Open gardens - Victoria - Australia
 Garden Stays
Australian gardens open for you
Here you will find some of Victoria's hidden treasures - Gardens of high quality where you can stay and get to know the gardener behind the garden.
Victoria - The Garden State of Australia


1.  Katandra Gardens - Wandin - Yarra Valley & Dandenongs
The Owners:      Bob & Dot O'Neill,
                      49 Hunter Road, Wandin, Victoria, Australia.     Ph: +61 3 5964 4523
Website:  http://www.katandragardens.com.au          Contact the Owners
The Accommodation:  We are a bed and breakfast which likes to provide the little extras to make our guests stay very special to them.  
Our cottages are set amidst the gardens and from them you have extensive views out over the gardens, our small environmental lake, the Yarra Valley and to the distant Ranges. The cottages are one bedroom, 4.5 star rated and fully self contained with full kitchen facilities.  In the lounge there is a TV, video player, CD player, cozy gas heating and air conditioning for the cooler nights. Each cottage has a large balcony where guests can sit for breakfast or to relax and enjoy the birds flitting around the gardens. Generous provisions are left in the cottage for a full breakfast each morning. This you can cook at your own leisure.
Our B&B Suite has its own separate lounge-room, TV, video player, CD player, Small bar fridge, microwave, tea/coffee making facilities, a large corner spa in the ensuite, reverse cycle air conditioning, and is also 4.5 star rated.  It is not fully self-contained so we cook a full country-style breakfast which can be served on the patio or inside.
Guests are free to wander our 8 acre gardens or we can give you a guided tour if you wish (or both)
There is a local restaurant a few minutes away by car which we can drive you to if you wish to drink.  We always suggest guests book if they want to go there as it is very popular and gets booked out on a number of weekends.  (Other places to eat are within 10 minutes of our B&B.
The Gardens:   Katandra Gardens is a unique 8 acre landscaped garden  featuring an amazing collection of Australian native plants or wildflowers.  The gardens hold one of Victoria's premier collections of Australian native plants yet also contain a very wide range of exotic plants, and at all times of the year there is something well worth the visit. Larger collections of native plants include banksias, dryandras, grevilleas, correas, hibbertias, prostantheras, acacias. lechenaultias and eucalypts. The property holds the OPPCA collection of Australian correas or "Bush Bells" as some like to call them. Collections of exotics include liliums, paeony plants and bulbs.  Larger magnolias, camellias and fruit trees blend in, as do the smaller cottage plants.  This special garden holds "Land for Wildlife" status, has gently sloping grass pathways, a large ornamental lake with an island, extensive Yarra Valley views, garden ponds, a gazebo, garden seating, a fernery, a newly developing rainforest and prolific birdlife. It has been twice featured on “Gardening Australia.”
Our gardens are on a very gentle slope and are easy for walking.   
We provide personalised guided tours, explaining its history, development of the garden, some of our collections, the scents of plants, the reason we have grown such a large number of Australian wildflowers and our method of mulching to preserve water and control weeds.  You will see the blending of Australian wildflowers and non-Australian (exotic) plants, plants that encourage bird life, plants that have tolerance to dry or wet conditions, replanting of aging sections of the garden as well as well as many water features.  Guests are free to explore for themselves if that is the preference.
Because of the size of the garden allow between one and two hours to see around depending on your level of interest in gardens. For those who cannot walk too far there are very easy walks on concrete paths near the house.  Shade, shelter 
and seating are available if required or desired.  For those keen on bird watching do bring your binoculars.
Nearby Gardens:     National Rhododendron Gardens. Olinda .................................... 15 minutes away    
                                  Tesselaars Tulip Farm (in season - Sept - Oct)  Silvan  ................   6 minutes away
                                  Wandin Water Gardens (in season Summer to Anzac Day) ..........   6 minutes away
                                   Pirianda Gardens - Olinda  ......................................................... 15 minutes away
                                   R.J.Hamer Arboretum - Olinda .................................................. 15 minutes away
                                   George Tindale Gardens - Sherbrooke  ...................................... 15 minutes away
                                   Alfred Nicholas Gardens - Sherbrooke  ..................................... 15 minutes away
                                   Karwarra Australian Plant Garden - Kalorama ........................... 15 minutes away
                                   Singing Gardens of C.J.Dennis - Toolangi ................................... 40 minutes away
                                   Cloudhill - Olinda   .................................................................... 15 minutes away  
                                   Warratina Lavender Farm - Wandin ...........................................   3 minutes away
                                   The Big Bouquet - Healesville  (Gerbera Farm) .........................  25 minutes away
Nearest Nurseries:   Kuranga Native Nursery, York Road, Mt Evelyn  .....................    9 minutes away
                                   Wandin Valley Nursery, Warburton Highway, Wandin ................  5 minutes away


2.  Janalli - Neerim South - West Gippsland
The Owners:       Alan & Phillipa Beeson,
                               285 Wagners Road, Neerim South, Victoria, Australia.  Ph:  +61 3 5628 1476                                         
The Accommodation:  Three separate In-house suites available.
The Gardens:  Janalli is a 10 acre multicultural garden consisting of a series of distinct multicultural garden consisting of a series of distinct areas with each area representing the gardens of one of the major cultures that have contributed to the Australia of today. From the more formal and stylised Italian Garden, to the light dappled effects of the English Wood and the Maple Corner to the spiritual stillness of the Japanese Garden, through to the free and wild Australian Bush Foods Garden and the flowering Australian native garden, the different areas of the garden work successfully in creating a harmonious montage and provide a pleasurable journey of discovery.  As you meander on this journey through the gardens, enjoy the visual delight of a 60m rose arbour, the two lakes stocked with trout, the hazel nut walk underplanted with hellebores, the bountiful Potager and the French parterre. 


