Arrive in Sydney on suggested Qantas flights. Renaissance Tours or your travel agent can assist you with your flights and other travel arrangements, including extra nights’ accommodation and a private transfer from the airport.

Meet your tour leader Elizabeth Swane and fellow travellers at the Sheraton Grand Sydney Hyde Park Hotel at 9:30 am. Depart Sydney for the Hunter Valley and enjoy a welcome briefing by Elizabeth on the coach.

Enjoy lunch at The Bath House Garden, a four-acre country garden set in the rural surrounds of the Hunter Valley’s historic Maitland, followed by a private tour of the garden.

This evening, join Elizabeth and fellow travellers for a welcome dinner at the hotel restaurant.

(LD)

After breakfast, visit the impressive Hunter Valley Gardens. Wander through its themed gardens, showcasing the artistry of gardens around the world with native and exotic varieties of plants, and marvel at its waterfalls, statues, thousands of trees and shrubs, and over one million ground plants.

Continue to Scone and enjoy some time at leisure for lunch before visiting the Michael Reid Gallery and Garden. Located in Murrurundi, a quaint town surrounded by the Liverpool Range mountains, the gallery displays a fine collection of contemporary Australian art.

Arrive at the hotel in the late afternoon and spend some time at leisure before dinner.

(BD)

In the morning, enjoy a bush tucker tour with Kamilaroi man Len Waters and learn to identify significant native plants and their uses in food and bush medicine. Enjoy some free time to explore Tamworth at your own pace.

Then, visit the Tamworth Regional Gallery, whose collection began with a donation of 100 paintings and artworks from prolific Australian artist John Salvana in 1919. Gifted as an educational resource and to encourage children with an interest in art to study the craft, Salvana included unfinished artworks in the collection to show students how to structure a painting or drawing.

Tonight, enjoy dinner at Goonoo Goonoo Station, one of New England’s most prominent historical pastoral properties.

(BD)

Today, travel to the picturesque town of Armidale, home to elegant cathedrals and scenic leafy streets lined with heritage buildings. Stop en route at Uralla, a historic gold mining town in the Northern Tablelands, and view Gotswyck Chapel, a quaint brick church surrounded by golden Elm trees.

Continue to the heritage-listed Saumarez Homestead and Heritage Rose Garden. Explore the charming Edwardian mansion, sitting on 10 hectares of land comprised of formal gardens and historic farm buildings, and discover its famous collection of 600 heritage roses.

In the afternoon, spend time at leisure to explore the town at your own pace. Enjoy dinner at the hotel.

(BLD)

In the morning, wander through two private gardens tucked away in the outskirts of Armidale.

Then, enjoy lunch at the picturesque Peterson’s Armidale Guesthouse restaurant, located at the award-winning Peterson’s Armidale Winery. The historic homestead, boasting a unique arched entrance, was built in 1911 and was restored in line with traditional architecture.

In the afternoon, visit the New England Regional Art Museum, showcasing Australian art collections and artist’s studios. The museum’s art collections are the second largest and most valuable regional public collection in New South Wales.

Return to the hotel and spend the remainder of the afternoon at leisure.

(BL)

Depart Tamworth and explore Rosecroft Homestead, a 1930s Hamptons-style homestead situated on a 50-acre property. Wander through its private English-style garden and parkland, containing 140 mature ornamental trees aged at almost 100 years old, six different types of elm trees, a pergola, bell tower and various statuary.

In the early afternoon, enjoy a tour of a private garden in Glenn Innes. The idyllic sanctuary surrounds an 1870 home and is known for its signature element: hedges. Stroll through the peaceful garden and uncover its many arbours, pergolas, trellises and stone walls.

Arrive in Tenterfield in the late afternoon and enjoy some time at leisure before dinner.

(BD)

In the morning, visit Glenrock Gardens, an award-winning country garden designed by New England garden designer Carolyn Robinson. Originally a working cattle farm, the English-style garden now boasts picturesque arbours, woodland walks, lakes, drystone walls and terraces surrounded by and integrated into the local natural flora.

Then, enjoy lunch at the glorious Ivy leaf Chapel, followed by a tour of the grounds. Admire its sculptured hedges and Boston Ivy covering, creating a magnificent display of autumn colours.

In the evening, join Elizabeth and fellow travellers for a special farewell dinner to celebrate the conclusion of the tour.

(BLD)

After breakfast, transfer from Tenterfield to Ballina airport for flights departing from 4:00 pm. Tour arrangements conclude upon arrival at Ballina airport.

Renaissance Tours or your travel agent can assist you with your flights and other travel arrangements, including private airport transfers, additional nights’ accommodation either before or after the tour and travel insurance (a condition of travel).

(B)

Note: At time of publication (February 2024), most but not all garden visits were confirmed. Private owners, in particular, are reluctant to commit more than two to three months prior to the visit. Therefore, while we undertake to operate the tour as published, there may be some changes to the itinerary.