Adelaide Festival | Hayllar Music Tours
Adelaide Festival
Adelaide Festival | Hayllar Music Tours
Adelaide Festival
ADELAIDE FESTIVAL
27 FEBRUARY–5 MARCH 2026 (7 DAYS) | ATTEND EIGHT PERFORMANCES ALONGSIDE INFORMATIVE TALKS BY GRAHAM ABBOTT AND GOURMET DINING
Immerse yourself in the Adelaide Festival, a pre-eminent cultural event in Australia and one of the world's major celebrations of the arts, by attending eight exciting performances, private talks by expert music educator Graham Abbott and a private In-Conversation with Adelaide Festival Artistic Director, Matthew Lutton OAM. Stay at The Playford, MGallery, a boutique 5-star hotel in the heart of Adelaide, and sample the delicious food and wine for which South Australia is known. Enjoy all this in iconic and attractive venues in the city and in the surrounding Adelaide Hills.
AUD$5,850 PER PERSON TWIN SHARE
LOYALTY CLUB PRICE: AUD$5,557.50
Single supplement: AUD$915
Deposit payment 1: Deposit AUD$1,500 per person (due at time of booking)
Deposit payment 2: Deposit AUD$1,500 per person (due on 1 October 2025)
Final payment due: 18 December 2025
Limited Availability
tour leader
Overview | Adelaide Festival
Overview
Overview | Adelaide Festival
Overview
OVERVIEW
Attend eight performances by an array of world-class artists at the annual Adelaide Festival.
Attend insightful private talks presented by Tour Leader and expert music educator, Graham Abbott.
Attend a private In-Conversation with Adelaide Festival Artistic Director, Matthew Lutton OAM hosted by Graham Abbott.
Enjoy beautiful Adelaide within the city centre and its parklands, and also the surrounding Adelaide Hills.
Enjoy three meals featuring excellent local produce and South Australian wines.
Enjoy six nights at The Playford, MGallery, a 5-star boutique hotel in the heart of Adelaide.
Travel in a small group (maximum 20 people) giving you the opportunity to get to know your fellow guests and to enjoy one-on-one time with your expert Tour Leader.
TOUR LEADER
Graham Abbott
Sydney-born Graham Abbott is a Music Education graduate of the Sydney Conservatorium and later studied conducting with Myer Fredman. His 40-year conducting career saw him work with all the major Australian orchestras, opera companies and choirs. He was Conductor-in-Residence at the University of Adelaide (1986-88), Associate Conductor of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra (1993-97), and Musical Director of Melbourne Chorale (now MSO Chorus) (1994-97). In 1997, Graham was acting Chorus Master of the Chorus of the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, during which time he conducted concerts with the Edinburgh Royal Choral Union, the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, and the Ulster Orchestra.
Graham’s opera repertoire included The Marriage of Figaro, Don Giovanni, Fidelio, The Barber of Seville, La traviata, Il trovatore, Un ballo in maschera, Aida, L'Elisir d'amore, Don Pasquale, The Pearl Fishers, and Pelléas et Mélisande. He was also Assistant Conductor for the Australian premiere season of John Adams’ Nixon in China at the 1992 Adelaide Festival. A lifelong passion for the life and work of Handel saw Graham conduct Messiah more than 80 times in Australia, the UK and New Zealand. His repertoire also included many of the composer’s oratorios and operas, and much of his orchestral and church music.
Graham is also one of Australia's most highly-respected music educators. He produced and presented Keys to Music on ABC Classic from 2003 to 2017 and has worked as a speaker, teacher and examiner around Australia. He also established Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra’s Unwrap the Music series and continued to present and conduct that series until 2022. He has worked as a tour leader for Hayllar Music Tours since 2018 and now regularly leads tours for the company within Australia and internationally. Graham received a Special Conductor’s Award in the 1995 Melbourne Green Room Awards marking his debut with Opera Australia conducting Handel’s Julius Caesar for the company. And in 2007 he was awarded the Sir Bernard Heinze Memorial Award by the University of Melbourne in recognition of his services to Australian music as both conductor and educator.
