Victorian Homesteads, Mansions & Gardens

Depart from the Marriott Hotel at 9am. Arrive at David Glenn's Lambley Nursery for a tour of his renowned dry garden. Continue on to the historic town of Beaufort to enjoy lunch in a private homestead garden. Arrive later in the majestic Grampians, home to over a third of Victoria's flora, and visit Halls Gap, situated at the heart of this national park. Sit down to a Welcome Dinner this evening at the award-winning Royal Mail Hotel, where you will stay for three nights. Stay Three Nights: Dunkeld, The Royal Mail Hotel or similar (L/D)

Today we discover the renowned wine-growing region of the Coonawarra. Travel through Casterton and Penola to Yallum Park Homestead, built by John Riddoch, founder of Coonawarra. Explore this lovingly preserved Victorian mansion, with its fine collection of William Morris wallpaper. The homestead's extensive gardens are planted with trees from around the world. Afterwards, visit the Mary MacKillop Centre to learn more about this remarkable woman, Australia's first saint, and her legacy of benevolence. Later, we stop off at a leading Coonawarra winery before enjoying dinner at a local restaurant. (B/D)

This morning, tour the Royal Mail Hotel's Kitchen Garden, regarded as the largest of its kind in Australia, before exploring Narrapumelap mansion. Constructed in 1873, this is an expansive French mansion with intricate gothic style. We then visit the private gardens of Wiltshire and Toora West. Meet the owners, including Botanica founder Judy Vanrenen OAM, to hear how they created their gardens from bare paddocks. (B/L/D)

Today, we make our way towards the coastal town of Port Fairy, known for its heritage architecture and love of the arts. Along the way, stop to visit a private garden before beginning the journey along the Great Ocean Road, a spectacular coastal drive that is regarded as one of the world's oldest war memorials as it was constructed by World War I veterans. Stop at the iconic limestone stacks of the Twelve Apostles, which cut a dramatic figure along Victoria's southern coast, and travel through the lush rainforest landscapes of Otway National Park to Lorne. Stay: Lorne, Mantra Hotel or similar (B/D)

Take a scenic drive along another beautiful stretch of the Great Ocean Road and visit The Heights Heritage House and Garden in Geelong. Afterwards, continue to the low-water Botanic Garden, which feature an array of drought-tolerant plants and steel artworks. After lunch, we travel to Werribee Park Mansion, one of Victoria's most opulent properties, founded on an Australian pastoral empire in the 18th century. Following a final stop to admire the massed blooms at the Victorian State Rose Garden, we arrive back in Melbourne. Stay Two Nights: Melbourne, Marriott Hotel or similar (B)

This morning, visit the garden of historic Como House. Built in 1847, Como House is an intriguing mix of Australian Regency and classic Italianate architecture. Enjoy a guided tour of the Royal Melbourne Botanic Gardens before continuing to Rippon Lea Estate this afternoon. Built in 1868, this Romanesque-style mansion was one of Australia's last great privately owned 19th-century estates, with a garden of international significance. Enjoy a Farewell Dinner this evening. (B/D)

Enjoy a free morning in Melbourne, before transferring to the airport for your flight home. (B)