ITINERARY

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

Depart Sydney on a direct flight to Launceston with Virgin Australia.
We begin the tour with an afternoon flight to Launceston then a coach transfer onto Devonport. 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 Dieman’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. Now he’s 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. It has an unforgettable sense of place. At this time poppies, sweet peas and waratahs are picked every day. We will spend time with Bob and Derelie this morning before we head to Nietta and lunch at Kaydale Lodge Garden. Two sisters are working tirelessly here to maintain and extend the garden their parents started. They are building superb stone walls and fences. There’s a planted pear walk with 27 mature fruiting pears espaliered and grafted over a frame. 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. At this time it’s a fairyland of spring flowering bulbs: tulips, fritillarias, erythroniums, trilliums and daffodils. Peppers Seaport Hotel overlooking the Tamar River in Launceston is our home for the next two nights. Settle into your room then head to dinner next door.

Accommodation: Peppers Seaport, Launceston

A day around Launceston to discover the remarkable heritage of the Archer family. The City Park is our first stop with its grand old trees and Victorian style bedding. Then time for the Design Centre next door that showcases Tasmania’s unique crafts. Longford is next, in the foothills of the Great Western Tiers, to Woolmers, home to six generations of the Archer family from early 1800 to 1994. Lunch is included here. Take a peep into the home of Thomas Archer prominent grazier and member of parliament, offers a glimpse of early Australian colonial history. Woolmers is home to the National Rose Garden, a contemporary garden planted with all types of roses. Afternoon visit to another beautiful estate from 1840, Culzean. The thirteen-hectare property now includes three hectares of gardens, a dam and lake. It’s cherished by its new owners who are maintaining its legacy.

Accommodation: Peppers Seaport, Launceston

We’ll take the Midland Highway to Hobart today with a stop in historic Ross. Check into the Grand Chancellor on the Hobart waterfront for 3 nights, with the afternoon free to explore the docks and the historic precinct.

Accommodation: Grand Chancellor Hotel, 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 a special selection of private gardens. Three gardens have been chosen for their design ideas, planting schemes and their idyllic locations. Learn about bold versus pastel colour, soil and seaweed, design and planting. Meet the gardeners and share their passion for plants. With apple and cherry orchards in full flower at this time, it’s a pretty drive.

Accommodation: Grand Chancellor Hotel, Hobart

See & taste the best Tassie produce at Hobart’s Farm Gate Market this morning. There is no place that 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. Next stop, is 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. Return to the city with the afternoon free. Farewell dinner included tonight.

Accommodation: Grand Chancellor Hotel, Hobart

Enjoy a guided walk in Hobart’s Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens, a grand finale for our tour of spring gardens before we fly home. Afternoon flight 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