The Garden Lovers Weekend
11th/12th November 2023
The Creswick Garden Lovers Weekend is back.
This annual community event is on again for the eighth year.
This annual community event is on again for the eighth year.
This year we offer you the choice of seven unique and diverse private gardens to visit and enjoy, including large and small town gardens, quirky and eclectic gardens, sustainable gardens, and real country gardens.
The event is organised by Creswick Garden Club Inc, and all profits are used for local Creswick projects. They invite you to visit the scenic, historic Central Goldfields Region of Victoria and see an array of diverse private gardens, iconic commercial gardens and nurseries, and more.
The Creswick Garden Club thank the Hepburn Shire Council for its support.
The event is organised by Creswick Garden Club Inc, and all profits are used for local Creswick projects. They invite you to visit the scenic, historic Central Goldfields Region of Victoria and see an array of diverse private gardens, iconic commercial gardens and nurseries, and more.
The Creswick Garden Club thank the Hepburn Shire Council for its support.
Private Gardens
Harvest Cottage
Catherine and James Freemantle’s Harvest Cottage is a meandering country garden on 20 tranquil bush acres. The 2-acre formal garden is filled with lush green spaces, gentle ‘rooms’ and colourful garden beds. Wild in parts and organised in others, you’ll find vegetables growing with ornamentals, textures, layers and sounds; the vibrancy and colours of spring.
Catherine is an accomplished artist and florist; and both skillsets are apparent in the effortless beauty of the gardens. James, a leadership coach and filmmaker, has constructed arbours and decks to optimise the use of outdoor spaces. Together they’ve transformed the garden over the past decade, aided immeasurably by the deep, rich, red volcanic soil. The ambience is enhanced by abundant birdlife, frogs, kangaroos, wallabies, echidnas, chooks and Black-faced Suffolk lambs.
Take a walk through the orchard, see the wild chookyard, picking garden, forest views, sweeping lawns, hedges and cottage accommodation. Visit Catherine’s open studio and floral displays by special guests.
We love the garden for long lunches under the wisteria, games on the lawn, the way it feeds us, nurtures us, and inspires our art and creativity.
The garden is flat and easily navigated. Some pathways with grass walking areas. As well. Ample parking on site.
Catherine is an accomplished artist and florist; and both skillsets are apparent in the effortless beauty of the gardens. James, a leadership coach and filmmaker, has constructed arbours and decks to optimise the use of outdoor spaces. Together they’ve transformed the garden over the past decade, aided immeasurably by the deep, rich, red volcanic soil. The ambience is enhanced by abundant birdlife, frogs, kangaroos, wallabies, echidnas, chooks and Black-faced Suffolk lambs.
Take a walk through the orchard, see the wild chookyard, picking garden, forest views, sweeping lawns, hedges and cottage accommodation. Visit Catherine’s open studio and floral displays by special guests.
We love the garden for long lunches under the wisteria, games on the lawn, the way it feeds us, nurtures us, and inspires our art and creativity.
The garden is flat and easily navigated. Some pathways with grass walking areas. As well. Ample parking on site.
Pozieres
Creswick
Creswick
This beautiful garden features hundreds of mature box hedges surrounding several different garden beds, featuring camellias, roses, irises and many more. There are a number of mature trees, including a 120 year old Algerian oak, and horse chestnut trees. The oak and one of the horse chestnuts are included on the significant tree register of the Hepburn Shire.
The garden and house have an interesting history. There has been a house on the land since 1855. The present house was built around 1906/7. It was sold by the owner, Mr C.W. Jebb, to the State Forest Commission in 1924 for £675, and was the District Forester's or Director of Forestry’ house for the next 65 years. The present owners, Bernard and Valda, purchased the property in June 1992 and named it Pozieres in memory of the 1916 battle of the Somme, when the Australian soldiers recaptured the village of Pozieres from the German Army, suffering 23,000 casualties dead or wounded. Bernard was born in that part of France just a few kilometres from Pozieres.
The garden is flat with some pathways and grassed walking areas. Ample parking in the street.
The garden and house have an interesting history. There has been a house on the land since 1855. The present house was built around 1906/7. It was sold by the owner, Mr C.W. Jebb, to the State Forest Commission in 1924 for £675, and was the District Forester's or Director of Forestry’ house for the next 65 years. The present owners, Bernard and Valda, purchased the property in June 1992 and named it Pozieres in memory of the 1916 battle of the Somme, when the Australian soldiers recaptured the village of Pozieres from the German Army, suffering 23,000 casualties dead or wounded. Bernard was born in that part of France just a few kilometres from Pozieres.
