MELBOURNE FLOWER AND GARDEN SHOW
19 – 22 MARCH 2024
ITINERARY
Stimulate your senses with a dose of botanical inspiration admiring new trends, world-class show gardens and an exhibition hall full of fresh cut flowers. It’s the southern hemisphere’s biggest garden festival. We’ll sample a few of Melbourne’s flowery and operatic treats on a four-day break.
Tuesday 19 March 2024
Arrive Melbourne (D)
Our Qantas group flight departs from Sydney or meet up with your Ross Tour Leader 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 with sweeping lawns, tranquil lakes and majestic trees. Check into your luxury hotel later this afternoon, the Marriott, perfectly placed in the heart of Melbourne. Welcome dinner included tonight at the hotel.
Accommodation: Marriott Hotel, Melbourne
Wednesday 20 March 2024
Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show (B)
Spend a full day exploring the famous Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show (MIFGS), which is staged within the world heritage listed Royal Exhibition Building and surrounding Carlton Gardens. MIFGS is ranked in the top five flower shows in the world; a ‘must see’ event. Breathtaking floral displays, spectacular Show Gardens plus avenues of specialist growers and garden suppliers where you can buy everything from bulbs and plants to tools and trinkets. Be inspired by the designs, discover new plants. Take home great ideas for your own garden.
Accommodation: Marriott Hotel, Melbourne
Thursday 21 March 2024
Yarra Valley Gardens(B/L)
We are off to the Yarra Valley this morning. First stop is Alowyn Gardens with a series of cleverly designed garden spaces; parterre, perennial border, dry garden, edible garden, wisteria arch and French garden. Finish in the plant nursery. Coombe Estate is next, the former home of world-famous opera singer Dame Nellie Melba. The garden was established over 100 years ago by William Guilfoyle, the architect of the Victorian Royal Botanic Gardens. There is an enormous 600 metre Cypress hedge and an ancient English oak spanning the breadth of the courtyard. Lunch is a treat in this elegant setting.
Accommodation: Marriott Hotel, Melbourne
Friday 22 March 2024
Melbourne – Home(B)
This morning a guided house and garden tour at heritage listed Rippon Lea Estate, built by Frederick Sargood in 1868, as a self-sufficient farm with imported plants, elaborate underground watering and independent electricity supply. Lake, flowering shrub borders, orchard, fernery, along with architectural elements make
this a historically significant garden. Transfer to Melbourne Airport for homeward flights.
HOW TO BOOK
To secure your booking and make your deposit, please complete our online booking form. You will be contacted by a Ross Tours Travel Manager to confirm your details and preferred method of payment.
CANCELLATIONS
Cancellations received prior to departure will incur loss of deposit.
Cancellations received between 119-60 days prior to departure will incur a 50% cancellation fee.
Cancellations received between 59-30 days prior to departure will incur a 75% cancellation fee plus any non-recoverable costs incurred.
Cancellations received within 30 days prior to departure will incur 100% cancellation fee.
Cancellations must be sent in writing.
Cancellation fee is based upon the total amounts paid including tours, airfares and all other travel arrangements.
Please refer to the Ross Garden Tours standard terms and conditions
TOUR INCLUSIONS
TOUR ESCORTED BY
BRENDAN MOAR
- Return group airfare Sydney-Melbourne-Sydney
- Air-conditioned motorcoach
- Deluxe accommodation for 3 nights, including daily breakfast
- 1 Lunch & 1 Dinner
- Entrance fees to all gardens and sightseeing including Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show, Royal Botanic Garden Melbourne, Alowyn Gardens, Coombe Estate, Rippon Lea Estate
TOUR PRICE
Twin share, land only $2,595 per person
Twin share, including air $2,895 per person
Single supplement $795
All prices in Australian dollars
Prices based on minimum 15 passengers
Price is based on departure ex Sydney
DISCOUNTS
Earlybird $100 (Pay by 24/11/23)
Previous Traveller $50
Garden Clinic Member $25
POSTCARDS
Read what our tour leaders have written about the Melbourne Flower Show here.
OTHER TOURS
Gardens of Singapore
Singapore is a City in a Garden – a mix of multicultural modernity and 19th-century charm wrapped in beautiful tropical gardens. The drawcard is the Gardens by the Bay project and the Supertrees.
Chelsea Flower Show and the Gardens of England
Come with us to an England up to its knees in spring blossom, carpets of bluebells and meadows of wildflowers. Our
tour includes the cerulean Cornish Coastline. It’s a heavenly mix of gardens: Royal, public, and private with Opening
Day at the spectacular Chelsea Flower Show.
South Australia & Kangaroo Island
Explore South Australia and the coastal wilderness of Kangaroo Island. Gardens at their peak, roses mingled with iris and other favourites in the Barossa Valley and Adelaide Hills. Natural wonders of Admirals Arch and the Remarkables at Flinders Chase National Park.