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Gardens of the NSW Central West

Explore the historic estates, private gardens and local nurseries of New South Wales’ Central West region and feast your eyes on a profusion of gardens bursting with early autumn radiance.

Gain exclusive access to unique rural properties, private estates and gardens coloured in light autumnal hues and dappled sunlight. Visit a selection of charming country homesteads and decorative gardens in Orange and in the highland towns of Bathurst, Cowra, Millthorpe and Canowindra. Explore the peaceful and manicured hedges of the Cowra Japanese Garden and the historic Abercombie House in Bathurst.

Sample the gourmet produce of the region’s finest food and wines as you take in sweeping vineyard views.

At a Glance

  • Soak up the serenity of the NSW Central West region and marvel at the beauty of its rural landscapes, nurseries and gardens
  • Visit a selection of characterful private gardens with an exclusive opportunity to meet their owners
  • Discover renowned gardens featuring a range of native and exotic species, including the Cowra Japanese Garden and historic Abercrombie House in Bathurst
  • Savour the region’s finest gourmet food and wines

Tour Leader

Elizabeth Swane

Destination

Orange, Bathurst, Cowra and Canowindra

Dates

21–26 March 2021 (6 days)

Fitness Level

Moderate

?

Tour Status

Available

Enquire Book now

At a Glance

  • Soak up the serenity of the NSW Central West region and marvel at the beauty of its rural landscapes, nurseries and gardens
  • Visit a selection of characterful private gardens with an exclusive opportunity to meet their owners
  • Discover renowned gardens featuring a range of native and exotic species, including the Cowra Japanese Garden and historic Abercrombie House in Bathurst
  • Savour the region’s finest gourmet food and wines
Download Brochure
  • Itinerary
  • Pricing
  • Hotels

Sunday 21 Mar 2021 / Depart Sydney – Orange

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

Meet Elizabeth and fellow travellers at a venue in the CBD (to be advised) at 9:00am. Depart Sydney for Bathurst and enjoy a private tour of Bishop’s Court Estate. The focal point of the property is its beautifully decorated Victorian manor house surrounded by an acre of parkland gardens and its historic stone chapel, built in 1908.

Enjoy lunch on the estate, then continue to Orange and check-in to the hotel in the late afternoon.

This evening, enjoy a welcome dinner at the hotel with Elizabeth and fellow tour members.

(LD)

Mon 22 Mar / Orange (Cowra and Millthorpe)

Today, explore the multi-award-winning Cowra Japanese Garden. Opened in 1979, the peaceful garden with its manicured hedges, waterfalls and streams also includes a strolling garden that symbolises the Japanese landscape, a traditional Edo Cottage, an authentic open-air tea house and a bonsai house.

After lunch continue to the quaint heritage-listed village of Millthorpe and visit an extensive 6-hectare property with its garden displayed across themed areas, each with their own individual character, linked by winding paths.

This evening enjoy dinner at a nearby restaurant.

(BD)

Tue 23 Mar / Orange (Lucknow)

This morning, visit a private garden in Orange. Then, continue to the old gold mining town of Lucknow to visit a stunning private estate. Explore the original 19th-century house and wander through the colourful garden showcasing clusters of shrubs, formal hedges and a vegetable patch.

After a picnic lunch on the estate, continue to Patina Winery. Enjoy a wine tasting before exploring the grounds which feature North American trees and roses, with panoramic vistas of Mount Canobolas rich volcanic slopes.

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

(BL)

Wed 24 Mar / Orange (Canowindra)

Today, travel to a large country garden in the historic township of Canowindra and enjoy morning tea and a private tour of the property as you wander its beds of massed perennials, old-fashioned roses, shrubs and native plants.

Enjoy lunch at an organic vineyard, then visit a local nursery to explore its picturesque garden. Continue to a private estate with an early 1900s homestead, an orchard filled with citrus, stone fruit, almond, pistachio, pear, mulberry and fig trees, and a landscape garden successfully reshaped by a renowned garden designer.

