MELBOURNE TO BALLARAT

Welcome to our delightful Tranquil Gardens and Seaside Adventures tour. With chauffeured pickup from home, we are transferred to meet our O’Shannessy’s Quality Tours coach and crew. We begin our journey to Mount Macedon, enjoying our morning break along the way. While in the Ranges we explore the renowned Stokes Collection, located in the heart of the stunning Forest Glade Gardens. This remarkable collection is a testament to the life-long passion of Cyril Stokes and his love of beautiful decorative arts. Each piece reflects years of research and travels to art auctions and estate sales around the world. After a memorable visit, we enjoy lunch before travelling to Ballarat where we settle in for the next two nights.

OVERNIGHT: Sovereign Park Motor Inn, BALLARAT

DAYLESFORD AND SURROUNDS

Following breakfast, we embark on our journey to Harcourt, where we have an appointment at the unusual Woop Woop Sculpture Garden — a beautiful garden with a laugh around every corner! Featuring eclectic sculptures depicting slang, sayings, and just about anything guaranteed to raise a smile. We continue 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.

OVERNIGHT: Sovereign Park Motor Inn, BALLARAT

BALLARAT TO WARRNAMBOOL

Fondly 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 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 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. We’ll enjoy our morning tea break here amidst this tranquil setting before venturing to Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village. Discover the captivating story of the local Little Penguin colony and the innovative use of Maremma dogs as guardians. Today we will have the chance to meet the Maremma dogs and to learn why Middle Island Maremmas are needed and their success at the role of penguin guardians. Relish a leisurely lunch before further exploring the Maritime Village, immersing ourselves in the authentic ambiance and activities of a late 1800s coastal port. Our final stop today is 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 at Tarndwarncoort Homestead, a testament to Victoria’s enduring heritage. Established in 1840, this revered estate stands as one of Australia’s oldest family farms, renowned as the birthplace of Australia’s esteemed Polwarth sheep breed. Crossing Saxon Merino sheep from Tasmania with Victorian Lincoln sheep, it sparked a legacy cherished by generations. Our visit promises intrigue, accompanied by morning tea. Making our way around Lake Colac, we arrive at the doorstep of Coragulac House, also our lunch venue. 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 inquiries 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.

OVERNIGHT: Rydges Geelong, GEELONG

BELLARINE PENINSULA - HOME

Regrettably, our tour draws to a close. Our morning begins with a stroll along the Geelong Bollard Trail Walk. The bollards, taken out of the old harbour, have been carved into colourful and interesting characters of various themes. There are more than 100 of these huge painted icons guiding visitors along the foreshore walking/cycling track. They represent a fascinating and fun chronicle of the city's past. Next, we visit the Hive Gallery to see the home of Victorian garden sculptor, Wil Wilson. Discover the intricate process behind his remarkable bronze pieces showcased annually at the prestigious Chelsea Flower Show and admire works by other talented local artists. We now indulge in a farewell lunch at the idyllic Jack Rabbit Vineyard. Later, with cherished memories, we return homeward via the Searoad Ferry. Our chauffeurs will be ready to drop us to our very door – all part of the O’Shannessy’s Quality Tours superior service!