Tesselaar Tulips And Dandenong Ranges

Day 1 L, D

Home - Albury
Your tour begins with an early morning transfer to the Airport where our staff will be waiting to assist with your check in. After arriving into Canberra, board your coach ready to explore the spring delights of Southern New South Wales and Victoria's diverse landscapes. Travel south via Gundagai (the town made famous by The Dog on the Tuckerbox) and Holbrook before arriving in Albury, situated on the New South Wales side of the mighty Murray River.

Day 2 B, D

Albury - Eildon - Mt Evelyn
After breakfast, farewell New South Wales as we cross the border on the Hume Freeway and traverse some very scenic areas of Victoria. Travel through Benalla, a picturesque regional town situated on the Broken River before continuing via the lower alpine region which offers wonderful views of the rural landscape. Visit Lake Eildon with its 600 kilometres of shoreline and 800 permanently located houseboats; a holiday playground for many Melbourne residents. Enjoy lunch at Eildon before continuing on through Taggerty and Buxton, into the Yarra Ranges which form part of the Great Dividing Range. This afternoon, arrive in Mount Evelyn nestled in the foothills of the Dandenong Ranges, where we will settle in for the next 4 nights at York on Lilydale Resort. Please be aware that all rooms have showers over baths.

Day 3 B, D

Rayners Orchard - Tesselaar Tulip Festival
After breakfast we’ll travel to Woori Yallock, for a visit to Rayner’s Orchard. This boutique fruit orchard grows fruit all year round and there will be opportunity for a sample or two during a tractor fruit tasting tour. Next we visit the Tesselaar Tulip Festival. Be amazed by the beauty of over half a million tulips across 25 acres of farmland, all set in the beautiful Dandenong Ranges. Purchase your own lunch today as you take in all that the festival has on offer. Make sure your camera is fully charged so you can take plenty of photos as you ‘tiptoe through the tulips’. There will also be opportunity to take a ride on the Tulip Train around the colourful fields (own expense).

Day 4 B, L, D

Lilydale - Dandenong Ranges
Travel to Mount Dandenong Observatory which is set 633m above sea level. Take in the view from the SkyHigh Restaurant as you enjoy morning tea before continuing on to the William Ricketts Sanctuary. This outdoor art gallery and cultural landscape features more than 90 quirky sculptures. Stop in Olinda, the highest village in the Dandenong Ranges, for lunch at the Cuckoo Restaurant. This afternoon visit the National Rhododendron Gardens before returning to our motel for dinner.

Day 5 B, L, D

Lilydale - Dandenong Ranges - Puffing Billy
Visit the Alfred Nicholas Memorial Gardens which are the original gardens of the historic Burnham Beeches Estate. The gardens are renowned for their waterfalls, water features and ornamental lake and boathouse. Lunch will be on board the famous Puffing Billy Steam Train. Savour the first class menu while travelling between Belgrave and Emerald Lake.

Day 6 B, L

Lilydale - Home
This morning we visit Warratina Lavender Farm where we are welcomed to take a stroll around the tranquil surroundings and breathe in the fragrances of the different species of lavender. Enjoy morning tea in the Lavender Cottage Tea Rooms where you can also purchase products from the gift store. It’s now time to farewell the beautiful Dandenong Ranges and make our way back to Melbourne for lunch before your flight home.

B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner