Why You Need To Visit The Picture-Perfect Mayfield Garden

A verdant handkerchief of manicured grounds laid out in the NSW Central Tablelands, Mayfield Garden is an exquisite estate of horticultural mastery open to all garden lovers.

Singular in its vision and scale, the privately owned Mayfield Garden in Oberon, is a highlight on any horticulturalist’s hit list. Rambling across 65 hectares, the cool-climate garden is an astonishing example of how a landscape can be tamed and shaped to take new, artful forms.

Once a dry pasture for sheep, this cascade of themed gardenscapes draws multitudes of visitors each year who come to revel in the tranquil scenery and draw inspiration for their own spaces.

Of course, you needn’t be a plant enthusiast to enjoy this curated estate, anyone will enjoy the beauty of the generations-long project and respect the joy it brings. Here’s everything you need to know to plan a visit to the garden.

a drone shot of the Mayfield Garden, Oberon — Admire this curated garden estate in Oberon. (Image: Destination NSW)

The backstory of Mayfield Garden

It’s hard to believe that the 65 hectares of lush, sculptured and manicured lawns that make up Mayfield Garden were little more than a barren, rambling sheep farm when first acquired by the Hawkins family in 1984.

potted plants beside the Mayfield Garden signage — Revel in the tranquil scenery at Mayfield Garden. (Image: Destination NSW)

Initially, the family never intended to create a sprawling horticulturalist’s nirvana of international note here – they simply set out to build a family retreat. But ‘simple’ evidently wasn’t in patriarch, Garrick Hawkins, wheelhouse. Instead, the word spectacular springs to mind.

sculptured and manicured lawns in Mayfield Garden — Sculptured and manicured lawns are spread across Mayfield Garden. (Image: Destination NSW)

Beginning with the building of the main lake in 1987, followed by the Chinese pagoda eight years later, then steadily expanding with one beautifully executed landscape feature after another, it became apparent that Mayfield was something to share with the world.

an aerial view of the sculptured gardens in Mayfield — The sculptured gardens are stunning from above. (Image: Destination NSW)

In 2008, the gardens were opened to the public for a charitable event, and once the cat was out of the bag, it was no longer possible to contain it. Eventually, the ever-expanding Mayfield Garden was opened every day of the year (bar two) for people to bask in the splendour of 15 hectares of European-influenced showpiece gardens.

a couple walking along the Chinese Pagoda, Mayfield Garden — The Chinese Pagoda is just one of the garden features. (Image: Destination NSW)

Best things to do at Mayfield Garden

Even if you’re not an avid viewer of Gardening Australia, you’re going to find a profound appreciation for the work and dedication these gardens require. From horticulture and hospitality to marketing and masonry, the estate employs around 50 people to keep the Mayfield in awe-inspiring condition. Keep that in mind as you tour the estate, because you’ll no doubt find yourself exclaiming at the detail of the stonework or the meticulously trimmed hedges.

scenic views across Mayfield Garden, Oberon — The 65-hectare private garden is well-preserved. (Image: Destination NSW)

The gardens are divided into two separate parts. First is the public access to Mayfield Garden, open 363 days a year and rambling across 15 hectares. The second is the 50-hectare Hawkins’ Family Estate, which is only open during the four seasonal festivals each year, each running for around three to four weeks.

a couple rowing a boat during the Spring Festival in Mayfield Garden — Paddle your way around the lake for a charming romantic date. (Image: Destination NSW)

Begin a day at Mayfield Garden with a coffee in the restaurant, from there a leisurely pace will ensure you take in everything, but be sure you don’t miss the Bluestone Bridge, water garden and the grotto – all non-negotiable. To really soak up the magnitude of the achievement here, head to the Sandstone Gallery for the complete Hawkins Family and Mayfield Garden backstory. The Iron and Stone Arbour and Wisteria Walk are ripe for selfie-snapping and the Valley of the Five Ponds is perfect for a tranquil rest.

the red bridge in Mayfield Garden, Oberon — You’ll find a little red bridge over a pond. (Image: Destination NSW)

If your visit coincides with a garden festival that unlocks access to the Hawkins’ Private Family Garden, you’ll need to direct yourself to Australia’s largest private box hedge maze. The croquet court and rose garden will have you feeling like you’ve tripped into a Jane Austen dimension, and the Chinese pagoda and Mayfield Lake make for a romantic spot to linger. The newest feature of the garden and the latest must-see is the Herbaceous Border designed by celebrated garden designer Paul Bangay.

a couple walking along the colourful blooms in Mayfield Garden — Stroll around the colourful blooms in Mayfield Garden. (Image: Destination NSW)

Mayfield Garden restaurant

It makes good sense to make proper use of produce from the surrounding regions, thus most dishes at the onsite restaurant are beautifully fresh, seasonally inspired and made with local harvests. Garden-goers can pre-load with breakfast calories for a day roaming the property, pause their tour of the grounds for lunch, or finish the day with a sweet treat.

