Expansive and intimate, a special selection of private gardens on the scenic Central Coast of NSW. What a pleasure it is to be invited into these gardens; to wander, sip tea and chat to each host about their garden. Learn about plants and design with some very knowledgeable plants people on this short 4-night break.
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.
Crowne Plaza, Terrigal
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.
Crowne Plaza, Terrigal
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.
Crowne Plaza, Terrigal
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.
Crowne Plaza, Terrigal
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.
You will be contacted by a Ross Tours Travel Consultant to confirm your details and preferred method of payment.
Please refer to the Ross Tours standard terms and conditions
Entrance fees to all gardens and sightseeing including
{Bon Voyage}
We`re off to see some of Graham` s favourite gardens in New South Wales for the next ten days.
From Sydney’s oldest at Vaucluse House with the ghost of William Charles Wentworth, to the newest exciting hub of gardens in Little Hartley. Then the grandest at Mayfield, Oberon and the world class Botanic Gardens in Sydney, Mt Tomah and Mt Annan.
#nsw #visitnsw #destinationnsw #sydney #oberon #bluemountains #katoomba #orange #mtannan #mttomah #rt_nsw
{Bookings closing - Thursday 12 September}
Bookings for our NSW Gardens Tour are closing this Thursday. Join Graham on this fabulous tour to his favourite gardens in the state. He opens doors on his tours that no one else can. Don`t miss out!
Tour Dates: 15 - 24 October 2024
For the full itinerary, please click here:https://rosstours.com/tours/nsw/
#rt_nsw #rosstours #rossgardentours #grahamross #visitnsw
{Garden Visit: Cowra Japanese Garden, NSW}
A slice of Japan waits for you in Cowra’s Japanese Garden, built on the site of the World War II, POW camp, to commemorate those Japanese prisoners of war who died at the Cowra Breakout. Opened in 1979, the multi-award-winning Cowra Japanese Garden is a must-see especially in spring.
Ken Nakajima created the Kaiyushiki (strolling) Garden to symbolise the Japanese landscape and it’s been faithfully maintained all these years. There’s a rocky hillside, manicured hedges, waterfall and stream, and two beautiful lakes with Koi carp. A grove of gum trees represents Australian soldiers who were killed, allowing the spirits of both Australian and Japanese to live there.
The garden was established to recognise and develop the relationship between the people of Cowra and the people of Japan, a relationship that originated in the Prisoner of War Camp that housed Japanese prisoners during World War 11. Then in 1960 the decision by the Japanese Government to bring all their war dead from all over Australia, to be re-buried at Cowra.
Graham Ross will be visiting this garden on his NSW tour. For the full itinerary, please go here: https://rosstours.com/tours/nsw/
We have 2 rooms left on this tour, so call the office today on 1300 233 200 or go online.
#rt_nsw #cowra #nsw #visitnsw #destinationnsw #rosstours #rossgardentours
{Garden Visit: The Garden Curator}
Meet Colleen Southwell, The Garden Curator, in her large country garden just outside Orange. Colleen derives the inspiration for her art, her exquisite paper sculptures, from her garden.
“I immerse myself in my garden for a period of every day. Then I go back inside my studio to focus on the fine detail of my sculptures.”
We will be visiting Colleen on our NSW Gardens with Graham Ross tour this October.
Tour dates: 15 - 24 October 2024
For the full itinerary, please click go here: www.rosstours.com/nsw
You can easily book online or call the office on 1300 233 200.
#rt_nsw #rosstours #rossgardentours #travelwithfriends #coleensouthwell #orange #visitnsw
{Garden Visit: Windyridge, NSW}
It’s a dreamy walk through this beautifully designed and planted garden; a connoisseur’s delight, every plant carefully chosen for its spot. We were invited to its opening in 1995 and we have visited regularly ever since. Windyridge is the dream come true of our friends Rodger Davidson and his late wife, Wai. These two nursery owners together planned and planted this complex garden with the help of the late renowned garden designer and brilliant horticulturist, Gordon Sykes.
Graham Ross will be visiting Windyridge on his tour of NSW Gardens this October.
To book your seat, please call the office on 1300 233 200 or go online.
