Mayfield Gardens
From working farm to stunning parklands
Located on the NSW Central Tablelands, just outside Oberon, Mayfield Garden is a two – three hour drive from Sydney through the World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains.
The gardens are made of two main areas. Beautiful and unique in every season, the 37 acre water garden is open 363 days of the year, while the Hawkins’ Private Family Garden is an additional 123 acres and is open to visitors only four times a year. Combined they make-up 160 acres of spectacular horticultural acheivement, Australia’s largest privately-owned, cool climate garden.
Mayfield had been a 2,100-acre working farm for many generations before being bought by the Hawkins family in 1984. Subsequently property acquisitions have grown the estate to 5,000 acres – with 160 acres dedicated to gardens, and the remainder continuing as a working farm.
With the help of talented local landscapers and tradespeople, bare paddocks have been transformed into a series of stunning gardens. Soon after entering past the café and garden centre you come to the water garden, a Japanese inspired maze of paths following streams and waterfalls toward the bluestone bridge and Mayfield Lake (just imagine having your own lake!) Explore the Valley of the Five Ponds, the Grotto, the Iron and Stone Arbour, Wisteria Walk and more.
Our visit was a last minute addition to our long weekend road trip, so we were very lucky that it coincided with one of the four times a year that the Hawkins family private gardens are also open. This happens once each season and gives visitors the opportunity to explore even more stunning garden areas including the Family Chapel, Croquet Court, Orchard, Glasshouse, Potager Garden and Australia’s largest private Box Hedge Maze. My favourite was the Chook Hilton – a hen house so grand it would make any feathered friend turn green with envy. From a 13 meter high obelisk and formal plantings of trees to gently curving paths through fields of flowers and shrubs, there are dozens of nooks and crannies to inspire and delight.
The ongoing design and development of the garden has largely remained the responsibility of the family, drawing inspiration from many of the magnificent gardens of Europe. There was no grand plan but rather a gradual unfurling as ideas were developed and brought into fruition. The ever-evolving blueprint offers visitors a spectacular day out.
Open daily 9 am – 4:30 pm (last garden entry at 3 pm) make sure you wear good walking shoes and bring some supplies (or buy a picnic box from the café). This garden truly deserves a full day to be properly appreciated, or if one day isn’t enough for you to get your horticultural fill, Mayfield offers glamping during its Spring, Summer and Autumn festivals. The gardens are dog friendly as long as your furry friend is kept on a leash and many areas are wheelchair accessible.
If you would like more information about Mayfield Gardens click here
