DAY 1 - Home to Goondiwindi
Monday 26 Sept 2011 (LD)
Welcome to our special 11 day Springtime Gardens Tour featuring Canberra's Floriade, the Hunter Valley Gardens and Bowral's Tulip Festival. Today is a travel day so sit back, relax and enjoy the service and facilities aboard our Polleys Touring Coach as we make our way through Warwick to Goondiwindi for dinner and our first nights accommodation.
Accom: Goondiwindi Motel
DAY 2 - Goondiwindi to Dubbo
Tuesday 27 Sept 2011 (BLD)
After a hearty breakfast we drive south on the Newell Highway via Moree and Coonabarabran, with views of the majestic Warrumbungle National Park and the Spires as a spectacular backdrop. We enjoy a late lunch here before continuing onto Dubbo and our overnight accommodation.
Accom: Golden West Motor Inn, Dubbo
DAY 3 - Dubbo to Bathurst
Wednesday 28 Sept 2011 (BLD)
This morning we visit the Western Plains Zoo. We are joined by a local guide to provide us with an insight into the animals and zoo. After our tour, we enjoy an early lunch at the zoo before travelling to the Japanese Gardens in Cowra. Meandering paths and wooden bridges allow us to explore and view the gardens at ease. From here we head to our overnight stop in Bathurst.
Accom: Citigate Mount Panorama
DAY 4 - Bathurst to Blue Mountains
Thursday 29 Sept 2011 (BLD)
Today we travel east through to Lithgow where we board the Zig Zag Railway where we ride over one of the most exciting stretches of railway track ever built in Australia. We then make our way to Mount Tomah Botanic Gardens, the cool climate garden of the Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney. We enjoy lunch at the Gardens with time to explore.
Accom: The Redleaf Resort, Blue Mountains
DAY 5 - Blue Mountains to the Southern Highlands
Friday 30 Sept 2011 (BLD)
This morning we take in the sights of the area including Echo Point and the Three Sisters for some photo opportunities. Following lunch we travel through to the Southern Highlands to Bowral, a pretty village nestled in the shadow of Mt Gibraltar. Our accommodation is in nearby Mittagong where we'll relax before dinner.
Accom: Mittagong RSL Motel - Springs Resort
DAY 6 - Southern Highlands to Canberra
Saturday 1 Oct 2011 (BD)
This morning we visit two of the best gardens in the area. First is to Moidart Garden, consisting of five acres of beautifully structured gardens. Next is the centre piece of the Tulip Festival – Corbett Gardens. Following some free time in Bowral to wander around at leisure and purchase some lunch, we make our way through to Canberra.
Accom: Country Comfort Greenway, Canberra
DAY 7 - Canberra
Sunday 2 Oct 2011 (BD)
This morning we take a drive to the lookout at Mt Ainslie with breathtaking views across Lake Burley Griffin. We then drive to Commonwealth Park, the centre of the Floriade Festival. Spend some time enjoying this abundance of bloom and beauty before purchasing some lunch.
We spend the remainder of the day at the Australian War Memorial which commemorates the sacrifice of the Australian men and women who have served in war. We stay to hear the last post and closing ceremony.
Accom: Country Comfort Greenway, Canberra
DAY 8 - Canberra to Hunter Valley
Monday 3 Oct 2011 (BLD)
This morning we begin our day's travelling as we drive via the Hume Highway and onto Western Sydney. From here we make our way to the Hunter Valley and to our accommodation in Pokolbin. We will be based at the Harrigans Irish Hotel & Pub, nestled in the foothills of the Brokenback Ranges and right in the heart of the Hunter Valley vineyards.
Accom: Harrigans Irish Hotel & Pub, Hunter Valley
DAY 9 - Hunter Valley to Forster
Tuesday 4 Oct 2011 (BD)
Today we visit the Hunter Valley Gardens where we will find over 25 hectares of spectacular international display gardens, including the magical Children's Storybook Garden, the Rose Garden, Oriental Garden and the European Formal Garden. The gardens are next door to McGuigan Village so we can visit the Cheese Factory if we wish.
This afternoon we leave the Hunter Valley and head to our overnight stay in Forster.
Accom: Forster Motor Inn, Forster
DAY 10 - Forster to Grafton
Wednesday 5 Oct 2011 (BD)
After taking in the sights of the local area we board the Amaroo Whale Cruise to see the Southern Humpback Wales on their annual migration. After our cruise we have some free time in Forster for lunch (own expense) then drive north to Grafton.
Accom: Quality Inn Grafton, Grafton
DAY 11 - Grafton to Home
Thursday 6 Oct 2011 (BL)
We have a travel day in store for today. We depart Grafton and travel through Ballina and cross the border. We continue towards home, arriving late afternoon after our springtime holiday.
