8 Day Canberra Floriade Getaway

Departing: Monday 30th September 2024

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Fitness Level: M – Easy / Moderate

Meals: B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner

DAY 1 - HERVEY BAY to GOONDIWINDI     (LD)

Monday 30th September:  It’s an early morning start for those joining between Hervey Bay and Caboolture before welcoming our fellow Brisbane passengers. With our pick-ups complete it’s time to sit back, relax and get to know your fellow passengers as we make our way to the historic town of Warwick. Lunch has been arranged for us at the Abbey Boutique Hotel, formally Our Lady Assumption Convent, built for the Sisters of Mercy. Here enjoy an educational guided tour of the ground floor before we continue on to our overnight stop in Goondiwindi.

Stay: Jolly Swagman Motor Inn, Goondiwindi

DAY 2 - GOONDIWINDI to MUDGEE    (BLD)

Tuesday 1st October:   Crossing the border into NSW we make a detour off the Highway to Barkala Farm home to Pilliga Pottery. Designs are inspired by the signature Blue Wren and Australian bush flora and no two pieces are the same. There’s time to wander the showroom and experience a demonstration followed by lunch at the Blue Wren Café. Afterwards, make our way through Mendooran to Dunedoo, home to some spectacular Silo Art. Reach Mudgee late afternoon for our overnight stay.

Stay: Parklands Resort, Mudgee

DAY 3 - MUDGEE to CANBERRA     (BLD)

Wednesday 2nd October:   First up a visit to one of Mudgee’s premier tourist attractions Honey Haven where we indulge in a delicious honey and mead tasting and Devonshire tea. Rejoin the coach with some gourmet goodies tucked under our arms,. Making our way south, passing through Sofala and Bathurst to arrive at another tour highlight, Mayfield Gardens, one of the largest privately owned cool climate gardens in the world and nestled within a 5000 acre working farm. Initial works on the garden were quite modest in scale but as tends to happen with gardens, it grew….and grew. We have plenty of time to stretch our legs in the Water Garden, visit the nursery and stop to enjoy lunch in the Kitchen Café. Back on board we head for the nation’s capital, our home for the next three nights.

Stay: Canberra Rex Hotel, Canberra

DAY 4 - REFLECTIONS & REMEMBERANCE    (BLD)

Thursday 3rd October:  Make our way up to the Mt Ainslie Lookout for breathtaking views across Lake Burley Griffin. Back at ground level begin unveiling such sights as Embassy Row – filled with traditional designs and splendid architecture. From here we head to Capital Hill, the focal point of Canberra where we are introduced to the meeting place of the nation, Parliament House. Listening to our guide as they lead us through this political power house, we are enlightened to daily life of democracy. Follow our tour with lunch at the Queens Terrace Café. The remainder of our day will be spent at the Australian War Memorial. Combining a shrine, world-class museum and extensive archive, the Memorial’s purpose is to commemorate the sacrifice of those Australians who had died in war or on operational service and those who have served our nation in times of conflict. We are farewelled with the Last Post Ceremony. What a moving experience this will be!

Stay: Canberra Rex Hotel, Canberra

DAY 5 - CANBERRA IN SPRINGTIME     (BD)

Friday 4th October:  Today is festival day! First stop Tulip Top Gardens where acres of stunning world class gardens bloom to life. Then it’s off to Commonwealth Park for the amazing Floriade Festival. Revel in an impressive array of inspiring flowerbeds, horticultural exhibitions and unmissable entertainment. Pick up lunch (own expense) at one of the many stalls and spend some free time at this wonderful Spring spectacular. We regroup for an early dinner back at the hotel before returning to Floriade to dabble in the dark side when Nightfest comes to life. Floriade is transformed into an illuminated playground, lighting up the night. What a fantastic way to finish our day!! 

Stay: Canberra Rex Hotel, Canberra

DAY 6 - CANBERRA to FORRESTERS BEACH     (BLD)

Saturday 5th October:  Today farewell Canberra and head for the small town of Bungendore. On arrival enjoy morning tea at Cafe Woodworks before a fascinating visit to the multi-award-winning Bungendore Wood Works Gallery, specializing in promoting, exhibiting and retailing entirely Australian made wooden objects. From here make our way to Heatherbrae’s Pies for lunch. Back on board we reach the Central Coast mid-afternoon to visit the spectacular Ken Duncan Gallery. Spend time wandering through the spacious viewing rooms and enjoying a spectacular audio-visual presentation in the intimate theatre. After this wonderful visual experience, head to our accommodation in Forresters Beach.

Stay: The Quarters, Forresters Beach

DAY 7 - FORRESTERS BEACH to GRAFTON     (BLD)

Sunday 6th October:  Today our travels see us following the coast through to Port Macquarie. Visit Sea Acres, a rare coastal rainforest. Beginning at the Rainforest Centre, we find a number of eco displays that provide a wealth of information about local Aboriginal culture and the surrounding rainforest environment. Many wonders of the rainforest reside above ground level, so getting up into the canopy is the best way to explore it properly. After lunch here, continue north through to Urunga. We make a brief stop at Honey Place before completing our journey through to Grafton for our final night.

Stay: Quality Inn, Grafton

DAY 8 - GRAFTON to HERVEY BAY     (B)

Monday 7th October:  Sadly, our tour is coming to an end. After breakfast meander along the coast, stopping regularly at convenient and interesting towns leaving time for a lunch break (own expense) and some casual sightseeing throughout the day. Farewell our Brisbane passengers early afternoon and Wide Bay passengers early evening.

* All itineraries are subject to change due to occasional restrictions in opening times / days of some attractions.  We cannot be held responsible for changes due to closures or inclement weather.