CANBERRA GARDENS, SYDNEY & MY FAIR LADY

Today we celebrate the most colourful time of year, Spring! We meet our local guide for a tour of the Nation’s capital. Get ready for some farming life at Gold Creek Station experiencing the life of a farming family on their 1500-acre Merino sheep and beef and cattle farm. Watch Australian kelpie dogs work merino sheep. See sheep shearing demonstrations. Hear informative talks on the Australian wool industry. Finishing lunch, you can feel relaxed during this friendly rural experience. Leaving here we make our way back into Canberra via Mt Ainslee and onto Anzac Parade. This afternoon we head to the Australian War Memorial to wander at your own pace through this sombre and uplifting memorial, unveiling the sacrifices made by the women and men who served in war. We stay for the very moving Last Post Ceremony before returning to our hotel.

Discover the vibrant colours of the magnificent Floriade Festival as you wander through dazzling displays of over a million blossoming bulbs and annuals. Afterwards, enjoy a leisurely lunch at the Southern Cross Yacht Club before continuing to Parliament House. Here, your guide will lead you through this political powerhouse, offering fascinating insights into the daily workings of democracy. Return to the hotel in the evening for time at leisure.

This morning we visit the National Portrait Gallery. The gallery provides a permanent display of 500 portraits of people who have shaped Australia and who continue to shape our nation from the famous to the infamous! From here we stop to enjoy lunch before our next visit to the delightful Cockington Green Gardens. This unique attraction has a fascinating display of meticulously handcrafted miniature buildings from around the world. We finish the day at the international renowned National Arboretum Canberra. Created as a place of breathtaking beauty, you’ll experience the world’s largest living collections of rare, endangered and significant trees.

This morning, we head just outside Canberra to the enchanting Tulip Top Gardens. Stroll through 10 acres of vibrant tulips, daffodils, and other spring blooms, filling the air with delightful scents and creating a truly spectacular display. From here, we continue to the charming town of Berrima for a lunch stop, before making our way onward to Sydney.

Hotel: Park Royal Darling Harbour for 4 nights

After a leisurely breakfast, we make our way to the Harbour foreshore and Mrs Macquarie’s Chair. The chair, carved out of the sandstone by convicts for Governor Lachlan Macquarie’s wife to watch the activity on the Harbour offers great views of the Sydney Opera House, Harbour Bridge and Fort Denison. We will then find ourselves in the ‘insular peninsula’ of Manly where we soak up the atmosphere in this idyllic setting as we enjoy High Tea the Gunners’ Barracks, delicious! Return to the hotel with the remainder of the day at your leisure.

Today is all about taking it easy. Enjoy a free day at your leisure – explore Sydney’s shops, cafes, and sights at your own pace. In the evening, we gather for a memorable dinner at Sails on Lavender Bay, with spectacular views across the harbour to enhance your dining experience.

Today we journey north of the city to Brooklyn for a scenic Hawkesbury River cruise. Onboard the Riverboat Postman Cruise, we will enjoy morning tea and lunch as we glide along the river, taking in the magnificent scenery of the lower Hawkesbury. Watch as the mail and essential supplies are delivered to the charming river-access-only settlements upriver from Brooklyn – a unique glimpse into life along the river. After returning to the hotel to freshen up, we head to the Sydney Opera House for an enchanting evening performance of My Fair Lady.

What a memorable holiday. It is now time to pack our bags and head to the Sydney Airport. Upon arrival in Perth, your driver will be waiting to take you home.