Canberra in Bloom & Mayfield Gardens

Days: 4 Days

Activity: 2. Moderate

Transport: Drive

$1,595.00

Tour description

Celebrate the beauty of spring on this delightful four day journey through the Southern Highlands, Canberra, the Southern Tablelands and Blue Mountains, combining magnificent gardens, Australian history, picturesque country towns and spectacular seasonal colour.

Our journey begins with morning tea beside Nepean Dam before continuing to the Southern Highlands and beautiful Corbett Gardens in Bowral. We then explore historic Berrima, with time to discover the town before enjoying a picnic lunch and continuing to Canberra. A scenic drive through the capital introduces some of its important landmarks, including the Australian Defence Force Academy, Changi Memorial and Embassy District.

The following day is devoted to Canberra’s springtime highlights, beginning with the magnificent Floriade in Commonwealth Park. Wander amongst colourful floral displays and creative garden beds before enjoying a private guided tour of Parliament House. We then visit the Australian War Memorial, with the opportunity to experience the moving Last Post Ceremony.

Leaving Canberra, our journey continues through the countryside to Tulip Top Gardens, another spectacular celebration of spring. After lunch in Taralga, we travel to Bathurst for our overnight stay.

Our final day features the magnificent Mayfield Garden near Oberon, where there is time to explore its expansive cool climate landscape. We then travel through the beautiful Blue Mountains, stopping for lunch and time in Leura before returning to Sydney.

With gardens, heritage, history and beautiful scenery, this is a wonderfully varied spring escape.

Tour Highlights

• Experience spectacular Floriade in Canberra
• Visit beautiful Corbett Gardens in Bowral
• Explore historic Berrima
• Scenic sightseeing through Canberra
• See the Embassy District and Changi Memorial
• Private guided tour of Parliament House
• Visit the Australian War Memorial
• Opportunity to experience the Last Post Ceremony
• Discover the magnificent Tulip Top Gardens
• Enjoy lunch in the country town of Taralga
• Overnight stay in Bathurst
• Explore spectacular Mayfield Garden near Oberon
• Travel through the beautiful Blue Mountains
• Enjoy time in the charming village of Leura
• Luxury coach travel, accommodation, sightseeing and meals as listed in the itinerary

Itinerary

Day 1: Sydney, Southern Highlands and Canberra

Depart Sydney this morning and travel towards the Southern Highlands. Our first stop is picturesque Nepean Dam, where we enjoy morning tea amongst the peaceful surrounds.

We continue to Bowral for a visit to Corbett Gardens, one of the Southern Highlands’ best known gardens. There is time to enjoy the colourful spring displays before travelling to historic Berrima.

On arrival, we enjoy a tour of this beautifully preserved Georgian village before collecting freshly prepared quiches from the Berrima General Store and Café for a picnic lunch in Berrima Park.

This afternoon we continue to Canberra. On arrival, enjoy a sightseeing drive taking in Duntroon Military College, the Australian Defence Force Academy complex, Changi Memorial and Canberra’s Embassy District.

We check into the Kurrajong Hotel before gathering together for dinner.

Accommodation: Hotel Kurrajong Canberra
Meals: Morning Tea, Picnic Lunch, Dinner

Day 2: Floriade, Parliament House and Australian War Memorial

Following breakfast, we make our way to Commonwealth Park for Floriade, Canberra’s spectacular celebration of spring.

Spend the morning wandering through colourful flower displays and beautifully designed garden beds. There is plenty of time to explore at your own pace and take photographs amongst the spring blooms.

We collect our picnic lunch before continuing to Parliament House, where we join a private guided tour. Discover the impressive architecture and learn more about the workings and history of Australia’s Parliament.

Later this afternoon we visit the Australian War Memorial, with time to explore before the opportunity to attend the moving Last Post Ceremony at the Commemorative Area.

We return to our hotel and gather for dinner.

Accommodation: Hotel Kurrajong Canberra
Meals: Breakfast, Picnic Lunch, Dinner

Day 3: Tulip Top Gardens, Taralga and Bathurst

After breakfast, we check out and depart Canberra for another beautiful spring garden experience.

Our morning is spent at Tulip Top Gardens near Sutton, where thousands of tulips and other spring flowers create a spectacular display. There is time to wander through the gardens at your own pace, with morning tea available from the garden café.

We then travel through the countryside to Taralga, where lunch is enjoyed at The Argyle.

This afternoon we continue through the picturesque Southern Tablelands and Central West towards Bathurst. On arrival, we check into Rydges Bathurst before enjoying dinner together.

Accommodation: Rydges Bathurst
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4: Mayfield Garden and the Blue Mountains

After breakfast, we check out and travel towards Oberon for a visit to magnificent Mayfield Garden.

Set amongst the cool climate landscape, Mayfield is renowned for its expansive gardens, beautiful pathways, water features and impressive seasonal displays. There is time to explore the garden and enjoy morning tea.

We then continue to Lithgow for lunch before travelling into the Blue Mountains.

This afternoon we stop in Leura, where there is time for a short break and an opportunity to enjoy the atmosphere of this charming mountain village.

We then rejoin our coach for the final journey to Sydney, arriving at approximately 5.30pm after a colourful four days of gardens, history and springtime scenery.

Meals: Breakfast, Morning Tea, Lunch

Activity Levels

1. Easy
2. Moderate
3. Active Moderate
4. Adventurous

Testimonials

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

Dear John Thank you and your team for arranging our Melbourne cup and King Island holiday. I enjoyed everything we did. Top accommodation and delicious meals. Your commentary was excellent. As was the way you looked after us all. King Island was as I anticipated plus the bonus of Michael Hill who made the day very interesting with his great stories and good humour. The meals on King Island were just super. Kerry did a magnificent job as the nicest “mother hen”. She capably looked after her “chickens”, especially this old “rooster”. Kerry made the delay at the Melbourne airport bearable by constantly providing updates and free vouchers. A special thank you to her. I must also mentioned the delightful Debbie. She is an excellent ambassador for your company. A very competent driver. Very pleasant and professional on the phone and in person. From the above, I trust you will appreciate I had a very very good trip. I look forward to again travelling with On Course (of course!) Cheers. Peter. I look forward to again travelling with On Course (of course!).