Capital Blooms
Capital Blooms
$989
Capital Blooms
3 Days Starting and ending in Sydney, Australia
Visiting: Canberra, Sydney
Tour operator:
Tour code:
CBFTF25
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Cultural, Festival & Special Events, Gardens & Nature Tours, History
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on the "Capital Blooms" tour, a delightful journey through Australia's vibrant floral landscapes. Departing from Sydney, this tour takes you through the picturesque Southern Highlands, with stops at charming heritage villages and vineyards. Experience the beauty of Berrima, Australia's best-preserved Georgian town, and enjoy a barbecue lunch at Gold Creek Station. In Canberra, explore the architectural marvel of Parliament House and immerse yourself in the colorful spectacle of Floriade, the Southern Hemisphere's largest flower festival. Wander through Bowral's Corbett Gardens, home to 75,000 tulips, during the Tulip Time Festival. Travel in comfort with a knowledgeable Driver Guide, and enjoy comfortable accommodations in Canberra. Meals, personal expenses, travel insurance, and flights are not included, ensuring you have the freedom to tailor your experience.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Sydney - Canberra
Location: Canberra
Accommodation Name: Crowne Plaza Canberra
Meals Included: Lunch, Dinner
This short getaway from Sydney sees you leave the skyscrapers behind and venture into the countryside of the Southern Highlands, all heritage villages, vineyards and manicured gardens. The allures all unite in Berrima, the best-preserved Georgian town in Australia – look no further than its convict-era sandstone gaol. Despite its gloomy history, the building is awfully pretty to look at. All this touring is hungry work – thankfully, a barbecue lunch awaits on the grounds of working sheep farm Gold Creek Station, where you’ll learn about life on the land from someone who works it every day. Speaking of working hard for the money, 10,000 people spent years constructing Parliament House, the architecturally eye-catching seat of the nation’s government that was constructed largely from Australian materials. Your Canberra tour guide will take you behind the scenes and reveal all the secrets.
Day 2: Canberra & Floriade
Location: Canberra
Accommodation Name: Crowne Plaza Canberra
There are more than a million glorious bulbs on display at Floriade, an explosion of colour transforming the banks of Lake Burley Griffin as well as Canberra’s suburbs. The month-long affair – the largest of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere – was originally designed to celebrate Australia’s Bicentenary and Canberra’s 75th birthday. It has become so popular that it is now a regular on the city’s event calendar. You’ll see why. Browse immaculate flower beds in various patterns and themes, then enjoy entertainment, market stalls and a lively spring vibe. After Floriade, another floral bounty awaits at the National Arboretum, an enormous hilltop space where a local guide will share with you the amazing work being done by horticulturists when it comes to plant conservation and boosting botanical diversity. Spanning more than 250 hectares, the Arboretum is one of the world’s largest living collections of rare, endangered and significant trees. The site is also home to the iconic Margaret Whitlam Pavilion and the renowned National Bonsai and Penjing Collection.
Day 3: Canberra - Bowral - Sydney
Location: Sydney
Yet more flowers await in the Southern Highlands, where Bowral's Corbett Gardens play host to 75,000 tulips. The aptly named Tulip Time Festival here will inspire you to buy some tulips to plant back home - it's that eye catching. Before you board your coach for your return to Sydney, you'll have time at leisure in the Southern Highlands village of Mittagong.
What's Included
What's Not Included
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Meals
Meals are not included in the tour package.
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Personal Expenses
Personal expenses such as souvenirs and additional activities are not included.
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Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is not included and should be purchased separately.
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Flights
Flights to and from the starting location are not included.
Mode of Transport
Travel in comfort with a highly experienced Driver Guide, ensuring a smooth journey from Sydney to Canberra and back, with stops at key attractions along the way.
Accommodation
Enjoy comfortable accommodation at the Crowne Plaza Canberra, offering easy access to city centers and a relaxing stay after exploring the vibrant attractions of Canberra.
Dining Summary
- 1 Lunch (L)
- 1 Dinner (D)
- 2 Full Breakfast (B)
Fitness Requirement
- A minimum level of fitness is required in order to be able to participate. You will need to able to walk around the festival site and manage coach steps unaided.
Flexible Holidays
- Smell the flowers at Floriade, an immense wonderland of bulbs best enjoyed at a leisurely pace. More blooms await in Bowral, with its antiques stores and cosy cafés.
Flight information
- Flights to and from the start/end of your trip are not included in the trip price. Day Prior – flights to arrive anytime into Sydney AirportDay 3 – flights to depart after 8.00pm from Sydney Airport
Iconic Sites
- From Floriade and Parliament House to quaint historic villages, Canberra’s attractions don’t disappoint.
Natural Wonders
- Canberra is one of Australia’s greenest cities, from its alternative energy ethos to its ample parks that welcome visitors at every turn.
What to Bring
- Warm layers in cooler months Camera Comfortable walking shoes Sunglasses, sunscreen and hat Water bottle
Check out our Q&As
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What kind of transportation is provided during the tour?
The tour includes travel in comfort with a highly experienced Driver Guide, ensuring a smooth journey from Sydney to Canberra and back, with stops at key attractions along the way.
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Are meals included in the tour package?
Meals are not included in the tour package, so participants should plan to cover their own meal expenses.
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What can I expect to see at Floriade during the tour?
At Floriade, you can expect to see more than a million bulbs on display, creating an explosion of color that transforms the banks of Lake Burley Griffin. The event includes immaculate flower beds in various patterns and themes, entertainment, market stalls, and a lively spring vibe.
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Is travel insurance included in the tour package?
Travel insurance is not included in the tour package and should be purchased separately by the participants.
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What is the significance of the Tulip Time Festival in Bowral?
The Tulip Time Festival in Bowral is a highlight of the tour, featuring 75,000 tulips in Corbett Gardens. It is an eye-catching event that may inspire visitors to buy tulips to plant at home.
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What kind of accommodation is provided during the tour?
The tour provides comfortable accommodation with easy access to city centers, specifically at the Crowne Plaza Canberra.
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What unique experiences are included in the tour?
The tour includes unique experiences such as a farm experience and BBQ lunch at Gold Creek Station, and a locally guided tour of Parliament House.
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Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
The beauty of taking a holiday with us is you’ll have the opportunity to meet and travel with people from all over the globe.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
It is important to adhere to departure times while on tour for the comfort of everyone on-board, and to make sure no one misses out on the planned experiences. The coach will not be able to wait for you, and in some instances, if you miss a departure time you will need to make your own way to the next destination to re-join the tour.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
AAT Kings operated Guided Holidays have competitive single supplement rates available if you prefer to confirm your own room. Or we can match you to share with a guest of the same gender at no extra cost. If we fail to match you, we will accommodate you in a single room at no extra cost.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Over 100 years
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
We will email your documents to you approximately four weeks before your departure date provided you have completed your pre trip registration using the My Travel Portal. If you’ve booked through a travel agent, your documents will be emailed directly to your agent.
Reviews of this operator
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Low Deposit
AAT Kings requires a minimum deposit of 100 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of aat kings charges.
Up to 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 59 days before tour starts: Forfeit 30% of booking price.
At 15 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 7 days before tour starts: Forfeit 90% of booking price.
At 1 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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