Visit Bathurst, Orange, Parkes, Cowra and Bowral Tulip Festival
8 Days
11 to 18 September 2025

Active
$4,820pptw
96 villabucks
Visit Bathurst, Orange, Parkes, Cowra and Bowral Tulip Festival

Celebrate spring in style on a delightful weeklong tour through the historic heart of New South Wales, timed with Bowral’s stunning Tulip Time Festival. Gaze at the stars with a visit to the iconic Parkes Observatory and find tranquillity in the beautifully landscaped Cowra Japanese Garden. Discover colonial charm and motor racing legends in Bathurst, Australia’s oldest inland settlement. In Bowral, stroll through a sea of colour at Corbett Gardens, where over 75,000 tulips bloom in spectacular fashion. Enjoy local food, music, and markets as the town comes alive with festive cheer. Don’t miss the Bradman Museum, honouring one of Australia’s greatest sporting heroes in the town he once called home.
Itinerary
Day 1. Perth to Sydney (D)
We collect you from home and transfer you to Perth airport for your flight to Sydney. Overnight: Novotel Sydney International Airport, Sydney
Day 2. Sydney to Bathurst (BLD)
Your first taste of New South Wale’s historic towns is the oldest inland settlement in Bathurst. Understand the history at the Bathurst Rail Museum, see the scale model railway depicting the Great Western Line between Tarana and Bathurst. Discover the National Motor Racing Museum before we take a lap of the famous Mount Panorama Motor Racing Circuit.
2 Nights: Best Western Plus Ambassador, Orange
Day 3. Heritage trails and Angullong Winery (BD)
Arise in the fascinating town of Orange this morning for a day full of intriguing adventures. Take the self-guided Heritage Trail Walk to familiarise yourself with the history of the area. Marvel at the beauty of Lake Canobolas and Mount Canobolas. By afternoon, challenge your taste buds to a wine tasting experience at the Angullong Winery. With vineyards located on the southern lower slopes at the foothills of Mount Canobolas, an ancient volcano, the Angullong Winery produces incredible cool climate wines.
Day 4. Orange to Parkes (BD)
After a delicious breakfast, depart Orange for a day of discovery in Parkes. Learn about ‘The Dish’, one of the largest radio telescopes in the southern hemisphere that was one of several radio antennae used to receive live television images of the Apollo 11 Moon landing, at the Parkes Observatory. Visit the Henry Parkes Centre where you can have your photo taken with a life-sized Elvis and other impressive cultural exhibits.
Overnight: Bushmans Motor Inn, Parkes
Day 5. Parkes to Yass (BD)
Today, we say our goodbyes to Parkes and begin our scenic road trip to Yass. Along the way, we take the opportunity to explore the heritage-listed Iandra Castle, a stunning example of early Australian architecture, and the historic Mount Oriel Homestead, offering insight into the region’s colonial past. Our next stop is Cowra, where we enjoy a leisurely lunch (own expense) before heading to the Cowra Japanese Garden. This peaceful, beautifully designed garden features tranquil waterfalls, traditional Japanese architecture, and vibrant florals, all commemorating the 231 Japanese soldiers who tragically lost their lives during a 1944 breakout from a local prisoner-of-war camp. We continue our journey to Yass, where we will unwind and savor a delicious dinner at our hotel, rounding off a full day of exploration and history.
Overnight: Thunderbird Motel, Yass
Day 6. Cowra to Bowral (BLD)
Today we enjoy a guided tour of Cooma Cottage in Yass, a heritage-listed former farm and tuberculosis sanatorium, now a museum and compelling historic site. This afternoon we make our way to Bowral to explore the fascinating Bradman Museum and impressive International Cricket Hall of Fame.
2 Nights: Briars Country Lodge and Inn, Bowral
Day 7. Bradman Museum & Bowral Tulip Festival(BD)
After a delightful breakfast, we set off for the Bradman Museum, dedicated to the legendary Australian cricketer Sir Donald Bradman. The museum offers a fascinating look at Bradman’s life and career, showcasing memorabilia, interactive exhibits, and a celebration of cricket’s rich history. Following this, we will immerse ourselves in the vibrant Tulip Festival of Bowral at Corbett Gardens. This annual event features an array of colourful tulips in full bloom, creating a stunning floral display that attracts visitors from all over the world. The rest of the day is yours to explore the festival at leisure, enjoying the beauty and serenity of the gardens. In the evening, we gather for a heartfelt farewell dinner, reflecting on the memories made and sharing stories with both new and old friends.
