Open Gardens - MOIDART, Burradoo

MOIDART Arguably the best garden in the Highlands. (5 acres) The name 'Moidart' comes from a district on the west coast of Scotland. Built by Mr. James Burns in the early 1930s, Moidart remains in the family to this day. The garden at Moidart was started at the same time as the house and remains true to the original design of the landscape gardener Mr. Buckingham and the designer of the house, Mr. Laidley Dowling. Selection of the tree species for the garden was made by family friend and amateur botanist, Mr. D.W.C. Shiress. Many of the trees in the garden were planted by long time Mittagong resident, the late Clarrie Worner. He tells the story of digging a small hole, throwing in a stick of dynamite, and "running like hell". This broke up the solid layer of shale under the surface, and judging by the size of the trees after 60 years this method of planting was very successful. The classic layout of Moidart's gardens has attracted visitors from all over the world. Specimen Trees. Moidart abounds in mature deciduous trees which provide welcome shade in summer, and a dazzling display of colour in autumn - making it one of the best gardens in the Highlands to visit in that season. Specimens include giant sequoia, red oaks, golden elms, chestnuts, london plane trees, copper beech, dogwood, tulip trees and cypress. Sunken Rose Garden. To the east of the house, surrounded by manicured hedges, is the famous sunken rose garden. Here a formal layout of beds bordered by box hedges, a central flowering crabapple and gravel paths provide a setting for a magnificent display of classic roses. The Terraces. From the Rose Garden, visitors are afforded a series of delightful and leisurely walks: from the Daffodil Walk in spring, past the Silver Garden, then down three levels of terraces with lawns and perennial borders (including azaleas and cammellias), to the Bluebell Walk and the Hellebore Walk under arching trees. The Woodland Garden To the west of the house is a large lawn flanked by elm, beech, and plane trees which leads up to the woodland garden - a secluded parkland surrounded by conifers. Moidart also has a wholesale nursery, which is not open to the public. However, there is usually a sales stall in the garden from which visitors can purchase plants. In 2007 the garden is open to the public daily from 10.00am to 4.00pm: 15 September to 31 October. Coaches welcome at any time by prior arrangement. Entry fee is $6.00. Car and coach parking is available - entrance off Eridge Park Road.

For more Information please contact us: MOIDART Eridge Park Road, Bowral, NSW 2576 (PO Box 29 Bowral 2576) Phone: 4861 2600 - Fax: 4862 1572

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How to get there: From Bowral head towards Moss Vale. Turn left at Charlotte St (about 3 km. south of Bowral on the left between Harbison Care and Chevalier College), then right at the end of the street into Eridge Park Road. Moidart is about 150 metres on the left. From Moss Vale head towards Bowral. Take the first turn to the right past The Briars (about 5kms from Moss Vale) into Eridge Park Road. Moidart is about 600 metres further along on the right just past the entrance to Chevalier College.