New South Wales Gardens with Graham Ross
Visit Graham’s special selection of gardens with him as your guide. From Sydney’s oldest at Vaucluse House with the ghost of William Charles Wentworth, to the newest exciting hub of gardens in Little Hartley. Then the grandest at Mayfield, Oberon and the world class Botanic Gardens in Sydney, Mt Tomah and Mt Annan.
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$5,595 AUD
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10 Days
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15 - 24 October 2024
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Day 1- Tuesday 15 October 2024
Check in to the 5-star, Four Seasons Hotel Sydney this afternoon, next to the historic Rocks district and Circular Quay, for two nights.
Meet up with your Tour Leader Graham Ross in the lobby, ready for a gentle stroll through The Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney. Opened in 1816, it’s the oldest botanical garden and scientific institution in Australia. Graham was trustee here for 10 years and maintains close connection with all aspects of the fine work done here.
Welcome Dinner included tonight.
Accommodation: Four Seasons Hotel, Sydney
- Day 2
- Wednesday 16 October 2024
Our day starts at Vaucluse House, a 19th-century mansions surrounded by its original gardens. It dates to 1827 when colonial explorer, barrister and politician William Charles Wentworth, bought the original single-storey cottage and developed it over the next four decades into a large, family home. This huge estate once covered nearly all of Vaucluse. See the restored pleasure gardens and kitchen gardens.
Barangaroo is our last stop today, once a disused container storage site, is now 6 hectares of beautiful, public park on the waterfront with a new harbour cove, stepped sandstone retaining walls, all planted with endemic planting to Port Jackson. The headland has been returned to the people.
Accommodation: Four Seasons Hotel, Sydney
- Day 3
- Thursday 17 October 2024
The gardens of three fine plantsmen today in the hamlet of Little Hartley. Gory’u is first, where Alan Jackson has spent the past 25 years carefully crafting his 3 Ha Japanese Garden. The result is magnificent! Highfields is next, a new and ambitious terraced garden of David Kennedy.
Sited to take advantage of magnificent views and full sun, Highfields is a horticultural triumph. Borders are dense with incredibly beautiful and complex plantings. Dry gardens thrive without ever knowing a hose, and rare grasses and perennials fill a meadow. It’s not surprising this garden has received international acclaim in a very short time. Lunch is included today. With an esteemed career spanning three decades, Stephen Vella’s brilliant talent in plant selection and design is apparent immediately upon entering Wild Meadows. Offering drama in every season, but in autumn it glows – literally – as dogwoods, maples and crabapples change colour and russet-coloured grasses sway in the breeze.
Check in to the Carrington Hotel, Katoomba for four nights.
Accommodation: The Carrington Hotel, Katoomba
- Day 4
- Friday 18 October 2024
The heritage garden village of Mount Wilson is our destination today. First up is Nooroo, home to the Valder family for 75 years and now manicured to perfection by Tony and Lorraine Barrett in their 30 years stewardship of this, one of Australia’s finest private gardens.
Windy Ridge is next, the showcase of Rodger Davidson and his late wife Wai. Exquisite cool climate plants including nerines, Japanese maples, hydrangeas and peonies with lunch included.
Accommodation: The Carrington Hotel, Katoomba
- Day 5
- Saturday 19 October 2024
We are heading to Mt Annan today, to The Australian Botanic Garden to visit The Australian PlantBank, with amazingly beautiful bushfire resistant architecture.
The PlantBank is the largest native plant conservation seedbank in Australia, with over 11,000 collections. Seed storage, micro-plant tissues and propagation activities will all be visible on this private tour; an exciting insight into the protection of our Australian flora. There will also be an opportunity to view the ‘soon to be open’ multi-million-dollar National Herbarium next door.
Accommodation: The Carrington Hotel, Katoomba
- Day 6
- Sunday 20 October 2024
Blue Mountains Botanic Garden, Mount Tomah is first today, with its collection of cool climate plants, under close scrutiny and impeccable care. Graham was broadcasting for its opening in 1987 and has been involved with many of the decisions that have made this garden the gem it is today. It is the only Botanic Garden anywhere in the world, located within a UNESCO World Heritage Area.
