Open Gardens Canberra

Jewel Box
2023-03-25 10:00 - 2023-03-26 16:00 (Australia/Sydney) | Jewel Box, 27 Raymond Street, Ainslie, ACT, 2602
Featuring columnar Manchurian pears and Japanese maples this beautifully laid out garden has a strong structure within which the colourful plantings appear as jewels. This manicured, cottage garden for all seasons has been meticulously developed over the last two years. Surrounded by high hedges, the back garden is a private haven.
Jewel Box Garden Notes 2023 are available.

BOOKING:

Eventbrite bookings are desirable for all non-members except children.
Members of Open Gardens Canberra are not required to book.
You can renew your membership or join Open Gardens Canberra on Join-It.

Finn's End
2023-04-15 10:00 - 2023-04-16 16:00 | Finn’s End, 2 Finn Street, O'Connor, ACT, 2602, Australia
Update 12th April: This Event has been cancelled due to ill health.
This traditional garden features large trees, massed groundcover and prominent hedges framing distinct outside activity areas in summer shade. Well paved paths guide the visitor around this ‘Tocumwal’ dwelling. This is one of the 200 American Army Air Corps homes constructed in 1942, which were moved from Tocumwal in the Riverina to Canberra in the late 1940s. Most ended up in the O’Connor cluster of 8 streets. #Tocumwal Precinct O’Connor.
Rachel and Gabriel have rented this property for a short while and, with the agreement of the owners, are progressively restoring the gardens to complement the dwelling, its surrounds and streetscape.
The Finn Street Park Gardens and Nature Playgrounds nearby linking the Precinct and the O’Connor Cooperative School provide a good picnic venue.
Garden notes will be available.
Charity: Finn Street Park Gardens.

BOOKING:

Eventbrite bookings are desirable for all non-members except children.
Members of Open Gardens Canberra are not required to book.
You can renew your membership or join Open Gardens Canberra on Join-It.

Baker Garden
2023-04-22 10:00 - 2023-04-23 16:00 | The Baker Garden, 20 Wells Gardens, Griffith, ACT, 2603, Australia
Completely redeveloped on a 930 sq m Canberra block this gardener’s garden is designed to provide colour and interest all year round. Includes many sculptures plus stone walls and bird baths. Pine bark mulch, drippers and no lawn make it a low maintenance garden. Hidden behind lattice at the rear are productive raised veggie beds, fruit trees, a covered potting area and composting production.
As featured on pages 4 & 5 of the Spring 2022 issue of ‘Our Gardens’.
Baker Garden notes 2023 are available.
PARKING: Parking is limited. Visitors can also park in Bremer Street and use the walkway next to the block.

Supported charity: The Climate Council.

Eventbrite bookings are desirable for all non-members except children.
Members of Open Gardens Canberra are not required to book.
You can renew your membership or join Open Gardens Canberra on Join-It.

Yellowbox
2023-05-06 10:00 - 2023-05-07 16:00 | Yellow Box, 447 Spring Range Road , Spring Range , NSW, 2618, Australia
Yellowbox comprises about a hectare of densely planted shrubby native plants of great variety, on an elevated rocky knoll, surrounding the owner’s home. The garden, started in 1997, includes meandering, pleasant paths taking visitors to many garden sections, including fruit trees. Main species include banksias, callistemons, coreas, croweas, prostantheras, eriostemons, eremophilas and many groundcovers. The lack of high canopy affords 360 degree views to the rural landscape. Mown paths allow interested visitors to take short walks beyond the perimeter of the garden (not near dams) where large Yellow Box, Red Box, Stringybark, Black Cypress, wattle, Casuarina trees feature.
The 45 acre property, featuring native pastures with cattle, also includes perimeter shelter belts. There have been substantial changes to the plantings after the effects of the 2019 drought and the cool, rainy period after that.
YELLOW BOX Garden notes 2023 are available.

Supported charity: Pegasus Riding School for the Disabled
Refreshments including sandwiches and cakes will be available.
Directions: Turn right off Barton Highway, 2 kilometers north of Hall, onto Spring Range Road. Travel 4 kms east along Spring Range Road. 447 is on left, with sign ‘Yellowbox’.
BOOKING:

Eventbrite bookings are desirable for all non-members except children.
Members of Open Gardens Canberra are not required to book.
You can renew your membership or join Open Gardens Canberra on Join-It.

