Windyridge Garden and Nursery
Autumn in the Blue Mountains
I haven’t had a day in the mountains for a while, and autumn seems to be a perfect time for a visit. The last few months have been unseasonably wet and I don’t hold out to much hope for spectacular Autumn colours but if we are lucky there will be a little red and gold to be seen.
Windyridge is our second garden for the day and is much smaller than Breenhold which we visited first. When this property was bought by its current owners in 1995, it already included many deciduous trees including pin oaks, maples, copper beeches, ginkgos and tupelos. With an altitude of 1050m above sea level it was the perfect spot for Rodger and Wai Davidson to expand their collection of cold climate plants. The new owners supervised the five acre gardens transformation, with paved walkways leading you past oaks, japanese maples, camellias, azaleas and hydrangeas, alongside a waterfall and through a rainforest. Sculptures are dotted through the gardens as are a multitude of benches and chairs with breathtaking vistas, there is something new around every corner.
$10 entry includes free tea and coffee to sip on the terrace or while you browse in the nursery. The owners are very friendly and full of useful information, there is plenty of parking on the street and toilets are available.
There are many beautiful gardens that open to the public throughout the year in this lovely village, opening days and times vary with the seasons so check before you go.
While you are in the area have a picnic at the beautiful Cathedral Reserve (where you can also camp) or take a stroll to the Cathedral of Ferns and along Waterfall Walk. If you are after a bit of history, try the Turkish Bath Museum at the end of The Avenue, which houses a display of local history by the Mt Wilson and Mt Irvine Historical Society.
There are no shops or permanent cafés in Mount Wilson, the day we visited there was a very cute little coffee van open which we gratefully patronised. Nor is there any phone reception, ATM’s or fresh drinking water available, so make sure you pack everything you need for that picnic!
