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Travel during spring on this short tour, featuring Canberra’s Floriade. Intended as a one-off celebration of Australia’s bicentennial, Floriade has become a highlight on the country’s garden calendar, with hundreds of thousands of bulbs planted each year. Elsewhere, the private gardens we visit benefit from a cool climate and are complemented by their historic homes.
Highlights
- See the remarkable range of flowers and exhibits at Australia’s biggest celebration of spring.
- Discover this charming, restored property close to Camden. Its historic buildings occupy grounds enhanced by hedges, paths, and beautiful gardens.
- Visit Retford Park, whose grand residence is complemented by a patchwork of hedged gardens.
- Be escorted by an expert Guide, who will offer insightful talks on various topics and be available for informal discussions, enriching your travel experience.
Departures & Pricing
Tour Departs Sydney on 22 September 2026
- from $4,995 per person twin share*
- from $6,195 per person sole use*
*Please note that prices are subject to availability at the time of booking and may change without notice.
Cabin grades, balcony upgrades and pre-cruise hotel options are quoted on enquiry — call 1300 414 198.
Itinerary
- 1
Sydney, Australian Botanic Garden, Mount Annan, Glenmore House, and Bowral
Depart your Sydney hotel at 8.30 am and travel to Bowral in the Southern Highlands. On the way, visit the Australian Botanic Garden, Mount Annan. Next, visit the private garden of Mickey Robertson, Glenmore House. After Mickey and her husband, Larry, purchased the original farmhouse, they gradually restored and extended it, with the various outbuildings being repurposed to fit in with the gardens. Enjoy lunch in the garden before travelling on to Bowral. Enjoy a Welcome Dinner this evening.
- 2
Bowral Private Garden, Retford Park, and Bowral Tulip Festival
Today, visit a beautiful private garden and meet the owner. Explore Retford Park, owned by the Fairfax family for over 50 years. The family played host to notable visitors here, including members of the British and European royal families. This afternoon, enjoy Bowral’s Tulip Festival, an annual event of spring blooms.
- 3
Private Gardens and Fedra Olive Grove
Depart Bowral for a visit to a private garden. Continue to Fedra Olive Grove, strolling across its expansive plantation and learning about the art of producing premium olive oil. Conclude with a guided tour of Helen and Paul Stevens’ Merryway. This uniquely shaped, gently sloping garden blends formal hedged areas, a diverse range of flowering plants, and heritage trees and fruit trees.
- 4
Floriade and Canberra Sightseeing
Today, visit Floriade, the annual flower and entertainment festival. Then enjoy a sightseeing tour of Canberra, culminating in spectacular views as approach the peak of Mt Ainslie. This afternoon, will visit the National Gallery of Australia.
- 5
Tulip Top Gardens, National Arboretum, and Australian National Botanic Gardens
This morning, visit the private Tulip Top Gardens, which has one of the best bulb displays in Australia. Afterwards, take a tour of the National Arboretum, one of the world’s largest living collections of rare trees. This afternoon, visit the Australian National Botanic Gardens, featuring a scientific collection of native plants from all parts of Australia.
- 6
Red Cow Farm, Harper’s Mansion, and Sydney
Depart Canberra and return to Sydney. Along the way, we stop at Red Cow Farm, a cool-climate garden in Sutton Forest. Its historic 1820s cottage is surrounded by 20 distinctive garden ‘rooms’, featuring rare plants, woodlands, and themed spaces. Continue to the elegant Harpers Mansion, where a guided tour reveals the history and stories housed within. Afterwards, enjoy a relaxed lunch in a charming setting. Savour the flavours and the atmosphere of your surroundings before arriving back at the post-tour hotel at around 5:00 pm.
*Please note the following itinerary is subject to change without notice.
Inclusions & exclusions
What’s included
- Travel with a small group of 20-25 guests, escorted by an expert Guide
- Relax aboard a spacious coach with an experienced and informative Coach Captain
- Visit Retford Park and private gardens in Bowral, including Mickey Robertson’s Glenmore House, and attend the town’s tulip festival
- Visit private gardens of Canberra, including Tulip Top Gardens, along with the National Arboretum and Botanic Gardens
- Includes five nights’ accommodation in centrally located four-star hotels, return private airport-to-hotel transfers, plus 13 meals and select beverages
- All sightseeing and entrance fees as per the itinerary
- Spend time exploring the Floriade Festival in Canberra, as well as Canberra’s sights, including the National Gallery of Australia
- Take a guided tour of Harper’s Mansion, revealing the history and stories within its walls, then enjoy a relaxed lunch within its charming surroundings
Not included
- Travel Insurance
Accommodation
- Two Nights: Bowral, Briars Country Lodge or similar
- Three Nights: Canberra, Midnight Hotel or similar
Common questions about this voyage
Trip Notes
- Itinerary and inclusions are subject to change
- Fitness rating: Low
- Group size: 20 to 25 guests
- Dates for the Bowral Tulip Festival are subject to confirmation
Book this stay
Send us an enquiry and a consultant will be in touch, or call 1300 414 198 for personal help choosing a departure.
Terms & conditions
Read the operator’s full booking conditions
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Capital Blooms
- Vibrant flower displays and festive atmospheres at Floriade and Tulip Time
- Guided tour of the National Arboretum and its diverse plant life
- Lunch with local hosts on a working sheep farm
Sydney Floral Showcase Experience
- Private single rooms in quality Darling Harbour accommodation
- Fully hosted with a tour host travelling from Brisbane
- All sightseeing, transfers and a complimentary photo book included
Travel further when you're not travelling alone
Our Social Getaways are small-group holidays designed especially for over-60s Australians who want the freedom of a great trip without the work of planning every detail. A Travel at 60 host travels with the group, the operator handles the logistics, and you get to focus on the bit that matters — the people, the places, and the stories you'll bring home.
Open to solo travellers too. Many of our travellers book on their own and find their feet quickly in a friendly group of like-minded Australians. Reduced single-supplement options are available on most departures — ask one of our consultants and we'll talk you through what's offered on this trip.
- A friendly Travel at 60 host — an Australian face on the ground, looking out for the group from day one.
- Curated local guides & boutique suppliers — the same operators we'd book for our own families.
- Real itineraries, not whirlwind tours — comfortable transfers, breathing room, and the “off the beaten track” stops the big bus tours skip.
Want to talk it through? Call 1300 414 198 7 days a week, Queensland time, and one of our consultants will walk you through it.
— The team at Travel at 60