Nevertire
2023-09-09 10:00 - 2023-09-10 16:00 | Nevertire, 1 McEwan Avenue, Queanbeyan, NSW, 2620
This large naturalistic garden is a great garden to explore. Plants have been selected for hardiness in this exposed site and suitability for their 1880s cottage, which was moved to this site in 1925. The owners have continually re-developed the garden using a large range of native and exotic plants include spring bulbs, unusual roses and Mediterranean shrubs and ground-covers. The garden features very large pots used for bromeliads and water features and art pieces. There is also an expanded food production area, a mulching zone and relaxation areas. This garden has continued to evolve since its first opening in November 2021. Nearby attractions include a River Walk and Queanbeyan’s Floriade gardens (see below).
Displays of stained glass, leadlight and mosaic items by Rachael from Groovy Glass ACT for sale.
Nevertire Garden Notes are available.

Accessible to wheelchairs and prams, however much of the garden has a gravel surface.
PARKING : Parking in Queanbeyan Railway carpark is recommended. There is a short walk along laneway next to rail line.
NEARBY ATTRACTIONS: Visitors are welcome to use the carpark at the Queanbeyan Railway Station in Henderson Road and then walk on the path eastwards towards McEwan Avenue, along the railway line, to Nevertire. Visitors may also like to view the Floriade beds just across the small bridge in McEwan Road into Oaks Estate. There is also the walk up the Queanbeyan River, accessed by crossing McEwan Avenue and following the walking track to the Railway Bridge. There will be a guide to the heritage and environmental values of the River Walk available at Nevertire Open Garden.
Tickets for non-members can be booked through Eventbrite.
Supported charity: Queanbeyan Wildcare

Brindabella Views
2023-10-07 10:00 - 2023-10-08 16:00 | Brindabella Views, 11 Appel Cres Fadden, Canberra, ACT, 2904, Australia
With commanding sweeping views of the Brindabellas and the Tuggeranong Valley, this engaging garden has evolved with the family for over 40 years. Late spring sees a peak display of around 60 roses nestled amongst clipped hedges. Follow stone staircases and winding paths, through two arbours, to admire many unusual plants and trees, including many staghorns, a large sunken pond garden, a gazebo, entertainment area with firepit, delightful mosaic pavers, a chicken house and a productive area of fruit, herbs and veggies including raised beds and a green house. Much of the construction and plant propagation were done by the owners themselves. The garden will inspire new gardeners, those interested in producing their own food and those dealing with steep sites. There are many places for children to explore.
Access to the garden is via a steep staircase; there is no wheelchair or pram access.
Morning and afternoon tea on the large back deck, which has excellent views.
Brindabella Views – Garden Notes are available.

Tickets for non-members can be booked on Eventbrite.
Supported charity: Lions Club of Canberra Brindabella

Serendipity
2023-10-14 10:00 - 2023-10-15 16:00 | Serendipity, 29 Fitzalan Place Kambah, Canberra, ACT, 2904
Now more than 40 years old, Serendipity is sited on a moderately sloping block with an area of some 2200 m2 in Kambah. Our aim in developing the garden was to have a visually attractive landscape with enough variety and detail to always have something of interest around the next corner. Many, now mature, trees including Tulip Trees, Dogwoods, Maples, a Crab Apple and Eucalypts have been planted. The planting scheme encompasses a range of exotic shrubs – such as camellias, azaleas, conifers and many Australian natives. Extensive paths, with intermittent steps, meander through planted zones to provide easy access to most areas.
Serendipity Garden Notes are available, as is the Serendipity Garden Plan.
Plants and a variety of hand-crafted items for sale.
Please park on Fitzalan Street.
Not accessible to prams and wheelchairs.
Tickets for non-members can be booked through Eventbrite.
Supported charity: Ronald McDonald House Greater Western Sydney

Els' Garden
2023-10-21 10:00 - 2023-10-22 16:00 | Els’ garden, 3 Ramage Place, Flynn, Canberra, ACT, 2615, Australia
Els’ garden is on a quarter acre, gently south-west sloping block, and includes a variety of ornamental zones front and back including a substantial variety of native plants. Phyla nodiflora on the nature strip leads to Isopogons sheltering under a Chinese pistacio, near a young Myoporum floribundum and Solanum linearifolium. Mauve Prostanthera and Westringia contrast beautifully with the yellows and oranges of Micrantheum hexandrum and multiple Banksias and Grevilleas. The stunning exotic Cercis siliquastrum shades white Olearia and Veronica. In the back garden a small pond and creek make a lovely setting. A wisteria covered pergola creates a shady outdoor area for a cup of tea or coffee.
Supported charities:
Royal Flying Doctor Service
Organic Trust Australia – Research and Education

Not suitable for prams or wheelchairs.
Tickets for non-members can be booked through Eventbrite.

