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Senior Staff Writer
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April 22, 2026
While spots like Blackheath and Blue Mountains National Park are a classic choice for autumn foliage, those looking for a less-crowded alternative should head further west to the Central Tablelands. Just a short and scenic drive from Sydney, Mayfield Garden offers an expansive setting, covering 65 hectares of carefully curated grounds. The estate is currently at its peak, with the trees saturated in deep shades of orange, yellow, and crimson. As Australia’s largest cool-climate garden, it is an ideal place to spend a day outdoors before the winter temperatures set in and the leaves fall. Here is everything you need to know to plan your visit.
Things to do in Mayfield Garden in autumn
Image: Shutterstock
The garden is split into two distinct areas: the 15-hectare public garden, which is open year-round, and the 50-hectare Hawkins’ Family Estate, which typically opens for seasonal events. Autumn is the best time to work through the different sections of Mayfield Garden, when the deciduous trees start to turn across the grounds and the air is crisp, perfect for exploring.
Give yourself time to navigate the grounds — there’s a lot to see here, with a variety of trails circling the primary lake. Key structural landmarks include a 13-metre-tall Obelisk, a stone-built waterfall grotto, and an impressive English Box Hedge Maze that serves as a major highlight for most visitors. Further exploration reveals a family chapel and a traditional Chinese Pagoda that overlooks the water, offering a vantage point over the estate’s design. If you are looking for an accessible route, the mobility-friendly Camellia Walk is the best way to wind past the most densely planted and colourful sections of the garden.
You can also visit the on-site Garden Restaurant for a bite, or bring your own food and make use of the open lawns for a picnic. Open for breakfast and lunch, the menu prioritises seasonal, regional produce, often incorporating ingredients harvested directly from the property.
Key features
Image: Destination NSW
Where: Mayfield Garden
Distance from Sydney: Around 2.5–3 hours’ drive west of Sydney
Parking: Ample on-site parking is available at the entrance
Best for: Cool-climate horticulture, structural garden design, and vibrant autumn foliage
Entry fee: Paid entry; buy tickets here
Opening hours: The garden is open 363 days a year, except December 25 and 26, with 9.00am to 4.30pm operating hours (last entry at 3:00 pm)
Best time to visit: Late April to early May for peak autumn colour
Getting there
Mayfield Garden is located around a 2.5 to 3-hour drive from Sydney making it the perfect weekend trip this autumn. The most direct route is via the Blue Mountains along the Great Western Highway, before turning off towards Oberon. If you’re travelling by public transport, the closest station is Bathurst, which is serviced by regular trains from Central. From there, you’ll need to hire a car or arrange a taxi for the final 30-minute leg to the garden. Plan your trip on Transport for NSW.
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