Capital Blooms
Capital Blooms
$989
Tour Overview
Experience the beauty of spring with the Capital Blooms tour. This 3-day journey takes you to Canberra's Floriade and Bowral's Tulip Time, two of Australia's most spectacular spring floral festivals. Enjoy a local hosted lunch, vibrant flower displays, and festive atmospheres. With comfortable accommodations and expert guides, this tour offers a perfect short break from Sydney. Immerse yourself in a colorful explosion of flowers and celebrate the season's beauty. ...more ...less
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Sydney - Canberra
Location: Sydney, Berrima, 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. ...more ...less
Day 2: Canberra & Floriade
Location: Canberra
Accommodation Name: Crowne Plaza Canberra
Meals Included: Dinner
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: Canberra, Bowral, Sydney
Meals Included: Breakfast
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, except for those specified in the dining summary.
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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)
- 2 Breakfast (B)
- 1 Dinner (D)
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 experience can I expect at Gold Creek Station?
At Gold Creek Station, you will enjoy a barbecue lunch and a farm experience where you will learn about life on a working sheep farm from local specialists.
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What is special about the Floriade festival?
The Floriade festival is a vibrant event featuring over a million bulbs on display along Lake Burley Griffin. It is the largest of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere and includes entertainment, market stalls, and a lively spring atmosphere.
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What can I see at the National Arboretum in Canberra?
The National Arboretum in Canberra is home to one of the world's largest living collections of rare and endangered trees. It spans more than 250 hectares and includes the iconic Margaret Whitlam Pavilion and the National Bonsai and Penjing Collection.
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What is the Tulip Time Festival in Bowral?
The Tulip Time Festival in Bowral is an event where you can see 75,000 tulips on display in Corbett Gardens. It is a visually stunning festival that inspires visitors to buy tulips to plant at home.
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What kind of accommodation is provided during the tour?
The tour includes centrally located accommodation at the Crowne Plaza Canberra, offering easy access to city centers and a relaxing stay after exploring Canberra.
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What is the fitness requirement for this tour?
A minimum level of fitness is required to participate in the tour. You need to be able to walk around the festival site and manage coach steps unaided.
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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.
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Book with Confidence
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Low Deposit
AAT Kings requires a minimum deposit of 200 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 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 91 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 90 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 29 days before tour starts: Forfeit 80% of booking price.
At 1 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
Capital Blooms
3 Days Starting and ending in Sydney, Australia
Visiting: Sydney, Berrima, Canberra, Bowral
Tour operator:
Tour code:
CBFTF25
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Age range:
5-99
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Cultural, Festival & Special Events, Gardens & Nature Tours, History