Cambrey Farm
2023-11-11 10:00 - 2023-11-12 16:00 | Cambrey Farm, 18 Beltana Road, Pialligo, Canberra, ACT, 2609, Australia
A beautiful avenue of trees leads to Cambrey Farm, a 6 acre Pialligo farmlet established in the 1930s which has been in the owner’s family since 1954. Major tree plantings date from then, comprising majestic pin oaks, ash and liquidambars as well as mature gums. As an ex poultry farm, and now an alpaca farm, the grounds include a variety of farm buildings. The original cottage garden has been cultivated by three generations of gardeners with winding paths leading through a box hedge edged vegetable plot, pergolas, loggias and formal box hedge edged rose gardens to the Old Barn, built in the mid 1930s and recently restored to display its beautiful old timbers and ironwork and now re-purposed as an art gallery. Although designed as a low water use garden, there are two 10,000 litre rainwater tanks as well as bore water.
Rodney’s Nursery will provide vouchers giving garden visitors a 10 % discount on purchases made that weekend (with a couple of exclusions).
The Old Barn Gallery will have a sale and exhibition of artworks from:

Merryl’s Mosaics
NatureArt Lab photography
Calligraphic Vignettes by Narelle Jones
the Magic of Artistry Group
Bijoux – small treasures to delight from the Gumnuts Artists’ Collective

There will be a plant produce stall and bagged alpaca manure for sale. Afternoon teas will be available, as well as a sausage sizzle and delicious Thai food.
Cambrey Farm Garden Notes 2023 are available.
Follow the signs to parking in the Paddock.

Tickets for non-members can be booked through Eventbrite.
Supported charity: Bears of Hope

Amber's Garden
2023-11-18 10:00 - 2023-11-19 16:00 | Amber’s Garden, 8 Andado Place, Hawker, Canberra, ACT, 2614, Australia
Set on a gently sloping north-facing block, this richly varied garden is a constant delight, featuring a sequence of courtyards, lawns and garden ‘rooms’ that beautifully showcase a wide range of thriving exotic and native plants, many of which are unusual to find in Canberra. Extended and modified over the past eight years from the 1980s original, this large informal garden is notable for its big collection of salvias together with roses, camellias, perennials, bulbs, maples, orchids and many unusual Australian native plants.
Amber’s Garden Notes are available.
Plants for sale.
Parking is limited as it is in a cul de sac. Parking in nearby streets is recommended.
Partially accessible to wheelchairs.
Tickets for non-members can be booked through Eventbrite.
Supported charity: ACT Wildlife

Mayo Maison
2023-11-18 10:00 - 2023-11-19 16:00 | Mayo Maison, 11 Kurundi Place, Hawker, Canberra, ACT, 2614
A large, rambling cottage garden bursting with lots of typical spring flowers including Larkspurs, self sown Sweet Peas, Lilies, Salvias and Ranunculi. Plants in pots also add splashes of colour. Camellias and azaleas flower prolifically in season. The over 2000m2 block also includes a large productive vegetable plot and a tennis court, and backs on to parkland so there is always lots of birdlife.
Parking is limited as it is in a cul de sac. Parking in nearby streets is recommended.

Tickets for non-members can be booked through Eventbrite.
Supported charity: Roundabout
Mayo Maison Garden Notes are available.

