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The White Hat Guide to Some Notable Private Gardens in Melbourne & Victoria

Melbourne and Victoria have some wonderful private gardens. They are often part of people's homes or farms they are thus not generally open to the public. However many have special open days, particularly as part of the excellent Australia's Open Garden Scheme. Because they are private gardens, their location is only noted on this website when there is an upcoming event.

Cruden Farm

Twilight Jazz Picnic at Cruden Farm Did you miss this event? Then subscribe to our free email newsletter to receive advance notice of events such as this one. White Hat has kept its subscribers Informed since last century and has long become a Melbourne Institution for those Intelligent and Independent souls prepared to look beyond the bounds of either the mainstream -commercial or mainstream-alternative marketing machines. (However, be warned that we can occasionally be a little Irreverent.) An annual fundraising event for the McClelland Gallery held at Dame Elisabeth Murdoch's 'Cruden' Farm'. This year featuring the Frankston High School Senior Stage Band, directed by Leon de Bruin, The Jazz Doctors and The Hottentots with special guest Bob Sedergreen  Cruden Farm is on the corner of Cranbourne-Frankston & Cranhaven Roads, Langwarrin (Mel. Ref. 103 G6). Entry is only from Cranhaven Road, where there is ample parking in the grounds. Elgee Park wines and soft drinks available for purchase. Bring your picnic basket, rug, table and chairs and sit back and enjoy the ambience and surrounds of the beautiful garden. $12 (pre-purchase) / $15 (door) (children under 12 free) Tickets available at McClelland Gallery + Sculpture Park 390 McClelland Drive, Langwarrin - Bookings -  (03) 9789 1671. 4pm to 8pm, Saturday 16 February 2008 Cruden Farm (enter via Cranhaven Rd), Langwarrin - (Mel ref 103 G6) Enquiries and pre-purchase: (03) 9789 1671

Cruden Farm Open Garden Dame Elisabeth Murdoch designed and planted the herbaceous borders, picking garden, shrub walks and tree-shaded lawns at the heart of her sublime garden with its famous lemon-scented gum avenue. In early spring drifts of blossom and the thousands of daffodils by the lake contribute to this place of rare beauty. Refreshments will be available, or you are welcome to bring a picnic 10am-4.30pm, Sunday 31 August 2008 Cruden Farm, (enter via Cranhaven Rd), Langwarrin - (Mel ref 103 G6) - $10 adults, no charge for children under 18

Walled Garden of The Melbourne Club

You can sometimes hear little groups of Melburnians hurrying down the top end of Little Collins Street, late for a show, bemoaning the ugliness of the multi-storey carpark on the north side. Few notice the Senegal Date Palm hanging over the high brick wall on the south side. Which is a pity, because it is one of the few clues to the location of one of Melbourne's hidden gems - the private walled garden of the Melbourne Club.

Walled gardens have a long tradition, gaining particular popularity with cloistered orders, and as cities grew ever more bustling they also provided a secluded oasis for contemplation, study or quiet conversation. Organisations who placed value on providing the opportunity for quiet (and sometimes solitary) contemplation have set about building walled gardens and these have included religious organisations, university colleges, private clubs, and in more recent times, corporate offices (Harry Seidler's Shell Building, for instance, contains a small walled garden.) The walled garden is the opposite end of the spectrum from the jostling bar with amplified music, multiple large screens vying for our attention together with shouted conversations.

The Walled Garden of The Melbourne Club is mainly subdued green nestled back against and up the walls, but these plants repay closer inspection. What might initially be dismissed as 'all purpose shrubbery' reveals a remarkable variety of styles and textures for those prepared to examine in detail. The central area is made up of lawn suitable for formal occasions and creating a feeling of space within limited confines. But the real glories of this garden are three enormous London Plane (or Sycamore) Trees, each one worthy of a public park in their own right. The largest was planted over a century ago and has a canopy spread of over 30 metres  It is the sort of tree that can subtly persuade those entering the garden focussed on the small issues of that day, that there is a larger picture and a longer time scale that is worthy of attention.

Small groups of Melburnians ambling up Little Collins Street late in the evening are often discussing the theatre or the restaurant they attended. Occasionally an individual distracted by the muffled sound of a clink of crystal from behind a high brick wall, will peel off and make a brief detour down an adjoining lane. You should se the size of the tress behind that wall." he says, but nobody else seems interested.

The Melbourne Club is a private club on private land, so the garden is only open to members and their guests. However, on rare occasions it is thrown open to the public. If you have the opportunity to be offered an invitation to The Melbourne Club or to attend an open day, White Hat urges you to accept the opportunity.

Bolobek

Private Gardens Open Days

Open Garden at The Melbourne Club Did you miss this event? Then subscribe to our free email newsletter to receive advance notice of events such as this one. The enclosed city garden of The Melbourne Club will be open to the public. Enter via Ridgeway Place (off Little Collins Street just down from Spring Street). This wonderful city garden with its magnificent plane trees is rarely open to the public, so don't miss this opportinity to venture inside the grounds of the Melbourne Club. Our rating: Five Hats 10am to 4.30pm, Sunday 3rd February The Melbourne Club - $5

Bolobek Plant Fair Did you miss this event? Then subscribe to our free email newsletter to receive advance notice of events such as this one. White Hat has kept its subscribers Informed since last century and has long become a Melbourne Institution for those Intelligent and Independent souls prepared to look beyond the bounds of either the mainstream -commercial or mainstream-alternative marketing machines. (However, be warned that we can occasionally be a little Irreverent.) Visitors can purchase choice perennials, rare trees and shrubs, Australian natives, bulbs, succulents, sculpture, specialist tools and books from over 40 exhibitors. There is also an opportunity to wander and enjoy the unique setting of the wonderful gardens. 10am to 4.30pm, 1 & 2 March 2008 Bolobek, Mt Macedon Road, Macedon - (Mel ref 609 G10) $10, children under 18 free

Leongatha Daffodil Festival 52nd Daffodil & Floral Show incorporating Australian Daffodil Championships, also floral art, cut flowers, camellias, plant stall & refreshments. Open gardens - Sat & Sun. Craft displays & demonstrations & other activities. 5th Sept 2pm - 6pm, 6th Sept 9am - 6pm, 7th Sept 9am -4pm 5th to 7th September 2008 Leongatha Memorial Hall, Leongatha - $4 adults, children free Enquiries: (03) 5664 9238

Where are these gardens?

Because these are private gardens we only post their locations when there is an upcoming event. Click on the appropriate link to the right of the map. Use the controls to zoom in or out on the map or change to satellite view.