We're all booked out - you're welcome to join the waitlist should one become available 😊. A full week exploring our nation's capital - all the big iconic places that make Canberra unlike anywhere else in Australia, with the magic of Floriade in full spring bloom as our welcome treat. 🌷
🔆 Key Booking Information (please read first)
- $200 deposit - due within 4 days of your RSVP to secure your spot
- Second transfer of $1500 (includes flights) due 30 July 2026
- I'll book our flights shortly after the closing date 30 July 2026
- Final balance due 28 August 2026
Please refer to the Refunds & Conditions section below for full details
This trip is really about discovering Canberra properly - the icons most people mean to see one day and never quite get to. But we've timed our arrival to catch Floriade on its final and biggest day, which is also Dogs' Day Out. A million flowers in full bloom on the edge of Lake Burley Griffin, market stalls, live music, food vendors, and dogs of every size out enjoying the day. This year's theme is one close to our hearts too - a celebration of flowers, food and good company. Plus dog displays through the day - a doggy fashion parade, dog dancing, and agility and fly-ball. We give this day the whole day - cameras in hand, coffee on the go, wandering at our own pace. No rushing, no timetable - just us, taking it all in together. Then there's everything else and this is where Canberra really earns its keep.
We'll visit the Royal Australian Mint, where we watch coins being made on the factory floor and press our very own to bring home. We'll take the guided tour through Parliament House - far more interesting than you'd expect, even if politics isn't your thing. Even better, Parliament is in session during our stay, so we'll take our seats for Question Time and watch the action live - theatre most visitors to Canberra never get to see. And just down the hill, we'll look through Old Parliament House, where it all happened for sixty-odd years before the new one opened.
We'll spend an afternoon at the Australian War Memorial - the galleries, Hall of Memory, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and Pool of Reflection — taking our time. Then as the day closes, we'll gather in the courtyard for the Last Post Ceremony - one of the most moving things you'll experience anywhere, so bring a tissue. We'll go behind the scenes at the Australian Institute of Sport, shown around by one of the athletes who actually trains there - the arenas and facilities are quite something up close. There's Questacon, the hands-on science centre that turns grown adults into delighted big kids, and the National Gallery of Australia, world-class art and free to wander through. And Cockington Green Gardens — that famous miniature village - so beautifully done you'll lose all track of time.
In between, the gentler pleasures. At the National Arboretum we'll wander among the towering Himalayan cedars, take in the larger-than-life sculpture and the most photographed views in the city, then settle in for a relaxed lunch at the hilltop café, with those spectacular views right there to enjoy. We'll wander through the National Bonsai Collection, and stroll along the Kingston Foreshore.
And we'll eat well together - all our lunches are included, along with four restaurant dinners, finishing with a special farewell dinner at a lookout restaurant on our last night, the city laid out below. Breakfasts you'll sort yourself - we'll do a group supermarket stop on day one so everyone can grab their favourites to keep in the fridge, with a hot and cold buffet at the on-site café, or a nearby café a short stroll away, if you'd rather be cooked for.
That's the feel of this one. Not a big coach with forty strangers - just our group, flying down together, getting around all week in our Hiace, exploring Canberra our way. A comfortable, well-placed spot to call home for the week - kitchenettes, a pool, laundry and a cosy on-site restaurant - with your own room to retreat to of an
evening.
Six nights, one terrific week, cameras full of flowers and good times, and a city that surprises just about everyone who gives it a chance.
HIGHLIGHTS & WHAT'S INCLUDED
✔ Return flights Brisbane–Canberra
✔ 6 nights' comfortable accommodation, your own room or own room in 2 bedroom unit.
