Event | Open Day at Wombat Park in Daylesford

March 20, 2021
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Wombat Park Daylesford Open Day

A rare opportunity to view one of Australia’s most impressive and historic private gardens. Experience the vivid autumn colour, historic plantings, National Trust Register listed trees and the sweeping scale of the Sangster and Taylor designed Wombat Park. All proceeds from the opening will support the restoration of the historic fern gully and cascade at Wombat Hill Botanic Gardens in Daylesford.

The story of Wombat Park begins in 1854 when grazier William Stanbridge built a modest, timber homestead and began planting a magnificent garden. His collection of exotic trees was to be described as ‘superior to any that can be seen in any private or public garden in Victoria.’ (Daylesford Advocate 26th May, 1885). The extensive and varied garden is one of the jewels in the crown of Victoria’s garden heritage.

At the turn of the twentieth century, Stanbridge’s daughter and her husband built a splendid Arts and Crafts style house and created, with Taylor and Sangster, what has become known as the ‘new garden.’

The long elm avenue dates from this time, as does the famous crenellated, tapestry hedge the largest and oldest in the country. These are both listed on the National Trust Register of Significant Trees, as are many other trees at Wombat Park.

The pleasures of English style country life are emulated with a the croquet lawn, a ‘deciduous forest’ and meandering pathways that link the gardens and the farm.

The Mackenzie family took on a wild and beautiful place in 1996. Since then, Isabel Mackenzie, with gardener Stewart Henderson, has overseen the steady restoration of the structure of the whole garden.

This family garden is only occasionally open to the public.

Join Friends of Wombat Hill Botanic Gardens for a delightful day in the country with delicious home made cakes, tea, gourmet BBQ, wine, coffee and a superb range of plants from Lambley Nursery.

Date: Saturday April 21, 2021 and Sunday April 22, 2012, 10am - 4pm

Address: Midland Highway, Daylesford - 2 km from Vincent street. Take the Midland Highway in the direction of Castlemaine, 600 metres on the left past the Trentham turnoff (Farmer’s Arms Hotel) on the edge of town and 500 hundred metres before the Glenlyon - Malmsbury turnoff. If coming from Trentham - Woodend turn right at the Farmer’s Arms Hotel. If coming from Glenlyon - Malmsbury 500 metres on the right after joining the Midland Highway (Melway Reference X909:C9).

Tickets: At the gate - $10 (Children under 12 FREE)

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