3.  Bringalbit - Kyneton - Macedon Ranges & Spa Country
The Owners:       Sue & Tom Fox,
                               512 Sidonia Road, Sidonia via Kyneton, Victoria, Australia.  Ph:  +61 3 5423 7223                                   
The Accommodation: 
Family Guest Suite - 1 bedroom with king-size bed, ensuite, tea/coffee making facilities also other bedroom with 2 single beds.
Double Room - Queen-sized bed and own bathroom.
Self Catering Accommodation: Woolshed Hill House - 4 bedrooms, 3 bathroom cottage with own private garden - Sleeps 2 families or 4 couples. All lined provided. Fully equipped kitchen, TV, video, laundry, Children's toys and books
Surrounded by 164 ha (410 acre) of farmland.
The Gardens:
<>A secluded 4 ha (10 acre) garden with its roots literally in the 19th century, so that first and lasting impressions are of scale, maturity and space.  Quarried on the property, lichen-covered granite and mellow honey-coloured stone has been used in garden walls, steps, terracing, creek fords, and lake spillway.
Rich heritage of mature conifers and oaks in an English park-like setting, complete with lake, forming a tranquil backdrop for more recent and colourful plantings.  A stunning crab-apple walk rises from a 50 metre perennial double border where gentle shades of mauve, white and pink spring blooms magically give way to the summer blazing white and blue agapanthus, lemon evening primrose and red hot pokers.  A sun-loving area of garden features many silver-foliaged Mediterranean plants that provide on-going definition to a nearby 60 metre Quince Walk that delights in spring and autumn.
The Parkland and Gardens at Bringalbit are open daily 10am - 5pm.



4.  Muranna - Merricks North - Mornington Peninsula
The Owners:       Dizzy & Norman Carlyon
                            52 Tubbarubba Road, Merricks North, Victoria, Australia.  Ph: +61 3 5989 7499
The Accommodation: 
Guest House:  2 Queen size double rooms, one with en suite  and dressing room.  2 twin rooms, BI robes, second bathroom and separate toilet.   Large kitchen with stove,microwave & all electrical appliances, dining area, air conditioned.  Sitting room with wood burning heater, TV,VCR,DVD,CD, games, books.  Secluded and private with own garden setting and gas BBQ.  Covered car port and covered verandah.  Fresh flowers in every room.
Sato Cottage: 1 king size double room, 1 twin room, 1 bathroom (shower only), separate toilet.  Living area, dining/kitchen, hotplates, microwave & all electrical appliances.  Air conditioning and heating.   TV, VCR,CD,games, books.  Secluded and private with own garden setting and gas BBQ.  Fresh flowers in every room.
 The Garden:   "The skilful and subtle design of this private garden never fails to inspire visitors." A garden for all seasons - 5 acres of distinctly different rooms flow freely from one to the other, blending into the surrounding countryside. A secret walled garden, rose walk, water lilies and lazy fish in the pond, wisteria walk, herbaceous border, and kitchen garden brimming with 180 varieties of herbs. Comfortable garden pavilion, disabled facilities, refreshments and wide range of plants for sale.
 There are several large water features, raised beds which house over 180 varieties of herbs and vegetables and the wide gravelled paths which enable everybody to fully enjoy their visit.
The garden, open all year round by appointment, with its comfortable, fully equipped Pavilion, is available for hire. It’s a popular versatile venue for groups wanting privacy, peace and the joy of a beautiful garden setting.
Open : All year except July. Please call first.



5.  Wartook Gardens - Wartook - The Grampians
The Owners:       Jeanne & Royce Raleigh,
                               RMB 7372, Mt Victory Road, Wartook, Victoria, Australia.  Ph:  +61 3 5383 6200                                 
The Accommodation:  Traditional hosted bed and breakfast with solar heated saltwater pool and set on 70 acres. Enjoy a hearty breakfast and dinner by arrangement.
The Gardens: A delightful 5 acre country haven containing approximately 1,000 species of Australian Plants, which includes the Ornamental Plant Collections Association (OPCA) official Victoria Hakea Collection.  Peace and tranquility, clean, fresh, country air, surrounded by mountain views and kangaroos.  Many Acacias, Eucalypts, Grevilleas, Hakeas, Banksias, Dryandras, Dampieras, and representatives of additional genera.
Western Australia is very well represented with Eucalypts, Acacias, Banksias, Dryandras and Dampieras, but there are also many many, plants from Eastern and Central Australia. Parts of the garden are being replanted as older plants die or need to be replaced. As a result of the diversity of flora in the garden, we have already recorded 100-110 bird species. The honey-eaters, rosellas, parrots and lorikeets are the most colorful birds, but the blue and scrub-wrens are the most delightful. Many bird species may be observed at any time of the year.
Part of the garden has been transformed into an exotic garden with many bulbs, irises, 150 roses, aquilegias and other species. This section provides lots of spring color each year.
Nearby Attractions:  The Grampians National Park offering wonderful walks, waterfalls and breathtaking scenery. Explore on foot or by car. With 600km of roads and 160km of walking trails there is plenty to experience.  In close proximity are the magnificent MacKenzie Falls.
Nearby Nurseries:  In the region are a number of nurseries with wide selections of Native Plants.


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