Arrive in Adelaide on suggested Qantas flights. Renaissance Tours or your travel agent can assist you with your flights and other travel arrangements including pre-tour accommodation.

Tour arrangements begin at Adelaide Airport at 13:30 with a group transfer via the CBD to Mount Lofty House MGallery hotel in the Adelaide Hills (group transfer included in tour price if arriving on suggested flights).

Upon arrival, check in to the hotel and enjoy the remainder of the afternoon at leisure to relax in the peaceful surroundings.

At 18:00 attend a talk by your tour leader, Christine McCabe, followed by dinner with Christine and fellow tour members at the hotel.

(D)

This morning, visit a private garden including a large range of very rarely-seen bulbs and perennials mostly from Mediterranean climate regions around the world.

Then, enjoy a private tour of the historic Carrick Hill manor house and its English-style garden, with stunning views across the gardens to Adelaide and the coast beyond.

After lunch, explore Glenalta, a Georgian-style homestead built in 1863 by former SA Premier John Downer and one of the few intact examples of a hill station in South Australia. Wander through the extensive garden with formal lawn terraces, a large collection of mature deciduous trees and plants in gentle autumnal foliage.

(BL)

Transfer to delightful Tickle Tank, the home and garden of artist and gardener Irene Pearce. See the home, constructed from concrete water tanks and adorned with mosaics, and the quirky 450-square-metre garden featuring native grasses, herbs, roses and fruit trees.

Continue to the garden of tour leader Christine McCabe and enjoy a special floristry class to learn the secrets of a cutting garden, followed by lunch.

In the afternoon, visit Sophie’s Patch, a garden in Mount Barker owned by Sophie Thomson, a presenter on ABC TV’s Gardening Australia. Enjoy a private tour of the garden in this 1.2-hectare property, which includes an organic vegetable patch and a large number of fruit and nut trees.

(BL)

This morning, visit The Cedars, the historic house and working studio of Australian landscape artist Sir Hans Heysen, and learn about his passion for painting flowers. The gracious old homestead is surrounded by a rambling cottage garden, planted by Sir Hans himself.

Then, transfer to Hahndorf, an historic village known for its strong German heritage, and enjoy some time at leisure to explore the charming tree-lined main street. Continue to Bird in Hand winery for a tour of the landscaped country garden and winery grounds, followed by a wine tasting in the garden.

Later, enjoy a guided tour of Mount Lofty Botanic Garden, overlooking the picturesque Piccadilly Valley. The extensive botanical garden features displays of cool-climate plants, which at this time of the year will be covered in stunning autumn colours.

Tonight, celebrate the conclusion of the tour with a special farewell dinner with Christine and fellow travellers.

(BD)

Depart Mount Lofty and transfer to Adelaide Airport or Adelaide CBD (group transfer included in tour price).

Arrangements conclude upon arrival at Adelaide Airport for flights departing from 13:00, or the Adelaide CBD. Renaissance Tours or your travel agent can assist you with your flights and other travel arrangements, including additional nights’ accommodation either before or after the tour, a room category upgrade, or travel insurance (highly recommended).

(B)

Note: At time of publication (October 2020), 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.