Floriade began in 1988 as a spectacular commemoration of Australia’s bicentenary and Canberra’s 75th birthday. It was so successful it has been an annual Spring event ever since. Have your senses aroused and your imagination inspired by over one million creatively themed blooms.

In Canberra we are staying in Heritage rooms at the Brassey of Canberra, established in 1927. Experience the charm and elegance of the 1920’s, set on 2.5 acres of lawns and gardens on the edge of the parliamentary triangle. A short flight of stairs leads to our rooms (no lift).

Day 1 (L,D) HOME, LAKES ENTRANCE
Following metropolitan/hotel home pick up, (interstate passengers arrive day prior) we travel east along the Princes Highway through Gippsland to Lakes Entrance and our home for tonight, the Banjo Paterson Motor Inn.

Day 2 (B,L,D) LAKES ENTRANCE, MERIMBULA, BATEMANS BAY
We continue east and into NSW to Eden and Merimbula and, following lunch, Batemans Bay. Our home tonight, Best Western Sunseeker.

Day 3 (B,L,D) BATEMANS BAY, BRAIDWOOD, BUNGENDORE, QUEANBEYAN, CANBERRA
We climb through the Great Dividing Range to historic Braidwood and Bungendore (light lunch here), continue to Queanbeyan and Canberra, visiting Mt Ainslie Lookout and the War Memorial. Our home for four nights, The Brassey of Canberra Hotel.

Day 4 (B,L,D) CANBERRA
This morning we visit Floriade, a spectacular floral event and Canberra’s leading spring attraction, with time to stroll through the Floriade gardens and special floral exhibits before visiting the National Capital Exhibition at Regatta Point. We continue to the National Botanic Gardens, with lunch at Hudson’s Café, followed by a stroll in the gardens. During the afternoon we visit Telstra Tower with a 360 degree view of Canberra, and the famous Cockington Green with its miniature English village and delightful garden settings.

Day 5 (B,L,D) TIDBINBILLA, NEW PARLIAMENT HOUSE
Today we take a country drive to Tidbinbilla and visit the Space Communication Centre. Lunch here. During the afternoon visit New Parliament House and the Embassies precinct. Tonight view the city lights from Red Hill or Mt. Ainslie Lookouts.

Day 6 (B,L,D) LAKE BURLEY GRIFFIN CRUISE, NATIONAL MUSEUM, NATIONAL PORTRAIT GALLERY, OLD PARLIAMENT HOUSE
Today we take a most enjoyable one hour cruise on Lake Burley Griffin, followed by a visit to the National Museum. During the afternoon we visit the National Portrait Gallery and Old Parliament House.

Day 7 (B,L,D) CANBERRA, YASS, GUNDAGAI, TUMBARUMBA, HOLBROOK, ALBURY, WANGARATTA
Our journey this morning takes us to Yass, Gundagai and Tumut. We visit the Pioneer Womens Hut in Tumbarumba for a light lunch before continuing to Holbrook, Albury and Wangaratta. Our home tonight is the Quality Inn Wangaratta Gateway.

Day 8 (B,L) WANGARATTA, BONNIE DOON, HOME
We leave the Hume Highway near Benalla and take the scenic route to Bonnie Doon with lunch here. We return via Yea into Melbourne, arriving at approximately 4:00 p.m. Metropolitan home/hotel and airport transfers complete a most enjoyable visit to the National Capital and the annual Canberra Floriade Festival.