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YARRA VALLEY & THE DANDENONGS TOUR
September 2019

For over 100 years the Dandenong Ranges have been an idyllic retreat for Melbournians wanting to take in the mountain air and escape the bustle of city life. Today, visitors from all over Australia, flock to the beautiful gardens and magnificent tall forests of the Dandenong's to unwind and relax. At Olinda there is the National Rhododendron Gardens, home of 15,000 rhododendrons, 12,000 azaleas, 250,000 daffodils, native birds, and spectacular panoramic views of the Yarra Valley and distant ranges. Equally as impressive is the annual Tesselaar Tulip Festival held at Silvan. During spring the Tulip Festival has been attracting droves of visitors to the gardens since its first opening back in the 1950’s.

DAY 1 (D) NARRACOORTE TO MELBOURNE: Monday 16 September

With our bags all packed, we step onboard our Naracoorte Charters touring coach for our fantastic Spring tour to the gardens of the Dandenong Ranges and the Yarra Valley. Well stop for lunch on our way to the outskirts of Melbourne, (passengers own expense) then we arrive in time to settle into our hotel for the next four night’s accommodation. (Meal inclusions today – dinner in the hotel/lunch at own expense today)
Canterbury Hotel International - 03 9878 4111

DAY 2 (BLD) THE YARRA VALLEY: Tuesday 17 September 2019

The Yarra Valley is a stunning area to visit at this time of year. Our journey takes us through Coldstream where we visit Coombe Yarra Valley – it is one of the largest and oldest family estates in the Yarra Valley. Established in the late 1800’s and once the home of famous opera singer Dame Nellie Melba, it is still owned and operated by her descendants, the Vestey family. The history, elegance, beauty and romance of Coombe – The Melba Estate makes it a unique place to visit. The Coombe Cottage property includes seven acres of historic, landscaped gardens and today we take a tour of the gardens and enjoy a lovely devonshire morning tea. We have a short drive into The Yarra Valley and in Yarra Glen we stop for lunch and a visit to Alowyn Gardens. Here we will have an informative and educational experience for anyone interested not only in gardening, but also the enjoyment of a beautiful garden. It has been designed with shade and comfort in mind. The gardens have been developed into six distinct areas all leading from one. To complete our touring this afternoon we visit the Yarra Valley Chocolaterie and Ice Creamery. We are welcomed with free chocolate tastings, displays of thousands of premium chocolates and European chocolatiers at work handcrafting our creations. (Meal inclusions today - Breakfast & dinner in the motel/Lunch Alowyn Gardens)

DAY 3 (BLD) FLOWERS, FRUITS & LAVENDER: Wednesday 18 September 2019

This morning we make our way through the Dandenong Ranges and arrive at the Warratina Lavender Farm. This award winning farm boasts acres of lavender grown for both culinary uses in cooking as well as for household purposes. The lavender is harvested by hand using a traditional sickle and the bunches are then brought in to the drying sheds for stripping. We will be given a presentation about the farm and its story followed by a delightful morning tea. Not far away is Rayners Orchard where we take an Orchard Fruit Adventure Tour around the farm with a guide explaining the characteristics of the trees and their fruit. We will have a tasting to sample how good the produce really is, as well as have lunch. Our final visit for the day is in Silvan at the Tesselaar Tulip Festival. The flowers will be a blooming showcase of amazing colour and fragrance as we wander through the gardens discovering new varieties and old favourites. After a great day we return to our hotel for dinner and relax for the night. (Meal inclusions today – Breakfast & dinner in the motel/lunch at Rayners Orchard)

DAY 4 (BLD) SPRING GARDENS ON THE DANDENONGS: Thursday 19 September 2019

We have a short drive to Olinda where we commence our sightseeing at the Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden to also visit the National Rhododenron Garden. The Rhododendron Gardens were established in 1960. Cherries, oaks, maples, beeches, conifers and dogwoods are among the many other different plants to be found and the garden is alive with a variety of parrots, golden whistlers and many other beautiful birds. We can spend all morning here with some free time in the village of Olinda to explore. We’ll be hungry by early afternoon - and we will need to be, because lunch today will be something special! The Cuckoo Restaurant at Olinda, designed in the Bavarian Chalet Style, is simply stunning with exceptional food, hospitality and entertainment. Our afternoon visit is just around the corner at Cloudehill – a must see garden made at the top of The Dandenongs where a maze of stone walls and jewel like garden rooms are set within woodlands of magnificent and historic, cool climate trees. Some 20 garden compartments are threaded through glorious 80 year old European beech, magnolias, maples and a collection of fabulous Himalayan tree rhododendrons, all beautifully grown and a testament to the lush, moist soils of the Dandenongs. (Meal inclusions today – Breakfast & dinner in the motel/lunch at the Cuckoo Restaurant)
NARACOORTE CHARTERS: ALA N 0429803798 LIN 0418835245

DAY 5 (B) HEADING HOME: Friday 20 September 2019

This morning we pack our bags, check out of our hotel and head for home. This afternoon we stop for lunch (passengers own expense) and arrive back following another great tour with Naracoorte Charters.
(Meal inclusions today – Breakfast & dinner in the hotel/lunch at own expense today)


Tour Cost
$1548.00 per person twin/double share$ 390.00 single supplement


Tour Inclusions
• 4 nights hotel accommodation
• cooked breakfasts & 2 course dinners daily
• Tour & Morning tea at Coombe Melba Estate
• Lunch and tour of Alowyn Gardens
• Visit to Yarra Calley Chocolaterie
• Tour & Morning tea at Warratina Lavender Farm
• Tour and Orchard Tour at Rayners Fruit Orchard
• Entry to 2019 Tesselaars Tulip Time Festival
• Entry & guided tour of Dandenong Ranges Botanic Gardens
• Lunch at the Cuckoo Restaurant
• Entry & guided tour of Cloudehill Gardens
• Luxury Coach travel throughout
• Personally escorted by Alan & Lin Moss
Terms & Conditions
Deposit of $200.00 payable on booking to reserve your place.
Balance due 30 days prior to departure.
PLEASE MAKE CHEQUES PAYABLE TO “NARACOORTE CHARTERS”
Cancellation insurance is not included but strongly recommended.
Cancellation Policy: More than 30 days, loss of deposit, 29-14 days, 50% of payment, less than 14 days, 100% of payment.
All itineraries are subject to change due to occasional restrictions in opening times/days of some attractions. Whilst every effort is made to adhere to the itinerary as provided, Naracoorte Charters reserves the right to alter the touring and attractions as dictated by circumstances and conditions outside the company’s control. Every attempt will be made to ensure alterations do not adversely affect the operation of the tour. The Company will not be held responsible for weather based cancellations or those closures made at the venue’s discretion. Naracoorte Charters arrange tours on the condition that they are not liable for injury, damage or loss which may occur due to accident, delay, irregularity or defect of any vehicle or accommodation. Naracoorte Charters reserves the right to cancel tours due to lack of numbers.

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