Autumn Colours Of The Central West – Koyo Matsuri Festival
Days:
3 Days
Activity:
2. Moderate
$1,045.00
Tour description
Autumn in the Central West is a season of breathtaking colour, where rolling hills, historic villages and expansive gardens glow in vibrant shades of gold, crimson and amber. This leisurely three-day tour celebrates the beauty of the season with visits to some of the region’s most spectacular cool-climate gardens and charming country towns. A highlight of the journey is the Koyo Matsuri Festival at the Cowra Japanese Garden and Cultural Centre — a joyful celebration of Japanese culture set among sweeping landscapes of maples and autumn foliage. With tea ceremonies, bonsai displays, calligraphy, origami, martial arts demonstrations and time to wander the serene gardens, it’s a unique cultural experience that honours both tradition and the beauty of the season.
Our journey also includes a visit to the extraordinary Mayfield Garden, one of the largest privately owned cool-climate gardens in the world. With its grand avenues, water features, parterre gardens, maze and hidden surprises around every corner, it offers a full sensory celebration of autumn. Travelling via the Bells Line of Road, we explore the Mount Tomah Botanic Garden before settling in for two nights at Rydges Mount Panorama in Bathurst. The return trip winds through Oberon and into the Blue Mountains, passing through Blackheath, Leura and Wentworth Falls — each glowing with seasonal colour. Thoughtfully designed and beautifully paced, this tour offers a wonderful opportunity to relax, explore and enjoy the finest autumn experiences in the Central West.
Tour Departure Location = Sydney
Travelling from somewhere else? Return flight quotes are available on request. Please contact our team to join the tour.
Itinerary
This morning, we set off on a scenic journey along the Bells Line of Road, taking in the beautiful landscapes of the Blue Mountains. Our first stop is at Mt Tomah Botanic Garden, where we’ll enjoy a lovely morning tea while surrounded by cool- limate plants and breathtaking views.
From here, we continue to Bathurst, where we’ll pause for lunch before visiting the Australian Fossil & Mineral Museum, home to an incredible collection of fossils and minerals, including a complete T. rex skeleton! Then, it’s time for a tour of Bathurst, where you’ll discover the city’s rich history and even take a drive around the Mount Panorama motor racing circuit.
Later in the afternoon, we’ll check in at Rydges Mount Panorama Bathurst, where you’ll settle in for a comfortable night’s stay with dinner at 7pm.
Overnight: Rydges Mount Panorama Bathurst
Meals Included: Morning Tea, Lunch, Dinner
After a hearty breakfast, we head to Cowra Japanese Garden & Cultural Centre for a truly special experience—the Koyo Matsuri Festival. This annual festival is a celebration of autumn and Japanese culture, with martial arts displays, origami, calligraphy, bonsai demonstrations, and traditional tea ceremonies. You’ll have plenty of time to explore the stunning gardens, admire the incredible autumn colours, and enjoy lunch at your own leisure, with a variety of food stalls and a café on-site.
In the afternoon, we travel to Millthorpe, a beautiful historic village where time seems to stand still. We’ll visit the Millthorpe Museum, filled with fascinating displays, before heading out to explore the town on foot. You’ll have time to browse the boutique shops and take in the charm of this little gem before we return to Bathurst.
Back at Rydges Bathurst, you can relax and unwind before enjoying another delicious dinner.
Overnight: Rydges Mount Panorama Bathurst
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Today is all about breathtaking gardens! After breakfast, we make our way to Mayfield Garden, one of the largest cool-climate gardens in the world. Here, you’ll have plenty of time to wander through its stunning landscapes, featuring a rose walk, rhododendron walk, maze, croquet lawn, water garden, aviary, conservatorium, and more. It’s a garden lover’s paradise! We’ll enjoy lunch in the garden Café before making our way home, passing through the scenic autumn landscapes of Blackheath, Leura, and Wentworth Falls. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the last glimpses of the stunning autumn colours as we reflect on a truly memorable trip.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Activity Levels
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1. Easy
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2. Moderate
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3. Active Moderate
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4. Adventurous
Testimonials
Dear Debbie Just like to thank you again for the most enjoyable couple of days in the Southern Highlands earlier this month. Venues and meals were great. It was a very comfortable drive with John. He is very friendly and sociable, providing us with interesting information of the local areas along the way. We look forward to travelling with you again in the future.
Regards, Barbara
Dear Kerry and staff Thank you for organising the Temora airshow and Wagga tour for our club. We all enjoyed the four days away. The tour length was just right for us ‘oldies’. The Mercure Wagga was very comfortable and centrally located, and there was plenty of free time to explore the galleries, gardens Riverina Museum, and shops on offer in Wagga. The Tamora airshow was an opportunity to view old planes and to see an aviation display for novices to aviation displays. We learnt so much about the RAAF presence in Wagga and Temora during WWII. A highlight of the Junee Rail Museum was the dedicated locals who told us all about trains and privatisation of New South Wales rails. A special bouquet of thanks to Paul , our wonderful coach driver and Marie, our friendly tour guide. Nothing was a problem for them. Both Marie and Paul worked as a great team and put us all at ease. We greatly appreciated all their work, effort, fun and friendship to make our trip memorable. Thanks Guys! It was great to be travelling with Oncourse again. Our club is looking forward to seeing what tourism plans you have in store for 2024. Again, many thanks for your help. Best wishes to all the On Course team.
