TOUR LEADER ROBIN POWELL

Robin writes a weekly column on gardens and gardening for Spectrum in Saturday’s Sydney Morning Herald. An avid gardener, Robin can’t wait to show you the best gardens in Bathurst and Orange.

+ Admire the reflections at Gory’u Japanese

Garden, Little Hartley

+ Gasp at the glorious clematis in Bathurst private

gardens

+ Marvel at the impressive Mayfield Garden

+ Panoramic dining at lunch in Mt Tomah Botanic

Garden

+ Mingle with the locals at the Bathurst Spring

Spectacular

+ Travel in a small group and make new friends

+ Relax – we’ll take care of everything!

For a detailed itinerary, please visit :www.rosstours.com/bathurst

HIGHLIGHTS

Kangaroo Island

SYDNEY

Cape Jervis

Mt TomahOrange Bathurst

OberonMilthorpe

NSW

Let us take you to the most beautiful places in the world.

A new tour west of the Blue Mountains to see fine gardens opening for the Bathurst Spring Spectacular. Bathurst and Orange are blessed with fine old homes with equally fine gardens. Robin will take you into some delectable eateries, tempting nurseries and she will introduce you to some amazing gardeners.

TO BOOK PLEASE CONTACT ROYCE OR ROSLYN

Visit our website www.rosstours.com

travel@rosstours.com1300 233 200

The Bathurst and Orange region west of the Blue

Mountains is superb in spring with cool climate gardens

reaching a crescendo of colour. Our short break is

based in Bathurst to discover it’s Spring Spectacular.

26 - 31 OCTOBER 2017

BATHURST NSWSPRING SPECTACULAR

Graham Ross VMM, Founder

DAY 1 THU 26 OCT HOME TO MT TOMAH (L)

Meet Robin Powell our Tour Leader at Sydney coach terminal. We’ll head west with a morning tea stop at Wildwood Garden and Nursery in Bilpin. The cool climate garden here comes into peak bloom with magnolias, dogwoods and crabapples looking good. We’ll be tempted to buy from the nursery, and there’s lots of space under the coach. Mt Tomah Botanic Garden is next, looking fabulous. Glorious views of Wollemi National Park make this a great spot for our Welcome Lunch. Enjoy a walk, then delicious ‘One Hat’ dining.

Travel on to Bathurst, check into the Charlotte Apartments in the centre of town and relax before we take a stroll around town.

DAY 2 FRI 27 OCT MAYFIELD GARDEN (B/L)

Mayfield Garden near Oberon has achieved celebrity status in the ten years it’s been under construction. It’s one of those extraordinary places where the vision takes your breath away. This is garden making on a grand scale; indeed

it’s one of the world’s largest cool-climate private gardens and sits within a 5,000 acre working farm. We will walk through a series of garden spaces richly planted and now starting to mature. There’s the 80-metre water stair, walled kitchen garden; expansive and impressive Water Garden and Grotto; Valley of the Five Ponds, Venus Vale and Gallery, aviary, chapel, rose garden and Islamic pond. There’s lots to see! After lunch, we’ll visit another Oberon garden, Gairloch where Meg and Peter Lowe will show us the garden that’s been their lifelong passion.We’ll end the day at Mt Panorama Estate for a taste of their fine wines. This boutique vineyard is located inside Mount Panorama Racing Circuit.

DAY 3 SAT 28 OCTBATHURST SPECTACULAR (B)

A day of private gardens opening for the Bathurst Spring Spectacular. A variety of top gardens has been selected. Each owner will be available to chat; it’s fun and friendly. You will be inspired with ideas for your garden.

DAY 4 SUN 29 OCTBATHURST (B)

Yetholme is our destination this morning to Sarah Ryan’s Hillandale, and we’re in for a treat of cool climate plants. Sarah is a top designer, and that’s what makes this garden so special; the way she puts plants together. After morning tea on her veranda, we’ll head back into Bathurst to meet up with our city guide. There are good cafes near the Art Gallery for lunch. A guided tour of beautiful and historical Bathurst this afternoon.

DAY 5 MON 30 OCTMILTHORPE TO ORANGE (B/L/D)

Learn all about beautiful bearded iris this morning at Eidolia Park, just outside Millthorpe. The crabapples and cherries should be in full flower. Lunch is included in Millthorpe, then a wander around this beautiful old town with many of its buildings heritage listed by the National Trust. Travel into Orange this afternoon to visit two private gardens with lovely roses. Time to relax in our hotel before our Farewell Dinner tonight.

DAY 6 TUE 31 OCTMAPLE SPRINGS NURSERY (B)

We are travelling back to Sydney today with a morning stop at Gory’u Japanese Garden and Maple Springs Nursery in Little Hartley. Alan Jackson has spent the last five years skillfully designing and building this garden. It is based on Buddhist, Taoist and Shinto principles. There is a variety of Japanese maples and conifers, 28 Japanese lanterns, 12 basins, 13 bridges, waterfall, Suikinkutsu (water harp), shishi-odoshi (deer scare), moon viewing platforms, lake, stream and panoramic views. Meet Alan and learn about his passion for all things Japanese, especially maples. Time out for lunch in Leura then we are bound for Sydney Central.

TOUR DETAILS

+ OUR TOUR INCLUDES

° Air-conditioned motorcoach

° Deluxe accommodation for 5 nights

° Breakfast daily, 3 lunches and 1 dinner

° Entrance fees to all gardens and sightseeing including

Wildwood Garden and Nursery, Mt Tomah Botanic Garden,

Mayfield Garden, Oberon, Gairloch Garden, Oberon, Bathurst

Spring Spectacular, two private gardens in Orange, Hillandale,

Yetholme, Eidolia Park, Milthorpe, Gory’u Japanese Garden

° Escorted by Robin Powell

+ OUR TOUR COSTS

° Twin Share per person, land only $2,095

° Single Supplement $395

+ DISCOUNTS

° Early bird $50 Book and pay before 23/6/17

° Previous Traveller $25

° Garden Clinic Member $25

° All prices in Australian Dollars.

All prices in Australian Dollars. All air taxes as at 1st April 2017. Price based on minimum 15 passengers. Departure from Sydney. Price from other Australian ports and New Zealand available on application. Group meals do not include beverages. Please refer to Ross Garden Tours standard terms & conditions. Ask us about other sightseeing and travel arrangements including pre and post tour accommodation, transfers, stopovers and other tours.

ITINERARY