Capital Blooms (Short Break)

The Capital Blooms short break is a curated 3-day guided journey celebrating the arrival of spring in southeastern Australia. Traveling from Sydney to Canberra and back, this tour showcases a vibrant combination of floral spectacles, historic colonial towns, landmark institutions, and regional country hospitality. Designed as a fully guided experience operated by AAT Kings, travelers are accompanied by an expert Travel Director and Driver Guide throughout the itinerary, with comfortable coach travel, quality hotel accommodations, and structured sightseeing included.

Departure from Sydney to Canberra via Berrima and Gold Creek Station

The journey begins early in the morning at 7:30 AM with departure from Sydney. Traveling south into the Southern Highlands of New South Wales, the first destination is the historic town of Berrima. Renowned as one of Australia’s finest examples of a preserved 19th-century Georgian colonial village, Berrima features heritage sandstone structures, including its historic convict-era gaol. Guests can wander through the town’s serene streets and explore its local heritage architecture.

Continuing onward toward the Australian Capital Territory, the tour pauses at Gold Creek Station. Visitors experience regional country life alongside a traditional Australian barbecue lunch. Following lunch, the journey proceeds to Canberra, the capital of Australia. Upon arrival, guests take part in a self-guided exploration of Parliament House, Australia’s political hub, where striking modern architectural design meets sweeping views of the capital city and extensive collections of contemporary Australian artwork. Accommodation for the night is provided at the Crowne Plaza Canberra.

Immersing in Canberra’s Spring Floriade & Botanical Treasures

The second day centers on Canberra's spring celebrations and botanical highlights. The main feature of the day is a visit to Floriade, Australia's premier spring flower festival set along the picturesque banks of Lake Burley Griffin. Floriade displays over one million flowering bulbs, creating extensive integrated floral patterns, landscaped garden beds, and vivid artistic installations. Visitors have dedicated time to explore the garden paths, attend horticultural demonstrations, and experience the seasonal festival atmosphere.

In the afternoon, the itinerary continues with a guided tour of the National Arboretum Canberra led by an expert guide. Spanning over 250 hectares, the Arboretum preserves rare, threatened, and symbolic tree species from around the world. Highlights of the site visit include the modern architectural design of the Margaret Whitlam Pavilion and the National Bonsai and Penjing Collection, which displays miniature trees crafted by master artisans. The day concludes with an evening group dinner where travelers gather to share experiences from their journey.

Bowral Tulip Time Festival and Return to Sydney

On the final day, the tour departs Canberra and travels back through the Southern Highlands toward Sydney. The primary destination of the day is the town of Bowral. Here, guests visit Corbett Gardens, the center of Bowral’s annual Tulip Time Festival. The gardens feature tens of thousands of massed tulips and detailed floral displays that transform the town center into a colorful horticultural setting.

After spending time exploring Corbett Gardens, nearby Mittagong, and local boutique shops, travelers reboard the coach for the final leg of the journey back to Sydney, concluding the 3-day spring holiday.