Explore the Melbourne Flower Show & Iconic Gardens (Mar 2023)

Monday 27 March 2023

Welcome to Melbourne! Make your own way to the Mercure Welcome Melbourne, check in is from 2pm. The day is yours to explore Melbourne at your leisure.

Tonight, you will meet your fellow gardening enthusiasts at a Welcome Dinner.

• Included Meals: Dinner

Tuesday 28 March 2023

This morning be transferred from the hotel for a guided walk of the Melbourne Botanic Gardens. The gardens extend over 38 hectares and houses a collection of more than 8,500 species of plants from around the world, including amazing and diverse plant collections such as camellias, rainforest flora, cacti and succulents, roses, Californian species, herbs, perennials, cycads, plants from Southern China and, in the Rare and Threatened Species Collection, plants from south-eastern Australia.

Depart for Werribee Mansion and enjoy a heritage high tea lunch in The Refectory before your walking tour of Werribee Mansion. Werribee Park Mansion is one of the largest and most opulent properties in Victoria. With 60 rooms across several wings, the mansion is in a Renaissance Revival style, with a symmetrical two storey central block, dominant tower, and a ground level arcade on three sides of the block. The fine interior includes some original furniture set within a richly decorated entry hall containing a Minton encaustic tiled floor, niches, Corinthian pilasters, and free-standing columns leading to a grand staircase. The main reception rooms, library and dining room are all classically ornamented. You might recognise the striking exterior and opulent interiors of the Mansion as it has featured as a backdrop in some of Australia’s favourite film productions and television shows including Miss Fisher, Winchester, and Neighbours.

After your guided tour, enjoy the expansive gardens and the internationally acclaimed Victoria State Rose Garden with over 5,000 roses before returning to Melbourne this evening.

The evening is yours to enjoy at leisure, your hotel is centrally located in Melbourne close to many dining options.

• Included Meals: Breakfast & Lunch         

Wednesday 29 March 2023

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel. It is the opening day at the Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show. Held in the sprawling grounds of Carlton Gardens and within the heritage listed Royal Exhibition Building, visitors can expect a showcase of more than 900 exhibitors including a strong line-up of accomplished & award-winning landscape & floral designers creating unique, unimaginable installations.

The heritage listed Royal Exhibition Building is a sight in itself but will be taken to the next level housing thousands of freshly cut and styled blooms, filling the air with gorgeous scents. Floral designers, florists and flower enthusiasts will create some of the most stunning installations under its roof, a sight you won't want to miss.

And to top it all off there will be plenty more to keep visitors busy with competitions, workshops, interactive spaces, demonstrations, expert advice, catering experiences and much more.

The Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show is open between 9am – 5pm today.

The evening is yours to enjoy at leisure, your hotel is centrally located in Melbourne close to many dining options.

• Included Meals: Breakfast

Thursday 30 March 2023

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel, prior to making your homeward journey. We hope you had an amazing time discovering the gardens of Melbourne and beyond with like minded travellers.

• Included Meals: Breakfast

Please note the following itinerary is subject to change without notice.

27 – 30 March 2023 ONLY

• Twin share from $899 per person
• Single Traveller from $1,199

Call our local travel team on 1300 414 198 to book for this gardening gem!

Melbourne's most centrally located accommodation, Mercure Welcome Melbourne hotel is surrounded by the city's popular venues, including Emporium shopping centre, theatres, galleries, bars & restaurants, along with its own Louden Kitchen & Grill. The hotel is within easy reach of Melbourne Airport, public transport and Melbourne's many great restaurants, bars and shops.

Tastefully appointed and contemporary, guest rooms at this impressive Melbourne hotel offer everything needed for a comfortable stay. 

Classic Room features a queen bed or 2 single beds, climate control, TV, cable channels, internet access, work desk, tea/coffee making facilities, refrigerator, hairdryer, iron, ironing board and ensuite.

Room imagery is for illustration purposes only, actual room layout, furnishing and design may vary. This is subject to availability at the time of checkin.

Willing to share: One of the advantages of travelling on a Travel at 60 dedicated group departure is that we have the ability to match solo travellers, so that you they can avoid paying the single supplement. Subject to availability of another traveller of the same gender willing to share. Please note you will have to be fully vaccinated against Covid19.

Getting to the Flower & Garden Show - Melbourne's Free Tram Zone operates within the CBD and stops directly out the front of the Carlton Gardens. The closest tram stop within the Free Tram Stop zone to Carlton Gardens is Stop 10 Nicolson St and Victoria parade. Please refer for this link for the Free Tram Zone Map.

Tram Stop 11 (Melbourne Museum) is the closest stop to MIFGS, with entry to the Show being into the Royal Exhibition Building via the Museum Plaza, however, please note this is outside of the free tram zone.

Suggested Tram Journey:

• Stop #9: Travelling via Route 30 – St Vincent’s Plaza – Central Pier Dockland via La Trobe Street/Victoria Street. Learn more.

• Stop #10 or #11, Accessible stops: Travelling via Route 96 – East Brunswick – St Kilda Beach via Albert Street/Nicholson Street (Stop #10) or Melbourne Museum/Nicholson Street (Stop #11). Learn more.

BUS

Visitors can catch the following bus routes close to the Show:

Victoria Street/Victoria Parade

Bus routes 302, 303, 304, 305, 309, 318, 350, 402 (Carlton Gardens/Victoria St), 684, 905, 906, 907, 908

Rathdowne Street

Bus routes 250, 251 and 402

TRAIN

The closest train station is Parliament Station which is in the City Loop. Parliament Station’s Spring / Lonsdale Street provides lift access to street level. This exit is only 600m from the Victoria St Entrance to the show (Carlton Gardens).