10 Secret Gardens You Need To See In Full Bloom

Lose track of time, and yourself, in one of the most magical secret gardens in Australia.

There’s a reason why the children’s novel, The Secret Garden, remains enchanting more than a century beyond its release. To glimpse an unspoiled world, cloaked in flourishing plant life and elusive wildlife that evidently tend to themselves, evokes a timeless curiosity in what lies beneath.

In pursuit of these natural havens during every Aussie adventure, we’ve rounded up our top picks for you to hunt down yourself. From spectacular seasonal blooms to unexpected surprises, the country’s best secret gardens connect you to nature in extraordinary style.

1. Wendy’s Secret Garden, NSW

A totally immersive art gallery, Wendy Whiteley’s Secret Garden on Sydney’s north shore is practically spiritual. One of Australia’s best “hidden" gems, the garden is the scrupulous handwork of Wendy Whiteley, wife of late artist Brett Whiteley, and it flows with every imaginable shade of green.

Dotted through the space, which is set on a steep hill that rolls down to Sydney Harbour, are sculptures and many other endearing artefacts. Once you reach the garden’s centre, you’ll also find chairs and benches to be perched upon as you soak up the wonderment. Bird baths, cherubs, an ancient wheelbarrow and a metal fountain from the late Margaret Olley, another iconic Sydney artist, await amid a manicured mass of palms, shrubs and trees.

Wendy Whiteley's Secret Garden in Sydney — Wendy’s Secret Garden flows with every imaginable shade of green. (Image: Destination NSW)

Best time to visit: Spring opens the spines of the garden’s Doryanthese excelsa, a Sydney native, to flower.
Price: Free.
Address: Lavender Street, Lavender Bay

2. Alfred Nicholas Memorial Gardens, Vic

The Dandenong Ranges, right next to Victoria’s Yarra Valley, is renowned for its outdoor hijinks and stellar dining, but have you explored its secret garden? The Alfred Nicholas Memorial Gardens is a historical site, once the actual garden of the three-storey Burnham Beeches mansion, and walking paths direct you through the tranquillity.

Be soothed by the garden’s lake as you explore an old boathouse and picnic areas. Vivid colour displays bounce off a mecca of ferns, orchids, mountain ash trees and other glorious flora and fauna.

Alfred Nicholas Memorial Gardens in Victoria — The Alfred Nicholas Memorial Gardens is a historical site.

Best time to visit: During autumn when leaves change colour.
Price: Free.
Address: Sherbrooke Road, Sherbrooke

3. Bonsai House, Qld

Nestled within the ever-popular Brisbane Botanic Gardens lies a secret garden often overlooked. Bonsai House is exactly what it sounds like, a space dedicated to the ancient Japanese art of growing miniature trees in pots, and inside you’ll be floored by the delicate little creations on show.

One of the country’s largest collections of bonsai displays, this secret garden shines a light on the species that thrive in a subtropical climate, spanning figs, azaleas and other varieties, with some living and breathing for more than 80 years.

Bonsai House in Brisbane Botanic Gardens, Queensland — Bonsai House is nestled within the Brisbane Botanic Gardens.

Best time to visit: All year round.
Price: Free.
Address: Within the Brisbane Botanic Gardens, 152 Mount Coot-Tha Road, Mount Coot-tha

4. Umpherston Sinkhole/Balumbul, SA

It’s not so secret these days but the Limestone Coast’s remarkable garden within a sinkhole is certainly a surprise to uncover. The Umpherston Sinkhole, a giant hole in the ground that’s overgrown with greenery, is breathtaking, complete with swaying vines, leafy walls and flowers planted in topsoil across the sinkhole’s base.

To pretty it all up further, seats and a barbecue area are down there too, making it one of the most unusual spots to connect to nature in all of South Australia.

Umpherston Sinkhole in Mount Gambier, South Australia — Umpherston Sinkhole is one of the most photographed locations in Mount Gambier. (Image: Jaxon Foale)

Best time to visit: All year round.
Price: Free.
Address: Jubilee Highway E, Mount Gambier

5. Emu Valley Rhododendron Garden, Tas

Bask in the beauty of vividly hued rhododendron blooms, which turn various shades of the rainbow, at Tasmania’s Emu Valley Rhododendron Garden . More than 24,000 plants have been planted across 11 hectares in the city of Burnie in northwest Tassie, with the prettiest sights set against a beautiful pond.

You might even spot an echidna or platypus around the place as native critters are known to frequent the stunning secret garden. A cafe is also on-site to help rehydrate eager explorers.

