Sounds of Scotland & Edinburgh Military Tattoo

Days: 5 Days

Activity: 2. Moderate

$3,195.00

Tour description



For the first time ever, the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo is coming to Brisbane, and we’re delighted to take you there in comfort and style. In celebration of the Tattoo’s 75th anniversary, this special Australian performance, The Heroes Who Made Us, honours the remarkable individuals who have shaped the event’s proud history.

More than 1,000 world-class performers will bring the magic of Scotland to life, featuring massed pipes and drums, military ceremony, traditional and contemporary dance, and breathtaking musical displays. A full-size replica of Edinburgh Castle will stand proudly in Suncorp Stadium, setting the scene for an unforgettable evening of pageantry and emotion. It’s a true once-in-a-lifetime experience — and one we can’t wait to share with you.

Either side of the Tattoo, we’ll enjoy the relaxed charm of the Gold Coast and the cultural sophistication of Brisbane, with a range of sightseeing and cruising included.

Itinerary

Our tour begins with a flight from Sydney to Coolangatta, travelling from the bustling city to the lush, subtropical charm of Queensland. Upon arrival, we’ll head inland to Tropical Fruit World, where we will have lunch surrounded by orchards of exotic fruits. After lunch, a guided farm tour will introduce you to rare fruit varieties, local farming techniques, and perhaps a visit with friendly farm animals.

In the afternoon, we’ll journey north through scenic coastal routes, offering glimpses of golden beaches and turquoise waters. Our accommodation for the next 2 nights is the 4-star Crowne Plaza Surfers Paradise. We arrive with time to relax prior to dinner in house at 7.00pm.

Overnight: Crowne Plaza Surfers Paradise
Meals Included: Lunch, Dinner

Following breakfast, our day begins with a trip to the hinterland, heading for the cool, green hills of Tamborine Mountain. Our first stop is the Tamborine Mountains Botanic Gardens, a tranquil setting where we will enjoy a relaxing morning tea amid native plants, rainforest walks, and ornamental lakes.

From there, we head to the nearby Glow Worm Caves, where a 30-minute tour will reveal thousands of tiny, glowing creatures in a purpose-built cave. We will enjoy a leisurely lunch accompanied by a tasting of locally produced wines at Cedar Creek Estate.

This afternoon we continue with a walk along the Tamborine Rainforest Skywalk, an elevated path through the forest canopy offering stunning views of creeks, vines, and the occasional native bird. After a full day of exploration, we will return to the Crowne Plaza Surfers Paradise with dinner again in house at 7.00pm.

Overnight: Crowne Plaza Surfers Paradise
Meals Included: Breakfast, Morning Tea, Lunch & Dinner

After breakfast at the hotel, we start the morning with a relaxing cruise on the water. We will board a Surfers Paradise River Cruise, gliding along the calm waterways with a morning tea served on board. Take in views of luxury waterfront homes, marinas, and iconic high-rises.

After lunch before we depart for Brisbane, Queensland’s riverside capital. We’ll arrive mid-afternoon at the elegant Stamford Plaza Brisbane, where we’ll check in and have time to freshen up. Dinner is at your leisure tonight—whether you choose to dine at the hotel or explore one of Brisbane’s many nearby restaurants.

In the early evening, you’ll transfer to one of the most anticipated cultural events of the trip: theEdinburgh Tattoo. Held at Suncorp Stadium, this evening show features military bands, cultural performances, and traditional pageantry. With Reserved seating, we’ll witness over 1,000 performers in this once-in-a-lifetime spectacle.

Overnight: Stamford Plaza Brisbane
Meals Included: Breakfast, Morning Tea, Lunch

After breakfast, we’ll depart for a full day of sightseeing around Brisbane and its surrounds. Our first stop is the serene Mt Coot-tha Botanic Gardens, a subtropical paradise where we’ll take in the natural beauty and enjoy a peaceful morning tea in the gardens.

From there, the journey continues via the scenic coastal drive through Redcliffe, ultimately reaching Woody Point, a quaint seaside village. Here, we will enjoy a waterfront lunch before returning to Brisbane for a visit to the Brisbane City Hall and Museum, where we’ll gain insight into the city’s history and architecture. By late afternoon, we’ll be back at the Stamford Plaza, with time to relax before our 2-course dinner at 7:00 pm.

Overnight:  Stamford Plaza Brisbane
Meals Included: Breakfast, Morning Tea, Lunch, Dinner

Our final day begins with breakfast and check-out from the hotel. The morning features a leisurely Brisbane River Cruise, including Devonshire tea as you take in iconic views such as the Story Bridge, Southbank, and the city skyline.

We’ll disembark at the Southbank Cultural Precinct, where we will have time to explore independently. Visit world-class galleries, enjoy a stroll through the riverside parklands, or choose your own lunch spot from a wide variety of eateries.

Mid-afternoon, we’ll regroup and transfer to the airport for our return flight from Brisbane to Sydney, bringing a memorable and enriching Queensland experience to a close.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Morning Tea

Testimonials

Thank you for another great Oncourse tour. I have lost count of the number I’ve done. Good to see that over 20 years they’ve continued the high standards. Many thanks to Peter for his great work.

Val

Dear John and Kerry, Debbie and Steve, thank you all so much at On Course Tours for the hugely successful and absolutely wonderful trip to South Australia. Tricia and I loved every moment and were amazed and delighted by how much South Australia has to offer in so very many ways, food especially and of course very many superb wines and wineries – topped off, as John rightly said, by Max’s selection of a delightful crowd of good club friends! John, you and On Course Tours are certainly a class act. You always try very hard, and you succeed, in going that ‘extra mile’. We could not have had better service, right from being picked up at the gate by Kerry, then enjoying your nearly 4,000km of safe, always careful but wonderfully exploratory driving, your delicious picnic provisioning, your excellent selection of accommodation and eateries and your very broad knowledge of all we saw, right thorough to being delivered safely home last night. With our best wishes and so many thanks to you all at On Course Tours for another truly wonderful holiday. We look forward with keen anticipation to the next!

Tricia and Martin