Floriade & The Festival of Flowers

Depart on our opulent 'Diamond Class' or luxury 'Gold Class' coach from the Brisbane CBD and travel responsibly knowing all coach emissions are 100% offset. We travel south, breaking at Tropical Fruit World for morning tea. Our afternoon takes us through Coffs Harbour to Port Macquarie where we stay overnight.

This morning we leave Port Macquarie, take a break at Bulahdelah, then continue to Gosford for lunch. Travelling through Sydney’s western suburbs we head up in to the Southern Highlands.

Today we visit Corbett Gardens, displaying a huge array of tulips, as well as other bright and vibrant springtime bulbs, followed by a guided tour of the Bradman Museum. Enjoy a casual lunch before ou afternoon takes us to Fitzroy Falls, situated at the head of the escarpment leading down to the tranquil Kangaroo Valley.

Travelling via Goulburn, we arrive at Tulip Top Gardens, offering 10 acres of magnificent tulips and other spring flowers creating a spectacular display. Hundreds of blossom trees nestle between the flowers and provide a magic pathway to the cascading waterfall and watercourse. Our afternoon takes us to Cockington Green Gardens, showcasing a delightful and fascinating display of meticulously crafted miniature buildings set within beautifully landscaped gardens. Before checking-in at our hotel, we take a drive up to Mount Ainslie lookout for magnificent views over Canberra.

We start our day taking a drive-by tour of Canberra's International Embassies and High Commissions en-route to Canberra's iconic event Floriade. Showcasing one million flowers in bloom throughout spring time, it is the biggest flower festival in Australia. At 2pm we visit the War Memorial, touring through the Hall of Memory, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Pool of Reflection and the Roll of Honour, finishing with a moving closing ceremony.

**Lunch is at your own expense today.

We start our day at the Australian National Botanic Gardens, taking a walk with a knowledgeable guide, to appreciate the beauty and clever adaptations of Australian plants, and the research and effort involved in creating and maintaining the gardens. Next, we take a guided tour of the National Arboretum to explore the forests of endangered and symbolic trees from Australia and around the world. After breaking for lunch, our day's touring takes us to Parliament House. Here we have access to the Chambers and historic documents like the Magna Carta. The unique blend of impressive architecture, stunning art collection and beautiful landscape makes Parliament House one of Australia’s most significant and popular cultural attractions.

Departing Canberra, we journey north passing through Yass to Cowra, where we break for lunch at the Cowra Japanese Gardens. After lunch you can enjoy a self-guided tour that will introduce you to the symbolic nature of the gardens. The Cowra Japanese Garden covers 5 hectares – the largest in the southern hemisphere. It was built because of Cowra’s special significance to the Japanese. The unique relationship of Cowra and Japan originated on a cold night in August 1944, when more than a thousand Japanese prisoners of war broke out of the local prison camp. Departing Cowra, pass through Bathurst and take a lap of Mount Panorama. We continue our journey on to the Blue Mountains.

This morning, we depart the Blue Mountains for the Hunter Valley, arriving at the magnificent Hunter Valley Gardens. On arrival we relax over lunch then explore the individually themed gardens that showcase the artistry of gardens around the world and use both native and exotic varieties of plants.

Leaving the resort after breakfast we travel through the Hunter wine region to the Darley Thoroughbred Stud near Denman, where we spend time with a local guide, Craig Benjamin, who has exclusive rights to conduct tours of some of the most prestigious racing studs in the area. Enjoy an insider’s tour of the thoroughbred racing industry and an interesting introduction to the equine industry. During spring the mares start giving birth to the foals and it truly is a sight to be seen. Later we travel on to Tamworth, to visit the Big Golden Guitar before finishing our day in Armidale.

Discover the Celtic heritage of Glen Innes, visiting the Standing Stones, a famous national monument to Australia’s Celtic pioneers, and recognised by the Celtic Council of Australia as the national gathering point for Celtic descendants and clans. Next, we cross the border back into Queensland and make our way past the grape growing district of Ballandean, breaking for lunch at the Queensland College of Wine Tourism, experiencing the Medley of Mains luncheon, matching food with wine. Return to the Brisbane CBD at approximately 4.30pm.