✔ All our getting-around in the a roomy 12-seater Hiace, fuel included
✔ A full day at Floriade on its biggest day — Dogs' Day Out 🌷🐾
✔ The Last Post Ceremony at the Australian War Memorial 🎖️
✔ Guided tour of Parliament House, plus Question Time live 🏛️
✔ Old Parliament House — the Museum of Australian Democracy 🗳️
✔ The Royal Australian Mint — press your own coin 🪙
✔ Behind-the-scenes at the Australian Institute of Sport 🏟️
✔ Questacon — the national science centre 🔬
✔ National Gallery of Australia 🖼️
✔ Cockington Green Gardens — the miniature village 🇬🇧
✔ The National Arboretum, Himalayan cedars & lookout 🌳
✔ National Bonsai Collection & Kingston Foreshore ☕
✔ All lunches included, plus four restaurant dinners 🍽️
✔ A special farewell dinner with a view 🥂
✔ All the planning, booking and organising done for you 😊
AT YOUR OWN EXPENSE: Just a few things to budget for;
your own breakfasts (we'll grab supplies on our day one supermarket stop, or there's an on-site buffet $23 / a nearby cafe some mornings), two dinners out ($25-$40 ea and any drinks, snacks, souvenirs and spending money:
Everything else flights, accommodation, travel, tours, entry fees and
most meals - is sorted :-)
🏡 OUR CANBERRA HOME FOR THE WEEK
We're staying 6 nights in modern, comfortable self-contained cabins, set among the gum trees with bushland trails on the doorstep, an outdoor pool, laundry facilities, and an on-site bar and restaurant. A relaxed, well-placed spot - close to all the action,
with everything we need right on-site.
RSVP and flight payment due: Thursday 30 July 2026.
Flights will be booked on: Sunday 2 August 2026.
When you RSVP, please let me know which option suits you.
Each cabin is a modern 2-bedroom layout with fridge, kitchenette
and ensuite
There are two options to choose from when you RSVP
🌿 OPTION A - Your Own Cabin (5 cabins) $3630
A whole modern 2-bedroom cabin to yourself -
Queen bedroom, kitchenette, ensuite.
1. LEANNE 2. DEB 3. NATS 4. ADAM
🌿 OPTION B - Share a Cabin (2 bedroom cabins) $2985
Two members share a modern 2 bedroom cabin - separate bedroom each,
shared kitchenette, lounge and bathroom
7a. JOAN 7b. LINDA
8a. KAREN 8b. DOROTHY
9.a JAYNE 9b SUZIE
★ PAYMENT REQUIRED WITH RSVP< - NO EXCEPTIONS ★
Pay by direct deposit to ...
National Bank of Australia
Account : Natalie Stewart
BSB : 084-961
Account Number : 308470164
$ Please refer to rooming options for price above.
REFUNDS & CONDITIONS
- A minimum of 8 RSVP's required for the trip to proceed.
- Maximum group size is 11 (including organiser)
- If this minimum is not reached by 30 July 2026, the trip will be
cancelled and all payments fully refunded.
- A $200 deposit is required within 4 days of RSVP to confirm your place. This deposit comes off your total trip cost. It is fully refundable if the trip does not reach minimum numbers, otherwise it is non-refundable once flights are booked
- A 2nd payment of $1500 (includes flights) is due 30 July 2026
- Flights will be booked for all confirmed participants
shortly after 30 July 2026.
- Remaining tour balance is due by 28 August 2026.
- Flights are booked using Flex fare conditions where possible.
- Changes or cancellations after booking are subject to airline
terms and conditions, including change/cancellation fees.
- Cancellations:
** Before 30 July 2026 (before flights are booked) :
Full refund of payments made, less any non-recoverable
booking or processing fees.
** After 30 July 2026 (after flights are booked):
Refunds depend on airline fare rules and supplier policies. Any recoverable amounts will be refunded where possible.
** After 28 August 2026:
Refunds cannot be guaranteed unless a replacement traveller can be accepted or recoveries can be made from suppliers.
Any airline, accommodation, or other supplier cancellation fees will apply. An administration fee may apply to cover costs associated with managing late cancellations or booking changes.
- A credit or debit card may be required at check-in for incidentals. If not provided, accommodation may be refused by the provider
and any resulting costs will be your responsibility.
- All meals are at your own expense unless specified as included above.
- Drinks are not included.
- The organiser reserves the right to remove any participant whose
behaviour is disruptive, unsafe, or inconsistent with respectful group travel.
No refunds will be provided in such cases.
- The organiser may adjust the itinerary due to weather, safety, or
operational requirements without refund.
- Travel insurance is strongly recommended and should be arranged when making our flight payment (or as soon as possible thereafter) to ensure cover from the start of your travel commitment.
- Participants acknowledge that flights and accommodation will be selected and booked by the organiser, and that all relevant supplier terms and conditions will apply once bookings are confirmed.
BLOOMS & DOGS AT FLORIADE 🌸🐕
SPRINGTIME IN THE CAPITAL 💛
NEVER TRAVEL ALONE AGAIN - ✈️
