Forest Glade Garden (Mount Macedon)

Forest Glade is one of Australia's finest private gardens, and has existed for nearly one hundred years.

The magnificent landscaped garden covers fourteen acres (5.6ha) and has four distinct sections:

-The large English section with its huge exotic trees and masses of colour
-The delightful Japanese section complete with bonsai house
-The beautiful woodland section displaying masses of shade-loving plants
-The cool fern gully

The features of the garden include a stunning blue bell patch and an impressive daffodil lawn during spring; a topiary garden, two aviaries, a magnificent laburnum arch, a peony walk highlighted with climbing roses, as well as numerous pergolas, ponds, fountains and statues.

Forest Glade Garden (Mount Macedon)

Opening Hours:

Opening Hours
Note: Forest Glade Gardens are closed on days of Total Fire Ban.

When To Visit
Each spring the garden comes to its peak. The bursting of new leaves everywhere is highlighted with many thousands of tulips, azaleas, rhododendrons and all manner of exotic and rare plants.

Forest Glade Garden (Mount Macedon)

At the height of summer, there are masses of glorious hydrangeas, a vast array of perrenials, lush green lawns and the freshness of the fern gully.

In autumn, the garden is resplendent in the glorious tonings of a myriad of maples, birches, beeches and other exotic trees amid the tree ferns along Willimigongon Creek.

Cost:

Entry Fee

Review:

Wow, this place is magical. There are surprises and wonders around every corner. Whether you love gardens, nature or artwork, there's plenty to seek out and enjoy. There are some main tracks which cover the gardens but the joy is wandering through the foliage along little paths and coming across delightful sculptures or other surprises. Keep your eye on the map, which happens to be your entrance ticket, to make sure you don't miss anything. The gardens seem to stretch on for ages. There was even native wildlife to discover - we came across a wallaby and an echidna while exploring.

Highlights for us included walking on a green carpet of moss through the Fern Gully, some beautiful outdoor sculptures, the meadow of yellow daffodils, topiary gardens and beautiful array of Spring colours.

Forest Glade Garden (Mount Macedon)

There is a beautiful statue of Trevor Neil Bell (1959 - 2014) who together with his life partner, Cyril, decided to restore Forest Glade after the Ash Wednesday fires.

We enquired about the best time to visit the Gardens since we visited in late September and they were beautiful. Nevertheless, the best time during The Spring season is around the end of October. During December is another great time since the gardens are lush and green while the Autumn colours are spectacular in May and sometimes extending into June.

There is no car parking on site and limited parking is available along Mount Macedon Road. Be careful since there are no standing zones. Due to council restrictions there is also no cafe on site. Head down the road to Mount Macedon Trading Post at 686 Mount Macedon Road.

Access for Dogs:

Dogs on a leash are welcome.

Photos: