Melbourne in Bloom: International Flower Show Escape | WAIT LIST
Schedule
Mon, 23 Mar, 2026 at 09:00 pm to Tue, 31 Mar, 2026 at 08:00 am
UTC+11:00Location
Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show | Melbourne, VI
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Smell the freshly cut grass and bursting blooms that scent the Melbourne air once again for the annual International Flower and Garden Show. Tuesday 24 March 2026 – Tuesday 31 March 2026
DAY 1 (D): PORT MACQUARIE TO GOULBURN Tuesday 24 March 2026
Welcome to our 8-day Melbourne tour featuring the Melbourne International Flower Show. Depart early this morning as we make our way south with a morning stop at Bulahdelah. We call into Westfield Tuggerah just in case you forgot something and to grab a bite to eat. Our travels this afternoon take us further southwest of Sydney to Goulburn. A welcome dinner awaits us in the hotel.
Morning tea from the | Lunch at own cost | Dinner at the hotel
Mercure Goulburn, Goulburn | 02 4822 5445 | 1 night
DAY 2 (BLD): GOULBURN TO MARYSVILLE Wednesday 25 March 2026
Today is a travel day; however, we do make a stop and the enjoyable Kinross Woolshed Hotel for lunch. The building's origins date back to the early 1890s when it was one of the busiest shearing sheds of its time. This afternoon, sit back and relax as we travel to Marysville for our overnight accommodation.
Breakfast and dinner in the hotel | morning tea from the | Lunch at Kinross Woolshed Hotel
Peppers Marysville | 1 night | 03 5957 7700
Day 3 (BLD) GARDENS GALORE Thursday 26 March 2026
Following breakfast, we head to Rayners Orchard, where we join the Orchard Fruit Adventure Tour around the farm with a guide explaining the characteristics of the trees and their fruit, including a tasting. Next, it’s onto Alowyn Gardens, which started life as a blackberry-infested paddock. Designed with shade and comfort in mind, it’s been developed into six distinct areas, and for those who love a beautiful garden, it will bring enjoyment as well as an educational experience. We dine in the café amongst the Autumn Blaze Maple trees. Our afternoon visit is to the Yarra Valley Chocolaterie and Ice Creamery. We’ll be welcomed with chocolate tastings, displays of thousands of premium chocolates, and European Chocolatiers at work handcrafting their creations. Our final venue is the family-owned Rochford Wines. Situated in one of the most stunning regions in Australia, with breathtaking panoramic views of the Great Dividing Ranges, we relax over a delightful tasting. What a lovely way to finish our day before heading to Melbourne, where we can check in for the next 4 nights.
Breakfast and dinner in the hotel | morning tea from the coach | lunch at Alowyn Gardens
Vibe Melbourne Docklands | 03 8578 0000| 4 nights
Day 4 (BD) DISCOVERING MELBOURNE Friday 27 March 2026
Have you ever been on a tram that travels on the water? Well, that is how we spend the morning on the Tramboat for a relaxing morning cruise. We see the developing Docklands Precinct, under the Bolte Bridge, into the mighty Port of Melbourne, where large container ships load their wares. We cruise past the infamous Coode Island to the Westgate Bridge before returning to shore. Late morning, we head into the famous Queen Victoria Markets – Australia’s largest open-air market. This is a vast and vibrant centre of trade and commerce that was officially opened on 20 March 1878 and has served consumers’ needs for more than 120 years. We have some free time to purchase lunch before our afternoon tour. Known as the sporting capital of Australia, there is no better place to explore than at the famous Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). Located here is the National Sports Museum, which presents world-class exhibitions and sporting artifacts. Explore the inner sanctum of the MCG, walk on the hallowed arena, and experience where legends play. After a lovely day, we return to the hotel to freshen up before dinner.
Breakfast and dinner in the hotel | lunch own arrangements and cost
Day 5 (BLD) DAYLESFORD Saturday 28 March 2026
Traveling through to Daylesford, we stop at The Convent Gallery, nestled on the crest of Wombat Hill Botanical Gardens, boasting views of the countryside and township below. This historic country boarding school for girls has now been transformed into a haven for art, history, and culture. The gallery beckons with its gallery spaces, museum, and chapel, all enveloped by meticulously groomed gardens. Next, we arrive at Lavandula Farm, giving us a little taste of Europe. Stone farmhouse buildings cluster around a cobbled courtyard, surrounded by beautiful gardens, lavender fields, the creek, and distant hills. We will have a chance to browse The Barn, which stocks a range of products good for the body and soul, before lunch. Returning to Melbourne late afternoon after a fabulous day.
