2025/26 NRMA Insurance Ashes Series

All 5 NRMA Insurance Ashes Tests – Perth, Brisbane, Adelaide, Melbourne & Sydney

The following tour is an example of what you can do.  All of our trips are tailored to suit your requirements so you can visit wherever you wish in Australia.

Tuesday 18th November
Depart London Heathrow on your overnight flight to Perth.

Wednesday 19th November
Arrive Perth. Stay eight nights at your chosen category hotel.

Thursday 20th November
Day at leisure. Day tours can be arranged which include a city tour, The Pinnacles, Margaret River, Fremantle, Rottnest Island & Wave Rock.

Friday 21st to Tuesday 25th November
1st NRMA Insurance Ashes Test at Perth Stadium.  Make your own way to/from the ground.

Wednesday 26th November
Day at leisure.

Thursday 27th November
You will be collected from your hotel for the start of your small group tour of the south west. Travel to the Stirling Ranges National Park to take the scenic drive through the only mountain range in southern Western Australia. Continue to Porongurup National Park. Optional lunch at West Cape Howe Winery with wine tasting and a selection of foods, (own expense). Continue through to Albany, and to the National ANZAC Centre, an interactive experience to commemorate the war and pay tribute to those who served. Overnight at Hilton Garden Inn, Albany. Standard room, including breakfast.

Friday 28th November
Continue your tour. Sightseeing includes The Gap and Natural Bridge. Stop at Albany’s Historic Whaling Station and learn of Albany’s unique history. Travel west to Walpole and embark on a 2 ½ hour cruise across the Walpole Inlet, to the Nornalup Inlet. Optional short walk along beach, before enjoying a slice of Wow Wilderness Tingle cake with tea/coffee or lemonade. Drive to the Valley of the Giants and enjoy a treetop walk, suspended 40m high in the canopy of the ancient Tingle Forest. Afternoon at leisure. Two nights at Karri Valley Resort. Standard room, including breakfast.

Saturday 29th November
Day at leisure. Time to enjoy the many optional activities available, including Beedelup Loop/Falls walk (1-3hrs, 4.5km), Lakeside Restaurant + Bar. The resort also has various paid activities you can book locally (own expense) e.g. Fishing equipment hire, bike rental, mini golf, disc golf, canoes + kayak hire, stand up paddleboard hire, rowing boat hire.

Sunday 30th November
Travel north through Blackwood Forest to Augusta, visit Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse, a viewpoint of where the Indian and Southern Oceans meet. Travel through Boranup Forest to Mammoth Cave for a guided tour and a complete nature experience while discovering the history of Australia’s megafauna. Continue to the township of Margaret River for free time to explore. Your coach will then take you to the small town of Busselton, where the group will visit Busselton Jetty, the longest wooden jetty in the southern hemisphere. Enjoy a train ride to the very end where the group will visit the Underwater Observatory, one of six in the world. Overnight at Hilton Garden Inn, Busselton. Standard room, including breakfast.

Monday 1st December
After breakfast meet your coach and local guide to travel to the quaint town of Cowaramup, famous for its numerous cow statues. Explore and taste test local chocolate and gourmet produce factories and enjoy some locally produced wines (own expense). Afterwards travel back to Perth, stopping at the Old Coast Road Brewery for lunch. Taste some local produce, beer and cider. Enjoy a meal where the group has the choice of four dishes, paired with their brewed beers and ciders, finishing up with some locally made, award winning ice cream. Enjoy the views of the Canal Rocks on the coastline, a granite outcrop where the ocean has created natural canals. Continue with a leisurely drive back to Perth where your coach and guide will drop you at your accommodation. Overnight at Pan Pacific Hotel. Deluxe room, room only basis.

Tuesday 2nd December
Pick up from your hotel for your transfer to the airport. Depart Perth on your flight to Brisbane.
Arrive Brisbane. Stay seven nights at your chosen category hotel.

Wednesday 3rd December
Day at leisure. Day tours can be arranged which include a city tour, Tangalooma dolphins, Moreton Island, Australia Zoo & Lone Pine Sanctuary.

Thursday 4th to Monday 8th December
2nd NRMA Insurance Ashes Test at The Gabba. Day/Night.  Make your own way to/from the ground.

Tuesday 9th December
Depart Brisbane for your flight to Hobart.
Arrive Hobart. On arrival you will be met and transferred by private coach to your accommodation. Afternoon at leisure. Overnight at The Old Woolstore Apartment Hotel. Standard room, including breakfast.

Wednesday 10th December
You will be collected from your hotel for the start of your small group tour of Tasmania. Drive through the Western Wilds to Mount Field National Park. Visit Lake St Claire, Australia’s deepest freshwater lake. Continue through the Franklin Gordon National Park, offering pristine rainforest and mountain scenery. Enjoy the rugged scenery around the old mining town of Queenstown before arriving in the charming harbourside village of Strahan. Two nights at Strahan Village Hotel. Standard room, including breakfast.

Thursday 11th December
After breakfast, you will be transferred to the start of the Gordon River Cruise. Take in the tranquil surrounds of the Gordon River as you glide across the water in ‘Whisper Mode’. Dedicated guides will take you through the history of Macquarie Harbour, Hells Gates, Heritage Landing and Sarah Island as you cruise along. Enjoy a chef prepared buffet lunch, open bar and two walking tours offered at Heritage Landing and Sarah Island.

Friday 12th December
Travel to Cradle Mountain National Park. Your coach will drive to the visitor centre where you will have access to a shuttle bus that takes you to Dove Lake (included). Today you will have a choice of a hike:
– Dove Lake Circuit Walk, 6 km trail around Dove Lake in Tasmania’s Cradle Mountain Lake St Claire National Park. Elevation of 550ft, 2–3-hour duration.
– Marions Lookout, more challenging, maximum elevation.
Continuing your tour, you will drive from the highlands, stopping at the Town Of Murals, Sheffield, before heading to Launceston. Evening at leisure. Overnight at Aspect Tamar Valley Resort. Standard room, including breakfast.

Saturday 13th December
In the morning enjoy the picturesque Cataract Gorge, with an option to trek along the Cataract Walk, which links Kings Bridge to Cliff Grounds (2 km return). Travel along the East Coast, stopping for lunch in St Helens (own expense) and then walking along the sands of the Bay of Fires. Continue south to the coastal town of Swansea. Overnight at The Waterloo Hotel Swansea. Standard room, on room only basis.

Sunday 14th December
At leisure for breakfast at a local café (own expense). Travel to Freycinet, Tasmania’s most famous national park. Time to explore its beaches such as Wineglass and Honeymoon Bays and enjoy the views of The Hazards, a granite mountain range that rises from the sheltered turquoise bays. Optional to climb the summit to Mt Amos (4 km long, takes about 2-3 hours) – to be arranged locally. After spending time in Freycinet National Park, rejoin your coach for the return trip back to Hobart. Overnight at The Old Woolstore Apartment Hotel. Standard room, including breakfast.

Monday 15th December
Pick up from your hotel for your transfer to the airport. Depart Hobart on your flight to Adelaide.
Arrive Adelaide. Stay seven nights at your chosen category hotel.

Tuesday 16th December
Day at leisure. Day tours can be arranged which include a city tour, Barossa Valley, Adelaide Hills, Fleurieu Peninsula & Kangaroo Island.

Wednesday 17th to Sunday 21st December
3rd NRMA Insurance Ashes Test at Adelaide Oval.  Make your own way to/from the ground.

Monday 22nd December
You will be collected from your hotel for the start of your small group tour to Melbourne.  Travel to the summit of Mt. Lofty to experience sweeping views of the entirety of Adelaide and the beautiful coastline it sits on. After you will be transported to Hahndorf, a small town in the Adelaide Hills, known for its German architecture and artisanal food. Enjoy a walk through the historic town where there are many cafes and shops to explore before departing to the South East. Travel down to Keith, where you will stop at Keith Bakery for a quick lunch (own expense) before continuing down to Naracoorte. Upon arriving in Naracoorte, time to venture through the world heritage listed site, where 800 000 years ago, they acted as pitfall traps. Animals would fall through holes in the ground and wind up stuck and unable to escape, leaving millions of fossils from Australia’s extinct megafauna. Continue south, through the wine country of Coonawarra and Penola – optional stop at the wineries, majority offer wine tastings of 3-5 wines for $10- $30 (own expense). Continue through Mount Gambier to your accommodation. Overnight at The Barn, Mt. Gambier. Standard room, including breakfast.