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

(BL)

Thu 25 Mar / Orange (Bathurst)

This morning, visit the stunning Abercrombie House near Bathurst, considered a heritage treasure of the region. The mansion is a Victorian-Tudor-style house built in the 1870s of granite with an impressive façade surrounded by extensive grounds.

Then, visit Old Government House, a rare and intact example of an early Bathurst home, and wander through its quaint and pretty cottage garden.

Return to Orange in the mid-afternoon and enjoy the remainder of the afternoon at leisure.

This evening, enjoy a special farewell dinner with Elizabeth and fellow travellers at a local restaurant.

(BD)

Fri 26 Mar / Depart Orange – Sydney

This morning, check out of the hotel and visit the renowned Highfields Garden, located in the historic Blue Mountains village of Little Hartley.

Nestled on the western edge of the mountain range, Highfields Garden is built on a precarious sloping site with rocky soil. Master plantsman David Kennedy has worked to create an 8-acre gem with a dry garden that uses a naturalistic style of planting grasses, perennials and shrubs to create a rich tapestry of colour.

Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant in the Blue Mountains, then return to Sydney.

Tour arrangements conclude upon arrival at a venue in the CBD (to be advised). Renaissance Tours or your travel agent can assist you with your flights and other travel arrangements, including airport transfers and additional nights’ accommodation either before or after the tour.

(BL)

Per person, twin-share

AUD 4,150

Single supplement

AUD 800

Deposit per person (at time of booking)

AUD 500

Final payment due

20 January 2021

Room category upgrade available on request; please enquire with us.

Tour code

GD2129

Fitness level

Moderate
Please see our Terms & Conditions for fitness level definitions.

Suggested airline

Qantas
Please contact Renaissance Tours or your travel agent for current airfares and flight reservations.

Visa

New Zealand passport holders do not require a visa to visit Australia.

Tour price includes

  • Five nights’ accommodation at a four-star superior boutique hotel with breakfast daily (B)
  • Meals as per itinerary (L = Lunch, D = Dinner), including wine with dinners
  • Comprehensive sightseeing, including local guides and entrance fees as per itinerary
  • Transportation throughout on comfortable, air-conditioned coaches
  • Talks with your tour leader, Elizabeth Swane
  • Gratuities for local guides, drivers and wait staff
  • Hotel porterage (one piece per person)

Tour price does not include

  • Airfares (please contact Renaissance Tours or your travel agent for assistance)
  • Airport/hotel transfer on arrival and departure
  • Airport porterage
  • Items of a personal nature (e.g. telephone, laundry, room service, minibar, taxis etc.)
  • Travel insurance (highly recommended; please contact Renaissance Tours or your travel agent for assistance)

 

Your hotel

Byng Street Boutique Hotel ****

Set in an historic homestead with revamped contemporary interiors, this four-star boutique hotel is located in the heart of Orange. Cooked breakfast is provided daily in the hotel’s colourful Yallungah Dining Room. Each guest room is individually decorated with contemporary furnishings and overlook the heritage property’s peaceful gardens. The spacious en-suite bathrooms feature stand-alone showers and complimentary amenities.

N.B. Hotel of a similar standard may be substituted.

The Byng Street Boutique Hotel, Orange

Fitness Level

Moderate

?

Cowra Japanese Garden. Photo by Garry Lynch

Garden in Canowindra. Photo courtesy of Regional Lifestyle Magazine photographer Angus Waddell.

The historic streets of Millthorpe © Destination NSW

Highfields Garden, Little Hartley. Photo courtesy of the garden

Garden in Millthorpe

Abercrombie House, Bathurst © Martin7d2/flickrCC

Gardens of the Bathurst Old Government House. Photo courtesy of Bathurst District Historical Society

Autumn colours of Orange

Gardens of the NSW Central West

Explore the historic estates, private gardens and local nurseries of New South Wales’ Central West region and feast your eyes on a profusion of gardens bursting with early autumn radiance.

Gain exclusive access to unique rural properties, private estates and gardens coloured in light autumnal hues and dappled sunlight. Visit a selection of charming country homesteads and decorative gardens in Orange and in the highland towns of Bathurst, Cowra, Millthorpe and Canowindra. Explore the peaceful and manicured hedges of the Cowra Japanese Garden and the historic Abercombie House in Bathurst.

