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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'. 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. Featuring : The Frankston High School Senior Stage 4pm to 8pm, Saturday 6th February 2010 Cruden Farm (enter via Cranhaven Rd), Langwarrin - $15 pre-purchase and $20 (door) Children under 12 free. Note on pricing Bookings: (03) 9789 1671

Cruden Farm Open Garden Cruden Farm is possibly the most famous garden in Australia and the lifetime achievement of national treasure Dame Elisabeth Murdoch. Dame Elisabeth, who came to Cruden Farm as a young bride 80 years ago, designed and planted the renowned herbaceous borders, picking garden, shrub walks and tree-shaded lawns at the heart of her sublime garden, skilfully blended with the surrounding countryside. Thousands of daffodils by the lake in spring, roses and perennials in summer, and one of Australia's most famous avenues all contribute to a place of rare beauty. No bookings required for this event.   Our rating: Five Hats 10am to 4.30pm, Sunday 29th August 2010 Cruden Farm (enter via Cranhaven Rd), Langwarrin - $12 adults, no charge children under 18

Cruden Farm Spring Family Fun Day For the sixth annual Spring Family Fun Day Dame Elisabeth Murdoch AC, DBE, will open the gates to her magnificent property to host the special event. The Spring Family Fun Day will include a children’s animal farm, a circus workshop, a classic car and antique horse carriage display. The day of fun, music and entertainment will be complimented by a sausage sizzle and Devonshire tea, as well as magnificent Victorian wine. All proceeds from the day will support the work of Alzheimer’s Australia Vic, The Mental Health Foundation Australia, The Sovereign Order of St John of Jerusalem and the Royal Society of Victoria. Further details at Spring Family Fun Day at Cruden Farm. 11am to 4pm, Sunday 21st November 2010 Cruden Farm (enter via Cranhaven Rd), Langwarrin - entry charges apply

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 2008 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

Plant Fair at the Frasers 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.) Gardener's heaven - a lovely garden and the opportunity to buy from a wide selection of rare and unusual plants. Over one special weekend, Australia's Open Garden Scheme is once again bringing together around 40 exhibitors from Victoria and interstate offering choice perennials, rare trees and shrubs, Australian natives, bulbs and succulents, as well as sculpture and specialist tools. This is an ideal opportunity for gardeners to meet and talk with expert growers of the most interesting and unusual plants, and to find something out of the ordinary. The 5th annual Plant Fair will be held at Tamie and Malcolm Fraser's garden Thurulgoona on the Mornington Peninsula. Embracing its hillside setting and framing expansive views, the beautiful garden features beds of flourishing shrubs, roses and perennials in pleasing combinations wrapping the house and creating intimate corners. There is also a parkland of thriving young native and exotic trees including several uncommon species. Leave your purchases in the plant crèche and take a leisurely stroll around the garden. There will be a free plant creche for your purchases and refreshments will be available throughout the day. 10am-4.30pm, Sat 28 Feb & Sun 1 Match 2009 Thurulgoona, enter from Merricks Rd, Merricks - (Mel ref 192 D5)

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.