For the full itinerary, please click here: https://rosstours.com/tours/nsw/
#nsw #nswgardens #destinationnsw #rosstours #rossgardentours #travelwithfriends #windyridge #bluemountains #rt_nsw
{Garden Visit - Mayfield}
This exquisite 65ha estate is a patchwork of garden spaces - a horticultural masterpiece! Exciting new projects are underway in this superb cool climate garden. The twin herbaceous border, a grand boardwalk between twin beds of flowery shrubs & perennials was completed last year, and gets better each season as perennials grow. The formal rose garden has been recently renovated with roses and companion perennials planted in a new design to better display the roses.
In spring you can wander through the lilac border, the cherry walk, around the lake, over the bridges and into the water garden. This dreamy landscape, restorative and inspirational makes for a great day.
Graham Ross will be visiting Mayfield on his NSW tour this October. Why not join him?
For the full itinerary, please click here: https://rosstours.com/nsw/
#rosstours #rossgardentours #travelwithfriends #mayfield #overon #nsw @mayfieldgarden #rt_nsw
{New Tour}
Visit Graham’s special selection of gardens with him as your guide. From Sydney’s oldest at Vaucluse House with the ghost of William Charles Wentworth, to the newest exciting hub of gardens in Little Hartley. Then the grandest at Mayfield, Oberon and the world class Botanic Gardens in Sydney, Mt Tomah and Mt Annan.
Tour dates: 15 - 24 October 2024
For the full itinerary, please go here: www.rosstours.com/nsw
This tour will be selling out fast, so be sure to secure your seat soon by calling the office on 1300 233 200 or book online now www.rosstours.com/bookings
#rosstours #rossgardentours #nsw ##destinationnsw #visitnsw @mayfieldgarden #travelwithfriends #grahamross @destination_nsw @highfield_gardens @goryu_japanese_gardens @windyridge_garden @cowrajapanesegarden @antique_perennials @thegardencurator #rt_nsw
🙏 for the massive + feedback. 😍YOUR GARDEN is in stores now nationwide. It’s been coming since we launched the Garden Clinic Club 1982. Since then members have received a newsletter, B&W newspaper 😩, a colour newspaper 🤨, then 5 versions of a magazine😆. Now the pinnacle of our commitment to 🇦🇺 gardeners; 🥰a full colour, glossy, bigger, info packed magazine, plus recipes galore & a fun quiz. We answer your questions in our Q&A. Thanks to our fab, small editorial team, GCC members, Australia’s leading suppliers & to our new readers. Summer never looked so good in aussie gardens, verandas, balconies, we’ve got you covered. fair_dinkum_fertilizers terrafirmafertilisers richgrogarden bioguanoaustralia seasol_international plantgrowersaustralia plantnet_australia aussiehosesofficial yatesgardening ocean2earthaustralia honeysuckle_nurseries timsgardencentre leafstoppergutterguard lawnsolutions cutabove_tools indigospecialtyproducts camelliagrovenursery plantnet_australia wetandforgetau multicrop_farming bonnyrigg_garden_centre organic_crop_protectants neutrogaustralia neutrog_uwe #rt_nsw
We’re celebrating 🎉 the launch of our new magazine,Your Garden, on sale in Woolworths, Coles & newsagents Monday. With 45th anniversary of the Garden Clinic Club & radio show a new publication emerges from the old. Brighter, glossier, full of great stories, helpful advice & beautiful photographs. All to support you & Your Garden. Under Editor in Chief, mag doyen, 🩷Julia Zaetta, Editor 💖Tammy Huynh, Creative Dir. 💓Christine Schiedel & editorial team, Roger Fox🦊, Tyler Howard 🐨, & Brendan Moar🦁, w Sandra & me, w 🧠trust son Kent. We’re told there’s been no new, national independent garden magazine in 🇦🇺 for over 30 years, it’s long overdue. We hope you 🥰 it. fair_dinkum_fertilizers terrafirmafertilisers richgrogarden bioguanoaustralia seasol_international plantgrowersaustralia plantnet_australia aussiehosesofficial yatesgardening ocean2earthaustralia honeysuckle_nurseries timsgardencentre leafstoppergutterguard lawnsolutions cutabove_tools indigospecialtyproducts camelliagrovenursery plantnet_australia wetandforgetau multicrop_farming bonnyrigg_garden_centre organic_crop_protectants neutrogaustralia neutrog_uwe #rt_nsw
