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FEATURING FLORIADE 2021

OVERVIEW

Solos Only

Visit Canberra Solo Travel Tour

Enjoy the diversity of our Australian capital including the major city sights and landmarks, with time to indulge in relaxed dining and enjoy a lovely hotel stay.

Canberra Short Escape

National attractions included are Parliament House, The Royal Australian Mint and an afternoon dedicated to the incredible Australian War Memorial that connects visitors with the powerful stories through the collections. There’s time to enjoy the company of other solo travellers with sips of wines, some top picks for dining, and a visit to the local Canberra Distillery.

You will be hosted by locals eager to show you the breadth of culture and our heritage on this highlights tour.

FLORIADE 2021

Canberra Events always impress including their annual Floriade. Our September tour features a day of tulips; with a visit to the iconic Tulip Top Gardens and the afternoon at leisure to enjoy Floriade.

More Time?
Extend your stay and opt to discover more of Canberra with other sites of major appeal that are well enjoyed solo, including the National Museum, National Gallery, Portrait Gallery, National Library and Questacon. 

PACKAGE DETAILS
  • Ages:
    45+
  • Duration:
    5 Days
  • Status:
    Bookings open
  • Region:
    Oceania
  • Destinations:
    Australia
  • Travel Style:
    Discovery
  • Accommodation:
    Quality hotels
  • Prices from:
    AUD2255 with own room
  • Transport:
    Coach
  • Pace:
    2
  • Max Group Size:
    22
REVIEWS

'I would highly recommend a holiday with Encounter Travel. My trip was well organised and the co-ordinator was fun and helpful and full of energy. I met some great people of all walks of life. There is a good mix of organised activities and free time. I had a blast.'

 Linda, Victoria

'Thank you for your organisation of a great holiday. As a first time traveller with Encounter, I didn't know what to expect. The Red Centre is indescribably beautiful and should be on every Australians' bucket list. We saw every sensational attraction in just the right order - each new experience was more incredible than the last. Thank you for recruiting such a great group of people for my travelling companions. The hotels were clean and very comfortable and it was a pleasure to be transported across such an amazing landscape so comfortably. I learnt so much about our wonderful country and wished I had done such a trip years earlier.'

 Sarah, 52 years, Sydney, Australia
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INCLUSIONS

ACCOMMODATION & MEALS

  • 4 nights quality accommodation
  • 4 breakfasts
  • 1 lunch
  • 3 dinners 

SIGHTSEEING & GUIDES

  • All entries as per the itinerary
  • Locally based guide/s as detailed by the itinerary
  • Locally based coach captain 

TRAVEL

  • Private group touring by coach 

ADDITIONAL SERVICES

  • Porterage in and out of hotels included where available
  • Small group, not more than 22 travellers

 

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Departure Dates for this tour

Departure
Status
Price from
Get a quote
17 - 21 SEP 21
Bookings open
AUD$2255 with own room
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PER PERSON AUD$

OWN ROOM

STANDARD Package per person

$2255

Pre tour stay Burbury Hotel with breakfast
Rate applies: 15 & 16 SEP21

$195

Post tour stay Burbury Hotel with breakfast
Rate applies: 21 SEP21

$205

 

 

SHARE WITH A FRIEND & SAVE
If booking to travel with a friend and share a room save $ 300 on the price of taking a room to yourself (subject to roommate availability). Early bird saving does not apply.

 

 


Trip Code: cbr21-9

Itinerary

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Enjoy sweeping views across Canberra from Mt Ainslie lookout
  • A guided tour of The Museum of Australian Democracy (MOAD) at Old Parliament House
  • Visit Canberra’s National Arboretum
  • Enjoy a winery visit with tastings
  • Lunch in Canberra’s pretty winery region of Murrumbateman
  • A distillery visit including tastings and tour
  • Tour the Royal Australian Mint
  • An afternoon dedicated to the many sites of the Australian War Memorial
  • Witness the Last Post, Australian War Memorial
  • Guided tour of Parliament House
  • Relaxed in house group dining
  • Experienced local driver-guide

Floriade Highlights:

  • A guided tour of Tulip Top Gardens
  • An entire afternoon to enjoy Floriade at your leisure  

Extend Your Visit
Consider extra nights of stay in Canberra time to make more local discoveries such as the National Gallery, National Museum and Portrait Gallery. The cost of the additional night/s of stay applies. Ask our travel team about this option, and the additional costs.


DAY 1 -  FRIDAY
Arrive Canberra. Afternoon Touring.

