Australian Gardens, Landscapes and Iconic Cities with Mike Nelhams

Upon arrival in Singapore, we enjoy a tour of the city. We pass by the Padang, Singapore Cricket Club, historic Parliament House and the National Gallery Singapore. We also stop at the Merlion Park and enjoy the impressive views of Marina Bay where we have a picture taking opportunity with The Merlion, a mythological creature that is part lion and part fish and visit Thian Hock Keng Temple, one of Singapore’s oldest Buddhist-Taoist temples, before driving past Chinatown.

Later, we explore Singapore’s Botanic Gardens, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where we walk through the National Orchid Garden which boasts a sprawling display of 60,000 orchid plants. Let your senses come alive at Little India as you walk past shops offering a variety of exotic fruits, spices, jasmine and orchid garlands. Watch a delightful demonstration of Teh Tarik – Pulled Tea and we’ll also sample the tea where our guide will explain the origins of this all-time local favourite beverage.

We transfer to our hotel for the evening at leisure. There are various dining options within the hotel and downtown Singapore has a wide range of inexpensive restaurants offering Asian and Western cuisine.

After breakfast, we visit Singapore’s iconic new horticultural attraction, Gardens by the Bay. Spanning 101 hectares and featuring more than 1 million plants from more than 5,000 species, Gardens by the Bay is a must-see destination filled with wonders from around the world. Discover exotic plants in the Flower Dome from the 5 continents which are displayed in 9 different gardens. Step into the Flower Dome and find the largest glass greenhouse in the world. Be amazed by the changing display of flowers and plants from the Mediterranean and semi-arid regions. Walk in the Cloud Forest and marvel at the 35-metre-tall indoor waterfall, a mysterious world veiled in mist with and be amazed at the unique and fragile plants. Take in breathtaking mountain views surrounded by diverse vegetation and hidden floral gems.

We transfer to the airport to catch our flight to Perth, Western Australia. Upon arrival we will be transferred to our hotel.

This morning we take a tour of Perth, including Kings Park with its 400 hectares of delightful gardens. Situated only a few minutes from the centre of Perth, Kings Park features sweeping parklands, botanic gardens, and native bushland.

This afternoon we visit historic Fremantle Prison one of westerns most fascinating attractions. It once played a pivotal role in the early days of the state and is the most intact convict establishment in the country. It ceased operation as a maximum-security prison in 1991 after being continuously used for almost 140 years, the following year the prison opened to the public and has since become a successful tourist attraction. In 2010 Fremantle Prison was the first building in Western Australia to be added to the world Heritage list. We also visit the oldest surviving public building in Western Australia, the Round House. Built in 1830 – 1831 as a gaol, we have the chance to discover its diverse uses throughout history and the stunning vistas from the headland overlooking the river mouth and Cockburn Sound.

Spend today at your leisure exploring Perth or join the optional excursion to Margaret River, one of Australia’s most famous wine-growing regions. We head to the small family owned Passel Estate situated in the heart of Margaret River. On arrival we are welcomed to the estate and given an outline of the estate’s philosophy before we visit the tasting room to sample a selection of wines and are guided through a tasting that showcases the Margaret River wine’s stylistic differences. We will also enjoy a lunch in the Margaret River area before enjoying the scenic drive back to Perth.

After breakfast this morning, we transfer to the airport for out flight to the capital of Victoria, Melbourne. We transfer to our hotel and have the remainder of the day at leisure.

We visit the highly acclaimed Royal Botanic Gardens which has been part of Melbourne cultural heritage for more than 170 years. Spread over an impressive 38 hectares, the gardens house a collection of more then 8,500 species of plants from around the globe. Here we can see amazing collections of camellias, cacti and succulents, roses and cycads to name a few.

This afternoon we head north westwards from Melbourne to Stonefields, a large-scale country garden belonging to the garden designer Paul Bungay. The garden covers 3-4 acres of a total site of nearly 50 acres, with the balance being park landscape for cattle grazing and collection of oak trees. The main garden has been created on the edge of a grass covered hill with spectacular views over the surrounding rural valley. The style of garden is classic modern with all ornamentation based on sculpture of endemic flora. Experience the garden at Stonefields in each season through the eyes and words of its creator as our tour will be conducted by Paul personally and is an opportunity to enjoy the garden in the company of the designer. 

A long but rewarding day awaits, as we depart for a full day exploring Great Ocean Road one of the most iconic coastal drives in Australia. Absorb the beautiful southern coastline along this world class scenic highway, sit back and enjoy views of sweeping beaches, sleepy coastal resorts and spectacular cliffs along the winding highway.

We pass through the townships of Anglesea and Lorne before stopping for lunch in Apollo Bay after which we have an opportunity to take a short stroll along the fabulous beach.