a close-up shot of a dish at Mayfield Garden's Cafe — The garden meals are made with local harvests. (Image: Destination NSW)

Depending on the season, you might be tucking into a warm winter salad, house-made granola or a Rueben sandwich. But with idyllic spots ripe for unfurling a rug under a verdant canopy, you could bypass dining in and, instead, order a picnic box from the restaurant. You can even add a bottle of wine or Champagne if things are headed in a celebratory direction.

a close-up shot of a dish at Mayfield Garden's Cafe, Oberon — Pop by the Mayfield Garden’s Cafe for healthy greens. (Image: Destination NSW)

The best time to visit Mayfield Garden

A cool-climate garden ensures each season delivers a sensationally different experience, so given the garden is open most days of the year (it’s only closed on Christmas Day and Boxing Day), when you go depends largely on your preference for foliage and blooms.

waterlilies in the pond of Mayfield Garden — Marvel at the waterlilies in the pond. (Image: Destination NSW)

In summer, it’s a lovely spot for a picnic under a shady tree and the waterlilies are flowering in the ponds; spring brings a chorus of colourful blooms and tender new leaves; autumn is cool and crisp with deciduous trees providing sunset-coloured canopies; and come winter, the garden is iced in frost and bareboned, but still lovely in its quietude.

However, if you’re keen to free-range through 50 hectares of the Hawkins’ Family Private Garden, you’ll need to coincide your visit with one of the four seasonal festivals.

the entrance decorated with flowers at Mayfield Garden, Oberon — Every corner is festooned with flowers. (Image: Destination NSW)

Tickets and entry fees

Keen garden lovers can sprig for an annual membership that includes two-hour garden access, every day for a year (should you wish), for only $40. Otherwise, casual visits that take in 15 hectares of the garden cost $15.

the lush garden setting in Mayfield, Oberon — A visit to the Mayfield Garden is a must for garden lovers. (Image: Destination NSW)

Come the seasonal festivals, for the same price, entry includes access to the 50-hectare Hawkins’ Family Private Garden and extends to five-hour sessions.

Got a gang of flower fanatics? Group tours also cost $15 per person, but come with access to the entire 65 hectares over four hours.

a lush and flower-filled landscape in Mayfield Garden, Oberon — Enjoy a two-hour access to the flower-filled garden. (Image: Destination NSW)

Getting to Mayfield Garden

You’ll find Mayfield Garden just 10 minutes out of town from beautiful Oberon, which is a relatively easy stretch from Sydney, accessed in under three hours along the Great Western Highway.

From Katoomba, it’s a 75-minute drive and it’s 40 minutes from Bathurst. Both Mudgee (north) and Cowra (south west) are two hours’ drive away, while Lithgow is less than an hour away.

driving along the scenic grounds of Mayfield Garden, Oberon — Mayfield Garden is just a short drive away. (Image: Destination NSW)

Mayfield Garden accommodation

There’s no permanent accommodation at Mayfield Garden, however, the onsite glampsite is open a few times a year to coincide with seasonal festivals in spring, summer and autumn. Glamping packages include garden access, luxe tent interiors, a pamper pack and a three-course dinner for two. You can also opt-in for breakfast delivered to your tent, which is pitched by the Obelisk Pond. One night costs $475.

a couple enjoying their coffee outside the glamping tent at Mayfield Garden, Oberon — Settle into a glamping tent and enjoy a three-course dinner for two. (Image: Destination NSW)

Should you miss out on a garden-side glamp, your next closest option for consecutive days roaming Mayfield is to book into accommodation at Oberon. From cosy Beaconsfield Cottage or country chic Little Brundah to the more rustic Abercrombie Caves Campground or the luxe Lake Oberon Estate , there’s something to suit every budding horticulturalist’s budget.

a building surrounded by manicured gardens in Mayfield — Stay amidst well-landscaped gardens in Mayfield. (Image: Destination NSW)

Whales breaching, fires crackling and slow-cooked feasts that make the cold so cosy, one might wish it lasted longer. Winter is no time to stay at home in NSW.

When the mercury drops, winter in NSW comes into its own. Beaches are quieter, the air is crisper and hearty food tastes even better when there’s ice on the windows.

Winter here isn’t for hiding away. It’s for long walks, deep baths, deeper reds and the kind of fireside lounging that feels simultaneously indulgent and entirely deserved after a day of exploring. From whale-watching up north to moodily lit bushwalks and pastry pilgrimages, we’ve mapped out your new favourite season.

a beach winter in nsw — From coastal walks to tasty delights, winter in NSW is a time to get out and about.

The Tweed

In winter, the NSW north coast has a front-row seat to one of nature’s greatest migrations. From May to November, humpbacks cruise past the Tweed coast between Antarctica and the Great Barrier Reef. Spot them from the Cabarita Beach headland or get up closer with a boat cruise.

