2024 - A 6 Day Tour to Canberra

"I have planned a city that is not like any other in the world. I have planned it not in a way that I expected any government authorities in the world would accept. I have planned an ideal city – a city that meets my ideal of the city of the future."
Walter Burley Griffin 1912

Our National Capital is an inspiring place! Not only is it home to our Federal Government it is a centre filled with national treasures and monuments – a place every Australian can relate to and be proud of. On this tour we will stay for 5 nights at the Novotel Canberra - Canberra's premium 4.5 hotel boasting an unrivalled location in the heart of the city. Our stay will focus on different aspects of Australian life – our history on the world stage, our Government since Federation in 1901, the Nation’s Flora and Fauna and some national galleries and museums. Come to Canberra and be inspired.

Day 1 (D): Heading to Canberra (Sunday)

Our ARJ Touring Coach will be ready for an early start of our tour to Canberra. Sit back and enjoy the service and facilities as we make our way north along the Hume to Albury-Wodonga and then via Gundagai and Yass to Canberra. We will make several stops along the way including a lunch stop (own expense) before our arrival late afternoon to check into our inner city accommodation on Northbourne Avenue – our base for the next 5 nights.

Novotel Canberra 65 Northbourne Avenue Canberra

Tel 02 62455000 - 5 nights

(Meal inclusions today – Welcome /dinner in the hotel)

Day 2 (BLD): Some National Treasures (Monday)

Canberra is home to some very special National Treasures. First stop this morning at the National Film and Sound Archives. Established in 1984 it collects, preserves and shares the nation’s moving image and recording sound heritage. We spend time looking through the exhibition before heading to the Royal Australian Mint where we join the 11am guided tour.

The first task of the Mint was to produce new coins for the introduction of decimal currency on 14 February 1966. Since then it has produced more than thirteen billion circulating coins. It now has capacity to produce two million coins per day. The Mint also manufactures medals, medallions, seals and tokens for private and public sectors and sporting and tourism groups, both nationally and internationally. Examples of these are The Order of Australia, Third Pacific Conference Games Medallions, Sydney Monorail token and Conrad Jupiter’s Casino tokens.

Lunch today has been arranged at Lanyon Homestead – a well preserved historic homestead. Set within superb gardens the property includes a range of outbuildings within a landscape of great natural beauty.

This afternoon we return to the centre of town. The rest of the afternoon is free before dinner tonight in the hotel.

(Meal Inclusions – Breakfast & dinner in the hotel/Light lunch at Lanyon Homestead)

Day 3 (BD): Who runs this country? (Tuesday)

On Capital Hill, overlooking Lake Burley Griffin and facing the Australian War Memorial, is Parliament House. Its not the original Parliament House of course – that building sits just below Capital Hill and is now the Museum of Australian Democracy - the ONLY museum that celebrates democracy and our place within it. Our morning is spent – first with a guided tour of Parliament House with its renowned architecture, impressive art collection and amazing rooftop views of Canberra – and then at the iconic “Old Parliament House” to experience Australian history first hand. After some free time for lunch (own expense) we have an appointment at the High Court. Its all very well for our politicians to make the law but who upholds them? The High Court of Australia is the highest court in the judicial system. It was established in 1901 by Section 71 of the Constitution.

The functions of the High Court are to interpret and apply the law of Australia; to decide cases of special federal significance including challenges to the constitutional validity of laws and to hear appeals, from Federal, State and Territory Courts.

(Meal inclusions today - Breakfast & dinner in the hotel)

Day 4 (BLD): Who served this country? (Wednesday)

Apart from the political leaders Australia has been well served by the military - and today the main focus of our touring will be around the Australian War Memorial. But first we have planned a visit to the National Museum of Australia. On the shores of Lake Burley Griffin, the museum’s stunning architecture creates an extraordinary place in which to explore the rich and diverse stories of Australia and its people. After an interesting morning we transfer across to the Australian War Memorial. This memorial commemorates the sacrifice of the Australian men and women, who have served in war. After a light lunch at Poppies Restaurant we will take a look around. Over the past few years the Memorial has undergone extensive redevelopment resulting in new galleries and displays. Later in the afternoon we move to the focus of the commemoration - the Hall of Memory together with the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the Pool of Reflection and the Roll of Honour. Here the names of over 102,000 Australian servicemen and women who have died in war are listed. Finally we experience the last post and closing ceremony. (Meal inclusions today - Breakfast & dinner in the hotel/Light lunch at Poppies Restaurant at the Australian War Memorial)

Day 5 (BLD): What about Gardens? (Thursday)

This morning we are off to Cockington Green Gardens . The miniature buildings of Cockington Green have been attracting crowds for decades but the gardens surrounding them are a major attraction in their own right. Each year almost 35,000 flowers are planted here.

Next stop is the National Arboretum – a 250 hectare site featuring rare and iconic tree species from around the world. Located at the western end of Lake Burley Griffin it contains one of the world’s largest living collections of rare, endangered and significant trees. Winner of the World Architecture Festival for landscape, the National Arboretum surrounds visitors with panoramic views, stunning architecture and the natural beauty of trees and gardens from Australia and around the world. After a light lunch in The Village a guide will join the coach to show us the Bonsai Collection and the spectacular views of Canberra and Queanbeyan from the top of the hill. (Meal inclusions today - Breakfast & dinner in the hotel/Light lunch at The Arboretum)

Day 6 (B): Heading Home (Friday)

Is it time to head home already? We complete our check out formalities before reboarding the coach for the drive home. Again there will be stops along the way including a lunch stop (own expense) before our late afternoon arrival back to Melbourne to complete a sensational 6 day tour.(Meal inclusions – Breakfast in the hotel)

Tour Price

$2,039 per person twin/double share (minimum 35 people)

$2,104 (minimum 30)

$2,195 (minimum 25)

Add $420 for a guaranteed single room (on application)

Price valid until 31 March, 2025

Tour Inclusions

Tour Price includes accommodation as per the itinerary, meals as indicated (B= Cooked breakfast, L= Light or packed lunch, D = Buffet or limited choice dinner), deluxe touring coach with seatbelts, attractions/entries as noted & return airport transfers.

Next Steps

To arrange a tour for your club simply contact Alex Corones from Australian Road Journeys on 0488 117 682 with your preferred date of travel – he will do the rest! When everything is confirmed, ARJ will provide printed itineraries for distribution to interested club members.

Read some testimonials from past groups here.

Tour Conditions

A deposit of $350 per person is required to secure your booking. This deposit is fully refundable until 60 days prior to the day of departure. Final payment is required 45 days prior to the day of departure. Bookings cancelled within 14 days prior to the day of departure are non-refundable. No additional cancellation fees apply.

Personal Travel Insurance is strongly recommended.

The Itinerary may be subject to change without notice. Whilst every effort is made to adhere to the itinerary as provided, Australian Road Journey’s reserves the right to alter the touring and attractions as dictated by circumstances and conditions outside the company’s control. Alterations may be made to ensure the smooth running of the tour.  Every attempt will be made to ensure alterations do not adversely affect the operation of the tour. Australian Road Journey’s will not be held responsible for weather based cancellations or those closures made at the venue’s discretion. All itineraries are subject to change due to occasional restrictions in opening times/days of some attractions, e.g. churches, wineries etc.