Julie Kinney

Julie Kinney’s love affair with travel began during a stint at London’s Cordon Bleu School of Cookery before returning to her native Western Australia to settle in the beautiful Margaret River region.

A passionate gardener, Julie is well known for her collection and knowledge of rare plants from both Australia and abroad. She has a sophisticated appreciation of gardens having visited hundreds of gardens across the UK, Europe and Australasia and is an experienced and enthusiastic garden tour leader. Julie has founded and headed a number of popular garden clubs in Western Australia, as well as having been a committed part of Australia’s Open Garden Scheme, opening her own gardens to the public. Her book, The Garden Wanderer, is about the gardens of her region.

An enthusiastic and charismatic tour leader, Julie loves nothing more than to showcase the best of wherever she tours to and to ensure her fellow travellers get the most from their travel experience.

Current Tours:

Gardens and Wildflowers of Western Australia  |  16 – 24 October 2025 (9 days)

Testimonials:

“Julie is an exceptional person with an extensive background knowledge of plants and gardens. She is also very people orientated with a lovely friendly professional manner.”
Ngaire B.  |  Autumn Gardens of Country Victoria, 2023

“Julie is a knowledgeable and fun-loving person, easy to talk to, she doesn’t get flustered and always has something positive to add along the way.”
Sharyn B.  |  Autumn Gardens of Country Victoria, 2022

This was my first tour with Renaissance Tours and I couldn’t have had a better leader. Julie was knowledgeable, warm, and friendly.”
Elizabeth C.  |  Hills and Vales of South Australia, 2022

“Julie was wonderful – thorough, articulate, knowledgeable and inclusive’’
Emily H.  |  Autumn Gardens of Country New South Wales, 2021

“As always, fully informed, enthusiastic, flexible and able to create a real holiday atmosphere.”
Roma W.  |  Gardens, Landscapes and Art of the Top End, 2021

“Wonderful, warm and knowledgeable.”
Athina M.  |  Private Gardens of the Perth Hills, 2020

“Julie is very in tune with each guest and any special needs. Excellent time-management skills, very conscientious in all respects.”
Margaret T.  |  Hills and Vales of South Australia, 2019