SALE: Bundaberg, Tilt Train & Turtles - Over 60s Social Getaway (Feb 2025)
Want to escape for a few days? Love to travel with fellow over-60s?
Enjoy a relaxed train journey from Brisbane to Bundaberg (located at the southern end of the Great Barrier Reef). Sit back, relax and meet your fellow travellers as you take in the scenery of the Glasshouse Mountains, Sunshine Coast hinterland, Nambour and Gympie.
On arrival, you can enjoy a great mix of self-paced exploration and organised activities.
- Enjoy guided tours at Bundaberg Rum Distillery, Hinkler Hall of Aviation, Tinaberries farm, Mystery Craters and Splitters Farm.
- The highlight of this holiday: a trip to Mon Repos to watch the baby turtles hatch and make their way to the ocean.
Mon Repos supports the largest concentration of nesting marine turtles on the eastern Australian mainland and has the most significant loggerhead turtle nesting population in the South Pacific region. From January to March, visitors have a unique opportunity to catch a glimpse of a turtle’s world—at least for one night! Watch young hatchlings dig free from their nests in the sand and hustle down the beach.
- Return economy class train travel between Brisbane and Bundaberg
- Return transfers from railway station to accommodation
- 3 nights accommodation at Villa Mirasol
- Breakfast daily served in room
- 2 x Dinners at Villa Mirasol
- Guided Turtle Encounter tour at Mon Repos Turtle Centre
- Guided tour at Hinkler Hall of Aviation
- Guided tour of Bundaberg Rum Distillery
- Guided tour of Tinaberries with Ice Cream Tastings
- Guided tour of Mystery Craters with Devonshire Morning Tea
- Guided tour of Splitters Farm with Woodfire Pizza Lunch Picnic
- Visit Amandine Lavender Farm & The Hummock
- Local Bargara Sightseeing
Your fare excludes:
Airfares & Travel insurance
Please note the following itinerary is subject to change without notice.
Day 1: Monday
Brisbane to Bundaberg
This afternoon you'll meet your fellow travellers at Brisbane's Roma Street Station before boarding the Tilt Train for your journey to Bundaberg. On arrival in Bundaberg, you'll be transferred to Villa Mirasol, your accommodation for the next three nights.
Day 2: Tuesday
Mon Repos Turtle Experience
Relax over breakfast, served in your room, before exploring some of the sights of Bundaberg.
Visit Hinkler Hall of Aviation for the guided Cockpit Tour, join a guided tour of the Bundaberg Rum Distillery before arriving at The Waves Sports Club for lunch (own expense). In the afternoon, arrive at Tinaberries for a guided farm tour and talk with ice cream tasting.
Enjoy an early dinner at the hotel restaurant, before tonight's highlight tour to Mon Repos Turtle Centre for a ranger-guided tour of the beach to watch the baby turtles make their way to the water to start their journey.
Day 3: Wednesday
Attractions, Sightseeing and Splitters Farm lunch
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast, in your room before departing on the coach to visit Mystery Craters where you will enjoy a guided tour and devonshire morning tea.
This afternoon, arrive at Splitters Farm for a guided tour and woodfire pizza picnic lunch. Visit Amandine Lavender farm, drive up to The Hummock and sightsee along Bargara Esplanade.
Dinner tonight will be at Villa Mirasol restaurant.
Day 4: Thursday
Bundaberg to Brisbane
After breakfast in your room, you will be transferred to Bundaberg's railway station to board the Tilt Train for your journey back to Brisbane. Say farewell to new found friends as your holiday comes to an end..
2025 Turtle Hatching: Watch as these tiny hatchlings emerge from their sandy nests to scurry down the beach and into the sea.
There are four date options to choose from:
3 - 6 Feb 2025
10 - 13 Feb 2025
17 - 20 Feb 2025
24 - 27 Feb 2025
QLD PENSIONER PRICES
Economy: from $1,249 $1,199 pp twin share | $1,539 $1,489 solo traveller*
Business: from $1,299 $1,249 pp twin share | $1,589 $1,539 solo traveller*
SENIOR PRICES
Economy: from $1,289 $1,239 pp twin share | $1,579 $1,529 solo traveller*
Business: from $1,309 $1,259 pp twin share | $1,599 $1,549 solo traveller
ADULT PRICES
Economy: from $1,349 $1,299 pp twin share | $1,639 $1,589 solo traveller*
Business: from $1,389 $1,339 pp twin share | $1,679 $1,629 solo traveller*
* Departures and prices are subject to change
The Villa Mirasol is centrally located, within walking distance to the Central Business District and the Bundaberg Train Station.
The hotel features include a inground saltwater pool, free Wi-Fi and on-site restaurant.
Rooms are spacious with ensuite bathrooms, air-conditioning, tea & coffee making facilities and Foxtel.
TRAVELLING SOLO? Willing to share with another single traveller?
One of the advantages of travelling on a dedicated group departure is that we have the ability to match solo travellers of the same gender to avoid paying a single supplement. (Subject to availability of another traveller of the same gender willing to share; otherwise the solo traveller price applies.)
MON REPOS TURTLE ENCOUNTER TOUR
- A turtle’s arrival can’t be predicted - some nights hatchlings will appear after midnight.
- Total visit time can be up to six hours so pack a favourite book or activity that is easy to carry.
- Tours are on a soft, sandy beach at night and up onto the foredunes where turtles nest.
- Groups will be guided to the beach by Park Rangers and Turtle Guides - each group must stay together during the event.
- Occasionally turtles do not hatch on the night - while this is unusual, we can’t guarantee you will see hatchlings.
- A moderate level of fitness is required for the Turtle Encounters tour.
Visitors need to be able to:
- Walk up to 1.6km at night in natural light or with limited light in some sections.
- Stand on uneven surfaces for approximately one hour.
- Traverse sandy surfaces including short steep sections on vegetated dunes and boardwalks.
- Conventional wheelchairs are usually not suitable for this tour.
- Some all-terrain wheelchair users may be able to access this tour with assistance.
- Please contact us for further information about access for people with mobility disabilities.
To ensure you have an enjoyable visit:
- Wear footwear suitable for walking along a sandy beach.
- Pack rain jackets as shelter is limited and umbrellas are not allowed on the beach.
- Bring a jumper or a wind cheater as it can be cold on the beach at night.
- Bring your own drinking water (a water bottle refill station is provided at the Turtle Centre), snacks and insect repellent.
- Know the light restrictions - it is essential to minimise artificial light impacts on turtles.
- Light up shoes and glow sticks are not permitted.
- When permitted, only torches of 100 lumens or less can be used.
- Photography and filming are only permitted during designated periods announced by your tour guide.
- Always listen to Park Rangers and turtle guides on the beach and follow their instructions.
Travel at 60 and supplier booking conditions apply
A non-refundable deposit of $300 per person is payable within 7 days of booking.
To qualify for discounted rail fares, passengers must hold one of the following valid cards:
PENSIONER FARES
- Queensland Pensioner Card (PCC)
- Australian Government DVA Health Card (endorsed as WAR WIDOW/WIDOWER (Queensland Residents only)
- Spouse/partner of a Totally and Permanently Incapacitated (TPI) or
- Extreme Disability (EDA) Veteran travel pass holder with a confirmation letter stating they are a QLD Resident.
SENIOR FARES
- Australian state OR territory Government Seniors Card
- Go Card Senior version (only issued in Queensland)
* Valid card numbers must be quoted at time of booking.
* All other fares are charged at the adult rate