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

Meet your tour leader Christine McCabe and fellow travellers in the Sydney CBD at 10:00 am (location to be advised). Transfer by coach to the World Heritage-listed Everglades Historic House and Garden in Leura.

The modern-style 1930s house is set amongst 5.2 hectares of gracefully designed gardens. The garden is defined by its cherry terrace that extends from the courtyard, with a line of weeping Japanese cherry trees bordered by an ironstone wall and softened by a ‘floating hedge’ of conifers. Marvel at sweeping views of the Jamison Valley from the garden of the upper terrace.

Spend the rest of the afternoon exploring a private garden before checking in to the hotel in the late afternoon.

(LD)

Today, begin with a guided visit of Windyridge Gardens, located in the historical garden village of Mount Wilson. This garden features cool-climate plants, water features and various sculptures and art pieces.

Continue to Nooroo Garden and enjoy a light lunch at this historic home established as a working farm since 1880 and home to a wealth of oaks ,ash, beech, chestnut and maple trees.

In the afternoon, visit Bebeah Gardens, one of the original large garden estates of Mount Wilson. Tightly clipped hedges of azaleas, camellias, box and laurel, and sweeping grassy expanses, broad arcs of white gravel pathways and gently weathered classical statuary cover the sprawling 12 acres of land.

Return to the hotel in the late afternoon and enjoy the evening at leisure.

(BL)

In the morning, visit Gory’u Japanese Garden, a little piece of Japan in the picturesque Hartley Valley at the foothills of the Blue Mountains. Gory’u is a Kaiyu shiki teien stroll garden with beautiful Zen gardens, a Shinto garden complete with Torii gate, bridges, Japanese maples, flowering cherries and a dragon stream.

Continue to the renowned Highfields Garden, located in the historic mountainside village of Little Hartley.

Nestled on the western edge of the mountain range, Highfields Garden is on a sloping site with rocky soil. Master plantsman David Kennedy has worked to create an eight-acre gem with a dry garden that uses a naturalistic style of planting grasses, perennials and shrubs to create a rich tapestry of colour.

Return to the hotel in the late afternoon and enjoy dinner at a nearby restaurant.

(BLD)

This morning, transfer to the Central Tablelands town of Oberon to explore Mayfield Garden, the epic showpiece of a noted Sydney property developer. One of the world’s largest privately-owned cool-climate gardens, Mayfield features hidden nooks, woodland meadows and floral artistry, and combines locally hewn bluestone paths winding through flower beds bursting with seasonal species.

This evening, enjoy a special farewell dinner with Christine and fellow travellers at a nearby restaurant.

(BLD)

After breakfast, check out of the hotel and depart for the Blue Mountains Botanic Gardens for a tour of the gardens, which are grouped by geographical origin to compare regional similarities and differences.

Continue to Wildwood Gardens in Bilpin, hosting a variety of cool-climate plants including 600 camellia varieties. Complementing the stunning bursts of spring colours are the garden’s waterfall and series of ponds, as well as its collection of well-placed sculptures.

After a light lunch, return to Sydney where tour arrangements conclude upon arrival in the Sydney CBD around 4:00pm.

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

(BL)

Note: At time of publication (October 2023), 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.