Cool-Climate Gardens in the Blue Mountains & Southern Highlands in Autumn

Savour the autumnal colours and cool-climate gardens on show throughout the Blue Mountains and Southern Highlands. We visit private gardens and National Trust properties, as well as the Tuscan-inspired Guestlands. Then wander the grounds of Mayfield Garden, the largest privately owned, cool-climate garden in Australia. See the former home and studio of Norman Lindsay and sit down to lunch with Mickey Robertson at Glenmore House.

Itinerary

Day 1: Sydney, Hills District Private Gardens – Guestlands & Uralla, Windsor and Hawkesbury Valley

Depart the Sydney hotel for Dural in Sydney’s Hills District. Here you will visit the exclusive private garden of Olde Savannah, before visiting the Tuscan-inspired private garden, Guestlands. We will also visit the private garden of Uralla, inspired by French and English country gardens. Continue to the historic town of Windsor, founded in 1794, before arriving at our hotel for a Welcome Dinner.

Day 2: Woodgreen Garden, Mt Tomah Botanic Garden, Nooroo Private Garden and Katoomba

Travel to Bilpin, where we visit Woodgreen, the garden of Peta Trahar. This two-acre perennial garden has been intensely planted and is beautiful in all seasons. Continue to Wildwood Garden, with its glorious collection of cool climate plants in a natural woodland. Following lunch in this beautiful setting, we visit the Mt Tomah Botanic Garden, located on the boundary of the World Heritage-listed Greater Blue Mountains area. Afterwards, visit the beautiful private garden of Nooroo, which showcases plant and flower species from around the world, as well as Australian native plants.  

Day 3: Hartley, Gory’u Japanese Garden and Highfield Garden

Today we travel to the historic township of Hartley, a well-preserved town featuring colonial-era buildings, including the Greek-Revival-styled courthouse, which once tried bushrangers, convicts and cattle thieves. Here we visit some beautiful cool-climate gardens, including Gory’u Japanese Gardens, which showcases Japanese maples and conifers. Next, we visit Highfield Gardens, the newest creation by David Kennedy, who is also the creator of Clover Hill Garden. In its short life, Highfield has already captured the horticultural world’s attention, and is featured in Claire Takacs’ book Australian Dreamscapes, also appearing on its front cover. 

Day 4: Mayfield Garden and Gairloch Garden

Today, visit Mayfield Garden, the largest privately owned, cool-climate garden in Australia. Spanning 39 acres, the garden has an array of features to explore, including the water garden, with its Impressionist-influenced water lilies; while also having one of the largest collections of maple trees and shrubs in Australia. Spend time exploring the garden during its annual Autumn Festival, when the garden is alive with red, orange and yellow autumnal colours. We also visit the garden of Gairloch. 

Day 5: Blue Mountains Sightseeing and Gardens – Leura, Tea Pot Museum and Scenic World

This morning, visit another beautiful perennial garden, then enjoy some free time in Leura to discover its quaint village setting and boutique stores. Enjoy high tea at the charming Tea Pot Museum before a visit to the spectacular Scenic World to enjoy incredible views of the temperate rainforest. 

Day 6: Norman Lindsay Gallery, Bowral and Retford Park

Depart the Blue Mountains for the Southern Highlands today. Visit the former home of one of Australia’s most iconic artists, writers and personalities, Norman Lindsay. View his famous paintings and see his sculptural works set among the sprawling garden. See where the characters of the children’s classic The Magic Pudding were created. We then continue to Bowral’s Retford Park, owned by the Fairfax family for more than 50 years. This is where they played host to notable visitors, including members of the British and European royal families. The property includes an arboretum of evergreen and deciduous trees, some both rare and unique. Hedged gardens and a detailed knot garden are also featured. 

Day 7: Southern Highlands Gardens including Greenbrier Park

Enjoy some beautiful private gardens today, including Upper Woodlands. Described as a ‘stroll garden’, it has many features, including ponds and vistas. We then finish the day with a Farewell Dinner at our hotel. 

Day 8: Glenmore House Private Garden, The Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan and Sydney

Depart Bowral for the private garden of Mickey Robertson, Glenmore House. After Mickey and her husband, Larry, purchased the original farmhouse, they gradually restored and extended it, with the various outbuildings repurposed to fit in with the gardens. We then visit The Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan, which boasts almost 900 acres of natural woodland and stunning gardens. As the Australian native plant garden of the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney, it is also home to the Connections Garden, regarded as the premier garden in the state. Later, return to Sydney for your onward journey.