Melbourne & Ballarat Kabloom

FLIGHT DETAILS: VA........Homeport - Melbourne 0000/0000 (flights details TBA)

This morning, after arriving in Melbourne, we travel by coach to Mount Macedon, home of the Stokes Collection and Forest Glade Gardens. The remarkable collection reflects Cyril Stokes’ lifelong passion for decorative arts. Following a guided tour, we explore the gardens and enjoy a picnic lunch in one of Australia’s most beautiful settings. We then visit the Mount Macedon Memorial Cross before heading to Melbourne Docklands to check into the waterfront Sebel Hotel. After settling in, we take a short walk to Berth Waterfront Restaurant for dinner, ending the day with a relaxing evening and a good night’s rest.

Daily: Lunch & Dinner

After breakfast, we travel to Ballarat, beginning at the Lake Wendouree and Ballarat Botanical Gardens precinct, home to the Robert Clark Conservatory with its display of over 700 begonias. We also see the Prime Ministers Avenue and the Australian Ex-Prisoners of War Memorial. Next, we visit Sovereign Hill, where the spirit of the 1850s gold rush comes alive through demonstrations such as musket firing, gold pouring, and blacksmithing. Before departing, we view the Eureka Flag and explore the Eureka Centre. We then return to our Melbourne hotel to freshen up before meeting up close by at Renzo’s Italian Restaurant for dinner.

Daily: Breakfast & Dinner

After breakfast, we travel to the iconic MCG for a tour of the Australian Sports Museum, home to Australia’s largest sporting memorabilia collection. We explore behind the scenes, including the Long Room, and walk on the famous turf. After refreshments, we board the MV Melba Star for a one-hour cruise along the Yarra River, passing some of Melbourne’s most famous landmarks, gardens and sports arenas en route to Herring Island and Como House. Later, we visit the Eureka Skydeck for panoramic city views. In the afternoon, we return to our hotel to freshen up before dinner next door at Achelya Restaurant.

Daily: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

This morning, we depart for the foothills of the Dandenong Ranges, arriving at Puffing Billy Railway in Belgrave. We board the historic steam train for a scenic journey through lush mountain landscapes to Emerald Lake Park. Rejoining our coach, we travel via Monbulk to the Tesselaar Kabloom Festival of Flowers. Enjoy a tractor train ride and explore over 12 acres of vibrant blooms, capturing memorable photos among the colourful displays. There’s also time to sample delicious international food from the food trucks. After a delightful day, we return to our hotel to freshen up before our farewell feast next door with Ricky and his team at the Lotus Chinese Restaurant.

Daily: Breakfast & Dinner

After breakfast and checkout, we have the choice of a free morning to enjoy some retail therapy or take the coach across the city to the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show, 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. Early afternoon we travel out to the Melbourne Airport for our flight back home after our amazing short break away in greater Melbourne

Flight details: VA000 Melbourne - Homeport 0000/0000 (flights details TBA)with Trade Travel.

Daily: Breakfast