Botanica
A Walking Wildflower Discovery of the Grampians and Beyond
Melbourne Return
Trip Highlights
Spectacular Wildflowers
See the spectacular wildflowers of the Grampians in full bloom.
Enjoy Gentle Hikes
Explore the stunning Grampians walking trails with your Botanical Guide.
Gourmet Experiences
Dine at the celebrated Royal Mail Hotel and visit their kitchen garden.
Trip Inclusions
- Travel with a small group of 15-25 guests, escorted by expert Botanical Guide Talei Kenyon
- Includes four nights’ accommodation in comfortable hotels, return private airport-to-hotel transfers, plus 13 meals and select beverages
- Relax aboard a spacious coach with an experienced and informative Coach Captain
- All sightseeing and entrance fees as per the itinerary
- Enjoy leisurely walks to view wildflowers in bloom around the Grampians region
- Visit private gardens not normally open to the public including Botanica’s Founder, Judy Vanrenen
- Stay at the iconic Royal Mail Hotel in Dunkeld and see their kitchen garden
- Visit the Little Desert National Park to see unique wildflowers
Map & Itinerary
Trip Notes
- Itinerary and inclusions are subject to change
- Group size: 15-25 guests
- Fitness Rating: Medium - involves walking on uneven surfaces for more than one hour. A good degree of mobility is required
- Some excursions may require a high level of mobility and fitness
- Our experience of gardens, their flora, and other aspects of nature, is subject to weather conditions and seasonality, which may vary
- Walking shoes and poles are recommended
Melbourne, Private Homestead and Halls Gap Brambuk Cultural Centre
We depart Melbourne at 9am to make our way to a private historic homestead for a tour of its gardens before stopping for lunch. Continue to Halls Gap, in the heart of the Grampians, to visit the Brambuk Cultural Centre. Here we learn about the region’s geology and flora from Indigenous guides. We then check into our hotel before enjoying a Welcome Dinner at a local restaurant.
Stay: Two Nights, Halls Gap, Country Plaza Hotel or similar
Daily :Wildflowers of the Grampians – Heatherlie Quarry, Troopers Falls Walk and Native Private Garden– Walk: 5.5 Kilometres, Approximately 4.5 Hours
Today you will enjoy a range of gentle hikes around the Grampians to view wildflowers in bloom. Explore the Heatherlie Quarry, an abandoned township with beautiful wildflower displays, and set out on Troopers Falls walk. Enjoy a picnic lunch before visiting one of Australia’s best privately owned native gardens, which boasts over 1000 species, including many rare and unusual plants. We finish the day with a walk to Reed Lookout for panoramic views of the Victoria Valley.
Daily :Basalt Volcanic Plains Wildflowers, Judy Vanrenen Private Garden, Picaninny Lookout and Royal Mail Kitchen Garden – Walk: 3.5 Kilometres, Approximately 3 Hours
This morning travel the scenic route to the Basalt Volcanic Plains to see rare wildflowers. We then visit the private garden of Botanica Founder, Judy Vanrenen, to see the garden that has been in her family for over 70 years and contains many drought tolerant plants from around the world. After lunch you may enjoy walking through open forest filled with wildflowers to Picaninny Lookout. From here, you can take in spectacular views of Mt Abrupt or walk further to Dunkeld’s Arboretum. Finish the day with a visit to the Royal Mail’s kitchen garden before dining at their famous restaurant this evening.
Stay: Dunkeld, Royal Mail Hotel or similar
Daily :Little Desert National Park Wildflowers, Murtoa Stick Shed and Horsham – Walk: 3 Kilometres, Approximately 2 Hours
This morning we will travel to the Little Desert National Park via Mt Arapiles, famous for its extreme mountain climbing. In the Little Desert we will search for pockets of wildflower carpets—there are more than 700 indigenous plant species growing in very deep and sandy soils here. Enjoy lunch in the park before we make our way to Horsham to visit the historic Murtoa Stick Shed. This unusual structure was created from 560 mountain ash poles and is known locally as the ‘Cathedral of the Wimmera’.
Stay: Horsham, Horsham International or similar
Daily :Stawell Private Garden, Avoca Lunch and Melbourne
We make our way to Stawell today to see a private native garden punctuated by Australian sculptures. Continuing on to Avoca, we enjoy a Farewell Lunch at the historic Avoca Hotel before arriving back at the Melbourne Marriott Hotel at around 5pm.
Daily :Price & Availability
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October 2025 - October 2025
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In all we had a fantastic holiday. We would recommend Botanica to all who'll ask.