Cowra, Sakura Matsuri & Mayfield
Days:
3 Days
Activity:
2. Moderate
$1,045.00
Tour description
Celebrate the beauty of spring in regional New South Wales on this colourful journey to Cowra for its much-loved Sakura Matsuri Festival. As the countryside awakens with blossoms and mild sunshine, Cowra becomes a picture of tranquillity and vibrant colour. The highlight of the season is the Cowra Japanese Garden — one of the largest in the Southern Hemisphere — where carefully sculpted landscapes, flowing streams and peaceful ponds provide the perfect setting for cherry blossoms in full bloom. During the Sakura Matsuri Festival, the gardens come alive with traditional performances, tea ceremonies, cultural workshops and stalls offering tastes of Japan. With soft pink sakura petals overhead and cultural celebrations all around, it’s an experience that delights the senses and captures the spirit of spring.
Beyond Cowra, the tour continues through some of the Central West’s most enchanting landscapes. A visit to the extraordinary Mayfield Garden reveals one of the world’s great cool-climate gardens, with sweeping lawns, intricate parterre designs, hidden pathways and vibrant spring blooms at every turn. Travelling via the Bells Line of Road, guests explore the Mount Tomah Botanic Garden before settling in for two nights at the 4-star Rydges Mt Panorama Resort in Bathurst. The return journey passes through Oberon and the Blue Mountains, showcasing the seasonal colours of Blackheath, Leura and Wentworth Falls. With visits to heritage towns like Millthorpe and attractions such as the Australian Fossil & Mineral Museum, this beautifully paced tour blends nature, culture and springtime serenity — all with the warm hospitality and thoughtful inclusions you expect from OCT.
Itinerary
This morning, we set off on a scenic journey along the Bells Line of Road, taking in the beautiful landscapes of the Blue Mountains. Our first stop is at Mt Tomah Botanic Garden, where we’ll enjoy a lovely morning tea while surrounded by cool-
climate plants and breathtaking views.
From here, we continue to Bathurst, where we’ll pause for lunch before visiting the Australian Fossil & Mineral Museum, home to an incredible collection of fossils
and minerals, including a complete T. rex skeleton! Then, it’s time for a tour of Bathurst, where we will discover the city’s rich history and even take a drive around the Mount Panorama motor racing circuit.
Later in the afternoon, we’ll check in at Rydges Mount Panorama Bathurst, where we’ll settle in for a comfortable night’s stay with dinner at 7pm.
Overnight: Rydges Mount Panorama Bathurst
Meals Included: Lunch, Dinner
After a hearty breakfast, we head to Cowra Japanese Garden & Cultural Centre for a truly special experience— The Sakura Matsuri Festival is an annual celebration of spring and Japanese culture, showcasing the beauty of cherry blossoms alongside cultural traditions. Enjoy captivating performances such as martial arts displays, origami, calligraphy, bonsai demonstrations, and traditional tea ceremonies. We will have plenty of time to wander through the magnificent gardens, admire the delicate cherry blossoms in full bloom, and enjoy lunch at our own leisure, with a variety of food stalls and a café on-site.
In the afternoon, we travel to Millthorpe, a beautiful historic village where time seems to stand still. We’ll visit the Millthorpe Museum, filled with fascinating displays, before heading out to explore the town on foot. We’ll have time to browse the boutique shops and take in the charm of this little gem before we return to Bathurst.
Back at Rydges Bathurst, you can relax and unwind before enjoying another delicious dinner.
Overnight: Rydges Mount Panorama Bathurst
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
After breakfast, we make our way to Mayfield Garden, one of the largest cool-climate gardens in the world. Here, we’ll have plenty of time to wander through its stunning landscapes, featuring a rose walk, rhododendron walk, maze, croquet lawn, water garden, aviary, conservatorium, and more. It’s a garden lover’s paradise!
After exploring the grounds and soaking up the fresh country air, we’ll take a break for a relaxed lunch in the garden café, the perfect way to refresh and recharge before continuing our journey home, passing through the scenic landscapes of Blackheath, Leura, and Wentworth Falls.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Testimonials
Hi Kerry Great trip as usual in the Alps. Hans was able to secure 2nd spot on the bus line and we were away very quickly leaving lines of buses behind us. The motel was excellent and the food service the quality A1. The chap in charge of the Bar and foor service, lan, was most attentive and with the help of Hans did a wonderful job of keeping everyone happy. The escorted Tour of Albury by Allan was one of the best I have encountered. The Hibernian Hotel was ‘spot on’, the hotel was spacious and the food perfect. The Red Stag Deer Farm was without doubt one of the highlights of the trip. The complex looks over the valley with sweeping views. The owners gave a very informative and entertaining talk and we really could have stayed longer. I believe it would be an ideal venue for a bit of variety to say have morning tea at Bright and then go to the Red Stag for Iunch and a talk by them. They did well out of the bus with people buying lots of their products. Most of the people on the bus have done the same Bright trip previously in one form or another and the inclusion of this I feel would draw other ‘past’ travellers to do the same trip again. I know I can speak for everyone, it was a top trip.
Regards David
Dear John Thank you and your team for arranging our Melbourne cup and King Island holiday. I enjoyed everything we did. Top accommodation and delicious meals. Your commentary was excellent. As was the way you looked after us all. King Island was as I anticipated plus the bonus of Michael Hill who made the day very interesting with his great stories and good humour. The meals on King Island were just super. Kerry did a magnificent job as the nicest “mother hen”. She capably looked after her “chickens”, especially this old “rooster”. Kerry made the delay at the Melbourne airport bearable by constantly providing updates and free vouchers. A special thank you to her. I must also mentioned the delightful Debbie. She is an excellent ambassador for your company. A very competent driver. Very pleasant and professional on the phone and in person. From the above, I trust you will appreciate I had a very very good trip. I look forward to again travelling with On Course (of course!) Cheers. Peter. I look forward to again travelling with On Course (of course!).
