Admire the intricate handmade textiles, stained-glass windows, furnishings and interior design of William Morris, who made a major impact on the Adelaide society of the late nineteenth century.

At a Glance

  • Visit William Morris-inspired buildings in and around Adelaide including the former Stock Exchange building
  • Explore the rich collection of William Morris furnishings in a private viewing at the 180-year-old house at Anlaby Station
  • Admire the Morris-designed stained-glass windows of St Augustine’s Anglican Church and All Souls’ Church

Discover one of the great dynamos of English interior design, William Morris – designer, poet, medievalist and socialist – who revitalised decorative art with his Arts and Crafts Movement, which swept across the British Empire and found its home-away-from-home in the growing city of Adelaide.

Explore the grand residences of Morris’s largest international client and Australia’s wealthiest family, the Barr Smiths, furnishing seven homes with his works. Visit other key sites in and around Adelaide and revel in the beauty of Morris’s enduring works.

Dates

04 – 10 May 2025 (7 days)

Tour leader

Joyce Morgan

Tour Status

Available

Book now

Itinerary

Arrive in Adelaide and make your way to the hotel. Renaissance Tours or your travel agent can assist you with your flights and other travel arrangements including a private transfer to the hotel, a room category upgrade and pre-tour accommodation.

Tour arrangements commence at 18:00 with a welcome briefing by your tour leader Joyce Morgan, followed by dinner at the hotel.

(D)

This morning, attend a talk by Joyce followed by a tour of Urrbrae House. The house, managed by Adelaide University, has an interesting history and a few Morris pieces in the rooms, and a magnificent rose garden.

After lunch at leisure, visit the Art Gallery of South Australia. As well as being regarded as one of Australia’s most prestigious art institutes, the gallery also has a large selection of items relating to the life and works of William Morris, whose influence can be strongly felt throughout Adelaide.

Continue with a walking tour of William Morris-inspired buildings in the Adelaide CBD, such as the Royal Institution of Australia, housed in the former Stock Exchange building. View Adelaide’s earliest and only example of a Morris and Co. stained-glass window that isn’t in a church.

This evening, enjoy dinner at a nearby restaurant.

(BD)

Today, travel to Anlaby Station, one of Australia’s great homesteads and one of the first grand rural properties of South Australia, located in the Barossa Valley region. Enjoy a private guided tour of the garden and home, which has been restored with examples of William Morris designs in the ‘pomegranate’ wallpaper and ‘tulip and lily’ carpet.

After lunch at Anlaby Station, return to Adelaide and visit St George the Martyr Anglican Church to uncover some hidden William Morris gems.

This evening is at leisure.

(BL)

Today, visit the historic Carrick Hill manor house and enjoy an exclusive chance to view rarely-seen Morris textiles and the manor’s extensive gardens.

After lunch, visit All Souls Anglican Church to see the sunlight glimmer through the William Morris stained-glass windows.

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

(BL)

This morning, admire the William Morris stained-glass windows in St Augustine’s Anglican Church.

Continue to the quaint village of Hahndorf for some time at leisure to explore the town and have lunch.

Then, wander through the rambling house and gardens of The Cedars, home of the famous German-Australian landscape painter Sir Hans Heysen, himself a protégé of the Barr Smith family. Return to the hotel in the late-afternoon and enjoy dinner at a nearby restaurant.

(BD)

This morning, enjoy a private guided tour at the David Roche Foundation House Museum, home to one of Australia’s most extensive collections of decorative art of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, with paintings, ceramics, furniture and sculpture from the early French Rococo period to Russia’s House of Fabergé.

Tonight, join Joyce and fellow tour members for a special farewell dinner.

(BD)

Tour arrangements conclude after breakfast. 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, travel insurance (highly recommended), a room category upgrade and private airport transfers.

(B)

Prices

Per person, twin share

AUD 5,250

Single supplement

AUD 950

Deposit per person (at time of booking)

AUD 1,500

Final payment due

5 March 2025

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

Tour price includes

  • Six 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
  • Talks and insights from your tour leader, art specialist Joyce Morgan
  • 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)

Hotel

Your hotel
The Playford Adelaide MGallery by Sofitel ****+
Situated in the heart of Adelaide’s arts and cultural precinct, the Playford Hotel’s boutique-style accommodation offers contemporary comforts coupled with a warm Art Nouveau feel. Guest rooms come with high-speed broadband internet access, Foxtel and access to the hotel’s Health Club with indoor heated pool, spa and sauna.

N.B. A hotel of a similar standard may be substituted.

More Details

Tour code: RT2503

Fitness level: Moderate
Please see Terms & Conditions for fitness level definitions here.

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.

Download booking form here.

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