ITINERARY

DAY 1 | TUESDAY 16 MARCH 2027

1ST OF 5 NIGHTS AT ARDOUR MILTON PARK BOWRAL

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 Ardour Milton Park Bowral, we have time to rest, relax and unpack.

In the late afternoon, we gather for welcome drinks and canapés at the hotel’s stylish Polo Bar. Following our welcome reception, we stroll along the scenic Fair Walk to the Baillieu Ballroom, where we settle in - glass in hand - for the first of our gala evening performances as part of the Music in the Southern Highlands Festival.

CONCERT 1 - BAILLIEU BALLROOM, ARDOUR MILTON PARK BOWRAL, 6:00pm

At the conclusion of this first concert, we enjoy a delicious welcome dinner with our Festival musicians at Horderns Restaurant, 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 17 MARCH 2027

2ND OF 5 NIGHTS AT ARDOUR MILTON PARK BOWRAL

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

Following breakfast, served in Horderns, 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.

CONCERT 2 - BAILLIEU BALLROOM, MILTON PARK, 10:30am

Following this morning’s Concert Conversation, time is allowed to rest or to explore the hotel’s beautiful grounds. 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. Milton Park also has a wonderful 20m heated indoor pool located a short walk from the main hotel complex which guests may like to use during the week.

Late this afternoon, 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 located 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 the first of our pre-concert talks with our Festival Artistic Director, Umberto Clerici, followed by a drinks and canapés reception. We then enjoy our evening concert, hosted in the beautiful Book Barn.

CONCERT 3 - BENDOOLEY ESTATE BOOK BARN, 6:30pm

After the conclusion of the concert, we stay on at Bendooley Estate for a shared-style group dinner, before returning to our hotel.

DAY 3 | THURSDAY 18 MARCH 2027

3RD OF 5 NIGHTS AT ARDOUR MILTON PARK BOWRAL

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 from the 1830s. On arrival, time is allowed to explore the charming shops and cafés lining the Old Hume Highway.

We then enjoy a relaxed lunch together at one of Berrima’s finest dining establishments. After lunch, we return to our hotel for a restful afternoon.

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.

CONCERT 4 - BAILLIEU BALLROOM, ARDOUR MILTON PARK BOWRAL, 6:30pm

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

DAY 4 | FRIDAY 19 MARCH 2027

4TH OF 5 NIGHTS AT ARDOUR MILTON PARK BOWRAL

MILTON PARK, NGUNUNGGULA & 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.

CONCERT 5 - BAILLIEU BALLROOM, ARDOUR MILTON PARK BOWRAL, 10:30am

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

In the afternoon, we have two optional trips to explore two of Bowral’s main attractions.

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.

CONCERT 6 - BOWRAL MEMORIAL HALL, 6:00pm

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 20 MARCH 2027

5TH OF 5 NIGHTS AT ARDOUR MILTON PARK BOWRAL

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

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

CONCERT 7 - BAILLIEU BALLROOM, ARDOUR MILTON PARK BOWRAL, 10:30am

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.

CONCERT 8 - BAILLIEU BALLROOM, ARDOUR MILTON PARK BOWRAL, 6:00pm

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 21 MARCH 2027

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