Pomonal Open Garden Weekend

October 30-31 (Cup weekend), 2010, 10-5pm

Hosted by the Australian Plant Society (Grampians) a two day open garden weekend (Melbourne Cup weekend) featuring between five to eight gardens. A variety of native and non native gardens will feature many interesting landscaping ideas. A fundraiser for the Pomonal Hall redevelopment.

• Wayne Farey’s 3.5 acre native garden in Cassell Court is an ever evolving labour of love. This beautifully landscaped garden featuring many ponds, dry creek beds, rustic sheds and aviaries has an emphasis on Grevilleas both species and hybrids, some of which are grafted.  This extraordinary garden has grown from a bare paddock with one tree in 1998 to a beautiful show piece. Pomonal Native Garden map available from Pomonal General Store. Contact Wayne Farey, Cassell Crt Phone 5356 6323.

• Jane and Phil William’s 4.5 acre garden in Wildflower Drive is a mature native garden with many new plantings, big trees and wildlife habitat. It’s a glorious collection of Australian flora with many plants clearly named. As a special treat their house block and bush block, which are not usually open to the public, will be on display. Special features include grassy pathways, ponds and large numbers of beautiful remnant grass trees. Come and see lots of truly drought hardy plants in this wonderful garden. Pomonal Native Garden map available from Pomonal General Store. Contact Jane and Phil Williams, Wildflower Drive 5356 6250.

• Beverley and Kevin Grace’s 5 acre Tunnel Rd garden was 30 years old but was destroyed in the Mt Lubra bushfire in 2006. Now a replacement garden, it is an eclectic collection of plants and is a work in progress. It features Proteas, Leucadendrons, Leucospermums and Geraldton wax for cut flowers. There are annuals, perennials, roses, shrubs and thousands of bulbs as well as deciduous trees as fire diverters. There is something for everyone in this remarkable garden. Pomonal Native Garden map available from Pomonal General Store. Contact Beverley and Kevin Grace, Tunnel Rd 5356 6232.

• Another victim of the Mt Lubra bushfire was the garden of Linda and David Handscombe in Long Gully Rd. Also a work in progress, it features many 10 year old shrubs that have survived and regrown and many garden beds completely replanted in the last 4 years. The garden features a landscaped pond, a wetland, gravel mulched garden beds, native and Sth African cut flowers and a large collection of Carnivorous plants. Come and see wind, frost and drought hardy plants with a mountain backdrop to die for. Pomonal Native Garden map available from Pomonal General Store. Contact Linda and David Handscombe, Long Gully Rd 5356 6352.

All four gardens will have plants for sale. You can bring a picnic for lunch in any of the gardens and light refreshments can be purchased from the Pomonal General Store or the Village market (Sunday only) or lunch at Barney’s Bar and Bistro. Tea and coffee by gold coin donation from Farey and Handscombe gardens.

• Cost: Adult $15, Couples $20. Children free. Tickets can be purchased at the first garden that you choose to visit. No picking flowers, seeds or cuttings, and please use your camera if you’d like help with identification. No pets by request.
  Location: Various gardens in Pomonal township. Pick up a map from the Pomonal General Store.
  Enquiries: Contact Linda 5356 6352 or 0407 700 843, David Handscombe 0429 866 862 or dlhandscombe@bigpond.com

Open gardens

Dunkeld Open Gardens and Galleries

First weekend of every month until end 2010

Join Dunkeld’s gardeners and artists as they open their gardens and galleries for visitors to explore. Guided tours, demonstrations, workshops, exhibitions and more.

• Cost: Adults $5
  Locations: Various locations in Dunkeld. Collect a program at either the Hamilton or Dunkeld Visitor Information Centre
  Enquires: 03 5577 2558

Mooramong Homestead (National Trust)

August 15, 2010- Temporarily closed due to road flooding
October 10, 2010, 1-4pm

Homestead, gardens and surrounds open to public.

• Cost: Adult $10, Child: $5, Conc: $6
  Location: Mooramong Rd, 4kms west of Skipton (8kms of gravel road)
  Enquiries: 03 9656 9800

Mount William Homestead and Gardens
Mount William Fair Day

21st November 2010, 10am to 4pm

Amazing opportunity to visit the historic Mount William Homestead. Enjoy Open Gardens, free children’s activities, live music, dog displays, face painting, hay rides and more. Great raffle and BBQ lunch available. All proceeds to Willaura and District Kindergarten

• Cost: Adult $10, Child: Free
  Location: 118 Mount William Estate Road, WILLAURA 3379
  Enquiries: events@springintothegrampians.com.au

Orchid Lane Cottages

September 11-12, 2010, 12noon to 5pm
(as part of Classics in Wartook Valley Festival)

Nature walk through pockets of remnant natural (stringy bark and box) bush – birds, orchids, animals, wildflowers

• Cost: Gold coin donation
  Location: Orchid Lane Cottages, 7 Crutes Rd, Dadswells Bridge
  Enquiries: Lorraine Melville 5359 5209

Wardlin Gallery Cafe
(formerly Brewster Primary School)

Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday in October and November, 2010

Open Garden – Iris display
3000 iris plants, 200 colour combinations
Relax in our Gallery Cafe and enjoy cooked lunches, morning and afternoon tea or just great ocffee, then take a stroll through the garden to complete your visit.