The garden is flat with some pathways and grassed walking areas. Ample parking in the street.
Saemeer
Saemeer is the Dutch word for together, as we bought this house together!
After taking over the garden 5 1/2 years ago the current owners are still transforming the garden.
Sitting under the gorgeous Alder tree next to the tranquil pond and the waterfall built by local company Bells Water gardens, it is a lovely way to spend time. Just to read a book or listen to the sounds of the garden, it is a wonderful way to relax.
Catching a glimpses of the fish playing hide and seek or watching the birds come to drink and is our favourite way to spend time. We invite you to enjoy this restful environment with us.
Dotted around the garden you will find various "pieces" to look at. As well as revamping the floral garden and planting an orchard, we have also planted over 300 native trees shrubs and grasses.
A lovely garden to visit.
The garden is flat with pathways and grass walking areas. Ample parking in the street.
After taking over the garden 5 1/2 years ago the current owners are still transforming the garden.
Sitting under the gorgeous Alder tree next to the tranquil pond and the waterfall built by local company Bells Water gardens, it is a lovely way to spend time. Just to read a book or listen to the sounds of the garden, it is a wonderful way to relax.
Catching a glimpses of the fish playing hide and seek or watching the birds come to drink and is our favourite way to spend time. We invite you to enjoy this restful environment with us.
Dotted around the garden you will find various "pieces" to look at. As well as revamping the floral garden and planting an orchard, we have also planted over 300 native trees shrubs and grasses.
A lovely garden to visit.
The garden is flat with pathways and grass walking areas. Ample parking in the street.
Shirley's Garden
Creswick North
Creswick North
This garden is perhaps best described as a gradual evolvement. Although some garden beds were established quite some years apart, with distinctive bed size differences from one area to another, the general theme has always remained the same, a typical country garden with an English cottage garden flavour.
Shirley’s garden displays an amazing array of roses, (in excess of 500 plants) clematis, perennials, peonies, bulbs and rare or uncommon plants sourced far and wide.
The garden has progressed over the years to now cover an area of approximately 2.5 acres.
There is ample parking on-site and although there is a slight fall in the land from back to front it is quite easy walking with no steps to negotiate.
Shirley’s garden displays an amazing array of roses, (in excess of 500 plants) clematis, perennials, peonies, bulbs and rare or uncommon plants sourced far and wide.
The garden has progressed over the years to now cover an area of approximately 2.5 acres.
There is ample parking on-site and although there is a slight fall in the land from back to front it is quite easy walking with no steps to negotiate.
The Folly Garden
After downsizing from a large hillside terraced garden in 2016, we have transformed our new suburban garden, including gradually dispensing with lawns for more garden beds.
Novel structures/follies including pergolas, tool shed, and garden furniture add interest amongst shrubs and perennials, raised vegetable gardens, berries, and espalier fruit trees.
Moss-covered, locally-sourced volcanic boulders define the street frontage and rose garden, with entry through an arch destined for a climbing rose.
The main garden uses camelias and rhododendrons for privacy and as a back-drop for perennials with a pink/purple theme, including foxgloves, salvias, clematis, and lilies.
Additional features include box hedges, a large pergola supporting an ornamental grape vine, plus cold- and hot-composting bins for year-round soil enrichment.
Parking is available in the street outside the property. There are sealed pathways throughout the garden which are suitable for people with special needs.
We cherish our garden and look forward to sharing it.
Novel structures/follies including pergolas, tool shed, and garden furniture add interest amongst shrubs and perennials, raised vegetable gardens, berries, and espalier fruit trees.
Moss-covered, locally-sourced volcanic boulders define the street frontage and rose garden, with entry through an arch destined for a climbing rose.
The main garden uses camelias and rhododendrons for privacy and as a back-drop for perennials with a pink/purple theme, including foxgloves, salvias, clematis, and lilies.
Additional features include box hedges, a large pergola supporting an ornamental grape vine, plus cold- and hot-composting bins for year-round soil enrichment.
Parking is available in the street outside the property. There are sealed pathways throughout the garden which are suitable for people with special needs.
