Open Gardens - DIRECTORY

The Southern Highlands, with its four distinct seasons, is famous for its gardens. Spring brings a display of annual and perennial flowers and bulbs, and the widespread plantings of European trees - many over a century old - and shrubs, allows nature to clothe autumn with its manifold colours. The native Australian landscape itself also blossoms throughout the year. The Highland's horticultural heritage goes back to the late 19th century, and early 20th century when the nurseries of some of Australia's most famous seed producers were housed here. And over the years, some of Australia's most famous landscape and garden designers have worked on local properties. Today the miracle of the seasons is celebrated by thousands of local gardeners in their plantings, a wide range of specialist nurseries, spectacular and famous private gardens, and the annual Bowral Tulip Time Festival. Private Gardens usually open in spring and autumn - although many also open by arrangement at other times of the year.

Quick Guide Open Gardens Native Flora Nurseries , Garden Supplies & Services Dates for Open Gardens are listed under garden entries below. See also our Events and Festivals pages for other Garden Events in the Highlands

BOWRAL

25 SEP - 8 OCT BOWRAL TULIP TIME Tulip Time at Bowral is one of Australia's biggest floral festivals, attracting tens of thousands of visitors. The centrepiece to festivities is a massed display of 100,000 tulips in Corbett Gardens, Bowral. There are also private gardens open for inspection - including tours and talks, and a shuttle bus which runs from Bowral station; a street fair; window displays; and entertainment throughout the festival in Corbett Gardens. Group and coach bookings are welcome. Contact Tourism Southern Highlands on 1300 657 559. For more information see the Tulip Time website.

CORBETT GARDENS Corbett Gardens is a public park in the centre of Bowral, open free except during Tulip Time when an entrance fee applies. The Wingecarribee Shire Council maintains floral displays in the park throughout most of the year. In spring it is the focus of the Tulip Time Festival, when tens of thousands of tulips are on display. (The Council also maintains floral displays at Winifred West Park, Mittagong; and at Leighton Gardens, Argyle Street Moss Vale.) (For more information about Tulip Time see the TULIP TIME website.) Cnr. Wingecarribee & Bendooley Streets, Bowral Corbett Gardens is open every day from 9.00am to 4.00pm during Tulip Time: September & October. For more information see the Tulip Time website.

BURRADOO

Click here to visit our webpage. MOIDART Arguably the best garden in the Highlands, Moidart's gardens were laid out in the 1930s. Five acres of beautifully structured gardens with many mature specimen trees, a Sunken Rose Garden, Terraces with perennial borders, Woodland Garden, and garden walks through bulbs and blooms in spring. A delight in spring, the 60 year old deciduous trees make Moidart one of the best gardens to see in autumn also. Eridge Park Road, Bowral 2576. Phone: (02) 4861 2600 - Fax: (02) 4862 1572 Moidart is open daily in 2008, 10.00am to 4.00pm: 15 September to 31 October.. Coaches welcome at other times by prior arrangement. Entrance fee $6.00. Coach parking available; plants for sale. For more information see our webpage.

MITTAGONG

Click here to visit our website. CHINOISERIE A colourful perennial garden set in 1.25 acres with informal plantings in a formal setting consisting of herbaceous borders, potager, angel garden, stream and pond, peony garden, alpine troughs, rare plants and a developing woodland garden. Note: For peonies, best time to see blooms of 100 varieties is mid October to early November. We also have tree peonies and other rare plants for sale. Chinoiserie also has B&B accommodation - garden lovers welcome - click here to visit our webpage. 23 Webb Street, Mittagong 2575. Phone: (02) 4872 3003 - Fax: (02) 4872 1808 email: cstyles@ozemail.com.au Chinoiserie is open in 2008 10.00am to 4.30pm: 8, 9, 15, 16, 21, 22, 23, 24 MAR Spring dates TBA. (Other times by appointment. Entrance fee $5.) For more information see our webpage.

Winifred West Park Public park open free all year round. Display of tulips during Tulip Time. Old Hume Highway, Mittagong.

MOSS VALE

Click here to visit our website. BACK O' THE MOON 3 acres of park-like gardens on the edge of Moss Vale set against a backdrop of rolling farmlands. 16th century design parterre, lilac walk, woodland garden, pond, extensive borders of perennials and annuals, specimen trees, formal garden with 300 roses. Garden blooms from spring through autumn. Art exhibition on display and art sale. Stay a while and enjoy a picnic. Coaches welcome. Illawarra Highway, Moss Vale NSW 2577. Phone: (02) 4868 2046 - email: bdayman@dodo.com.au Back O' The Moon is open in 2008 10.00am to 4.00pm: 26, 27, 28 JAN; 8, 9, 15, 16, 19, 21, 22, 23, 24 MAR; 25, 26, 27 APR; 25 to 30 SEP; 1 to 8, 15, 19, 22 OCT; 1 - 16 NOV (Other times by appointment. Entrance fee $5.) For more information see our webpage.