Griffith Garden Tour

DAY 1

ALBURY—GRIFFITH THURSDAY 10TH OCTOBER
Welcome aboard Martins touring Coach today for our short getaway to Griffith – the garden city of the Riverina.
Depart Wodonga Plaza, Smythe Street at 7,30am, Albury Railway Station 7.45am and Lavington Shopping Centre, Griffith Road at 8.00am. From Albury we travel to Lockhart for our morning stop and spend some time looking at the Farm Art Sculptures. We will be seeing quite a few of these sculptures on our way to Griffith today that have been created by local Urana sculptor Andrew Whitehead. Andrew is an emerging figurative scrap metal sculptor specialising in upcycled large public artworks of creatures both real and imaginary as well as local historical subjects. Also on display see some of the award winning pieces from Lockhart’s Spirit of the Land Festival, a celebration to the resilience of those who live and work on the land. Next, we are off to Boree Creek and take a look at the “Last Train from Boree” sculpture that is a statue dedicated to the former Deputy Prime Minister – Tim Fischer. The sculpture shows a likeness of Tim Fischer riding a small green steam train. In Morundah we take a look at the Toolbox Horse and Jockey Sculpture, then have lunch at the Morundah Hotel. Travel via Narrandera to Leeton for a visit to the Visitor Centre for the Taste of Leeton Tour that showcases the local cotton and rice farming, as well as sample some of the local produce from the area. This afternoon we arrive in Griffith and check into our hotel for the next 3 nights.
Accommodation: Econolodge Griffith Motor Inn Griffith Ph: (02) 6962 1800

DAY 2

GRIFFITH FRIDAY 11TH OCTOBER
Griffith is a thriving country city having developed as a result of the introduction of irrigation. Designed by Walter Burley Griffin, the architect of Canberra, the town has a population of 25,000 and is the third largest populated centre in the Riverina region. A local guide joins us on the coach this morning for a town tour, and a short walk through the Centenary Sculptures. Late morning we arrive at the Catania Fruit Salad Farm for a tour and BBQ lunch. The family owned business, produces a variety of fruits and nuts which we can sample on our tour. During our visit we’ll learn about the life and times of the pioneers, see how the irrigation system delivers water to the farms and how crops are grown and harvested. This afternoon visit the Whitton Malthouse that offers an impressive restaurant, as well as accommodation located around a stunning lake and gardens. We have afternoon tea here before returning to Griffith.

DAY 3

LOCAL GARDENS SATURDAY 12TH OCTOBER
This morning visit 2 local gardens in Griffith that open regularly for the Griffith Gardens Festival. Rosewood Park Gardens and The Piccolo Family Farm feature stunning gardens that are located amongst the citrus orchards and other surrounding farms. Late morning, we visit the Griffith Pioneer Park Museum. Step back in time as we explore some 40 historic buildings showing the development of Griffith from the early 1900s. Enjoy a train ride through the park before a light lunch. This afternoon visit the stunning Emeri's Garden. Stretching across 14 acres of land, this lush oasis is a labour of love nurtured over a decade by Emeri De Bortoli, the matriarch of the De Bortoli family. Emeri’s journey began as a farmer's daughter but her role expanded far beyond the farm. With a lifetime immersed in the wine industry, over the years she acted as a crucial sounding board for her family, aiding in the transformation of her family’s winery from a humble winery to a household name in the global wine industry. Mother, grandmother, wife, daughter—she's worn many hats, yet at her core her true passion lies in the farmland, the earth and all things that it grows. It's this passion that led her to create Emeri's Garden, a memorial garden dedicated to her late husband, Deen De Bortoli. While here we enjoy a garden tour followed by a wine tasting of the famous De Bortoli wines, then return to our hotel.

DAY 4

GRIFFITH—ALBURY SUNDAY 13TH OCTOBER
During springtime thousands of traveler’s flock to Griffith to view and admire the magnificent Citrus Sculptures. More than 70 larger than life, 3D sculptures adorn the main street of Griffith. Created using more than 100,000 oranges, 100,000 rubber bands, a dedicated project manager and an army of volunteers these sculptures are most impressive and unique to Australia. We spend the morning looking at the Citrus Sculptures, then head to Murrami for a visit to Rocking Horse Restorations. During a drought Libby Bailey took up rocking horse restoration to ward off depression when all on the farm had dried up. A true example of country ingenuity! Libby will provide us with lunch and a tour of her work.
From here, our return route takes us via Leeton and Urana with a stop for a short break to see the “Shearing of the Rams” Sculpture at Lowesdale before making our way back to Albury Wodonga to conclude our tour arriving approximately 5.30pm.

TOUR COST

$1296.00 Per Person Twin / Double Share
$1506.00 Single Supplement

INCLUDES

Coach Travel for duration of tour
Accommodation on basis as booked
Meals as indicated on itinerary
Entrances to attractions as per itinerary
Goods & Services Tax

B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner