Delegates and partners arrive at centrally located Congress hotel in Melbourne (independently or with pre-tour). Free day to explore Melbourne or relax. The Congress Registration Desk will be open from 12 noon. Welcome Reception and light dinner at Congress hotel.
Overnight: Rydges Melbourne Hotel
Meals: Reception

Congress Registration Desk will be open from 8.00am Buffet breakfast at hotel. Optional early morning visit to Queen Victoria Market, a bustling outdoor market with a great atmosphere. Dating back to the 1880s this cosmopolitan market has long been a favourite with locals and visitors alike, selling not only food produce but shoes, clothing and a host of household goods as well as souvenirs. Late morning depart for a tour to the Yarra Valley, travelling west through the leafy outer suburbs of Melbourne. After lunch at Healesville Wildlife Sanctuary there is an opportunity to see some of Australia’s unusual native animals (koalas, kangaroos, wallabies and wombats) in their natural habitat as well as a display of Australian birds of prey. Late afternoon visit to a cheese producer followed by early dinner at a local winery or restaurant showcasing regional food and wine. Return to Congress hotel.
Overnight: Rydges Melbourne Hotel
Meals: B, L, & D

Buffet breakfast at hotel.
Morning: Congress program including the 18th WSFF Regular Members Meeting followed by the Congress Technical Program, as well as technical and sponsor presentations concluding with a presentation from Germany on the 2012 Congress.
Afternoon: The afternoon is free to explore Melbourne. The Congress hotel is within walking distance of the major shopping precinct and museum and is a short distance from Melbourne’s cultural precinct on the Southbank of the River Yarra with the National Gallery, specialty shops and restaurants.
Evening: Buffet dinner at Bobby McGees Restaurant at the Congress hotel.
Overnight: Rydges Melbourne Hotel
Meals: B & D

Buffet breakfast at hotel.
Full day: Transfer to the Royal Melbourne Show at Melbourne Showground, for Simmental Judging.  Simmentals will be the feature breed at the Show and delegates will have the opportunity to meet with many Australian Simmental producers as well as enjoy other agricultural and horticultural exhibits.  Light lunch served in the judging area for delegates.  Late afternoon transfer to hotel.
Evening: Transfer to Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) for the Congress Dinner in the Olympic Room, with special guest speaker. The Melbourne Cricket Ground is Australia’s largest sporting stadium hosting cricket, soccer, Australian Rules Footbal and rugby. This is grand final week for Australian Rules Football, an exciting week in Australia’s sporting calendar.
Overnight: Rydges Melbourne Hotel
Meals: B, L, & D

After buffet breakfast, depart Melbourne and travel north to Mickleham for a Simmental herd visit and morning tea at Frank and Francie Rizzo’s ‘Trijena Park Stud’. Continue north east to Glenburn to visit Philip Webb of ‘Webb Black Simmental’ for a second herd visit in conjunction with Mel and Gina Ryan of ‘Glenview Del Simmentals’, Glenburn. After lunch sponsored by Philip Webb, continue travelling north to the twin cities of Albury and Wodonga set on either side of the River Murray which forms the border between the states of Victoria and New South Wales.  These two regional cities have a distinctive character, with grand old buildings, richly established gardens and broad tree-lined streets.
Evening: Beef Dinner in Albury.
Overnight: Sundowner Albury Paddlesteamer Motel
Meals: B, L, & D

Today’s program includes a tour to the historic township of Beechworth and the wine region of Rutherglen. Beechworth is located in Victoria’s High Country, a well known wine region specialising in robust reds, fortified ports and muscats, which compliment a fantastic range of locally grown gourmet foods including cheeses, mustards, fruit, vegetables, honey, nuts, berries and apples. With its carefully restored colonial buildings and historic precinct, Beechworth is Victoria’s best-preserved gold rush town with many buildings dating back to the 19th century. Great art galleries, superb rose gardens and antique boutiques can all be found in Beechworth.  Enjoy free time to explore this picturesque town then relax over lunch with a wine tasting at one of the district’s wineries.  Return to Albury for some free time before dinner.
Evening: Bush barbecue dinner
Overnight: Sundowner Albury Paddlesteamer Motel
Meals: B, L, & D

Early morning departure for Canberra with a stud inspection visit en-route at Bill Almond’s ‘Kensileyre Simmental’ stud near Wagga Wagga.  Travel on towards Canberra via Gundagai and Yass with a stop for lunch.  Arrive Canberra and before settling in to the hotel, enjoy an orientation tour of Australia’s capital.  Canberra is one of the world’s few planned cities and was designed by America’s Walter Burley Griffin who used a design of geometrically precise circles similar to the designs of the great cities of Paris and Washington DC.  Canberra today is a beautiful city with broad streets, expansive parklands of native and exotic trees and fine public buildings; the National War Memorial, Federal Parliament on Capital Hill, the High Court and the National Gallery, all surround the artificial waterway of Lake Burley Griffin.
Evening: Dinner at Boffins Restaurant, University House.
Overnight: University House, Canberra.
Meals: B, L, & D

After a leisurely breakfast depart for the journey to Sydney.  Check in to the hotel early afternoon then relax and enjoy a free afternoon.  Sydney is the capital city of New South Wales and the site of Australia's first permanent European settlement. It is regarded as one of the world's most beautiful cities with long stretches of heavenly beaches and a pleasant climate that sees over 300 sunny days a year. Set on a large natural harbour, it has the natural advantages of spectacular views, bay side parks and gardens and the architectural magic of the Harbour Bridge and the Opera House.
Evening: Transfer to harbourside wharf for departure on a Sydney Harbour Farewell Dinner Cruise.
Overnight: The Grace Hotel, Sydney
Meals: B, L, & Cruise

Morning: Breakfast at hotel and Congress conclusion.
Departure for optional Post-Congress Tours to Queensland or New Zealand
Meals: B

Arrive Melbourne
Welcome Reception (Join Congress Delegates)
Overnight Melbourne

Steer Judging Competitions
Social Evening
Overnight Melbourne

Education Sessions relating to Simmentals, the Beef Industry and Cattle Assessment
Simmental Paraders and Handlers Competitions
Cocktail Reception at Parliament House  (with Congress Delegates)
Overnight Melbourne

Part Morning – Educational Activity
Later Morning - World Congress Technical Program
Afternoon – Simmental Junior Judging Competitions
Overnight Melbourne

Simmental Feature Breed Show
Afternoon:  Presentation of Handlers, Paraders & Judging Awards
Evening: Congress Dinner – Melbourne Cricket Ground
Overnight Melbourne

Field Activities – Mickleham Stud Visit -  Yarra Glen Stud Visit.
Overnight Albury (Social Activity)

Travel to Wagga Wagga.
Educational Program at Charles Sturt University and Cargill Meatworks:

• Selection for breeding soundness
• Carcase and meat assessment

Educational Program with visit to Jindalee Feedlot, Temora.
Travel to Canberra
Overnight Canberra

Morning - Travel to Sydney
Free Time
Sydney Harbour Farewell Dinner Cruise with Award Presentations
Overnight Sydney

Congress Concludes
Depart Sydney