GARDENS OF NEW ENGLAND NSW
24 OCTOBER – 2 NOVEMBER 2022
ITINERARY
Ten days exploring the beautiful New England High Country, visiting Armidale, Walcha, Uralla, Tenterfield, Tamworth. See heritage towns, award winning country
gardens, meet local gardeners and experience classic country hospitality.
Monday 24 October 2022
Sydney to Armidale (L/D)
Meet up with your Ross Tour Leader at Central Station, Coach Terminal, Sydney for the drive to Armidale following Bucketts Way through the picturesque Barrington Coast hinterland. Lunch stop in Stroud. Continue to Armidale along the historic Thunderbolts Ways with a stop at Carson’s Lookout for the panorama. Late afternoon arrive in Armidale and check into our Hotel Powerhouse Armidale. This pretty regional city is our base to explore the New England High Country. Dinner is included tonight.
Accommodation: Rydges, Armidale
Tuesday 25 October 2022
Saumarez Homestead (B/L)
Armidale is at the centre of New England and with it’s dyamic university culture, rich history and dedicated gardeners. Meet Aussie plant expert Maria Hitchcock for a walk through her Aussie Native garden, with her tips for growing bushfood. Lunch in Uralla before our visit to Saumarez Homestead (National Trust) with its suite of gardens. Edwardian garden, picking garden, cottage garden and orchard contributed food and flowers to the homestead. A new Heritage Rose Garden, has been established on the site of the old orchard. Its nucleus is the rose collection donated by Miss Catherine MacLean, a long time Armidale resident and dedicated rosarian. 600 roses represent each of the major rose groups, mostly bred before 1930. Adjacent to the formal garden, are rose beds recognising the contribution of important rose breeders both nationally and internationally.
Accommodation: Rydges, Armidale
Wednesday 26 October 2022
Armidale (B/L)
Discover Armidale this morning ; some fascinating historical insights and a local perspectives. Finish our tour at the New England Regional Art Museum (NERAM). Built in 1983 specifically to exhibit the Howard Hinton Collection, an iconic collection of Australian Art, the NERAM hosts changing exhibitions with works from its own collections, travelling exhibitions and works from leading regional artists. Lunch included then time to visit the gallery. Final stop today is a new and exciting garden on the outskirts of Armidale.
Accommodation: Rydges, Armidale
Thursday 27 October 2022
Armidale to Tenterfield (B/L/D)
We’ll sing along to Peter Allen’s Tenterfield Saddler as we make our way across verdant ‘high country’ to Tenterfield. First stop is Robyn Jackson’s Kooralbyn for morning tea. Robyn has been gardening this two acres for three decades and has a treasured collection of peonies and aquilegias and lovely spring blossom trees. Historic Ollera Station, settled in 1838 and still in family hands with its own church, cemetery, general store, blacksmith shop and restored slab huts. Lunch at Ollera’s sister property, Cabarfeidh. Continue onto Tenterfield and settle into our hotel, The Henry Parkes Tenterfield. Time to stroll around this iconic country town. Dinner is included tonight.
Accommodation: Best Western Henry Parkes Hotel, Tenterfield
Friday 28 October 2022
Tenterfield (B/L)
Stroll the streets of this historic town this morning, stopping in to meet Mandy Reid at her gorgeous White Cottage Flower Farm. Shopping here is tempting! Lunch is included in town . Afternoon visit to Carolyn Robinson’s famous private garden Eagles Bluff. After planting her first garden Glenrock, which we see tomorrow, Carolyn and her husband moved further out of town. On this rural property, you see Carolyn’s talent for merging the contrived garden with surrounding landscape, and in her hands, the result is a design triumph. Afternoon drinks here with Carolyn overlooking broad sweeping beds of perennials with stone terraceas that connect and enhance the views across to Bluffs River Nature Reserve. Travel back in to Tenterfield.
Accommodation: Best Western Henry Parkes Hotel, Tenterfield
Saturday 29 October 2022
Tenterfield (B/L/D)
Glenrock Gardens is our first stop this morning, to meet current owner Annie Jones. Designed by Carolyn Robinson, Glenrock Gardens is an award-winning country garden designed in the English style with dry stone rock walls throughout surrounded and interspersed with bushland. A succession of lakes divide the parkland, the northern prairie borders and woodland gardens with the terraces, croquet lawns, spring borders and double borders. Free time this afternoon in Tenterfield (make sure you visit the Tenterfield Saddler!). Dinner tonight in the Banquet Hall of the Sir Henry Parkes School of Arts and a ‘re-enactment’ of Sir Henry Parkes’ famous 1889 speech, known as the Tenterfield Oration.
