Welcome to Canberra. It promises to be a great week! Your tour manager will be travelling from Brisbane today and will meet you at our Canberra hotel. During the week your Tour Manager will ensure that everyone who wants to be, is included in any additional activities outside of the confirmed itinerary. Tonight, we are introduced to our fellow travellers over a welcome dinner at the Southern Cross Yacht Club.

Meals Included: Dinner
Stay: Mercure Hotel or similar (5 nights)

After breakfast this morning we will make our way up the Mt Ainslie lookout for breathtaking views across Lake Burley Griffin.   From here we visit the Museum of Australian Democracy (formerly Old Parliament House). The Museum was home to Australia’s Federal Parliament for more than 60 years and is now a much-loved heritage building, offering a unique glimpse into the nations fascinating past. This afternoon we visit the Australian War Memorial. The memorial commemorates the sacrifice of the Australian men and women, who have served in war, through its ceremonial areas, extensive exhibitions and research facilities. The focus of the commemoration is the Hall of Memory together with the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the Pool of Reflection and the Roll of Honour that lists the names of over 102,000 Australian servicemen and women who have died in war. Over the past few years the Memorial has undergone extensive redevelopment resulting in new galleries and displays. The largest of these is the very impressive Anzac Hall. On display in Anzac Hall is a vast collection of historic military technology including Australia’s oldest military aircraft – the Deperdussin, a First World War Mark IV Tank and a virtual re-enactment of Australia’s first naval victory in 1914. We stay to hear the last post and closing ceremony before arriving at our hotel for dinner.

Meals Included: Breakfast, dinner

We take in some of the city sights as we travel through Embassy Row, finding embassies and high commissions of countries from around the world.  Look out for the spectacular traditional design of the Chinese Embassy or the splendid Georgian style United States Embassy.  Visiting the Royal Australian Mint, we discover they produce more than just the country’s coins. Some of the most treasured coins from the National Coin Collection are on display in the Treasures of the National Coin Collection exhibition. With a 1930 penny, 1 kilogram gold coin and the famous “kookaburra” pennies, the coins in this exhibition are among the rarest, most valuable and most extraordinary coins in Australia. We will then head to Capital Hill, the focal point of Canberra where we are introduced to the meeting place of the nation, Parliament House. Listening to your guide as they lead you through this political power house, you are enlightened to daily life of democracy.

Meals Included: Breakfast, dinner

We have an excellent day ahead of us today.   Canberra has established its wine growing region with boutique cellar doors and local creations. We begin our day at Robyn Rowe Chocolates for a talk and to indulge in the smooth and creamy chocolate tastings on offer. A delicious tasting awaits us at Murrumbateman Winery. The boutique cellar door has a warm, rustic feel making it also the perfect place to enjoy lunch. This afternoon we visit the famous Cockington Green Gardens. This award-winning tourist attraction takes its name from the township of Cockington in Devon, a historic English village. It is a one-twelfth scale reproduction of building and gardens – thatched cottages, a tiny church, the village green and even Stonehenge. Furthermore, model figures bring the scenes to life.  Tonight for dinner your Tour Manager will be on hand to offer some suggestions and anyone who wants to be included can join in.

Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch

Today is festival day! This morning we make our way to Tulip Top Gardens, where acres of stunning world class gardens bloom to life. Hundreds of blossom trees nestle between the flowers and provide a magic pathway to the cascading waterfall and watercourse with classical music wafting through the air in the hidden valley. Take the popular pathway past the rosemary field framed by unique blossom trees to the 70 metre high viewing platform for the perfect photo. Then it’s off to Commonwealth Park, for the amazing Floriade Festival. The flower display is the largest of its type in the Southern Hemisphere. Explore the impressive array of inspiring flowerbeds, horticultural exhibitions and unmissable entertainment. We arrive back at our hotel for our dinner this evening.

Meals Included: Breakfast, dinner

We have a free day in Canberra today. You may like to visit one of the many interesting attractions such as the National Museum of Australia, the National Library of Australia or the National Capital Exhibition. For the green-thumbs, you may like to re-visit the Floriade Festival. (any activities today at own expense). This evening we meet up again at our farewell dinner to share our stories from the day.

Meals Included: Breakfast, dinner

We have a free day in Canberra today. You may like to visit one of the many interesting attractions such as the National Museum of Australia, the National Library of Australia or the National Capital Exhibition. For the green-thumbs, you may like to re-visit the Floriade Festival. (any activities today at own expense). This evening we meet up again at our farewell dinner to share our stories from the day.

Meals Included: Breakfast, dinner