Travel

NORTH AND SOUTH

AFTER TWO YEARS OF TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS, THERE HAS NEVER BEEN A BETTER TIME TO BREAK FREE. FOUNDATION & FRIENDS IS OFFERING TWO NEW TOURS LATER THIS YEAR FOR MEMBERS WHO WANT TO EXPLORE SOME OF AUSTRALIA’S UNRIVALLED NATURAL ATTRACTIONS.

Members can book Foundation & Friends’ small-group tours with confidence thanks to a flexible cancellations policy and the adoption of extensive COVID-safety measures. For more information or to book please contact Foundation and Friends of the Botanic Gardens at foundation.friends@botanicgardens.nsw.gov.au.

FAR NORTH QUEENSLAND 11–18 July 2022 Grade: Introductory to Moderate* Activities: guided walks, cultural experience, Skyrail Rainforest Cableway Accommodation: seven nights in four-star hotels Experience some of Far North Queensland’s world-famous national parks and unique public and private gardens. Highlights include a tour of Australia’s only Wet Tropics Botanic Garden, a journey through the Daintree Rainforest, a traditional smoking ceremony at Mossman Gorge, a ride on the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway and visit to Kuranda Village. Guests also receive their own field guides to the plants and animals of the Wet Tropics. Member price: $4,590pp twin share (land content only) Escort: Relle Mott has been associated with the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney for many years as a member of the Education team and the Volunteer Guides group. She has previously led tours to Uzbekistan and China, and also leads small group pilgrimages to the mountains of Japan. GARDENS AND NATURAL LANDSCAPES OF TASMANIA 18–26 November 2022 Grade: Introductory* Activities: guided walks, food & wine tasting, Bruny Island excursion Accommodation: eight nights in four-star properties Thanks to its productive climate, Tasmania boasts some of Australia’s best gardens and national parks, as well as a host of historic buildings that date back to the arrival of the first European settlers early in the nineteenth century. The itinerary incorporates walking tours around Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park and Mount Field National Park, along with visits to the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens in Hobart and the Inala Jurassic Garden on Bruny Island – home to a variety of rare and endangered plants and animals. There are also plenty of opportunities to enjoy local food, wine and art (with a visit to MONA), and to explore the UNESCO World Heritage listed Woolmer’s Estate, outside Launceston, which boasts one of the finest collections of historic roses in the southern hemisphere. Member price: $5,995pp twin share (land content only) Escort: Sandy Pratten ran her own landscape design business for almost 35 years – creating expansive rural gardens and small urban sanctuaries. She is also a guide at the Royal Botanic Garden. An experienced escort, Tasmania is her favourite destination.

*These adventures are not suitable for people with limited mobility. They are designed for participants with a reasonable level of fitness and competent swimming ability. Some days may be quite active and involve steep walks. Prepare with some regular moderate exercise.