Terroux
2024-02-24 10:00 - 2024-02-25 16:00 | Terroux, 88 Rochford Rd, Wallaroo, NSW, 2618, Australia
An evolving mixed garden with water features and quirky pieces of art. A garden of discovery with many gravel paths revealing diverse plantings. An extensive parkland with the Brindabellas as a stunning backdrop.
This very extensive garden and parklands includes many hedges of flower carpet roses, callistemons, conifers and photinias as well as a large dry creek bed with natives. There are three dams, each of different designs and plantings; one flows over to a wetland, another has a terraced garden. There are several memory gardens, including one with a labyrinth. The garden has many lovely water features as well as pieces of art; many of these will delight children. The “Grand Canyon” is a large gully erosion, a long term rehabilitation project.
Supported charity: BigHart
Terroux Garden Notes 2024 are available.
DIRECTIONS – DON’T USE GPS
Turn onto Wallaroo Rd. Drive 7.5km, turn (R) onto Oakey Creek Rd. After 1.5km turn (R) onto Rochford Rd. Turn (R) at Hygge House sign. Turn (L) at Hygge House. OGC signs at each turn.
Don’t use GPS as it doesn’t work.
Other activities
Sculpture, artisans, pottery
Children’s activity
Escorted garden tours 11am and 2pm both days, weather permitting.
Sunset soirée Saturday 24th 5pm till 7pm with music by local duo Stage 3. Bookings essential, tickets $35 per person including refreshments. www.trybooking.com/CNUFE. This is NOT an Open Gardens Canberra event.

Lavender Hill
2024-04-27 10:00 - 2024-04-28 16:00 | Lavender Hill, 155 London Bridge Road, Burra, NSW, 2620, Australia
Enjoy glorious rural vistas in a relaxing setting of rolling lawns and established English park style gardens, all overlooking a lily-pond weir on Tin Hut Creek, which flows eventually into Googong Dam. Stroll through the large and picturesque 8 hectare block with its own dam, numerous advanced trees ablaze with autumn colour, scattered mature gums (some quite ancient), curving dry-stone walls, hedges and perennials. A cleared grazing area also features an enclosed orchard and veggie beds. Why not take advantage of this lovely property to enjoy a picnic to complete your trip in the country? Or combine it with a visit to nearby Woowoolahra open garden as well as scenic London Bridge Arch.
Supported charity: Burra Rural Fire Brigade.
LAVENDER HILL GARDEN NOTES are available.
Craft stalls
Homemade preserves
The RFS will provide tea, coffee, drinks and cake from 10 to 4 both days.

DIRECTIONS
From Queanbeyan travel south 14km on Old Cooma Rd. Left into Burra Rd and travel 8 km to London Bridge Rd. Garden entrance is at cul-de-sac 1.2 km along. From Canberra go south on Monaro Hwy, left at Old Cooma Road and travel 8 km to turn right into Burra Rd, then travel 8 km to London Bridge Rd. Garden entrance is at cul-de-sac 1.2 km along.
PARKING
On road and in cul-de-sac. Limited parking on site as marked. Mobility impaired can be dropped near to house.

Woowoolahra
2024-04-27 10:00 - 2024-04-28 16:00 | Woowoolahra – Burra, 6 London Bridge Road, Burra, New South Wales, Australia
Sweeping curved rock walls divide this relaxing, mature country garden into ‘rooms’ where lovely old trees embrace lawns, frame valley views and provide shade and rich autumn colour. A cypress woodland opens to a dam with abundant bird life and water lilies and crowned by a curving forty metre rose arbour. The house is surrounded by wide cottage-style beds, mature shrubs, raised parterre-style veggie beds and large plantings of unusual perennials. Combine it with a visit to nearby Lavender Hill open garden as well as scenic London Bridge Arch.
Supported charity: Burra Rural Fire Brigade.
2024 Woowoolahra Garden Notes are available.
https://www.facebook.com/burraopengarden/
DIRECTIONS
From Queanbeyan travel south 14km on Old Cooma Rd. Left into Burra Rd and travel 8 km to London Bridge Rd. Garden is on corner.
From Canberra go south on Monaro Hwy, left at Old Cooma Road and travel 8 km to turn right into Burra Rd, then travel 8 km to London Bridge Rd. Garden is on corner.

Delicious lunch menu will include soup, curry, moussaka, pot pie, pasta, etc.
Some areas may not be accessible to wheelchairs if ground is soft from rain.