The Cowra Japanese Garden, our next tour stop, shines in remembrance to the Japanese & Australian soldiers who died in the wartime Cowra Breakout. Designed by Japan’s foremost Landscaper, Ken Nakajima, it has matured into a masterpiece of peace, remembrance and beauty. A must visit in any season. rossgardentours #rt_nsw cowrajapanesegarden visitcowra tourismnsw nswtourism #japanesegardens
Our next garden was created by Joy & Kerry on Mt Canobolas. Orange, NSW. The paulownia was the best specimen I’ve ever seen full of flower & perfume, rhodos, clematis, Cedrus atlantica ‘Glauca Pendula’, azaleas & beautiful feature trees. Thank you both for your generous hospitality, we greatly enjoyed the visit. rossgardentours #paulownia #paulownias #cedrus #cedrusatlanticaglauca #rt_nsw tourismnsw nswtourism centralnswtourism
We’re seeing many glorious gardens & meeting truly beautiful & talented people on this tour. Colleen Southwell, thegardencurator, is the 🌟 atop the tree. Multi-talented, horticulturist, gardener, creative artist, painter, writer, farmer, wife & mother, plus a few more skills including lover of English bone china. But you would never know unless you follow her Insta posts, or knew her personally. That’s been my good fortune to enjoy both for many years. Colleen shared her talents with my group again this year, watching her garden grow. What a joy it’s been Thank you Colleen, Jason, Edward & Skye. grahame.rowe joined me for the experience learning the ropes for the future. thegardencurator rossgardentours #gardenfriends #creativeart #rt_nsw tourismnsw nswtourism centralnswtourism
Journey on to Mayfield, Oberon, NSW for spring 💥 of colour. Met my dear mate Leon, a true Head Gardener legend. Have tree will travel, view from Chapel, conifer garden, Water Garden, group victory at Maze, Copper Tree rain, & on & on & we still only saw 60%. M/ tea & lunch capped off a magical day. Don’t miss this years spring. rossgardentours mayfieldgarden #rt_nsw #rhododendrons #lilac #lilacs #rhododendron #rhodendrons tourismnsw nswtourismassociation nswtourism centralnswtourism
The Australian Botanic Garden, Mt Annan, next on our journey, including the Plant Bank & National Herbarium. Volunteer Virginia led us expertly around these world class facilities. Then a walk around the spring garden filled with wildflowers. Australia’s largest botanic garden part of our oldest scientific institution. Knowledge overload today but so inspiring and how about the stunning natural’ McCubbin painting outlook. rossgardentours australianbotanicgarden sydneybotanicgarden botanicsydney #rt_nsw
Tour continues with a visit to dear friend & colleague, Don’s garden. Filled with rare beauty & curated plants to inspire any gardener. Double pink azalea ‘Scarlet Gem’, beautiful variegated Leucothoe, available from yaminarareplants is a gem, a superb collection of hybrid anemone, tree ferns recovering from the disastrous Gospers Mountain fire, seldom seen perennials, trees & shrubs made for a magnificent walk. rossgardentours #rt_nsw
From The Three Sisters to The Blue Mountains Botanic Gardens Mt Tomah a full day of mountain beauty. Best winter for years creating the best spring in memory. Here views compete with the results of talented staff & gorgeous plants. Group overflowing w spring fever. rossgardentours bluemountainsbg #rt_nsw
Rhododendron ’Coronation Day’ at Windyridge, Mt Wilson, on our journey through Rodger Davidson’s glorious garden w Waratahs & peonies in perfection. Open every day except Christmas, don’t miss this spring. The pond reflections are perfect while pump is being repaired. His little nursery is filled with treasures, we all loved his & his families hospitality. rossgardentours #rt_nsw windyridge_garden
Nooroo, very likely Australia’s finest garden, Mt Wilson. Day 3 of my NSW tour. Only A few owners since created by William Hay, 1880, then long stint of Valder family 1917-1992, since then the Barretts have continued the legacy but gently, sympathetically adding more gardens once the sheep were moved on. Throughout its life plantsmen and women (well one, Lorraine) have cared for this iconic, heritage listed home & stunning garden. We are so grateful & lucky to have had such talent & dedication to maintain this world class landscape. Its open until November, & if you see anyone pinch a flower, tread on the garden, warn them the kangawallafox will haunt them forever. rossgardentours nooroogardenmtwilsonnsw #rt_nsw