Grandpa with kids at Emu Valley Rhododendron Garden in Tasmania — Tasmania’s Emu Valley Rhododendron Garden has more than 24,000 plants. (Image: Tourism Australia)

Best time to visit: Mid-September to mid-November.
Price: $15 per adult.
Address: 55 Breffny Road, Romaine

6. Cactus Country, Vic

Swap leafy greenery for prickly succulents at Cactus Country in regional Victoria, right near the Victoria-New South Wales border. Australia’s largest cactus farm, fittingly plonked in the middle of nowhere and clocking in at 0.8 hectares in size, is home to more than 1000 cacti varieties.

Eight trails take you through the entire lot while an elevated lookout offers the ultimate Instagram backdrop.

Cactus Country in Victoria — Cactus Country, Australia’s largest cactus farm, is fittingly plonked in the middle of nowhere.

Best time to visit: All year round.
Price: $22.50 per person.
Address: 4986 Murray Valley Highway, Strathmerton

7. Holberry House Sculpture Walk, WA

You may have visited Western Australia’s historic Holberry House, located in Nannup, but its glorious lower gardens, scattered with sculptures , are often overlooked. Crafted by local communities, the series of artworks often incorporate natural materials and look striking against the beautifully maintained space.

Pull up a garden chair and take your time as the calming surroundings put you at one with this picturesque corner of town.

The Holberry House Sculpture Walk in Western Australia — Take your time exploring the Holberry House Sculpture Walk. (Image: Frances Andrijich)

Best time to visit: All year round.
Price: $4 per person.
Address: 14 Grange Road, Nannup

8. Moonta Bay Secret Garden, SA

You won’t believe what you step into when you find the Secret Garden in South Australia’s Moonta Bay. Wander down the Kemp Place walkway to enter a breathtaking lookout over the foreshore as manicured shrubs, vivid blooms and soft, fluffy lawn create an ethereal scene.

Make like savvy locals do and pack a picnic as there are several shaded spots to take advantage of and the garden is protected from coastal wind.

Moonta Bay Secret Garden in SA — Have a picnic at Moonta Bay Secret Garden.

Best time to visit: All year round.
Price: Free.
Address: Kemp Place, Moonta Bay, Yorke Peninsula

9. Lisgar Gardens, NSW

Journey to suburban Sydney – West Hornsby to be precise – to discover the beautiful Lisgar Gardens , home to almost 100 varieties of the striking camellia. While their scent is intoxicating, there are also three picture-perfect waterfalls to marvel at as you explore 2.6 hectares of secret gardens.

Native ferns and trees also gather in the peaceful space, while several fishponds, a gazebo, spacious lawns, picnic tables and a rainforest walk are also ready to be discovered.

Lisgar Gardens in Hornsby, NSW — Lisgar Gardens is home to almost 100 varieties of the striking camellia. (Image: Captured by Kirri)

Best time to visit: The camellias flourish in full colour between April and September.
Price: Free.
Address: Lisgar Road, Hornsby

10. Featherston Gardens, ACT

Once part of the Canberra Institute of Technology School of Horticulture, Featherston Gardens in Canberra is a tranquil space maintained by volunteers along Weston Creek.

Eucalypt woodlands, a storybook-esque pond, native plants, gazebos and shelters can be found throughout the 3.5-hectare sanctuary. A series of paths lead you through the highlights, however simply strolling through any section will spark a heightened sense of glee.

Best time to visit: Autumn, as tree leaves change through miraculous colour.
Price: Free.
Address: Heysen Street, Weston

Time your visit to Margaret River just right, and you can spend the ultimate weekend wining, dining and exploring the region with Pair’d Margaret River Region x Range Rover.

Wine, world-class produce, surf, sun and beaches: it’s an alluring combination. And the reason so many pin the Margaret River region high on their travel hit-lists. There’s drawcard after drawcard to the southwestern corner of Western Australia, and the Pair’d Margaret River Region x Range Rover food and wine festival showcases the best of it over the course of one weekend in November. It’s never been easier to sip, see and savour the Margaret River region.

In partnership with Pair’d Margaret River Region, Range Rover invites you on a seven-day itinerary of refined adventure, where luxury and exploration go hand in hand. It’s the perfect WA road trip, and there’s no better way to do it than in a Range Rover.

Day 1

the pool at Pullman Bunker Bay — Check into Pullman Bunker Bay.

There’s no more popular West Australian road trip route than that between Perth and the Margaret River Region. It’s an easily digestible, three-hour drive, with worthy pit stops along the way.

Make the first of them one hour and 15 minutes in, at Lake Clifton. Here, find a 2000-year-old living thrombolite reef. Drive for a further 40 minutes and chance meeting some of Bunbury’s dolphin population at Koombana Bay.

Pullman Bunker Bay is the final stop, just over three hours south of Perth. This beachfront, five-star resort is the ultimate base for exploring the Margaret River Wine region.

