Mount Macedon - Viewfield Garden

Viewfield Garden is a magnificent 10-acre private garden on Mount Macedon, approximately 70 km northwest of Melbourne. The garden is particularly famous for its spectacular autumn colours, established heritage trees, beautiful ornamental plantings and peaceful woodland setting.

The garden features sweeping lawns, winding paths, mature European trees, towering eucalypts, colourful perennial borders and a picturesque creek flowing through shady fern glades.

Owners Vicki and Les Hawken purchased the property in 2011 and have undertaken extensive restoration and redevelopment, creating a constantly evolving garden that combines ornamental beauty with productive and sustainable gardening.

Viewfield opens to the public on selected dates during the Macedon Ranges Autumn Festival, providing a wonderful opportunity to explore one of the region's most beautiful private gardens.

Garden Highlights:

The garden features 19 distinct areas, each with its own character and collection of plants.

Highlights include:

Magnificent mature elms, oaks, maples and eucalypts
Spectacular autumn foliage
Beautiful perennial flower borders
Grand lawns and winding garden paths
Ornamental woodland gardens
Children's Fairy Garden
Waterfall and fern glades
Lagoon and Turritable Creek
Historic rose garden
Wisteria arbour
Productive food forest and vegetable gardens
Working glasshouse
Colourful flower-picking garden
Prairie garden
Native and Mediterranean plantings
Picturesque bridges and garden viewpoints

The variety of garden styles makes Viewfield particularly interesting, with something different to discover around almost every corner.

Fairy Garden:

One of the highlights for families is the enchanting Fairy Garden, created around a mature Irish Strawberry Tree.

The garden has been designed as a whimsical space where children can explore and play among the plantings.

Nearby, an enormous weeping elm, estimated to be approximately 120 years old, has a beautiful leafy canopy that children can enjoy exploring beneath.

Waterfall and Lagoon:

Turritable Creek flows through the property, creating picturesque waterways and tranquil garden settings.

A waterfall can be reached via steps along the Hellebore Walk. The original rockwork was rediscovered during restoration of the garden.

The lagoon was also restored and provides habitat for frogs, tadpoles and occasional fish.

Surrounding plantings include rhododendrons, azaleas, hydrangeas, hostas and other cool-climate plants.

Rose and Ornamental Gardens:

The historic rose garden was restored in 2014, with approximately 50 existing roses uncovered and rejuvenated before additional varieties were planted.

Other ornamental areas include the Memory Garden, Friendship Garden, Sunset Garden and Prairie Garden.

These feature combinations of flowering perennials, ornamental grasses, colourful foliage and seasonal bulbs.

Productive Gardens:

Viewfield also demonstrates sustainable gardening practices through its productive growing areas.

The Food Forest contains fruit trees, berries, edible plants and species that attract beneficial insects.

The Potager Garden produces vegetables using raised growing containers, while the glasshouse supports plant propagation and extends the growing season.

Autumn Open Garden:

Viewfield is generally open to visitors on selected weekends and public holidays during April, coinciding with the Macedon Ranges Autumn Festival.

The garden is particularly spectacular at this time of year, when mature deciduous trees create brilliant displays of red, orange, yellow and gold foliage.

Proceeds from the open garden are donated to Shared Table, a local not-for-profit organisation supporting people and community groups in need throughout the Macedon Ranges.

Facilities:

Extensive landscaped gardens
Walking paths and garden trails
Children's Fairy Garden
Garden map highlighting 19 areas
Seating throughout the grounds
Street parking along Mount Macedon Road

Public toilets are available nearby in Mount Macedon Village and at Stanley Park on Salisbury Road.

Refreshments are available at the nearby Mount Macedon Trading Post.

Opening Hours:

Viewfield is a private garden and is not open to the public throughout the year.

See current open garden dates and visiting hours.

Cost:

See current admission prices and ticket information.

How to Get There:

The garden is situated along Mount Macedon Road, with street parking available nearby.