Meet up with your group this afternoon to set out for an orientation tour of the city of Canberra including driving by Embassy Row. Nearby is The Museum of Australian Democracy where we take a guided tour. An apt beginning for our visit to Australia’s capital as the tour uncovers the social and political history of the nation. The museum is at the old Parliament House, now a nationally listed heritage building.

We are then back at the hotel with a few free hours before meeting up for drinks, and a relaxed dinner in house.

Meals: Dinner

SNAPSHOT – WHAT’S INCLUDED:

  • Orientation tour, Canberra
  • Guided tour The Museum of Australian Democracy
  • Group dinner in-house

DAY 2 -  SATURDAY
Trees. Wine. Dine. Distillery.

A relaxing day out, starting with the National Arboretum Canberra, a mosaic of living forests and gardens offering breathtaking views… with over 44,000 rare and endangered trees across a 250-hectare site. There is time set aside at leisure to wander the Arboretum including the option to visit the National Bonsai and Penjing collection. As a mid morning visit it is an ideal spot for a coffee and to relax in the surrounds of this impressive destination.

From the Arboretum we continue to the heart of Canberra’s wine district, Murrumbateman where we enjoy a winery visit with tastings and a lovely lunch. The finale to our day out is a visit to the Canberra Distillery for a fascinating tour and gin tastings.

This evening, enjoy a relaxed group dinner at our hotel at another of the hotel restaurants.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

SNAPSHOT – WHAT’S INCLUDED:

  • Visit the National Arboretum Canberra, time at leisure
  • Winery visit and tastings
  • Relaxed group lunch
  • Distillery tour and tastings
  • Group dinner in-house

 

DAY 3 -  SUNDAY
Canberra Event!

Enjoy a relaxing breakfast at the hotel.  Mid morning we set off for a relaxing day featuring gardens and tulips. Our first stop is Mount Ainslie for sweeping views across Canberra and Lake Burley Griffin. Then we cross the border to New South Wales to visit the renowned Tulip Top Gardens (an equally important visit when you make plans to visit Canberra for Floriade). There will be time for lunch at leisure then the afternoon is dedicated to Canberra’s Annual Event.

Floriade
The afternoon is set aside to enjoy Floriade your own pace. 

Floriade Encounter Travel


After a day out, the evening is at your leisure to set your own pace.  Our hotel has a variety of dining options or perhaps you have your own plans for other nearby dining choices.


Meals: Breakfast

SNAPSHOT – WHAT’S INCLUDED:

  • Mt Ainslie Lookout
  • Tulip Top Gardens visit
  • Time at leisure for Floriade

FREE TIME EXTRAS:
Visit Floriade NightFest (subject to a final decision of the event proceeding)

DAY 4 -  MONDAY
Canberra History Highlights

Enjoy a relaxing breakfast at the hotel.  This morning we tour The Royal Australian Mint. As the sole producer of Australia’s circulating coins, it’s a fascinating visit.

This afternoon there’s the major highlight of the extensive visit to the Australian War Memorial including a guided tour, and time at leisure to take in the collections in the First World War and Second World War galleries, Conflicts 1945 to Today galleries. We conclude the visit in the Commemorative Area where the Pool of Reflection where the Eternal Flame sits, and witness the moving Last Post Ceremony.

Australian War Memorial Encounter

This evening, enjoy a relaxed group dinner at another of the hotel restaurants.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

SNAPSHOT – WHAT’S INCLUDED:

  • The Royal Australian Min
  • The Australian War Memorial
  • The Last Post Ceremony
  • Group dinner in-house

 

DAY 5 -  TUESDAY
Parliament

Enjoy a final breakfast at the hotel and arrange your check out. This morning we visit Parliament House, including a guided tour. After the tour we return to the hotel and tour services come to a close.

Meals: Breakfast

SNAPSHOT – WHAT’S INCLUDED:

  • Parliament House visit and tour

Itineraries may be subject to change, due to circumstances outside of our control. If there is any itinerary change prior to departure of significance we aim to inform you prior to travel.  Itinerary changes while on tour will be informed by your tour leader/guide while on tour.

View Full Itinerary
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ACCOMMODATION

Destination

Hotel Name

Nights of Stay

Canberra

Burbury Hotel & Apartments

4


Hotels may be subject to change, due to circumstances outside of our control. Should this occur, a hotel of a similar standard will be provided.

HOTEL CHECK IN /CHECK OUT TIMES
If you arrive before the hotel check in time, the hotel will store our luggage until check in time unless your room is ready prior to the official check in time.

