Open Gardens Victoria is celebrating its tenth anniversary by inviting you to a hand-picked selection of off-the-radar landscapes — from Emerald’s dramatic two-acre cactus garden and sweeping hilltop views at Telopea to the airy wildflower paddocks and hydrangea-lined pool garden at Little Steading on the Mornington Peninsula. This September, these exclusive gardens (that normally stay hidden behind private gates) will welcome visitors for just one magical weekend each.
This year’s lineup takes you from the coastal backroads of the Bellarine Peninsula to the rolling hills of the Macedon Ranges, with each property offering a unique horticultural escape. Visitors can expect self-guided tours, expert talks, plant sales and the odd food truck or coffee cart — perfect for picnics on the lawn, photo ops in golden light and time to linger with fellow plant lovers.
In Banyule, Farm Raiser & Bellfield Community Garden turns urban plots into a celebration of sustainability, complete with veggie patches, pizza ovens and pop-up workshops. Over in the Yarra Valley, Ridgefield’s 500-strong rose collection and on-site perfumery create a fragrant haven, while Bentwood’s handmade rock walls and flower paddocks offer panoramic views of the Kinglake Ranges.
Little Steading on the Mornington Peninsula brings hydrangea-lined pool gardens and wildflower meadows to life, and Gherang Gardenalia in the Surf Coast Hinterland pairs native plantings with salvaged garden art — plus CWA-fresh scones.
These special openings are part of Open Gardens Victoria’s tenth anniversary, with a handful of crowd-favourite gardens from the festival’s early days also returning for one-time-only visits. Every ticket sold supports community grants and mental-health initiatives across the state; once each garden’s weekend passes, the gates close again — so don’t miss your opportunity to explore these hidden landscapes.
Check out the full Open Gardens Victoria lineup and start planning your spring weekends.
Images: supplied by Open Gardens Victoria
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