Southern Highlands - Canberra Discovery

We begin our day at the Bradman Museum and The International Cricket Hall of Fame which provides a cricket experience like no other and near-by we are free to take a stroll onto the Bradman Oval and take a selfie alongside Bradman ‘The Final Salute’ Statue. Next stop is at Corbett Gardens, home of Tulip Time featuring tulips, entertainment and stalls. The spectacular displays of 80,000 mass planted tulips pay homage to the enigmatic tulip – its range, shape, colour and allure. After some free time in Bowral to purchase lunch we head out to the heritage Retford Park House and Garden. After a guided tour of James Fairfax’s former home, we can stroll the spectacular heritage gardens. This concludes our day before a relaxing dinner back at the RSL Club.

Overnight Mittagong: Spring Resort Mittagong

Breakfast & Dinner

This morning after check out we begin our drive down to Canberra for our Floriade Discovery Tour that will have us visiting some of our nation’s iconic landmarks. We travel via Red Cow Farm Garden where the 1820’s cottage is surrounded by an abundant cottage garden of roses and perennials. Down in Canberra we arrive on the shores of Lake Burley Griffin for a light lunch in the Walter Cafe before touring the National Capital Exhibition which tells the Story of Canberra as the capital city of Australia. An essential first stop on any tour of Canberra its displays feature the people, events, history and design of this unique, modern, planned city. We then make our way up to the Mount Ainslie Lookout where one can appreciate the complexities of Canberra and see in panorama the design concepts translated into tangibles by Walter Burley Griffin. After a good introduction to the capital we travel around to our motel for our check in, freshen up and our welcome buffet dinner.

Overnight Canberra: Mercure Belconnen

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Our day in Canberra starts at Queen Elizabeth Terrace where we board our Lake Burley Griffin sightseeing cruise with our skipper Jim providing an interesting introduction to Canberra, her monuments, museums and political battlegrounds. After our cruise we tour Parliament House which takes us into the Senate and the House of Representatives Chambers. The Members Hall, Great Hall Tapestry, Magna Carta 1297, Forecourt and the iconic “Big Picture” by Tom Roberts of the opening of the first Federal Parliament in 1901 are also covered. After our tour we take a break and enjoy some free time to purchase lunch. This afternoon on our way to the Australian War Memorial we stop by the Changi Chapel at Duntroon which was salvaged in 1945 and then reconstructed 1988 as a National Memorial to over 35,000 Australian Prisoners of War. At the Australian War Memorial we are free to take in a self-guide tour followed by a moving Last Post Ceremony. We then make our way back to our motel to refresh before dinner.

Overnight Canberra: Mercure Belconnen

Breakfast & Dinner

This morning we visit Old Parliament House where decades of politics and passion echo through the corridors of the Museum of Australian Democracy making it one of Australia’s most memorable heritage attractions. We experience an atmosphere steeped in history, revisit dramatic events and enjoy the 1920’s architecture and fine design.

We then take a drive along Embassy Row where almost 80 embassies and high commissions are located. We then arrive at Commonwealth Park to spend some time wandering the magnificent Canberra Floriade Display. The Floriade Village provides us with crafts, gourmet foods, fashion, jewellery and garden gifts creating a friendly carnival atmosphere. We head up to the Gold Creek Village and Cockington Green for a stroll through the two charming displays capturing the essence of England with its quirky buildings, landmarks and spectacular garden and floral display. Its then back to our motel to relax before enjoying a buffet dinner. Overnight Canberra: Mercure Belconnen

Breakfast & Dinner

Today we travel up to the Canberra Space Centre at Paddy’s Creek, located on the grounds of the Canberra Deep Space Communication Complex. On arrival enjoy an interesting presentation covering all things space and communication and time to look around the exhibits and to ask questions. Next stop is the National Arboretum, home to amazing views and one of the largest collections of rare, endangered and symbolic trees in the world plus the National Bonsai and Penjing Collection. Our visit includes a welcome garden walk, Bonsai Collection Tour, lunch and magnificent views. This afternoon we visit another Canberra highlight as we tour the newly renovated Royal Australian Mint, taking in the history of coins in Australia before visiting the Mint Coin Shop. This evening we celebrate our last night on tour with a pre-dinner drink before our farewell dinner.

Overnight Canberra: Mercure Belconnen

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

After breakfast and check out we make our way just north of Canberra for one last colourful highlight at the Tulip Top Gardens. This 10 acre garden is a world class exhibition of half a million tulips, daffodils, and other spring flowers creating a spectacular display with hundreds of blossom trees nestled amongst them to provide a magic pathway to the cascading waterfall. There will be time to purchase a barista coffee from the cafe while enjoying the amazing colours. Later in the morning we begin our drive back up towards Sydney via the historic township of Berrima where we enjoy a guided tour of the Courthouse which starts in the Captain Starlight Theatrette, then proceeds through the various rooms of the courthouse. We are then free to hit the pavement for some retail therapy and yummy food within the township which was established in 1831. From Berrima we continue up to the Sydney Airport for check in and our return flight home after a wonderful few days away with Trade Travel.

Breakfast