ITINERARY

Shrug off your overcoat and join us on a winter escape to the finest food and garden experiences the Sunshine Coast has to offer. We’ll meet growers, gardeners and cooks, feast on seafood and strawberries, and catch the Queensland Garden Expo.

Noosa sparkles in winter as the sun shines on the beach and on the river. Join us for a warmth-filled week discovering the Sunshine Coast’s food treats and great gardens. We’ll dine at some of the best restaurants, hunt down the lightest scones and celebrate the strawberry season.

DAY 1
Friday 10 July 2015
Sydney – Noosa (L/D)

We’ll meet at the Virgin Australia terminal at Sydney Domestic Airport for our flight to the Sunshine Coast. Our first stop in sunny Queensland is a strawberry farm. Queensland strawberries are one of the special treats of winter: big, shiny and full of sweet flavor, especially when freshly picked.
Our hotel in Noosa is the newly renovated Sheraton Resort and Spa, the only hotel on Hastings Street and something of a Noosa institution. As part of the hotel’s extensive upgrade, celebrity chef Peter Kuravita took on the role of executive chef at the hotel’s Noosa Beach House restaurant. We’ll have our welcome dinner here.
Accommodation: Sheraton Noosa Resort and Spa

DAY 2
Saturday 11 July 2015
Queensland Garden Expo (B)

The Queensland Garden Expo is one of the country’s best regional garden shows. We love it because there are heaps of plants, with specialist growers to chat to about everything from gingers to aloes, bamboo to tropical fruit trees. Everyone is really friendly, the show gardens are lovely, and there’s a great line up of guest speakers. We’ll be back in Noosa in time to relax, shop and explore this afternoon.
Accommodation: Sheraton Noosa Resort and Spa

DAY 3
Sunday 12 July 2015
Maleny (B/L)

Bring a green bag this morning when we check out Noosa’s weekly farmer’s market: you might not be able to take the fresh strawberries and other produce home, but you can souvenir some great vinegars, jams and sweet treats.
We’ll drive through the Blackall Ranges on our way to Maleny, where we’ll have time to explore and shop before lunching at Tamarind.
Set in an open pavilion in the garden, this restaurant brings a modern approach and perfect balance to Thai cuisine.
After a leisurely lunch, we’ll take a guided walk through Mary Cairncross Reserve. The rainforest here shows what the Blackall ranges looked like before the timber cutters and dairy farmers arrived. The reserve is home to a remarkable array of native plants and animals.
Then we go organic with a visit to Australia’s best known seed supplier, Green Harvest, which is famous for growing popular and unusual heirloom varieties of herbs and vegetables. We’ll visit their new edible garden.

Accommodation: Sheraton Noosa Resort and Spa

DAY 4
Monday 13 July 2015
Noosa (B/L)

There’s time this morning to go for a walk in Noosa National Park. A track winds around the headland, offering brilliant views back to Noosa beach. Of course, if you’d rather sleep in, do some shopping or lounge by the pool you can.

Learn about spices and how they grow this morning at Garnisha Spice Garden. We’ll pick and sniff and taste and try to identify the myriad spices growing, which are used by Tim Warren in the curry pastes and chutneys he makes in a little commercial kitchen in the garden. Lunch is at the historic Apollonian Hotel.
Back in Noosaville, there’s a chance to explore the shops of Gympie Terrace before hopping aboard a sunset cruise on the Noosa River.
Accommodation: Sheraton Noosa Resort and Spa

DAY 5
Tuesday 14 July 2015
Noosa (B/L)

An exclusive screening in the world’s oldest authentic silent movie theatre. But first a gelato tasting; a look around Pomona, a charming old cane town that retains the unique Queensland art deco architecture of the 1930s; and a private lunch of local produce. After the movie we’re off to Kin Kin to meet a native bee expert.
Accommodation: Sheraton Noosa Resort and Spa

DAY 6
Wednesday 15 July 2014
Eumundi (B/D)

The secret to the success of the Eumundi markets is the motto – we make it, grow it, bake it and sew it. You’ll find things here you won’t find anywhere else in the country. We’ll take our time tasting, chatting and buying, then visit a private garden with inspiring planting. This afternoon we’ll head to Mooloolaba, the coast’s biggest fishing port, where we’ll be treated to a private tasting of some the Sunshine Coast’s best seafood. We’ll meet a crab fisherman and taste some of the incredible seafood that comes into the port of Mooloolooba.
Farewell dinner included tonight in a top local restaurant.
Accommodation: Sheraton Noosa Resort and Spa

DAY 7
Thursday 16 July 2015
Noosa – Sydney (B)

We’re heading back to Sydney, after breakfast transfer to the airport for a return flight home.

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, airfares and all other travel arrangements.
Please refer to the Ross Garden Tours standard terms and conditions