 

Burbury Hotel

Burbury Room, Burbury Hotel & Apartments 4.5 star

BURBURY HOTEL & APARTMENTS, CANBERRA
The 4.5 star Burbury Hotel & Apartments offers contemporary guest rooms, suites and apartments, along with a variety precinct amenities including fine dining, casual dining, wholefood café, lounge bar, hair salon, health club, day spa, lap pool and hydrotherapy spa. Overlooking the Parliamentary Triangle, Canberra City and Lake Burley Griffin, the rooftop venue at the Burbury Hotel is private, exclusive and unique.

Complimentary WiFi and Movies On Demand, free access to Hale Gym · Room includes one king size bed (twin options available), writing desk, TV, in-room safe, minibar, luxurious bathroom amenities, plush robes and slippers, hairdryer, iron/ironing board, blackout electric blinds, Foxtel, Digital Video On Demand, room service and direct dial telephone with voicemail ·

CHECK IN: from 2PM | CHECK OUT: by 11AM
Wi-Fi: Free


Note: twin share rooms may have single beds.


More About Accommodation
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GETTING THERE

Starts In:   Canberra, ACT
Ends In:     Canberra, ACT       

The tour commences after lunch on day 1.  Travellers should arrive to the group hotel prior to 1:00PM. As this is before hotel check in the hotel will store your luggage until check in. On return from the afternoon group tour, collect your luggage and check into the hotel. Alternatively opt to arrive the day prior and book an additional night of stay. 

If joining from outside Australian, most passport holders from other countries must hold a valid passport with a minimum of six 6 months validity from your return date to your home country. Ensure you have at least two blank pages in your passport. See 'VISA' information in our MORE INFORMATION section below.


HOTEL CHECK IN /CHECK OUT TIMES
Consider the hotel check in time on arrival and the hotel check out time on departure.
Early check in or late check out can be requested but without payment cannot be guaranteed.

TRAIN TO CANBERRA 

From Sydney
Take the train to Canberra Station (Kingston). The journey from Sydney (Central Station) to Canberra Station (Kingston) is just over 4 hours and there are regular services.
From the Canberra train station it is only 2.3km to the hotel. Click for train information. 

ABOUT AIRFARES
On request we provide an airfare quote. A service fee applies.  If joining the tour from outside Australia it is usually most economical if you make your own flight arrangements or use the service of a travel agent located within your country of residence. 

TRANSFERS

Arrival to, and departure from the group hotel is by your own arrangement.

PARKING AT HOTEL

If you are driving to Canberra, parking at the Burbury Hotel is $15 per day Monday to Thursday, from Friday to Sunday parking is free.


 

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DETAILS

Read on for other key trip information that you should know before you decide on joining the group.

TRIP AVAILABILITY
If this trip seems right for you then we encourage you to book early and secure your place with a deposit.  Tour space is limited. Also, many services on this tour must be booked well in advance. To ensure your place, please check trip availability at your earliest convenience

FELLOW TRAVELLERS 
You will enjoy this group experience with a maximum of 22 travellers. This is a Solos Only tour. You are welcome to join with a friend, but couples do not join this tour.

THE PACE  [2 out of 5]
Travellers of 75 years or over will be required to return a Fit to Travel form that is completed by their doctor. 

This tour is graded as Easy Going to Moderate; there are elements of easy paced touring and some more moderately pace touring on foot and walking.  The city touring of the major landmarks is on foot and there will be extended periods of standing and walking to get around the sights. We grade this tour 2 out 5 as there is always the option to ‘sit it out’ at the major landmarks however please note this would mean forfeiting some of the commentary along the way that is shared by your local guides.

 See MORE INFO > Travel Fitness

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MORE INFORMATION

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TRAVELLER REVIEWS

'I would highly recommend a holiday with Encounter Travel. My trip was well organised and the co-ordinator was fun and helpful and full of energy. I met some great people of all walks of life. There is a good mix of organised activities and free time. I had a blast.'

 Linda, Victoria

'Thank you for your organisation of a great holiday. As a first time traveller with Encounter, I didn't know what to expect. The Red Centre is indescribably beautiful and should be on every Australians' bucket list. We saw every sensational attraction in just the right order - each new experience was more incredible than the last. Thank you for recruiting such a great group of people for my travelling companions. The hotels were clean and very comfortable and it was a pleasure to be transported across such an amazing landscape so comfortably. I learnt so much about our wonderful country and wished I had done such a trip years earlier.'

 Sarah, 52 years, Sydney, Australia

'Did a Red Centre solo 7 day tour absolutely fantastic, Uluru and Kata Tjuta (the Olgas), Kings Canyon, Palm Valley you have to see it and experience it. The coach drivers were professional, excellent knowledge and with a great sense of humor.'

 David, Eschol Park, Sydne, New South Wales
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