Central Coast Gardens NSW

Meet at Central Railway Station Sydney, ready to board our coach. We are heading to Terrigal with stops at two expansive gardens in the Yarramalong Valley. Our first garden covers 1.25 acres, and
surrounds an 1885 stone cottage that was once the Yarramalong Inn. Front garden is a modified cottage style garden. The rear garden is inspired by visits to the Garden of Cosmic Speculation in
Scotland. A picnic lunch is included in our next garden, nestled in the head of the Yarramalong Valley. Iris Pond, Teardrop Garden, sleeper step walk, Crabapple Walk and Pear Walk, with grand valley views, ancient Red Cedar and Wisteria arbour … inspirational! Time to settle into our deluxe hotel on the beach at Terrigal. Welcome Dinner in the hotel restaurant this evening.

We are heading into the Central Coast hinterland today. First up is the garden of garden designer, Michael Cooke and his wife Cathy. In 1990 they moved to a bush block at Central Mangrove, cleared the scrub, planted pasture, built the stables and fences for their horses whilst growing a garden and their family. It’s a real plantsman’s garden, with exciting plants that Michael loves and that enrich his life. Lunch included today at Saddles Restaurant, John Singleton’s rustic gourmet restaurant at Mt White. Paradise Garden at Kulnura is our last stop today, once the life’s work of plantsman Bob Cherry. Learn about their programme of essential oil production for organic skin care.

You will think you are in Port Douglas this morning in a small lakeside garden in Long Jetty, with palms, heliconias, tropical plants and a small veg garden. Gay Hannigan is looking forward to
sharing her garden with us! Next stop is a quirky garden on the Wyong River with boardwalks through palms and tropical plantings. We will have lunch here with garden owners, Carolyn and Bill Burton. Check out the nursery rhyme buildings created for their grandchildren. Last stop today is the Forresters Beach garden of plantsman, Peter Nixon; an exciting lush oasis of cool tropicals.

A gentle start this morning with tea served in Leonie Grimshaw’s Bateau Bay garden. On a sloping block of grey sand, this garden is an ideal blueprint for coastal living, with a fusion of natives, exotics, herbs, gabions and garden rooms. It’s a flowing, restful, beautiful place, environmentally sound and different. Lunch is included today in the serene Edogawa Japanese Commemorative Garden. Next stop is Craig Scott’s fabulous flower farm, East Coast Wildflowers, at Mangrove Mountain, home to some of the most beautiful and unique native flowers in the world. Head back to Terrigal with our Farewell Dinner included this evening.

With so much inspiration you might be keen for a spot of plant shopping at Impact Plants this morning in Empire Bay. A photo stop is next at Marie Byles lookout in Killcare, with panoramic views over Maitland Bay. An afternoon visit to Coachwood Nursery to learn about rare plants, dried flowers & unique succulents with Ruth and Peter Donnelly. Travel back to Central Station Sydney.