We cherish our garden and look forward to sharing it.
The Miners Cottage
This small cottage garden is step back in time. There are two stars here, the cottage and the garden! The cottage was dated by Heritage architect Wendy Jacobs as being built between 1861 and 1879 and is a real cutie.
The garden is planted with many cottage plants, and features a rose arbour at the front showcasing the beautiful Crepuscule climbing rose. While much of the garden can be viewed from the street with a landscaped verge garden and garden beds in front, it is not until you wander through the garden that you realise it is something special.
Small, flat, easily navigated garden with some stepping stones. Ample parking on the street.
The garden is planted with many cottage plants, and features a rose arbour at the front showcasing the beautiful Crepuscule climbing rose. While much of the garden can be viewed from the street with a landscaped verge garden and garden beds in front, it is not until you wander through the garden that you realise it is something special.
Small, flat, easily navigated garden with some stepping stones. Ample parking on the street.
The Secret Garden Home Garden
4 acres of tranquil garden at Mollongghip. Owners of the Secret Garden in Daylesford, Lou and Deb wanted a solution to all day mowing which accidently turned into a wonderful large garden that kept growing and growing.
It all started with the veggie garden, outside the kitchen window, which then led to developing directly in-front of the house where two expansive hedged garden rooms were created consisting of large advanced deciduous trees, shrubs and perennials, This only whet the appetite to continue expanding. More rooms were created to showcase both native and perennial plants that will endure our tough winters and hot summers.
When you visit this garden you will walk along lengthy paths leading into different rooms, plantings and vistas including an elegant fountain where the trickling water adds to the ambience.
The garden is still a work in progress and we refine the plantings according to the climate and weather conditions. There is always something coming out and going in, needless to say mowing is now the least of our problems!!
Flat garden with pathways and easy accessibility. Ample parking on site
It all started with the veggie garden, outside the kitchen window, which then led to developing directly in-front of the house where two expansive hedged garden rooms were created consisting of large advanced deciduous trees, shrubs and perennials, This only whet the appetite to continue expanding. More rooms were created to showcase both native and perennial plants that will endure our tough winters and hot summers.
When you visit this garden you will walk along lengthy paths leading into different rooms, plantings and vistas including an elegant fountain where the trickling water adds to the ambience.
The garden is still a work in progress and we refine the plantings according to the climate and weather conditions. There is always something coming out and going in, needless to say mowing is now the least of our problems!!
Flat garden with pathways and easy accessibility. Ample parking on site
Community Partners
John Curtin Aged Care
5 Cushing Avenue, Creswick
5 Cushing Avenue, Creswick
John Curtin Aged Care is home to a community of 85 people and is located in our delightful town of Creswick. Our cottage gardens and courtyards are a source of interest and pleasure to residents, visitors and staff and we love to share them with wider community. The seasons are dramatically marked in true cottage style. We expect irises and roses to abound during the open garden weekend.
Open both days: Saturday 9am-5pm and Sunday 9am-4pm.
Open both days: Saturday 9am-5pm and Sunday 9am-4pm.
Shannon's Bridge Sensory Garden
94 Albert Street, Creswick
94 Albert Street, Creswick
The End of Life Care Hub was launched in 2018 and is hosted by the charity Shannon's Bridge. After a slow start through COVID restrictions, the Sensory Garden at the back evolved. It has been put together entirely by volunteers and with donated goods and time. The space continues to evolve and anyone is welcome to contribute to the garden (as long as it is nothing poisonous or prickly!) and it has been a haven of serenity for people dealing with end of life issues - whether they are caring, dying or grieving. Come and see how far we have come! Free entry.
Open both days: Saturday 9am-5pm and Sunday 9am-4pm.
Open both days: Saturday 9am-5pm and Sunday 9am-4pm.
Commercial Partners
Note: All details correct to the best of our knowledge. Before visiting, please contact venues to confirm opening times.
Allendale Native and Habitat Plants
19 Ryan Junction Road, Allendale
19 Ryan Junction Road, Allendale
Commenced in 2019, we are a small propagation service involved in planning and propagating trees, shrubs and ground covers for clients. We have some plants available to go at all times. We attend the Clunes Market every 2nd Sunday.
Bells Water Gardens
846 Gillies Road, Bald Hills
846 Gillies Road, Bald Hills
A haven of greenery and aquatic tranquility nestled at the heart of our property on Gillies Rd, Bald Hills. Our shop is a place where pond enthusiasts, gardeners, and the community alike can immerse themselves in the world of water gardens.
