop at a local pub along the way.
Day 10: Depart Queensland and fly below the border to Hunter Valley.
Day 11: Hunter Valley
The Hunter Resort: Learn the “secrets” of success from the brew master followed by a personal, “behind the scenes” session with the founder of Bluetongue Brewery for a discussion on developing a craft brand to excellence and reaching the decision to sell it. Tastings of Australia’s award-winning Bluetongue brews will be paired with culinary delights for dinner.
Day 12: Hunter Valley
Explore wineries, culinary delicacies, gardens and craft brews in the area.
Day 14: Depart for Brisbane for return flight to United States.
Optional extensions to:
Return to Brisbane and transfer to the Sunshine or Gold Coasts for rest, relaxation and fine dining and pub experiences. Travel to Sydney for two nights to experience additional craft beers at historic pubs including the Lord Nelson Brewery Hotel and the Australian Hotel and to visit Sydney's icons.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Prices are per person based on double occupancy, land only in $USD. Prices do not include:
- international or domestic airfare
- taxes or fees and are subject to seasonal surcharges
Also see tour packages in:
Australia and Oceania
Australia
Food & Wine
Cultural Journey
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