Heritage, Art & Rose Gardens of South Australia with Clare Valley

Meet at The Adelaide Marriott Hotel at 1.30 pm, where you’ll join a city sightseeing tour, including a visit to the David Roche Foundation, which displays the many antiques and fine arts David collected over his lifetime. Later this evening, enjoy a Welcome Dinner.

Take in the sights of the Barossa Valley today. Visit the private garden of AL-RU Farm, a cattle property which features a stunning garden. After lunch we make our way to the private garden of ABC Gardening Australia presenter and Botanical Guide, Sophie Thomson. Sophie will take you on a guided tour, while offering insights on how she transformed the landscape, as well as the challenges faced while working with the unique climate and conditions of the region. Our last stop of the day is to the historic Seppeltsfield Winery, with its avenue of stunning date palms, for a tour and tasting.

Today we will visit two private gardens in the Adelaide Hills before adjourning to Hans Heysen’s home and studio to see the magnificent gums he was so famous for painting. While here, enjoy lunch at The Cedars. Afterwards, spend time in the quaint German-influenced village of Hahndorf and experience its vibrant main street, with its many cellar doors, sweetshops and cafes.

Today, tour the manor house and gardens of Carrick Hill, before taking a look inside the Australian Museum of Gardening. The collection here spans almost 400 years. Afterwards, visit Old Government House, the summer residence of South Australia’s early governors, which sits in the heart of Belair National Park. The house is an excellent example of Victorian architecture and is set among magnificent gardens. This afternoon, choose to either explore the Art Gallery of South Australia or take a relaxed tour of the Adelaide Botanic Garden with your Botanical Guide.

Depart Adelaide for the Clare Valley. Along the way, visit the famous Haigh’s Chocolate Factory, where you’ll get to sample the exquisite delicacies. Stop for lunch at Anlaby House and Garden, home to South Australia’s oldest merino stud. Enjoy its historically listed gardens, including a walled vegetable garden and terraced lawns. We then visit a local winery for a tasting and afternoon tea.

Arrive at one of South Australia’s best-known homesteads, Martindale Hall. Each room here is a living museum, which allows you to see how the upper class lived in the late 1800s. A charming garden and maze complete this historical image of affluence. Continue on to the historic town of Burra for lunch, before visiting Bungaree Station, a part of South Australia’s rich pastoral heritage which ran 100,000 sheep in its heyday.

This morning, visit the most famous garden in the Clare Valley, The Heritage Garden. Kay Duncan and her late husband Walter worked hard to create and maintain this lush six-acre private country garden, which includes 2,000 rose bushes. Travel back to Adelaide this afternoon, where your tour concludes at The Playford Hotel at around 2.30 pm.