Long-time friend and colleague, Don Schofield has been creating his garden Winterwood in Mount Tomah for almost 40 years. It’s been a labour of love for this true plantsman with his collections of rare and heritage varieties. At the time of our visit, we hope his favourite nerines will be flowering. Don also breeds new varieties and grows cut flowers (peonies and ranunculus) for florists.
Return to Katoomba.
Accommodation: The Carrington Hotel, Katoomba
- Day 7
- Monday 21 October 2024
Oberon is our first stop this morning to visit Mayfield Garden. Nestled within a 5000-acre working farm in a quiet valley in Oberon is the extraordinary private garden of Mayfield, a spectacular, world-class 65-hectare cool climate garden, the largest in Australia. Inspired by the great European gardens, there is much to see here; stunning seasonal plantings, unique follies and exquisitely designed garden areas. A triumph of garden design with groves of oaks, beech, conifers, birch and colourful collections of maples. Our private tour reveals both the highlights and the hidden gems.
Lunch is included today. Travel on to Orange and check in to our hotel, The Remington, for three nights.
Accommodation: The Remington, Orange
- Day 8
- Tuesday 22 October 2024
A day in and around Orange. First stop is the ‘The Garden Curator’, Colleen Southwell is inspired by her garden, the natural environment, everyday objects and a commitment to celebrating beauty in the little things. Underpinned by the “SLOW” philosophy upon which the Slow Food movement has been built, “Slow Gardening” encourages us to savour our gardens throughout the seasons and live in the here and now. Peek into Colleen’s delightful tin shed art studio and view her exquisite artworks, which have been receiving rave reviews in recent exhibitions. Country style morning tea on Colleen’s terrace overlooking her garden and farm.
Free afternoon in Orange. Optional scenic drive to Millthorpe.
Accommodation: The Remington, Orange
- Day 9
- Wednesday 23 October 2024
We are heading to the famous Cowra Japanese Garden this morning with a stop in Canowindra at Perennialle Plants Nursery. Stroll around the Cowra Japanese Garden with Graham, who attended the opening in 1979. Designed by world renowned architect Ken Nakajima, this garden is more than just a garden, it is a powerful symbol of good will, encouraging reconciliation and peace.
The design of the garden is a copy of the first Japanese landscape garden “Kaiyu shiki” (Strolling Garden) built by the first Japanese Shogun Tokugawa in the 16th century A.D. Lunch is included today. Travel back to Orange.
Farewell Dinner included tonight.
Accommodation: The Remington, Orange
- Day 10
- Thursday 24 October 2024
Morning visit to Everglades House & Gardens in Leura, developed in 1934, when Belgian-born businessman, Henri Van de Velde, hired Paul Sorensen, Australia’s ‘Master Gardener’, to design a garden on five hectares of sloping orchard in Leura. Sorensen and Van de Velde designed the Art Deco house, recently restored by National Trust. This spectacular ‘inter-war period’ garden intertwines European Romanticism, 1930’s Modernism and the wild magic of the native Australian bushland. Free time in Leura for lunch.
Travel back to Sydney this afternoon.
You will be contacted by a Ross Tours Travel Consultant to confirm your details and preferred method of payment.
- 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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Air-conditioned motorcoach throughout tour -
4 and 5 star accommodation for 9 nights with breakfast daily -
4 lunches and 2 dinners
Entrance fees to all gardens and sightseeing including:
- Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney, Vaucluse House, Plant Bank at the Australian Botanic Garden Mt Annan, Nooroo, Windy Ridge, Highfields, Gory’u, Wild Meadows, Blue Mountains Botanic Garden Mt Tomah, Mayfield Garden, Perennialle Plant Nursery, Cowra Japanese Garden and The Garden Curator.
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Twin Share$5,595 AUD per person
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Single Supplement$1,395 AUD
- All prices in Australian dollars
- Prices based on minimum 15 passengers
- Flights available from Australian capital cities.
17 June 2024 -
Previous Traveller$100
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Garden Clinic Member$50
{Bon Voyage}
We`re off to see some of Graham` s favourite gardens in New South Wales for the next ten days.
