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Private Gardens of the Adelaide Hills

Delight in autumn’s colourful panorama in South Australia’s picturesque Adelaide Hills and explore some of its finest private gardens and heritage homesteads.

Gain exclusive access to charming country properties and gardens, including the imaginative Tickle Tank and Bird in Hand properties, and meet their passionate owners.

Visit artist Hans Heysen’s The Cedars, and the historic Carrick Hill and Glenalta properties, all surrounded by stunning gardens filled with splashes of rich autumnal colour.

Learn about the secrets of a cutting garden during a special floristry class provided by your tour leader, Christine McCabe, and enjoy a private guided tour of the impressive Mount Lofty Botanic Garden.

**LIMITED AVAILABILITY**

At a Glance

  • Feast your eyes on a profusion of autumnal colour in the picturesque Adelaide Hills
  • Explore a selection of charming rural gardens and characterful private properties, and meet their owners
  • Visit heritage homesteads and estates and wander through their historic gardens
  • Learn more about cutting gardens during a special floristry class

Tour Leader

Christine McCabe

Destination

South Australia

Dates

17–21 April 2021 (5 days)

Fitness Level

Moderate

?

Tour Status

Limited Availability

Enquire Book now

At a Glance

  • Feast your eyes on a profusion of autumnal colour in the picturesque Adelaide Hills
  • Explore a selection of charming rural gardens and characterful private properties, and meet their owners
  • Visit heritage homesteads and estates and wander through their historic gardens
  • Learn more about cutting gardens during a special floristry class
Download Brochure
  • Itinerary
  • Pricing
  • Hotels

Saturday 17 April 2021 / Arrive Adelaide Hills

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)

Sun 18 Apr / Adelaide Hills

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)

Mon 19 / Adelaide Hills

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)

Tue 20 / Adelaide Hills

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)

Wed 21 / Depart Adelaide Hills

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.
Per person, twin-share

AUD 3,500

Single supplement

AUD 1,050

Deposit per person (at time of booking)

AUD 500

Final payment due

12 February 2021

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

Tour code

GD2117

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

  • Four nights’ accommodation in a four-star superior 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
  • Group transfer from Adelaide Airport or Adelaide CBD to Mount Lofty House hotel on arrival
  • Group transfer from Mount Lofty House hotel to Adelaide Airport or Adelaide CBD on departure
  • Talks with your tour leader, Christine McCabe
  • 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 if not using group transfers
  • 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

Mount Lofty – Mount Lofty House MGallery****+

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

Fitness Level

Moderate

?

Gardens of Glenalta homestead (Photo courtesy of Glenalta)

Fig Fence and Topiary Cypress. Private garden in the Adelaide Hills

The House of Carrick Hill © Michael Coghlan/flickrCC

Hahndorf © South Australian Tourism Commission/Adam Bruzzone

Christine McCabe’s, The Oaks © Simon Griffiths

The Cedars © South Australian Tourism Commission

Bird in Hand Winery © Tourism Australia

Mount Lofty Botanic Garden © Sam Williams

Private Gardens of the Adelaide Hills

Delight in autumn’s colourful panorama in South Australia’s picturesque Adelaide Hills and explore some of its finest private gardens and heritage homesteads.

Gain exclusive access to charming country properties and gardens, including the imaginative Tickle Tank and Bird in Hand properties, and meet their passionate owners.

Visit artist Hans Heysen’s The Cedars, and the historic Carrick Hill and Glenalta properties, all surrounded by stunning gardens filled with splashes of rich autumnal colour.

Learn about the secrets of a cutting garden during a special floristry class provided by your tour leader, Christine McCabe, and enjoy a private guided tour of the impressive Mount Lofty Botanic Garden.

**LIMITED AVAILABILITY**

  • Itinerary
  • Pricing
  • Hotels

Saturday 17 April 2021 / Arrive Adelaide Hills

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)

Sun 18 Apr / Adelaide Hills

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)

Mon 19 / Adelaide Hills

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)

Tue 20 / Adelaide Hills

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)

Wed 21 / Depart Adelaide Hills

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.
Per person, twin-share

AUD 3,500

Single supplement

AUD 1,050

Deposit per person (at time of booking)

AUD 500

Final payment due

12 February 2021

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

Tour code

GD2117

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

  • Four nights’ accommodation in a four-star superior 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
  • Group transfer from Adelaide Airport or Adelaide CBD to Mount Lofty House hotel on arrival
  • Group transfer from Mount Lofty House hotel to Adelaide Airport or Adelaide CBD on departure
  • Talks with your tour leader, Christine McCabe
  • 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 if not using group transfers
  • 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

Mount Lofty – Mount Lofty House MGallery****+

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

Book now
Enquire
Download Brochure

Private Gardens of the Adelaide Hills

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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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