Day 8. Bowral to Perth (B)
This morning, we start our journey back to Perth with a coach drive to Sydney airport for a midday flight to Perth. Upon arrival, we will see you safely home.
Itinerary subject to changes. Terms and conditions apply. Call 08 9754 2026 for details.
Guide: B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner
eg. BLD indicates three meals included on that day of the itinerary.
PPTW is per person twinshare accommodation.
Image: Destination NSW

Dates & Pricing
$4,820pptw
$580 single option
Highlights
• National Motor Racing Museum
• Brilliant Bathurst Rail Museum
• CSIRO Parks Radio Telescope, ‘The Dish’
• Discover Orange Heritage Trail
• Amazing displays at the Henry Parkes Museum
• Iandra Castle & Mount Oriel homestead
• Serene Cowra Japanese Garden
• Bradman Museum & International Cricket Hall of Fame
• Tulip Festival at Corbett Gardens in Bowral
Inclusions
• Pre/post tour transfers (ex Perth, WA)
• Airfares & taxes (ex Perth, WA)
• 16 meals – 7 breakfast, 2 lunches, 7 dinners
• 7 nights’ accommodation
• Tours & attractions
• Professional Villa Tour Leader
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Dates & Pricing
Duration: 8 Days
Dates: 11 to 18 September 2025
Activity Level: Active
$4,820pptw
$580 single option
Earn: 96 villabucks
Highlights
• National Motor Racing Museum
• Brilliant Bathurst Rail Museum
• CSIRO Parks Radio Telescope, ‘The Dish’
• Discover Orange Heritage Trail
• Amazing displays at the Henry Parkes Museum
• Iandra Castle & Mount Oriel homestead
• Serene Cowra Japanese Garden
• Bradman Museum & International Cricket Hall of Fame
• Tulip Festival at Corbett Gardens in Bowral
Inclusions
• Pre/post tour transfers (ex Perth, WA)
• Airfares & taxes (ex Perth, WA)
• 16 meals – 7 breakfast, 2 lunches, 7 dinners
• 7 nights’ accommodation
• Tours & attractions
• Professional Villa Tour Leader
Itinerary
Day 1. Perth to Sydney (D)
We collect you from home and transfer you to Perth airport for your flight to Sydney. Overnight: Novotel Sydney International Airport, Sydney
Day 2. Sydney to Bathurst (BLD)
Your first taste of New South Wale’s historic towns is the oldest inland settlement in Bathurst. Understand the history at the Bathurst Rail Museum, see the scale model railway depicting the Great Western Line between Tarana and Bathurst. Discover the National Motor Racing Museum before we take a lap of the famous Mount Panorama Motor Racing Circuit.
2 Nights: Best Western Plus Ambassador, Orange
Day 3. Heritage trails and Angullong Winery (BD)
Arise in the fascinating town of Orange this morning for a day full of intriguing adventures. Take the self-guided Heritage Trail Walk to familiarise yourself with the history of the area. Marvel at the beauty of Lake Canobolas and Mount Canobolas. By afternoon, challenge your taste buds to a wine tasting experience at the Angullong Winery. With vineyards located on the southern lower slopes at the foothills of Mount Canobolas, an ancient volcano, the Angullong Winery produces incredible cool climate wines.
Day 4. Orange to Parkes (BD)
After a delicious breakfast, depart Orange for a day of discovery in Parkes. Learn about ‘The Dish’, one of the largest radio telescopes in the southern hemisphere that was one of several radio antennae used to receive live television images of the Apollo 11 Moon landing, at the Parkes Observatory. Visit the Henry Parkes Centre where you can have your photo taken with a life-sized Elvis and other impressive cultural exhibits.