From Sydney’s oldest at Vaucluse House with the ghost of William Charles Wentworth, to the newest exciting hub of gardens in Little Hartley. Then the grandest at Mayfield, Oberon and the world class Botanic Gardens in Sydney, Mt Tomah and Mt Annan.
#nsw #visitnsw #destinationnsw #sydney #oberon #bluemountains #katoomba #orange #mtannan #mttomah #rt_nsw
{Bookings closing - Thursday 12 September}
Bookings for our NSW Gardens Tour are closing this Thursday. Join Graham on this fabulous tour to his favourite gardens in the state. He opens doors on his tours that no one else can. Don`t miss out!
Tour Dates: 15 - 24 October 2024
For the full itinerary, please click here:https://rosstours.com/tours/nsw/
#rt_nsw #rosstours #rossgardentours #grahamross #visitnsw
{Garden Visit: Cowra Japanese Garden, NSW}
A slice of Japan waits for you in Cowra’s Japanese Garden, built on the site of the World War II, POW camp, to commemorate those Japanese prisoners of war who died at the Cowra Breakout. Opened in 1979, the multi-award-winning Cowra Japanese Garden is a must-see especially in spring.
Ken Nakajima created the Kaiyushiki (strolling) Garden to symbolise the Japanese landscape and it’s been faithfully maintained all these years. There’s a rocky hillside, manicured hedges, waterfall and stream, and two beautiful lakes with Koi carp. A grove of gum trees represents Australian soldiers who were killed, allowing the spirits of both Australian and Japanese to live there.
The garden was established to recognise and develop the relationship between the people of Cowra and the people of Japan, a relationship that originated in the Prisoner of War Camp that housed Japanese prisoners during World War 11. Then in 1960 the decision by the Japanese Government to bring all their war dead from all over Australia, to be re-buried at Cowra.
Graham Ross will be visiting this garden on his NSW tour. For the full itinerary, please go here: https://rosstours.com/tours/nsw/
We have 2 rooms left on this tour, so call the office today on 1300 233 200 or go online.
#rt_nsw #cowra #nsw #visitnsw #destinationnsw #rosstours #rossgardentours
{Garden Visit: The Garden Curator}
Meet Colleen Southwell, The Garden Curator, in her large country garden just outside Orange. Colleen derives the inspiration for her art, her exquisite paper sculptures, from her garden.
“I immerse myself in my garden for a period of every day. Then I go back inside my studio to focus on the fine detail of my sculptures.”
We will be visiting Colleen on our NSW Gardens with Graham Ross tour this October.
Tour dates: 15 - 24 October 2024
For the full itinerary, please click go here: www.rosstours.com/nsw
You can easily book online or call the office on 1300 233 200.
#rt_nsw #rosstours #rossgardentours #travelwithfriends #coleensouthwell #orange #visitnsw
{Garden Visit: Windyridge, NSW}
It’s a dreamy walk through this beautifully designed and planted garden; a connoisseur’s delight, every plant carefully chosen for its spot. We were invited to its opening in 1995 and we have visited regularly ever since. Windyridge is the dream come true of our friends Rodger Davidson and his late wife, Wai. These two nursery owners together planned and planted this complex garden with the help of the late renowned garden designer and brilliant horticulturist, Gordon Sykes.
Graham Ross will be visiting Windyridge on his tour of NSW Gardens this October.
To book your seat, please call the office on 1300 233 200 or go online.
For the full itinerary, please click here: https://rosstours.com/tours/nsw/
#nsw #nswgardens #destinationnsw #rosstours #rossgardentours #travelwithfriends #windyridge #bluemountains #rt_nsw
{Garden Visit - Mayfield}
This exquisite 65ha estate is a patchwork of garden spaces - a horticultural masterpiece! Exciting new projects are underway in this superb cool climate garden. The twin herbaceous border, a grand boardwalk between twin beds of flowery shrubs & perennials was completed last year, and gets better each season as perennials grow. The formal rose garden has been recently renovated with roses and companion perennials planted in a new design to better display the roses.