We grow and supply a diverse array of aquatic plants and take pride in offering a wide selection of plants suitable for every pond lover. We also stock all Aquascape pond treatments, as well as fish, garden ornaments, pond products, DIY pond kits, garden sculptures, and an array of water features, plus so much more!
So, whether you're seeking to add a touch of natural beauty to your space, embark on pond life, or simply seek solace amidst our pond and waterfall displays, Bells Nursery and Shop is the destination for you.
Our products are also available for purchase online via our website.
Open 10.00am-4.00pm Saturday only.
We grow and supply a diverse array of aquatic plants and take pride in offering a wide selection of plants suitable for every pond lover. We also stock all Aquascape pond treatments, as well as fish, garden ornaments, pond products, DIY pond kits, garden sculptures, and an array of water features, plus so much more!
So, whether you're seeking to add a touch of natural beauty to your space, embark on pond life, or simply seek solace amidst our pond and waterfall displays, Bells Nursery and Shop is the destination for you.
Our products are also available for purchase online via our website.
Open 10.00am-4.00pm Saturday only.
Brenlissa Nursery
Mendhams Dam Road, Creswick
Mendhams Dam Road, Creswick
Brenlissa Online Nursery is a family operated business in the lovely Central Highlands of “The Garden State” Victoria. Our focus is on great customer service and we respond to every enquiry promptly. Our plant sourcing service is also available we have access to thousands of varieties of plants that we can supply to you. If it’s not on our site we can get it in. We provide a very unique service to our valued customers at prices everyone can afford. Free ongoing support and advice is offered to all customers of Brenlissa Nursery via our regular newsletters and email/phone advice. Our Qualified Horticulturists are here to answer your queries.
(Unfortunately closed until further notice due to ill health )
(Unfortunately closed until further notice due to ill health )
Captains Creek Organic Wines
120 Kangaroo Hills Road, Blampied
120 Kangaroo Hills Road, Blampied
Captains Creek is a fourth generation family farm and vineyard that has been managed organically using natural and sustainable farming practices for over 25 years. You're invited to taste our wines & local cheeses or relax for an afternoon lunch overlooking the vineyard. Our Cellar Door, restaurant and vineyard is located at Blampied, just 10 minutes drive from both Creswick and Daylesford.
Open 11.00am-5.00pm both days.
Open 11.00am-5.00pm both days.
Creswick Woollen Mills
Railway Parade, Creswick
Railway Parade, Creswick
Visit the award winning Creswick Woollen Mills; an Australian family business and the last coloured woollen spinning mill located right here in Creswick, and view their amazing vertical garden. Creswick Woollen Mills products are made from natural fibres including merino wool, possum, alpaca, cashmere, cotton and bamboo, woven into sophisticated modern designs. The world’s changing landscape has inspired Creswick Woollen Mills to innovate across high-quality, natural fibre apparel and accessories that span situations and seasons. The range includes much loved knitwear, jackets, scarves and socks.
Open daily: 10.00am-4.00pm.
Open daily: 10.00am-4.00pm.
Lambley Gardens & Nursery
395 Lesters Road, Ascot
395 Lesters Road, Ascot
Lambley is best known for an inspirational dry climate garden set around an historic 1860s stone farmhouse, where plants from all the dry summer areas of the world are planted together to make a series of beautiful pictures. There is a large vegetable and flower garden which provides both food and flowers for the house. During September ten thousand tulips bloom in this garden. Lambley Nursery offers a diverse range of frost hardy and drought tolerant plants and bulbs to buy, as well as exceptional vegetable and flower seeds to gardeners throughout Australia.
Open 9am to 5pm both days. Parking available on site at the nursery.
Open 9am to 5pm both days. Parking available on site at the nursery.
Lucky Monkey Blacksmith
Shop 5, 38 Albert Street, Creswick
Shop 5, 38 Albert Street, Creswick
I create a variety of metal works using predominantly blacksmithing techniques, with a forge, hammers and anvil. My work consists of mostly nature based themes, leaves and branches, tree shapes, that come from spending some years in forests as a fire-fighter, as well as exploring them. The themes are present in most of my work which ranges from garden gates, screens, candelabra, hooks and smaller sculptures.