Accommodation: Best Western Henry Parkes Hotel, Tenterfield
Sunday 30 October 2022
Tenterfield to Tamworth (B/D)
Leave Tenterfield and head south to the Australian Standing Stones at Glen Innes, a tribute to the Celtic heritage of the early European settlers. Next stop is Guyra, and a garden of beautiful trees and peonies. .Lunch stop in historic Uralla, a treasure trove of heritage listed buildings: 50 of historical significance, several date from the 1860s when ‘gentleman bushranger’ Captain Thunderbolt ruled the local highways. We’ll stroll around the town, learning its history with time to browse the shops and galleries. Travel onto Tamworth. Check in to our hotel for the next two nights, with dinner included tonight.
Accommodation: Powerhouse Hotel Tamworth by Rydges, Tamworth
Monday 31 October 2022
Walcha (B)
Morning visit to Walcha, on the eastern slopes of the Great Dividing Range, the oldest settlement in New England, with a rich history and thriving arts community showcased by an impressive outdoor sculpture display. Free time to explore historic buildings and galleries. Afternoon visit to a new, expansive country garden in Nowendoch, lush with growth from recent rain. Return to Tamworth.
Accommodation: Powerhouse Hotel Tamworth by Rydges, Tamworth
Tuesday 1 November 2022
Tamworth to Hunter Valley Gardens (B/D)
Two private gardens in Tamworth are opening for us this morning. Meet members of the Tamworth Garden Club at lunch in one of the garden. Our destination today is Pokolbin in the Hunter Valley. Check in to our hotel at Hunter Valley Gardens. Farewell Dinner tonight.
Accommodation: Mercure Resort Hunter Valley Gardens, Polkolbin
Wednesday 2 November 2022
Pokolbin – Home(B)
Morning visit to Hunter Valley Gardens, built by Bill and Imelda Roche. Comforatable walking paths lead through the 10 individually themed gardens which showcase the artistry of gardens around the world and use both native and exotic varieties of plants. Free time for lunch in the shopping village then travel back to Sydney.
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 180-120 days 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, and all other travel arrangements.
Please refer to the Ross Garden Tours standard terms and conditions
New England Garden Tour with Classic Country Hospitality
Embark on an unforgettable 10-day journey through the picturesque landscapes of the New England High Country. Ross Tours invites you to explore Armidale, Walcha, Uralla, Tenterfield, and Tamworth, where you’ll discover heritage towns, award-winning country gardens, and the warm hospitality of local gardeners. From the captivating Saumarez Homestead with its diverse gardens to the artistic wonders of the New England Regional Art Museum, each day promises new delights. Immerse yourself in the beauty of the region, meeting passionate gardeners and uncovering the rich history that lies within. Join us on this remarkable adventure through the New England gardens.
TOUR INCLUSIONS
TOUR ESCORTED BY
CLAIRE BICKLE
- Air-conditioned motorcoach
- Deluxe accommodation in for 9 nights, including a full breakfast every day
- 7 Lunches
- 5 Dinners
- Entrance fees to all gardens and sightseeing including Fanghorn Garden, Armidale History Tour, New England Regional Art Musuem, Saumarez Heritage Estate, Kooralbyn, Ollera Station, Cabarfeidh, White Cottage Flower Farm, Eagle Bluff, Glenrock, NERAM, Hunter Valley Gardens
TOUR PRICE
Twin Share per person $4,295
Single Supplement $850
All prices in Australian dollars. Prices based on minimum 15 passengers. Price is based on departure from Sydney. Price from other ports available. Group meals do not include beverages. Ask us about other sightseeing and travel arrangements including pre and post tour accommodation, transfers, stopovers and other tours.
DISCOUNTS
Early Bird $100 (Pay in full by 25/6/2022)
Previous Traveller $50
Garden Clinic Member $50
OTHER TOURS
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.
Victoria in Autumn
Discover Victoria’s finest country gardens at the peak of autumn magic. Meet the master gardeners behind garden gates. See old favourites and exciting new discoveries. Be guided around David Glenn’s Lambley, Paul Bangay’s Stonefields and the Digger’s Garden of St Erth.
Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show
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.
Orange NSW Country Gardens & FOOD Week
Experience the colours and beauty of autumn in NSW’s Central West in April. Under crisp skies, explore gardens in Orange, Oberon, Little Hartley and Mt Wilson. Meet artistic gardeners, heritage fruit growers and dreamscape designers. Soak in the charm of historic towns, visit country nurseries and a mountain estate rarely open to the public. Coinciding with Orange’s famous F.O.O.D Week, this 6 day getaway is a feast for all the senses.