Tuesday 23rd December
After breakfast, visit the Blue Lake, a monomictic crater lake on the outskirts of the city, viewed from Centenary Tower. travel down south and across the border into Victoria towards Nelson and stop at Lower Glenelg National Park for photo opportunities. Drive along the coast to Cape Bridgewater, stopping to view the magnificent beaches and then further to the Petrified Forest. Travel toward the Shipwreck Coast to Port Fairy and visit Tower Hill Reserve to see some native Australian wildlife and stop for a spot of lunch (own expense). Enjoy free time in Port Fairy to explore the little coastal town. After free time, travel along to Warrnambool. Overnight in Warrambool at Waves Motel & Apartments.  Standard room, including a light continental breakfast.

Wednesday 24th December
Travel along the Great Ocean Road stopping at multiple spots for photo opportunities such as the Bay of Islands, The Grotto sinkhole, the Twelve Apostles and Gibsons Steps. Continue to Great Otway National Park where there is the option of Maits Rest Rainforest Walk, 1km through rainforest gully.  Continue along Great Ocean Road to Kennett River, with stops at Erskine Falls and Torquay Beach for photo opportunities.  Travel to Geelong Waterfront for a late lunch (own expense), and afterwards continue to Melbourne.  Arrive in Melbourne where your tour will end.  Stay seven nights at your chosen category hotel.

Thursday 25th December
At leisure in Melbourne. An optional Christmas Day lunch is available (further details nearer the time).

Friday 26th to Tuesday 30th December
4th NRMA Insurance Ashes Test at the MCG.  Make your own way to/from the ground.

Wednesday 31st December
Depart Melbourne on your flight to Sydney.
Arrive Sydney. Stay nine nights at your chosen category hotel.
An optional New Years Eve function is available (further details nearer the time).

Thursday 1st to Saturday 3rd January
At leisure in Sydney. Day tours can be arranged which include a city tour, Bridge climb (closed 1st Jan), Harbour cruise, Blue Mountains, Hunter Valley & Seaplane or helicopter rides.

Sunday 4th to Thursday 8th January
5th NRMA Insurance Ashes Test at the SCG.  Make your own way to/from the ground.

Friday 9th January
Depart Sydney on your overnight flight to London Heathrow.

Saturday 10th January
Arrive London Heathrow.

TOUR PRICE INCLUDES:
Economy class international and domestic flights.
8 nights in Perth, at your chosen category hotel, on room only basis.
6 day tour of the south west, including transportation, accommodation, meals, excursions and entry fees as stated.
7 nights in Brisbane, at your chosen category hotel, on room only basis.
6 day tour of Tasmania including transportation, accommodation, meals, excursions and entry fees as stated.
7 nights in Adelaide, at your chosen category hotel, on room only basis.
3 day tour Adelaide to Melbourne via Great Ocean Road, including transportation, accommodation, meals, excursions and entry fees as stated.
7 nights in Melbourne, at your chosen category hotel, on room only basis.
9 nights in Sydney, at your chosen category hotel, on room only basis.
Official 5 day Category C NRMA Insurance Ashes Test match tickets. Day 5 is general admission.
Services of Sports Tours Plus staff and our local agents in Australia.

Flight upgrades and regional airports available, please ask for prices. Match ticket upgrades also available.

PRICES FROM:
3 Star hotel: £11,880.00 per person, twin share. £15,675.00 single occupancy
4 Star hotel: £12,530.00 per person, twin share. £16,730.00 single occupancy
5 Star hotel: £13,280.00 per person, twin share. £18,605.00 single occupancy

** The tours in between tests are based on 3 to 4 star hotels

CATO Licence Number CATO2526/015
Sports Tours Plus, a Cricket Australia Travel Office Licensed Travel Operator for the 2025/26 NRMA Insurance Ashes Series.

Call us on 01638 717850 or Email sales@sportstoursplus.com