



Heidi Martin started her horticultural career in the family nursery when she was 16 and has now enjoyed over 30 years in the industry. She is the owner of multi-award winning garden centre Van Loons Nursery in Victoria and is a regular co-host on 3AW’s Weekend Breakfast gardening show. Heidi is a regular identity at the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show hosting demonstrations and garden talks as well as being involved in three display gardens, winning a prestigious Gold Medal. She is a passionate plants person and loves speaking at garden clubs and hosting workshops at her nursery. Heidi is looking forward to sharing her love of gardening with you.
VIEW ITINERARYDAY 1 Saturday March 20, 2021
Ballarat
On arrival at Melbourne Airport we will be met
by our private coach and drive to Ballarat. A
welcome dinner is included this evening for tour
members to get to know one another. Heidi
Martin will outline the activities and program of
the tour.
DAY 2 Sunday March 21, 2021
Ballarat
This morning we visit David Glenn’s garden,
Lambley, situated around an old farmhouse in
the hot dry windswept plains of the Central
Victorian Goldfields. It features frost-hardy
plants requiring very little watering. The
extensive organic vegie garden has trial gardens
for vegetables and flowers. In the afternoon
we visit the Ballarat Botanical Gardens, started
in 1858 and covering an area of forty hectares
divided into three distinct zones with a central
area preserving the “Gardenesque” style of
the Victorian pleasure garden. Located on the
western shore of picturesque Lake Wendouree, a
highlight of the gardens is the conservatory, full
of spectacular begonias. In the later afternoon
we’ll have free time to enjoy Ballarat’s ornate
architecture, fine regional art gallery and coffee
shops. Heidi will meet those wishing to dine with
the group.
DAY 3 Monday March 22, 2021
Ballarat
This morning our garden visit is to Stonefields,
Paul Bangay’s spectacular garden developed
using knowledge gained during more than
twenty years designing gardens all around
the world. This garden is one of the many
highlights of our tour and includes stone paths
that meander through garden rooms that open
out to a spectacular country view. We travel to
Daylesford for free time for lunch and to explore
Daylesford’s array of boutique shops.
We continue our travels to visit Frogmore
Gardens. Sixteen years ago, Zena Bethell and
Jack Marshall bought eight acres near Trentham,
turning three hectares into a stunning garden
and nursery specializing in flowering perennials
for the herbaceous border and drought tolerant
prairie style gardens. This evening Heidi will
meet those wishing to dine with the group.
DAY 4 Tuesday March 23, 2021
Melbourne
This morning we return to Melbourne first
stopping at the Fitzroy Gardens where we
will see the Conservatory. We continue to the
Melbourne Botanic gardens which covers thirty
six hectares. We will visit Guilfoyle’s Volcano.
Built in 1876 as a water storage for the gardens,
it was recently restored as part of a landscape
development project. It has commanding views of the city and showcases low water use plants.
Boardwalks and a viewing platform give visitors
an opportunity to explore this remarkable
feature of Melbourne Botanic Gardens. We
will continue on to the Observatory with
time to walk with Heidi to see the Ian Potter
Foundation Children’s Garden and the Shrine
of Remembrance. We will have free time for
lunch at the Jardin Tan cafe. You may wander
around the gardens or continue on the coach
with a drop off in the centre of Melbourne. The
afternoon is free for sightseeing or shopping.
DAY 5 Wednesday March 24, 2021
Melbourne
Today we visit the 24th Melbourne International
Flower and Garden Show, the biggest and best
show of its type in the Southern Hemisphere and
ranked in the top five flower shows in the world.
Floral displays fill the world heritage listed Royal
Exhibition Building and the surrounding Carlton
Gardens. Around the building are landscape
displays created by some of Australia’s most
talented landscape designers. Heidi will give
those interested a tour of the display gardens
– pointing out elements used by the designers
that we can incorporate in our own backyards.
While keen gardeners will want to spend all day
at the show, others may also take time to visit the
adjacent Melbourne Museum.
DAY 6 Thursday March 25, 2021
Melbourne
Today we travel through the picturesque
countryside on the Mornington Peninsula to visit
some of the best gardens in Australia. We first
visit The Royal Botanic Gardens at Cranbourne.
Heidi will take us on an exploration of the
spectacular landscape which has a dramatic red
sand garden, rock pool waterways, eucalypt walk
and exhibition gardens all featuring Australian
plants. We continue to Heronswood Gardens,
home of Diggers Seeds. We will have lunch at the
Fork to Fork restaurant, where the vegetables
and fruits served are heirloom selections picked
straight from the gardens. This is followed by
a tour of Diggers, which has Australia’s largest
range of heirloom vegetables, cottage and
fruit plants for sale. We continue to the Garden
Vineyard, featured in Monte Don’s Around the
World in 80 Gardens. We return to Melbourne and
Heidi will meet those wishing to dine as a group
to recommend a restaurant.
