Travelling Roma: Two local gardens worth a visit

The Blue Mountains are home to many great gardens, many of them private and available for viewing but unfortunately not at this time of the year. Two that are open all year are the Everglades Gardens in Leura, and the Blue Mountain Rhododendrons Gardens in Blackheath. For us even visiting these two gardens is about three weeks too soon for all the beautiful spring flowers that show case both of them. Of course this didn't stop us taking the time this week spend an hour or two in each one.

The Everglades Historic House and Gardens in Leura were developed by Feltex carpet industrialist Henri Van De Velde in the 1930s as his weekend retreat. Famous landscape architect Sorenson was employed for many years to design and build this 12.5 acre garden that includes both European styled gardens and bushland. Much of the work was done in the early 30s when there was plenty of labour available due to the depression years. Large excavations work was carried out with stone walls built, streams created to look like they had always been part of the landscape with a waterfall and grotto/pool. The Art Deco House compliments the garden, and all is available to view.

Further information is on their website: http://www.everglades.org.au/index.php

View through the "wisteria window."

Man made waterfall and grotto.

On Tuesday we visited the Campbell Rhododendron Gardens in Blackheath. Julia gave us a personal tour. We had met Julia and her husband Wayne at a gathering not long after we arrived here. Although they have lived in Australia most of their working life, Wayne was born and bred in Invercargill. Small world. They even call their own property at Blackheath "Rakiura" (the Maori name for Stewart Is and our Otatara street name.) Julia is a very keen gardener and since retiring to the Blue Mountains have created their own beautiful garden. As someone who likes to be busy she is very involved with the The Rhododendron Gardens and has just taken on the job of presidency. These gardens were built in the late 1960s and 8 hectares of this 18 hectare block of Crown Land is utilised to grow rhododendrons and many other exotics amongst the native bush. One of their aim's state that they want to show that exotic and natives can exist in harmony and this is certainly evident. It is truly an inspiration to the team of volunteers who now maintain this garden and walking trails. Spring of course is the best time to visit when, by going through the photos we have seen, it must look truly spectacular. Their festival week in early November attracts thousands of visitors, both local and tourists. We feel very lucky to have had Julia as our guide, and also that as it has been a mild winter that a number of rhodos were in flower.