Sample the gourmet produce of the region’s finest food and wines as you take in sweeping vineyard views.

  • Itinerary
  • Pricing
  • Hotels

Sunday 21 Mar 2021 / Depart Sydney – Orange

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

Meet Elizabeth and fellow travellers at a venue in the CBD (to be advised) at 9:00am. Depart Sydney for Bathurst and enjoy a private tour of Bishop’s Court Estate. The focal point of the property is its beautifully decorated Victorian manor house surrounded by an acre of parkland gardens and its historic stone chapel, built in 1908.

Enjoy lunch on the estate, then continue to Orange and check-in to the hotel in the late afternoon.

This evening, enjoy a welcome dinner at the hotel with Elizabeth and fellow tour members.

(LD)

Mon 22 Mar / Orange (Cowra and Millthorpe)

Today, explore the multi-award-winning Cowra Japanese Garden. Opened in 1979, the peaceful garden with its manicured hedges, waterfalls and streams also includes a strolling garden that symbolises the Japanese landscape, a traditional Edo Cottage, an authentic open-air tea house and a bonsai house.

After lunch continue to the quaint heritage-listed village of Millthorpe and visit an extensive 6-hectare property with its garden displayed across themed areas, each with their own individual character, linked by winding paths.

This evening enjoy dinner at a nearby restaurant.

(BD)

Tue 23 Mar / Orange (Lucknow)

This morning, visit a private garden in Orange. Then, continue to the old gold mining town of Lucknow to visit a stunning private estate. Explore the original 19th-century house and wander through the colourful garden showcasing clusters of shrubs, formal hedges and a vegetable patch.

After a picnic lunch on the estate, continue to Patina Winery. Enjoy a wine tasting before exploring the grounds which feature North American trees and roses, with panoramic vistas of Mount Canobolas rich volcanic slopes.

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

(BL)

Wed 24 Mar / Orange (Canowindra)

Today, travel to a large country garden in the historic township of Canowindra and enjoy morning tea and a private tour of the property as you wander its beds of massed perennials, old-fashioned roses, shrubs and native plants.

Enjoy lunch at an organic vineyard, then visit a local nursery to explore its picturesque garden. Continue to a private estate with an early 1900s homestead, an orchard filled with citrus, stone fruit, almond, pistachio, pear, mulberry and fig trees, and a landscape garden successfully reshaped by a renowned garden designer.

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

(BL)

Thu 25 Mar / Orange (Bathurst)

This morning, visit the stunning Abercrombie House near Bathurst, considered a heritage treasure of the region. The mansion is a Victorian-Tudor-style house built in the 1870s of granite with an impressive façade surrounded by extensive grounds.

Then, visit Old Government House, a rare and intact example of an early Bathurst home, and wander through its quaint and pretty cottage garden.

Return to Orange in the mid-afternoon and enjoy the remainder of the afternoon at leisure.

This evening, enjoy a special farewell dinner with Elizabeth and fellow travellers at a local restaurant.

(BD)

Fri 26 Mar / Depart Orange – Sydney

This morning, check out of the hotel and visit the renowned Highfields Garden, located in the historic Blue Mountains village of Little Hartley.

Nestled on the western edge of the mountain range, Highfields Garden is built on a precarious sloping site with rocky soil. Master plantsman David Kennedy has worked to create an 8-acre gem with a dry garden that uses a naturalistic style of planting grasses, perennials and shrubs to create a rich tapestry of colour.

Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant in the Blue Mountains, then return to Sydney.

Tour arrangements conclude upon arrival at a venue in the CBD (to be advised). Renaissance Tours or your travel agent can assist you with your flights and other travel arrangements, including airport transfers and additional nights’ accommodation either before or after the tour.

(BL)

Per person, twin-share

AUD 4,150

Single supplement

AUD 800

Deposit per person (at time of booking)

AUD 500

Final payment due

20 January 2021

Room category upgrade available on request; please enquire with us.

