Spring is the ideal time to visit the many glorious gardens found within Daylesford and the Macedon Ranges.
The region’s fertile volcanic soils and cool climate lend themselves to ideal gardening conditions. This, along with its proximity to Melbourne, have made the area a drawcard for garden lovers’ for over 150 years.
Start planning your visit now and make the most of the many gardening festivals and open gardens happening this spring.
Bolobek Garden Fair, Macedon
The annual Bolobek Garden Fair returns to one of Victoria’s most historically significant gardens, Bolobek, at the foot of Mount Macedon. This year’s Fair will feature more than 50 stallholders including rare plants and bulbs, gardening tools and equipment, botanical art, bare rooted and grafted trees, perennials, garden sculpture, food and wine. Guided tours of the Bolobek garden will be held on both days hosted by the owner and head gardener.
When: Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 October, 2024
Where: Bolobek
Tickets: $17.50 per person, per day. Free for children under 18 years.
Duneira Estate – Open Days + Bluebell Festival
Duneira Estate is an original colonial hill-station and grand garden located on Mount Macedon. First established by Suetonius Officer in 1872, the property comprises 38 acres of magnificent gardens, chestnut groves, an apple orchard, original outbuildings and gate lodge, all of national trust significance. The garden is especially delightful in spring, thanks to the beautiful rhododendron collection, the flowering dogwoods and a stunning display of bluebells.
This magnificent garden is open on select weekends during spring. Or plan you visit to coincide with the annual Duneira Bluebell Festival (2&3 November, 2024). There will be guided tours, live tunes, wine tastings and tasty treats.
When: Open dates for spring are 27-29 September | 5-6 October | 12-13 October| 19-20 October | 2-3 November between 10am and 4pm.
Where: Officer Lane, Mount Macedon
Castlemaine & District Festival of Gardens
Explore 23 stunning open gardens at the Castlemaine & District Festival of Gardens. With the theme “The Art of Gardening,” the festival celebrates the creativity of gardeners transforming their spaces into a thing of beauty and joy. Discover a mix of grand country estates, historic gardens, town gardens, and a purpose-built accessible garden, including 13 new gardens within the line-up.
When: Saturday 2 to Sunday 10 November 2024
Where: various locations in Castlemaine and surrounds
Creswick Garden Lovers’ Weekend, Creswick
Back for its 9th year, the annual Creswick Garden Lovers’ Fair gives visitors access to some of towns most glorious private gardens. Choose from nine unique and diverse private gardens, including large and small town gardens, quirky and eclectic gardens, sustainable gardens, and sprawling country estates.
When: Saturday 9 & Sunday 10 November, 2024
Where: Nine different gardens in and around Creswick
Forest Glade Gardens, Mount Macedon
Open to the public year-round, Forest Glade Gardens are acknowledged as some of the most beautiful gardens in Australia. At almost 100-years old, the garden covers around 6 hectares (or 14.5 acres). Wander through the gardens at your own leisure, taking in the huge exotic trees, beautiful woodland area, cool fern gully and delightful Japanese garden. They are especially beautiful in spring as wonderful displays of yellow daffodils carpet sections of the garden.
When: open daily from 10am to 4:30pm
Where: 816 Mount Macedon Road, Mount Macedon
Spring Garden Tour, Mount Macedon
Join Mount Macedon Tours as they lead an exclusive Spring Garden Tour, exploring select private estates and their gardens on Mount Macedon, including Shepherds Bush, Glen Rannoch and Duneira Estate. Following lunch at the Duneira Stables, attendees will head down the mountain to renowned plant collector and author, Stephen Ryan’s private garden, Tugurium.
When: Thursday 28 November, 2024 from 9:30am to 4:30pm
Where: Tours depart from Macedon Train Station
Cost: $350 per person, including lunch
Wombat Park Estate Open Garden Weekend
Garden enthusiasts, history buffs, and admirers of natural beauty, mark your calendars. Wombat Park Estate’s historic garden, described as ‘pure romance’ and of state significance, will open its gates to the public for the first time in nearly 10 years this November. Nestled in the heart of Daylesford, Wombat Park Estate was first planted in the early 1850s and meticulously developed over the 19th and early 20th centuries, this garden is a testament to the enduring beauty of Victorian-era landscaping
When: Saturday 2 and Sunday 3 November from 10am to 4pm
Where: 4719 Midland Highway Daylesford
The Festival of Garden Ideas at The Garden of St Erth
Join the Diggers team at The Garden of St Erth in Blackwood over the Melbourne Cup long weekend. Get your hands dirty as you take part in free workshops, be inspired by free guided garden tours and enjoy a special spring menu at the St Erth café. Workshop topics include seed sowing, composting, backyard berries, summer veggie planting and more. Make it an extra special weekend and wake up surrounded by flowers by booking a stay in one of their glamping tents.
When: Saturday 2 to Tuesday 5 November, 2024 from 10am to 5pm.
Where: 189 Simmons Reef Rd, Blackwood
Summer Deals


Tuki
This summer, we welcome you to experience a Tuki stay with this all-inclusive package valued at over $400 p/p.



Shizuka Ryokan Japanese Wellness Retreat & Bathhouse
FREE Japanese Bathing Ritual (worth $180)



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