We depart Sydney with our first stop at the tranquil Nepean Dam, where we enjoy morning tea surrounded by peaceful bushland and beautiful water views.

We then continue to the Southern Highlands, where Corbett Gardens in Bowral awaits. As the centrepiece of the famous Tulip Time Festival, this garden is awash with colour during spring, with thousands of tulips and blossoming trees creating a vibrant welcome. Strolling among the manicured lawns and flowerbeds, we’ll have time to take photographs and simply soak up the beauty.

From here, we travel to the historic village of Berrima. With its sandstone buildings, boutique shops, and charming country atmosphere, it’s the perfect place to enjoy a relaxed lunch before we make our way to Canberra. Upon arrival in the nation’s capital, we take a scenic tour of the embassy district, admiring the striking architecture and unique designs that reflect each country’s culture.

Our day concludes at Hotel Kurrajong, where we settle in for a comfortable two night stay.

Overnight: Hotel Kurrajong
Meals Included: Morning Tea, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast, we make our way to one of Canberra’s most celebrated spring events — Floriade. Set in the heart of Commonwealth Park, this world-class festival transforms the parklands into a spectacular tapestry of colour, with over a million blooms arranged in intricate patterns and designs. As we wander through the gardens, the fragrance of tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, and other spring flowers fills the air. Along the way, you’ll find art installations, live entertainment, and charming stalls offering local crafts and produce. With the lake glistening in the background and garden beds bursting with life, Floriade is a feast for the senses and a highlight of the season.

From this floral wonderland, we continue to the Canberra Nara Peace Park, a tranquil lakeside garden celebrating the sister-city relationship between Canberra and Nara, Japan.
Here, beneath the graceful willows and beside the calm waters of Lake Burley Griffin, we enjoy a peaceful picnic lunch surrounded by Japanese-inspired landscaping and cherry trees.

The afternoon brings us to Parliament House for a guided tour, where we discover the impressive architecture, significant artworks, and the workings of Australia’s government. Standing beneath the grand flag mast, we gain a true sense of the building’s symbolic importance.

Later, we visit the Australian War Memorial, where powerful exhibits honour Australia’s servicemen and women. As the day draws to a close, we gather for the moving Last Post Ceremony, a moment of reflection and remembrance.

Overnight: Hotel Kurrajong
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

This morning we farewell Canberra and make our way to Tulip Top Gardens. A springtime wonderland of tulips, flowering blossoms, water features, and music, the gardens provide a joyful and colourful start to the day. We enjoy morning tea here before continuing our journey through picturesque countryside.

In Crookwell, we pause for lunch before visiting the local sock factory, discovering traditional knitting machines still in operation. Our journey continues to Bathurst, where gold-rush history meets motor-racing legend. We arrive at Rydges Mount Panorama, with sweeping views of the famous circuit, and relax over dinner as the sun sets on the mountain.

Overnight: Rydges Mt Panorama, Bathurst
Meals Included: Breakfast, Morning Tea, Lunch, Dinner

This morning we embrace the thrill of Bathurst with a quick lap around the legendary Mount Panorama race track. We then step into the cool-climate beauty of Mayfield Gardens, one of the largest privately owned gardens in the Southern Hemisphere. Here, themed gardens, waterfalls, hidden nooks, and the grand obelisk pond make for an unforgettable experience. After exploring, we enjoy lunch at the garden café, with fresh, seasonal produce and stunning views all around.

Our journey home takes us through the Blue Mountains, where we pause in the charming village of Leura. With its boutique shops, cafés, and tree-lined streets, it’s a lovely spot to stretch our legs and pick up a last-minute memento.

We arrive back in Sydney late afternoon – bringing our colourful and inspiring spring journey to a close.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch