9 Days Canberra Floriade with Bowral Tulip Time and Hunter Valley

itinerary

Day 1. Tue 22 Sep 2012: Brisbane to Port Macquarie

Departing from Roma Street, Brisbane city, we travel south through the picturesque Tweed Valley. After morning tea at Plantation House we continue down the coast to Yamba for lunch, before making our way through Coffs Harbour to Port Macquarie for an overnight stay at Quality Sails Resort. (MT,L,D)

Day 2. Wed 23 Sep 2012: Gosford, Bowral

This morning we leave beautiful Port Macquarie, take a break at Buladelah for morning tea, we continue on arriving at Gosford for lunch.  Travelling through Sydney’s western suburbs we head up into the Southern Highlands for a two night stay at Briars Lodge, Bowral. (B,MT,L,D)

Day 3. Thu 24 Sep 2012: Bowral Tulip Time

During spring, Bowral’s annual Tulip Time event is one of the Highland’s biggest annual attractions becoming one of Australia’s leading floral festivals.  We visit Corbett Gardens, found smack bang in the middle of Bowral, displaying a huge array of Tulips, as well as other bright and vibrant springtime bulbs, shrubs and trees. (A visit to the Don Bradman Museum is an alternative option to Corbett Gardens).  We then visit Red Cow Farm in the picturesque rural village of Sutton Forest.  The garden features 20 rooms with an exuberant cottage garden, monastery garden, abbess’s garden, a stunning collection of rare and unusual perennials, woodland, old fashioned roses and clematis, beech walk, lake, bog garden, orchard and kitchen garden.  Enjoy a casual lunch at the Sutton Forest Inn before our afternoon takes us to Fitzroy Falls, situated at the head of the escarpment leading down to the tranquil Kangaroo Valley.  (B,L,D)

Day 4. Fri 25 Sep 2012: Goulburn, Canberra

Leaving Bowral we make our way to Goulburn visiting the Big Merino and breaking for morning tea at Trappers Bakery.   Heading to Canberra we visit Surveyor’s Hill Vineyard which is located on the remains of an ancient volcano more than 360 million years old, rising to 736 metres above sea level. Indulge in fine wine and excellent food surrounded with character. Arrive and checkin at the Best Western Garden City Motel for a 3 night stay.  (B,MT,L,D)  

Day 5. Sat 26 Sep 2012: Canberra Floriade

This morning we visit Floriade, the biggest flower festival in Australia, set in Canberra’s Commonwealth Park.  Lunch at the Deck Restaurant followed by an afternoon visit to the National Capital Exhibition and the War Memorial. We tour through the Hall of Memory, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Pool of Reflection and the Roll of Honour, finishing with a moving closing ceremony. (B,L,D)

Day 6. Sun 27 Sep 2012: Canberra

This morning we take a drive tour around the many International Embassies, before visiting Parliament House.  We then board Southern Cross Cruises for a lunch cruise on Lake Burley Griffin with full commentary while cruising. (B,L,D)

Day 7. Mon 28 Sep 2012: Gosford, Hunter Valley

Departing Canberra we backtrack slightly stopping for a cuppa at Moss Vale, then continuing onto to Gosford to break for lunch.  Leaving the Central Coast we head for the Hunter Valley arriving at the beautiful Quality Hotel Powerhouse Mercure Resort, Hunter Valley for an overnight stay.  (B,L,D)

Day 8. Tue 29 Sep 2012: Hunter Valley, Armidale

This morning we visit the magnificent Hunter Valley Gardens for guided train tour and commentary through parts of the 25 hectares of International Garden.  We leave the Hunter Valley and travel through the Upper Hunter arriving at Denman for lunch.  Our afternoon is spent with a local guide visiting Woodlands Thoroughbred Stud (home to Melbourne Cup Winner - Octagonal) and Pukara Olive Farm.  We wind down our afternoon travelling through Tamworth, Moonbi Range, Uralla into Armidale to check-in at the Quality Hotel Powerhouse.  (B,L,D)

Day 9. Wed 30 Sep 2012: Glen Innes, Tenterfield, Stanthorpe, Brisbane

Today we travel through Guyra, Glenn Innes and on to Tenterfield.  We cross the border at Wallangarra and into Queensland, breaking for lunch at the College of Wine and Tourism and learn how to match food with wine, dining on 3 small courses accompanied by wines suited to the dishes. (B,L) 

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