Open Gardens (old)
Autumn 2024 - Open Gardens
Proudly sponsored by Chestnut Tree Holiday Units
Look for ‘Open Garden’ signs
Nine wonderful gardens are on display. Enjoy their splendid autumn colours and be inspired by their diverse styles and designs. Some gardens are long established, others only a few years in the making. You will find a range of exotic and rare trees, ornamental plantings, plus gardens directed towards sustainable food sources. There are formal gardens, wild gardens, and farm gardens. Meet the gardeners; learn about their methods, plantings and ideas.
For opening times of the Open Gardens, see the 2024 Program in the top menu.
2. Elm Haven
Christine
13 Railway Avenue, Bright. Next to the Bright Museum. View Map.
Ph: 0407 511 360
Entry: $3 per person. Proceeds go to ECSA Dog Rescue
Private town garden, framed by heritage listed 100 year old trees. This much loved garden
allows you to wander through its collection of traditional and cottage plants and trees. An
assortment of unusual, crafted garden art enhances the garden. The home sits
harmoniously within the 1/2 acre site, allowing you to wander throughout.
3. Chestnut Tree Holiday Units
Tracy and Peter
154 Delany Avenue, Bright. View map.
Entry: Gold coin donation. Proceeds go to Bright Autumn Festival
Open: Daily 10am – 4pm
Three acres of landscaped gardens, rock walls, hedges, Standard Roses, Dogwoods, Maples, Mt Fuji Weeping Cherries, Catalpas, Weeping Elms and Mulberries.
4. Chalets Lumineux
Julie
414 Back Porepunkah Road, Bright. View Map.
Ph: 5750 1700
Entry: Gold coin donation. Proceeds to “Save the Bees”
A beautiful, mature woodland garden, a variety of Arbre, lovely setting to lose yourself in. Colourful oaks, liquidambar, silver birch, azaleas, camellias and much more. Plenty of parking and seating.
5. Nightingale Bros Alpine Apples Garden
Keith and Marianne
708 Morses Creek Road, Wandiligong. View map.
Ph: 5755 1318
Entry: Free
Open: Daily – 9am to 5pm
We have many varieties of roses: standards bush and weeping. Rhododendrons, beautiful Azaleas and Hydrangeas. A variety of Conifers, Poplars, Maples and Dogwoods, including many Acers.
6. The Twisted Peppermint
Glen and Andrea
15 Higgs Lane, Wandiligong. View map.
Ph: 0419 200 688
Entry: Gold coin donation. Proceeds go to Four Kids and Carers Future Foundation.
Located in the beautiful valley of Wandiligong, you will find a true gardeners’ garden belonging to Glenn and Andrea Jordan. The garden has been a work in progress over many years and continues to slowly evolve over time. It includes a diverse range of both exotic and native plants suited to the four seasons of the area.
7. Bright Memorial Arboretum
Mountbatten Ave, Bright View map.
Entry: Free
Open: Daily 8am to 5pm
A wide variety of trees planted in a large park in memorial to two firefighters killed in a helicopter accident in 1978. This park is completely fenced, making it a perfect place to let the dog run free. New park benches have also been installed for those more contemplative.
8. Tiffany's Cottages
Amanda
30 Coronation Ave, Bright (enter off Ballroom Court). View map.Entry:
Ph: 0404 079 617
$2 per adult. Proceeds go to Kidney Health Australia
Tiffany’s is set on over half an acre of lush garden and was the built
for Edward Hunter in 1892, the Mine Manager of Pioneer Gold Mine.
The garden design has English, Asian and Australian themed areas to enjoy. Tiffany’s has a large range of ornamental trees and the beautiful Autumn leaves will be on display. The garden design is based on Edna Walling’s rooms in a garden.
9. Alpine Perennials Nursery
Open: Daily – 9:30am to 4pm.
Alpine Perennials Nursery at Harrietville are specialist growers of beautiful flowering plants and shrubs. Since opening in September 2021, the nursery has experienced great support from locals and tourists. The majority of Alpine Perennials plants are grown on-site and are acclimatised to the conditions of the Alpine region. Craig and Julie Hulbert bring many years of horticultural expertise to the region with their extensive background in the nursery and landscaping industry.
10. Shadybrook Cottages
John and Anne
20 Mountain View Walk, Harrietville. View map.
Ph: 0438 050 475
Entry: $5 per adult Proceeds to local charities.
Complimentary Tea/Coffee provided on walk.
Open: Daily – 10am to 4pm.
A spectacular 14-acre garden of which over 5 acres are landscaped, bounded by Ovens River and a mountain backdrop of natural forest. The Garden is only 20 years old but its micro environment has accelerated maturity. Exotic trees include Maples, Oaks, Magnolias, Dogwoods, Birches and Conifers, many of which are rare. Along the mountain edge and throughout the garden are hundreds of Camellias, Viburnums, Rhododendrons, Azaleas and Australian native plants. Hydrngeas add magnificent colour in protected shady areas. Amble along the tracks and enjoy the prolific bird life. The water features and vegetable garden add another dimension.
11. The Golden Assayer's Garden
49 Robertson Street, Myrtleford (cnr MacFaydens Lane). View map.
Ph: 0421 520 392
Entry: $4 per adult. Proceeds go to Riding Develops Ability
This historic property and land previously featured an entrance to Reform gold mine in the 1800’s. Thoughtfully landscaped to balance old world charm with naturalistic planting – designed to attract birds, bees and insects. Indigenous plants, trees, flowers, fruit and nut trees, and vegetables are grown for enjoyment of humans and kangaroos!
