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ITINERARY

Tasmania’s cool spring is perfect for flowering trees, bulbs and rhododendrons; plus colourful shows of spring flowers. Painting with petals. Discover some of Tasmania’s finest gardens on this eight-day holiday. Meet some passionate gardeners and share their inspiration.

We begin the tour with a morning flight to Launceston then a coach transfer onto Devonport. Located on the banks of the Mersey River, Devonport is Tasmania’s third-largest city and a perfect introduction to the island’s scenic north-west. Check into the Gateway Hotel for 2 nights with our Welcome Dinner included this evening.

Accommodation: Gateway Hotel, Devonport

Its all about tulips this morning at Van Diemen’s Tulip Farm on beautiful Table Cape, where tulips are planted in giant coloured bands across the landscape. You will think you are in Holland! Travel inland to Emu Valley and enjoy lunch at the Rhododendron Garden. What started in 1977 as a display garden for rhododendrons has been transformed into a magnificent series of terraces with lakes, bridges, pavilions, Japanese Garden, Chinese Garden, North American Garden, all planted with a superb collection of cool climate plants. The climate here is the key; the combination of cool summers and almost frost-free conditions allows the 900 rhododendron species to grow happily. It’s exquisite! Head back to Devonport along the scenic coast road with the evening free.

Accommodation: Gateway Hotel, Devonport

Bob Cherry is a master nurseryman. Having travelled the world collecting plants, he’s now retired to a beautiful corner of NW Tasmania. He has incorporated the borrowed landscape and some original mature trees and made a beguiling new garden with an unforgettable sense of place. At the time of our visit, poppies, sweet peas and waratahs are picked daily. We spend time with Bob and Derelie this morning before heading to Nietta for lunch at Kaydale Lodge Garden, a stunning family farm. Two sisters work tirelessly to maintain and extend the garden their parents started: they’ve built superb stone walls and fences, an astonishing pear walk with 27 mature fruiting pears espaliered and grafted over a frame and, a grand scale rockery. It’s a collaborative effort with all the family members involved. And when the sun goes down they get busy in the kitchen bottling, pickling and preserving all their fruit and vegetables. In Spring, it’s a fairyland of flowering bulbs: tulips, fritillarias, erythroniums, trilliums and daffodils. Peppers Silo Hotel overlooking the Tamar River in Launceston is our home for the next two nights. Dinner included tonight.

Accommodation: Peppers Silo, Launceston

We are heading to Mole Creek this morning to visit two famous gardens. Wychwood, that lies at the foot of the Great Western Tiers is a landmark garden that’s re-opened with new owners, keen to put their stamp on this iconic cool climate garden. After a guided tour through Wychwood, we head to Old Wesleydale for lunch, a dreamy setting with historic stone buildings and an ‘Arts and Crafts‘ garden. Explore garden rooms which flow effortlessly into each other; the walled garden, picking and potager garden, white garden and hot garden are charming and overflowing with spring blooms. Travel back to Launceston via Deloraine with a stop to discover its heritage streetscape.

Accommodation: Peppers Silo, Launceston

We’ll take the Midland Highway to Hobart today with a stop in historic Ross. This pretty riverside village was built by convicts and boasts beautifully preserved cobblestone paths and streets lined with grand old elm trees. Next is a garden that will inspire you with their romantic, classical design and generous, overflowing planting – all created using very little water. Prospect Villa is amazing!Later we check into the Hotel Grand Chancellor at Hobart’s waterfront.

Accommodation: Hotel Grand Chancellor, Hobart

First stop this morning is the famous Salamanca market. Tasmanian producers and designers make Salamanca Market unique. Then we’re heading down the Huon Valley today to visit some very special gardens. First is Crawleighwood Gardens where you’ll see a magnificent garden of rhododendrons, maples, woodlands perennials and the iconic Huon Pine, which was much sought after as a boat building timber in the 19th century. Enjoy lunch in this idyllic setting. This afternoon we visit Inverawe, Tasmania’s largest landscaped native garden that celebrates water-wise, sustainable gardening. Take a tour with the owners through this bird-filled garden with views across the North West Bay.

Accommodation: Hotel Grand Chancellor, Hobart

See & taste the best Tassie produce at Hobart’s Farm Gate Market this morning. No place celebrates local produce so proudly. Artisan producers with olive oil, cool climate wine, spirits from boutique distilleries, healthy treats, artisan bread, cakes and sourdough doughnuts, jams, mustards and preserves, Bruny Island oysters, sushi, locally roasted coffee and hand-blended tea. Lunch is included today.
Then enter the phenomenal MONA (Museum of Old and New Art). Mona’s subterranean architecture showcases David Walsh’s $110m private collection of art and antiquities, as well as hosting a busy programme of exhibitions. Farewell dinner included tonight.

Accommodation: Hotel Grand Chancellor, Hobart

Enjoy a guided walk in Hobart’s Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens, a grand finale for our spring garden tour. Afternoon flight home from Hobart.

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

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