MELBOURNE TO CRESWICK

Welcome to our Gardens and Grandeur Tour through the western districts of Victoria. With a chauffeured pickup from home, we are transferred to meet our O’Shannessy’s Quality Tours coach and crew. Following a stop for morning tea, our path leads us to the enchanting Mica Grange Gardens, not far from Bendigo. As we enter through a golden elm-lined driveway, we’ll be immersed in a landscape of sweeping lawns, granite boulders and expansive gardens. Designed harmoniously with the natural contours of the land, the gardens are an oasis of fragrance, colour, tranquillity and charm. Since it’s an Open Day, we’ll have ample time to leisurely explore the beauty of our surrounds and marvel at the range of garden art, plants and preserves that promise to captivate our senses. A lovely light lunch awaits us before we head to Fortuna Villa to delve into its rich history.  In 1871, the Villa and the associated ‘180 Mine’ on the New Chum Reef was bought by George Lansell who had become successful in his gold mining interests and investments. With his continuing success in deep mining, Lansell undertook major extensions to his home. Stained glass, elaborate ceilings, grand cedar and blackwood staircase, solid marble baths, extensive acid-etched glasswork (conservatory) are some of the architectural features that contribute to the outstanding ‘feel’ of the structure.  The Fortuna grounds cover some 7.57 ha and feature an ornamental lake, garden, a ‘Roman-Bath’ and the ‘Pompeii Fountain’. We enjoy a guided tour through this historical gem before proceeding to our two night stay in Creswick.

OVERNIGHT: RACV Goldfields Resort, CRESWICK

DAYLESFORD AND SURROUNDS

Following breakfast, we embark on our journey to Buda Historic Home and Gardens. We indulge in morning tea and a guided exploration of the home and its gardens.  Here we are taken on a journey through the late nineteenth and early twentieth century. One of the great heritage assets of the goldfield’s region, the home was built by a retired Baptist Missionary in 1861 and originally named Delhi Villa. This superb example of Victorian-era colonial architecture was later named after Budapest by its Hungarian owner Ernest Leviny. Browse the Buda Plant Nursery featuring specially propagated plants from the garden before continuing our sojourn to Daylesford. Here we are offered lunch at the Convent Gallery. This historic country boarding school for girls has now transformed into a haven for art, history and culture. The Gallery beckons with its gallery spaces, museum and chapel, all enveloped by meticulously groomed gardens. As the day further unfolds, our final destination awaits not far from Daylesford – the mesmerizing Overwrought Sculpture Garden and Gallery.  Welcomed warmly, we are guided through the inner workings, gaining insight into the design process behind the exquisite garden sculptures. We have the opportunity to explore the gardens or wander the gallery, perhaps discovering a cherished piece of our own to take home. After a full and interesting day, we head back to Creswick to freshen up for dinner.

OVERNIGHT:  RACV Goldfields Resort, CRESWICK

CRESWICK TO WARRNAMBOOL

Farewelling our hosts, we drive to Lambley Nursery and Gardens. Here, amidst the lush surroundings, we are awed by the rare and unusual perennial flowers blooming under the dedicated care of the team of experts. The gardens boast a blend of vegetable and flower cutting gardens alongside ornamental landscapes. Our next stop takes us to the quaint village of Wickliffe, where we are greeted at Narrapumelap Historic House for lunch. This remarkable French Gothic Mansion was once owned by pastoralist and philanthropist John Dixon Wyselaskie (1818-1883). We’ll enjoy lunch then embark on a guided tour of the garden and homestead immersing ourselves in the world of timeless charm and tranquillity. Heading toward the coast, we arrive in Warrnambool, home for the next two nights.

OVERNIGHT: Deep Blue Hotel, WARRNAMBOOL

EXPLORING WARRNAMBOOL

Warrnambool, recently voted as one of the best places in Australia to reside, invites us to explore its charms, starting with a visit to the Warrnambool Botanic Gardens. The gardens were conceived by William Guilfoyle, who later became a director of the Royal Botanic Gardens in Melbourne. In 1877 he designed an appropriate layout of sweeping lawns, meandering paths that will beckon us to explore further.  Following our morning break, we venture to Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village where we discover the captivating story of the local Little Penguin colony and the innovative use of Maremma Dogs as guardians. The Maritime Village is home to the Maremma dogs and today we will have the chance to meet them and to learn why Middle Island Maremma’s are needed and their success at the role of penguin guardians. After, we enjoy our lunch before an afternoon of exploration at the Maritime Village where we can immerse ourselves in the authentic ambiance and activities of a late 1800s coastal port. Later this afternoon, we can take a stroll along the main street of Warrnambool or there is also the opportunity to visit the Fletcher Jones Factory Gardens. Designed in 1948 by Sir Fletcher Jones’ brother-in-law, these gardens envelop the former clothing factory, once a quarry site.

OVERNIGHT: Deep Blue Hotel, WARRNAMBOOL

WARRNAMBOOL TO GEELONG

Venturing eastward, our first stop is a visit to the Schulz Organic Dairy Farm. Invited exclusively for a behind-the-scenes tour, we meet the famous happy cows and discover the farm’s innovative and organic practices and their philosophy on regenerative farming.  Accompanied by our knowledgeable guide, we also learn the ins and outs of cheese-making in the creamery. Having worked up an appetite, we join our hosts in the Creamery for morning tea. Making our way around Lake Colac, we arrive at the doorstep of Coragulac House, also our lunch stop. Nestled beneath the Red Rock scenic lookout, this house stands as proof to pioneering pastoralists retaining its allure through generations of private ownership.  Following lunch we take a tour of the house, commencing with the grandeur of the 6 metre cedar-panelled Entrance Hall. Our journey then leads us to Winchelsea and Hastings Ostrich Farm, where we encounter majestic, flightless ostriches weighing up to 180kg and laying eggs over 1.5kg.  Our knowledgeable tour guide will address any enquiries we may have about these wonderfully prehistoric and unique birds. We will also learn how farming saved them from extinction.  From here we make our way to Geelong for our final night together.

OVERNIGHT:  Novotel Geelong, GEELONG

BELLARINE PENINSULA TO MELBOURNE

Regrettably, our tour draws to a close. Our morning begins with a visit to Barwon Grange, a historic riverside property built during the mid-1800s. The residence remains one of its kind to survive along the riverfront of Barwon River. Inside, an array of exquisite mahogany furniture, damask curtains and delicate glass and china pieces narrate a tale of opulence. The surrounding garden complements the elegance of the house with its Victorian fountain and gently sloping lawns leading to the river, where century old plantings flourish. Our journey continues with a scenic drive past Barwon Heads, crossing the Barwon River bridge, who’s surrounds feature in the ABC’s Sea Change program.  Arriving at the idyllic Jack Rabbit Vineyard we indulge in a farewell lunch. Later, we return homeward via the Searoad Ferry. Our chauffeurs will be ready to drop us to our very door – all part of the great O’Shannessy’s Quality Tours service!