Greater Melbourne Icons, Gardens & Railways

After breakfast we transfer across to the MCG for a tour at the Australian Sports Museum, home to Australia’s largest collection of sporting memorabilia with interactive displays and a number of special faces sharing first-hand accounts

of their sporting story. We then take a walk on the hallowed turf before exploring the inner sanctum of the MCG. Following our tour and light refreshments at the ‘G’ we head to the Shrine of Remembrance, where with our expert guide we discover the fascinating history of this monument which was born from grief after the First World War and now provides a place of remembrance for Australian service and sacrifice in all wars since. After a great day out we head back to our hotel to freshen up before transferring to the highest observation deck in the Southern Hemisphere, the Eureka Tower Skydeck, we witness amazing views and sunsets (weather permitting) and enjoy our special skyhigh dining experience.

Overnight Melbourne: The Victoria Hotel

After breakfast we make our way to the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show which is held at the Royal Exhibition Building and Carlton Gardens. Australia’s top landscape designers are responsible for the breathtaking

“Show Gardens” and the Great Hall of Flowers within the Royal Exhibition Building. After a leisurely afternoon we have the option to head back for the Gardens By Twilight. Until 9pm, we can wander the extensive grounds and witness some of the best landscape and floral designs the country has to offer under a whole new ambience at Gardens by Twilight. With an indulgent offering of tasty gourmet food, delicious botanical beverages, with the added bonus of

exclusive evening entertainment from stilt walkers, fire artists and LED hoop artists. Stroll through the illuminated gardens, life-size sculptures from hundreds of Australian artists inside the revamped Arts and Sculpture Precinct.

Overnight Melbourne: The Victoria Hotel

This morning after breakfast we depart for the foothills of the Dandenong’s, arriving at the Puffing Billy Railway Station in Belgrave. We board the Puffing Billy for a ride on Australia’s oldest surviving and most famous preserved steam

train. It takes us on a sentimental journey through the countryside, showing us the lush mountain scenery with its amazing panoramic views before arriving at the Lakeside Terminus inside the Emerald Lake Park Reserve.

Back on our coach we travel up through Monbulk for lunch at Sky High, one of Victoria’s premier attractions with the most stunning views. Stroll through the beautiful landscaped gardens, take a forest walk under a canopy of Australian eucalyptus, visit the Australiana Tree, or relax on the Giant’s Chair. After a delightful day in the Dandenong’s we travel back across Melbourne to our hotel to relax with dinner at own cost and choice of venue.

Overnight Melbourne: The Victoria Hotel

After a leisurely breakfast and check out we transfer down to the Drysdale Railway Station to join “The Q Train”, Geelong’s amazing restaurant train. Enjoy a glass of local wine on the Platform Bar prior to boarding one of The Q Train’s restored Dining Cars for a 5-course dining journey unlike any other, as we travel along the beautiful Bellarine Peninsula. After our 3 hour rail experience we head across to Torquay to check into the Wyndham Resort enjoying the remainder of the afternoon to relax and enjoy the wonderful resort facilities including the on-site bar and restaurant.

Overnight Torquay: Wyndham Resort

After checkout we take a look through The Australian National Surfing Museum which charts Australia’s significant contribution to the development of surfing around the world. Our next stop is Winchelsea, home to the stunning

National Trust Barwon Park Mansion, an authentic bluestone mansion and stables set in a sweeping rural landscape. Following our tour and refreshments we continue across to the Melbourne Airport for check in and flights back home

after a delightful week admiring some of the icons of Melbourne and the colours of the International Flower and Garden Show with Trade Travel.

Flight details: Melbourne - Brisbane/Sydney/Adelaide/Canberra (details provided at time of booking)