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Discover the small town charm, and delve into the deep and incredibly ancient Indigenous history of the -. Along our we will visit of the , such as and , with highlights including a paddle-wheel , and visit to the Blue . Our also highlights the Indigenous so intricately woven into the 's history, visiting several sites of Indigenous importance and learning more about the land, and its story.
This, like all Odyssey Traveller small group tours is limited to 15 people.
This Odyssey Traveller small group is designed for mature and senior travellers, in couples or travelling solo, who want an in-depth and informed experience of their travel destination in . Since 1983, Odyssey has specialised in bringing Australian travellers to see the world: now, our goal is to let you rediscover your own country.
Our lasts for one week, departing from in the morning before arriving at the charming historic town of . During our time in , we will visit a number of local destinations such as the St Matthews, and Ebenezer Churches, the latter of which is the oldest church in . Other local highlights include Wisemans , Tizzana Winery, the regional gallery, as well as the craft market. Along the way we will also take a short showing the convict building remnants, which date back to the 's colonial days. Another of the 's we visit along our is . Located just to the west of , has a trove of historic homes and churches we will visit along our , as well as the town's cemetery, where many of the 's famous residents are buried. Our also stops in at a hidden local gem for , before heading up to the Streeton lookout, from which you can view the , the RAAF base, and surrounds from a higher perspective. We also visit the Purple Noon gallery during our of , which features an avant-garde collection from local artists.
Exploring Indigenous history is also a fascinating addition to our journey, with the region's sharing in a history that stretches back over 47,000 years, among the most ancient in all of . In line with this, Indigenous history will be a continual theme throughout our journey, with parts of our tour serving as an educational journey, as well as a view into how this beautiful landscape would've looked like prior to European settlement. During our trip to Mt. Tomah and the Blue , we venture to an incredibly important archaeological site known as Lapstone Creek Rock Shelter, known by locals as 'Emu Cave'. Emu cave was an excavation site during the 1930s and 40s, with discoveries ranging from stone axe heads, to quartz tools, and other small backed tools. The finds within mark one of the first places of thorough European Australian engagement with Aboriginal archaeology and deep history. Prior to this, the common conception had dismissed ancient Aboriginal history as that of a simple unchanging stone age people, an attitude illustrative of the era's racially charged attitudes.
This deep history the have with the land runs back some 120,000 years. For the the deep history is illustrated by archaeological finds which place Indigenous habitation at a date as early as 47,000 years ago. What prompted this incredible story was the discovery of an ancient stone chopping tool, dated at the time to between 26,000 -32,000 years old, one of the oldest artefacts found on the east coast. The stone itself resembles a medium size rock, with three large scalloped indentations missing from its side, a pattern evident of human use. It was found in the 1970s by archaeologist Father Eugene Stockton, and prompted a heated discussion in light of the site's excavation and development. Just a decade earlier in the 1960s, Australian archaeology had begun to pick up in earnest, with estimates commonly dating Aboriginal settlement in back 15,000-20,000 years ago, with sites such as Emu Cave being instrumental in provoking this exploration. However, as more discoveries were made, and dating methods beyond radiocarbon became more widespread, the timeline of Aboriginal habitation was found to be even more ancient than previously thought. During the 1980s, the stone caused yet another breakthrough, with more accurate and modern dating techniques placing the stone at an unprecedented age of 47,000 years, sparking headlines such as 'The Oldest known site of Modern Man'. As further finds along the basin were unearthed, archaeologists have come to agree that the -Nepean region is one of the oldest sites of Aboriginal habitation in , with the area even likely to be part of the initial colonisation wave.
For all the articles Odyssey Traveller has published for mature aged and senior travellers, click through on this link.
For all the articles Odyssey Traveller has published for mature aged and senior travellers, click through on this link.
For an amazing history of the Hawkesbury, Odyssey highly recommends Grace Karsken’s ‘People of the River’ (2020), which has been a great source of inspiration for our material.
Senior and mature couples and solo travellers remain curious but often informed about the role Aboriginal art plays in the indigenous community and the various styles. This article seeks to provide a platform for this collection of small group tours of upto 15 people into the Australian outback where often Aboriginal art styles are encountered.
Small group tours for mature and senior travellers in the Australian outback to learn and appreciate land management techniques for couples and solo travellers reflecting Aboriginal culture in Kakadu, Tasmania, Arnhem land and the Kimberley.
Article about Aboriginal kinship to assist small group tours in Australia understanding Ancient aboriginal society and the contemporary view. Kinship influences the relationships including aboriginal trading routes.
Songlines trace the journeys of ancestral spirits who created the land and all natural phenomena. The creation stories as well as practical knowledge needed for survival in outback Australia. We experience this knowledge on our small group tours into Outback Australia.
Appreciating the linking of the river network into the Australian, history, culture and landscape on a small group tour for mature and senior travellers of couples or solo travellers is an integral part of understanding the continent of Australia and Aboriginal settlement.
Learn about John Eales and Morpeth on a small group tour for mature and senior travellers for couples and single travellers into New South Wales Australia and early colonial settlement.
Tracing Aboriginal history via an outback small group tour for mature and senior couples or solo travellers provides an intriguing learning platform about Australia, rock art, trading and culture that traces a history possibly some 120,000 years ago.