Day 2

After a leisurely morning breakfast with an ocean view, start your Range Rover and head towards the Dunsborough town centre. Browsing the decidedly coastal-themed goods of the town’s many independent boutiques is a great way to while away the hours, breaking up the sartorial with an artisan gelato snack stop, or some good old-fashioned Australian bakery fare.

Leave room; you’ll need it for the Good Natured Gathering dinner at Wayfinder. Indulge in a four-course feast by chef Felipe Montiel, which uses produce from the winery’s market garden to enhance a selection of sustainably sourced seafood and meat. But food is just the support act. It’s organic wine that’s the star of the show, generously poured and expertly paired to each dish.

Day 3

Settle in for cabernet at Cape Mentelle Winery.

With a grand total of 20 wines from vintage 2022 to try, it’s a good thing Cape Mentelle’s International Cabernet Tasting kicks off early. Make your way to the estate for a 10:00 AM start, where a global selection of wines will be poured blind, before a long lunch by Tiller Dining is served.

Given that the Margaret River is responsible for more than 20 per cent of Australia’s fine wine production, it’s only right to delve into it while in the area.

Continue exploring the region via taste and terroir aboard Alison Maree, a whale-watching catamaran, as you cruise Geographe Bay . Admire the rolling green hills and crisp white beaches of Quindalup in sunset’s golden light, all the while sipping through the Clairault Streicker catalogue and dining on canapes.

For a more substantial dinner, venture into Busselton for a seven-course British x Australian mash-up , courtesy of Brendan Pratt (Busselton Pavilion) and Oliver Kent (Updown Farmhouse, UK). They’ll be putting their rustic yet refined spin on the likes of local marron, wagyu and abalone – championing the simple beauty of the world-class ingredients.

Day 4

Wrap your fingers around a wine glass and wiggle your toes into the sand at Pair’d Beach Club x Range Rover on Meelup Beach. Sit down to an intimate wine session with sommelier Cyndal Petty – or a four-course feast by Aaron Carr of Yarri – and revel in the open-air beach club, bar and restaurant’s laidback coastal vibe. It’s a whole new way to experience one of the region’s most renowned beaches.

Follow up a day in the sun with a casual Italian party at Mr Barvel Wines . Purchase wines –including the elusive, sold-out Nebbia – by the glass and enjoy canapes with the towering Karri forest as a backdrop.

If you’d prefer to keep it local, head to Skigh Wines for the New Wave Gathering , where the region’s independent wine makers and their boundary-pushing wines will be on show. Street-style eats, a DJ and complimentary wine masterclasses complete the experience.

Day 5

pair'd Grand Tasting — Taste your way through Howard Park Wines. (Image: C J Maddock)

Spend the morning at your leisure, driving the winding roads through the Boranup Karri forest in your Range Rover. Soak in the views at Contos Beach, and call into the small cheese, chocolate and preserve producers along the way.

Make your next stop Howard Park Wines for The Grand Tasting presented by Singapore Airlines . Numerous wine labels will be pouring their catalogues over four hours, accompanied by food from chefs Matt Moran and Silvia Colloca, with live opera providing the soundtrack.

Cap off a big weekend with one last hurrah at Busselton Pavilion. Six ‘local legends’ – chefs Brendan Pratt (Busselton Pavilion), Mal Chow (Chow’s Table), Aaron Carr (Yarri), Ben Jacob (Lagoon Yallingup), Corey Rozario (Dahl Daddies) and Laura Koentjoro (Banksia Tavern) – will be preparing a dish each. Dance the night away as vinyl spins and the sun sets on another day.

Day 6

Ngilgi Cave western australia — Head underground. (Image: Tourism WA)

After a busy few days of wining and dining, it’s wise to observe a rest day. There’s no easier task than unwinding in the Margaret River Region, also famous for its high concentration of world-class beaches.

Relax on the grassy knoll as you watch the region’s most experienced surfers braving the World Surf League break at Surfer’s Point, or don your own wetsuit and try out one of Gracetown’s more beginner-friendly waves. Swimmers will find their Eden at Meelup Beach, Eagle Bay, or Point Piquet, where the sand is brilliantly white and the water as still as a backyard swimming pool.

Not into sun, sand, and surf? Head underground at Mammoth Cave, just one of the region’s many stalactite-filled caves.

Day 7

Burnt Ends event at Pair'd — Farewell the Margaret River.

Pack up your Range Rover with new favourite wines and newfound memories, ready for the three-hour journey back to Perth.

Prebook your discovery journey through the south-west corner of Western Australia with Pair’d Margaret River Region x Range Rover.

10 secret gardens in Australia you need to see in full bloom