*** 5 DAYS ***
Highlights Include
Bowral, Canberra, Floriade Festival, National Museum of Australia, Parliament
House, Australian War Memorial, Cockington Green, Bungendore
Departing on Tuesday 30th September 2008
PRICE $570 per person (Based on 40 paying passengers)
$615 per person (Based on 30 paying passengers) $260 Single supplement. (Cond apply.)
RESERVATIONS Tony Tayler (02) 44432972
Tour operated by Tour Marvel Lic Travel Agent 2TA 5937 ABN 96 639 726 295
Day 1: (D): Arrive Canberra: Tuesday 30th September 2008
This morning we depart on our trip to the Canberra. Today we travel to Bowral; a pretty village is nestled in the shadow of Mount Gibraltar. Bowral (an aboriginal word for "height") has, since its foundation in the 1860's, been a summer retreat for wealthy Sydney residents who have left a legacy of stately mansions, spacious grounds and lovely gardens. From Bowral its onto Goulburn for lunch (own expense) This afternoon continue our journey to Canberra stopping enroute an afternoon visit to Tulip Top which has one of the largest massed display of tulips in NSW. From here we continue into Canberra then make our way to nearby Deakin where we settle into our motel for the next 4 nights. (Sundowner Embassy motor inn)
Day 2: (BD): Canberra: Wednesday 1st October 2008
This morning start our tour of the national capital with a trip up to the top of Mt. Ainslie where we can appreciate the complexities of Canberra and see in panorama the design concepts translated into tangibles by Walter Burley Griffin. From here we can see the nation's capital in its entire splendor! Next is a visit to the National Exhibition Centre which tells of the interesting history of the development of Canberra. After our visit here we can wander at our leisure through the adjacent Commonwealth Park, the centre of the Floriade Festival. The centre piece is Nerang Pool which will be surrounded by a number of discrete themes. The flower display is the largest of ifs type in the southern hemisphere. There are some 150,000 annuals, 65,000 tulips, 20,000 daffodils, 9,000 each of hyacinths and ranunculus and 200,000 muscari. There is plenty of time today to enjoy this abundance of bloom and beauty. This afternoon we visit one of Canberra's newest attraction, the National Museum of Australia. This Museum is just as much about the future as it is about the past. See 20,000 years of environmental change come to life in the rock art of Kakadu in Tangled Destinies. Celebrate the icons of Australia - including kangaroos, the Hills Hoist and Vegemite - in Nation. Share your own story in Eternity - stories from the emotional heart of Australia. Imagine yourself at Sydney Cove after the arrival of the First Fleet in Horizons. Immerse yourself in indigenous dance and music as you enter the First Australians gallery. After a fascinating day we return to our motel for dinner.
Day 3 (BD): Canberra: Thursday 2nd October 2008
This morning we continue our sight seeing around the National Capital including both new and the old Parliament House. Located in the heart of Canberra, Parliament House is one of the world's most acclaimed buildings. It's renowned for its impressive architecture and magnificent artworks. The building features superb stone work and Australian Timber. We enjoy a tour here this morning before making our way across to Old Parliament House. Old Parliament House made headlines for more than sixty years as home to Australia's Federal Parliament from 1927 to 1988. Today, this much-loved heritage building offers the visitor a unique glimpse into Australia's fascinating past. We enjoy a Behind The Scene tour where we see the Cabinet Room and Prime Minister's Suite where the drama of government unfolded, as your guide tells stories of political events and personalities. Peek into the historic Chambers and explore some of the lesser-known rooms including the President of the Senate's Suite. After our tour enjoy some free time in the city centre for lunch (own expense) then this afternoon visit the Australian War Memorial, which is regarded as one of the most impressive war museums in the world and traces the history of Australia's fighting forces during the two World Wars and other conflicts. The reconstructed Japanese midget submarine that entered Sydney Harbour in 1942 is now the centerpiece of the new ANZAC Hall, the $11.9 million extension to the Australian War Memorial. For the first time on such a scale, "object theatre" is used to tell not only the story of the midget submarine attack on Sydney Harbour, but also the epic First World War battle between HMAS Sydney and the German raider SMS Emden. Innovative light and sound techniques bring to life the stories of these two important chapters in Australia's military history. And, actual historical objects - the submarine and guns from the Sydney and Emden - are used to tell the stories. Anzac Hall also has a 1918 section as well as "The ANZAC Spirit", a display exploring the spirit of ANZAC, and what it means to Australians. After a great day we return to the motel for dinner.
Day 4: (BD): Canberra: Friday 3rd October 2008
This morning we have a leisurely breakfast before a visit to the High Court where 3 court rooms are open to the public. From here we make our way across to visit the Australian National Botanic Gardens, which are noted for growing Australian native plants. Special features include the Rainforest Gully, Eucalypt lawn and the Rockery. This afternoon we visit Cockington Green. This award winning tourist attraction takes its name from the township of Cockington in Devon an historic English Village and is a one 12th scale reproduction of buildings and gardens in this English village - thatched cottages, a tiny church, the village green, an oast house in Kent a riverside inn, castles and even Stonehenge. Furthermore model figures bring the scenes to life. From here we head back to our motel for dinner. After dinner we make our way across to Black Mountain and the Telstra Tower. Standing on top of Black Mountain, the Telstra Tower provides a magnificent 360 degree view over beautifully lit Canberra City and the surrounding country side. The Tower contains an exhibition area where models and displays describe the history of telecommunications in Australia. Our day complete we return to the motel.
Day 5: (B): Depart Canberra: Saturday 4th October 2008
This morning we farewell Canberra and make our way across to Bungendore, which is an historic village with many well preserved buildings and an outstanding range of galleries, antique and gift shops - take some time to wander around the village and visit such renowned shops as the Bungendore Wood Works Gallery, the Gum Nut Gallery and Bungendore Leather to mention a few. From here it's on through Braidwood as we make our way down the coast to Bateman's Bay for our lunch stop (own expense). This afternoon we set our sights on home after a great few days away.
Tour Inclusions and Conditions
Luxury air conditioned coach travel, 4 nights accommodation on a twin share basis, entry to attractions as nominated on the itinerary, meals only as indicated by symbols; B Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = 2 course Dinner. Price excludes drinks, telephone calls, travel insurance and items of a personal nature. Itinerary maybe subject to change without notice. A deposit of $50 per person is required to confirm the booking. Balance of fare required 45 days prior to departure; the travel company reserves the right to amend the price subject to any changes imposed by other tour operators and carriers included in the itinerary. The operation and provision of services from other tour operators and carriers included in the itinerary is the responsibility of these operations and no responsibility is taken by the coach company for the failure of such operators to provide the nominated service. The travel company reserves the right to cancel the tour due to insufficient numbers or as the result of circumstances outside the company's control that in the opinion of the company would adversely effect the operation of the tour. Cancellation fees maybe levied in accordance with notice given. Unless specifically advised at the time of booking there will be no fee for cancellations made more than 30 days from the date of travel, unless imposed by other suppliers of services included in the tour. For cancellations between 30 and 1 4 days a cancellation fee of 25% of the fare may apply. For cancellations less than 14 days, a cancellation fee of up to 50% of the fare may apply. For no shows a 100% cancellation fees may apply. Travel Insurance is not included but recommended.