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Australia's Gardens in Bloom: Iconic Gardens & WAFA 2027

Australia's Gardens in Bloom: Iconic Gardens & WAFA 2027

12 days from $8,245

Departing: March 2027 - March 2027

Discover Australia’s gardens in bloom as we combine two internationally renowned flower shows with some of the finest gardens and landscapes of Victoria and New South Wales. Enjoy the Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show and WAFA World Flower Show alongside visits to celebrated gardens, historic estates and natural landscapes. From Melbourne’s Botanic Gardens and the Dandenong Ranges to Sydney Harbour, the Blue Mountains and Southern Highlands, this carefully planned journey reveals Australia’s horticultural treasures and iconic landmarks, with expert guidance and thoughtful touches throughout.

Included

  • Explore the WAFA World Flower Show & Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne, with entrance fees included
  • All other visits as outlined in the itinerary
  • Professional Tour Manager
  • 5 nights at the Vibe Hotel, Melbourne & 6 nights at the Furama Hotel, Darling Harbour
  • 11 breakfasts, 5 lunches & 3 dinners
  • Private air-conditioned coach travel

Highlights

  • Experience two major international events: the Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show and WAFA World Flower Show 
  • Visit Australia’s most celebrated gardens, including Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne, Wendy Whiteley’s Secret Garden and Blue Mountains Botanic Gardens 
  • Discover historic estates and private gardens in the Southern Highlands, including Retford Park and Camden Park House 
  • Enjoy the contrasting landscapes of Victoria and New South Wales, from colourful blooms and harbour views to the Blue Mountains and native Australian flora

Julia Corden

Julia has led tours for over 25 years, from tropical rainforests to high alpine meadows. Trained in Horticulture at RHS Wisley and the Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh, she is now a Horticultural Consultant and Botanical and Garden Tour Guide.

Tour Itinerary

Join our arrival transfer from Melbourne Airport or meet your Tour Manager and fellow travellers at the hotel for a welcome dinner. Known as the Garden City and founded in 1835, Melbourne is known for its beautiful parks, gardens and tree-lined boulevards. 

Meals: Dinner

Accommodation: Vibe Hotel, Melbourne 

Today we discover some of Melbourne’s garden highlights. We visit the Royal Botanic Gardens, established in 1846 and home to an extraordinary collection of plants from around the world, before visiting the nearby Shrine of Remembrance. A relaxing cruise along the Yarra River offers a different perspective of the city’s parks and gardens. Later, we visit Fitzroy Gardens, where we enjoy a guided tour of Captain Cook’s Cottage and its surrounding gardens. Originally built in Yorkshire and transported piece by piece to Melbourne in 1934, the cottage offers a fascinating link between Australia and Britain’s shared history.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Vibe Hotel, Melbourne 

Today we experience the Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show, one of Australia’s most prestigious horticultural events. Showcasing the creativity of leading designers, florists and landscape gardeners, the event brings together stunning floral displays, innovative garden designs and the very best of Australian horticulture.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Vibe Hotel, Melbourne 

Enjoy a day at leisure in Melbourne. Take time to explore the city’s museums, galleries, cafés and gardens independently, or make use of the free tram network to discover more of this vibrant city.

Meals included: Breakfast

Accommodation: Vibe Hotel, Melbourne 

We travel into the beautiful Dandenong Ranges, where we board the famous Puffing Billy Railway for a scenic journey through the forested landscape. We continue to Cloudehill Gardens for lunch before visiting the Tesselaar Tulip Farm and its colourful Kabloom Festival, where seasonal blooms create a spectacular display.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Vibe Hotel, Melbourne 

We fly from Melbourne to Sydney (included) and begin our exploration of Australia’s harbour city. Enjoy lunch overlooking Botany Bay before visiting Wendy Whiteley’s Secret Garden, a remarkable hidden garden created over many years as a living work of art. This evening, we enjoy dinner in a local restaurant.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Furama Hotel, Darling Harbour 

Today we visit the WAFA World Flower Show at Sydney Olympic Park. This biannual international celebration of floral design brings together inspiring displays from around the world.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Furama Hotel, Darling Harbour 

We discover more of Sydney today, beginning at the Royal Botanic Garden with a First Nations guided experience exploring the history and connection of the Gadigal people to the land. We continue to Vaucluse House, a historic 19th-century property surrounded by beautiful gardens, before enjoying a guided tour of the Sydney Opera House.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Furama Hotel, Darling Harbour 

We escape the city and travel to the Blue Mountains, visiting Everglades Gardens at Leura, known for its beautiful design and mountain setting. After seeing the famous Three Sisters at Echo Point, we continue to the Blue Mountains Botanic Garden at Mount Tomah, home to an outstanding collection of cool-climate plants.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Furama Hotel, Darling Harbour 

Today we explore the Southern Highlands, an area renowned for its gardens and historic estates. We visit the Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan, enjoy a high tea lunch at Milton Park Country House Hotel & Spa and discover the gardens of Retford Park and Camden Park House, each offering a fascinating insight into Australia’s heritage.

Meals included: Breakfast

Accommodation: Furama Hotel, Darling Harbour 

Enjoy a day at leisure in Sydney. This evening, we enjoy a Sydney Harbour dinner cruise with views of one of the world's most iconic waterfronts.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation: Furama Hotel, Darling Harbour 

After breakfast, we have time to relax before transferring to Sydney Airport for our return flight home, bringing our Australian garden journey to a close.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation

Boasting an excellent location in Melbourne, the Vibe Hotel offers views across the Yarra River, Southbank and Melbourne's skyline, a rooftop bar, restaurant and modern bedrooms with tea and coffee-making facilities, coffee machine, safe, air-conditioning, complimentary toiletries, hairdryer and free Wi-Fi. 

Nestled in the vibrant heart of Darling Harbour, the Furama Hotel has everything needed for a memorable stay, including comfortable rooms with free Wi-Fi, safe, tea and coffee-making facilities and a minibar plus a fitness centre, with plenty of restaurants a short walk away. 

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Availability & Booking

2027

16th March from $8,245

Call to Book

from $8,245

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