Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show
Days:
5 Days
Activity:
2. Moderate
Transport:
Fly
$2,995.00
Tour description
Tour Dates: March 15th – March 19th, 2027
Celebrate the beauty of autumn and immerse yourself in Australia’s premier gardening event on this delightful five day Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show tour. Combining world class floral displays, magnificent private gardens, historic estates and some of Victoria’s most beautiful landscapes, this fully escorted holiday offers the perfect blend of horticulture, history and relaxation.
Begin your journey with a sightseeing tour of Melbourne’s vibrant city precincts before exploring the iconic Queen Victoria Market and the Royal Botanic Gardens. Venture into regional Victoria to discover the stunning Lambley Gardens and Nursery, renowned for its inspirational dry climate plantings and colourful seasonal displays. Enjoy time in Ballarat, including a visit to the historic Eureka Centre and beautiful Ballarat Botanical Gardens.
The highlight of the tour is a full day at the Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show, held within the magnificent Royal Exhibition Building and Carlton Gardens. Wander through spectacular floral installations, landscaped display gardens, gardening demonstrations, artisan exhibits and market stalls showcasing the latest trends in horticulture and outdoor living.
A scenic day in the Yarra Valley includes a visit to the historic Coombe Estate, once home to Dame Nellie Melba, along with the breathtaking Cloudhill Gardens in the Dandenong Ranges. Before returning home, enjoy a guided tour of the acclaimed Rippon Lea Estate, one of Australia’s finest heritage gardens.
This carefully curated tour is perfect for garden lovers seeking inspiration, friendship and unforgettable floral experiences.
Tour Highlights
- Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show
- Full day at the Royal Exhibition Building and Carlton Gardens
- Guided tour of Lambley Gardens and Nursery
- Visit the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne
- Explore Queen Victoria Market
- Ballarat Botanical Gardens picnic lunch
- Visit the Eureka Centre
- Devonshire Tea at Coombe Estate
- Guided tour of Cloudehill Gardens
- Farewell dinner at Il Gambero Restaurant
- Guided tour of Rippon Lea Estate
- Time in St Kilda and Melbourne’s famous bayside precinct
- Fully escorted touring
- Four nights accommodation at Best Western Carlton
Itinerary
Transfer to Sydney Airport for your flight to Melbourne.
Upon arrival, meet your Tour Host and coach captain before commencing a sightseeing tour of Melbourne. Travel through the revitalised Docklands precinct and discover many of Melbourne’s iconic landmarks as you are introduced to Australia’s cultural capital.
Enjoy lunch at the popular waterfront venue Tap 831 before continuing to the famous Queen Victoria Market. Spend time browsing the vibrant market stalls featuring fresh produce, gourmet treats, artisan products and local specialties.
Later this afternoon visit the beautiful Royal Botanic Gardens where you can enjoy a leisurely stroll amongst magnificent collections of plants from around the world.
Late afternoon transfer to your accommodation.
Accommodation
Best Western Carlton
Meals
Lunch and Dinner
After breakfast depart Melbourne and travel to the renowned Lambley Gardens and Nursery near Ballarat.
Enjoy a guided tour through these internationally acclaimed gardens, famous for their stunning colour combinations, drought tolerant plantings and inspirational garden design.
Continue to Ballarat and enjoy a picnic lunch in the picturesque Ballarat Botanical Gardens overlooking Lake Wendouree.
This afternoon visit the Eureka Centre where you will learn about the famous Eureka Stockade and the events that helped shape Australian democracy.
Following your visit, return to Melbourne.
Accommodation
Best Western Carlton
Meals
Breakfast, Picnic Lunch and Dinner
Today is dedicated to Australia’s most prestigious gardening event, the Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show.
Held within the heritage listed Royal Exhibition Building and surrounding Carlton Gardens, the show features spectacular floral displays, designer gardens, gardening experts, specialist nurseries, artisan products and live demonstrations.
Spend the day exploring at your own pace, attending presentations, gathering inspiration and enjoying the festive atmosphere. A shuttle service will operate during the day for guests wishing to return to the hotel.
Late afternoon return to your accommodation.
Accommodation
Best Western Carlton
Meals
Breakfast and Dinner
Following breakfast, travel into the beautiful Yarra Valley.
Visit the historic Coombe Estate, once home to internationally celebrated opera singer Dame Nellie Melba. Enjoy a traditional Devonshire tea before joining a guided tour of the magnificent gardens.
Continue to Seasons Restaurant at Cloudehill for lunch.
This afternoon enjoy a guided tour of the exquisite Cloudehill Gardens, one of Australia’s finest cool climate gardens. Wander through a series of beautifully themed garden rooms filled with seasonal colour and breathtaking vistas.
Return to Melbourne with some free time before dinner.
This evening enjoy a special two course farewell dinner at the renowned Il Gambero Restaurant in Carlton.
Accommodation
Best Western Carlton
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
After breakfast and checkout, travel to the magnificent Rippon Lea Estate.
Enjoy a guided tour of the grand mansion and heritage listed gardens, considered one of Australia’s finest examples of a nineteenth century suburban estate.
Later, travel to Melbourne’s bayside suburb of St Kilda where you will have free time to enjoy lunch at your leisure and soak up the atmosphere along the beachfront promenade.
Early afternoon transfer to Melbourne Airport for your return flight to Sydney.
On arrival in Sydney, your transfer service will return you home, concluding a memorable garden inspired getaway.
Meals
Breakfast
Activity Levels
-
1. Easy
-
2. Moderate
-
3. Active Moderate
-
4. Adventurous
Testimonials
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!).
Cheers. Peter
Hi Kerry Great trip as usual in the Alps. Hans was able to secure 2nd spot on the bus line and we were away very quickly leaving lines of buses behind us. The motel was excellent and the food service the quality A1. The chap in charge of the Bar and foor service, lan, was most attentive and with the help of Hans did a wonderful job of keeping everyone happy. The escorted Tour of Albury by Allan was one of the best I have encountered. The Hibernian Hotel was ‘spot on’, the hotel was spacious and the food perfect. The Red Stag Deer Farm was without doubt one of the highlights of the trip. The complex looks over the valley with sweeping views. The owners gave a very informative and entertaining talk and we really could have stayed longer. I believe it would be an ideal venue for a bit of variety to say have morning tea at Bright and then go to the Red Stag for Iunch and a talk by them. They did well out of the bus with people buying lots of their products. Most of the people on the bus have done the same Bright trip previously in one form or another and the inclusion of this I feel would draw other ‘past’ travellers to do the same trip again. I know I can speak for everyone, it was a top trip.