Hotel
THE PLAYFORD, MGALLERY
The Playford, MGallery, a boutique 5-star hotel in the heart of Adelaide, is a perfect blend of classical style and contemporary luxury. It is conveniently located within easy walking distance of Adelaide's popular shopping areas and its arts, cultural and entertainment precinct. The hotel’s Luma Restaurant and Bar offers original food and beverages, based on quality, locally sourced produce. 24-hour room service is also offered. The hotel offers a 24-hour Fitness Centre with a heated pool, sauna and a gymnasium.
The tour cost includes a Deluxe King Room.
If you would like hotel upgrade options please contact us on 02 9669 9181 / +61 2 9669 9181.
27 FEBRUARY–5 MARCH 2026 (7 DAYS)
AUD$5,850 PER PERSON TWIN SHARE
Single supplement: AUD$915
Limited Availability
Itinerary | Adelaide Festival
Itinerary
Itinerary | Adelaide Festival
Itinerary
ITINERARY
DAY 1 | FRIDAY 27 FEBRUARY 2026
1ST OF 6 NIGHTS AT THE PLAYFORD, MGALLERY, ADELAIDE
ARRIVE ADELAIDE, ADELAIDE FESTIVAL (D):
Guests arrive at The Playford, MGallery, a 5-star boutique hotel offering a perfect blend of classical style and contemporary luxury. It is conveniently located within easy walking distance of Adelaide's popular shopping areas and its arts, cultural and entertainment precinct. Hotel check-in is at 3:00pm and we recommend arriving at the hotel at this time.
In the early evening, our Tour Leader, Graham Abbott, will introduce the tour and this evening’s concert. Together, we then enjoy a delicious dinner featuring specialties from South Australia’s celebrated food and wine offerings, and then attend our first performance at the internationally-renowned Adelaide Festival.
ADELAIDE FESTIVAL PERFORMANCE 1
DAY 2 | SATURDAY 28 FEBRUARY 2026
2ND OF 6 NIGHTS AT THE PLAYFORD, MGALLERY, ADELAIDE
ADELAIDE FESTIVAL (B, L):
This morning, Graham Abbott will give a talk about the performances we attend today.
We then attend two performances at the Adelaide Festival. Between the performances we enjoy lunch together.
ADELAIDE FESTIVAL PERFORMANCE 2 & 3
DAY 3 | SUNDAY 1 MARCH 2026
3RD OF 6 NIGHTS AT THE PLAYFORD, MGALLERY, ADELAIDE
ADELAIDE FESTIVAL (B):
Today starts with a private In-Conversation with Adelaide Festival Artistic Director, Matthew Lutton OAM, hosted by Graham Abbott.
We then attend our fourth performance at the Adelaide Festival.
ADELAIDE FESTIVAL PERFORMANCE 4
DAY 4 | MONDAY 2 MARCH 2026
4TH OF 6 NIGHTS AT THE PLAYFORD, MGALLERY, ADELAIDE
ADELAIDE FESTIVAL (B):
In the morning, Graham Abbott gives a talk about the performance we will attend today.
The afternoon is then free to visit any aspect you may choose of Adelaide and the Festival. The Adelaide Writers' Week, a free six-day event, takes place from 28 February to 5 March 2026 in the Pioneer Women's Memorial Garden, a shady lawn on the edge of the Torrens River. You might consider strolling to this delightful spot, finding a chair and tuning in to the creative storytelling and stimulating philosophical discussions by writers in a wide range of genres. It is also worth visiting the Art Gallery of South Australia, which has one of Australia’s great art collections, and which also presents special exhibitions during the Festival.
In the evening we attend our fifth performance at the Adelaide Festival.
