May 6, Day 1
Left Lorne and drove via Dean’s Marsh to our first stop at Shelford to Cedar Cottage, a now-restored one bedroom cottage built in 1850, being used as holiday accommodation.
Next we drove to Lethbridge to visit Vasili’s garden. A large country garden.
After lunch we drove to Lavandula Swiss Italian Farm at Shepherds Flat.
Next we drove to our accommodation at Hotel Bellinzona in Hepburn Springs.
May 7, Day 2
Now all together travelling on a coach. Our first stop was at Oak Cottage in Macedon, a young garden designed by Tim Pilgrim.
Next we had lunch in Trentham, then we visited Rhonda’s garden in Trentham, another Tim Pilgrim garden, displaying a beautiful array of perennials.
Our last visit for the day was Acre of Roses garden in Trentham. A large garden in progress. Rose beds overgrown with dense weeds.
We then returned to Bellinzona Hotel and walked across the road for dinner at Rubens with all thirty people on one long table.
May 8, Day 3
On the bus again. Our first garden was Babbington Park, run by famous chef Annie Smithers and partner Susan. Annie grows all vegetables for her restaurant in Trentham, Du Fermier (from the farm). The farm had extensive garden beds for every imaginable vegetable with a poly house for Mediterranean vegetables. They also had chooks, ducks, geese, sheep, goats and cows. Susan has restored an old church to create a venue for weddings. An amazing setup.
Lunch was in Woodend at Beverley and John Allen’s house.
Next we travelled into Woodend to have a tour of Islay House, another accomodation venue.
Back to Hepburn Springs and Hotel Bellinzona and pizza dinner at Rubens.
May 8, Day 4
Checked out of the hotel and drove to Mount Macedon to visit the Duneira Estate. Established in 1872 and set in 38 acres with about 16 acres of heritage gardens. We saw a Dutch elm driveway entrance with huge mature trees, including rhododendrons and holly bushes.
Next we viewed a 10 acre garden called Viewfield Estate. The property owned by Vicki and Les Hawken is a huge garden with an enormous range of plants and trees.
Next we had a great lunch put on by the Macedon Ranges and District Horticultural Society.
Following lunch we went to Nandi private garden in Mount Macedon and saw a magnificent four acre garden displaying a huge array of plants, all labelled with botanical names. The garden slopes down to the river with an extensive orchard. We finished our great trip by having homemade Anzac biscuits beside an open fire with TJand his wife.