The Wright Place
2024-05-04 10:00 - 2024-05-05 16:00 | The Wright Place, 58 Faithfull Circuit,, Kambah, ACT, 2902, Australia
Work commenced on this almost 1000 square metre property in April 1975 and has continued unabated since, with many changes over the intervening years.
The front garden consists of four terraces with the bottom terrace featuring a gabion wall and the top terrace strongly influenced by the owners travels in Asia. Of particular note are the Torii gate, spill bowl and 15 Japanese maples of different varieties, which turn to splendid reds and oranges in autumn.
The enclosed private back garden consists of a series of outdoor rooms – a back deck off the house with spa; an entertainment area off the guest studio; lawn area, with dry stone creek and green walls; a Mediterranean style courtyard; a Silver Birch forest; and a Fernery. There are over 200 containers of plants around the property, 92 trees and 7 water features, amongst other items of interest.
The whole property is supported by a drip irrigation system with 5 water tanks (13,500 litres)
Supported charity: Lions (The little pantry, emergency food relief)
Wright Place 2024 Garden Notes are available.

Steepish Sloping Driveway. Not all areas are accessible to wheelchairs.

An Enchanted Garden
2024-05-04 10:00 - 2024-05-05 16:00 | An Enchanted Garden, 4 Paull Place, Kambah, ACT, 2902, Australia
Adults and children alike will be enchanted by this delightful garden. The owner, a successful potter and mosaicker, as well as a skilled gardener, has created a garden with surprises and beauty at every turn. This no-lawn and waterwise garden, which has evolved over more than twenty years, combines both natives and exotics to pleasing effect.
Demonstrations of basketry and string bag making on Saturday between 2pm and 4pm.
Enchanted Garden Notes 2024 are available.

No dogs please.
Narrow paths make this garden unsuitable for prams. Good vistas of the garden, mosaics and sculptures are possible for wheelchair users approaching the garden through the garage.
Public toilet in park cnr Drakeford & O’Halloran.
PARKING: Please park on McKillop (or other nearby) Street. Drop off and pick up only outside of house.
Supported charity: St Vincent de Paul

My Place
2024-09-28 10:00 - 2024-09-29 16:00 | My Place, 44 Brookman Street, Torrens, ACT, 2617, Australia
In the front garden a varied display of well-maintained spring flowering shrubs frame a broad 180 degree view which includes Isaacs Ridge, Black Mountain and Mt Taylor. Over time the owner has established and shaped the beds and shrubs which include a range of azaleas, a large flowering crab apple, a special rose and other roses and a stunning weeping cherry. The back garden comprises a very large cobblestone paved open space area framed by a wisteria covered pergola next to the house. The garden is surrounded and sheltered by a broad, informal hedge of photinias and many different types of pittosporums, with tall shrubs and small trees on the property perimeter which provide privacy and windbreaks. Other features of this ‘peoples’ garden include two large Chinese Pistachio trees, various potted annuals and camellias, a small water feature, a couple of bird baths and a clear direct view west to Mt Taylor. A screened off production and service area includes a large productive vegetable garden including raspberry and asparagus beds, herbs and composting facilities.
My Place Garden Notes

Dogs not permitted.
The nearest public toilets to My Place are at Southlands Mawson.
Supported charity: The Hospital Research Foundation Group Parkinson’s

Cuumbeun
2024-09-28 10:00 - 2024-09-29 16:00 | Cuumbeun, 24 Severne St, Greenleigh, Queanbeyan, NSW, 2620, Australia
Over forty years the owners have created a spectacular natural landscaped native garden around the house and maintained the remainder of the two-hectare block as an open dry native eucalypt forest. The plantings are predominantly local species, and many are threatened. A nursery of propagated plants and a worm farm are of special interest. Cleared meandering paths enable access to the garden and the bushland.
Propagation demonstrations at 11am and 2pm.
The garden is not wheelchair accessible, but there is disabled parking for 2 vehicles on site.
CUUMBEUN Garden Notes SPRING 2024

Supported charity: Home in Queanbeyan

My Therapy
2024-10-05 10:00 - 2024-10-06 16:00 | My Therapy, 13 Geerilong Gardens, Reid, ACT, 2612
The visitor’s first experience is the street scape of large trees and the broad front bed of native shrubs and
groundcovers on a dry creek line on this large corner block. Visitors may inspect an enclosed Japanese style formal garden at the front of the 1930s house which was renovated around 1970.
Circling the house, visitors will discover a very large wisteria, planted in 1970s covering an entertainment area and large water features. The contrasting back garden is a large central grassed area, with shrubs and trees providing privacy and shade on the margins. Features here include a huge Chinese elm, Ulmus parvifolia, a large Olive tree, mixed shrub/groundcover beds, production beds, water tanks and composting area.