DAY 7 Friday March 26, 2021
Melbourne
Today we travel to the Dandenong Ranges to
visit two of Heidi’s favourite gardens. We first
visit Cloudehill where a maze of stone walls and
jewel like garden rooms are set within woodlands
of historic cool climate trees. We will have an
included lunch here as the food is as good as
the gorgeous views. This afternoon we travel
the short distance to the home garden of Phillip
Johnson. Phillip’s spectacular design for Fleming’s
Nurseries won Best Garden in Show at the
Chelsea Flower Show in 2013. His gorgeous home
garden has a sustainable billabong that doubles
as a chemical-free swimming pool. Beautifully
positioned walkways meander through the
garden featuring many indigenous plants. We
return to Melbourne for a farewell dinner.
DAY 8 Saturday March 27, 2021
Departure
The morning is free for individual activity. We
travel to the airport in the early afternoon for a
flight home and the tour concludes.
TWIN FARE PER PERSON | SINGLE FARE |
---|---|
$3,390 | $3,880 |
Tour deposit fully refundable up to 45 days prior to departure
Please talk to our travel consultant about flights and additional travel arrangements not in the detailed itinerary. These will be quoted for separately
Touring can involve a considerable amount of walking and stair climbing in the places visited and it is important that all tour participants have a level of physical fitness that allows them to take part in this tour without the need of assistance from others.
Tour Operator: Travelrite International Pty Ltd. (ABN 64 005 817 078) (Travelrite) is the tour operator.
Tour Costs: The tour costs are based on general transport and accommodation rates at 15 May 2020. Travelrite reserves the right to alter the costs if any of these factors change, giving any passenger that has booked the right to withdraw with full refund of monies paid or modify arrangements. No alterations to price will be made within 60 days of departure.
Deposit and Payment: A deposit of $500 per passenger is required at the time of booking. Full payment will be required 60 days before departure for the Western Australian Garden Tour. A 1.5% administration fee will be charged on payments made by credit card.
Cancellation Charges: * Cancellation conditions don’t apply for clients with future cruise/tour credits. Cruise/tour credits are non-refundable. Cancellations within 63 days of departure will result in the loss of all monies paid. Cancellation outside 63 days from departure will result in a cancellation fee of $500 per person. Travel insurance is recommended to cover the costs of cancellation fees due to illness, death in family, etc.
Travel Insurance:
Travel insurance is recommended to cover
the costs of cancellation fees due to illness, death in family, etc.
Minimum Tour Numbers and Conditions:
Arrangements have been made on the basis of a minimum
number of passengers travelling. In the event that less than
the required number of passengers have confirmed their
booking 63 days from the date of departure, Travelrite
International reserves the right to cancel the tour, giving
a full refund of monies paid, or offer arrangements to
proceed with the tour at a modified fare.
Refunds:
The tour is based on arrangements that do not allow
for any refunds in respect to sightseeing, accommodation,
meals, airfare or other services not utilized after the tour has
commenced.
Tour Participation:
Children under 5 years of age are ineligible on coach & cruise tours. Children under 18 years of age must be accompanied by an adult. Passengers with disabilities are welcome on Travelrite & Cruise Offers tours provided they are accompanied by a companion capable of providing all necessary assistance, and do not require special assistance from Travelrite & Cruise Offers personnel. Travelrite and Cruise Offers reserves the right to refuse to carry anyone if it is felt the individual cannot cope with the requirements of coach & cruise tour travel and who may require services and facilities that Travelrite & Cruise Offers cannot guarantee will be available. You agree to not hold the Travelrite & Cruise Offers responsible for any decision made by any of them or any service provider to refuse to carry you, provide any facilities or accommodation to you or to provide any service to you.
Responsibilities: Travelrite International Pty Ltd is the tour organiser. Travelrite acts only as agents in the making of arrangements with carriers, hoteliers and others for the tour. As a result we cannot accept liability for any act or omission whatsoever, whether negligent or otherwise of those carriers, hoteliers or other persons providing services in connection with the tour over whom we have no direct or exclusive control. We do not accept responsibility for any injury, damage, loss, delay, change of schedule or any other events which are beyond our direct control, such as, but not limited to, war, flood, fire, civil disturbance, terrorism, acts of god, acts of Government, or any other authorities, accidents to or failure of machinery or equipment, or industrial action. Baggage is at own risk throughout the tour. The contract shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Victoria, Australia
How to Book: Bookings can be made by sending full names and addresses of intending tour members with a deposit of $500 for the Garden Tour. Please send to:
Travelrite International Pty Ltd
423 Whitehorse Road Balwyn, Victoria 3103
Further information or a booking form can be obtained by telephoning Travelrite International on the following numbers:
Toll Free: 1800 630 343
Telephone (03) 8803 6868
Fax (03) 9836 8068
Email balwyn@travelrite.com.au
https://www.travelrite.com.au/
About Travelrite International: Travelrite International Pty Ltd (ABN 64 005 817 078) is a well-established family-owned business that’s been operating in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs for more than 35 years. Travelrite International is a full member of the Australian Federation of Travel Agents (AFTA), is fully Accredited with ATAS (A10538) and IATA. As such they directly represent the major airlines of the world and all major domestic and international hotel, tour and transport operators.
“The whole tour was wonderful and the group was a good mix of personality. The gardens visited were interesting and varied.”
“Very enjoyable. Good mix of people in the group.”