Ashcombe Maze and Lavender Gardens (Shoreham)

Special Features:

Australia 's oldest and most famous traditional Hedge Maze.
More than 4000 year round flowering lavender bushes planted in our lavender labyrinth & display gardens
25 acres of internationally acclaimed garden settings with over 10 garden displays with individual themes that change with every season of the year.
A Circular Rose Maze the first of its kind planted anywhere in the world! With over 1200 rose bushes of 200 fragrant varieties chosen for colour and perfume.
Enjoy the serenity of abundant water features and diverse birdlife, as you admire nature at its best.
Spacious licensed cafe with high vaulted ceilings & towering windows overlooking Maze & water gardens.

Birthday Parties
Ashcombe is an ideal venue for a birthday. Why not let your child host their next birthday at Ashcombe?

A catered children's birthday party includes:
Activities: Admission to the Mazes & Gardens, and the Great Gnome Hunt activity sheet.
Food: All the kids stuff like jelly, lollies and chocolate bars, but also healthy stuff - juices, popcorn, sandwiches and fruit, etc
Party Table: Reserved and decorated for your child

Opening Hours:

Opening Times

Cost:

Admission Prices
For a discount check out Small Ideas

Review:

The hedge maze was planted in the late 1970's and is still going strong. The main feature is the Hedge maze and there is also a Rose Maze and Lavender labyrinth plus a variety of landscaped areas including a rock garden, pot garden, woodlands and lily pond.

As an added interest for children, a form is provided to write down the names of nine hidden gnomes and fairies. The number we found was embarrassing low. As a hint, look in the trees for the fairies. When the form is returned kids receive a lolly and stamp on their hand (irrespective of the number of gnomes and fairies found).

The Hedge maze comprises a North Hedge maze and a South Hedge maze with a garden area between the two. The Garden area has a large round pond with fountain in the centre surrounded by shaded and unshaded seats. The objective is to find the four corner mosaic flags and find your way out into the Centre garden.

The maze is not extremely difficult and you should be able to pop out eventually.

The hedge maze is not recommended if you are remotely claustrophobic. The sides are tall and so narrow that there is barely room to pass. Each year the hedge grows a little taller and a little wider. In 20 years times it will only be suitable for stick thin models. If you have been overindulging in hamburgers and fries then stick to the Lavender labyrinth or Rose Maze which are a lot more spacious. On the subject of warnings - if you are not keen on bees then avoid the Lavender labyrinth because it is buzzing with bees.

It is possible to see the centre of the Rose Maze from the entrance point but it is still tricky enough to provide some challenge for the kids.

The Lavender Maze is lined by lavender bushes and uses big rocks as dead-ends. Our progress was a lot smoother after our kids realized that the big rocks were not meant to be climbed over.

There is a Seven Tiers waterfall in the Lower Woodlands area leading from the Gazebo Pond to the lake but current low rainfall in Melbourne means that this is more a Seven Tiers trickle. It is lined by shady trees and would be a good respite from the heat.

There are also about 80 information boards scattered about as part of a Garden Discovery trail.

Overall, Ashcombe Maze and Lavender Gardens is a very friendly place and has three interesting mazes but would hold the attention of adults better than children.

Access for Dogs:

Pets are not permitted.

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