My Therapy Garden Notes

Supported charity: Australian Conservation Foundation

Hillside
2024-10-12 10:00 - 2024-10-13 16:00 | Hillside, 49 Sullivan Cres., Wanniassa, ACT, 2903
Visitors will enjoy garden beds jam-packed with an enormous range of native and exotic shrubs happily blended together, many of them rare or unusual. The fan-shaped 1,200 sq metre hillside block slopes steeply south and offers expansive views of the Tuggeranong Valley and ranges beyond. The slope lends itself to terracing and interesting use of its varying levels, with meandering pathways, stairs, stone retaining walls and a bubbling pond. The owners have spent over 30 years modifying and extending the original 1980 garden, converting all lawns into plant beds along the way. Their aim is to have something interesting happening year round, although mid-spring is definitely one of the peak times, featuring Correas, Rhododendrons, Cliveas, Emu Bushes, Alyogynes, true Geraniums and an enormous Grass Tree – to name but a few. A feast for any plant lover!
We will have for sale many plants from our garden, raised from cuttings and seedlings. Cash only.
We hope you enjoy the unusual plants and be inspired to try some yourselves.

Supported Charity: Medecins Sans Frontieres
Hillside 2024 Garden Notes

Notes:
There is plenty of parking on the road. Access to prams is limited. Access to wheelchairs is limited to the front areas only. The closest toilets are at Erindale Shopping Centre, 4 mins away. There is a small pond with a sleeper bridge. There are a few fairly steep, 5-7 step flights of steps. Ramp alternatives are usually available.

BeaverLea
2024-10-12 10:00 - 2024-10-13 16:00 | BeaverLea, 19 Astelia St, Rivett, Canberra, ACT, 2611, Australia
This cottage style garden started in March 2013 with the installation of a three-tiered fountain in front of the outdoor room, and the garden proceeded from there. There are three loosely divided rooms from the entry, a European style area which moves into a large lawn area, surrounded by crepe myrtles and two raised vegetable gardens. Around the side of the house, through an enclosed courtyard one enters the front garden facing the oval. All the plantings come from an eclectic taste of flowers and trees which the owner could not resist and indulged herself on whimsical impulse. The owner considers the front her “Arboreal Cathedral” which, more or less, came with the house.
BeaverLea and the adjacent garden Narrawong will open together on the same $10 ticket.

Beaverlea Garden-Notes
Supported Charity: Sharing Places

Narrawong
2024-10-12 10:00 - 2024-10-13 16:00 | Narrawong, 17 Astelia St, Rivett, Canberra, ACT, 2611, Australia
Narrawong is a mix of formal and cottage garden styles. It has been designed to make the most of a small area, after the existing garden was almost completely removed when the house was renovated and extended twelve years ago. There are repeat plantings of camellias, osmanthas, magnolias, jasmine, rosemary, lavender and a pittostrum hedge. There is a variety of cottage plants including some unusual perennials. Azaleas and rhododendrons provide a splash of colour in Spring. Large mature tree provides a backdrop with Nimmitabel stone walls encircling garden beds and lawns.
Narrawong and the adjacent garden BeaverLea will open together on the same $10 ticket.

Narrawong Garden Notes

Refreshments will be available from the Brindabella Lions Club.

Fairview
2024-10-26 10:00 - 2024-10-27 16:00 | Fairview, 71 Euree Street, Reid, ACT, 2612
Fairview is a professionally landscaped garden planned by its qualified horticulturalist and landscape architect owner to complement and highlight the 1927 heritage cottage. There are water features and a varied and intriguing range of garden rooms with layers and textures created by the plants, many featuring art installations and sculptures, including Japanese elements. The heritage cottage will also be opened to garden visitors, allowing views to each of the outside garden rooms.
The heritage house and the general location in Reid is a further drawcard and many visitors may like to take the opportunity to walk around the area.
Fairview Garden Notes

Notes: There is plenty of parking in the street and opposite at the oval. There are seats. Public toilets are located nearby at the oval (check opening hours). There is a circular route with a step. Accessibility issues can be addressed by progressing along the path to the step and returning the same way. There is a lap pool and a pond.

