Canberra in Bloom

Welcome to Canberra. It promises to be a great week! Your tour host will be travelling from Brisbane today. We will be greeted with a smile as our friendly coach captain welcomes us to the Capital of Australia. Tonight, we are introduced to our fellow travellers over a welcome dinner at the Southern Cross Yacht Club.

Accommodation : Mercure Canberra or similar (6 nights)

This morning after breakfast we make our way up to the Mt Ainslie lookout for breathtaking views across Lake Burley Griffin. From here we visit the Museum of Australian Democracy (formally Old Parliament House). The Museum was home to Australia’s Federal Parliament for more than 60 years and is now a much-loved heritage building, offering a unique glimpse into the nations fascinating past. This afternoon we will be moved, at the Australian War Memorial. Combining a shrine, world-class museum and extensive archive, the Memorial’s purpose is to commemorate the sacrifice of those Australians who had died in war or on operational service and those who have served our nation in times of conflict. Wander the impressive exhibitions and sombre ceremonial areas including the Hall of Memory together with the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the Pool of Reflection and the Roll of Honour that lists the names of over 102,000 Australian service men and women who have died in war. We are farewelled with the Last Post Ceremony. The touching ceremony features the national anthem, piper’s lament, an individual story, ode recited by a Defence Force personnel and ending with the sounding of the Last Post. We will then return to our hotel, freshen up and come together again for dinner in the hotel.

After breakfast today, we take in some of the city sights as we travel through Embassy Row, finding embassies and high commissions of countries from around the world. Look out for the spectacular traditional design of the Chinese Embassy or the splendid Georgian style United States Embassy. Visiting the Royal Australian Mint, we discover they produce more than just the countries coins. We then head to Capital Hill, the focal point of Canberra is where we are introduced to the meeting place of the nation, Parliament House. Listening to your guide as they lead you through this political power house, you are enlightened to daily life of democracy. Returning to the hotel, we enjoy dinner in the hotel.

Canberra has established its wine growing region with boutique cellar doors and local creations. Following breakfast this morning we board the coach and begin our day at Robyn Rowe Chocolates for a talk and to indulge in the smooth and creamy chocolate tastings on offer. A delicious tasting awaits us at Murrumbateman Winery. The boutique cellar door has a warm, rustic feel making it also the perfect place to enjoy lunch. This afternoon we visit the famous Cockington Green Gardens. This award-winning tourist attraction takes its name from the township of Cockington in Devon, a historic English village. It is a one-twelfth scale reproduction of building and gardens – thatched cottages, a tiny church, the village green and even Stonehenge. Furthermore, model figures bring the scenes to life. This evening is at leisure and your tour host will be available for anyone that would like company for the evening.

Today is festival day! Enjoy breakfast before we make our way to Tulip Top Gardens, where acres of stunning world class gardens bloom to life. Hundreds of blossom trees nestle between the flowers and provide a magic pathway to the cascading waterfall and watercourse with classical music wafting through the air in the hidden valley. Then it’s off to Commonwealth Park, for the amazing Floriade Festival. The flower display is the largest of its type in the Southern Hemisphere. Explore the impressive array of inspiring flowerbeds, horticultural exhibitions and unmissable entertainment. We’ll return to the hotel with time to freshen up before meeting for dinner.

Today we have a free day. You may like to visit one of the many interesting attractions such as the National Museum of Australia, the National Library of Australia or the National Capital Exhibition. For the green-thumbs, you may like to re-visit the Floriade Festival. Any arrangements today are at your own expense. We meet up again tonight at our farewell dinner to share our stories from the day.

We say goodbye to Canberra and our new friends as we board our flights. We arrive home with wonderful memories of our springtime adventure.