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A two day accommodated tour taking in much of the classic character of this Victorian City including the display of Begonia for which Ballarat is famous.
(The tours are conducted throughout the year but particularly during the Begonia display which is currently held over March. Prices can also be supplied for groups wanting to include Coach Transport from their home town. )
DAY 1
Travel to Ballarat at own cost and be met by our Courtesy Bus at the Ballarat Rail Station.
We will be given a guided tour of Ballarat taking in the city's Goldfields history, architecture, old homes and the gardens for which the area is famous. We pause for lunch ( own cost) before taking a guided tour of the Botanic Gardens including their history, Lake Wendouree, Prime Minister's Walk, the new National POW Memorial with its 35,000 names, the Statuary Pavilion, Adam Lindsay Gordon's Cottage and of course the Robert Clark Conservatory with its spectacular display of Begonia. Plenty of time will be allowed for strolling through the display, afternoon tea (Included) or taking photographs.
We then cross to our accommodation at Comfort Inn Cardigan Lodge where we are welcomed by our hosts before settling into our rooms while our cases are delivered. We then take a 2 course dinner in the Motel restaurant and for those who wish, there will be a Courtesy Bus to take you into the city if you want. Overnight Accommodation – Cardigan Lodge.
DAY 2
Today we travel to the far end of the Avenue of Honour to see the Memorial Cairn, the touching poem and other items of interest before crossing to the old gold town of Clunes – "Victoria's First Gold Town". We tour the town hearing of its history both old and recent before pausing for morning tea (Included). We continue on to Creswick to again investigate its unique history both good and bad as well as looking at what keeps this town alive in the current time.
We cross back to Ballarat where we pause for lunch (own cost) before being taken on a guided tour of the Ballarat Fine Art Gallery. This magnificent Gallery with its recent $5.5 million extension is one of Australia's top 5 Galleries and you will witness a grand collection of Art as well as hearing of the interesting history and development of Art from the Colonial days to the present. The Gallery also houses the remnants of the original Eureka Flag.
We then cross back to the nearby Rail Station where we board our transport home (own cost) and return to family with stories of colour, beauty, history, old friendships renewed and new friends made.
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