Miss Northcott's Garden and Tea Rooms
79 Albert Street, Creswick
79 Albert Street, Creswick
Miss Northcott's Garden is a boutique nursery nestled in the Main Street of Creswick beside the Olicartia store, and has a superb range of beautiful, locally grown potted plants to suit all gardens. There is also a fantastic assortment of rusty garden art, terracotta statues and other garden ornaments. Olicartia also has a great range of indoor plants. Our tea rooms set in Miss Northcott’s cottage provides the perfect spot to ponder you next gardening ideas. This delightful local nursery, nestled in the garden
Open 9.00am-3.00pm both days.
Open 9.00am-3.00pm both days.
Overwrought Sculpture Garden & Gallery
3409 Midland Highway, Blampied
3409 Midland Highway, Blampied
Overwrought Sculpture Garden and Gallery is an inspiring creative retail enterprise set on five acres of lush farmland in Blampied, Central Victoria just eight minutes from Daylesford on the Midland Highway to Ballarat. Artist David Dawson creates his uniquely Australian sculptural metalwork designs in his extensive workshop. He then displays them next door in the rustic hay-shed gallery and beautifully landscaped garden setting that he has created. His creations include garden art, native Australian animals and birds, furniture, wall art, magnetic creatures, privacy screens and much more. The gallery also offers the art and produce of thirty local and fair trade artisans, many whose work is not available to purchase elsewhere. For your enjoyment Overwrought provides toilets, coffee, drinks and ice creams and picnicking areas. Extensive parking is available for all vehicles including caravans and buses. The kids can even feed our fish in our garden ponds and pat an alpaca or two.
Open 10am to 5pm both days. Coffee, drinks and ice creams, and picnic areas available. Car & coach parking, and toilets available on site.
Open 10am to 5pm both days. Coffee, drinks and ice creams, and picnic areas available. Car & coach parking, and toilets available on site.
RACV Goldfields Resort
1500 Midland Highway, Creswick
1500 Midland Highway, Creswick
Immerse yourself in history and nature. RACV Goldfields Resort awaits discovery in the historic bushland around Creswick, offering resort style accommodation and golf course. Located halfway between the mineral springs of Daylesford and the old city of Ballarat.
Wake up to fairway or forest views and the sounds of the Australian bush. Dine on classic favourites and signature dishes featuring quality local produce and seasonal ingredients. Play a round of golf. Take a bushwalk. However you choose to unwind, you’ll find everything you need at RACV Goldfields Resort.
Open 7 days. The bar is open from 11am daily. Restaurant serves dinner from 5:30pm daily.
Wake up to fairway or forest views and the sounds of the Australian bush. Dine on classic favourites and signature dishes featuring quality local produce and seasonal ingredients. Play a round of golf. Take a bushwalk. However you choose to unwind, you’ll find everything you need at RACV Goldfields Resort.
Open 7 days. The bar is open from 11am daily. Restaurant serves dinner from 5:30pm daily.
Spring Park Nursery
3734 Midland Highway, Eganstown
3734 Midland Highway, Eganstown
Stroll through our gardens & nursery. Our rose bloom season starts in November through to May. The nursery stocks a large diverse range of plants from the rare to the old fashioned garden gems of yesteryear with this season stocking 250 varieties of roses. Join us in this year’s Creswick Garden Lovers Weekend along with other great gardens and businesses of the area. Gardeners and visitors most welcome.
Open 9.00am-5.30pm both days.
Open 9.00am-5.30pm both days.
Maze House
3155 Midland Highway, Newlyn North
3155 Midland Highway, Newlyn North
Traditional hedge maze set in a 5 acre country carnival garden.
Find all the clues in the maze hunt to win a prize! Play old time carnival games dotted throughout a garden with apple orchards, perennial beds, vegetable patch, firewood lot and indigenous plantings. Maze House is at the Mt Prospect sign, 3155 Midland Highway. Just 12 km from Creswick and 12 km from Daylesford.
Open 10.00am-4.30pm both days.
Find all the clues in the maze hunt to win a prize! Play old time carnival games dotted throughout a garden with apple orchards, perennial beds, vegetable patch, firewood lot and indigenous plantings. Maze House is at the Mt Prospect sign, 3155 Midland Highway. Just 12 km from Creswick and 12 km from Daylesford.
Open 10.00am-4.30pm both days.