Overnight: Bushmans Motor Inn, Parkes
Day 5. Parkes to Yass (BD)
Today, we say our goodbyes to Parkes and begin our scenic road trip to Yass. Along the way, we take the opportunity to explore the heritage-listed Iandra Castle, a stunning example of early Australian architecture, and the historic Mount Oriel Homestead, offering insight into the region’s colonial past. Our next stop is Cowra, where we enjoy a leisurely lunch (own expense) before heading to the Cowra Japanese Garden. This peaceful, beautifully designed garden features tranquil waterfalls, traditional Japanese architecture, and vibrant florals, all commemorating the 231 Japanese soldiers who tragically lost their lives during a 1944 breakout from a local prisoner-of-war camp. We continue our journey to Yass, where we will unwind and savor a delicious dinner at our hotel, rounding off a full day of exploration and history.
Overnight: Thunderbird Motel, Yass
Day 6. Cowra to Bowral (BLD)
Today we enjoy a guided tour of Cooma Cottage in Yass, a heritage-listed former farm and tuberculosis sanatorium, now a museum and compelling historic site. This afternoon we make our way to Bowral to explore the fascinating Bradman Museum and impressive International Cricket Hall of Fame.
2 Nights: Briars Country Lodge and Inn, Bowral
Day 7. Bradman Museum & Bowral Tulip Festival(BD)
After a delightful breakfast, we set off for the Bradman Museum, dedicated to the legendary Australian cricketer Sir Donald Bradman. The museum offers a fascinating look at Bradman’s life and career, showcasing memorabilia, interactive exhibits, and a celebration of cricket’s rich history. Following this, we will immerse ourselves in the vibrant Tulip Festival of Bowral at Corbett Gardens. This annual event features an array of colourful tulips in full bloom, creating a stunning floral display that attracts visitors from all over the world. The rest of the day is yours to explore the festival at leisure, enjoying the beauty and serenity of the gardens. In the evening, we gather for a heartfelt farewell dinner, reflecting on the memories made and sharing stories with both new and old friends.
Day 8. Bowral to Perth (B)
This morning, we start our journey back to Perth with a coach drive to Sydney airport for a midday flight to Perth. Upon arrival, we will see you safely home.
Itinerary subject to changes. Terms and conditions apply. Call 08 9754 2026 for details.
Image: Destination NSWNew Paragraph
Guide:
B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner
eg. BLD indicates three meals included on that day of the itinerary.
PPTW is per person twinshare accommodation.
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Tour Activity Levels
With such a diverse collection of travel options, we want to ensure you choose the right holiday for you.
Our tour activity levels are a guide to the required fitness level for each of our holidays.
Look out for the feet when reading about a tour!
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Relaxed
Suitable for travellers with lower mobility.
You will be required to embark/disembark coaches, trains and other transport via steps unaided. You must be able to carry your own luggage and walk short distances. Stairs may need to be negotiated at times. Travellers with walking aids (sticks and walkers) are welcome and those requiring accompanying assistance and/or carer may consider these holidays.
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Moderate
Required to walk confidently and unaided.
Expect guided walking tours of attractions with occasional inclines and stair climbs, some long days and multiple hotel changes during the holiday. Your accommodation may require access via stairs, a short walk to reach hotel facilities and have showers over baths. Travellers with walking sticks are welcome unless there is overnight rail or overnight cruising - please check with staff.
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Active
Requires some fitness. Involves longer days filled with activities, excursions requiring standing and walking for extended periods of time and nature-based activities. You will be required to walk confidently over uneven ground and surfactant at a timely pace.
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Highly Active
Requires good general fitness. Excursions will be over more difficult terrain and require a certain level of agility. You will be required to walk confidently for up to 3 hours over uneven surfaces including soft sand, rocky surfaces and creek crossing. Some itineraries will explore remote locations. No walkers allowed.
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Challenging
A high level of fitness is required. Tours have an emphasis on active pursuits and often explore remote locations which are challenging to access. You will be required to walk confidently for up to 6 or more hours per day and have experience in outdoor pursuits. No walkers allowed.
Your health, wellbeing and enjoyment of the holiday is very important to us. In order to protect the health and wellbeing of our staff and suppliers, electric scooters and buggies are not permitted on Villa tours.
Anyone providing care or assistance to others must be fit and able to provide the required support and care.