there's lotS to see and do in the HUNTER region
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Our featured businesses are used to catering for visitors. Why not get a group together on a coach (see below), or travel convoy-style with friends? We can tailor a tour to include the sort of activities your group would like - farm visits, wineries, restaurants, shopping, or history.
We're happy to hear from coach companies or groups who'd like to see what the Hunter Region has to offer. See below for an example of places we visit on an Essentially Barrington Tour, and see our sample Tours below. |
Some of the wonderful places we visit on our Tours...
FREE SPIRIT CRUISE
You are made very welcome aboard to experience the beautiful pristine waters of Wallis Lake. The perfect way to relax as you explore the waterways and wildlife. Dolphins are usually seen playing in the lake. Lunch is on board and you can also buy a drink from the fully licensed bar on your Free Spirit Cruise. 
MOUNTAIN MAID GOLD MINE
After timber cutters first discovered gold in 1875, the town of Copeland flourished for 60 years. Little now remains of that town but there is a lot to see at the old Mountain Maid Gold Mine. NPWS rangers will give a tour and talk with a slide show indoors. Morning tea is served here in the shade of the rainforest. 
ARTISANS ON THE HILL
Artisans on the Hill is an exciting small gallery of paintings, jewellery and hand made crafts. You will visit the large workshop and see demonstrations of wood turning and other interesting crafts. 
GREAT LAKES MUSEUM
Great Lakes Museum was opened in 1987 and is full of the history of Forster and Tuncurry. It houses the first Tuncurry school, police lock up, pioneer cottage, maritime history, working windmill, shipping artefacts, blacksmiths forge and much more. 
NANNA'S HOMEWARES & ANTIQUES
Stroll around this amazing country store full of interesting clothing, jewellery, decorations, wall art, paintings and much more. Enjoy morning tea in Nanna's Homewares café with great coffee and tea and home-made cakes. 
FORSTER CRAFT CENTRE
Forster Craft Centre is the largest working Arts and Crafts centre in NSW. The centre has two floors full of beautiful hand-made artworks, gifts and home décor. Demonstration of pottery making. Home made Devonshire tea. 
BEES! What's the Buzz?
Hear from some of our local Apiarists as they discuss the ins and outs of bee-keeping. Our Apiarists usually bring along some honey for tasting and purchase. An authentic, get it from the bee keeper experience that showcases just how good pure, clean produce from the Barrington Coast Region can be! |
HILLVIEW HERB FARM
Hillview Herb Farm is a beautifully refreshing stop over on your journey. Let owner operator Karen's knowledge and enthusiasm be your guide through the uniquely landscaped edible gardens. Relax with friends while enjoying morning tea, lunch, wood fired pizza or a quick cup of herbal tea. Local produce is celebrated in the many products available for you to take home from your visit. 
GLOUCESTER MUSEUM
One of the best country museums containing a rich history of the Gloucester area. Gloucester Museum also houses an Archive Centre. 
MONDROOK GARDENS
Lunch today is at this hidden treasure. Relax in these beautiful surroundings or go for a short walk along paved pathways to the small lake. Mondrook Gardens are full of birdlife and you may spot one of the resident koalas in the trees. 
MEDOWIE MACADAMIAS
A small family owned business that prides itself in providing friendly service and quality produce. A short tour demonstrates the growing and processing of the macadamia nuts. The Medowie Macadamias plantation was established 13 years ago on 12 acres with 5 varieties of trees. Morning tea, with a macadamia theme, is served in their restaurant. Beautiful produce is available to purchase. 
COUNTRY LODGE MOTEL
Situated on the edge of Gloucester township and nestled at the foot of the Bucketts Mountains. Spacious air-conditioned rooms with views of the mountains and Golf Course. Breakfast served in facilities in the motel. Gloucester Country Lodge is complimented by the adjacent Golf Club and restaurant. 
GLOUCESTER FARMERS MARKET
Time your tour to coincide with Gloucester Farmers Market on the 2nd Saturday of the month. 
SMITHS LAKE
We will have morning tea on the shore of beautiful Smiths Lake. It is not large, with a catchment area of 28 square kilometres. Part of the lake shore is a sandbar that separates the lake from the Tasman Sea. The southern part forms the Northern boundary of he Myall Lakes National Park. 
GREAT LAKES PADDOCKS
A friendly destination offering delicious wines and grass fed angus beef. Nestled in the stunning hinterland of the Great Lakes region. Sample Great Lakes Paddocks home grown beef for your lunch. |
LOCAL VINEYARD
We visit either Tugwood Wines or Gloucester River Wines. Both are small boutique vineyards making hand made wines in a beautiful setting. Tasting and nibbles. Wines can be bought to take to restaurants for dinner. 
WINGHAM BRUSH NATURE RESERVE
Situated on the Manning River, Wingham Brush is one of the few remnants of subtropical rainforest in the Manning Valley. Those who wish to can take a short wander along the boardwalk which is wheelchair friendly and view special species of large trees, birds and wildlife. Or you can relax on the waters edge. Morning tea with home-made slices is served here from the coach. 