In spring you can wander through the lilac border, the cherry walk, around the lake, over the bridges and into the water garden. This dreamy landscape, restorative and inspirational makes for a great day.
Graham Ross will be visiting Mayfield on his NSW tour this October. Why not join him?
For the full itinerary, please click here: https://rosstours.com/nsw/
#rosstours #rossgardentours #travelwithfriends #mayfield #overon #nsw @mayfieldgarden #rt_nsw
{New Tour}
Visit Graham’s special selection of gardens with him as your guide. From Sydney’s oldest at Vaucluse House with the ghost of William Charles Wentworth, to the newest exciting hub of gardens in Little Hartley. Then the grandest at Mayfield, Oberon and the world class Botanic Gardens in Sydney, Mt Tomah and Mt Annan.
Tour dates: 15 - 24 October 2024
For the full itinerary, please go here: www.rosstours.com/nsw
This tour will be selling out fast, so be sure to secure your seat soon by calling the office on 1300 233 200 or book online now www.rosstours.com/bookings
#rosstours #rossgardentours #nsw ##destinationnsw #visitnsw @mayfieldgarden #travelwithfriends #grahamross @destination_nsw @highfield_gardens @goryu_japanese_gardens @windyridge_garden @cowrajapanesegarden @antique_perennials @thegardencurator #rt_nsw
🙏 for the massive + feedback. 😍YOUR GARDEN is in stores now nationwide. It’s been coming since we launched the Garden Clinic Club 1982. Since then members have received a newsletter, B&W newspaper 😩, a colour newspaper 🤨, then 5 versions of a magazine😆. Now the pinnacle of our commitment to 🇦🇺 gardeners; 🥰a full colour, glossy, bigger, info packed magazine, plus recipes galore & a fun quiz. We answer your questions in our Q&A. Thanks to our fab, small editorial team, GCC members, Australia’s leading suppliers & to our new readers. Summer never looked so good in aussie gardens, verandas, balconies, we’ve got you covered. fair_dinkum_fertilizers terrafirmafertilisers richgrogarden bioguanoaustralia seasol_international plantgrowersaustralia plantnet_australia aussiehosesofficial yatesgardening ocean2earthaustralia honeysuckle_nurseries timsgardencentre leafstoppergutterguard lawnsolutions cutabove_tools indigospecialtyproducts camelliagrovenursery plantnet_australia wetandforgetau multicrop_farming bonnyrigg_garden_centre organic_crop_protectants neutrogaustralia neutrog_uwe #rt_nsw
We’re celebrating 🎉 the launch of our new magazine,Your Garden, on sale in Woolworths, Coles & newsagents Monday. With 45th anniversary of the Garden Clinic Club & radio show a new publication emerges from the old. Brighter, glossier, full of great stories, helpful advice & beautiful photographs. All to support you & Your Garden. Under Editor in Chief, mag doyen, 🩷Julia Zaetta, Editor 💖Tammy Huynh, Creative Dir. 💓Christine Schiedel & editorial team, Roger Fox🦊, Tyler Howard 🐨, & Brendan Moar🦁, w Sandra & me, w 🧠trust son Kent. We’re told there’s been no new, national independent garden magazine in 🇦🇺 for over 30 years, it’s long overdue. We hope you 🥰 it. fair_dinkum_fertilizers terrafirmafertilisers richgrogarden bioguanoaustralia seasol_international plantgrowersaustralia plantnet_australia aussiehosesofficial yatesgardening ocean2earthaustralia honeysuckle_nurseries timsgardencentre leafstoppergutterguard lawnsolutions cutabove_tools indigospecialtyproducts camelliagrovenursery plantnet_australia wetandforgetau multicrop_farming bonnyrigg_garden_centre organic_crop_protectants neutrogaustralia neutrog_uwe #rt_nsw
The Cowra Japanese Garden, our next tour stop, shines in remembrance to the Japanese & Australian soldiers who died in the wartime Cowra Breakout. Designed by Japan’s foremost Landscaper, Ken Nakajima, it has matured into a masterpiece of peace, remembrance and beauty. A must visit in any season. rossgardentours #rt_nsw cowrajapanesegarden visitcowra tourismnsw nswtourism #japanesegardens
