Private Gardens of Perth and Margaret River
Many of Australia’s finest homes and gardens are located in Perth and the Margaret River region, overlooking the Swan River, in the Perth Hills or on premium wine-growing estates. In the company of long-time resident and keen gardener, Julie Kinney, you are invited to discover a selection of stunning private gardens not normally open to the public. Meet the owners, enjoy their hospitality and learn about Western Australia’s unique flora, Mediterranean climate and distinctive garden style.
To complement the unique garden discoveries, enjoy a four-night stay at the luxurious Cape Lodge small luxury hotel in the Margaret River region. In addition, dine at carefully chosen restaurants, sample the world-class wines of this region and marvel at the stunning natural beauty of this renowned corner of Australia.
Patricia Poynton’s 'Secret Garden'
Kangaroo Paw and yellow wildflowers at Kings Park
ITINERARY
Fri 12 Nov 2010 Arrive Perth
Arrive Perth and check-in to the Duxton Hotel, perfectly located on St Georges Terrace in the heart of the city.
Tour arrangements begin this evening at 6 pm. Meet Julie Kinney and fellow travellers in the hotel and catch the ferry to South Perth for dinner at a local restaurant overlooking the city skyline and Swan River. (D)
Sat 13 Nov Perth
Begin your exploration of the unique flora of Western Australia with a visit to Kings Park and Botanic Garden. Perched above the city on Mount Eliza, Kings Park covers over 400 ha with breathtaking views of the Perth CBD and Swan River and boasts an incredible wildflower collection and native bush land (two-thirds of the park). Continue down the coast to Fremantle for fish and chips on the waterfront at the Boat Harbour, followed by time to soak up the atmosphere of the Fremantle Markets.
Return to Perth along the Swan River waterfront, visiting a selection of private gardens.
Evening at leisure in Perth. Music lovers may wish to attend an all-Russian concert of the West Australian Symphony Orchestra conducted by Alexander Lazarev with and featuring Chinese violinist Feng Ning performing Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto (not included in tour costs, tickets $25 - $77). (B,L)
Sun 14 Nov Perth
Spend today in the Perth Hills, a delightful mixture of natural bush, wildflowers, waterfalls and creeks, art galleries, vineyards, restaurants and cafés, less than an hour from the city.
First visit Zanthorrea Wildflower Nursery featuring over 600 varieties of Australian plants. Enjoy a guided walk and talk through this award winning wildflower nursery and display gardens set on 1ha in the tranquil surroundings of the hills. Continue to Pamela Turton’s garden “Beecroft” (0.7ha). This secluded property borders the national forest and combines elegant design with country atmosphere. After a picnic lunch, continue to Michael Konrath’s garden “Cedar Croft” (0.2 ha) featuring unusual conifers, deciduous trees and shrubs.
Evening at leisure. (B,L)
Mon 15 Nov Perth – Margaret River
Depart Perth for a leisurely day’s drive south to the Margaret River region. This morning, stop near Dwellingup to visit “Orondo Gardens”, a grand country garden framed by rugged bushland in a fertile river valley. Continue to “White Rocks”, an historic and picturesque dairy farm of 525 hectares near Harvey, founded in 1887 by John Partridge, the grandfather and great grandfather of the current owners.
After a picnic lunch, travel via Busselton to Cape Lodge, your base in the Margaret River region for the next four nights. A member of the prestigious Small Luxury Hotels of the World, Cape Lodge features 22 luxury rooms and suites, the executive five-bedroom Private Residence, an all weather tennis court and a beautiful free form swimming pool. Dinner at the hotel’s award winning gourmet restaurant. (B,L,D)
Tue 16 Nov Margaret River
After a leisurely morning, visit some local galleries at Yallingup and Gunyulgup on your way to “Morella” near Dunsborough, Del and Mike Bibbey’s large country garden with views over Geographe Bay in the distance where you enjoy a picnic lunch in the garden.
In the afternoon, visit a beautiful native garden “Heronswood” (4.5 ha) near Gracetown, followed by the easy walk of two kilometres from historic Ellensbrook Homestead to the Meekadarabee Falls. Finish the afternoon with a wine tasting at Saracen Estates. Evening at leisure. (B,L)
Wed 17 Nov Margaret River
This morning you drive south to Augusta (where the Indian and Southern oceans meet) through the Boranup Forest, home to the pale-barked Karri trees that reach heights of 60m or more. Then visit “Swallows’ Welcome”, Margaret River’s smallest ‘boutique’ winery. Traditional mudbrick and timber buildings nestle in the vines and cottage gardens. Lunch in the ‘Chapel of Flowers’.
Afternoon visit to “Wallcliffe House”, built by the pioneering Bussell family on the edge of the Margaret River near the ocean in 1865. It has been restored and a new guest wing and gardens have been built by current owners, Rose and Michael Chaney. Rose took “Wallcliffes”’ long time gardener, the late Colin Thompson (Tommo), to Europe to plan the new gardens, the Alhambra in Spain being one of the inspirations.
Dinner at a restaurant overlooking the Indian Ocean at nearby Prevelly Beach. (B,L,D)
Thu 18 Nov Margaret River
Morning visit to Patricia Poynton’s “Secret Garden” located in a secluded valley on the Brookland Valley Vineyard Estate and surrounded by a peppermint forest. This magnificent formal garden was designed by renowned landscape architect Paul Bangay and features a series of ‘garden rooms’.
Enjoy some free time to browse the shops and have lunch on your own in the town of Margaret River before visiting two of the iconic Margaret River wineries – Leeuwin Estate and Voyager Estate. The latter features a Renaissance-style garden surrounding the Cape Dutch-style cellar door building designed by architect Geoffrey Summerhayes.
This evening, celebrate the conclusion of the tour with a dinner at an award-winning local restaurant. (B,D)
Fri 19 Nov Margaret River – Perth
Bid farewell to Margaret River and drive back to Perth this morning, arriving at Perth Airport by 2 pm in time for flights departing after 4 pm. (B)
YOUR HOTELS*****
Perth – Duxton Hotel
Margaret River – Cape Lodge
