HIGHLIGHTS
- Visit The Museum of Australian Democracy (MOAD) at Old Parliament House
- Tour the Royal Australian Mint
- An afternoon dedicated to the Australian War Memorial
- Witness the Last Post, Australian War Memorial
- Visit Canberra’s National Arboretum
- Enjoy winery visits with tastings
- Lunch in Canberra’s pretty winery region of Murrumbateman
- Enjoy sweeping views across Canberra from Mt Ainslie lookout
- Parliament House visit
- Relaxed group dining
Floriade Highlights:
- A visit to Tulip Top Gardens
- An afternoon to enjoy Floriade at your leisure
Extend Your Visit
Consider extra nights of stay in Canberra time to make more local discoveries such as the National Gallery, National Museum and Portrait Gallery. The cost of the additional night/s of stay applies. Ask our travel team about this option, and the additional costs.
DAY 1 - FRIDAY
Arrive Canberra
Meet up with your group mid afternoon. Visit The Museum of Australian Democracy nearby to our hotel. An apt beginning for our visit to Australia’s capital as the tour uncovers the social and political history of the nation. The museum is at the old Parliament House, now a nationally listed heritage building. We are then back at the hotel with a few free hours before meeting up for drinks, and dinner. The museum is at the old Parliament House, now a nationally listed heritage building. We are then back at the hotel with a few free hours before meeting up for drinks, and dinner.
Enjoy the lovely hotel precinct with The Realm Hotel facilities directly opposite including a relaxed bistro-lounge and bar area. This evening we set a time to for a pre dinner meet up with other group members for a pre dinner drink, followed by dinner.
Meals: Dinner
SNAPSHOT – WHAT’S INCLUDED:
- Return transfer to MOAD
- Group dinner
DAY 2 - SATURDAY
Canberra History Highlights
This morning we tour The Royal Australian Mint. As the sole producer of Australia’s circulating coins, it’s a fascinating visit.
This afternoon there’s the major highlight of the extensive visit to the Australian War Memorial including a guided tour, and time at leisure to take in the collections in the First World War and Second World War galleries, Conflicts 1945 to Today galleries. We conclude the visit in the Commemorative Area where the Pool of Reflection where the Eternal Flame sits, and witness the moving Last Post Ceremony.
This evening, a group dinner at another of the hotel restaurants.
Meals: Dinner
SNAPSHOT – WHAT’S INCLUDED:
- The Royal Australian Mint
- The Australian War Memorial
- The Last Post Ceremony
- Group dinner in-house
DAY 3 - SUNDAY
Trees. Wine. Dine.
A relaxing day out, starting with the National Arboretum Canberra, a mosaic of living forests and gardens offering breathtaking views… with over 44,000 rare and endangered trees across a 250-hectare site. There is time set aside at leisure to wander the Arboretum including the option to visit the National Bonsai and Penjing collection. As a mid morning visit it is an ideal spot for a coffee and to relax in the surrounds of this impressive destination.
From the Arboretum we continue to the heart of Canberra’s wine district, Murrumbateman where we enjoy a winery visit with tastings and a beautiful lunch. Heading back from the winery district to Canberra we make a stop at Mount Ainslie for sweeping views across Canberra and Lake Burley Griffin.
After a day out and a beautiful winery lunch take your pick of how to enjoy your Saturday evening in Canberra. Our hotel is across the road from The Realm Hotel; the ideal spot for a casual dinner, choose to dine at one of the other local restaurants in our hotel precinct, or perhaps you may like to make it to the Kingston Foreshore for your pick of restaurants along the waterway.
Meals: Lunch
SNAPSHOT – WHAT’S INCLUDED:
- Visit the National Arboretum Canberra, time at leisure
- Winery visit and tastings
- A group lunch at a winery
- Mount Ainslie
DAY 4 - MONDAY
Canberra Event!
Enjoy a relaxed. Mid morning we set off for a relaxing day featuring gardens and tulips. We cross the border to New South Wales to visit the renowned Tulip Top Gardens (an equally important visit when you make plans to visit Canberra for Floriade). There will be time for lunch at leisure then the afternoon is dedicated to Canberra’s Annual Event.
Floriade
The afternoon is set aside to enjoy Floriade your own pace. Return to the hotel at leisure, by your own arrangement.
After a day out, the evening is at your leisure to set your own pace. Our hotel has a variety of dining options or perhaps you have your own plans for other nearby dining choices.
Meals: n/a
SNAPSHOT – WHAT’S INCLUDED:
- Tulip Top Gardens visit
- Time at leisure for Floriade
FREE TIME EXTRAS:
Visit Floriade NightFest (subject to a final decision of the event proceeding)
DAY 5 - TUESDAY
There’s time to opt for a relaxed breakfast before morning hotel check out. A visit to Parliament House is an option this morning with a one way transfer from the group hotel provided. Return to the hotel is at your leisure. Parliament House is located very close to the hotel; within walking distance (about 25 minutes), or 1.5KM taxi/Uber service. With an open return time you can take the time as you wish for your visit to Parliament House.
Meals: n/a
Itineraries may be subject to change, due to circumstances outside of our control. If there is any itinerary change prior to departure of significance we aim to inform you prior to travel. Itinerary changes while on tour will be informed by your tour leader/guide while on tour.
