ITINERARY

DAY 1 | TUESDAY 3 MARCH 2026

1ST OF 5 NIGHTS AT MILTON PARK COUNTRY HOUSE HOTEL

SYDNEY CENTRAL STATION AND SYDNEY DOMESTIC AIRPORT TO MILTON PARK, CONCERT I (D):

Guests are collected by private air-conditioned coach. The coach will make one stop at Sydney Central Station at 1:00pm and a second stop at Sydney Domestic Airport at 1:30pm. We then travel from Sydney to the picturesque Southern Highlands.

After arriving at Milton Park Country House Hotel, we have time to rest, relax and unpack.

In the late afternoon we gather for welcome drinks and canapés overlooking the impressive estate of Milton Park. Milton Park’s world-renowned gardens were designed by the English School of Landscape and remain the only work undertaken outside of Europe by that esteemed academy. Anthony Hordern travelled extensively and had the means, interest, knowledge and contacts to collect many rare specimens of trees that were totally unknown in the Southern Hemisphere. There will be time available during the week for guests to explore these wonderful grounds.

Following our welcome reception, we then settle in - glass in hand - for the first of our gala evening performances as part of the Music in the Southern Highlands Festival.

EVENING GALA CONCERT NO. 1
Baillieu Ballroom, Milton Park

At the conclusion of this first concert, we enjoy a delicious welcome dinner with our Festival musicians at The Orangerie, Milton Park’s private restaurant. Following this dinner, guests might like to retreat to the Polo Bar to relax by the fire with a drink in hand.

DAY 2 | WEDNESDAY 4 MARCH 2026

2ND OF 5 NIGHTS AT MILTON PARK COUNTRY HOUSE HOTEL

MILTON PARK, BENDOOLEY ESTATE, CONCERTS II & III (B, D):

Following breakfast, served in the Conservatory, we return to the Baillieu Ballroom for the first of our morning Concert Conversations. All of these conversations will focus on one of our Festival artists, and will feature a conversation and performance showcasing that musician.

MORNING CONCERT CONVERSATION NO. 1
Baillieu Ballroom, Milton Park

Following this morning’s Concert Conversation, time is allowed to rest or to explore the hotel’s beautiful grounds. Milton Park also has a wonderful 20m indoor pool, spa and wellness treatments on offer, or tennis courts, with racquets available from reception.

This afternoon, we gather for the first of our pre-concert talks with our Festival Artistic Director, Umberto Clerici.

After our talk, we enjoy a scenic drive to the nearby Bendooley Estate, where we will enjoy an evening of gourmet delights and wonderful music. Bendooley Estate is Paul Berkelouw’s childhood home, and is the place where his father, Leo Berkelouw, built up the family book business that had started as a humble proposition in Holland in the early 1800s. For the past forty years, the iconic Book Barn within the estate, has operated successfully as a new, rare, second-hand and antiquarian bookshop, and it is in this atmospheric setting that we enjoy our concert and dinner this evening.

On arrival, we enjoy a welcome canapés and drinks reception, before settling in to enjoy our evening concert in the beautiful Book Barn.

EVENING GALA CONCERT NO. 2
Bendooley Estate Book Barn

After the conclusion of the concert, we stay on at Bendooley Estate for a group dinner, along with our musicians from this evening’s concert. Following dinner, we return to our hotel.

DAY 3 | THURSDAY 5 MARCH 2026

3RD OF 5 NIGHTS AT MILTON PARK COUNTRY HOUSE HOTEL

DAY TRIP TO BERRIMA, CONCERT IV (B, L):

This morning we set out for the historic village of Berrima. Nestled in the heart of the Southern Highlands, Berrima is a charming historic town dating form the 1830s. On arrival, we enjoy a relaxed stroll around this picturesque town with a local tour guide, who will point out the important historic buildings and uncover some of the surprising secrets that shaped colonial life here.

Following our guided walking tour, we settle in for a delicious group lunch. Set inside one of the most significant heritage buildings in Berrima, Eschalot is one of the finest restaurants in the Southern Highlands. Run by Head Chef Matty Roberts and his partner Cass Wallace, the restaurant delivers consistently beautiful cuisine and has been winning culinary awards for many years now.

After lunch, we return to our hotel.

In the early evening we gather once again for the second of our musical talks. Following the presentation, we enjoy our pre-concert drinks before the third of our evening gala performances.

EVENING GALA CONCERT NO. 3
Baillieu Ballroom, Milton Park

Following the concert, the rest of the evening is free to rest.

DAY 4 | FRIDAY 6 MARCH 2026

4TH OF 5 NIGHTS AT MILTON PARK COUNTRY HOUSE HOTEL

MILTON PARK, RETFORD PARK, CONCERTS V & VI (B, D):

After a relaxed breakfast, we once again return to the Baillieu Ballroom for the second of our morning Concert Conversations.

MORNING CONCERT CONVERSATION NO. 2
Baillieu Ballroom, Milton Park

Time is then allowed for an independent lunch, to rest, or to continue your exploration of Milton Park’s impressive grounds.

Later in the afternoon, we drive to the nearby estate of Retford Park.

This elegant Victorian Italianate residence and former home of James Fairfax AC is surrounded by pristine gardens and framed by an arboretum of towering trees. We will enjoy an intimate tour of the formal and private spaces inside. The striking ‘Portuguese Pink’ mansion and its extensive collection of fine antique furniture, significant artworks, beautiful soft furnishings and superb decorative arts, reflects the 50-year ownership of James Fairfax, well-known champion of the arts and generous philanthropist.

Following our tour of the house, time is allowed for an independent stroll around the impressive grounds, stretching to well over 30 hectares. In the autumn, the grounds come to life with fragrant daphne, delicate snowdrops, witch hazel, bergenia and honeysuckle.

