Featuring the Opera Scholars Australia at Naracoorte Caves Opera Scholars Australia assists in the development of young singers by providing scholarships, training and opportunities to perform in a variety of locations.
For the second time they will perform in the outstanding acoustic conditions in Blanche Cave at Naracoorte, where their voices need no amplification, to an audience of around 200 persons.
This concert is organised by Young at Heart Holidays, Australian Air Holidays and Seniors Coach Tours for their passengers. The Opera Scholars program will include items from well known musicals and operas.
Day 1 (L,D) BRISBANE, CANBERRA, MT GAMBIER, PORT MACDONNELL Passengers meet at Brisbane Jetbase, Casuarina Street and Canberra Fairbairn Airport for our flight to Mt Gambier. Refreshments served on board during both legs of the journey. Our coach awaits and, following lunch, we travel to picturesque Port MacDonnell and take a short tour of this seaside village. Cuppa at Dingley Dell Conservation Park, where Adam Lindsay Gordon lived and wrote in a small cottage in the park. Visit the unique Blue Lake and enjoy a short guided coach tour of Mt Gambier with its many colonial buildings prior to arriving at our home for two nights, the Mt Gambier Presidential Motel (or similar). Enjoy a welcome drink prior to dinner together.
Day 2 (B,L,D) PENOLA, NARACOORTE CAVES, OPERA IN THE CAVES, COONAWARRA This morning we visit Penola. Enjoy this delightful small town, the Mary MacKillop Centre, the Schoolhouse and Petticoat Lane, the art, craft and wine tasting centres. Maybe enjoy a morning coffee here (own expense). Lunch today at Chardonnay Lodge. During the afternoon we continue to Naracoorte Caves. Time to enjoy the stunning floodlit cave formations in Alexandra or Fossil Cave. Afternoon tea includes a pre-show glass of champagne prior to taking our seats in Blanche Cave for the highlight of our weekend holiday, Opera in the Caves, featuring the stunning voices of Opera Scholars Australia, singing many operatic favourites. Stars of the future! Commenced in 2010, this new event is organised and sponsored by the Young at Heart group. Following the concert we enjoy dinner at Hollicks Winery and Restaurant at Coonawarra before returning to Mt Gambier around 9:30 p.m.
Day 3 (B,L,D) MILLICENT, ROBE, MT GAMBIER, MELBOURNE, CANBERRA, SYDNEY, BRISBANE This morning we visit Millicent with its award-winning Museum on route to the coastal township of Robe. A little time in this haven prior to another highlight of the weekend, a crayfish lunch at the well known Robe restaurant, Sails Blue (non-seafood eaters catered for). We return to Mt Gambier, departing at 4.15 p.m. On route we call at Canberra and Sydney with complimentary drinks as we fly. So concludes a most enjoyable holiday including the second annual performance of Opera in the Caves.
