Gardens of Gippsland, Goldfields & the Great Alpine Road

Discover private gardens of Victoria’s East and West Gippsland and the Goldfields region of the state’s north-east. Wander the spectacular gardens of Broughton Hall, as well as the grounds of charming Picardy Garden, and the natural bush setting of Tall Timbers. In Walhalla, step back in time as you take a journey on the Goldfields Railway. Further east, Lakes Entrance presents magnificent views over the Gippsland Lakes. Then follow the Great Alpine Road to Dinner Plain in search of wildflowers.

Itinerary

Day 1: Melbourne, Peppermint Ridge Farm and Warragul

Depart Melbourne and travel to Peppermint Ridge Farm, where you will enjoy a guided tour of the native food garden followed by a two-course lunch highlighting the flavours of Australian native foods. We then continue on to a beautiful private garden before arriving in Warragul. 

Day 2: Tall Timbers Private Garden, Broughton Hall and Private Garden

Today we visit the private garden Tall Timbers in the pretty Piedmont region. Next visit Broughton Hall, one of Victoria’s most spectacular gardens where we enjoy lunch. Afterwards we will visit another private garden.

Day 3: Walhalla Goldfields Railway, Sale Botanic Gardens and Lakes Entrance

This morning we travel to Walhalla for a journey on the Goldfields Railway. Pass over six large trestle bridges, crisscrossing Stringers Creek. See ferns and wildflowers while learning about the gold mining history of the region. Next we stop in Sale to visit the 150-year-old botanic gardens that owe their heritage to Baron Ferdinand Von Mueller, the state’s first government botanist, and William Guilfoyle, then director of the Royal Melbourne Botanic Gardens.

Day 4: The Victorian Lakes and Nyerimilang Homestead

This morning, take a leisurely coastal walk with your Botanical Guide or enjoy free time to explore the streets of Lakes Entrance. We then take a cruise to Metung to have lunch in the Metung Pub and see the Gippsland Lakes. This afternoon we visit the historic Nyerimilang Homestead, surrounded by beautiful gardens and magnificent views over the Gippsland Lakes.

Day 5: The Great Alpine Road to Milawa and Shady Brook Cottage Garden

Today we depart Lakes Entrance to travel the Great Alpine Road over to Dinner Plain. We take in the rugged alpine landscapes of the region and learn about the history of the high-country cattlemen. This afternoon we visit Shady Brook Cottage in Harrietville, a magnificent cool-climate landscape garden which was featured on Gardening Australia.

Day 6: Beechworth, Private Garden and Mount Buffalo

Today we explore the goldmining town of Beechworth, before visiting the historic Mount Buffalo Chalet gardens. Explore the Mount Buffalo region before returning to Milawa.

Day 7: Milawa, King Valley, High Country Gardens and Melbourne

We depart Milawa this morning and travel through the King Valley before visiting High Country Gardens. Arrive back in Melbourne at approximately 4:00pm.