After our visit to Retford Park, we make the short journey to the impressive Bowral Memorial Hall. Built for the Bowral School of Arts back in 1884, a multi-million dollar transformation of Bowral Memorial Hall, completed in 2023, has re-established the venue with state-of-the-art facilities and incredible acoustics.

Before our evening concert, we will enjoy a pre-concert talk from our Artistic Director, Umberto Clerici, followed by a welcome drinks reception.

We then settle in for our fourth evening concert, this evening to be hosted at the newly renovated Bowral Memorial Hall.

EVENING GALA CONCERT NO. 4
Bowral Memorial Hall

Following the concert, we make a short journey to one of Bowral’s premier dining destinations for a delicious post-concert dinner, before returning to the hotel.

DAY 5 | SATURDAY 7 MARCH 2026

5TH OF 5 NIGHTS AT MILTON PARK COUNTRY HOUSE HOTEL

MILTON PARK, OPTIONAL TRIP TO BOWRAL, CONCERTS VII & VIII (B, D):

This morning we enjoy the last of our morning Concert Conversations.

MORNING CONCERT CONVERSATION NO. 3
Baillieu Ballroom, Milton Park

After our final morning Concert Conversation, for those who would like to, we will have an optional trip to Bowral. For those with an interest, you might like to take this opportunity to visit the wonderful Bradman Museum. The Bradman Museum celebrates the stories and people who shape the spirit of cricket, at the heart of which, is the remarkable story of arguably the greatest cricketer of all time, Sir Donald Bradman. Sir Don was raised in Bowral from the age of three until he was 15, and attended Bowral Public School. This museum honours the values of modesty, dignity, integrity and courage that Bradman was renowned for.

After our optional trip to Bowral, we return to the hotel for a traditional Champagne High Tea to mark the final day of our Festival, featuring a selection of sandwiches, scones, savoury pastries, and desserts.

This evening, we gather for one final presentation, wrapping up the musical wonders we have experienced this week, before enjoying our final gala evening concert.

EVENING GALA CONCERT NO. 5
Baillieu Ballroom, Milton Park

Following the concert, we enjoy our final farewell dinner together, where we will also be joined by Artistic Director Umberto Clerici and our incredible Festival musicians.

DAY 6 | SUNDAY 8 MARCH 2026

MILTON PARK TO SYDNEY DOMESTIC AIRPORT AND SYDNEY CENTRAL STATION (B):

Following our final breakfast at Milton Park, we travel in our private coach back to Sydney. We will arrive at Sydney Domestic Airport at approximately 12:30pm and Sydney Central Station at approximately 1:00pm.

INCLUSIONS

3–8 MARCH 2026 (6 DAYS)

AUD$8,250 PER PERSON TWIN SHARE

Single supplement: AUD$930
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 3 November 2025)
Final payment due: 22 December 2025

INCLUSIONS:

• Performances: Eight exclusive performances as part of our Music in the Southern Highlands Festival.

• Talks on the Music: Four presentations on the music we will hear from Artistic Director Umberto Clerici.

• Tour Managers: Services of two experienced Tour Managers throughout.

• Hotel: Five nights' accommodation at Milton Park Country House Hotel. The standard tour package comes with a Deluxe Garden View Room (subject to availability). Upgrade options are available as follows:

  • Upgrade to a Tower Suite for AUD$750 for the full duration of your stay (allocation exhausted).
    The luxuriously appointed Tower Suites are spaciously designed rooms (50m2), each with a private ensuite and an open plan lounge.

  • Upgrade to a Park Suite for AUD$850 for the full duration of your stay (allocation exhausted).
    The light-filled Park Suite (54m2) is situated within the original Milton Park residence, offering a spacious, private lounge area with stunning views over the world-renowned gardens.

  • Upgrade to a Forest Suite for AUD$1,050 for the full duration of your stay (allocation exhausted).
    This spacious 72m2 suite is comprised of a living room, a separate bedroom and a bathroom, and is accessed by a private entrance.

• Travel: One private air-conditioned coach transfer from/to Sydney Central Station and Sydney Domestic Airport, to Milton Park Country House Hotel. Land travel by private air-conditioned coach throughout the Festival.

• Meals/Drinks: Breakfast each morning. Five lunches/dinners with wine, water and tea/coffee. One Champagne Afternoon Tea at the hotel. Pre-performance drinks before each of the evening concerts, and drinks and canapés functions before the first and second evening concerts.

• 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 your local airport at the beginning and end of the tour. These can be arranged at an additional cost. One private air-conditioned coach from/to Sydney Central Station and Sydney Domestic Airport is included in the tour price.

• Travel Insurance: Please note that travel insurance is recommended for tours within Australia. Hayllar Music Tours can organise your travel insurance for you. Please contact them at 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.

GROUP SIZE

The Festival will operate with a minimum of 20 guests. There will be a maximum of 35 guests at the Festival.

FITNESS LEVEL REQUIRED - LEVEL 1

All members of the group must feel comfortable walking for around 1.5 hours (if joining the two walking tours, in Berrima and at Retford Park), covering the short distances between hotel rooms and concert venues and embarking/disembarking coaches.

BOOKING TERMS & CONDITIONS

Please note that booking terms and conditions apply. Click here for the booking terms and conditions.

MUSIC IN THE SOUTHERN HIGHLANDS

SOLD OUT | WAITLIST ONLY

This tour is now sold out. To register your place on the waitlist, please fill out the form below, or contact us on 02 9669 9181 / +61 2 9669 9181 (Australia / International) or contact@hayllarmusictours.com