WOKO STATION
Thirty minutes along the interesting Thunderbolts Way we will arrive at Woko Station. Woko is managed by Bridget and Ross and they will keep you interested while telling you all about the running of Angus cattle on the property. There is a stand of old fruit trees in the orchard and 100 year old Bunya Pines. The owner of Woko owns 4 other large properties in the area. You will enjoy a homecooked lunch or dinner. Entertainment in the evening. There is also a beautiful collection of craft work on sale made by Bridget and Ross's mothers. 
BARRAMUNDI FARM
Visit this environmentally responsible fish and vegetable production system, producing year-round premium barramundi and vegetables. Fish grown indoors in tanks and the hydroponic vegetables utilises the excess water. Lunch at the Cookaburra Restaurant at the farm. Sample he delicious barra or chicken alternative. 
Moooo... STOCKYARD STORIES
Our Stockyard Stories will have you better understand what keeping cattle involves. Graziers talk about the life-cycle of a typical herd of cattle, from birth to dispatch and everything in between. Expect a close encounter of the mooing kind! 
TOPI OPEN RANGE FARM
Enjoy a tour of this family farm, nestled in the hinterland of Seal Rocks. See the free range chickens in their own mobile homes, moving with the seasons from paddock to paddock. You'll also meet some friendly alpacas taking advantage of the lush green grass at Topi Open Range Farm. |
GOURMET farmgate tour
Our tours are customised for your groups from 20-50 persons. Accommodation is at the Country Lodge Motel (or a suitable alternative if unavailable). Transport can be your favourite coach company or we can organise a coach for you. All the work is done for you, and the trip is free for the Coach Captain. The Tour Leader's trip is also free of charge for groups of 30 or more. Smaller groups, individuals and families may be added to existing tours. Contact us for future tour dates.
All tours can be extended from 1-6 days to include many other interesting venues in the area (i.e. Panning for gold, dolphin cruise etc - see above)
We invite you to experience the Gourmet Farmgate Tour and savour the freshest produce that the Gloucester, Stroud, Barrington and Great Lakes districts have to offer. A unique opportunity to visit the farms of our members and to hear their fascinating stories. You will not be able to help feel the passion that they reveal about their lives. Enjoy the country hospitality and culinary delights crafted from our local harvest. The accolades from previous tours have been overwhelming.
All tours can be extended from 1-6 days to include many other interesting venues in the area (i.e. Panning for gold, dolphin cruise etc - see above)
We invite you to experience the Gourmet Farmgate Tour and savour the freshest produce that the Gloucester, Stroud, Barrington and Great Lakes districts have to offer. A unique opportunity to visit the farms of our members and to hear their fascinating stories. You will not be able to help feel the passion that they reveal about their lives. Enjoy the country hospitality and culinary delights crafted from our local harvest. The accolades from previous tours have been overwhelming.
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Sample 1 Day Tour
Nanna's Homewares - morning tea and shop Hillview Herb Farm - tour and lunch. Includes a talk by John Maslen about Bees and Honey. Vineyard - tour and tasting. Sample 1 Day Tour Mountain Maid Gold Mine Tour - includes morning tea Woko Station Tour and Lunch Museum and Town Tour Sample 1 Day Tour Smiths Lake Morning Tea Topi Open Range Farm Great Lakes Paddocks - Tour and Lunch Cost per person: $55 Transport not included. Quote for coach available. 
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Sample 2 Day (1 Night) Tour
Day 1 Nanna's Homewares - morning tea and shop Hillview Herb Farm - tour and lunch. Includes a talk by John Maslen about Bees and Honey. Vineyard - tour and tasting. Motel book-in Country Lodge Motel Dinner showcasing local produce and a Local Bush Poet Day 2 Mountain Maid Gold Mine Tour - includes morning tea Woko Station Tour and Lunch Museum and Town Tour Alternative Day 2 Smiths Lake Morning Tea Topi Open Range Farm Great Lakes Paddocks - Tour and Lunch This Tour includes • 6 venues • 2 morning teas • 2 lunches • 1 dinner including entertainment • 1 night accommodation • Full breakfast • Hostess 2 days Total per person $240 (may vary) Single supplement $50 Transport not included. Quote for coach available. 
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Sample 3 Day (2 Night) Tour
Day 1 Nanna's Homewares - morning tea and shop Hillview Herb Farm - tour and lunch John Maslin Talk about Bees and Honey Vineyard Tour and tasting Chris Stanton Talk about cattle Motel book-in Country Lodge Motel Dinner showcasing local produce Day 2 Breakfast in motel breakfast room Mountain Maid Gold Mine Tour - includes morning tea Woko Station Tour and Lunch Museum Town Tour Dinner - Raffle of local produce - prize for everyone Day 3 Forster and Smiths Lake - morning tea Topi Farm Tour and local produce from neighbouring farms Great Lakes Paddocks Tour and lunch This Tour includes • 10 venues • 2 nights accommodation and full breakfast • 2 dinners including entertainment and raffle • 3 lunches • 3 morning teas • Hostess for 3 days Total per person $425 Single supplement $100 Transport not included. Quote for coach available. |
