- Countries
- NSW and ACT, Australia
- Highlights
- Towns of Bowral, Mittagong, Nowra and then Canberra, the national capital. Featuring the gardens of Red Cow Farm, Chinoiserie, Quindalup, Reford Park, Bundanon, Bowylie Station and the National Arboretum. Add an extension tour of Canberra.
Day 1 Sunday May 4, 2014 Bowral
On arrival in Canberra, we will be met by our private coach and travel to Bowral. On the journey we stop at Red Cow Farm, a unique cool climate garden in the village of Sutton Forest. Developed around a cottage from the 1820s there are number of garden rooms; a cottage garden, a monastery garden, an abbess’s garden and many old fashioned roses and perennials. We continue our journey to Bowral, where we check into our hotel. A welcome dinner is included this evening for tour members to get to know one another. Jane Edmanson will outline the activities and program of the tour.
Day 2 Monday May 5, 2014 Bowral
This morning we will visit Chinoiserie, a stunning garden in Mittagong. It features a potager garden, Hidcote lavenders, an alpine garden and herbaceous borders. We travel to the historic town of Berrima, where we have time for lunch and to explore the historic houses and interesting shops. On our return to Bowral the rest of the afternoon is at leisure. Perhaps visit the Bradman International Cricket Hall of Fame. The tour manager will offer suggestions of an interesting restaurant to those wishing to dine with the group.
Day 3 Tuesday May 6, 2014 Bowral
Today we will visit majestic Quindalup, which holds a collection of rare trees and shrubs. The gardens were started in 1972 with an interest in kurume azaleas and rhododendrons. However, it is the rare conifers, spruces and firs that have become the focus. This is a garden for conifer connoisseurs with collections of beech, birch and maples complimenting the conifers. They will look wonderful with their autumn colours. This afternoon we visit another gorgeous private garden. Owned by James Fairfax, Reford Park was built in 1887 by Samuel Horden of department store fame. The Pool Pavillion with two pools was designed by Gilford Bell with a pool for swimming and one for lilies and goldfish. The Sundial Garden is planted with white agapanthus. It commemorates the wedding of James and Lucy Fairfax in 1907. We return to Bowral and the tour manager will meet those wishing to dine with the group and recommend a restaurant. After dinner Jane will give a talk to our group, the Southern Highlands Garden Club and Bundanoon Garden Club.
Day 4 Wednesday May 7, 2014 Nowra
This morning we travel to spectacular Bundanon. Purchased by Arthur Boyd in 1979, it was presented to the nation in 1993. Bundanon is a beautiful property situated on the Shoalhaven River and has been immortalised in the works of Sydney Nolan and Arthur Boyd. We will enjoy a guided tour of the homestead and Arthur Boyd’s studio. We continue our journey to Nowra and our hotel. The tour manager will meet those wishing to dine with the group.
Day 5 Thursday May 8, 2014 Canberra
Today we visit Bowylie Station homestead and garden, which was established during William Guilfoyle’s visit in 1860 when many trees including the Elms and Pines seen today were planted. The garden covering four hectares has recently been redesigned in the English style incorporating the best of the original garden. We continue our journey to Canberra. Depending on the autumn season we should be seeing some fine colour of deciduous trees that have been planted as street trees and avenues around Canberra. We will visit the Canberra Yacht Club for an included lunch. After lunch we will see the sights of Canberra from the water as we cruise around Lake Burley Griffin. We continue to our hotel for check in and the rest of the day is free for individual exploration.
Day 6 Friday May 9, 2014 Melbourne
This morning we visit the National Arboretum. Some of the highlights include the Canberra discovery garden, which explores Canberra’s unique climate, soils and geology and the National Bonsai and Penjing collection housing the finest miniature trees in Australia. There will be free time to explore the Arboretum, where autumn colours should be glorious, and to have lunch before continuing to the airport for those returning to Melbourne, including Jane. She will return to Melbourne for her radio programme. Other tour members will return to the hotel.
EXTENSION TOUR OF CANBERRA
Day 1 Friday May 9, 2014 Canberra
We return to the hotel where the tour manager will suggest restaurants for dinner.
Day 2 Saturday May 10, 2014 Canberra
Tour members will have a guided tour of the National Portrait Gallery of Australia this morning. The possibility of a National Portrait Gallery came to the fore in the 1990s. An area of Old Parliament House was set aside to display famous portraits in Australia’s history. This collection grew too large for the space and the collection moved in 2005 to a purpose built building. We have free time for lunch before we continue to the National Gallery, which opened in 1982. There will be free time to explore the collection. Don’t forget to view Blue Poles, bought with much controversy during the time Gough Whitlam was Prime Minister. We will drive to the lookout at Red Hill to get a view all over Canberra.
Day 3 Sunday May 11, 2014 Canberra
This morning we visit the Australian National Botanic Garden. It is a scientific collection of native plants from all parts of Australia. There is also a collection of Australian plants threatened in the wild. The rest of the afternoon will be free for individual exploration.
Day 4 Monday May 12, 2014 Melbourne
Today we visit the Australian War Memorial which opened in 1941 and houses an amazing collection of pictures, diorama, relics and exhibitions. We will have a guided tour of the highlights of the museum before travelling to the airport for flights home.
- Travelrite Autumn Delights with Jane Edmanson 2014 Download
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Tour price in AUD
Per person twin share $2490, plus single supplement $380. Extension tour of Canberra $1250, plus single supplement $230.Included in the price are:
Travel in first-class chartered coach
Accommodation in first-class hotels on a bed-and-breakfast basis, taxes and service charges
One dinner and one lunch
Sightseeing tours as listed in the itinerary
Entrances to gardens and attractions as detailed in itinerary
Tour leadership by Jane Edmanson for dates listed
A professional tour manager for the main and extension tour
Not included in the price are:
Flights
Travel insurance
Meals unless specified in the itinerary
Sightseeing and general expenses unless specified in the itinerary
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