Experience the beauty and bounty of NSW’s Central West. Under crisp skies, explore gardens in Orange, Oberon, Little Hartley & Mt Wilson. Meet artistic gardeners, heritage fruit growers & dreamscape designers. Soak in the charm of historic towns, visit country nurseries & a mountain estate rarely open to the public.
Meet our Ross Tour Leader this morning at Central Station, Sydney. Travelling by coach we head west over the Blue Mountains. Get your cameras ready for the beautiful display in the Begonia House in Machattie Park, Bathurst, filled with glorious tuberous begonias. Built in 1935, this conservatory was the work of Walter Kefford, keen grower of begonias and curator of the park. Continue to Orange in the heart of the Central West. Check into The Remington, your contemporary hotel for the next three nights. Welcome dinner included tonight.
The Remington Hotel, Orange
Stroll heritage-listed Cook Park to see their magnificent tree collection and begonia display. Borrodell Estate, is on the slopes of the extinct volcano, Mt Canobolas. It’s a feast for all the senses. Tour the heritage apple orchard. Scrumptious lunch included today overlooking the Pinot Noir vineyard where views of the Towac Valley are endless. Free time tonight to enjoy Orange’s acclaimed food scene and try one of the local restaurants.
The Remington Hotel, Orange
At “The Garden Curator”, Colleen Southwell is inspired by “Slow Gardening”, encouraging us to savour our gardens throughout the seasons and to live in the here and now. Morning tea here overlooking the garden. Classified by the National Trust and unchanged since the 1900s, Milthorpe village is the perfect Sunday destination. Later, at Jenny Hancock’s gorgeous country property, we’ll stroll through her idyllic garden. Drayshed Nursery and Art Gallery, adjacent to the farm, are full of planty treasures. Dinner included tonight.
The Remington Hotel, Orange
Nestled in a quiet valley in Oberon is the extraordinary Mayfield Garden, one of the world’s largest private cool climate garden. Inspired by the great European gardens, this is a triumph of garden design with its oak trees, groves of beech and colourful collection of maples. Private tour, morning tea and lunch included. Travel onto Katoomba and check-in to the heritage-listed Carrington Hotel, your home for the next two nights.
The Carrington Hotel, Katoomba
Tucked away in Little Hartley are two very different gardens. First Goryu, the Magnum Opus of Alan Jackson who has spent 25 years with rocks, stones, gravel, stone bridges, lanterns, basins and Japanese maples; all carefully curated, bringing his vision to life. Highfields Garden is the latest creation of renown horticulturist David Kennedy. Here 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. Soak in the ambience over lunch on the terrace. Farewell dinner tonight at The Carrington Hotel.
The Carrington Hotel, Katoomba
Dennarque Estate is surrounded by the timeless beauty of Mt Wilson. This heritage-listed cool climate garden possesses a majesty, grace and scale that is compelling. In this rich garden wonderland, you’ll discover a glorious collection of significant trees planted in the 1880’s under the watchful direction of Charles Moore, an early Director of the Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney. In autumn, the colour of hundreds of maple trees will be stunning in their display. Lunch is included on the estate before heading back to Sydney.
You will be contacted by a Ross Tours Travel Consultant to confirm your details and preferred method of payment.
Please refer to the Ross Tours standard terms and conditions
Entrance fees to all gardens, sightseeing and national parks on tour including;
{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