This afternoon offers you even more breathtaking sights. Otway National Park unfolds ahead revealing a wealth of greenery. Ferns and mosses nestle in secluded damp gullies dwarfed by giant families of Blue Gum, Mountain Ash, Manna Gum and Mountain Grey Gum.

The highway continues back towards the coast revealing tales of many shipwrecks in Port Campbell National Park. The mighty 12 Apostles are world-recognised icons of the Great Ocean Road. These giant rock stacks are a central feature of the spectacular Port Campbell National Park. The forces of nature gradually eroded the softer limestone, forming caves in the cliffs with became arches and when they collapsed, rock islands as high as 45 metres were left isolated from the shore.

Today we visit Cranbourne Botanic Gardens whose award-winning garden features plants and ecosystems endemic of south east Australia. Designed to celebrate the beauty and diversity of Australian landscape it is home to 170,000 plants for nearly 1,700 different species.

Later, we catch our flight to Sydney and transfer to our hotel.

Our day begins with a sightseeing tour of Sydney including a one hour guided tour of the iconic Sydney Opera House which includes insights into the venues unique architectural design and history.

Next, we visit the Botanic Gardens, located on the edge of the Harbour, which is home to a wide variety of native fauna as well as flora.

We leave the city behind us and head to the majestic Blue Mountains. Here, we enjoy the beauty of the Australian bush and admire the Three Sisters, a spectacular rock formation. We will enjoy a walk through the 28-hectare Mt Tomah Botanic Garden which features the rhododendrons of the Himalayas and western China, the southern beaches of Australia, New Zealand and Chile, the giant lobelias of Mount Kenya, the proteas of South Africa and the conifers of Europe and North America.

After breakfast, we head south along the Grand Pacific Drive to Wollongong Botanic Gardens. Here we have the chance to explore the vast array of horticultural collections including the Australian Open Forest and grassland home to native forest, sandstone and grassland plants and the Dryland Garden where the collection is we find plant species that thrive in low rainfall areas including Salt Bush, bottle trees and wildflowers. There is also a rose garden styled as a sunken European Garden in which we can see the Wollongong Gold Rose, developed to mark the 50^th anniversary of the city as well as much more to explore.

Later, we continue our journey inland to the nation’s capital - Canberra and have the rest of the day at leisure.

Today we visit the Australian National Botanic Gardens including the beautiful Rainforest Gully, followed by sightseeing around Canberra which in 1908 was selected as Australia’s Capital as a compromise between the two largest cities Sydney and Melbourne. As such it was an entirely planned city and its design was heavily influenced by the ‘Garden City’ movement, incorporating significant areas of natural vegetation and earning Canberra the title of the "bush capital". Our tour includes Parliament House and the Australian War Memorial.

Today we journey south to the Monaro High Country, to visit some of Australia's most stunning private gardens. Some of Australia’s most respected garden designers have been involved in creating these wonderful horticultural havens including Prof. Leslie Wilkinson, Paul Bangay and Claude Crowe. First, we visit Hazeldean surrounded by forest of old English Elms, extending out to 10 acres of parklands. The 5-acre garden has recently been refurbished to include new stone walls, lawn terraces, courtyards gardens and a wild garden. Next, we head to Curry Flat, the gardens of which were designed by Claude Crowe in 1954 and include several ‘rooms’ including a sundial rose garden and reflecting pond. We enjoy a delightful lunch here before heading to the final garden, Shirley a true oasis in the Monaro plains with 7 acres of lawns, mature trees a parterre gardens and stunning lake. We later return to Canberra for the evening.

We depart from Canberra this morning and travel back to Sydney, breaking our journey with a drive through Mt Annan Botanic Gardens, the largest in Australia, covering 400 hectares.

This morning we pay a visit Wendy Whiteley’s Secret Garden a haven where you can explore meandering pathways discovering sculptures as you go. You may choose to relax or read a book beneath the garden’s canopy, or simply enjoy the nature and serenity of your beautiful surroundings. Created over the past 20 years by artist Wendy Whiteley, wife and muse of Australian artist Brett Whiteley, the Secret Garden is nestled behind Luna Park in one of Sydney's most spectacular, and possibly smallest suburbs, Lavender Bay.

Spend the afternoon at leisure before our farewell dinner this evening aboard an exclusive 78ft luxury vessel. We’ll cruise in style around the world-famous Sydney Harbour. We will enjoy a multi course chef-designed menu featuring the very best of New South Wales’ ingredients paired with wines from some of the most prestigious wine regions creating the perfect culinary experience.

Enjoy free time before we transfer to Sydney airport for our return overnight flight to London.

We arrive in London.