Mount Macedon’s Hill Station Gardens
The townships around Mount Macedon were established during the Victorian gold rush, 1851- late-1860s, and were “ten-mile” stops on the routes between Melbourne and the Victorian goldfields.
In the 1870s, the beauty and coolness of the slopes began to attract members of Melbourne’s wealthy social elite and the government released some blocks on the south side of the mountain to the landed and business classes.
Hill station gardens were associated with the Indian settlements of colonial times as a retreat to the hills to escape harsh Summer conditions and were typically built on the cooler slopes overlooking valleys. With an altitude of approximately 1000 meters and a high relative annual rainfall combined with a Southerly aspect, Mount Macedon became the perfect haven for Melbourne’s wealthy elite in the post gold rush era of the mid to late 19th century.
Mount Macedon now boasts some of the most famed and cohesive collection of hill station gardens in Australia, despite the ravages of the 1983 bushfires that destroyed a number of significant homes and gardens.
Cameron Lodge
One of the oldest and most beautiful gardens in Australia, “Cameron Lodge” is in a class of only a handful of original hill stations dating back to 1880’s. Purchased and owned by William Cameron in 1916 it was named Cameron Lodge and nurtured into the sensational garden we can still see today. The 10-acre property features the ‘Temple of the Winds” a unique temple situated in the middle of its own lake.
Magnificent mature European trees, rare and unusual plants collected and planted in days past by horticultural enthusiasts that have owned the property over the last century. Long vistas of rolling lawns and stone walls complete the magical feeling of this garden, with so much to discover, a walk through this historical garden is a once in a lifetime experience.
Duneira Estate
This unusual and remarkable 38 acre property and garden was purchased in the 1870s by Suetonius Officer and are considered to be of 'outstanding cultural significance' by the National Trust of Australia; several of the trees are listed on the Register of Significant Trees of Victoria; and the Elm Avenue is referred to as 'one of the best surviving examples of a private formal avenue in Victoria'. The main residence and gate lodge are also mentioned in the National Trust's 'Statement of Significance'.
The lawns have been a feature of Duneira since the 1890s. There are four major areas: the East Lawn; the West Lawn; the East Terrace Lawn; and the Central Terrace Lawn.
The Dutch Elms lining the avenue date back to the planting period of Suetonius Officer and form part of a genetically important, shrinking global repository. Other remarkable trees from that period still abound.
Shepherd’s Bush
At 870 metres above sea level, “Shepherd's Bush” is a 1.5 hectare garden and is the highest residence on the mountain. The garden showcases many cold climate plants such as Rhododendrons, Maples, Conifers, Viburnums and Dogwoods.
Established in the 1870’s, and subsequently impacted by the Ash Wednesday bush fire, the garden has been lovingly restored by Kevin Edwards and Chris Williams over the last 20 years. A new residence was designed and completed in 2012 to complement the existing garden.
During Spring Shepherd's Bush comes to life with naturalised drifts of Lily of the Valley, Daffodils, Bluebells and Tulips. Summer brings blooms of Hydrangeas, Liliums, Lupins and Dahlias; the garden offers a cool respite from summer under the canopy of the 100 year old Oaks lining the lower driveway . In autumn, the whole garden radiates with stunning autumn colours and is suffused with an afternoon autumnal glow. A garden to visit in all seasons
Forest Glade
“Forest Glade” is recognised as one of Australia’s finest private gardens. With plantings over a hundred years old this garden has survived the test of time with stunning and beautiful gardens shining in all seasons, especially Spring.
A gardener’s paradise and a wonderful location for anyone with a passion for plants, sculpture, fountains and immersion in the natural world, the garden offers the opportunity of delightful discoveries. An extensive English themed section with huge exotic trees and masses of colour through to the delightful Japanese garden complete with a bonsai house. The delightful woodland area with shade loving plant leads to a daffodil meadow, and onto a cool fern gully with a boardwalk to explore the ferns and treasures of the forest floor.
Viewfield
“Viewfield”, set on 10 acres of stunning undulating gardens offers a diverse variety of vistas, allowing visitors to move through varied experiences within the grounds.
Gardens include colourful perennial beds, the sparkling Turritable creek running through a refreshing tree fern gully, a working glasshouse, vegetable gardens, sculptures, magical bridges over ponds, an artist’s studio, and large open lawn showcasing towering eucalyptus.
With Mount Macedon’s peak as its backdrop this impressive garden is productive and ever evolving and will delight you across the seasons time and time again.
