Victorian Homesteads & Private Gardens Along the Great Southern Touring Route

Absorb the stunning wilderness of Victoria’s Grampians National Park, while spending two nights at the renowned Royal Mail Hotel. Visit private gardens of the Western District and along the Great Ocean Road. Admire the striking Twelve Apostles and the Victoria State Rose Garden. Pay a visit to the private garden of Botanica Founder, Judy Vanrenen OAM, and hear about her love of gardening.

This journey departs:

• 11 November 2026

Itinerary

Day 1: Melbourne, Mount Mitchell Estate, and Royal Mail Hotel Dinner

This morning, depart from the Marriott Hotel and journey through picturesque countryside to the historic Mount Mitchell Estate. Enjoy a leisurely lunch in the elegant surrounds of this private homestead garden, steeped in charm and heritage. Continue on to Dunkeld, a tranquil village nestled at the base of the majestic Grampians. Check into the acclaimed Royal Mail Hotel, your home for the next two nights. Before indulging in a welcome dinner showcasing the region’s finest flavours, take a guided tour of the hotel's renowned Kitchen Garden with the resident gardener, and discover how the fresh, seasonal produce is cultivated for the restaurant’s celebrated cuisine.

Day 2: Grampians Private Gardens – Narrapumelap Mansion and Wiltshire

Today, explore two private gardens in the Western District, starting with Narrapumelap mansion. Constructed in 1873, this is an expansive French mansion with an intricate Gothic style. We then visit the private garden of Wiltshire owned by Botanica Founder Judy Vanrenen OAM, to hear how she created her garden from bare paddocks.

Day 3: Royal Mail Hotel Kitchen Garden Tour, Hamilton Private Garden and Port Fairy

This morning, tour the Royal Mail Hotel’s kitchen garden, regarded as the largest of its kind in Australia. We then take the short journey to Hamilton to explore another beautiful private garden. Enjoy some free time in Hamilton where you may choose to explore the botanic gardens or art gallery, before travelling to the seaside town of Port Fairy, known for its heritage architecture and love of the arts.

Day 4: Camperdown Botanic Gardens and Darlington Private Garden

Today we explore the Camperdown Botanic Gardens. Designed by William Guilfoyle, architect of Melbourne’s Royal Botanic Gardens, these gardens feature views over the twin volcanic lakes of Bullen Merri and Gnotuk. Afterwards, visit a private garden, and meet its owner, before returning to Port Fairy.

Day 5: Great Ocean Road, Twelve Apostles, Great Otway National Park, Sunnymeade and Torquay

Today, we journey along the Great Ocean Road, which is not only a spectacular coastal drive, but also serves as the world’s longest war memorial, having been built by the country’s returning World War I veterans. Stop at the iconic limestone stacks of the Twelve Apostles, which cut a dramatic figure along Victoria’s Shipwreck Coast. We then travel through the lush rainforest of Great Otway National Park on our way to Lorne. Enjoy time to explore the shops or stroll along Lorne’s famous beaches before visiting the spectacular private garden Sunnymeade.

Day 6: Geelong, The Heights, Victoria State Rose Garden and Melbourne

Enjoy free time in Geelong this morning to walk the waterfront or alternatively visit the Botanic Gardens in Geelong. Afterwards travel outside Geelong to The Heights Heritage House and Garden. After lunch, we travel to the Victoria State Rose Garden in Werribee, to admire its massed blooms, before arriving back in Melbourne at approximately 4.00 pm at the post-tour hotel.