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Private Gardens of the NSW Southern Highlands

Meander through grand estates and private properties scattered across the rolling hills of the New South Wales Southern Highlands that have been the fashionable country retreats of Sydney’s gentry for generations.

Spend a morning visiting gardens in Bowral in the company of landscape architect Nicholas Bray and meet interior designer Mickey Robertson and explore her rapturously planned garden that interplays the surrounding landscapes with the home’s curated interiors. 

Visit historic farmhouses and Georgian manors that have been restored to their former glory while enjoying farm-fresh produce from country kitchens and acclaimed regional restaurants.

At a Glance

  • Explore a collection of private gardens in the historic towns of Burrawang and Bowral
  • Spend an afternoon at Mickey Robertson’s charming country property, Glenmore House, for a long-table garden lunch
  • Meet international landscape architect Nicholas Bray and join him to visit Pepper Tree Creek, one of his acclaimed designs
  • Appreciate the personal stories of locals who have nurtured some of the highland’s most significant gardens
  • Enjoy country hospitality at a selection of leading regional restaurants

Tour Leader

Trisha Dixon

Destination

Bowral, Burrawang and Berrima

Dates

03–06 May 2021 (4 days)

Fitness Level

Above moderate

?

Tour Status

Available

Enquire Book now

At a Glance

  • Explore a collection of private gardens in the historic towns of Burrawang and Bowral
  • Spend an afternoon at Mickey Robertson’s charming country property, Glenmore House, for a long-table garden lunch
  • Meet international landscape architect Nicholas Bray and join him to visit Pepper Tree Creek, one of his acclaimed designs
  • Appreciate the personal stories of locals who have nurtured some of the highland’s most significant gardens
  • Enjoy country hospitality at a selection of leading regional restaurants
Download Brochure
  • Itinerary
  • Pricing
  • Hotels

Monday 03 May 2021 / Depart Sydney – Bowral

Meet tour leader Trisha Dixon and fellow travellers at the Four Seasons Hotel Sydney at 9:30am. Renaissance Tours or your travel agent can assist you with your flights and other travel arrangements, including extra nights’ accommodation before the tour and a private transfer from the airport.

Depart Sydney to visit the charming country property of Glenmore House, nestled in the foothills of the Razorback Range. Join owner and former interior designer Mickey Robertson in her vibrant kitchen garden to understand absolute seasonality before enjoying a special homemade long-table lunch.

Arrive at the hotel in Bowral in the late afternoon before enjoying a light supper at the hotel restaurant.

(LD)

Tue 04 May / Bowral

In the morning, join landscape architect, horticulturist and environmental planner Nicholas Bray for a visit to a private garden he designed. After studying at the Royal Horticultural Society in the UK and working at the Hanbury Botanical Gardens in Italy, Nicholas takes a global lens to designing Australian country gardens with universal appeal.

Explore the private garden of Pepper Tree Creek, where his bold terraced design amalgamates unique garden rooms over steep terrain, combined with a sensitively designed amphitheatre as a memorial garden and an indigenous collection of ferns.

Enjoy time at leisure in Bowral for lunch, and to explore the boutiques and antique stores before visiting another local private garden in the afternoon. This evening, enjoy dinner at one of Bowral’s acclaimed regional restaurants.

(BD)

Wed 05 May / Bowral (Berrima and Burrawang)

Today, visit the historic town of Berrima, known for its collection of Georgian buildings, before travelling eastwards to the picturesque village of Burrawang. Visit an architecturally designed home with a special private garden perched atop the escarpment overlooking the rolling hills below.

Enjoy lunch in the garden of the quaint Burrawang Village Hotel before visiting another private garden owned by one of Trisha’s friends in the afternoon. Return to the hotel in the late afternoon and enjoy the evening at leisure.

(BL)

Thu 06 May / Depart Bowral – Sydney

Check out of the hotel in the morning and visit a privately owned architectural jewel of pasture country on the outskirts of Sydney which was once owned by the Colonial Secretary for New South Wales, Alexander Macleay. Enjoy a farewell lunch on the grounds of the grand estate before travelling back to Sydney.

Arrangements conclude upon arrival in the Sydney CBD at approximately 4:00pm. 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).

