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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 spring colour.

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

Sample 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

24 – 30 October 2022 (7 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

Monday 24 October 2022 / 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 extra nights’ accommodation and a private transfer from the airport.

Meet Elizabeth and fellow travellers at a Sydney CBD hotel (venue to be confirmed) 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.

After lunch, continue to Orange and check-in to the hotel in the late afternoon.

Tonight, enjoy a welcome dinner with Elizabeth and fellow tour members.

(LD)

Tue 25 Oct / Orange (Lucknow)

Today, explore a series of private gardens near the old gold mining town of Lucknow. First, visit a large English-style garden at the base of Mt Canobolas with a wide variety of cool-climate plants, many deciduous trees and different garden areas, including an Italianate garden, a pergola and charming water features.

Then, visit a private estate with an original nineteenth-century house and a colourful garden showcasing clusters of shrubs, formal hedges and a vegetable patch.

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

(BL)

Wed 26 Oct / Orange (Millthorpe)

This morning, visit an extensive six-hectare property with its lush garden displayed across themed areas with their own individual character, linked by winding paths.

After some time at leisure in the charming heritage-listed village of Millthorpe, enjoy a wine tasting at Patina Winery, known for its mature cool-climate wines and scenic gardens.

This evening, enjoy dinner at a nearby restaurant.

(BD)

Thu 27 Oct / Orange (Canowindra)

Travel to Canowindra to visit a newly renovated local nursery with its own picturesque garden, and then a private garden full of hardy exotic plants and sculptures, utilising the unique colours, textures and forms of drought- and frost-tolerant perennials and shrubs.

Enjoy lunch at Wallington Wines, a boutique family-owned winery. Then continue to Noojee Lea, 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 renowned garden designer Paul Bangay.

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

(BL)

Fri 28 Oct / Orange (Cowra)

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, enjoy a stroll through the historic village of Carcoar before returning to Orange in the late afternoon. The evening is at leisure.

(BL)

Sat 29 Oct / 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 of the 1870s with an impressive façade and extensive grounds.

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

Enjoy some time at leisure in Bathurst, rich with history and gold rush heritage, before returning to Orange.

This evening, delight in a farewell dinner with Elizabeth and fellow travellers at a local restaurant.

(BD)

Sun 30 Oct / Depart Orange – Sydney

This morning, check out of the hotel and travel to a private garden for the morning. Then, enjoy high tea at a restaurant in the Blue Mountains before returning to Sydney.

Tour arrangements conclude upon arrival in the Sydney CBD (venue to be confirmed) around 5:00pm. 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 (May 2022), 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.

Per person, twin-share

AUD 5,250

Single supplement

AUD 950

Deposit per person (at time of booking)

AUD 1,500

Final payment due

25 August 2022

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

Tour code

GD2214

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

  • Six nights’ accommodation at a four-star hotel, including 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
  • Expertise and insights of your tour leader, garden specialist 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 transfers on arrival and departure (contact Renaissance Tours for assistance)
  • 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
Orange – The Oriana****

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

Fitness Level

Moderate

?

Springtime in Millthorpe. Photo courtesy of Regional Lifestyle Magazine photographer Robert Bruce

Abercrombie House, Bathurst © Destination NSW

Gardens at Patina Winery. Photo courtesy of Regional Lifestyle Magazine photographer Angus Waddell

Cowra Japanese Garden

Private garden near Lucknow

Bishop’s Court Estate, Bathurst. Photo: Elizabeth Swane

Old Government Cottage in Bathurst. Photo: Elizabeth Swane

Beautiful roses blooming in Millthorpe. Photo courtesy of Regional Lifestyle Magazine photographer Robert Bruce

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 spring colour.

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

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

  • Itinerary
  • Pricing
  • Hotels

Monday 24 October 2022 / 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 extra nights’ accommodation and a private transfer from the airport.

Meet Elizabeth and fellow travellers at a Sydney CBD hotel (venue to be confirmed) 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.

After lunch, continue to Orange and check-in to the hotel in the late afternoon.

Tonight, enjoy a welcome dinner with Elizabeth and fellow tour members.

(LD)

Tue 25 Oct / Orange (Lucknow)

Today, explore a series of private gardens near the old gold mining town of Lucknow. First, visit a large English-style garden at the base of Mt Canobolas with a wide variety of cool-climate plants, many deciduous trees and different garden areas, including an Italianate garden, a pergola and charming water features.

Then, visit a private estate with an original nineteenth-century house and a colourful garden showcasing clusters of shrubs, formal hedges and a vegetable patch.

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

(BL)

Wed 26 Oct / Orange (Millthorpe)

This morning, visit an extensive six-hectare property with its lush garden displayed across themed areas with their own individual character, linked by winding paths.

After some time at leisure in the charming heritage-listed village of Millthorpe, enjoy a wine tasting at Patina Winery, known for its mature cool-climate wines and scenic gardens.

This evening, enjoy dinner at a nearby restaurant.

(BD)

Thu 27 Oct / Orange (Canowindra)

Travel to Canowindra to visit a newly renovated local nursery with its own picturesque garden, and then a private garden full of hardy exotic plants and sculptures, utilising the unique colours, textures and forms of drought- and frost-tolerant perennials and shrubs.

Enjoy lunch at Wallington Wines, a boutique family-owned winery. Then continue to Noojee Lea, 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 renowned garden designer Paul Bangay.

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

(BL)

Fri 28 Oct / Orange (Cowra)

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, enjoy a stroll through the historic village of Carcoar before returning to Orange in the late afternoon. The evening is at leisure.

(BL)

Sat 29 Oct / 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 of the 1870s with an impressive façade and extensive grounds.

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

Enjoy some time at leisure in Bathurst, rich with history and gold rush heritage, before returning to Orange.

This evening, delight in a farewell dinner with Elizabeth and fellow travellers at a local restaurant.

(BD)

Sun 30 Oct / Depart Orange – Sydney

This morning, check out of the hotel and travel to a private garden for the morning. Then, enjoy high tea at a restaurant in the Blue Mountains before returning to Sydney.

Tour arrangements conclude upon arrival in the Sydney CBD (venue to be confirmed) around 5:00pm. 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 (May 2022), 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.

Per person, twin-share

AUD 5,250

Single supplement

AUD 950

Deposit per person (at time of booking)

AUD 1,500

Final payment due

25 August 2022

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

Tour code

GD2214

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

  • Six nights’ accommodation at a four-star hotel, including 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
  • Expertise and insights of your tour leader, garden specialist 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 transfers on arrival and departure (contact Renaissance Tours for assistance)
  • 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
Orange – The Oriana****

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

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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