Welcome to another year of Garden DesignFest and our popular Bus Tours.
On Saturday 10th November we are heading to the goldfields region of Ballarat. Our first stop after leaving Federation Square in the city at 9.15 am is the magnificent 2000 ha merino sheep breeding and wool production property, Lal Lal Estate. The Estate was established in 1850s by the Fisken family who created large-scale botanical gardens with many significant trees. The current owner has engaged the services of garden designer, Jennifer Clancy, to complement the work of the historical owners. Lunch and a tour of the Ballarat Botanical Gardens by the Friends of the Botanical Gardens will also be a highlight of the tour. After lunch we will visit several professionally designed gardens in and around Ballarat. We will arrive back at Federation Square at approximately 5pm.
On Saturday 17th November, the classic metropolitan Melbourne tour will visit gardens by both new and well-known designers, whose garden photos are being added to this website regularly. Meandering through the suburbs for a full day of garden lovers joy, including a boxed lunch in an historic park will make for a great day out. The tour starts at 9.15 am and ends at approximately 5 pm at Federation Square.
On Sunday 18th November, the Mornington Peninsula beckons. Starting at 9.30 am at Brighton Beach Station (20 minutes train ride from Flinders Street in the city), we head to the rolling hills and vineyards of the Peninsula. Large and small gardens will be on the itinerary, including a repeat visit to the amazing 10 acre property Musk Creek Cottage by Eckersley Architecture. Lunch will be at Ashcombe Maze, where a guided tour of the Rose Garden and Lavender Garden will be one of the highlights of this tour. The tour will return to Brighton Beach Station at approximately 5pm.
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Purchase your Bus Tour Tickets to ensure your place on one or all of these great gardening days out.