(BL)

Note: At time of publication (November 2020), private owners of gardens had committed to opening their homes and gardens, however they prefer not to be named. While we undertake to operate the tour as published, there may be some changes to the itinerary.
Per person, twin-share

AUD 3,250

Single supplement

AUD 300

Deposit per person (at time of booking)

AUD 500

Final payment due

4 March 2021

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

Tour code

GD2118

Fitness level

Above 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

  • Three nights’ accommodation in a four-star 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
  • Insights and commentary by your tour leader, Trisha Dixon
  • 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
  • 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

Bowral – Gibraltar Hotel Bowral ****

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

Fitness Level

Above moderate

?

Glenmore House © Tisha Dixon

Private garden near Camden © Trisha Dixon

Shopping in Bowral © Destination NSW

Sun setting over a property in Berrima © Kramer Photography; www.kramer.photography

View of Burrawang © Destination NSW

Private garden near Camden © Trisha Dixon

Autumn leaves, Southern Highlands © Trisha Dixon

Rolling hills of the Southern Highlands

Private Gardens of the NSW Southern Highlands

Meander through grand estates and private properties scattered across the rolling hills of the New South Wales Southern Highlands that have been the fashionable country retreats of Sydney’s gentry for generations.

Spend a morning visiting gardens in Bowral in the company of landscape architect Nicholas Bray and meet interior designer Mickey Robertson and explore her rapturously planned garden that interplays the surrounding landscapes with the home’s curated interiors. 

Visit historic farmhouses and Georgian manors that have been restored to their former glory while enjoying farm-fresh produce from country kitchens and acclaimed regional restaurants.

  • Itinerary
  • Pricing
  • Hotels

Monday 03 May 2021 / Depart Sydney – Bowral

Meet tour leader Trisha Dixon and fellow travellers at the Four Seasons Hotel Sydney at 9:30am. Renaissance Tours or your travel agent can assist you with your flights and other travel arrangements, including extra nights’ accommodation before the tour and a private transfer from the airport.

Depart Sydney to visit the charming country property of Glenmore House, nestled in the foothills of the Razorback Range. Join owner and former interior designer Mickey Robertson in her vibrant kitchen garden to understand absolute seasonality before enjoying a special homemade long-table lunch.

Arrive at the hotel in Bowral in the late afternoon before enjoying a light supper at the hotel restaurant.

(LD)

Tue 04 May / Bowral

In the morning, join landscape architect, horticulturist and environmental planner Nicholas Bray for a visit to a private garden he designed. After studying at the Royal Horticultural Society in the UK and working at the Hanbury Botanical Gardens in Italy, Nicholas takes a global lens to designing Australian country gardens with universal appeal.

Explore the private garden of Pepper Tree Creek, where his bold terraced design amalgamates unique garden rooms over steep terrain, combined with a sensitively designed amphitheatre as a memorial garden and an indigenous collection of ferns.

Enjoy time at leisure in Bowral for lunch, and to explore the boutiques and antique stores before visiting another local private garden in the afternoon. This evening, enjoy dinner at one of Bowral’s acclaimed regional restaurants.

(BD)

Wed 05 May / Bowral (Berrima and Burrawang)

Today, visit the historic town of Berrima, known for its collection of Georgian buildings, before travelling eastwards to the picturesque village of Burrawang. Visit an architecturally designed home with a special private garden perched atop the escarpment overlooking the rolling hills below.

Enjoy lunch in the garden of the quaint Burrawang Village Hotel before visiting another private garden owned by one of Trisha’s friends in the afternoon. Return to the hotel in the late afternoon and enjoy the evening at leisure.

(BL)

Thu 06 May / Depart Bowral – Sydney

Check out of the hotel in the morning and visit a privately owned architectural jewel of pasture country on the outskirts of Sydney which was once owned by the Colonial Secretary for New South Wales, Alexander Macleay. Enjoy a farewell lunch on the grounds of the grand estate before travelling back to Sydney.

Arrangements conclude upon arrival in the Sydney CBD at approximately 4:00pm. 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).

(BL)

Note: At time of publication (November 2020), private owners of gardens had committed to opening their homes and gardens, however they prefer not to be named. While we undertake to operate the tour as published, there may be some changes to the itinerary.
Per person, twin-share

AUD 3,250

Single supplement

AUD 300

Deposit per person (at time of booking)

AUD 500

Final payment due

4 March 2021

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

Tour code

GD2118

Fitness level

Above 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

  • Three nights’ accommodation in a four-star 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
  • Insights and commentary by your tour leader, Trisha Dixon
  • 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
  • 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

Bowral – Gibraltar Hotel Bowral ****

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

Book now
Enquire
Download Brochure

Private Gardens of the NSW Southern Highlands

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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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