Breakfast and dinner in the hotel | Lunch at Lavandula Farm
Day 6 (BD) MELBOURNE INTERNATIONAL FLOWER SHOW Sunday 29 March 2026
Today is festival day! We head to the International Flower and Garden Show on the tram. Staged within the world heritage-listed Royal Exhibition Building and surrounding Carlton Gardens, this prestigious show is a “must-see” event! Over 300 exhibits are “on show” representing horticulture, nurseries, landscape, gardening, floristry, and cut flowers together with their associated products and services. The show will simply take your breath away with work from Australia’s leading floral designers, creating exquisite feature displays. We have all day here today to explore and take in the beauty of the show.
Breakfast and dinner in the hotel | lunch on your own arrangements and cost.
*Festival program has not yet been released; events are subject to program*
Day 7 (BD) MELBOURNE TO GOULBURN Monday 30 March 2026
We have an early start this morning as we make our way along the Hume Highway, passing by Benalla and Wangaratta to arrive in Albury, where we stop to purchase lunch and stretch our legs. In 1883, Albury became a ‘change over station’ for passengers between Melbourne and Sydney due to the different rail gauge used in Victoria and NSW. This afternoon, sit back and relax as we head to Goulburn for our final night on tour.
Breakfast and dinner in the hotel | morning tea from the coach | lunch own arrangements and cost
Mercure Goulburn, Goulburn | 02 4822 5445 | 1 night Port Bus 2025 Group
Day 8 (BL) GOULBURN TO HOME Tuesday 31 March 2026
What a tour we’ve had! Making tracks for Port Macquarie, with several stops along the way and lunch at the Ourimbah RSL before arriving home with a suitcase full of special memories.
Breakfast at the hotel | morning tea from the | lunch at Ourimbah RSL
Tour Inclusions
• 7 nights’ hotel accommodation
• 7 cooked breakfasts
• 6 morning teas from the coach
• 7 dinners
• 4 included lunches – see below
• Lunch at Kinross Woolshed Hotel
• Fruit Adventure Tour at Rayner's Orchard, Yarra Valley
• Entry and lunch at Alowyn Gardens, Yarra Valley
• Visit Yarra Valley Chocolatery and Ice Creamery
• Wine tasting at Rochford Wines, Yarra Valley
• Conductor's Favourite Cruise, including morning tea with Melbourne Tramboat Cruises
• National Sports Museum and MCG Tour at Australian Sports Museum, Melbourne
• 3-hour lunch dining experience on The Q Train, Bellarine Peninsula
• Entry to the Melbourne International Flower Show
• Lunch at the Lisarow RSL Club - The Kitchen
The itinerary may be subject to change without notice. Whilst every effort is made to adhere to the itinerary as provided, Expanding Horizons reserves the right to alter the touring and attractions as dictated by circumstances and conditions outside the company’s control. Alterations may be made to ensure the smooth running of the tour. Every attempt will be made to ensure alterations do not adversely affect the operation of the tour. Expanding Horizons will not be held responsible for weather-based cancellations or those closures made at the venue’s discretion.
$3,476 pp twin share | Single Sup + $978 pp | $900 deposit pp
For more information or to book;
Phone: 02 6583 3330
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://www.portbus.com.au
Cancellation fees will be levied relative to the amount of notice given:
42 days or more—loss of deposit
29-41 days: 50% of fare plus deposit
30 days before and the Day of departure: 100% of the fare.
In the case of concert or sporting tours, where admission tickets are purchased in advance, a minimum cancellation fee equivalent to the cost of admission ticket fees will apply.
Some accommodation requires prepayment, and refunds will be subject to their conditions.
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Where is it happening?
Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show, Zombie Shuffle, Carlton VIC 3053, Australia, MelbourneEvent Location & Nearby Stays:
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