• Location: 344 Kayleys Lane, Brewster (3 kms off Western Highway, between Ballarat and Beaufort)  
  Enquiries: Colin Read 0427 309 413 / 5344 0641

Welch's on Wildflower Bed & Breakfast

October 2 & 3, 2010

Explore our mainly native gardens including plantings of Banksias and Grevilleas, Pimeleas from Western Australia and naturally occurring Xanthorrhoea.

• Cost: Gold coin donation
  Location: Welch's on Wildflower Bed & Breakfast, 39 Wildflower Drive, Pomonal.
  Enquiries: Pauline Welch on 5356 6311
  

Wartook Gardens

October 3, 2010

View one of the great native gardens and see approximately 1,000 species of native plants plus exotic gardens of 150 roses and other delights.

• Cost: $10 (Proceeds to Wimmera Healthcare)
  Location: Wartook Gardens, 2866 Northern Grampians Rd, Wartook.
  Contact: Royce Raleigh 5383 6200

Horsham Spring Garden Festival

October 8-10, 9am to 5pm

A three day festival with something for everyone. Exhibitors displaying the latest in plant releases, native plants for your garden, garden design, tools and garden implement, this is the festival for garden lovers. Flower arranging demonstrations, local entertainment and a free spinning wheel for your chance to win lots of gardening prizes. Children’s activities such as jumping castle and face painting.

• Cost: $5 adults, children under 16 Free.
  Location: Horsham Botanical Gardens
  Enquiries: Graham Gerlach 0418 504 333

Narrapumelap Homestead Seniors Tour
(as part of Seniors Week 2010)

October 9, 2010

Combine this tour with FREE Seniors travel on the 8.08 VLINE train from Melbourne Southern Cross Station that arrives at Ararat at 10.37am.

Narrapumelap is a French Gothic Mansion, marvel at the glorious gardens, follow the guided tour through the homestead and relax over lunch, enjoy the elegance, charm and serenity.

• Cost: $30 includes lunch.
  Enquiries: Ararat Visitor Information Centre 1800 657 158.

Jurragol: Open Garden

October 9-10, 2010

Extensive four acre native plant garden. It features a wide range of plants from all over Australia with a particular emphasis Grevilleas and a wide range of West Australian species. The extensive number of flowering species has developed a haven for local bird species, particularly honey eaters.

• Cost: Gold coin donation to Stawell Hospital
  Location: 27 Bunyip Hill Road, Deep Lead
  Enquiries: Ross Hatton mobile 0427 094 936

Barkly Lavender and Rose Farm

October 16-17, 2010

Stalls of local produce, plants, olive oil, wine, lavender and aromatherapy, massage, African drumming; all in a Spring garden setting with devonshire teas/light lunches.

• Open: 10am-4pm.
  Entry: $2 adult, children no charge
  Enquiries: Fiona 5334 4175
  Location: 38 Marshall Lane, Barkly, Victoria, 3384

Laharum Open Gardens

October 17, 2010

Up to 10 open private gardens will be on display in the Laharum area. Local produce and refreshments will be provided. A fundraiser for Laharum Preschool.

• Cost: Adult $20, Child $10, Concession $15. Location: Starts at Laharum Preschool, within Laharum Primary School. Northern Grampians Rd, Laharum. Enquiries: Jo Gardner 0428 836 252

Peter Francis Arboretum

October 23, 2010

Open Day with self or guided tours of remnant grasslands, eucalyptus collection. Free lunchtime sausage sizzle.

• Cost: Free entry
  Contact: Peter Francis Arboretum Coleraine. Cathy Harbison, phone 5581 1816

Mawallok Garden opens for Charity

October 23, 2010, 10-5pm

Celebrate 100 years of gardening at Mawallok and help raise funds for charity. The historic Western District property Mawallok boasts an exquisite seven acre garden designed by renowned landscape architect, William Guilfoyle. It is the best remaining example of his work in private hands and has not been open to the public for three years.

Designed for the Russell family, it reflects Guilfoyle's use of 18th century English landscape design principles and, even a century on, remains true to the original design with the flowing lines, sweeping lawns, curving shrubberies and winding paths that were so typical of his work.

The dominant feature of the garden is the main vista which extends from a raised terrace in front of the Arts & Crafts house, over the lawns, across the Monash lake and grazing land to the Pyrenees Ranges and Mt. Cole.

Funds raised will be divided between joint beneficiaries Beaufort and Skipton Health Services and CARE Australia.

• Location: Geelong Road, Stockyard Hill
  Cost: Adult $10 Child $5, refreshments available

St Arnaud Open Gardens

October 24, 2010

The historic gold town of St Arnaud opens many of its private gardens. Get your free map at the Botanic Gardens, where coffee and lunch is available.

• Cost: Gold coin donation
  Location: Queen Mary Botanic Gardens, centre of St Arnaud.

Grampians Adventure Golf

October 30-November 2, 2010 (Melbourne Cup Weekend)

Garden tours set amongst two acres of beautifully landscaped gardens. Then why not try a round of Adventure Golf? An award winning, world class 18 hole course nestled in the heart of the magnificent Grampians National Park in Halls Gap, Victoria. This fantastic adventure golf course is fast gaining a reputation as being the best in Australia. Tours begin at 9am for 1 hour.

• Cost: Gold coin donation (garden tours), regular admission for golf.
  Location: Grampians Adventure Golf, 475-481 Grampians Rd, Halls Gap
  Enquiries: 03 5356 4664