ADELAIDE FESTIVAL PERFORMANCE 5
DAY 5 | TUESDAY 3 MARCH 2026
5TH OF 6 NIGHTS AT THE PLAYFORD, MGALLERY, ADELAIDE
ADELAIDE FESTIVAL (B):
This morning begins with a talk by Graham Abbott.
We then enjoy two performances in the Festival.
ADELAIDE FESTIVAL PERFORMANCE 6 & 7
DAY 6 | WEDNESDAY 4 MARCH 2026
6TH OF 6 NIGHTS AT THE PLAYFORD, MGALLERY, ADELAIDE
ADELAIDE FESTIVAL (B, L):
This morning, we have our final talk with Graham Abbott, followed by a delicious farewell lunch.
We then enjoy our final performance of the tour.
ADELAIDE FESTIVAL PERFORMANCE 8
DAY 7 | THURSDAY 5 MARCH 2026
TOUR ENDS:
Following our final breakfast at the hotel, the tour concludes.
Please note: there may be some adjustments to the ordering of events after the Adelaide Festival has announced its full 2026 program.
Inclusions | Adelaide Festival
Inclusions
Inclusions | Adelaide Festival
Inclusions
INCLUSIONS
27 FEBRUARY–5 MARCH 2026 (7 DAYS)
AUD$5,850 PER PERSON TWIN SHARE
Single supplement: AUD$915
Deposit payment 1: Deposit AUD$1,500 per person (due at time of booking)
Deposit payment 2: Deposit AUD$1,500 per person (due on 1 October 2025)
Final payment due: 18 December 2025
INCLUSIONS:
Performances: Premium tickets for eight performances at the internationally renowned Adelaide Festival.
Tour Leader: Tour Leadership and private talks about the performances, by music educator, Graham Abbott.
Tour Manager: An experienced Tour Manager to accompany the group throughout the tour.
Hotel: Six nights' accommodation at the centrally located 5-star The Playford MGallery by Sofitel in a Deluxe King Room. Porterage of one piece of luggage at the hotel.
Travel: Land travel by private air-conditioned coach to and from our visit to UKARIA. Short journeys between the hotel and performance venues will be by foot.
Meals/Drinks: Breakfast each morning at the hotel. Three lunches/dinners with wine, water and tea/coffee.
Tips: Tips for drivers, local guides and meals included in your itinerary.
Information Pack: Comprehensive pre-tour information pack.
EXCLUSIONS:
International/Domestic Travel: Hayllar Music Tours can provide you with a quote. Phone 02 9669 9181 / +61 2 9669 9181 (Australia / International) or email contact@hayllarmusictours.com
Airport Transfers: Transfers to/from airports and hotels at the beginning and end of the tour.
Travel Insurance: Please note that travel insurance is recommended for tours within Australia. Hayllar Music Tours can organise your travel insurance for you. Phone 02 9669 9181 / +61 2 9669 9181 (Australia / International) or email contact@hayllarmusictours.com
Meals: Lunches and dinners not nominated in your itinerary.
Personal Expenses: Personal expenses such as laundry, phone calls and mini-bar.
Activities in Free Time: Costs associated with any activities suggested for you in your free time.
SMALL GROUP SIZE
The tour will operate with 8 people. The maximum number on the tour will be 20 people.
FITNESS LEVEL REQUIRED - LEVEL 1
All members of the group must feel comfortable walking for 1–2 hours, standing for long periods of time in museums, art galleries etc. and embarking/disembarking coaches.
BOOKING TERMS & CONDITIONS
Please note that booking terms and conditions apply. Click here for the booking terms and conditions.
Booking | Adelaide Festival
Booking
Booking | Adelaide Festival
Booking
ADELAIDE FESTIVAL
DEPOSIT ONLY | AUD$1,500 PER PERSON
27 FEBRUARY–5 MARCH 2026 (7 DAYS) | ATTEND EIGHT PERFORMANCES ALONGSIDE INFORMATIVE TALKS BY GRAHAM ABBOTT AND GOURMET DINING