Dhulwa
2024-11-23 10:00 - 2024-11-24 16:00 | Dhulwa, 5 Boyce Place, Chifley, ACT, 2606, Australia
Visitors’ first experience is a front garden of mature banksias, wattles and other native shrubs, which nicely merge with the neighbouring garden and attract a number of native birds including gang gang and yellow tailed cockatoos and nesting wattle birds. The stonework lined paths takes one on a journey around the house through a series of quiet sanctuaries including a meditation garden. These are immersed in the shade of large Melia, Pear and ash trees and surrounded with planted beds with many shrubs and groundcovers including Correas, Hakeas, Poas, Xanthorrhoea and lomandras and a selection of Japanese maples.
There are opportunities to quietly relax and to take in the gardens, the poultry run on the margin, art pieces and the adjacent Mount Taylor Nature Reserve.
We’ve chosen to support OzHarvest for our Open Garden fundraising. OzHarvest collects quality, excess food from supermarkets, retailers and corporate kitchens and other commercial outlets and delivers to charitable agencies, feeding vulnerable people across Australia. You can support our fundraising by paying your entry fee, buying a cup of fresh lemonade, or donating to participate in our raffle guessing game: How many pieces of plastic and junk did we find in our mulch this year?” Getting close could win you a $100 Cool Country Natives gift voucher!

Supported charity: Oz Harvest

Teachers' Rest
2024-11-23 10:00 - 2024-11-24 16:00 | Teacher’s Rest, Palmerston, ACT, 2913, Australia
The key to this cottage style garden which surrounds the house, is the large number and variety of roses on beds, walls and trellises. The rose displays are complemented with a wide selection of perennial beds, shrubs and small trees such as maples, magnolias, ginghos and crepe myrtles, most of which have been planted in the last five years.
The garden frames the back deck, the shelter and hidden courtyards, which all provide comfort and vantage points and hold pieces of art. There is also a surprising variety of fruit and vegetables and service area scattered throughout the rear garden.
The garden owner will be offering homemade jam and art work for sale – including greeting cards, bookmarks and paintings (framed and unframed). Cash is preferred for smaller items but digital payment will be available.
Teachers’ Rest Garden Notes 2024

Supported charity: TBC

Cook Community Garden
2025-03-29 10:00 - 2025-03-30 14:00 | Cook Community Garden, Bindubi St, Cook, ACT, 2614
The Cook Community Garden, established in 2001, is situated at the southern end of Bindubi St. The 5000sqm garden is leased by Canberra Organic Growers Society Inc from the ACT Government. Currently the garden has 46 very active gardeners of all ages and backgrounds working 55 allotment style plots ranging in size between 50 and 15sqm. The garden is always on the lookout for keen gardeners to join and embrace organic growing principles, especially the younger generation. There is an off street carpark adjacent to the garden. The nearest toilets are located at Cook shops. Entry is free.
Program of activities, both Saturday and Sunday:
10.30am: Getting started with Beekeeping
11.00am: Garden Tour featuring Q & A with selected gardeners showcasing their garden plots. Topics include growing dahlias, success with cucumbers, starting a garden, growing artichokes, no dig gardening and gardening the COGS way.
11.30am –1.00pm: Sausage Sizzle (gold coin donation).
Note: this garden is open 10am – 2pm. Look out for the Open Gardens signs.

Whitlam Climate-Wise Garden
2025-03-29 10:00 - 2025-03-30 16:00 | Whitlam Climate-Wise Garden, 3 Klaus Moje St, Whitlam, ACT, 2611
With hot summers and cold winters, Canberra’s seasonal conditions affect how plants grow. Gardens also need to be resilient as climate change brings more extreme weather events. Choosing the right plants for Canberra’s climate and soil is key to building a climate-wise garden that will thrive now and into the future. Suburban Land Agency’s (SLA) Innovation Precinct in Whitlam has a thriving climate-wise garden, planted in 2022 and showcasing resilient garden design. The garden has been designed with its natural context in mind- supporting local plants and wildlife while thriving in the local weather conditions across all four seasons. The garden was designed by Place Logic as part of SLA’s Innovation Precinct, a place for demonstrating sustainable homes and gardens to inspire more sustainable living. The plants chosen for the garden were selected from the SLA’s Climate Wise Garden Designs booklet, a key resource for residents in new suburbs and available to visitors on the day for free.
Over the weekend pop in to explore the garden and talk to people who work with the garden, visit the Whitlam Community Garden nearby and enjoy coffee and live music at the adjacent Heartbeat Café (open 8.30am to 3pm). There is a large carpark in front of the café. Entry is free.
Program Highlights
10am-12pm both days: chat with site gardener Mike Nicholls about the garden. He will lead two half-hour tours commencing at 10.30am and 11.30am.
1pm-3pm both days: live music at the Heartbeat Café: Saturday features Will & Annie and Sunday a gypsy jazz group, Black Owl Quartet.

