Rover Coaches are your transport solution for bus and coach hire in the Hunter Valley and Newcastle areas. Consider the superb fleet and their inclusions, our reputation and rich history, and our thorough attention to safety regulations. Then you'll appreciate the extraordinary value offered on any journey with Rover. Please do not hesitate to contact us if we can be of assistance in planning your trip.
When you charter a bus or luxury coach from Rover you'll also need a driver but we want to give you more than just a driver. Our team are full time professionals with a wealth of knowledge Australia wide, especially in the Hunter wine country and Newcastle regions - it's where they live! All our drivers are chosen for their high standard of driving ability and safety then trained further to enhance your travel experience. They have First Aid, Driving and Hospitality certificates.
Ideal for school excursions and day tours through the vineyards. High back coach seating with belts, DVD players, CD & P.A. systems provide for a comfortable and economical group excursion anywhere... any day! 57 seaters have similar style and same entertainment systems as the 61 seaters but with more leg room. Perfect for longer excursions to renowned excursion destinations like Canberra, Hill End and the Blue Mountains.
Deluxe Coaches - A fleet of deluxe coaches unrivalled in the industry!
The Deluxe Coaches are all new Mercedes-Benz, ranging from 54 to 61 seats, all embracing the most advanced technology and luxurious innovations including rest rooms, DVD, Video, P.A. and CD systems and incorporating the most comfortable belted seating and leg-room design.
Mini Coaches - custom designed for comfort!
Unlike imported minis, our coaches are custom made with full size coach seating, belts, DVD, CD, PA systems as standard and more leg room to stretch out on a longer journey. Constantly in demand for wine tours, conference and airport transport, these vehicles simply outclass any rival!
Accessible Coaches - Largest fleet of “accessible” buses in country NSW
Great for conference and event transport, these innovative vehicles allow quick and efficient mass transport as guests simply walk on – walk off... there’s no steps! With seating from 48 to 51, these people movers are also wheelchair and disable friendly.
School Buses - Outstanding fleet of new & modern school buses
The latest 50 to 61 seat models boasting safety, comfort and inclusions that would compliment any excursion. There’s one very good reason why Rover is an industry leader in School Excursions around the Hunter Valley region - flexibility and the quality of our vehicles!
OUR 95 YEARS OF HUNTER VALLEY HISTORY
1925
Local Businessman, George Ryder, purchases two small bus operators in the coalfields: The South Maitland Motor Company and the Marble Bar Motor Service. He named the company Rover Motors Pty. Ltd. Rab Lewis soon joined him in the business, remaining with the company for over 60 years.
1930
The coalfields boom and buses packed full of miners rattle to the sound of miners whistles across the region. Nowadays, these mines are ghosts of the past with the only reminder being old poppet heads and chimneys strewn across the countryside. Rover Motors grows to become the largest and most progressive bus company in the state and pioneers the introduction of the first centre-door Double Decker Buses into Australia.
1940
Rover Motors is the only private bus company operating Double Decker in Australia until after WW2. In 1944 Rover Motors still continues as the innovator in the bus industry by purchasing the first Semi Trailer Bus in NSW - an imposing site with 14 wheels and 59 seats. The then minister of transport predicts "this type of transport to replace trams" at the presentation of the vehicle to the company. Rovers begins a long association with the Fogg and Mordue families who become part owners of the company.
1950
Rover Motors continues its expansion through the 50's.
Buses now run to Maitland every half an hour from 4.30am to midnight with up to 5 Double Deckers jammed full of revelers operating to the dances Friday and Saturday nights. Services commence to Wangi and Swansea on Friday nights, returning Sunday as people travel to weekenders by the sea.
Services commence to BHP in Newcastle, and with exciting opportunities for employment, the services flourish. Six Double Deckers to day shift, two to afternoon shift and two to dogwatch are required - all full.
Jack Lewis joins as an apprentice and spends the next 50 years working in the company, building one of the finest fleets in the country.
1960
Better buses, now known as coaches, and better roads present opportunities for entrepreneurs. Rover Motors begins operating tours including "faraway" places like the Gold Coast and Snowy Mountains.
With the demise of the railway in Cessnock, Rover Motors first service to Newcastle departs at 7.00am on October 3rd, 1967. Rab Lewis is greeted by the NBN Channel 3 News on arrival.
1970
The family car becomes available and brings out the demise of overcrowded bus travel.
Rover Motors opens a Travel Agency and begins operating tours across Australia as well as providing overseas and domestic travel arrangements.
1980
The company builds its strength, establishing a strong and efficient bus network across the coalfields.
The coach operation grows with the increasing interest in leisure, theatre, sporting, and special events in the Hunter and Sydney. The expanding developments in wine country also present exciting business opportunities.
Aaron Lewis joins the company, becoming the third generation Lewis to work in the bus industry. In 1985 the family buys sole ownership from the Mordue family and begins to develop the company in new areas.
1990
Now simply known as Rover and owned by Jack Lewis, the company expands its network of services across the coalfields in the mid 90s and introduces the first ultra-low floor buses outside of a capital city. These innovative vehicles are the most people friendly buses in the world with no steps - walk on - walk off.
The coaches are the most modern in Australia. All Mercedes-Benz with an amazing average age of two years. Rovers begins to move into major events and conferencing in the Pokolbin wine region.
2000
Rover registers the first coach in the new century. Another Mercedes-Benz deluxe coach that will take the company and our customers into the new Millennium in style and confidence!
Now owned by Gregory, Aaron, Philip and Jennine Lewis, the Company positions itself as a leader in Conference and Corporate Travel, Concert and Event Transport Logistics and Hunter Valley Wine Tours.
The Company contributes to a successful 2000 Olympics transport operation with the entire fleet assigned to the task. Our involvement in the Olympics leads to a similar network of bus services for the growing Concert and Event program in Wine Country. By the end of the next decade Concert venues will increase their capacity to 18,000 people.
2010
Rover is now transporting up to 5,000 passengers to larger acts like Rod Stewart, Elton John, Dame Kiri and Michael Crawford to name a few. The Company is acknowledged by Promoters, Tourism Management and the Venues for its contribution to the growth and success of the events.
In 2006 the Company signs with Transport for NSW to a provide local Route and School Services under a Contract allowing passengers to access $2.50 Pensioner Tickets and reduced fares across the network. This has a major and positive effect, with patronage increasing by 30% on some Routes and continued improvements to the network.
Also in 2006 Rover launches the Wine Country Express, a direct Service daily from Sydney City to Cessnock & Wine Country. While passenger levels never supported the enterprise, it proved the catalyst to the implementation of a new Route 163 Service from Cessnock to Morisset Railway Station, with connections to and from Sydney, commencing in July 2009. The Hunter Region now had an established link to the City.
By the end of 2010 the Company had every right to be proud of its 85th Anniversary!