Tour code

GD2129

Fitness level

Moderate
Please see our Terms & Conditions for fitness level definitions.

Suggested airline

Qantas
Please contact Renaissance Tours or your travel agent for current airfares and flight reservations.

Visa

New Zealand passport holders do not require a visa to visit Australia.

Tour price includes

  • Five nights’ accommodation at a four-star superior boutique hotel with breakfast daily (B)
  • Meals as per itinerary (L = Lunch, D = Dinner), including wine with dinners
  • Comprehensive sightseeing, including local guides and entrance fees as per itinerary
  • Transportation throughout on comfortable, air-conditioned coaches
  • Talks with your tour leader, Elizabeth Swane
  • Gratuities for local guides, drivers and wait staff
  • Hotel porterage (one piece per person)

Tour price does not include

  • Airfares (please contact Renaissance Tours or your travel agent for assistance)
  • Airport/hotel transfer on arrival and departure
  • Airport porterage
  • Items of a personal nature (e.g. telephone, laundry, room service, minibar, taxis etc.)
  • Travel insurance (highly recommended; please contact Renaissance Tours or your travel agent for assistance)

 

Your hotel

Byng Street Boutique Hotel ****

Set in an historic homestead with revamped contemporary interiors, this four-star boutique hotel is located in the heart of Orange. Cooked breakfast is provided daily in the hotel’s colourful Yallungah Dining Room. Each guest room is individually decorated with contemporary furnishings and overlook the heritage property’s peaceful gardens. The spacious en-suite bathrooms feature stand-alone showers and complimentary amenities.

N.B. Hotel of a similar standard may be substituted.

The Byng Street Boutique Hotel, Orange

Book now
Enquire
Download Brochure

Gardens of the NSW Central West

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        Participation in tours

        Most of our tours require a MODERATE level of fitness. However, in certain destinations, or in certain seasons, or because of the nature of travel, certain tours will require an ABOVE MODERATE or CHALLENGING level of fitness. For the overall benefit of the group, at the time of booking we will require you to declare in writing that you are fit to participate in your chosen tour according to the level of fitness required for that tour. If you (or we) have any doubts about your level of fitness, you may be required to undergo a doctor’s appraisal. This would require your doctor to read the itinerary of your chosen tour, including the fitness level, and provide you (and us) with a written confirmation of your ability to participate.
        We reserve the right to refuse admission to the tour for any reason before commencement of the tour. Further, if after the tour has begun it becomes apparent that you are unfit or unsuitable to travel on the tour, we reserve the right to require you to withdraw from the tour at the earliest opportunity to do so. No refund will be provided.
        It is also a requirement that you do not cause any significant disruption to the tour or the tour group, and we may refuse admission on the tour, or require you to withdraw from the tour at any time if your participation causes significant disruption for other guests or the tour group or there is any safety issue as a result of your ongoing participation in the tour.

        Fitness to participate

        Moderate

        Tour members must be able to:

        • negotiate airports and railway stations without wheelchair assistance
        • use combined shower/bath facilities (it is impossible to guarantee walk-in shower facilities)
        • undertake walking tours of 1-2 hours duration, including using stairs, walking over cobblestones and other uneven surfaces
        • stand for long periods in museums and other sites
        • embark / disembark coaches, trains and other methods of transportation without assistance
        • handle your own luggage

        Above Moderate

        In addition to the above, tour members must also be able to:

        • undertake walking tours of 2-3 hours
        • climb staircases of 100 or more steps

        Challenging*

        In addition to the above, tour members must also be able to:

        • handle extremes of temperature (e.g. below 0 or above 35 degrees)
        • handle extremes of altitudes (e.g. 4000 metres and above)

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        Renaissance Tours

        Level 4, 47 York Street, Sydney NSW 2000 | GPO Box 5068, Sydney NSW 2001

        1300 727 095 (Australia) | 0800 403 621 (New Zealand)
        phone +61 2 9299 5801 | fax +61 2 9299 5805 | email info@renaissancetours.com.au

        ABN 14 069 591 448.

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