Inland, find the Tweed Regional Gallery & Margaret Olley Art Centre , which is home to a rotating cast of big-name exhibitions (including Monet).

Later, grab a table at Bistro Livi , where the modern Spanish menu features whipped salt cod on toast and spanner crab with curry butter and spelt flatbread. Stick around to poke through the artist studios and indie boutiques of M|Arts Precinct .

visitors at Tweed Regional Gallery & Margaret Olley Art Centre — Browse the art. (Image: Destination NSW)

The next day, jump aboard the Indigenous Lunch Cruise with Tweed Escapes. You’ll cruise upriver listening to yarns from local Indigenous guides, stop at the Minjungbal Aboriginal Cultural Museum and tuck into lemon myrtle-crusted snapper.

Next, drive out to Farm & Co to pull apart some juicy smoked lamb shoulder with green olive tapenade while gazing out over the macadamia fields and avocado groves of this working farm.

End the day at Mantra on Salt Beach where you’ll enjoy beach access, a heated rock spa and a lagoon pool.

dining room at Bistro Livi — Taste modern Spanish at Bistro Livi.

Blue Mountains

The cold season is hands down the best time to visit the Blue Mountains. Temperatures are perfect – sunny enough for hikes, and crisp enough at night for snuggling up.

For a trip that equally soothes and stirs, start with a meditative meander through the national park’s eucalypts and Australian wildflowers. Brave the steepest passenger railway in the world, Scenic Railway , then hop the Skyway aerial cable car for unrivalled Three Sisters views.

Thaw out at the Japanese Bath House in South Bowenfels. Soak in steamy outdoor onsens filled with natural mineral water and mountain views, wander the rose and zen gardens, or sip hot drinks in the tea house.

group leader at Blue Mountains Stargazing — Rug up for Blue Mountains Stargazing. (Image: Destination NSW)

Afterwards, head to Ates in Blackheath, where everything revolves around a 150-year-old ironbark-fuelled oven – like the wood-roasted duck with nectarines and Szechuan spice. Or visit Tempus Katoomba , which leans experimental and sustainable, serving up dishes like braised fennel with cumin, spiced yogurt and Aleppo pepper.

Rug up and head into the night with Blue Mountains Stargazing . Sessions are guided by astrophysicists, helping you understand what you’re looking at as you look into deep space.

Wrap it all up at Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains – MGallery Collection . There’s a whiskey bar in the basement (and crackling fires that make a dram taste even better), indoor and outdoor pools and a day spa. Kids will love the mirror maze and ice rink, too.

dishes laid out on table at Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains — End the day with delicious meals at Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains. (Image: Destination NSW)

Southern Highlands

Good food and wine by the fire, experienced between sifting through second-hand treasures, is a winter vibe in Bowral.

Start with a lap around Dirty Janes , an antique and vintage market. Recover from your shopping frenzy at Bendooley Book Barn , where floor-to-ceiling shelves and a roaring fire set the tone for an afternoon of red wine or hot coffee.

When it’s time to eat, head to Hickory’s Restaurant & Bar , Peppers Craigieburn Bowral’s onsite restaurant. Try the crispy pork belly with Granny Smith crisps and apple gel, or ocean trout with wakame, lemon gel and pickled radish.

couple looking through Dirty Janes in bowral — Wander the antiques at Dirty Janes. (Image: Destination NSW)

Another option, Onesta Cucina , does Italian with flair. For something more casual (with cocktails), Flour Bar swings between brunch and dinner, with an onsite bakery, over 400 wines and a hidden deli in the old bank vault.

Later, clamber Mt Gibraltar , where trails wind through eucalypt forest to views over Bowral and Mittagong.

Stay at Peppers Craigieburn Bowral , a century-old estate with open fires, elegant lounges and a nine-hole golf course.

woman and her dog winter in nsw at Peppers Craigieburn Bowral — Stay cosy at Peppers Craigieburn Bowral.

Penrith

Shake off winter inertia with an adrenaline boost out in Penrith. Kick things off with a kayak paddle on the Nepean River with Horizon Line, or head to Cables Wake Park , where cold-weather wetsuits take the edge off a wipeout.

For something a bit more cruisy, opt for the Nepean Belle Paddlewheeler for slow-floating views and a hot cuppa.

kayakers on the nepean river in penrith — Head out on the Nepean River. (Image: Destination NSW)

Refuel at Marcel Bar & Bistro , where reimagined European comfort food – like seafood risotto in bisque with little neck clams and Moreton Bay bugs – is king. Then check in at the Pullman Sydney Penrith , the area’s first international five-star hotel, to enjoy your well-earned rest.

Start planning your NSW winter getaway at all.com.

Here’s why you need to visit the picture-perfect Mayfield Garden