Our next garden was created by Joy & Kerry on Mt Canobolas. Orange, NSW. The paulownia was the best specimen I’ve ever seen full of flower & perfume, rhodos, clematis, Cedrus atlantica ‘Glauca Pendula’, azaleas & beautiful feature trees. Thank you both for your generous hospitality, we greatly enjoyed the visit. rossgardentours #paulownia #paulownias #cedrus #cedrusatlanticaglauca #rt_nsw tourismnsw nswtourism centralnswtourism
We’re seeing many glorious gardens & meeting truly beautiful & talented people on this tour. Colleen Southwell, thegardencurator, is the 🌟 atop the tree. Multi-talented, horticulturist, gardener, creative artist, painter, writer, farmer, wife & mother, plus a few more skills including lover of English bone china. But you would never know unless you follow her Insta posts, or knew her personally. That’s been my good fortune to enjoy both for many years. Colleen shared her talents with my group again this year, watching her garden grow. What a joy it’s been Thank you Colleen, Jason, Edward & Skye. grahame.rowe joined me for the experience learning the ropes for the future. thegardencurator rossgardentours #gardenfriends #creativeart #rt_nsw tourismnsw nswtourism centralnswtourism
Journey on to Mayfield, Oberon, NSW for spring 💥 of colour. Met my dear mate Leon, a true Head Gardener legend. Have tree will travel, view from Chapel, conifer garden, Water Garden, group victory at Maze, Copper Tree rain, & on & on & we still only saw 60%. M/ tea & lunch capped off a magical day. Don’t miss this years spring. rossgardentours mayfieldgarden #rt_nsw #rhododendrons #lilac #lilacs #rhododendron #rhodendrons tourismnsw nswtourismassociation nswtourism centralnswtourism
The Australian Botanic Garden, Mt Annan, next on our journey, including the Plant Bank & National Herbarium. Volunteer Virginia led us expertly around these world class facilities. Then a walk around the spring garden filled with wildflowers. Australia’s largest botanic garden part of our oldest scientific institution. Knowledge overload today but so inspiring and how about the stunning natural’ McCubbin painting outlook. rossgardentours australianbotanicgarden sydneybotanicgarden botanicsydney #rt_nsw
Tour continues with a visit to dear friend & colleague, Don’s garden. Filled with rare beauty & curated plants to inspire any gardener. Double pink azalea ‘Scarlet Gem’, beautiful variegated Leucothoe, available from yaminarareplants is a gem, a superb collection of hybrid anemone, tree ferns recovering from the disastrous Gospers Mountain fire, seldom seen perennials, trees & shrubs made for a magnificent walk. rossgardentours #rt_nsw
From The Three Sisters to The Blue Mountains Botanic Gardens Mt Tomah a full day of mountain beauty. Best winter for years creating the best spring in memory. Here views compete with the results of talented staff & gorgeous plants. Group overflowing w spring fever. rossgardentours bluemountainsbg #rt_nsw
Rhododendron ’Coronation Day’ at Windyridge, Mt Wilson, on our journey through Rodger Davidson’s glorious garden w Waratahs & peonies in perfection. Open every day except Christmas, don’t miss this spring. The pond reflections are perfect while pump is being repaired. His little nursery is filled with treasures, we all loved his & his families hospitality. rossgardentours #rt_nsw windyridge_garden
Nooroo, very likely Australia’s finest garden, Mt Wilson. Day 3 of my NSW tour. Only A few owners since created by William Hay, 1880, then long stint of Valder family 1917-1992, since then the Barretts have continued the legacy but gently, sympathetically adding more gardens once the sheep were moved on. Throughout its life plantsmen and women (well one, Lorraine) have cared for this iconic, heritage listed home & stunning garden. We are so grateful & lucky to have had such talent & dedication to maintain this world class landscape. Its open until November, & if you see anyone pinch a flower, tread on the garden, warn them the kangawallafox will haunt them forever. rossgardentours nooroogardenmtwilsonnsw #rt_nsw
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