DAY 1  SAT 13 MAR  (D) 

ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS

Meet your Tour Leader at Sydney Airport for our group flight to Melbourne, or meet at Melbourne Airport. Head to the Royal Botanic Gardens, Melbourne for a guided tour through this green city oasis. More than 8,500 plant species from around the world are presented in a kaleidoscope of colour and texture. Sweeping lawns, tranquil lakes and majestic trees. This afternoon check-in to your luxury hotel, Lanson Place Parliament Gardens, perfectly placed in the heart of Melbourne, adjacent to Parliament House. This evening our Welcome Dinner is included in your hotel.

Accommodation: Lanson Place Parliament Gardens, Melbourne 

DAY 2  SUN 14 MAR (B/L)

COOMBE ESTATE AND CLOUDEHILL

You will head up to the beautiful Yarra Valley today to visit Antique Perennials at Kinglake, a renowned specialist nursery and display garden celebrated for its extraordinary collection of rare and unusual flowering perennials and ornamental grasses. The garden provides endless inspiration with its richly layered plantings, colour and expertly curated borders. Lunch today is at Coombe Estate, the former home of world-famous opera singer Dame Nellie Melba. This historic estate combines elegance, history, and spectacular gardens in one unforgettable setting. Established more than 100 years ago by William Guilfoyle, the acclaimed landscape architect responsible for Melbourne’s Royal Botanic Gardens. You’ll enjoy a delicious lunch in this beautiful setting. In the afternoon, you’ll continue to the stunning Cloudehill Gardens in the heart of the Dandenong Ranges. This internationally admired cool climate garden is designed as a sequence of distinct outdoor ‘rooms’, each with its own character, colour palette, and planting style. As you stroll through the gardens, you’ll experience a masterful balance between formal design and naturalistic planting, with sweeping vistas, perennials, and carefully framed views at every turn. From vibrant herbaceous borders to tranquil woodland spaces, Cloudehill offers inspiration and beauty throughout the year and is regarded as one of Victoria’s finest private gardens

Accommodation: Lanson Place Parliament Gardens, Melbourne 

DAY 3  MON 15 MAR (B/L) 

MORNINGTON PENINSULA

Today you head down the Mornington Peninsula to Red Hill and Australia’s oldest kitchen garden at Montalto, expanded into an organic vineyard, olive grove and gardens. Lunch is a special affair at their superb ‘paddock to plate’ restaurant, where the menu is inspired by ingredients harvested directly from the estate’s gardens and nearby local producers. Then you will spend the afternoon with Jo Ferguson in her ‘dreamy, whimsical fantasy grassland’, an astonishing garden with an eclectic mix of flowering perennials, endemic grasses, native shrubs and succulents.

Accommodation: Lanson Place Parliament Gardens, Melbourne 

DAY 4  TUE 16 MAR (B/L)

CERES HOMESTEAD

This morning you will visit Lambley, the internationally recognised garden created by David Glenn and regarded as a leading example of sustainable gardening in Australia. Set in Victoria’s central highlands, Lambley combines ornamental beauty with practical, climate-responsive design, making it both inspiring and highly influential among gardeners. At this time of year, the perennial borders will be in full flower, filled with soft layers of colour and movement. Known for their romantic yet hardy qualities, the plantings showcase a wide range of drought-tolerant perennials suited to Australian conditions. Another treat today is Ceres Homestead with our host Jane Charles, who has restored this beautiful historic property to its glory days. Built in 1864 by Thomas Bath, the first licensee on the Ballarat goldfields, he famously embellished the property for the visit in 1867 by Prince Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh. Jane will show us her magnificent home, refurbished outbuildings and her garden. And she will host us at a delicious long table luncheon.

Accommodation: Lanson Place Parliament Gardens, Melbourne 

DAY 5  WED 17 MAR (B/D)

FLOWER AND GARDEN SHOW

You’ll spend a full day exploring the famous Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show, staged within the world heritage listed Royal Exhibition Building and surrounding Carlton Gardens. It is ranked in the top five flower shows in the world and is a ‘must see’ event. Breathtaking floral displays, spectacular show gardens plus avenues of specialist growers and garden suppliers are where you can buy everything from bulbs and plants to tools and trinkets. Then you’ll be inspired by the designs, discover new plants and take home great ideas for your own gardens. This evening enjoy our Farewell Dinner in your hotel, to discuss the wonderful gardens you have visited.

Accommodation: Lanson Place Parliament Gardens, Melbourne 

DAY 6  THU 18 MAR (B)

RIPPON LEA ESTATE

This morning you’ll be taken on a guided house and garden tour at heritage listed Rippon Lea Estate. Built in 1868 for Frederick Sargood, the mansion is managed by the National Trust. Wander through the fernery, pool and terrace, orchard, lake and boathouse, coach house, rose garden and archery lawn to gain an insight into true Victorian splendour. Transfer to Melbourne Airport for your homeward flight.