HOME TO MELBOURNE VIA THE GARDENS OF THE MORNINGTON PENINSULA

Our chauffeur service picks us up from home in the morning and takes us to meet our O'Shannessy's Quality Tours coach and crew for our 5-day Gardens, Art, and Culinary Delights tour. We begin our journey with a visit to Cruden Farm. More than eighty years in the making and the heart of a working farm, the gardens are spectacular throughout the year. An impressive driveway with over 100 lemon-scented gums greets us before arriving at the Farm. The head Gardener here will take us on a guided tour featuring sculptures dating back to the 1930s.  We now make our way to the base station of the Eagle Chairlift; here we board a state-of-the-art gondola and fly over the state forest to the highest point of the beautiful Mornington Peninsula. We will be torn between looking at the breathtaking view across the bay to the city and spotting wildlife as we soar high above the trees. Either way we’ll have a bird’s eye view! At Arthur’s Seat we’ll enjoy lunch before our return ride to the base station. As we make our way into Melbourne, we visit the stunning Royal Botanic Gardens of Melbourne  – a cherished part of Melbourne's cultural life for over 170 years. We meet our guide for a highlight tour of the gardens and discover plant species from around the world presented in a kaleidoscope of colours and textures – truly a living work of art. With our day of exploration complete, we make our way to Melbourne to check-in to the Oakwood Premier Melbourne – our home for the next three nights.

OVERNIGHT:  Oakwood Premier Melbourne, MELBOURNE 

TOUR OF THE BAW BAW SHIRE

We start our morning with a journey to Broughton Hall Gardens for a private tour and morning tea. Located in Bunyip State Park against the backdrop of the picturesque Tarago Reservoir, this renowned 3-acre garden is a wonderland of unusual plants, roses, formal and informal areas, and a tranquil place to spend time wandering and exploring its many areas and terraces. We are fortunate to witness the gardens in their full Autumn splendour. For lunch, we head to the Neerim South Hotel for a delightful meal served with warm hospitality in the quaint township of Neerim South. A short drive away, nestled in a hidden valley of the Latrobe River surrounded by towering Mountain Ash and fern forests, is the majestic Noojee Trestle Bridge – the tallest surviving wooden trestle bridge in Victoria. The bridge is a legacy of the old railway that ran from Noojee to Warragul. We spend the remainder of the afternoon exploring more of the beautiful Baw Baw Shire with a visit to the unique and quirky Laurie Collins Sculpture Garden and Red Tree Gallery We are warmly welcomed by local artist Laurie, a retired Teacher, and have some time to wander his sculpture garden and gallery of unique and quirky recycled metal pieces, garden sculptures, unique furniture, and fun metal animals. After a wonderful day, we make our way back to the hotel for our evening meal together.

OVERNIGHT: Oakwood Premier Melbourne,  MELBOURNE

EXPLORING THE DANDENONG RANGES

Today is all about immersing ourselves in the breathtaking beauty of the Dandenong Ranges. For over a century, these mountains have been a cherished escape for Melbournians seeking respite from city life. Nowadays, visitors from all over Australia flock to explore the exquisite gardens and majestic forests that adorn this region. First stop today is Cloudehill Gardens and the Diggers Garden Shop, a must-visit garden located at the top of the Dandenongs. Here, a maze of stone walls and jewel-like garden rooms are nestled within historic cool climate trees, creating a mesmerizing sight to behold.  Next, we'll make our way to the Olinda Tea House, a tranquil haven built in loving memory of a dear family member. Surrounded by serene trees and peaceful surroundings, the Tea House exudes a sense of healing and serenity. We'll indulge in a scrumptious High Tea lunch here, savouring the flavours and ambiance. Our next stop will be the Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden where we'll marvel at the diverse flora and fauna that thrive in this pristine landscape. Our final stop for today is Sky High Mount Dandenong where we'll be rewarded with panoramic views of the majestic Dandenong Ranges, the Mornington Peninsula, Port Phillip Bay, and Melbourne's urban fringes. It will be a breathtaking way to conclude our day in the Dandenongs before we leisurely make our way back to our hotel for dinner.

OVERNIGHT: Oakwood Premier Melbourne, MELBOURNE 

AUTUMN COLOURS OF DAYLESFORD AND SURROUNDS

After breakfast, we'll set off to explore the glorious Macedon Ranges. Our first stop will be the Forest Glade Garden and Stokes Gallery nestled on the southern slopes of Mount Macedon. Here, we'll meander through magnificently landscaped English gardens adorned with exotic trees, Japanese gardens featuring a bonsai house, and stunning woodland areas. We'll also take a journey through the Stokes Collection, a true treat for art enthusiasts. Next, we'll continue to Daylesford for a picnic lunch amidst the picturesque Wombat Hill Botanic Gardens. We'll have some leisure time to explore these stunning gardens before heading to The Convent Gallery. This historic country boarding school for girls, boasting panoramic views of the countryside and township, has been transformed into a sensory feast with a gallery of fine art displayed within its 19th-century walls. We'll be guided on a tour of the gallery before enjoying a leisurely stroll through the fragrant and picturesque gardens spanning 6 acres. As the day draws to a close, we'll make our way to our overnight accommodation in Creswick, where we'll have some time to relax and take in the beautiful surroundings of the property before gathering for our final dinner together at the resort.

OVERNIGHT:  RACV Goldfields Resort, CRESWICK

RETURNING HOME

With a tinge of sadness, our tour comes to an end. From Creswick, we meander our way to Werribee for a delightful lunch. From here we make our way home – our chauffeurs will be on hand to take us straight to our door – all part of the O’Shannessy’s Quality Tours superior service.