Next Departure Date: 15 Oct 2019
Price per person: $1525 per person twin share, $1870 sole occupancy
Tour Duration: 7 Days
We start with 2 nights at Leeton so we can take in the Griffith Spring Festival with the amazing street sculptures. Then it’s onto Barmera to stop and smell the roses as we explore the Riverland and celebrate 25 years of the Renmark Rose Festival. We stay 3 nights in Barmera and enjoy a luncheon cruise on the magnificent Murray River, a visit to historic Loxton, a visit to the Bella Lavender Estate and of course the Renmark Rose Festival, the largest festival of its type in the Southern Hemisphere which is held in the Jarret Memorial Garden. Our journey home from the Riverland takes us via the historic riverport town of Echuca-Moama.
Day 1: Canberra to Leeton
Welcome to Potter Travel’s Renmark Rose Festival tour. We will be treated to a wonderful bouquet of scents as we wander the rose gardens seeing the delightful display of nature, activities, demonstrations and stalls. Today our journey will take us first to Temora for a visit to the Rural Museum. It tells the story of Australia’s rural development which includes a slab cottage once the first home of Sir Donald Bradman. Lunch concludes our stop before continuing through to Leeton. Then settle in to enjoy a BBQ dinner this evening.
Motel Riverina, Leeton | 02 6953 2955
Day 2: Citrus Sculptures
We head up to Griffith today to view the magnificent Citrus Sculptures. We’ll see larger than life 3D sculptures adorning the main street of town, produced by a very creative team of people and volunteers. It’ll be a fun morning admiring these impressive works of art which use approximately 100,000 oranges. The oranges are donated by the local Real Juice Company and returned afterwards to be juiced. Each year the Festival of Gardens is celebrated in Griffith and although not officially open as yet, we have been permitted a sneak peek at a private garden this afternoon. So, following some time to buy lunch, we can witness the preparation for the festival. Upon return to Leeton, we have time stop and meet local identity Libby Bailey of Rocking Horse Restorations. During the 10 year drought Libby took up rocking horse restoration to ward off depression when all on the farm had dried up. A true example of country ingenuity! Dinner tonight is at a nearby club.
Motel Riverina, Leeton | 02 6953 2955
Day 3: Leeton to Barmera
Looking out the window as we cross the Hay Plain, the seemingly endless horizon gives us a true sense of how flat and vast this area is. Stopping at the Balranald Discovery Centre & Museum, a delicious lunch awaits us. We visit the tiny village of Paringa to view Lock 5, part of a series of locks and weirs that make navigating the Murray possible. We arrive in Barmera, located on the banks of beautiful Lake Bonney to unpack and relax. This will be our home for the next three nights.
Barmera Country Club Motor Inn, Barmera | 08 8588 2888
Day 4: Renmark Rose Festival
Today is festival day! In its 25th year, the Renmark Rose Festival has grown to be the largest festival of its type in the Southern Hemisphere. We wander through the food and craft stalls whilst being entertained in the beautiful Jarret Memorial Gardens.
* The 2019 Renmark Rose Festival program is not yet released, for this reason events and attractions may change.
Barmera Country Club Motor Inn, Barmera | 08 8588 2888
Day 5: The Riverland
This morning we visit Bella Lavender Estate. The stunning farm lies among a backdrop of vines and olive trees. We have time to meander amongst the fragrant lavender and browse the unique products. After enjoying a delicious morning tea, we travel to Berri to join a luncheon cruise on the magnificent Murray River. Nearby is the township of Loxton, with a pioneering history and modern river charm. Visiting the Loxton Historical Village we’ll be captivated by the story of the early settlers and their families and how they lived their lives.
Barmera Country Club Motor Inn, Barmera | 08 8588 2888
Day 6: Barmera to Echuca-Moama
Our destination today is the charming twin towns of Echuca-Moama. The area is rich in riverboat heritage and towering river red gums. Breaking for lunch at the beautifully preserved Victoria Hotel in Ouyen, we stretch our legs prior to travelling through Swan Hill and on into Echuca-Moama. With time to unwind we freshen up for our farewell dinner with friends, bonding over our shared pleasure of what we’ve seen on tour.
Meninya Palms, Moama | 03 5482 3311
Day 7: Echuca-Moama to Canberra
The alluring wine district of Rutherglen guides us out of Victoria and back on the home stretch to Canberra. We’ll stop in Albury for a lunch break, then spend the afternoon reflecting on our visit to Renmark and the stunning display of roses.