The Murray river, a powerhouse in so much of the Eastern side of Australia river system. Learn about its contribution to Aboriginal and colonial history. Study and appreciate more on a escorted small group tour into the Australian outback with mature and senior travellers couples or solo travellers each year.
Article about Sydney's historic Rocks area. An integral part of an escorted small group tour of Sydney for mature and senior travellers seeking as a couple or solo traveller to learn more about Sydney, New South Wales and Australia deep Aboriginal and recent colonial history.
Escorted small group tours for mature and senior travellers that promote aboriginal and colonial history discussion on tour. For couples and solo travellers interested in learning about Aboriginal history and the colonial explorers across the states.
Explore the history of the Hawkesbury River, with its charming historic towns, natural beauty, and rich Aboriginal heritage, all just an hour outside of Sydney. Odyssey offers small group tours for mature and senior travellers, couples, and solo travelers to Australia and New South Wales.
Overview: The group departs Sydney at 10am in the morning, arriving in Windsor at approx. 11:30. We take the bus up to lunch in Windsor at the Macquarie Arms Hotel, before talking a slow walk to the regional museum around the corner. Afterwards, the group takes a short walk along the Hawkesbury River, before alighting by bus to see some of the town’s historically significant buildings, such as St Matthews Church. Following this, the group will have some time to rest up at the hotel before dinner.
Accommodation: Crowne Plaza Hotel or similar
Overview: We begin the day with breakfast, before taking a bus to Wisemans Ferry. For the adventurous amongst the group, you can always climb up to Judgement Cave on the way up to Wisemans, before stopping in the village near Sol Wisemans original home. Next the group has the option of morning tea or brunch at the local pub, before driving down to the ferry, parking up, and alighting on foot for the ride across the river. Next the group takes a short walk, showing the convict road building remnants, before going back over the river. Next we make two stops along the way back to Windsor, the first being Ebenezer Church, the oldest church in Australia, as well as the beautiful Tizzana Winery.
Accommodation: Crowne Plaza Hotel or similar
Overview: We check out of Crown Plaza in the morning, leaving the luggage on the bus. We head to the Regional Gallery in Windsor, before walking through the Windsor craft market, which runs on the town’s main street each Sunday. Next we take the bus to Kurrajong village, where we stop for lunch and a walk around, the town is full of cute venues, shops and historical properties. Following on from this we take the bus a short drive to Loxley on Bellbird Hill, where we will check in. Next there will be some time to walk the grounds before dinner, this is a good opportunity to listen about the history of the property from its current owner.
Accommodation: Loxley on Bellbird Hill
Overview: After breakfast, we drive up to the town of Bilpin, stopping at two stunning photo spots along the way. Next we visit some local apple orchards, as well as several other cafes and businesses recovering well from the 2020 bushfires. Following this, we head on the Mt. Tomah Blue Mountains National Park, before stopping for lunch. Following lunch, the group heads out to Emu Cave, an incredible archaeological site, you can learn more about its significance in Grace Karsten’s book ‘People of the River’. After this, we venture back to Loxley for dinner.
Accommodation: Loxley on Bellbird Hill
Overview: After breakfast, we drive to the beginning of the Grose River at the back of Kurrajong for a glimpse of how things may have looked before European settlement. This Garden of Eden spot is breath-taking and well worth a little walk in. Next we head down to explore the town of Richmond, with a tour of the town’s heritage, exploring some of its oldest churches and heritage homes, as well as a cemetery, which is home to some of Hawkesbury’s most famous residents. We have lunch at a charming spot, with tables in a private garden outside of a lovely antiques shop. Next we head for a drive up to the terrace above Richmond, to the Streeton Lookout. Here we can see the views of the river, RAAF base, and all the surrounds from this incredible vantage point. Finally we head to the High Noon art gallery, which features avant-garde from local artists, before heading back to Loxley once again for dinner.
Accommodation: Loxley on Bellbird Hill
Overview: Today we head down to Windsor Wharf and get on board the Hawkesbury paddle-wheeler for a cruise and lunch aboard. Our host Ian Burns will be there to answer questions about the river. Our local indigenous guide will share stories about the river and its rich and ancient history of Aboriginal settlement. We head back to Loxley for some rest, before heading out to dinner at the Kurrajong Heights hotel, which has a fantastic view.
Accommodation: Loxley on Bellbird Hill
Overview: After breakfast, we drive over to the Wilberforce Wild Cat Sanctuary for a guided group tour. This facility is modernizing their reception area, which plains to be completed by June 2021. They have cheetahs, as well as many other big cat species on a huge property on the rolling hills of Wilberforce, and are involved in several conservation programs. We have lunch at Crazies on Bells Line of Road, before heading back to Sydney late afternoon.
What’s included in our Tour
What’s not included in our Tour
Explore and learn as part of a small group tour for seniors on this package tour to Darwin and Kakadu National park, a UNESCO world heritage site. This program also visits Arnhem land. Our focus is on ecology, landscapes and history on this 14 day program in the far north of the Northern Territory.
Small group tour of up to 15 mature and seniors travellers visiting and learning about Tasmania’s wildlife and history. Visit Maria Island, Freycinet peninsula, Cradle Mountain, Strahan, Lake St Clair and Bruny Island over 16 days.
Small group tour for the mature and senior traveller of the Darling River. Learn about the history, culture and landscapes of the Darling, a key part of the Australian river system including Aboriginal trading routes and aquaculture. Suitable for mature and senior couples or solo travellers.
