Gardens Of The South Coast Nsw

Meet your tour leader at Sydney Central Station. First stop on our southward journey is the Open Garden Weekend in Robertson. Gates will be open to showcase the beauty and variety of the cool-climate gardens, set in beautiful surroundings, some with sweeping views of the rolling hills. Travel to Gerringong with our Welcome dinner included this evening.

Two ‘designer’ gardens today; the first on Lake Tabourie with house now wrapped in abundant native gardens linked by timber boardwalks. Another new native garden on Burrill Lake is an ode to the ramble of the cottage gardens, done entirely with native plants, A treat for lunch today at Cupitt’s Estate then a gentle guided walk through the coastal reserve near Ulladulla, to discover heathland flora. Travel on to Batemans Bay and check into our hotel for 2 nights.

Morning visit to the former Rectory of Samuel Mort’s All Saints Church built in 1880, designed by Edmund Blacket. This garden has recently undergone extensive changes. Local produce for lunch today
at SAGE, encouraging a sustainable local, not-for-profit, fair food economy.

Morning drive back up the scenic coast road to Merribee at Nowra, with a guided tour of this complex of formal gardens, in particular the ‘Heritage’ rose garden with its display of ‘old’ roses planted to show the evolution of the rose from ancient and medieval times through to the Modern Rose, and particularly the Modern English Rose of David Austin, Lunch and Morning Tea are included here at Merribee. Experience the transformative power of the Shoalhaven landscape this afternoon as we travel to Arthur Boyd’s Bundanon which is located on 1,100 hectares of pristine bushland overlooking the Shoalhaven River. Our guide will show us the new subterranean Art Museum

Arthur and Yvonne Boyd gifted Bundanon, including its properties and collections, to the Australian people in 1993. This unique gift is a cultural and environmental asset, borne out of Arthur Boyd’s often stated belief that ‘you can’t own a landscape’ and his deeply felt wish that others might also draw inspiration from Bundanon. Continue to Kiama, to our accommodation for the next three nights

Kangaroo Valley is our destination today where locals boast of the invigorative and recuperative powers of the valley. Rich green pastures, sparkling creeks and rivers and lush rainforest are all guarded by the magnificent escarpments which enclose it. Two private gardens will open for us today. Lunch is included in the village.

The Berry Garden Festival is in full swing with eight private gardens opening their gates. You will see the best of them this morning with free time in Berry this afternoon. Return to Kiama with our Farewell dinner included this evening.

Travel back to Sydney with a morning stop in Wollongong’s exceptional Botanic Garden and a lunch stop in Scarborough. Return to Sydney Central Station.