Tea Gardens
2025-04-12 10:00 - 2025-04-13 16:00 | Tea Gardens, 10 Yirawala St, Ngunnawal, ACT, 2913
Tea Gardens Homestead, dating back to the 1860s, is one of Canberra’s oldest residential homes, located on a peaceful half acre block, overlooking the 4th hole of Gungahlin Lakes Golf Club. Since 2021 the garden has been completely transformed from a steep sloping block suffering from drought and overgrown with periwinkle, to a beautiful blend of cottage, native, traditional and productive styles. It perfectly complements the homestead’s historic charm. ‘The Vineyard’ was established in July 2024. The front garden development has been ongoing since the property was purchased in 2020. They are highlights of this truly inspiring garden.
There will be a sausage sizzle for lunch and scones for afternoon tea, along with games for children.
Notes: The nearest public toilets are at Casey shopping centre, 1.9km away. There are a lot of stairs at the back section of the garden, but the garden can be viewed from the top.
NOTE: On Sunday the 13 April there will be a number of road closures in and around the City Centre and its tributary roads. This is due to the Canberra Marathon. Please find a map of the road closures and alternate routes here.
Garden Notes

Supported charity: Children’s Cancer Institute

Merryway
2025-04-12 10:00 - 2025-04-13 16:00 | Merryway, 51 Euree St, Reid, ACT, 2612
Located at the centre of Reid, this well-established garden is enclosed by a curved camellia ‘Yuletide’ hedge. Behind it is a lawn area with leafy borders featuring a variety of maples. In the back garden a formal area near the house features hedges and clipped balls, along with fruit and flowering trees and a small vegetable garden. Autumn brings scarlet tones to the large vine-coloured pergola while in a secluded corner an enormous old fig tree stands proud. At the rear the garden takes on a wilder aspect with bulbs and groundcovers sheltering beneath birch trees. Over time the garden has been adapted to change with family needs, maturing plants and the climate.
Notes: Street parking is available. The nearest toilets are at Campbell shops or in the city. A plant sale will be held by First Canberra Garden Club. It is largely accessible to prams. Wheelchair access is limited but it is suitable for walking frames.
NOTE: On Sunday the 13 April there will be a number of road closures in and around the City Centre and its tributary roads. This is due to the Canberra Marathon. Please find a map of the road closures and alternate routes here.
Merryway Garden Notes
Merryway Plant List

Supported Charity – St John’s Care, Reid

Woodbury Garden
2025-05-03 10:00 - 2025-05-04 16:00 | Woodbury Garden, 1048 Old Cooma Rd, Googong, NSW, 2620
A garden not to be missed. Set in rolling countryside, this beautifully designed and maintained 40 year old garden comprises sweeping beds of interesting and unusual Australian native plants and trees, including Gymea Lily, Angophora, banksias, kangaroo paws, grafted Grevilleas, Lomatias, unusual Hakeas and so much more. You will also find an exotic plant section, extensive rock retaining banks, a dam, ponds with fountains, and an attractive bog garden with a winding wooden walkway and massed with pretty native violet. Productive garden buffs will also enjoy an amazing fully-enclosed orchard full of berries and espaliered fruit trees, a separate large set of raised rabbit-resistant vegetable beds and a sheltered circular garden for cut flowers, roses and citrus. Refreshments and food will be available and there are places to sit and relax if you want to bring your own picnic. There is also a toilet on site.
Directions:
From Queanbeyan travel south 11km on Old Cooma Rd. The property is on the right just past corner of Fernleigh Drive.
From Canberra go south on Monaro Hwy, left at Old Cooma Road and travel north 10 km towards Googong. Property is on the left just before the corner of Fernleigh Drive.
Parking: There are parking spaces at the house for people with disabilities. There is plenty of parking in the paddock and verges. Signs will be displayed.
Plant Sale: There will be plants for sale
Woodbury Garden Notes and Map

Charity: CWA Queanbeyan
